Beelzebub had been expecting Uriel and Dagon's house to be either abandoned or swarming with battle-ready angels. The last thing she expected was to see Uriel and Dagon sat at a picnic table in their front garden, drinking tea and eating blueberry muffins while they admired the sunrise.
Beelzebub stormed up the garden path while Crowley trailed behind her.
Uriel smiled when she saw Beelzebub, but then she noticed Crowley and her eyebrows knitted together. She craned her neck to look behind them, looking for their owners.
"Get inside," Beelzebub ordered.
Uriel looked affronted. "Don't you speak to me like that! Where's Gabriel? And who's this?" she pointed at Crowley.
"Has Heaven not contacted you?" Beelzebub said. "They were supposed to have contacted all of the angels still on Earth! Bloody useless-"
"Where's Gabriel?" Uriel repeated. "Are you out here on your own? Idiots! If anyone caught you-"
Uriel had stood up, her arms crossed. Dagon was still sat down, munching on a muffin and cheerfully watching the drama unfold.
"We are all in danger!" Beelzebub roared. "Gabriel has been discorporated, and so has Crowley's owner, Aziraphale. Satan is going around systematically killing angels and stealing their demons. We managed to escape. We need to get to Heaven right now. Satan and his cronies have Hellfire."
Uriel looked overwhelmed. "Let's go inside."
"Thank you!" Beelzebub said sharply.
Uriel glanced at Crowley with suspicion, but quickly decided he was harmless. After all, she thought that he didn't have any powers.
"Do you know a kid named Adam Young?" Beelzebub asked Uriel as they went inside the house.
"Yeah. Deirdre's kid. Why?"
"He's Satan's son - the Antichrist."
Uriel almost walked into a chair. "Are you telling me that Deirdre had an affair with Satan?! She's not the kind!"
"The babies were swapped at birth or something. That's what Satan told us."
Uriel swore under her breath.
Uriel pushed aside the kitchen table with Dagon's assistance, and then pulled away a faded floral rug, revealing a circle chalked onto the floorboards.
Beelzebub looked out of the window, keeping an eye out for any angels or demons that might decide to pay them a visit. She still didn't feel entirely safe, and wouldn't until she was with Gabriel in Heaven. She had visions of Satan figuring out her deceit and coming looking for them.
Beelzebub hoped they would immediately teleport to Heaven, but Uriel felt the need to engage in a painfully long chat with Upstairs first. The angel on the other end of the line confirmed everything Beelzebub had already explained, whilst assuring Uriel that they were just about to get in touch to recall her, honest. Beelzebub rolled her eyes at that. At least it was confirmed that both Gabriel and Aziraphale were in the hospital and doing okay. Crowley let out a relieved sigh, and then started worriedly explaining that Michael was in terrible danger, only to have the angel tell him that Michael was perfectly safe and in the hospital.
Before long they were all stepping into the light.
Heaven was so stark and white it hurt Crowley's eyes.
He didn't even recognise this place, but then again, the last time he had been in Heaven – aside from being locked away in the Demon Rehoming House – had been 6000 years ago. He'd still been an angel. Had Heaven always been this huge and overbearing?
There were so many angels dashing about that the place put him in mind of an extremely busy airport terminal.
Crowley stayed close to Beelzebub, clinging onto the corner of her coat. He still had the book he had found and was clutching it to his chest like a shield.
Three angels gathered around them. Beelzebub was trying to give them important information but they weren't listening. It was clear that they didn't trust her. To make matters worse, they had become separated from Uriel and Dagon somehow - Crowley couldn't see them anywhere amongst the bustling crowd – which meant that they didn't have an angel to defend them anymore. They were alone.
The three angels were trying to shepherd them into a corner.
"You're not listening!" Beelzebub snapped. "The Antichrist-"
One of the three spoke over her. "You're upset. Hysterical. You both need to take some medicine to help you settle down."
Crowley drew closer to Beelzebub, tightening his grip on her coat.
Beelzebub's voice was calm and dangerous. "Gabriel will go ballistic if you do anything to me – to either of us - without his permission."
The angel was clearly outraged that a demon had spoken to him like that, but now he looked unsure of himself. He took out a mobile telephone. "I'll find out what Gabriel wants. I've got better things to do than babysit the likes of you."
The angel put the phone to his ear, waiting impatiently. "Ah. Archangel Gabriel. This is-" A look of embarrassment crossed the angel's face. He turned away from the others. "I'm sorry - I didn't mean to wake you. Yes, I understand. But I thought you wanted to know if there was any news about Beelzebub. Yes. Yes, she's right here in Heaven. What should I- Yes. She looks okay. What? Er. Yes. Okay."
The angel awkwardly held out the phone to Beelzebub. "The Archangel Gabriel wishes to talk to you."
Beelzebub took the phone. "Hi Gabriel. Yeah, we're fine. How are you and Aziraphale? Good. Now listen, this is important. I have info' on Satan and his plans to- What? No. I'm fine. Don't worry about me. Listen. You need to send a bunch of angels to Tadfield- No, I don't need a blasted cup of tea! Where are you? I need to talk to you properly. Also can you tell this angel not to give us Holy Water tablets? Yeah. Hang on."
Beelzebub smiled at the angel. "Gabriel wants to talk to you."
The angel took the phone. "Hello?" He drew the phone away from his ear and flinched. Gabriel was yelling furiously at him down the phone line. "Er. Yes. Okay. Understood. I'll have them brought to you straight away."
The angel put his phone away, and then turned towards the demons in front of him. "Right. Er. Gabriel wants to see you both. Come along."
The angel led the way, while the other two angels flanked Crowley and Beelzebub.
Soon they were walking down a corridor, passing door after door. Each door had a small window in it, and Crowley craned his neck to peer into one. He saw Michael lying in bed, fast asleep.
They were led into Gabriel's room.
Gabriel was sat up in bed. He saw Beelzebub, and his face lit up, his eyes full of relief. Then he looked at Crowley.
Crowley's heart raced as he waited to see how Gabriel would react to him. He still couldn't quite believe that he wouldn't be in trouble for having his powers and slitting Gabriel's throat, even if it had been in order to save him.
Gabriel gave him a smile. "Aziraphale will be pleased you're here. I'm glad you and Beelzebub stuck together."
Beelzebub dashed to Gabriel's side, pulled up a chair and immediately launched into an in depth account of all that Satan was planning. Gabriel listened intently and then he looked at the three angels – for they were still hanging around, looking uncomfortable while they waited to be dismissed – and ordered one of them to write down an account for the Metatron of all that Beelezbub knew. It seemed that the angels had already received detailed information from Michael, but Beelzebub had much more to add.
Gabriel pointed at one of the other angels. "Take Crowley to Aziraphale's room. He's several doors down."
The angel grabbed Crowley by the arm in a tight grip and started to push him towards the door. Crowley tensed, instinctively looking towards Beelzebub for help, but she was too busy dictating to the angel who had become her scribe.
"You don't need to manhandle him," said Gabriel. "He's perfectly capable of following you. He's very well trained."
Crowley wasn't sure if that was supposed to be a compliment or not, but it was a relief all the same when the angel let go of him.
"He rescued Aziraphale and myself from being destroyed by stray demons, so I think he's earned a certain level of trust," Gabriel said.
Crowley smiled at Gabriel, who refused to meet his eye. The angel that had grabbed his arm made a noncommittal noise, forced a smile, and then led Crowley into the corridor.
They reached another door not far away, and the angel pushed it open. Crowley rushed past him, excited to see Aziraphale, and then he froze.
Aziraphale was in bed, either asleep or unconscious, it was difficult to tell. His skin was pallid, his breathing shallow and laboured. Crowley had expected Aziraphale to be in a similar state to Gabriel, and seeing him like this brought everything back.
"Aziraphale?" Crowley whispered, moving towards the bed, but Aziraphale didn't stir. Crowley dropped the book forgotten onto the bedside table, and then he stood beside the bed, feeling helpless.
"He was awake earlier," the angel said with annoyance. "I can't leave you in here unattended. Come on, I'll take you back to Gabriel."
Crowley couldn't bear to leave Aziraphale all alone. He looked so vulnerable.
There came a voice from the corridor. "I'll look after him."
"Oh, thank you, Sandalphon," the angel said before walking away.
Crowley opened his mouth to beg him not to leave him alone with Sandalphon, but he couldn't get the words out. He couldn't breathe.
Sandalphon walked into the room and then closed the door behind him. He glanced at Aziraphale, still out cold, and then he looked Crowley up and down.
"Did Aziraphale dress you up like that? You look ridiculous."
Crowley found his voice. "Go away! You're not allowed to hurt me anymore. I belong to Aziraphale-"
"Don't you dare tell me what I'm allowed to do!"
Crowley staggered backwards as Sandalphon stormed towards him.
Crowley didn't even consider using his powers, not just because he knew Sandalphon would make sure he was destroyed for it - and Aziraphale punished - but because he was too scared to fight back.
Sandalphon reached out to grab him by the throat.
Every fibre of Crowley's being told him to run. He dodged to the side, and then darted around until he was stood behind Sandalphon. They both seemed equally shocked by this easy escape.
Crowley realised that he had the upper hand. He had fully healed from the tablets, while Sandalphon's exposure to Hellfire had left him as weak and slow as any human.
Shaking with nerves, Crowley mimicked a move he had seen on television and karate chopped Sandalphon on the back of the head. Sandalphon yelped and dropped to the floor. He spun around to face Crowley, blind rage contorting his features, and then he started climbing to his feet.
"Stay down!" Crowley cried. He kicked Sandalphon in the chest, making him fall onto his back.
"A hundred years I had to put up with you!" Crowley yelled, shaking with anger, adrenaline pumping through his body. "And you enjoyed it! You psycho! Stay down!"
Crowley kicked him again, and Sandalphon shrank back, trying to get away from him. He was shaking his head, his eyes wide and panicked. Crowley had never seen Sandalphon scared before – and to think, it was Crowley he was afraid of.
"You're not so tough without your powers, are you? Now you know what it was like for me - and all the other demons you hurt!"
"Stop this! I'm an angel!"
"You're the least angelic person I ever met!"
Sandalphon kicked at him furiously, trying to knock Crowley's feet from under him, but Crowley took hold of Sandalphon by the ankle and dragged him across the floor towards the door. Crowley reached down and grabbed him by the hair - as Sandalphon had done to him many times before – and forced him to his feet.
"Get out," Crowley shouted, pushing Sandalphon towards the door.
"You'll pay for this, you worm!" Sandalphon hissed, struggling in Crowley's grasp. "I'll make you pay!"
"You'll do no such thing!" said Aziraphale. "Get out!"
Crowley and Sandalphon both turned their faces towards the bed. Aziraphale had sat up. He still looked pale and unwell, but his face was alive with anger.
Aziraphale glared at Sandalphon. "How dare you come in here, after everything you've done!"
"He attacked me! I didn't do anything!"
"He was defending himself! I saw you try to attack him! You'll pay for hurting him! You'll pay for all of the demons you've hurt!"
"They're just demons! Who cares?!"
"Get out, you horrible little man!"
Sandalphon was shaking. "You'll regret this! You'll both regret this!"
"Oh, shut up," Crowley hissed. He opened the door and then shoved Sandalphon out into the corridor.
Crowley was about to slam the door in Sandalphon's face when Gabriel's door opened. Gabriel stepped out just as Sandalphon shot forward to punch Crowley in the face. Crowley ducked out of the way.
"For fucks sake, Sandalphon!" Gabriel shouted.
"He attacked me!" Sandalphon said, staggering towards Gabriel. "I had to protect myself!"
"You're already in enough trouble as it is for torturing demons! Go back to your room and stay there! I don't appreciate being dragged out of bed for this!"
"This is all Crawly's fault!" Sandalphon shouted, pointing at Crowley, who stood awkwardly in Aziraphale's doorway. "Crawly and Aziraphale framed me! I'm facing a trial because of their lies!"
"You're facing a trial because you're an asshole! Go back to your room and stay there! Do you understand me?!"
Sandalphon sagged, the fight leaving him. "Yes," he mumbled, and then he walked back to his room.
Gabriel turned to Crowley. "Are you okay?"
Crowley nodded. "Yeah. Thank you."
"Good."
Gabriel turned around, and Beelzebub helped him back to his bed. An angel was in their room, sitting at a desk in the corner, scribbling away – or at least pretending to, clearly more interested in what had been going on in the corridor. Beelzebub gave Crowley a smile before closing the door.
Crowley looked warily at Sandalphon's door, and then walked back into Aziraphale's room, closing the door firmly behind him. Aziraphale looked exhausted, but his skin had some colour to it now, and there was a brightness in his eyes.
"Oh, Crowley," Aziraphale said. "I'm so proud of you. You were so brave."
"How long were you awake?"
"I woke up just as Sandalphon ran at you. I tried to yell at him to stop but my voice was too weak. Neither of you could hear me."
"Are you feeling better?"
"A little bit, yes. I still feel tired, but I'm alright. Gabriel said Satan came to the shop to kidnap you?! I was so worried!"
"I was worried about you! You were so badly hurt! I wasn't sure if- I escaped from Satan with Beelzebub's help. She's next door with Gabriel."
"Oh, good. I know he was terribly worried about her."
Aziraphale patted the bed beside him, gesturing for Crowley to sit down. There were no chairs in this room, unlike in Gabriel's room, and the space was much smaller. Crowley perched on the edge of the bed.
"Thank you for protecting me," Aziraphale said. "You saved my life."
"I couldn't let them hurt you," Crowley said with a shrug, embarrassed by Aziraphale's heartfelt words and praise. "I'm sorry about your fancy wine though."
Aziraphale laughed. "Don't be sorry about that. It was a clever idea. But I must say, it scares me to think what might've happened if it had gone wrong."
Crowley shrugged again. "It was the only way I could think of to stop them. I – I should have used my powers earlier than I did. Then you wouldn't have been so badly hurt."
"You used your powers?" Aziraphale said, surprised. "Gabriel said he was out cold for most of the time, so I'm sure he didn't see."
"Um. Actually, I think he did. But it's okay. He's pretending he didn't. He let Beelzebub get her powers back too – she said we're safe. They won't tell anyone."
Aziraphale's face went through a variety of expressions, finally settling on wary and relieved. "Well. I'm glad I'm not the only angel who refused to have anything to do with those horrible tablets-" Aziraphale started to cough, a pained look on his face. He settled back against the pillows, eyebrows drawn together.
"Are you okay? Should I fetch someone?"
"No. It's just a sore throat. I've never had a sore throat before." Aziraphale started to cough again, and then he pointed at the bedside table where there was an almost full glass of water.
Crowley picked up the water and then handed it to Aziraphale.
The angel downed the entire glass. "Thank you," he said, passing the glass back to Crowley. "They said I should feel better in a few hours. But my powers will probably take a couple of months to return. The Hellfire damage was rather severe."
"I'll look after you."
Aziraphale smiled. "Thank you, my dear. I can't wait to get back home."
Crowley averted his eyes. The bookshop was gone, probably burnt to the ground. He didn't know how to tell him. He remembered Satan laughing as the shop burned. Where was Satan now? How long would it take for the angels to catch Satan and the Antichrist? The severity of the situation came back to him. He had felt so relieved to be back at Aziraphale's side, knowing that Heaven could stop Satan, but they were not out of danger yet. If Satan succeeded, Aziraphale would vanish, along with every other angel.
"Crowley? What's wrong?" Aziraphale said, concern in his eyes.
He didn't want to scare Aziraphale. Once Satan and the Antichrist had been stopped and they were truly safe, then he could tell him everything.
"Just a lot has happened is all," Crowley said.
"We're safe," Aziraphale reassured him. "Everything is going to be okay."
Tears came to Crowley's eyes. "I thought I lost you, today," he said, his voice breaking. "I love you. I love you so much. I didn't think I'd ever get a chance to tell you."
Aziraphale let out a gasp. "Oh, Crowley. I love you too."
Crowley reached out and took Aziraphale's hand in his own, needing to touch him, needing to know that he was truly there.
Aziraphale flinched, and Crowley let go.
"Sorry," Crowley said. "I shouldn't have touched you."
"No, it's alright, I just- I can't. I don't want to take advantage of your feelings."
Crowley smiled. "You could never take advantage of me. Whatever you want is okay. I just want to be near you."
Aziraphale reached out hesitantly. "It would be nice to hold your hand…"
Crowley took it.
"And… perhaps a hug. If you're willing."
Crowley shuffled closer to him on the bed and wrapped his free arm around him, pulling him close. Aziraphale relaxed against him, and then his hand wrapped around Crowley's back, holding onto him tightly.
They stayed like that for a little while, Crowley enjoying this new closeness between them. When they pulled apart Crowley wanted to kiss him, but he didn't dare, not even on the cheek.
"I brought you something," Crowley said, picking up the book from the bedside table.
Aziraphale's face lit up. "You brought me one of my books! Oh, thank you!"
"No, I found it. A girl fell off her bike and dropped it. It's one of those prophesy books you like."
Aziraphale looked worried. "Oh, Crowley. That's stealing. We should return it to her as soon as we can."
Crowley looked away as Aziraphale took the book from him, guilt heavy in his chest. "I wanted to return it to her, I swear, but she'd already cycled away. Maybe I can still find her. She must live in Tadfield."
Crowley was so busy defending himself that he entirely missed the look on Aziraphale's face when he read the title page.
"I – I'm sure it's fine," Aziraphale said, his voice cracking. "She should learn to be more careful."
Crowley quirked an eyebrow as Aziraphale leafed reverently through the book.
"Are you okay?" Crowley asked. "Your hand is shaking."
"What? Oh. Yes. I'm fine. Tickety-boo."
"Perhaps you should get some sleep."
"No, no. I'm feeling quite awake now. And this book looks rather… interesting. Thank you."
Crowley smiled, pleased that Aziraphale liked the book. He yawned.
"It seems you're the sleepy one," Aziraphale said with a chuckle. He shifted to give him more room. "Feel free to lie down and get some rest. You've earned it."
Crowley's eyelids did feel heavy now that he thought about it, so he let them close as he curling up close to Aziraphale. He might not need to sleep like he used to, but he still craved it. Besides, the night had been a long and stressful one.
"Thanks, angel," Crowley said drowsily. "Wake me up if you get sleepy or don't feel very well. I don't trust Sandalphon. One of us should stay alert in case he comes back."
"I will, my dear. Thank you."
Crowley fell asleep to the sound of pages turning.