It wasn't a dark and stormy night, but Crowley knows better. Just because it's a mild night doesn't mean everything is perfect, he knows why he is being called out this late and he isn't too pleased with what he is about to do.
Crowley is currently speeding down the road, he knows that he is late but he really can't bring himself to care...the police car chasing after him though...they are really starting to annoy him."No matter how loud you blare your siren I'm still not going to stop for you!" Crowley growls softly. "I do not have time for this." He hissed, the noise of the siren is irritating him so he stopped the police with a snap of his fingers.
Once he is sure the police isn't chasing after him anymore he speeds up, he might not care if he is late but he would rather get this over and done with. He parked right outside the graveyard and saunter up the path.
Hastur holds up his hand. "All hail Satan."
Ligur holds up his hand. "All hail Satan."
Crowley holds up his hand as well but instead of hailing Satan, he gave them a wave. "Er. Hi guys. Sorry I'm late, but, well, you know how it is on the A40 at Denham, and then I tried to cut up towards Chorleywood—"
Hastur interrupts Crowley. "Now we art all here, let us all recount the Deeds of the Day."
Crowley holds back a sigh. "Of course. Deeds. Yeah."
"I have tempted a priest. As he walked down the street and saw the pretty girls in the sun, I put Doubt into his mind. He would have been a saint, but now, within a decade, we shall have him." Hastur said, looking proud of himself.
Ligur made an approving guttural throaty noises as he smiled.
Crowley forced a smile as he nods his head. "Nice one." He said politely.
"I have corrupted a politician. I let him think a tiny bribe would not hurt. Within a year we shall have him." Ligur said proudly.
Crowley nods his head. "Right, you'll like this. I brought down every London-area mobile phone network tonight." He smiled hopefully, hoping for once they would see the brilliance of his plan even though he knows that it is hopeless.
There is a baffling silence and as it drags on Crowley's smile begins to drop slightly.
"Yeah?" Hastur finally asked.
Crowley's smile feels so much forced now, it's time like this that makes him miss being under Satan, at least he sees the brilliance of his plans. "Yeah, it wasn't easy. I-"
Hastur cut him off again. "And what exactly has that done to secure souls for our master?"
"Oh come on! Think about it!" He forces a laugh as he prays to someone that they would see how brilliant the plan is. "Fifteen million pissed-off people? Who takes it out on each other? Who takes it out on everyone else? Ruined days. Ruined nights. The knock-on effects are incalculable..."
"It's not exactly...hmm...craftsmanship." Ligur looks unimpressed.
"Well, head office don't seem to mind. They love me down there. Guys, times are changing. So," He gives them a smile as he shrugs his shoulders. "What's up?" He asked even though he knows.
"This is." Hastur smiled as Ligur reaches down and picks up the wicker basket at his feet.
"No." Crowley whispered in fake shock.
"Yes." Ligur whispered back while looking pleased.
"Already?" Crowley asked softly as he keeps up the mask of shock.
Hastur steps forward "Yes."
"And it's up to me to...?" Crowley looks at the both of them with fake disbelief.
"Yes." Hastur and Ligur answered. Hastur smirked at how nervous Crowley is as Ligur hold out the basket for the snake Demon.
"You know, listen, it..." Crowley stammer as he tries to figure out what he can say to get out of this even though he knows that it is impossible. "...really isn't my scene." He said while shaking his head.
"Your scene. Your starring role. Take it." Ligur said as he holds out the basket.
"Like you said. Times are changing."
"They come to an end, for a start."
"Why me?" Crowley asked, he really can not believe that they are able to come all the way here with the baby but is unable to deliver him themselves.
"Well, They love you down there." Hastur throws Crowley's words back at him. "And what an opportunity. Ligur here would give his right arm to be you tonight."
"Or someone's right arm, anyway." Base on the look Ligur is giving him, Crowley wonder is that someone Ligur is talking about is him and he does make makes him a little nervous to be close to the chameleon Demon.
Hastur has produced a clipboard. "Sign here." He said as he holds out the clipboard.
Crowley licks the tip of his finger and uses it to draw his sigil. He pulls his hand back dramatically and shakes off the flame once he is done as the entire sheet of paper goes up like flash paper.
"Now what?" Crowley asked softly, wanting this whole thing done and over so he can crawl into bed.
"You will receive instructions. And why so glum?" Hastur asked. "The moment we have been working for all these centuries is at hand!"
"Centuries." Crowley said dully.
"Our moment of eternal triumph awaits!" Ligur is enjoying how nervous and upsetting this is making Crowley. They all know how important this is and a single slip of would mean a world of pain for everyone, especially Crowley because he has the most important job.
Crowley forced a smile that is not convincing anyone. "Triumph."
"And you will be a tool of that glorious destiny!" Hastur doesn't understand why Crowley is given such an important job...okay, that's a lie. He knows it probably has something to do with Satan's obsession with him.
"Glorious tool. Yeah..." Crowley said dully as he looks like he wants to be anywhere but here. "Okay." He reaches out to take the basket from Ligur. "I'll, er, be off then. Get it over with. Not that I want to get it over with. Obviously, but I'll be popping along." Crowley said nervously as he backs away from the two implacable demons. "Great. Fine. Yeah." He turns and heads back to his car. "Ciao!" He saunters to his car so they don't know how badly he wants to get away from them. He gets into his car and places the basket in the passenger seat as he speeds away.
"Shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit! Why me?" Crowley growled as he ignored the radio while driving down the road.
Of course, until Satan's voice came through his radio. "You earned it, Crowley, didn't you? What you did to the M25 was a stroke of demonic genius, darling."
"The M25? Yeah, well... Yeah, I'm glad it went down so well." Crowley pulls over to the side, the last thing he wants is to almost crash into anything.
"Here are your instructions. This is the big one, Crowley."
Crowley freeze in place as the instructions are transferred directly into his brain. It was only a few seconds but Crowley doesn't like it, he never enjoyed getting information this way. He shakes his head to clear it before turning towards the basket. He doesn't know what came over him but he opened up the basket and hold the baby in his arms. "Hello Little one, you about to be given to a loving family." He smiled softly as he looks down at the Antichrist who looks just like any other human baby...and has opened his eyes to look up at him.
"You've got a lot to look forward to you know: a normal human life on Earth. Mortgage repayments, the 9 to 5, a persistent nagging sense of spiritual emptiness. Oh, that was crabby. No, that was old. But I am old, Dear. I am so old and yet I am nowhere near the end. But you, My Dear. You are so young, aren't you? And you know, right now, everything's ahead of you. You could be anything."
He step out of the car and look up at the night sky, the stars can barely be seen due to the clouds. "Look at them, Dear. Aren't the stars beautiful? They don't actually look like that, you know, they are rather more impressive." He snaps his fingers to clear the night sky to reveal the stars that are shining brightly. "You know, when I was so much younger, I created the stars and planets, gave it my hundred and ten per cent. It was lonely, filling up an empty universe alone, but I had fun. And I hope you have as much fun as I did, Dear, but I hope you won't be as lonely as I was." He smiled down at the baby who is watching the stars.
Crowley gently strokes the baby's cheek as he looks down at him with more love and kindness than any Demon is capable of showing. "I know you will do the right thing when the time comes because you will be loved and you will love. You might not realise it at first but when you do you'll realise how powerful love is. Wait for it, fight for it, believe in it. Because love is not an emotion. Love is a promise and love is a form of hope, and like hope, love abides."
Crowley looks up at the stars, not knowing that while he is watching the stars, the Antichrist is watching him. He did not stay long, he can stargaze another day. He gets back into his car and gently lay the baby back into the basket. "Time for you to meet your parents, Dear." He said as he closed the basket and drive off.
Crowley pulls up in front of the Chattering Order of St. Beryl and gets out with the basket in his hand. He heads towards the cloisters, he's in a hurry with too much on his mind to care if he leaves his car light on or if he has closed the door.
Mr. Young pointed towards Crowley car when he saw him walking away from his car "You left your lights on."
Crowley snaps his fingers without stopping and the lights went out.
"Well, that's clever. Is it infra-red?" Mr. Young asked as Crowley walked passed him, looking impressed.
Crowley turns towards him but instead of answering, he asked. "Has it started yet?"
"Um...they made me go out." Mr. Young explained.
Crowley really doesn't care why he is outside. "Any idea how long we've got?"
"I think we were...getting on with it, Doctor."
"Got it. What room is she in?" Crowley asked as turn around to continue his walk into the church.
"We're in Room Three." Mr. Young called out.
"Room three, got it." Crowley said as he pushes open the door and enter the church.
Crowley comes up some back stairs, and out into a corridor as he looks around trying to find a nun. Preferably the same one in the show.
Crowley can't help but smile when he saw the nun he was looking for and let his smile drop before getting her attention. "Psst!" He holds out the basket as the nun walk towards him.
Sister Mary Loquacious bow slightly when she is in front of Crowley before accepting the basket from him. She hugs the vintage biscuit tin close to her body as she opened the basket to see the newborn. "Is that him?" She asked with a smile on her face.
"Yup." Crowley really wants to leave now that the baby has been delivered.
"Only I'd expected funny eyes or teensy-weensy little hoofikins. Or a widdle tail." Sister Mary Loquacious smiled down at the baby.
"It's definitely him." Crowley wonders if she thinks he would just bring a random baby here instead of the Antichrist.
Sister Mary Loquacious nods her head in excitement. "Fancy me holding the Antichrist. Counting his little toesie-woesies. Do you look like your daddy?" She asked as the baby coos softly. "I bet he does. Do you look like your daddy-waddykins?"
"He doesn't." Crowley should know. "Take him up to Room Three." Crowley said before turning to leave.
"Room three. Do you think he'll remember me when he grows up?"
Crowley turns around to face Sister Mary Loquacious as he pushes the door open with his body. "Pray that he doesn't." He said before leaving.
"Call Aziraphale." Crowley told his car's phone system.
"Calling Aziraphale." A female voice said before a disconnected beep sound throughout the car before a recorded message was played. "Sorry, all lines to London are currently busy."
Crowley groaned loudly, remembering what he had done and now he has to look for a telephone booth. It took a while but luckily he did manage to find one on his way back to London. "Come on, Angel. Pick up." He muttered softly as the phone rings.
"I'm afraid we're quite definitely closed." Crowley smiled, at how annoyed Aziraphale sounds, probably thinks he is a customer calling to buy his books.
"Aziraphale? It's me. We need to talk."
"Yes. Yes, I rather think we do. I assume this is about..."
"Armageddon. Yes." Crowley hangs up the phone and heads back to his car, he knows his Angel would know what to do, no need for him to say any more than necessary.
Crowley got up early in the morning to meet Aziraphale at their usual spot in St. James's Park. Both Angel and Demon sat side by side, facing the pond as they speak.
"You're sure it was the Antichrist?" Aziraphale asked as he tries to not look over at his Demon.
"I should know. I delivered the baby." Crowley said before feeling the need to explain himself. "Well, not 'delivered' delivered, you know? Handed him over."
"An American diplomat." Aziraphale glance over in disbelief. "Really? As if Armageddon were a cinematographic show you wished to sell in as many countries as possible."
"The Earth and all the kingdoms thereof."
Aziraphale turns to face Crowley. "We will win, of course."
Crowley looks at Aziraphale and raises his eyebrow. "You really believe that?
"Obviously. Heaven will finally triumph over Hell. It's all going to be rather lovely." Aziraphale smiled.
Crowley smirked. "Out of interest, how many first-class composers do your lot have in Heaven? Because Mozart's one of ours. Beethoven. Schubert. All the Bachs." He is really trying not to look too smug.
"They have already written their music."
"And you'll never hear it again. No more Albert Hall. No more Glyndebourne. Just celestial harmonies." Crowley isn't going to tell anyone just how much he is enjoying this. He knows that Aziraphale would come around so he isn't worried that he won't be able to change his mind.
"Well..."
"And that's just the start of what you'll lose if you win." Crowley continued. "No more fascinating little restaurants where they know you. No gravlax with dill sauce. No more old bookshops." He stood up.
"But after we win, life will be better for everybody." Aziraphale said as he stood up to follow Crowley.
"You'll be about as happy with a harp as I'll be with a pitchfork." Crowley said as they walk to his car.
"We don't play harps." Aziraphale pointed out.
"And we don't use pitchforks. You know what I mean." Crowley rolls his eyes.
"But it's part of the Divine Plan. The Four Horsemen will ride out."
"Where do they ride out from?" Crowley asked curiously.
"What?" Aziraphale asked with a confused look on his face.
"The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Their arrival signals the end of days. War, Famine, Pestilence and Death. Where do they ride from? Do they have a stable somewhere?"
"You ought to know. They work for your lot, don't they?"
Crowley shakes his head. "Not as far as I know. Independent contractors, I expect. Specialists. In business for themselves."
"I heard Pestilence retired."
"Really?" Crowley is happy about that, he never liked Pestilence. Being who he was it isn't a surprise he doesn't like the guy.
"Yes. It's Pollution, these days. I think this is a bit of a red herring. The point is, the Four Horsemen ride out. The seas will turn to blood..."
"The seas are where your sushi comes from." Crowley turns to look at Aziraphale. "Come on, Angel. We've only got eleven years and then it's all over. We have to work together."
Aziraphale let out a sigh. "No."
"It's the end of the world we're talking about. It's not some little temptation I've asked you to cover for me while you're up in Edinburgh for the festival. You can't say no."
Aziraphale did in fact say 'No' but he's determination is wavering.
"We can do something. I have an idea."
"No! I am not interested!" They stopped walking and Aziraphale look away from Crowley so he doesn't see the pain in his eyes. Aziraphale does not need Crowley to tell him how important this is and everything he would lose if Armageddon happens. He is next to the most important thing he would lose but this is too big for him to go against.
Aziraphale turns to walk away from Crowley only to be stopped by his question. "Well, let's have lunch, hmm? I still owe you one from..." He doesn't actually owe him anything but it is an excuse for them to spend more time together.
And Aziraphale knows it but he pulls up one of their meetings. "Paris. 1793."
Crowley smiled. "Yes. The Reign of Terror." He walks towards his car, knowing that Aziraphale would follow. "Was that one of ours or one of yours?" He ignores the Traffic Warden as he is writing down his license plate on his electronic notebook.
"Can't recall. We had crepes." Aziraphale light up at the memory of the crepes they shared.
Crowley smiled as they got into the car as the wheel clamps fall off and the Traffic Warden's electronic notebook fizzles and sparks as they drive away.
"Mm... That was scrumptious." Aziraphale said as he cleans his mouth. "So, what are you in the mood for now?"
"Alcohol." Crowley smiled as he stood up. "Quite extraordinary amounts of alcohol." The food is delicious as always but he knows that getting drunk will help calm Aziraphale down and get him to agree to his idea. He just hopes that he doesn't accidentally reveal who he was, though he is sure Aziraphale had guessed by now. A bit surprised that he didn't ask about it.
"I have several very nice bottles of Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the back. I picked up a dozen cases of them in 1921, and I still have some left, for special occasions." Aziraphale informed Crowley as on their way back to the bookshop.
"Not very big on wine in Heaven, are they, though? Not going to get any more nice little Châteauneuf-du-Papes in Heaven. Or single malt scotch. Or little...little frou-frou cocktails with umbrellas."
"Crowley, I've told you. I'm not helping you. I'm not interested. This is purely social." Aziraphale said as they stop outside his bookshop. "I'm an angel. You are a demon. We're hereditary enemies."
Crowley has to fight back a smile, he doesn't believe that Aziraphale thinks of them as enemies.
"Get thee behind me, foul fiend!" Aziraphale said seriously before breaking into a smile. "After you." He said as he opens the door for Crowley.
Crowley entered the bookshop and towards the back room where he made himself comfortable as Aziraphale went to get the wine.
~6 Hours later~
"So what... What exactly is your point?" Aziraphale asked.
Crowley emptied the bottle into his glass. "My point is- My point is, dolphins. That's my point. Big brains, the size of...damn big brains." He said as he takes off his sunglasses and sat down. "Not to mention whales. Brain city, whales."
Aziraphale looks up from his drink. "Kraken. Ooh, great big bugger. Supposed to rise to the surface. Right...right up at the end, when the sea boils."
"Well, that's my point. Whole sea bubbling. The dolphins, the whales. Everybody turning into bouillab- Bouill-bouillab- Bouillab-" Crowley struggles to say the word as Aziraphale tries to help him. "Fish stew." He gave up trying. "Anyway, it's not their fault. And that's the same with gorillas. They say, like, "Whoops". They say a lot of- Sky gone all red. There's...stars crashing down. And what are they putting in the bananas these days?" He stood up and walk around.
"They're All creatures, great and small." Aziraphale said as he holds his glass in both of his hands.
Crowley turns back to Aziraphale with a grin on his face. "And you know what's worse? When it's all over, you've got to have to deal with ETERNITY!" Crowley makes a huge dramatic gesture.
This got Aziraphale's attention and he sat up straight as he turns to face Crowley. "Eternity?"
Crowley picks up Aziraphale's collection of theatre programmes. "Yeah, it won't be so bad at first. Although no more Stephen Sondheim first nights in eternity, I'm afraid." That look on Aziraphale's face made him grin. "Although, I have heard rumours that your boss really loves The Sound of Music. You fancy spending eternity watching that? You could literally climb every mountain over and over and over and over and over and over and over." Crowley giggled as he walks around the back room.
"I don't like it any more than you do, but I told you, I can't diso– not do what I'm told. I'm an Angel. I..." Aziraphale groan softly as he covers his eyes. "Oh, God, I- I can't cope with this while I'm drunk. I'm going to sober up."
"Yeah, me too." Crowley muttered softly, he takes a deep breath and closes his eyes as he transfers the wine back into the bottles.
Crowley and Aziraphale are both unhappy once they have sobered up. Getting un-drunk is never a pleasant experience even though it is necessary for them to continue their discussion.
"Even if I wanted to help, I couldn't." Aziraphale said once the unpleasantness has passed for the both of them. "I can't interfere with the Divine Plan.
"Well, what about diabolical plans?" Crowley asked as he places the corks back into wine bottles. "You can't be certain that thwarting me isn't part of the Divine Plan too. I mean, you're supposed to thwart the wiles of the Evil One at every turn, aren't you?"
"Well..."
"See a wile, ya' thwart. Am I right?"
"I... Broadly. Actually, I encourage humans to do the actual-"
"But the Antichrist has been born. But it's the upbringing that's important, the influences. The evil influences, that's all going to be me. It'd be too bad if someone made sure that I failed." Crowley smiled when he saw the light of comprehension in Aziraphale's eyes.
"If you put it that way... Heaven couldn't actually object if I was thwarting you.
Crowley shakes his head. "No. Be a real feather in your wing."
Aziraphale looks at Crowley as he reaches out his hand, and they shake hands on it.
"We could be godfathers, sort of, overseeing his upbringing. We do it right, he won't be evil. Or good. He'll just be normal."
Aziraphale smiled. "It might work. Godfathers. Well, I'll be damned." He chuckled happily.
Crowley just returns the smile, not wanting to ruin the happy mood by bringing to attention what Aziraphale just said. "I'll be the boy's Nanny and you can be the gardener. I'll raise him and you can teach him to be kind and good while he's playing outside."
"Wonderful idea, Crowley. I have some gardening books and I have been meaning to try my hands-on gardening." Aziraphale light up as he got onto his feet and went looking for the books.
"You do that while I get everything I'll need to put together and get us the jobs. I'll pick you up in a month or so. The sooner we're in the boy's life the better." Crowley waves his farewell as he leaves.
Dressed up like a goth Mary Poppins, Crowley walk past the Secret Service as she heads towards the house and was let in by the Butler who brought her to Mrs. Dowling.
Mrs. Dowling is a mess, she wanted her child to be raised by his parents, not by the Maid or Butler and definitely not by a Nanny, but her husband is of no help and she is at her wit's end. She caved and hired a Nanny to help her. Don't get her wrong, she loves her son but there is only so much more she can take.
Mrs. Dowling looked up when she heard the door open and got onto her feet with Warlock in her arms, crying his eyes out, as she walked over to greet the new Nanny. "Miss Ashtoreth, it is nice to meet you." She gives her a tired smile.
'Ashtoreth' smiled softly as she takes in how tired Mrs. Dowling looks. "It is nice to meet you as well, Mrs. Dowling. And this must be Warlock, what seems to be upsetting you, My dear?" She asked softly as she holds her arms out while looking at the tired mother for permission to take the child.
Mrs. Dowling hesitates, she wanted so badly to be able to raise her son without outside her but she is drained and listening to him cry is starting to upset her so badly she is willing to push her wants aside and carefully place her son in Ashtoreth's arms.
"Hello, Warlock," Ashtoreth gently stroke his cheek. "Why are you upset, Dear? You don't need a change." She said after checking. "Are you hungry?"
Mrs. Dowling shakes her head. "He just ate an hour ago." She relaxes slightly when she saw how gentle Ashtoreth is being with Warlock.
"Is that so? Then perhaps it is time for your nap, Dear." Ashtoreth walk around the room while rocking him gently as she sings 'You are my sunshine' to him.
Mrs. Dowling is amazed when she saw Warlock calmed for not even halfway through the song and has fallen asleep by the end of it. "I've never seen him fall asleep so quickly." She said softly, feeling like she has failed as his mother.
"Years of childcare experience." Ashtoreth smiled softly as Mrs. Dowling leads her to Warlock's room. "I know how overwhelming it feels for a first-time parent to care for a child but do not feel like you have failed him in any way. You tried your best and called for help when you know it is too much for you. Not a lot of people have the strength to admit that they need help." She gently lay Warlock down before turning to Mrs. Dowling and gently places a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, Dear. I'm here to help now." She gives her a reassuring smile. She'll help raise Warlock to be a good child even if it goes against the plan she has with Aziraphale. She can't in good conscience mess up a kid, especially seeing as she knows that he isn't the Antichrist.
~Warlock age 5~
"Nanny! I finished everything! Even my vegetables!" Warlock smiled brightly as he proudly shows Ashtoreth his empty plate.
Ashtoreth smiled softly as she gently pats Warlock's head with a hand behind her back "Very good, Hellspawn." She smiled softly. "Do you know what that means?"
Warlock jump in excitement. "Ice cream! Ice cream! Ice cream!" He cheered.
Ashtoreth chuckles softly as she miracle a bowl of ice cream behind her back and places it in front of Warlock. "Don't eat too fast now, Dear." She stroke his hair lovingly.
"Okay!" Warlock eats the ice cream with a bright smile on his face. "Nanny!" He called out as he holds out a spoonful for Ashtoreth. "It's yummy! Try it!"
Ashtoreth smiled and take a bite if the ice cream before kissing his forehead. "Mmm...it is yummy, thank you, Warlock. You are such a good boy."
Warlock beamed up at his Nanny with love in his eyes. His mother might have wanted to raise him herself but once his Nanny took over his care she threw herself back to work and barely has any time for him but she does try.
Sadly she did not try hard enough to spend time raising her son so it means Ashtoreth is the one who is raising Warlock and giving him the love that he needs. So even though Warlock calls someone else 'Mother' he has always seen his Nanny as his mother figure. His first word is 'Nanny', his first step is towards his Nanny. If he has a choice he would choose his Nanny as his mother. That is how much he loves her.
Ashtoreth gently wipes Warlock's mouth clean before picking him up. "Let's get you cleaned up and it's off to bed." She said as she carries him to the bathroom to have him cleaned up and changed into his pyjamas. Once he is ready for bed she carries him to his bedroom and set him on his feet. "Get into bed now while I wind up the music box, Dear." She said before walking over to wind up the spooky music box, she trust Warlock to get into bed himself.
"Will you sing me a lullaby, Nanny?" Warlock asked softly as he looks up at her with hopeful eyes.
"Of course, Dear." Ashtoreth smiled softly as she tuck Warlock into bed, Warlock has grown into a fine child and she is so proud of him. "Go to sleep and dream of pain. Doom and darkness, blood and brains. Sleep so sweet, my darling boy. You will rule, when Earth's destroyed."
"Brother Francis says that I must be kind and nice to everybody. Even Sister Slug. And not ever destroy the earth."
Ashtoreth smiled softly. "Don't listen to him. Listen to me. You are the son of a powerful man, when you grow up and be your own man you'll need two things. The submission and obedience of the people under you." She gently kisses his forehead. "Sweet dreams, My little Hellspawn."
~The next day~
The main entrance to Hell and Heaven is in the lobby of a large skyscraper located in London. Crowley and Aziraphale both walk into the lobby together but ignored each other. Aziraphale takes the escalator up to Heaven as Crowley takes the escalator down to Hell. It is both their day off and they use it to report back to their respective sides.
Crowley hates coming down to Hell. It is literally a grubby office with terrible lighting. He has to wait in one of the rooms for Beelzebub, with Hastur, Ligur and a whole bunch of Demons waiting for his report.
"Tell us about the boy Warlock." Lord Beelzebub ordered as they walk into the room.
"He's a remarkable child, Lord Beelzebub." Crowley said with his hands in his pockets, looking relaxed and like he belongs even though he wanted nothing more than to run away, as Beelzebub stopped in front of him.
"But is he evil?" Hastur asked, that is the most important question that needs to be answered.
"Fantastically evil." Crowley said with a smirk on his face and almost take a step back when Ligur takes a step towards him.
"Killed anyone yet?" Ligur smirked when he saw that Crowley is uncomfortable with him in his personal space.
"Uh...no, not yet. But there's more to evil than just killing people, eh?" Crowley shrugs his shoulders as he tries to look relaxed and hide how uncomfortable he is.
The other Demons in the room let out vague noises of agreement, Crowley has a point.
"I suppose. But it's fun." Ligur isn't happy with the answer but he backed off to stand next to Hastur.
"Have you encountered any trouble from the...opposition?" Beelzebub sounds like they are going to puke at the thought of the Angels.
Crowley smirked as he shakes his head. "They don't suspect a thing."
Crowley couldn't be happier to be back on earth, he got onto the top deck of the bus they agreed to meet in and head to the seats right behind Aziraphale.
"The boy's too normal." Crowley whispered to Aziraphale as he is pretending to read the newspaper.
Aziraphale lowers the newspaper but doesn't turn to look at Crowley. "Excellent. It's working." He whispered back as he folds the newspaper. "The heavenly influences are balancing out the hellish." He takes off his glasses. "A no-score draw." He said happily.
"I hope you're right. Only six years left to go."
"Crowley?"
"Yeah?"
"I mean, if he comes into his full power, how do we stop him then?"
"I'm sure it won't come to that." Crowley lean back against his seat with his arms crossed as he looks away from
Aziraphale didn't say anything but he is worried. He wants this to work so badly, the thought of losing the Demon behind him...he doesn't know what he would do if he does. He knows that he definitely won't be the same anymore and there is no way he would ever be happy again if Crowley is no longer in his life. If the thought of losing his Demon pains him already he is afraid to imagine the pain he would be in if he does lose him.
