Aziraphale stared at the wall of the lift, his hands at his sides as he tried not to fidget and fuss, or adjust his jacket yet again. The heavenly glow washed over him as they ascended and a part of him finally felt like he was going home. A much bigger part of him, however, felt lost and confused. Earth pulled at him, like being the rope in a tug of war. He knew this was the right thing, at least he thought it was the right thing. Heaven wasn't always right it seemed, but he was an angel, if he could be the one in charge then he could do so much good. Couldn't he?

The second coming, however, didn't sound like good. At least not good for humanity and the earth. Was that really part of the ineffable plan, to end the human world and destroy the universe? Heaven wasn't pleased the last time they stopped Armageddon, but God had remained stubbornly silent on the matter. Had they done the right thing then? It had felt like the right thing. Outwardly he tried to keep his face neutral, the Metatron was watching him in the reflection of the doors and Aziraphale hoped his conflict wasn't showing on this great climb. He hadn't decided if this obscenely long ride was a good thing, a chance to think, or if it was just a delay that would make him doubt himself even more.

If only Crowley were here, if they could talk through all of this, he would know the right thing to do, the good thing. Crowley, just thinking his name was like a knife twisting in his chest, he almost reached up to touch his lips again. Watching him walk out the door that final time took something of Aziraphale with him, that last look at him standing by the car, their car... And then he got in this stupid lift. The emptiness, that gnawing feeling inside him, grew the farther he traveled from earth. What was he doing? This had happened too quickly, without time to really think. Metatron's offer had been sudden and very unexpected… it seemed to be everything he could ever want, on the surface. But as much as Aziraphale wanted to be welcomed back into Heaven, the closer he got, the more wrong it felt.

He didn't let himself think on it anymore, he just acted. "Um, well..." He looked over at Metatron, giving him a small apologetic smile. "If you'd pardon me." And in a blink he was gone.

XXXX

Crowley drove, he just drove. Away was all he could think. He was angry, but more than angry he was hurt. Hurt and disappointed. He'd put it all out there for Aziraphale, practically cut himself open and for what? Heaven was the last place he'd ever want to be, not after everything. Aziraphale knows this, how could he… It played over and over in his mind. Where did it all go so wrong. He shouldn't have let him go first, he should have said something sooner, before Metatron could offer Aziraphale his dream job, making him think he could fix things in Heaven. Making him think he could fix Crowley. He let out a bitter laugh, as if there was any way to fix him, not that he wanted to be fixed. He didn't need fixing. Heaven needed fixing, but that wasn't going to happen, no matter how much Aziraphale might try. All Heaven wanted was destroy the earth and humanity, Armageddon was still the only thing on the agenda.

He slowed the Bentley (though still driving far beyond the speed limit) as he realized what that would mean, what they tried to do to Gabriel when he wouldn't go through with Armageddon 2.0. Aziraphale surely wouldn't go along with it, would he? Not after all they did to stop the first one… but if he put up a fight, if he tried to stop it and change the new grand plan, how would he be punished?

"Shite," he said out loud knowing he'd have to go back. He was angry with Aziraphale, but not so angry that he'd let him be mind wiped, or cast down to hell… or erased from existence.

Before he could do anything, Aziraphale was there. Crowley slammed on the breaks, the leaves of his plants tickled his neck from the backseat as the car screeched to a halt, stopping just in time to avoid the errant angel standing in the middle of the road. He nearly wept in relief at the sight of Aziraphale, but that didn't stop his lingering anger and frustration from boiling to the surface, surrounding him like a protective wall.

He threw open the door, climbing out of the car and stalking toward Aziraphale, "Just what on earth do you think..."

It was his turn to be silenced by hands on his lapels, pulling him in. Aziraphale's lips met his in a slightly gentler, but no less passionate kiss. He was still mad, but couldn't stop himself from putting his hands on Aziraphale. Crowley's eyes closed and he let himself indulge- he felt the warmth of Aziraphale in his arms, the softness of his lips, how sweet he tasted, he wouldn't say it was Heaven, because well… ugh, but if there was another word for a place that was wonderful and safe and everything he could ever want, that's what it was.

XXXX

He'd done it, and it felt right. Aziraphale savored the kiss like he would a fine wine, but it was better than any wine he had tasted. It was Crowley. He knew it was a bit forward and not at all like something he would normally do, but Crowley had opened something inside him and he didn't know how else to start this conversation. How else to try and make amends but to give back what he had ruined. It wasn't going to fix things, but he hoped it helped. His grip loosened on Crowley's jacket, but he wasn't ready to pull away. He couldn't stop himself, his hand found it's way into Crowley's hair, pulling him closer instead. The feel of Crowley's arms around him only strengthened his resolve that he had done the right thing in leaving the Metatron the way he did.

It wasn't a trick Aziraphale used often, since he did quite enjoy the human ways of transportation. A stroll down the street, a train, a ride in the Bentley- especially when he could drive- were very fine ways to get around. But in that moment, he needed something a little faster, a little more precise. He needed to be where Crowley was instantly

He didn't want to let go, but he knew this was just the beginning of what he feared to be quite a long road ahead. Crowley had every right to be upset and mad, but he had to make it better. Reluctantly he loosened his grip on Crowley, breaking their kiss. The demon also seemed a bit hesitant to let go, his hands lingering just a little longer before the two of them stepped apart.

Crowley didn't speak, he just stared with that look on his face. With his glasses on Aziraphale couldn't tell how much was anger, or disappointment or perhaps just annoyance. He'd hoped for some sign that it wasn't too late, making Crowley smile, or at least that amused glint in his eye always made Aziraphale feel better, never seeing it again would be devastating. But Crowley just stood there, one hand on his hip now, waiting. Aziraphale wished those dark glasses would just go away, it was too hard to talk to him like this. Crowley sighed, reaching up to remove his glasses, as if he'd known what Aziraphale was thinking. It was now or never.

" I… um, well. Uh." Aziraphale began, clearing his throat, a nervous smile on his face. "I, uh seem to have found myself in a spot of trouble. And um, was hoping that maybe you would consider helping me."

"Helping you?" Crowley asked in that deadpan way of his, just a hint of growl in his voice. Still too hard to tell if it was anger or incredulity or that he would never, ever in a million years consider helping Aziraphale again.

"Yes, well, I know we have much to talk about… about well, us. But I'm sure the Metatron is none too happy about how I disappeared from the lift just now." Aziraphale could hardly breathe, unsure how Crowley was going to respond. While there wasn't any doubt in that kiss, now that they had to talk about things and dodge whatever Heaven would send their way, Aziraphale wasn't so sure if Crowley really still felt the same way. If Crowley walked away this time, things wouldn't be okay ever again.

"You disappeared from the lift?" Crowley said, with his eyebrow raised and just a hint of amusement in his voice.

Relief washed over Aziraphale, he could see it in his eyes, in that mischievous little tilt to the corner of Crowley's mouth… they were going to be okay.