"Oh Crowley… Nothing lasts forever…!"

Right. He wished that were true. He almost wished he could clean away those memories as if they'd never happened, or at least didn't hurt as much. Almost. Their bad days were still days they'd spent in each other's company after all.

He had repeated that phrase in his mind ever since Aziraphale had said it. It just felt… off somehow. If Crowley knew Aziraphale, which he knew he did, he knew the man loved forever. Forever he'd had the same jacket, same bookstore, same wine. Crowley thought maybe he'd considered them a forever too.

It wasn't out of character for Aziraphale to insist he could change heaven or that there was a chance to help the world. What was strange was the fact he'd gone right back to being on Heaven's side. …That wasn't too unbelievable either when he really thought about it. But he thought Aziraphale would at least remember they were them, on their side. Crowley liked it on their side, and thought for a while, perhaps Aziraphale did as well.

Now, a month after the fallout, he found himself here.

Crowley didn't know exactly why he was back again, or more precisely, didn't know why he'd make himself come back given everything that had happened.

St. James Park happened to be one of his favorite places in the world, along with every other place the two of them used to meet.

Just come home, don't bother. Crowley tried to convince himself but didn't turn around. He was still walking to their spot. It's not like he's going to be…

He froze dead in his tracks after the bench came into view. Sitting there, as if this was fate or they'd simply scheduled it was Aziraphale.

He looked slightly different now that he wore a blindingly white suit with some golden buttons and designs being the only reprieve. On his head was a circlet that looked like it could be cheap costume jewelry pretending and failing to be a halo. "Aziraphale…"

Even though he was too far to hear, the angel turned his head, as if sensing his presence. A nearly gentle smile alit his face when he saw him.

Crowley felt his stomach do a flip-flop at seeing that smile and wondered if his issued body was malfunctioning somehow as he grew hot. He tried his best not to run to him, it was the quickest walk he'd ever made on Earth. He stopped in front of the bench and realized he had no idea what to say. He opened his mouth then closed it again. Should he play it like he wasn't excited to see him? No, Aziraphale probably already knew that wasn't the case.

Just as he was about to speak, the angel beat him to it, patting the spot beside him. "Aren't you going to sit, Crowley?"

He practically collapsed into his usual spot before taking off his glasses, checking this was real. "Aziraphale, you…"

The angel's smile brightened as he struggled to come up with something, anything to say. Even as tears began to form in the demon's eyes. He tutted softly, wiping them away with a gentle thumb. "Oh, dear, whatever are you crying for?"

"You know why, you idiot." Crowley growled, pulling himself away.

"Honestly, I can't even fathom." Aziraphale chuckled softly. "Aren't you demons supposed to lack the means?"

He couldn't help but shoot a glare at his beloved. Aziraphale hadn't made one of those comments in a while, not since they'd saved the world together. It was almost as if Heaven had somehow reverted him back to their way of thinking. Their way of saying he was the enemy. "Seriously, ang-"

"Do you want to know why I'm here?" Aziraphale suddenly asked, cutting him off.

Crowley blinked in surprise. Aziraphale usually would apologize immediately after accidentally interrupting anyone, even him. He'd insisted the angel didn't need to apologize for such a little mistake but he'd do it anyway. Seriously, what was with him? He gave a slow nod.

"I'm here… for you."

Crowley felt the human heart leap in pure unfiltered delight. It felt almost too good to be true, Aziraphale had actually realized he wanted him back! He'd finally returned home after seeing Heaven wasn't all it was cracked up to be! "You… came back for me…?"

"Well, of course I did." The angel smiled, cupping his face in his cheek. He leaned forward and Crowley felt his breath hitch. Since when had his angel been so impulsive? "You really thought I'd leave you alone, that I'd never come back for you?"

There wasn't a kiss, it wasn't an apology, Crowley didn't know what he was expecting but it wasn't for them to just sit there in such tense silence.

"You are the only thing in Heaven's way."

He jolted away in shock before really looking at the angel.

His smile seemed forced as his eyes were bright with excitement. But it wasn't to see him. It never had been.

This was not his angel.

"Don't look so surprised." Aziraphale pouted as Crowley's hand tightened into a fist. "They all claim it was the anti-Christ's doing but you and I know the truth: the only reason the Earth is still here is because of you."

"Don't sell yourself short, arch-angel," Crowley snapped. "That was a team effort."

"Mm? Oh. Oh, yes, I suppose it was." Aziraphale mumbled softly, as if he himself had nearly forgotten. "But that was only because you manipulated me."

"Manipulated?!"

"That's right! And don't you try it again, you little fiend."

Crowley visibly recoiled when Aziraphale booped his nose.

"Your tricks will no longer work on me for I have seen the light!"

"The light, huh? And I suppose the Metatron and the others were the ones to enlighten you?"

Aziraphale nodded. "I am ever so thankful. Without them, I'd be trapped here for all eternity, with you!"

Crowley gritted his teeth. That wasn't Aziraphale talking, he didn't mean that. The Metatron must've done something, but what?

"Oh, listen to me, preaching on and on when I haven't even told you the news!"

"The news?"

"The whole reason I need to hunt you down, eliminate you! It's all so the world will be unguarded, no one to interfere with His arrival."

Crowley didn't even get the chance to ask who this was, the angel was still gushing on.

"The arrival of the Almighty's son, The Second Coming. With me presiding over it, the Earth will be fully prepared to receive His light!"

Crowley shook his head, getting up to back away. "What have they done to you, angel…?"

"Oh, are you cowering away?" Aziraphale asked, eyes widening. "Going to hide in the shadows?"

He stood, that unnerving smile never leaving his face.

"Try all you might. I will find you, Crowley."

That sentence would normally warm Crowley's heart, if only it had been said in a different context.

"Don't worry, I will give you time to hide." Aziraphale promised, clasping his hands together. "After all, there is still so much work to do up there! Until we meet again, my dear demon."

With that, he vanished in a flash of light, leaving Crowley to realize the obvious after a few moments of contemplation:

He was fucked.