"Don't bother."
Aziraphale watched helplessly as Crowley walked out the door and his life. He whispered a plead to come back but something stopped him from running after Crowley. This something had been plaguing him for some time now, ever since he'd heard the Metatron's offer.
He didn't want to go back to Heaven, he'd said that outright and yet… something had kept him on the idea. It seemed every time his heart thought of a reason to stay, his head would insist upon ignoring it.
I want to stay on Earth—But Heaven needs me, She needs me. I can't say no to Her.
What about my bookshop?— Taken care of, it doesn't need me anymore. Heaven needs me. She needs me.
Crowley, I need him!— Heaven needs me! She needs me!
His head tried to justify this sudden change of heart with his own feelings. He was doing this for the Earth… But wouldn't The Second Coming wipe-? He could take Crowley with him… But why would they suddenly allow that? She cast him out and harbored the same feelings towards him if the Metatron's glares were taken at face value.
Yet, he found himself in the elevator to Heaven. He stared down at the button back to Earth but the higher he went, the farther his thoughts of his true home faded away. Just like they had after even getting a whiff of that coffee.
"Doors Opening, Heaven." Said an angelic voice and that was that. He was officially back in Heaven.
He found himself in a disgustingly bright suit and held back a whimper of dismay. It was like something Gabriel would wear and yet somehow even more pompous than that. Why did Heaven have to have such a strict dress code?
"Ah, you look far better, Aziraphale." The Metatron complimented, reminding him he wasn't alone. "We couldn't have our newest Prince of Heaven looking like a shabby human, you understand."
Aziraphale supposed he did but couldn't brush it with his discomfort in the outfit. Heaven was supposed to feel light and breezy yet it felt like this suit was suffocating him. But that couldn't be possible, there wasn't any air in Heaven just… space.
"Here we are. I took the liberty of creating you an office." The Metatron announced as they came up to a clear table and chair, these were some of the only furnishings in Heaven.
"Well, it's very… appropriate." Aziraphale said somberly. His study in the bookshop had a nice little desk that was just the right balance of messy and organized with books, papers, writing utensils and so on. Not to mention the nice cup of tea always sitting there. Material objects weren't allowed in Heaven so he knew this was all he was going to get.
A file suddenly appeared simply labeled The Second Coming. Aziraphale rushed over. Regardless of if he was willing or not to go up to Heaven, he now had the benefit of knowing what they were planning.
"Hard at work already, I knew you were the right angel for the job." The Metatron chuckled. He suddenly took a tight grip on the angel's shoulder, startling him. "See you at the ceremony, yes?"
"Mm, ceremony?" Aziraphale turned in curiosity. "What ceremony?"
"Why, to appoint you as Supreme Arch-Angel, of course. All of Heaven shall gather to see."
"E-Even…?" Aziraphale wondered if he'd actually see Her, The Almighty. His faith in Her had been wavering, of course, but he knew if he was the Supreme Arch-Angel that perhaps she'd pay him some mind. She hadn't since the very Beginning, in the Garden of Eden.
"Dear one, our God is far too busy ruling over her kingdom to view the ceremony. But, as you know, I am the eyes and ears of The Almighty. The fact I have believed does indeed ring true for The Alighty."
The Almighty believes in me… Aziraphale couldn't help but smile. After all, he had been created and trained simply to please her.
The Metatron left him with that thought and eventually, he turned back to the file on his desk.
He slowly flipped it open, a thrill of excitement filled him when it actually worked. With this kind of authority, he could get Heaven to change their ways, to be gentle on humans and demons alike.
But what awaited him…
He gave a gasp in horror, backing away. "Oh no… Oh no, no, no, no!"
"There's been a mistake!" Aziraphale cried after summoning The Metatron.
"Aziraphale, whatever is the matter? If you needed something, you could've asked Michel or Uriel-"
"No! I need to see The Almighty right away!" The angel insisted.
"How many times must I say it?" The Metatron sighed, shaking his head. "To speak to me is to speak to God."
"Oh, we both know it isn't the same!" Aziraphale moaned. He took a quick breath, regaining his composure. "Look, the Earth doesn't need to be judged by the Almighty's son! It goes through so many trials and tribulations already, I-I don't-!"
"Aziraphale, why are you trying to interfere with the Ineffable Plan? Hm? Why would you think an insignificant angel like you had any sway in what happens to the Earth?"
Aziraphale gulped, feeling dread creep into his celestial body. "I-I'm the Supreme Arch-Angel now, I thought… I thought that meant… someone would listen…"
"You're wrong, I'm afraid. The Supreme Arch-Angel title simply gives you the ability to command Heaven in God's stead. If they were to have their own input, well, that could be considered questioning, could it not? I thought you learned from that snake always wrapped around you: The Almighty doesn't like questions."
"B-But…" Aziraphale struggled to find the words, tears coming to his eyes. He thought this was a chance to change things when really, it was just getting him deeper in Heaven's cage. "But that's not fair! I left everything behind because I thought I could protect them! I left him behind… I didn't even want to come back here!"
"We knew this would happen..." The Metatron muttered softly. "Your fellow angels said you were just the right amount of 'soft', that you'd fall into line once you realized your place… But we knew. You've spent far too long down there with that demon, to the point you think you actually have the luxury of freedom like he does. You don't. You never have and never will."
Aziraphale shook, wishing he could just sprout his wings and spring to the elevator. But his wings wouldn't unfurl- because he didn't have control over them any longer. Control was just an illusion when you were an Angel. Nothing Heaven 'gave' him truly was his. "God may see the planet as something minuscule but to me, it's everything. I love the world! I love the freedom it has, I love the people that inhabit it! I love the Ritz and St. James Park, I love living my life, the life I've made with him. And you think I'll just let Her destroy it because of some plan?! To Hell with it, and then let it burn in the fire for all I care!"
"…" The Metatron looked disappointed before nodding. "I wish it didn't have to come to this but it can't be helped."
Aziraphale only then noticed the ornate box sitting on a pedestal, it must've appeared some time during his speech.
"I suppose I should've known, seeing as I had to use that beverage on Earth to persuade you. Shocking how much almond syrup I had to put in, there was hardly any coffee left!"
"Almond….?" Aziraphale trailed off as the box slowly opened and he remembered what almonds symbolized in the holy scripture: wherever they appeared meant God was watching, that Her divinity was sealed inside each one. He'd never actually interacted with one before that coffee… "You made sure I'd agree…"
"That's right. Unfortunately, they are only a temporary fix for unruly angels. We never even had to use them before you. And after sensing the emerging conflict in Gabriel, She knew we may need something stronger, something that didn't wear off."
At that, a golden circlet floated out of the box. Aziraphale winced at the blinding glow as it came towards him. He stumbled back. "N-No, I won't let Heaven-!"
He suddenly felt himself freeze in place, unable to take a step farther. His eyes widened in horror.
"You see, celestial bodies, unlike mortal ones, were made from God's very own light." The Metatron explained casually. "She has the ability to control each and every one, as I'm sure you've realized."
Aziraphale shook, unable to move as the circlet floated ever closer.
"But even The Almighty will grow tired of fighting against your soul for control of it, which is why she created this little miracle. It insures your will becomes hers, and that she will always be looking after you."
"No, please-!" The angel blurted out, straining against it. He felt a burning pain draw closer as the crown slowly placed itself on his head. He gave a scream as it clamped down, tightening to the point his head was ringing with angelic chimes. "Urrggh!"
Why hadn't he listened to Crowley? Why had he trusted the Metatron, trusted her? She'd never seen him. She'd never even cared. How could she say only demons lied… when her love was false?
"Rejoice, Aziraphale."
The ringing finally stopped as a calm, melodic voice filled his head. It was her, his creator, his God.
His own panicked thoughts faded away as he focused on her heavenly voice.
"I have saved you…"
Aziraphale didn't know why tears fell down his cheeks. No, he knew. They were from joy. Joy he'd now and forever be seen and 'loved' by his God…