Chapter 31

Epilogue – a "Jane Austen" Moment

After the trip to Alpha Centauri, everything seemed settled. Each kept their own space, and as usual, Crowley and Aziraphale spent many nights sitting up in the bookshop, drinking or debating or both; occasionally, Aziraphale would spend the evening at Crowley's flat. Muriel, Nina, and Maggie were in the know, but the rest of their acquaintances didn't notice a change in status. As Crowley had taught Muriel 'people see what they want to see'. But it could also have been that everyone else knew all along.

They had traveled once again to the Dark Park for a 'quiet, peaceful' New Year's Eve. A cooler evening than last time, the forest glittered with frost. A small stone hearth kept the mulled wine warm (a compromise; Crowley wanted hot buttered rum, Aziraphale wanted wassail). They lay side by side on the blanket, much closer than last time. They were star gazing and talking. "Hugo suggested Bach's orchestral suites for tonight, but I think I'd rather just listen to the forest."

"I knew you two would hit it off" Crowley said, "next you'll be taking him to the Proms."

"You sound jealous, Crowley."

"Not even. You're too alike."

Aziraphale chuckled, "You know, things are going so well, I'm afraid to talk about 'it'".

"I can see that."

"Well, you've always been that way. The fall keeps you bottled up."

"Like a good whisky, I need time". The fallen angel said in a thick Scottish brogue.

"But maybe we should…. talk. about 'it'. Nina and Maggie said so long ago."

"They're Human. Blah blah blah, feelings, blah blah. Does it need saying? We're not Human. We 'Know', you know. In your words, "we're ineffable". Although it was dark, Aziraphale knew Crowley's head was animating every word.

The angel said, in what he thought was his most enticing manner, "Could we, just this once?"

Crowley huffed, "You want your "Jane Austen" moment", using air quotes.

"Well, not if I have to coax it out of you". Silence.

There were not supposed to be any meteors tonight, but Crowley miracled a few. A green streak across the sky. Crowley hummed his approval. Then a second one.

"Ah! A gold one." Aziraphale pointed, then smiled. He actually glowed a pale gold light for a moment ("If he won't let me tell him how I feel, I'll show him"). He saw more light and was surprised to see Crowley glowing too. They let the fire die down and lay there quietly, side by side, basking in their combined radiance.

Crowley felt unafraid, realizing that he had been afraid since the Fall, and its sudden absence was like a toothache suddenly gone away. "It's now or never", he thought, "here goes…"

He leapt to his feet, startling Aziraphale. Still slightly glowing, he waved his arms upward, "On your feet Angel!"

"Sorry, what just happened?" Aziraphale's glow was fading fast with his growing confusion.

"Up, please", Crowley said in a gentler tone, afraid the Angel's glow would fade out.

Aziraphale took Crowley's hand (the glow renewed slightly) and got to his feet, facing the former demon. "I still don't understand."

Crowley explained. "You wanted your 'Jane Austen' moment. They would not be lying together on a blanket. They'd be standing, face to face, wouldn't they?"

"Well, yes…." Aziraphale was beginning to wonder how much wine they had consumed.

"Then let's do it properly. You stand there, and I'll stand here." Crowley took Aziraphale's hands in his, looked down, took a deep breath, and raised his head to face the Angel, brown eyes to blue. Then, without a single stammer he said, "We have been a team for 6000 years, though we have lied to ourselves about it, occasionally. You are the only being who always had faith in me. I love you." And Crowley gave his Angel a quick kiss on the forehead as a pledge.

Aziraphale flushed, and his glow turned rosy for a moment. He drew Crowley's hands to his chest, pulling him closer. Blue eyes sparkled at brown. "'The Arrangement' did not make life easier, it made it Better. Crowley, you taught me to love this world, and a world without you is unthinkable. You are MY Angel, and I love you." And he brought Crowley's hands up to his face and planted a little kiss on one.

They glowed a little brighter as they held on to that moment, each keeping the other safe.

When they returned to the blanket, for more star gazing and wine, Aziraphale put his head on Crowley's chest and snuggled, one arm across the fallen angel's waist.

"Are we now 'Jane approved'?" Crowley asked, teasing, his fingers working their way through the angel's curly hair. "I mean, we already had God's approval and the Lord's blessing…."

"Pardon me for being a romantic." Aziraphale patted his angel's chest. "You like romance too."

Crowley's arm shot up to wave off that idea, "No. I like sentiment. (the t's clicking in that word). "Romance is too gushy. I want to know it's there, but don't have to put it on display."

Aziraphale sat up and reached for the wine, "That's Faith, actually. More wine?"

Crowley sat up and held out his glass as Aziraphale filled it, "But you wouldn't be you if you couldn't be a frothy as a merengue from time to time." He smiled and sipped his wine.

"And you're the spice that keeps it from getting too sweet." Aziraphale twinkled as he raised his glass, "Happy New Year, My Angel".

Crowley raised his "Happy New Year, Love".

*clink*

Sorted.