It felt wrong to the angel the moment he left. He knew it was wrong. He could not stay away from Crowley. Not like this. He had to at least check on the demon one last time. It took a great deal of carefully placed words. Not lies perse. But not full truths. He managed to convince Heaven to let him return to Earth.
Once there he went straight to his shop and called Crowley. "This is Anthony J Crowley. You know what to do. Do it in style." Aziraphale sighed. "Crowley it's me! We need to talk. Look. I am so sorry. I I came back. Let's talk? We can go to the Ritz or something. I'll pay." Aziraphale left the message hoping maybe the demon was asleep or out. And would call back soon.
A few hours passed. The sun was out and still no calls from Crowley. Aziraphale began to worry. And decided to go straight to Crowley's place. After a few minutes of knocking and no response. He sighed, and miracled the lock open.
He entered and looked around. Odd. No sign of Crowley. But. There were quite a few empty bottles of wine, and even whiskey strewn about. "My word Crowley. Did you get drunk and wander off somewhere?" Aziraphale wondered out loud, cleaning the bottles up. Looking for some clues as to where the demon went he saw a map. On the map, was a big red circle around the nearest church.
"A church? Why in heavens would you go to a church Crowley?" Aziraphale wondered. It was the only lead he had. Grabbing the map he left and followed the location. An old church. Though still opened, rarely used.
As he entered the church, something felt off. He could not place it. But, something bad, something unholy even, had happened here recently. Looking around he saw someone filling up the Holy water basin. The figure paused and looked up at him.
"Ah, good sir. I did not mean to interrupt. " He smiled at the figure. A somewhat short man with medium length messy blond hair. Green eyes, and a figure so slender they looked malnourished.
"Services are not opened on Mondays sir." The figure shrugged finishing their task at hand. "Sorry about that. I was actually here, because I thought a friend of mine may have dropped by recently." Aziraphale commented.
The figure stopped again. "Tall. Dark. Yellow serpent eyes, and hair like the fires of hell?" They asked. Aziraphale looked at them shocked. "So he was here? Where did he go, did I just miss him?" He asked excitedly.
"A real demon that one was aye? Breaking into a church like that. I came here this morning...around three I think. Had to start work early as usual. And there was this guy. Drunk off his arse. Yelling at God! Complaining about being a demon, loving an angel, seemed real upset he did." The figure explained, putting a mop away.
Oddly the mop seemed to have an odd, sulfur smell coming from it. "I am sorry, you. You saw him here, and. Oh dear. " Aziraphale chuckled nervously at how casual this young man was about witnessing a demon in their church. "Call it dumb terrible luck. Or possibly, retribution. I didn't have a chance to tell the fiend to leave. He kicked this here stand. That's why I had to refill the basin." The figure continued.
Aziraphale turned towards them realizing something bad happened. 'No. That smell. Can't be.' A sinking feeling in his stomach began to grow. "Took a Holy water bath by accident he did. The basin spilled all over him. Face and all. Never heard such curses in me life. The pain and swearing, that and the burning. Quite a spectacle I may say. " The figure finished explaining and putting the mop away.
"Please tell me you are mistaken. Crowley couldn't have...dear heavens. What have I done?" Aziraphale felt as if he were to faint. It was his fault Crowley was in such a bad mood. It was his fault Crowley came here. His fault Crowley was now... "Why him?" He whispered, wishing this was not real.