Work Text:
2500 BC
Land of Uz
As the seven angels stand before Job and Sitis congratulating them with their ‘‘new’’ three children. The archangel Michael looked confused ‘‘but they are not babies’’ she said hesitantly, Aziraphale looked at her dread pooling in his stomach at the thought of being found out.
‘‘Certainly not!’’ Crawley interrupted ‘‘was Eve a baby?’’
‘‘was she?’’ Michael looked questioningly at Gabriel
‘‘No..no. they can arrive at any size’’ Gabriel reassured, but Michael still didn’t take it but she decided to drop it for the time being and noting that she would look in to it on a later date.
The two humans hugged their children relieved that they weren’t dead, ‘‘Ennon, my boy!’’ Job cheered.
‘‘Ennon?!’’ Michael said in disbelief
‘‘Nononono, not Anon Job. Ennon is gone’’ Crawley corrected, but didn’t really seem to convince the angels.
‘‘T-this is your new son’’ Aziraphale added.
‘‘But it is…’’ Job started but was interrupted by Sitis ‘‘ a-a miracle! It is a miracle, that our new son should look somewhat like our old son’’
‘‘but it is’’ Job started. ‘‘No no Job. Look it’s not Ennon, it-it’s a new child. These are all new children’’ Sitis said with a serous look.
Job finally getting the hint, he went along with it. ‘‘No your right, it’s not Ennon!’’
‘‘yes it bloody is’’ Ennon interrupted.
Michael didn’t believe in the charade anymore but said nothing, as all eyes went to Aziraphale for conformation if what is happen is true or not.
Gabriel turned around to look at Aziraphale ‘‘Aziraphale? Are these the new children God promised Job?’’
Glancing nervously at Gabriel and then at Crowley who was eyeing him from the corner of the destroyed room.
‘‘Well they certainly seem to be!’’ Aziraphale said cheerfully, covering the nervousness he was feeling.
‘‘No, they certainly ought to be, because they seem to be his old children’’ Michael said with an edge
Gabriel eyed Aziraphale smiling expectantly, Aziraphale’s cheerful expression dropped. Gabriel noticed and seemed to get suspicious ‘‘ Aziraphale who are they?’’ Gabriel asked sternly.
‘‘they are…’’ Aziraphale started noticing that Crawley was looking verry expectantly at him, for what he is about to say. ‘‘his new children, I- you have my word as an angel’’ he continued swallowing past the lump in his throat
After a moment of suspense that felt like an eternity, Gabriel cheered ‘‘well that’s alright then’’ he pated Aziraphale’s shoulder ’’why didn’t you just say so’’ he laughed. Aziraphale sighed a breath of relief, as Gabriel congratulated the humans on their children.
But still Michael looked suspiciously at Aziraphale…
As the six angels went back to heaven and back to their duties the Archangel Michael stayed with Gabriel. ‘‘why aren’t you going back to your duties archangel Michael?’’ Gabriel asked.
‘‘Didn’t the Principality Aziraphale look suspicious to you’’ Michael asked tentatively
‘‘it is not our duty to question things Michael, besides we have lot more planning to do and we have no time for him’’
‘‘Do we have no time for him? if we might not deal with him now it could backfire at us in the future’’
‘‘Are you suggesting that the principality is being traitorous?’’ Gabriel asked.
‘‘he did came to us a few weeks ago questioning Gods plan about Job’s children and word to the wise but I am suspecting he was lying to our faces back on earth.
There was also a demonic aura in the area, of course that would be from the demon Crawley who was assigned to destroy the children but if it were to be true that those are Job old children they might have worked together’’
Gabriel gave thought to it and Michael did have a point, ‘‘alright, I will permit you too investigate the situation, if you find anything I would like a report as soon as possible. But I do expect that you continue with your duties per usual’’
Michael gave a nod and went off to work.
The next day she had a report ready for Gabriel, with proof of lying to the angels and the Supreme Archangel Gabriel himself, questioning God’s plan, going against God’s plan and possible collaboration with the enemy.
Michael found more than she looked for and was shocked to not have noticed anything sooner.
She walked up to Gabriel giving him the report , he looked first surprised but as he read further he started to frown.
With a sigh he closed the folder and looked up at Michael, ‘‘ well I feel disappointed that there is so much evidence, but you know what to do. Send the report to Hell and ask them to send someone up to collect him.’’
And just like that Michael was off
Aziraphale sat on the stone by the cliff, looking at the ocean before him. Taking the beauty in as if this would be the last time he will ever see the earth. Because he wasn’t even sure what will happen from now on. Holding back tears he slumped and put his hands over his eyes.
Feeling a familiar presence sitting next to him. Aziraphale spoke with a sigh, ‘‘yes, I thought that.. perhaps they send you here’’ holding back a sob.
Crawley gave a confused glance, but said nothing.
‘‘ I-I am.. I am ready-’’ Aziraphale stumbled, ‘‘ I am not ready to go’’ he mumbled his voice breaking as tears slid down his cheeks. ‘‘I probably won’t see earth ever again’’ and probably you too, went unsaid.
Now getting concerned Crawley sat up and looked at the broken down angel, ‘‘what are you talking about, where are you going angel?’’
‘‘Hell’’ he sniffled trying to hold himself together.
‘‘what?! I am not taking you to Hell angel’’
But you have to, I lied to thwart the will of God. A-and apparently even more, ‘‘Aziraphale looked down wringing his hands together.
‘‘but nobody has to know about it angel! And besides I am not going to tell anybody and I don’t think you will too. And what do you mean even more?’’
‘‘That’s the point Crawley!’’ Aziraphale looked at him ‘‘they know about everything!’’ tears stinging his eyes. ‘‘apparently heaven got suspicious after Job’s children and they let someone look at all the observations and reports!
‘‘what?! But-but you’re the best of that lot!’’ Crawley couldn’t believe what was happening, he did persuade Aziraphale to let the kids live but that was what Aziraphale wanted as well. Is it all his fault this is happening right now? But before he could question even more he felt another demonic presence appear.
As he turned around he saw Beelzebub appear behind them. ‘‘haven’t had such a request in a long time, though I will do it myzelf’’ they buzzed.
‘‘L-lord Beelzebub’’ Crawley acknowledged.
‘‘Crawley, Aziraphale’’ they looked at them both.
Aziraphale whipped the tears in his eyes away as he stood.
What do you think you are doing? Crawley hissed.
‘‘Well it’z quite obviouze, I am going to take him to hell’’
Before Crawley could open his mouth, Aziraphale spoke ‘‘well you should know before we go’’ hiding the quiver in his voice ‘‘that Crawley is a verry good or rather I say bad demon, you know persuading an angel to fall sounds pretty tempting to me’’
Beelzebub looked up in surprise, ‘‘well Crawley I zure didn’t expect that from you’’
Crawley looked shocked at Aziraphale, did he really think he wanted this for him? But with another glance at Aziraphale, Crawley could see he was just saying it to make Crawley look better! That bastard, he was already in a shitty situation and he still cared about Crawley and the chance to get him a promotion.
‘‘well Crawley, you zurprised me. Well az commendation I will let you do the honours, I will be suspecting you two in my office zoon enough. And if you aren’t there then you will wish you wouldn’t even have thought about it’’ and with that Beelzebub vanished.
‘‘Well… I guess we better get it over with don’t we’’ Aziraphale said with a frown.
‘‘what do you think you are doing!?’’ Crowley shouted.
‘‘well I am going to Hell either way so why not make the best of the situation’’ Aziraphale said shrugging.
Crawley looked with disbelieve at Aziraphale, this isn’t something to be shrugged off. ‘‘Hell isn’t made for you! You wouldn’t like it’’
‘‘well, it doesn’t look like I have much of a choice do I?’’ Aziraphale said frowning.
‘‘…’’
he did have a point. They couldn’t outrun or hide from Hell, Beelzebub even said so themselves.
Sitting back down with a sigh, Crawley covered his face with his eyes. ‘‘you know I never wanted this to happen’’ he never would have wished this upon Aziraphale in an eternity and now he was here about to lead him to his doom.
‘‘at least now that it’s happening, I am glad that it’s you I am going with.’’ Aziraphale said brushing a few tears away.
‘‘well… I guess we can’t keep the devil waiting’’ looking up at Crawley.
Reluctantly getting up, Crawley looked with pitiful eyes to Aziraphale. Holding his hand out to Aziraphale.
Aziraphale took Crawley’s hand softly and they started to walk.
As the sun was setting Aziraphale and Crawley walked down the edge of the cliff hand in hand, Crawley leading the way. the sun colouring the ocean and the sky in beautiful pinks and purples.
Arriving at the bottom of the cliff and standing in front of the opening of a dark cave, Crawley looked at Aziraphale.
A fearful expression covering Aziraphale’s features, but smiling a watery smile as he looked at Crawley. Squeezing his hand slightly, indicating that he Is ready.
squeezing Aziraphale’s hand back ‘‘please don’t let go of me okay, don’t want you getting lost alright? And please tell me if we need to stop.’’
Crawley didn’t actually know what was going to happen, as this was the first time an angel was cast down to Hell since the War. But whatever will happen he will be with him.
‘‘alright’’ Aziraphale said, tightening his hold to Crawley.
Walking trough the dark cave that soon stated being tunnels tunnelling down, Aziraphale saw nothing but pitch black, trusting Crawley to lead the way.
‘‘you sure we are going to the right direction? How do you navigate when you can’t see anything?’’ Aziraphale questioned.
‘‘yes I am sure, this should be the safest route. And to answer your other question, my eyes can see verry well in the dark, they are made for that purpose actually.’’
‘‘oh’’ Aziraphale answered, he had forgot that he had different eyes. Would he get different eyes? Would he change? He tried not to think about it, as he would probably know soon enough.
As they continued to walk trough the dark tunnels, Crawley leading and Aziraphale behind, their hands holding on to each other.
They were most of the time quiet, as Crawley was lost in thought. But he was suddenly pulled out of it at the sound of coughing. Turning around the check on Aziraphale, noticing that he looked worse for wear. He was a bit hunched over coughing in his tunic, as a layer of sweat covered his forehead making his curls stick to it .
Crawley noticed that the air had changed to a more toxic fume and that the temperature had risen.
‘‘I am sorry, are you okay?’’ Crawley asked.
Nodding between coughs ‘‘quite, just the air’’ Aziraphale said in a raspy voice ignoring the violent burning inside him.
‘‘it will settle down after a bit, it really needs some getting used to’’
Aziraphale nodded and they continued to walk.
They didn’t know how long they were walking but eventually Aziraphale stopped coughing as the burning settled a bit.
And the temperature seemed to be getting colder, pretty funny because Aziraphale always thought that it would be boiling down here but it actually was a uncomfortable cold that settled into your bones.
As Aziraphale looked up at Crawley he noticed that he could finally make out his surroundings as they were in a damp hallway with a weird substance covering the floors and walls.
He looked at the back of Crawley’s head as he noticed the black gooey substance sliding off of Crawley like water on ducks. But as he looked down at his own feet, he noticed that the gooe stuck to him like a life line.
Feeling his feet get heavier, he open his mouth to express his concern. But he was yanked backwards by something and with a yelp he fell onto the ground. Black gooe covering his white tunic and splashing onto his face.
‘‘whoa, careful there angel. What happened’’ said Crawley turning around, flinching at the nickname.
Luckily Aziraphale didn’t seem to notice.
‘‘here let me help you’’ getting down on Aziraphale’s level, he cupped his face as he wiped over Aziraphale’s eye and cheeks with his thumbs.
When Aziraphale opened his eyes again, Crawley startled at the eyes staring back at him.
As for before he had beautiful blue eyes, but now they were fully black including the whites of his eyes.
‘‘ I am quite alright. I-is something wrong dear?’’ Aziraphale asked while Crawley helped him up again noticing Crawley’s distress.
‘‘N-no, just.. just your eyes are different’’
‘‘what?! What do you mean?’’
‘‘they are all black… but not any less beautiful angel’’ Crawley tried to reassure.
‘‘Not- not really an angel anymore, am I? but thank you’’ Aziraphale gave a small smile.
That’s bull! Even if heaven doesn’t think your worthy, you will always be one to me!
Aziraphale blushed a bit, ‘‘thank you Crawley, I don’t think I could have done this without you by my side’’
Smiling at Aziraphale he offered his hand once more, ‘‘should we keep going? We are almost there.’’
Aziraphale nodded and they continued to walk.
Arriving at the door of Beelzebub their office, Crawley looked at Aziraphale ‘‘are you ready?’’
‘‘as ready as I can be I suppose’’ Aziraphale said frowning, as he thought that this will probably be the last time he will ever see Crawley again.
‘‘it’s going to be alright, I will handle it’’ Crawley said with a smile. And before Aziraphale could ask what he meant by that, Crawley opened the door.
‘‘ah you two have finally arrived, not gonna lie Crawley I am zurprised you came.’’ Beelzebub buzzed.
‘‘I have a the perfect place for you down here, little angel’’ looking at Aziraphale smugly.
Aziraphale frowned at the comment.
‘‘well actually your disgrace’’ Crawley said, ‘‘I thought he be much more useful on earth, you see he has been on earth since the beginning. And he probably knows so much more about earth than any of us, since he worked at the human-earth department before the beginning.
Aziraphale looked surprised at Crawley.
(for the last bit Crawley didn’t know if it was true, but he for sure knew Aziraphale knew so much more about earth than him)
Beelzebub eyed Crawley as they thought ‘‘verry zmart demon, but what if he tries to ezcape?’’
‘‘well that’s why I will be there, I will be monitoring him that he will secure souls for our master. We will be one more against heaven.’’ trying to hide the nervousness in his voice, if this didn’t work he would lose Aziraphale forever.
‘‘I zee’’ Beelzebub said thoughtfully, ‘‘Fine, but if I zee any less of you two, you’ll know where your faith is sealed.’’
‘‘of course’’ Crawley replied.
And with that Beelzebub waived them off, already getting bored at the situation.
Arriving back on earth Crawley and Aziraphale looked at each other.
‘‘I cant believe they fell for that’’ Crawley said laughing in disbelieve.
‘‘well I am glad they did, I.. I wouldn’t think I would have liked what they got planned out for me’’ Aziraphale said with relief, but suddenly looked down at his hand. ‘‘you don’t think I will have to do horrible things now?’’ he said frowning a bit.
‘‘oh you really don’t have to worry about the horrible stuff, the humans come up with that themselves anyways. The worst I have had to do was some minor tempting. Besides we will just take credit for what the humans do, that’s the secret’’ Crawley said smirking.
‘‘Well… I guess it isn’t really that bad once you get used to it’’ smiled Aziraphale. ‘‘What are we going to do now?’’
‘‘Let’s find a place to stay, we can figure everything out as we go’’ Crawley answered holding his hand out to Aziraphale, who took it fondly.
And they walked into their new shared life, and perhaps in 6000 years they will be living happily together in a cottage in the South Downs.
Who knows.