#crowley is in disguise as akakios the magician's servant

[evilasiangenius]

Crowley waited for Aziraphale to approach him, and when the angel was close enough, he gestured, obscuring them from human eyes and then just to be safe, freezing time all about them.

“Fancy meeting you here,” Crowley said with impunity, knowing no one could hear him but for Aziraphale. He picked up a long dried branch that he cracked in half, catching a glimpse of Nikanor off in the distance, frozen in a crouched position where he had been picking up bits of small twigs and handfuls of dead grasses for kindling. “Didn’t think you’d come hunting with us.”

“Well, I certainly didn’t want to miss out on the fun,” Aziraphale smiled. “It’s quite exciting so far, isn’t it?”

“Yes, rather,” Crowley frowned, meeting Aziraphale’s eyes with an sharp, intense expression. “But you really ought to leave.”

Aziraphale was taken aback. “Leave?”

“I’m serious, Aziraphale. Please, just go. You shouldn’t be here.”

“W-why, do you not want me here?”

“Yes. No, it’s not that, I don’t- I... Look, I can’t tell you! Just...just trust me on this, all right? You don’t want to be here for this. Go. Make up some excuse and get out of here.”

“Why not?” Aziraphale paused. “What’s wrong, Crowley? Don’t think I haven’t noticed that every time we meet, you freeze time. Why are you doing that? And...and why have you been avoiding me? I haven’t been able to get a word with you in private since our last meeting. Are you trying to hide something from me? Or is it something else?”

“No, o-of course not. I just don’t think you’d like to be around right now because I’m working, all right? I’m on assignment, Aziraphale. Try to understand-”

“So? So am I. Whatever evil wiles you’re up to, I’m supposed to thwart you, aren’t I? And if we also get a chance to spend some time together while that’s happening...hasn’t that been our arrangement for some time now?”

“Point, but...I’m warning you, you should leave. It’s not- that is, you shouldn’t stay here, please. Let me just do my job without your interference-”

“No. You know I can’t do that. Besides, I’ve grown rather fond of these humans. I’d rather if they weren’t on Hell’s ledgers,” Aziraphale said, stubborn and unyielding. “Crowley, you’re hiding something aren’t you-”

“...no, why would I be hiding anything from you?” And with a subtle gesture, Crowley released time, and the sounds of reality came flooding back.

“Akakios? Koinos?” Nikanor’s voice called out. “Where are you two? Are you all right?”

“Yes, I’m here Nikanor. I’m fine,” Crowley scowled, dropping the obfuscation about them. He glared at Aziraphale, and made a little gesture, pantomiming that Aziraphale should go.

“I’m warning you, you’ll want to stay out of this. You don’t want to be involved,” the demon said, in a hiss of a whisper. “You’re making a terrible mistake, you need to leave. Please, Aziraphale.”

“Why?”

“You know I can’t tell you why...”

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