#that being human is amazing and Crowley and Aziraphale are more human than any other angels and demons

[natasha-barton]

My mum just asked me what I actually like so much about good omens???? Like it’s not completely obvious?????? She’s watched the show three times oh my god

[aziraphales-library]

HI THERE! You do such amazing work, thank you so much!

I was just wondering if there were any chef aus out there? Any tags/rating! Thanks!

Hello, here are some chef fics...

Sometimes it's cosmic, sometimes it's cocktail weiners by myladyclegane (M)

All executive chef Anthony J Crowley wanted was a cider and some time with the girls(of the Golden variety) after his double shift, what he gets is playing savior when his best friend and next door neighbor (and desperate crush) has to unexpectedly host a last minute game night for his awful co-workers.

As Sweet As This by vantablck (G)

One moment, Crowley had a high position at a top Michelin rated restaurant. The next, her career was taking a metaphorical million light-year dive into a lake of boiling sulfur and she was moving back into her small childhood town. Cue Aziraphale, the childhood best friend she’s been pining over since time immemorial. Cue Crowley’s oh so brilliant idea of co-owning a restaurant with her.

Hell's kitchen, heaven's chef by Sani86 (T)

Crowley is a high-strung chef - one of London's best - but his boss Beez is fed up with his tricks. So they hire a mild-mannered blonde chef to keep him in line. Crowley hates the guy. Except that he doesn't, not even a little. --- Human AU, in which they are chefs and idiots.

Trivia Night: A Love Story by MissUnderstoodLyrics (E)

No angst, all fluff and fluffy smut! Crowley just moved to the States and has already been roped into the pub trivia competition for all of the King Street businesses, which they take very seriously. He just wants to work and go home to his cat and his plants, but the promise of free drinks lures him to the first game, where he meets a gorgeous, witty, mischievous angel, and suddenly trivia night doesn't seem quite so bad. A Good Omens Human AU

Recipe For Romance by ranguvar82 (M)

Anthony Crowley would love nothing more than to enjoy a good meal once in a while. Unfortunately, when you're an agoraphobic with severe food allergies, your choices are limited to private chefs. Too bad Crowley's fired every single one. Enter Aziraphale Fell, known for being able to create gourmet meals for even the most discerning palate. Crowley's expecting him to be like every other chef. He's not expecting an angel that will turn his world upside down. Aziraphale has a recipe for everything. Even, maybe, for romance.

Till I Saw You by curiouswriterkr (E)

Crowley is a burned out chef recovering from adrenal fatigue in Tadfield. Aziraphale, a gifted musician with a big, soft heart, happens to be performing one evening at an open mic. Their eyes collide and inevitably, so do their lives, helping each other step into healing, truth and more joy.

Style and Substance by Cabernet_Woebegone (E)

“But y’know, if my boss finds out I’m helping you even a little, they’re gonna throw me out on my ass.” “Yes, I understand it is a bit of a conflict of interest for you… Is there something I can offer you in return? Something you would like?” Aziraphale questioned hopefully. You, Crowley thought loudly as he took a second sip. I want to know if you moan when you kiss the same way you do when you try something delicious. I want to know if your lips taste like Zinfandel. “Yes, actually.” Aziraphale is having difficulty running his restaurant, and it isn't helping that he believes the place across the street is trying to sabotage him. To his surprise, chef Crowley comes to him on friendly terms. Together they come up with an arrangement that could benefit them both. (Explicit rating for chapters 10 , 14 & 17, see tags for description. Please do not record this as a podfic or repost this fic anywhere! Thank you!)

- Mod D

[highseas-swede]

Aziraphale and Trauma

[Just a note that I initially wrote this in response to this post: https://www.tumblr.com/theangelyouknew/732357015604756480?source=share&ref=_tumblr which is full of insightful info. I'm reposting my response here with some minor edits so it's easier to find in tags.]

This is something I actually find interesting within the fandom, because there seems to be this weird divide in fandom when it comes to Aziraphale.

See, I love Aziraphale. I think he's an amazing and well nuanced character, but a lot of the time fandom boils him down into this really simple version of himself. This happens both with people who dislike him and claim he's a bad person as well as with those who want to soften him up and make him more palatable. Aziraphale isn't the only one who has trouble with black and white thinking here!

Things like Coffee Theory remove Aziraphale's agency because the thought of Aziraphale doing something to hurt Crowley deliberately is something they can't stomach. If Aziraphale is acting under some kind of major magical influence, it means that it's possible to brush over the fact that he can - and has - hurt Crowley in the past and it certainly hasn't always been accidental.

There's a lot of Psychology I could touch on here, but it's honestly such a complicated topic that I don't really feel I can do it justice attached to a completely different topic.

But one thing I do want to touch on a bit is how Aziraphale asserts control in his own life via his connection with Crowley, and that touches on something equally complicated, which is something that's probably hard to understand.

Abuse victims are often manipulative.

I don't mean this at all as some kind of slight or insult. I've been an abuse victim myself and it's one reason I know it's true.

Fandom talks a lot about Crowley's trauma and he's got loads, to be sure. I think of that meme about "this bad boy can fit a lot of trauma" and it's very true. I've even seen people mention that Aziraphale has a different kind of Trauma than Crowley, which is also true.

What I haven't seen is someone addressing that the type of religious trauma is a form of CPTSD. CPTSD or "Complex PTSD" is a very specific form of PTSD. PTSD is characterized as being the result of a traumatic event - Crowley's fall, for example, is a good example of PTSD and I can go into that at some point. CPTSD is different because it's not a singular event, it's the result of being in a constant high stress situation. A lot of abuse victims - especially those abused by parental figures or significant others - have this form of PTSD.

A good way to see the difference is in comparing how they relate to their trauma. When Crowley thinks he's lost Aziraphale in S1, it sends him into a spiral. But importantly we see that this traumatic event is causing Crowley to go back to another traumatic event in time, triggering his memories of his fall. This emphasizes how much Crowley's fall defines his trauma. We rarely see him experiencing trauma at the hands of Hell, as he's mostly allowed freedom to handle his job on earth the way he wants.

https://cptsdfoundation.org/ defines CPTSD as "the results of ongoing, inescapable, relational trauma. Unlike Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Complex PTSD typically involves being hurt by another person. These hurts are ongoing, repeated, and often involving a betrayal and loss of safety."

In humans, this is caused by having no sense of safety in key moments of development. It strips away sense of self, sense of worth and really any agency. We even see the angels using direct gaslighting tactics on Aziraphale in S2, which I'm surprised doesn't get mentioned more often: When they come to the bookshop looking for Gabriel, they mention Gabriel and then almost immediately when Aziraphale asks "you were looking for Gabriel", Uriel outright says a line that goes something like "Did we say we were looking for Gabriel?", leading Aziraphale to fumble and try to remember if they did, in fact, say that at some point (they did).

So, one big thing to know about CPTSD and this kind of abuse related trauma is that learning to lie and be manipulative is often what people have to do to survive. Children with abusive parents will learn how to be manipulative in order to get what they need or avoid losing things they need.

We see this with Aziraphale, time and time again. He could just ASK Crowley for things he wants. A lot of people point out that he could ask and that Crowley would probably give in to him most of the time anyway. But that's not how it works in an abusive home. Instead, Aziraphale maneuvers Crowley into situations where Crowley is forced to give him what he needs or wants.

His lack of agency, as a result of his CPTSD, is also why he needs to be worked into making decisions that he already knows - or at least suspects - are right. That's why they have their little dance every time Crowley has to talk Aziraphale into something by finding the right way to frame it so it makes sense with Aziraphale's strict rule structure. These rules exist as a defensive mechanism too. Having rules makes it easier to figure out how to avoid being hurt and Aziraphale cannot simply step outside the rules because it's Not Safe. Not even with someone he trusts as much as Crowley.

The entire apology dance scene stands out for a few reasons. Everything Aziraphale does in the entire scene is an act that allows him to take control of the situation. He's already won, so to speak, because Crowley is back and Crowley is going to do what he wants. The apology is unnecessary on every level.

This post talks about how uncomfortable Crowley has to be sharing a space with Gabriel. Gabriel is with the abusive team, whether or not he was directly involved with Crowley's fall. Crowley also harbors a severe distress and mistrust of Gabriel because of Gabriel's attempts to destroy Aziraphale, the most important person to Crowley. But it's worth noting that Aziraphale is uncomfortable too.

Another good indicator of how stressed Aziraphale is with all this is that he doesn't eat ANYTHING when Gabriel is in the shop. The only food he consumes in modern era is when he's in the Bentley which is a "safe" space. Gabriel constantly hounded Aziraphale over eating and despite offering Gabriel hot chocolate, we don't see him partaking himself. He does briefly drink to demonstrate how "drinking tea" works for Muriel, but he doesn't seem to drink from his cup at all after demonstrating.

The bookshop is also Aziraphale's safe space, his ONLY safe space - Crowley still technically has the Bentley, and honestly I feel like Aziraphale wanting to borrow the Bentley is actually partially because he needs to get away from Gabriel and the Bentley is the only place that feels safe for him at the moment. Shax ruins any illusion of safety for him, but Aziraphale is much more enthused for his trip in ep3 and a fair amount of it is because he's not trapped with Gabriel.

A small note here, as a thought occurs to me. Aziraphale asserting that the Bentley is "our car" is probably mostly for himself. He's trying to realign his thinking to make the Bentley an acceptable "safe space" for himself prior to the trip.

There is a very different relationship dynamic when it comes to Gabriel and Aziraphale because Gabriel is the constant source of Aziraphale's trauma. He's Aziraphale's superior, the one he has to report to, the one who passes down his missions and his punishments. When Aziraphale takes Gabriel in, he's just invited his former abuser of over 6000 years into his safe haven. This is a hugely uncomfortable thing for an abuse survivor.

Worst of all, because Jim is, for all intents and purposes, NOT Gabriel, Aziraphale can't bring himself to lash out at his former abuser the way he wants to.

That brings us back to this apology scene.

There are two major things going on here and both of them are bad and hurtful toward Crowley. They're also both intensely unfair. I love Aziraphale but this was definitely a dick move.

Firstly: Aziraphale is using Crowley to reassert a sense of control over the situation because he is spiraling. He can't assert control over his life and his shop, which is one thing that he falls back on heavily, and that leaves him scrambling to find somewhere where he can control his situation. He makes Crowley go through this whole unnecessary apology and dance routine because it makes him feel like he has control over SOMETHING in his life right now.

Secondly: Aziraphale is also enacting his own trauma on Crowley. He's treating Crowley the way Heaven treats him. This is a direct parallel to the way Crowley terrorizes his house plants because he can't do anything to the people who actually caused his trauma. This is, obviously, wildly unfair of Aziraphale to do - and I'm fairly sure there are other small moments where Aziraphale does this in a mild way, I'd have to rewatch again.

These are both behaviors common in CPTSD caused by environments that apply this constant state of stress.

I'm not going to say it's right, or that Aziraphale isn't being a bit of a bastard in this moment - he absolutely is - but this behavior does have some obvious triggers that might be easy to overlook. It's just important to understand that Aziraphale is falling into self-preservation habits that are actively detrimental to his relationship with Crowley. It's not just the manipulation, he's also hiding things and lying to Crowley when he really shouldn't be - both things often necessary in abusive environments - but he's doing it because that's the method that he's created that works with his abusive relationship in Heaven and he's falling back on it because he feels unsafe. The trouble is, this survival tactic does not work with Crowley and actively makes things worse because it shuts down open communication entirely.

[weirdly-specific-but-ok]

i explain india but i'm drunk.

Hello maggots of mine you're all such babygirls and bastards just like Aziraphale and Crowley. I'm so proud of you all for existing. Yes i'm a wholesome drunk you now know this about me. The wine tastes like rotten grapes and smells of battery acid and cost 245 rupees INR. Speaking of INR, thanks to a maggot's ask, I'm here to explain India. I've never set foot outside of this country. But I'm also very very shit at general knowledge.

To any non-Indians reading this, this is a totally legit 1000% everything covered all-inclusive summary. To any Indians reading this, I'm so so fucking sorry.

India, explained.

So there's south india and there's north india and there's north east india. north india is very racist about south india and they're both very racist about north east india. Most of these people are also probably racist either to other countries or they have internalised racism. It's a wild trip.

There are. A lot of languages here. And a LOT of scripts. I can read two scripts, understand four Indian languages and speak in two of them (badly), and those two are not my native tongues. I cannot speak in my native tongues. It's basically English at this point. These aren't dialects, those are separate. Picture like, Europe, but more, in terms of how many languages.

Everyone hates each other which is valid for the entire planet honestly.

In south india we have a lot of coconuts. Like a lot. There are so many coconuts you have no fucking idea guys you cannot escape the coconuts. I was nearly killed by a shower of coconuts when I was 5 I escaped by one second.

There are also cows. People will tell you that you are being racist when you say India has cows everywhere. But it's true. Two weeks ago I had the pleasure to be stuck in a traffic jam. Next to the street barrier thing (what divides a street im too drunk for this) I saw a huge bull fucking HUMPING a cow. The vehicles just had to move around them. They were having sex right there.

If you're a middle class Indian kid, your career options are: doctor, engineer, scientist, CA, lawyer, government official or family disappointment.

Needless to say, I was going to be doctor and am now instead family disappointment. I'm babygirling so hard it's insane. The prodigal son.

It's very ace-friendly and heterophobic in the sense that you are not supposed to be exhibiting any sexuality whatever in a respectable household. Just shut up and give virgin birth already. But be married. That's crucial.

Oh yeah gay marriage isn't legal trans people are constantly othered by society and/or given no respect whatsover and we're just all vibing here this is totally not why I'm finishing a small bottle of cheap wine on a thursday past midnight alone in my room.

Foreigners are like a zoo species you see them you're instantly concerned like what are they doing outside the TV screens and then either people are normal (rarely), they run up and take photos or try to slip into conversation (more often than you'd think, even I've been guilty of the conversation thing as a kid) OR they start talking about how 'this western culture is ruining our culture'. Which is fair but honestly both the 'cultures' these people are talking about usually involve incredible amounts of bigotry and are more similar than they think.

I think the lesson here is that humans just suck as a species. Except for you maggots. I love you all and I will defend you with my life.

THE CHAAT. THE CHAAT IS INSANELY AMAZING. YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND THE CHAAT. I HAVE NO SPICE TOLERANCE SO I HAVE TO BEG ON MY KNEES FOR THE SPICES TO BE REDUCED BUT STILL. THE CHAAT. THE CHAAT, YOU GUYS. YOU NEED IT.

Sorry yes I'm normal. ALSO THE STREET DOGS. THE INDIES. THEY'RE SO LOVELY AND SWEET AND CHAOTIC AND I KEEP TALKING TO THEM. Once when I was crying I made the dog distress while and like five dogs that I didn't know came running to me and comforted me and licked me.

INDIAN DANCE MUSIC. I FUCKING LOVE IT IT'S INSANE. My family were elitist as fuck so I never got to listen to Bollywood music as a kid but it's AMAZING I'm so glad it exists. Bhangra too.

Beaches very very pretty hills very very pretty honestly the nature is fucking beautiful if you can just quickly pretend humans don't exist, which again is true of this entire planet. Yeah. Okay I'm so fucking drunk.

Yeah lots of diversity which is very nice when the humans aren't screaming at each other about it but the rest of the time it's very nice

The garbage and sewer stories? yeah they're all true im sorry

Traffic rules more like traffic suggestions amirite

Well, we still have far better healthcare access than america. so. there is that.

If you speak English well you'll be mocked and isolated. If you speak English poorly you'll be mocked and isolated. Honestly, just be rich. That'll fix it all.

All the conservatives hate each other and don't realise they're the exact same but in like different flavours.

Oh yeah we have auto rickshaws. Look them up. They're so much better than cars I don't get motion sick as easily in them. But the drivers all hate you and never want to take you anywhere.

Eyyyyyyyyyy it's so fucking fun here *drinsk more alcohol* I am so fucking not looking forward to college.

Please someone crowdfund me out of here let's all go chill in Alpha Centauri I've heard it's nice this time of the year.

I will, however, miss the casual live cow pornos. A true highlight.

[I got this peer-reviewed by my friend in India's top law school, just in case, because I'm too drunk and generally dumb. They say I will not be killed. And they've been on Twitter so.]

Irrefutable legal proof y'all. I don't mean to offend anyone except bigots. Fuck you, bigots, if you're not offended then I've disappointed my community.

[newtthetranswriter]

'Ello, 'ello, 'ello! I just saw your post about making GO2 x readers. I was wondering if you can make an Aziraphale x reader? The reader is a rank lower than Aziraphale, but more chaotic when they got on earth. Reader's a freaking simp to Aziraphale and tells everything they like about him to Crowley.

Bonus if Crowley literally yeets the reader to Aziraphale for swooning too much.

Word count: 1335

Paring: Aziraphale x reader

A/n: Thank you for requesting I hope you enjoy it. It was nice dipping into the Good Omens fandom for writing. Requests are currently open, just make sure to check my rules and character list before requesting thanks, and enjoy. Also very small season 2 spoilers so read at your own discretion. MINORS AND AGELESS BLOGS DO NOT INTERACT

  Having been on earth for the past 6000 years has been wild. I have witnessed and maybe participated in multiple wars, seen the rise and fall of empires, but the best thing I have witnessed on earth is my fellow angel, Aziraphale. I just love his fascination with books, and the workings of human society. The fact that he even is so kind as to help the demon Crowley with tasks that they both happen to be assigned to is amazing, he is such a kind individual and needs to be protected.

   Over the years I have noticed that whenever I’m around him my brain goes fuzzy, like it becomes impossible to think of anything other than him. I have no idea how to tell him this, I mean it’s not like he would feel the same about me. After all that we have been through together I think it’s best if i just keep these feelings to myself, as I don’t want to jeopardize our friendship.

    Well keeping it to myself is far easier said than done as I was currently pestering my favorite fallen angel, and some things may have slipped out.

    “I don’t know when I started feeling this way, I just think he’s so sweet. And the look on his face when he thought his books were destroyed in that church back in ww2, he was so sad and then he realized you saved them he was so happy. I love how he takes care of his books like they are the most important things in this world.” I said, talking the demon's ear off as he just rolled his eyes at me.

    He just continued to sit on the park bench while we were waiting for Aziraphale, watching me pass in front of him. “Why are you telling me this, I don’t care.” He said hoping I would just sit down and shut up.

    I just rolled my eyes and continued knowing it would probably still be a few minutes before the angle showed up. “I just wish I knew what he was thinking in that pretty little brain of his.” I sighed as I sat next to Crowley. “Who am I kidding, he would never like me like that. I’m one misstep from being a demon, he’s so straight laced while I like to cause trouble. He wouldn’t even look my way if we weren’t both angels.” I said exasperated.

  The demon next to me just sighed before hoping the other angel would show up already. “Just because you are more of a morally gray angel doesn't mean he wouldn’t look at you. I mean look at me, I’m a demon and he talks to me.” Crowley said, jestering to himself. “ And trust me he does like you, talks about you whenever you aren’t around.” He said, trying to cheer me up.

   “Yeah right, there is no way Aziraphale, the perfect angel who runs a book shop that is really just a cover for his hoarding problem,  would like me. But it’s whatever, I've resigned myself to watching from afar. I’m fine watching him light up every time he finds a rare book, or finds a new food he likes.” I said in a dreamy voice. “Anyway I’m done talking about it, he should be here soon.”

    Just as I finished the sentence, said angel walked up to us. We both greeted him before checking in on whether any of us have heard from hell or heaven recently, thankfully not. After about ten minutes of quick catch up, Aziraphale stood up and turned to us. “Would either of you care to join me for lunch?” He asked with a bright smile.

   I was about to decline when Crowley spoke up with a wicked smirk. “Oh I’m not in the mood to eat right now but our dear Y/n would gladly join you.” He then pushed me off the bench towards the angel ignoring my glare.

   “Well then, shall be off than Y/n.” Aziraphale said as he reached for my hand. I hesitantly accepted it, not missing the thumbs up Crowley shot my way as me and the angel walked away. 

   As we approached the small dinner we had picked for lunch Aziraphale took notice of me being more quiet than usual. “Is everything alright? You’ve been oddly quiet.” I could hear the concern in his voice as we took our sets.

   I gave him a small smile before responding,”Everything is fine just feeling a little under the weather I guess.” I said hoping he would accept the answer and leave it at that.

   “Oh, are you sure you are up to getting food then, we could go back to the bookshop and I could make you a nice cup of tea?” The angel asked, making my heart swell and blush rush to my checks. “You do look a bit warm.”

   I silently cursed myself of course he would notice me blushing. I tried to think of an excuse. “I’m fine really, it’s just a little warm. Let’s just order.” I watched as he let out a sigh before waving down the waitress and placed our order. I relaxed slightly hoping he finally let it go.

   After about thirty minutes, we had finished eating and were now walking back to Aziraphale’s bookshop. It was an awkward silence, I could tell he wanted to ask me about something but I wasn’t sure what. As we turned a corner on to a less crowded street he stopped suddenly, I turned and looked at him confused. We were only a couple blocks from the bookshop, why did he stop all of a sudden.

   “You’re hiding something from me.” He said out of nowhere, his tone wasn’t angry but more concerned. “I heard you talking with Crowley before. I didn’t hear everything but I could tell it was something about me because you ended the conversation saying ‘he should be here soon.’. And I don’t want to over step but if there is something you need to tell me please just tell me, I promise to listen. I’m really good at Listening.” I could tell he was worried that it was something bad.

   I froze for a second before walking up to him. “It’s nothing bad, I just don’t know how to tell you this.” I said, looking away slightly. “Look, you don’t have to respond now or ever actually, but I like you, a lot. And I know you probably don’t feel the same but I just needed to get it off my chest. I love how much you love books, and helping people.” I finally got the words off my chest hoping to at least still have one of my best friends.

   There was a pause before he smiled at me and grabbed my hands. “How could I possibly not feel the same way? Yes you tend to go about things in a less than angelic way but that’s part of what makes you so amazing. I love that about you, I love that I can talk to you about my rare books and you will listen, I love that you get along with Crowley cause let’s be honest he’s not the easiest to talk with. It’s amazing to have you here. So I do feel the same, and never be scared to tell me your feelings. I am here to listen.”

    I just looked at him in shock. Crowley was right, Aziraphale does feel the same. I was at a loss for words but I settled on giving him the biggest smile I could before pulling him in for a hug. As I pulled from the hug, he placed a hand on my cheek and smiled. I knew that whatever came next, we would have each other's back. Little did I know that what came next was a very naked Gabriel who had no clue who he was or why he was here. This was gonna be fun.

[hikarry]

There should be more Good Omens x Supernatural crossovers

Fanart, fanfics, idc

Just

Castiel and Aziraphale's relationship would be fucking bomb! Hell, even Sam and Aziraphale's! They could be fucking nerds together

And don't get me stared on Crowley and Dean's dynamic! I just know they would absolutely annoy the fuck out of each other but become fast friends that just, ya know, thrive over fucking roasting each other but they would geek out over the other's car and music together. Just 🤌🏻 Crowley taking the shit out of Dean for him not only being American, but from bloody Texas of all places and Dean making a fake atupid British accent to annoy the shit out of Crowley because

Dean: "Look at me. Im a stupid demon that of all places in the world chose to become a fucking honorary Brit. How I love myself my stupid little tea at noon and pretend like I'm better than everybody else"

Crowley; "Listen here, you bloody Yankee, first off, tea is not my thing. Good whiskey, me. And I'm not bloody British! I'm a demon!"

Dean: "You sure act like one, posh bastard"

Crowley; "Posh? It's called having bloody manners! You fucking Americans must have lost them when you killed all the bloody natives and then came up with a stupid arse of a holiday to pretend you are the good guys"

Dean: "Says the Brit. Just the guys that enslaved half of the world and killed the other half."

Crowley: "I am not fucking British!"

Aziraphale: "He's right, Dean, dear. Technically we are not British. We don't have any nationality. We can speak every language and are nationless. Besides, we weren't involved with Britain's colonization. Actually, I believe Crowley spent most of his time in Iceland back in that century."

Crowley: "Oh yeah. We can speak every language but French, eh?"

Aziraphale: "We don't talk about that."

Castiel: "What's the problem with French?"

Crowley: "The problem is Aziraphale is absolute shit at it. It almost got him discorporated back in the French Revolution. Heavens, he can barely order a crepe when we go to Paris."

Castiel: "Why? It's in our nature to speak every language"

Aziraphale: "Oh for the love of all that's holy....I just decided to learn it the hard way, yes? Thought it might be fun."

Crowley: "Yeah. Just like the magic lessons you took. Which you are also shit at, by the way."

Sam: "Can't you like, do real magic?"

Crowley: "Precisely. But angel over here decided human magic was fun."

Aziraphale: "And I am correct! It's not my fault you are a cinic!"

Crowley: "You mean realistic. Every time I've seen you try to perform magic it's an absolute disaster. Embarrassing even."

Aziraphale: "Ah yes? What about my photo trick back in the 40s? Saved us, did it not?"

Crowley: "You did good there, yes. But, fucking Heavens angel-"

Dean: "Okay whatever. Let the fucking Brits have their little fight. We have work to do. Sammy, did you manage to locate the demon?"

Sam: "Actually, Aziraphale did."

Aziraphale: "It was quite easy, really. Crowley and I have dealt with them before"

Crowley: "You mean I saved your arse from them before"

Dean: "Oh for fucks sake, just let's go. Sammy, Cas, cmon."

Aziraphale: "Are you sure you don't want us to go? We could help."

Dean: "No. You both stay. Make up and makeout or whatever it is you do in your free time. We don't need you in the way"

Crowley: "Aziraphale, let's go. We gonna try and find some decent restaurant in this bloody city. Let them screw themselves. They will come begging for help before you know it"

Dean: "We've been dealing with demons for years, you pretentious fuck. We dunnot need your fucking help."

Crowley: "We've been alive for all the existence of humanity and have saved the world twice now."

Dean: "Big thing. We do that every other week. Open your mouth when you fight fucking God and then we will talk."

Sam: "Okay, okay, enough. You two go and do whatever it is that you want to do. We will reach out if we need help."

Aziraphale: "Jolly good. Come on, my dear. I've seen an amazing sushi restaurant down the street that looks decent enough."

[fuckyeahgoodomensfanfic]

Good Omens Fic Rec: It Was Always You

A chance encounter during one of the worst times of Ezra Fell’s life reunites him with his once best friend and the one who got away. Though, that would imply he ever had him in the first place. Anthony Crowley and his son, Warlock, relocate to the quieter city of Tadfield from that of London. In the process, manages to find again that one person who always made him feel less alone, the one person he was pretty sure he was never going to speak to again. But the road to true love never did run smooth (something that’s been true from their very beginning). Despite the easy way they fall back into each other, their lives don't seem to follow suit, and if it's not one challenge its another. But despite everything they find themselves facing down, the ten years without each other taught them one thing: they’re better together than they are apart.

Length: 236,585 words

AO3 Rating: Teen and Up

Best for: Safe in Public, Taking Breaks, Human AU, Slow Burn, Romance, Fluff, Pick-me-up

Triggers: None

Read it here, fic by mltrefry

*Minor Spoilers* Strap in, because this is going to be a long rec post. This story hit pretty much all my personal buttons on the parent AU side, so I knew it would end up being a favorite of mine. But then, to combine it with such a rich and wonderful story of how Crowley and Ezra grew up together as best friends? It felt tailor-made for me.

Let's start with the present. Crowley is the father of five-year-old Warlock, owns a very successful flower shop, and has moved to Tadfield to be closer to that branch of the business. Ezra has just lost his sister Eliza and is now the guardian to his nephew Adam. Both men are content with their lives, but the memory of their fallout plagues them both. In the past, we follow their entire history—from their first meeting, to new boyfriends, supporting each other through hard times, and the unbearable pain of their unspoken mutual pining.

I loved everything about this story. As parents, they're both amazing. They love being dads, they never see their sons as a burden, and I'm so thankful that this story doesn't cause any unnecessary angst for them in this aspect. Their family is built on love, safety, and trust. I adored the boys, their new routines, and their entire extended family of side characters.

I was fascinated by their past relationships. Every person each of them dated was such a complex and interesting side character. I appreciated how even when a partner is flawed, they're not portrayed as evil—especially Gabriel. Yes, he's an asshole, and he can't take no for an answer, but he's not evil. He does nothing to purposely sabotage Ezra's happiness, which was something I was honestly expecting a bit. The character of Oscar here was a particular standout for me. I also loved how the red string of fate kept connecting them in ways I don't think they'll ever realize. Which is lovely, but also a little silly in that it almost feels like there's only like 8 queer men in all of Britain. But each relationship taught them more about life and themselves, and yes, maybe it would have been easier for them if they confessed their love earlier in their lives. However, that wasn't meant to be; they came together at exactly the right point in their lives. They were meant to have this wonderful family together.

And watching them grow up together? I was glued to every moment. Their family lives were unique and complex. Completely original to this story, which sometimes can feel too removed from canon. But it didn't feel that way to me ever. Or if it ever did, it wasn't a negative. I don't believe this is the kind of story you could scrub out the Good Omens and repackage it as any other couple. Even though technically it should be easy to do with this set up. There isn't that much Good Omens canon in it, but still, this just feels like Crowley and Aziraphale despite how much of an AU it is.

Ok, I gotta stop before this becomes even longer, there are SO MANY plot points I could talk about. But seriously, if you love parent stories or stories of them being friends as kids, this is a must-read. It's satisfyingly long, but also so effortless that you will spend hours in this world, and it'll feel like seconds. The writing is excellent, so detailed that you'll feel like you're actually there, but never gets bogged down in itself. This is now a forever favorite of mine!

Read it here, fic by mltrefry

[eightpuppet]

There's been some posts around that want Aziraphale to be very badass next season. To show up, lick kick ass and take names in Heaven. There's been reminders about how he's a protector, a guardian and a BAMF, and should really go feral next season.

(Also some posts about how Crowley should do that, but that's not the subjext here. Also some posts about actually licking ass, but also not the subject here.)

And while the action movie and shounen anime fan in me appreciates the visceral satisfaction of that sort of thing, and I don't want anyone to feel guilty about wanting that, another part of me finds the thought incredibly tragic. That the angel who declared himself soft after Gabriel called him a lean mean fighting machine should become one after all. That the angel who threw down his uniform in front of his quartermaster and told him he has no intention of fighting in any war should have to go to war after all.

That's the solution? That the very first being in existence who gave up his sword willingly should pick it up again?

Well. He did already pick it up again one time. In the book to make a hopeless last stand in defense of humans, yes, which is about the only situation where that seems about right, but in the show he took one look at it and decided this could still be solved by talking. Or by threats of not talking, as it were. And it's the show we're talking about here.

And I don't know what the show's solution ultimately will be, but I want it to be, at least in part, because of Aziraphale's softness. His gentleness. The part of him that stops burglaries with baked goods. That deflects aggressive humans at graveyards with politeness, and in the end everyone involved benefits. The part that defiantly remains kind, even if he can be a bit of a bastard.

Or maybe even more than that, I want it to be his humanity. Humanity is infectious. It's a theme of Pratchett. And it's a theme of Good Omens. And it takes so very little. Gabriel and Beelzebub spend only years meeting each other on Earth, and lose their taste for what they live for, what is essentially their only purpose, and find their song (it contains information in a tuneful way, did you know?) Muriel, Heaven's biggest cinnamon roll that they are, couldn't grasp why Aziraphale was so upset about Job's children in the time of Uz, but one look at the world and they're amazed, one book and they're hooked.

Aziraphale knew Adam and Eve only for a few days, and felt so sorry for them after their punishment that he defied God's orders and then lied directly to Her illuminated face about it.

That's what I want to see, I think. The Metatron brought the most human of angels into Heaven by plying him with human drinks like coffee and human desires like love, and I want that to be his undoing. Humanity is infectious, and he's brought that infection to Heaven, and I want it to spread. All of us against them, all of humanity against Heaven (and eventually Hell,) except not quite like Crowley probably thought, because after all these years he still hasn't got the hang of us.

I want people-positive management style. I want the angels to at first be weirded out and maybe mutinous, but then grow to like it. I want them to get to know each other, not as coworkers, not as bees, but as friends. I want them to fall in love while gossiping about the weirdo Supreme Archangel who put up a suggestion box (because that definitely felt like a Foreshadowing, even if only for a joke) and then actually kinda like it, because some of their suggestions were heard and that's actually pretty nice. To be heard. I want them to figure out that they actually like to get some compliments for their work. To figure out that they actually kinda like Aziraphale's leadership style, and maybe resist when he eventually gets replaced for doing something off the wall.

(I may want to watch OFMD's first season again. I admit it.)

I want the angels to do things that spread humanity in them, like the cocoa going down Gabriel's mouth, throat and stomach, doing different things in every place, like Muriel opening a book and finding out it's just like people, and now they love books, and therefore people.

I want them to find their songs.

Maybe the angels also just need some baked goods. (Aziraphale had to miracle in the cherries.)

Maybe Aziraphale accidentally brings the six shot espresso Crowley angrily shoved at him during their latest attempt to talk with him, and someone tries it and likes it, and Aziraphale gives them permission to visit Earth to get more because why not, and it spreads, and the world doesn't end because where would the Heavenly Host get their coffee, and all of Heaven chooses coffee rather than death, because people are so predictable, aren't they, Metatron?

Maybe Muriel brings up a book and someone borrows it and it becomes this whole thing and they have to bring up even more books, and the angels don't want to destroy the Earth because they gotta know the end of some trilogy or another, and who knows, maybe GRRM will finish A Song of Ice and Fire after all, and Aziraphale indirectly saves the world not by being a badass, but by being the world's biggest book nerd, and okay, the bookshop didn't last forever, but it's okay, nothing does.

Maybe when there's a choice to watch something other than the Sound of Music, because the Supreme Archangel brought up some new films in the hopes of being able to watch literally anything else... the angels choose. And keep choosing. Because once you start, you can't stop, even if it starts with something small like "What should we watch today?", because humanity is infectious. Maybe they choose to taste ox, or sushi. Maybe they listen to something not by Liszt or Elgar. Maybe they'll have a look at a cup of tea.

I just don't want it to be Aziraphale's masterplan that goes off without a hitch. Or Crowley's. When have their plans ever solved anything? Their big plan wasn't enough to fool all the archangels that these were Job's new children, they only got away with it because of Aziraphale's status as an angel, and because Gabriel considered him beneath suspicion. Crowley's plan to fool Hell into thinking he only did a good thing because of being high on Laudanum didn't fool Hell, or Aziraphale, or anyone. And their plan to stop the Armageddon? We know all about that. The only successful plan they've ever had was given to them by Agnes Nutter.

Besides, seems like they're gonna be busy with Jesus, anyway.

I dunno. I'm rambling, and Gaiman's a much better writer than I am. But Heaven isn't toxic because angels, or even archangels, are inherently bad. We've seen that. It's more that it's a soulless corporate machine. I've heard the opinion that the book was more the absurdity of the Cold War, and the show is more capitalism is bad, and if so, I feel like the solution should reflect that. Putting Aziraphale in charge cannot solve that problem because they will always find some other schmuck to put in charge, same as they did with Gabriel.

But if the army doesn't show up because it doesn't want to fight? If everyone, not just Gabriel, says nah to the Apocalypse? If they just... don't show up to work?

(Alternatively, I guess they could eat the archangels. Put that gluttony of Aziraphale's to good use.)

[turquoisemagpie]

... Still thinking about the intro to episode 1, Before the Beginning. 

Mainly over two things: 

1) How parental Crowley is over the stars.  He’s so proud of them! He compliments them, he’s awestruck by them to the point of not really hearing Aziraphale introduce himself, and when he’s asked about them, be eagerly explains how they’re still young, but will grow up to become something bigger and much more amazing than they already are. He sounds like a very giddy proud father over his children, which makes him all the more heartbroken when he learns that they won’t be allowed to reach their full potential because Heaven plans to make life last only 6000 years. He seems so upset that it’s likely that this moment is what drove him to ask God questions, which would doom him. He didn’t necessarily know he would lose his place as an angel, and thus nothing was holding him back from do so, even though he was discretely warned by Aziraphale not to do so. How much time it took him from there to be damned is unclear: he stuck around long enough to ‘help build’ other nebulas, which shows he still carries on making Space, even though he knows it’s pointless. He carries on! He really cares for the stars, as if they’re humans! It’s no surprise that when he’s introduced to actual humans, he treats them with the same sense of preservation, even if his actions are devious - him being a demon and all. He has a hopeful inkling of potential in all things that are not under Heaven or Hell’s jurisdictions, and he got that from making the stars. (I think this came across to me because it is David Tennant, who played one of the most space-obsessed AND empathetic Doctors of Doctor Who, so there may be bias, but still.) 

2) How Crowley couldn’t make his nebula without Aziraphale’s help.  Whether you think it’s fate or coincidence that Crowley reached out to the first angel he saw and just so happened to spot Aziraphale passing by, it was Aziraphale who held things in place for Crowley to do what he needed to complete his masterpiece. He was the one of the first to witness the nebula’s creation, see how it was done, and see how happy Crowley was to see it all working. Aziraphale is not entirely sure what’s going on to give Crowley the praise he deserves, and deep down he knows that the nebula will be rendered pointless after the Apocalypse, but he still compliments Crowley’s work. And instantly Aziraphale feels empathy for Crowley when he gets upset of how his stars won’t become what he expects of them in time, and he’s very scared for him when he realises Crowley will ask God some questions, ultimately damning him to hell - scared enough to discretely warn him. He didn’t have to, he could have left after he’d done what he needed, but he stuck around, to know what Crowley was doing and what he was planning to do next. He was a part of the first minutes of the stars and the nebulas’ creation. 

These two angels being there to the creation of this corner of Space is pretty sweet. It can be interpreted anyway! Whether someone wants to personify these star systems as Crowley’s (and possibly Aziraphale’s) progenies, or children even (if concepts like war, famine and pollution can be personified on earth, so can cosmic entities like stars!). Or someone wants this nebula to be the physical symbol of Crowley and Aziraphale’s relationship lasting beyond any of heaven or hell’s expectations, their own place for them to run away together, made before they even knew they could be ‘together’. Whatever anyone thinks, it’s possible! I’m so happy this scene existed at all, but not just because it shows Crowley before he fell, or that it confirms Aziraphale technically knew Crowley before he fell, but because it shows the caring, creative, hopeful side of both Crowley and Aziraphale. 

Crowley is a creator, possibly to a god-like level, and Aziraphale knows this and respects it. That’s why he doesn’t directly stop Crowley’s hellish actions when he’s a demon - he knows Crowley would have something up his sleeve. But what Aziraphale doesn’t know yet is that Crowley can’t do it all on his own, and when they work together, and go beyond the limits of Earth, Heaven and Hell, they can create incredible things. 

(side note: I wonder if Crowley ever went to check up on his first nebula after he fell. How much freedom did he have to go to space after he fell (guessing that Hell is a Dante’s Divine Comedy ‘Hell is underground in the centre of the earth’)? If not, well, he collects space books - does search for space news of human technology taking better and better pictures of his work every time? Does he smile as how well they’re doing? Does he miss them?...)

[sendmetosanfran]

Let Me Try Again pt. 6

The day had come. Elizabeth was pregnant, and the angels were going to explain the purpose of her future child. Crowley would immediately wipe her memory after the angels had left. The entire matter felt strange to Aziraphale. He was headed in with angels and not Crowley. It felt isolated somehow. 

Elizabeth looked at the group strangely as she opened her front door. Aziraphale gave her a warm smile, but the rest of the group kept a serious expression. They were unused to human interaction. They saw no need for pleasantries. 

“Hello, miss. Would it be a bother for us to come in?” Aziraphale questioned. She squinted at him before looking around at the other faces. Aziraphale felt a shoulder bump him as Uriel and Micheal went inside. “Oh, dear.” This was not going to go well. 

“What do you lot want?” Elizabeth asked with a frown. This was going badly already. Crowley watched from behind a bookshelf. He had taken his snake form to slide behind furniture until the time was right. The sight even made him cringe. 

“We’ve come to speak to you about your pregnancy,” Uriel stated. The woman looked even more confused now. She looked behind herself, wishing she could call her husband. However, she remembered that he had gone out to do the grocery shopping. 

“How do you know about that? I’ve only done the test last night,” Elizabeth replied. Aziraphale could tell they had angered her. Although, he couldn’t blame her. They had not told who they were or even given her a pleasant greeting. 

“Perhaps we should do some explaining,” he said as he stepped in front of the other two angels. He cleared his throat, keeping a smile the best he could. “You see, we’re angels… From Heaven.” He gestured upwards. Crowley shook his head. 

“You’re lunatics. I need you to leave,” she responded, gesturing towards the door. Aziraphale was the only one who made any effort to move. Micheal and Uriel kept their stone-faced expressions in place as they stayed put. 

“You are carrying a very important being,” Uriel stated. Elizabeth stared at them with a grimace. 

“Please, I wish you would leave.” Crowley wondered if he should do something. Although, there wasn’t much he could do from his position. Besides, he would be giving up the plan if he stepped in. 

“We’ll leave in a moment, I promise,” Aziraphale stated. “It’s just, you see, your baby will be very important. He’s going to be the reincarnation of Christ.” 

“What?” She looked exasperated now. Aziraphale held up his hand and miracled a flower in his hand as a way to prove that there was truly magic involved and not three nuts off the street. 

“Me? Why on Earth would I have Christ as my child?” She asked, still perplexed. Elizabeth was no fonder of these strangers than she had been a moment ago. 

“You proved yourself worthy,” Micheal interjected. “You have lived your life with minimal sin.” 

“…But why would Christ even need to return?” She questioned. Crowley was amazed by how well this woman had handled herself. She had not once backed down and refused to let her questions go unanswered. It was almost a shame that he would need to wipe her memory. There was a glance exchanged between Micheal and Uriel. 

“For the end times. Your child will grow and learn from you. It is your responsibility to teach him what he is meant for,” Micheal explained. Elizabeth suddenly looked frightened. 

“The end? You expect me to raise a child to destroy the world?” She asked, more anger growing in her voice. “My child will bring nothing but peace!” Crowley wanted to chuckle at the way this was playing out. He shifted closer, only to bump against a picture frame. It did not fall, only shifted. It was still too much. He could feel it when Uriel’s gaze snapped to him before he was being pulled in. The next thing he knew, he was in human form with their hand wrapped around his throat. 

“ACK, bloody hell!” He swore and coughed. He looked up from his newfound spot on the floor. 

“We should have known the demon was here. Anyone who doesn’t go along with the ineffable plan must have an influence over them,” they stated. Aziraphale wasn’t sure what to do. 

“Haven’t done anything,” Crowley replied. He knocked the offending hand away before standing. He straightened his jacket and backed away. Uriel’s look shifted to Aziraphale. 

“You’ve been telling him our plans.” 

“What? No!” Aziraphale was beginning to panic. He didn’t want anything to happen to Crowley or himself. 

“Oh, lay off of him. I’m a demon. It makes perfect sense for me to trail the new archangel. I didn’t even know what was going on here,” Crowley argued. He had no idea if the others would believe him, but he couldn’t have them pointing fingers at Aziraphale. Uriel gave them both a hard stare. 

“Honestly, we haven’t exactly been friends since I took my new position,” Aziraphale interjected. There was a flash of hurt that went through Crowley at the sentence. “Perhaps I hadn’t made it quite clear to him.” 

“Make it clear,” Uriel ordered. Aziraphale looked at the demon worriedly before grabbing his jacket. He yanked him towards the door, making Crowley staggered. 

“Right, be back momentarily.” 

“Hey!” Crowley yelped as he was dragged outside. Aziraphale slammed the door behind them. 

“Follow my lead,” he whispered before gripping the front of the demon’s jacket. Crowley barely had time to process the statement. His back collided with the door. 

“Ouch, damn it, angel!” He snipped. Aziraphale pressed against him with his best attempt at a mean face. He wasn’t sure if either of the angels were watching them. 

“Now, see here, you fiendish… Thing,” he said loudly. It was the best he could come up with. “This is Heaven’s territory. I suggest you stay far aware.” 

“And what do you think you’re going to do about it?” Crowley questioned. He was on board with what Aziraphale was up to. Of course, it would have been nice to know to brace himself earlier. Aziraphale looked panicked as he stammered for something to say. “I said, what are you going to do about it?” 

“I-I’ll make you regret it!” Aziraphale said. He backed them away from the door before slamming into it again. Now that the initial shock was over, Crowley was more aware of how Aziraphale leaned into him. It made him a bit weak in the knees. 

“How?” Crowley asked. Aziraphale huffed in annoyance. Why did he have to ask him anything? He had intended on pushing him against the wall and making a few vague threats. Then, the demon was supposed to run away as though he were truly frightened. What had gotten into him? 

“I’m not sure how. I suppose I’ll have to come up with a punishment. Perhaps a good lashing now will deter you from any future problems,” Aziraphale replied, unaware of the way that Crowley licked his lips. The demon chuckled, pleased with the idea of his angel punishing him. 

“You’re going to whip me?” He purred, shifting against the door. He knew he should stop this line of thinking, but he couldn’t help himself. Where would this take them? Probably nowhere, but a demon could hope. 

“I think a firm slap across the face will do,” the angel said, giving him a perplexed look. He was oblivious to what was going on in Crowley’s head. He lifted a hand and raised his eyebrows for a second to convey what he was doing. He’d give Crowley a fake slap, and Crowley would pretend that it actually hurt. He pulled his hand back before letting the fake slap fly. 

“Punish me, Angel,” Crowley growled with a devious grin. Aziraphale’s eyes widened as his body suddenly felt hot. The fake slap picked up more speed with his shock. There was an audible ‘thwack’ as his hand collided with the demon’s cheek. 

“Bloody hell!” Crowley gasped as he was sent to the ground. He rubbed his burning cheek as Aziraphale stared at him. The angel covered his mouth with his hands, and his eyes were as round as dinner plates. He was about to help Crowley up and apologize, but the door opened. The two angels were done with business. He did his best to look composed. 

Uriel looked down at Crowley. They had expected Aziraphale to come up with some cheesy act to cover up his treason. Judging from the vibrant red mark on Crowley’s face, they determined this was not face. The alliance between the two must be deteriorating as they had planned. 

“Aziraphale, we have much to discuss,” Micheal stated. He nodded before following them. Crowley just watched as he walked away, face still stinging. 

“I’m an idiot,” he muttered to himself. 

…. 

“How bad is it?” Crowley questioned. Aziraphale had gotten back about ten minutes prior. The angel had been quiet as he prepared two cups of tea. Crowley had been a bit worried when he didn’t make his usual hot chocolate. Aziraphale handed him a cup before sitting next to him. 

“Honestly, we’re much better off than we had thought,” Aziraphale stated. He sipped his tea and let out a relaxed sigh. “Elizabeth never relented. She has no intention of letting her child end the world. We just have to make sure that no one tries to brainwash her to get her on Heaven’s side.” 

“I think we can handle that,” Crowley replied. There was a short silence between them, and the demon felt the mood shift. He was overly aware of Aziraphale watching him from the corner of his eye. Crowley looked at him with a furrowed brow. “Why are you staring at me?” 

“I’m not staring,” Aziraphale replied, sipping his tea again. 

“Angel, I can feel you burning a hole in the side of my head. Something is on your mind. You might as well just tell me,” the demon stated. Aziraphale seemed to steady himself. 

“…I was just thinking about the other day.” His face took on a red tint. “I was thinking about how you reacted when I pushed you against the door.” Crowley let his head fall backward with a groan. 

“Shit. I’ve got to start keeping my mouth shut.” They fell into another silence. Aziraphale continued to watch the other man. 

“Well?” He asked. Crowley gave him another confused look. He would regret asking. 

“Well, what?” He questioned. 

“Why did you react that way?” Aziraphale questioned. Crowley stood from the sofa. 

“I’d prefer not answer that,” he stated, but the angel followed him. “Aziraphale, I don’t think you’re going to like any answer that I give you.” 

“I promise that I won’t judge. I just want to know,” he stated. 

“Nope!” Crowley attempted to disappear into the back of the shop but had a hand wrap around his wrist and pull him back gently. He swallowed thickly as he tried not to meet Aziraphale’s eyes. 

“Crowley?” 

“Y’know? Maybe we should talk about how you slapped the absolute piss out of me? How about that?” He said, trying to distract anyway that he could. 

“I didn’t mean to! You startled me,” Aziraphale explained. Crowley shook his hand away and took a step back. The angel was starting to worry. Had he done something wrong? Crowley moved to walk away again, and Aziraphale couldn’t take it. 

“Oh, why can’t you just tell me?” Aziraphale asked as he followed. Crowley felt the hands grab him again, but they gripped a bit tighter. Aziraphale turned him towards himself before moving his hands to the demon’s biceps. 

“Aziraphale!” Crowley gasped as he felt himself being shoved backward. His back pressed against a bookshelf as the angel held him in place. 

“Does this have the same effect?” The angel asked. If Crowley wouldn’t tell him what had happened, he would have to recreate it. Crowley stared at him with wide eyes. 

“What on earth has gotten into you?” 

“Answer my questions first!” His hands squeezed tighter, and Crowley could feel his mouth go dry. This was going to turn bad fast. 

“I don’t know what to tell you… I’ve never felt like that after being roughed up,” he replied. Aziraphale felt his cheeks heat up. 

“S-so you liked it?” He asked, and he could feel Crowley pulling away again. 

“I don’t like this conversation,” the demon stated. He pushed away from the bookshelf only to be put right back where he had been. He clenched the edge of one of the shelves as he gritted his teeth. 

“Please, just let me try again,” Aziraphale said in an almost frantic voice. Crowley furrowed his brow as he relaxed a bit. He wasn’t sure why Aziraphale was so worked up about this. 

“Why do you want to do it again?” The demon asked. Aziraphale blushed. 

“Because… It’s because,” he stammered before clearing his throat. Crowley couldn’t hold back a small smirk as something clicked for him. 

“It’s because you liked it. You enjoyed throwing me around, you little deviant,” Crowley stated as his smirk turned into a full-blown grin. Suddenly, Aziraphale’s face turned beet red, and the angel moved away. 

“Not initially,” Aziraphale admitted, still avoiding any type of eye contact. He wrung his hands together. His mind was obviously whirling and looking for something to justify his actions on. Crowley knew he’d be taking the blame when the angel’s eyes snapped back to him. He moved in quickly, and Crowley was back against the shelf. “If you hadn’t tempted me, we wouldn’t be having this conversation!” 

“What the hell did I do?” 

“You kept asking me questions! I didn’t know that you were using me to imagine some lustful situation.” Crowley rolled his eyes. “Don’t give me that attitude!” The angel shoved Crowley, his hand pressing in the center of his chest. Crowley grunted as he looked down at the hand. He bit his lower lip in an attempt to behave. Still, he needed to say something. 

“Why do you get to tempt me, but I have to behave?” Crowley questioned, his voice a bit deeper. Aziraphale felt a shiver go down his spine. 

“I’m an angel. I don’t tempt people,” he responded. “Don’t blame me for whatever lust you’ve been feeling.” Crowley chuckled before stalking toward the angel. Aziraphale backed away with a gulp. He stopped when they got to the edge of the sofa. 

“That’s a load of bollocks, and you know it,” Crowley stated. “You want to know what I feel every time you shove me? My legs turn to jelly, and my body gets hot. Do you know why? Because a certain little angel is enjoying himself at my expense. I agreed not to tempt you, but you aren’t holding up your end of the bargain.” Crowley pointed a finger towards Aziraphale. “If you shove me one more time, I’m going to have my own fun. Do you understand, angel?” 

Aziraphale chewed on the inside of his lip. Crowley couldn’t be serious, could he? He would never force Aziraphale to do anything. It wasn’t like he had been aware that he was teasing him. At least not at first. He looked behind the demon and saw the arm of the sofa was just behind his knees. 

“I think you’re bluffing,” Aziraphale stated. He saw the other man’s expression shift to incredulous. 

“Bluffing? You daft basta-” he was cut short by Aziraphale shoving him backward. The back of his knees hit the armrest, causing him to fall. Aziraphale hadn’t planned on the demon grabbing the front of his jacket and dragging him down. He tried to stand up quickly, but Crowley already had his arms wrapped around his waist. His fingers gripped onto his jacket. 

“Think about this before you do anything rash!” Aziraphale warned. Crowley rolled his eyes. 

“Calm down. You already know I wouldn’t do anything to you,” Crowley replied but did not loosen his grip. His angel was going to stay here with him. Aziraphale sighed a breath of relief as he looked down at the other man. 

“…I didn’t mean to tempt you,” he said softly. 

“S’lright, angel.” His hands shifted slightly on the small of the angel’s back. “But you know… Saying something isn’t the same as doing it.” 

“What do you mean?” Aziraphale questioned. His mouth dried when he felt Crowley’s breath by his ear. 

“I just want to talk to you,” Crowley spoke softly. Aziraphale caught sight of the yellow eyes that peered at him. The demon’s gaze was much more intense than his voice. Aziraphale knew that he had pushed his luck. 

“You could talk to me while we sat up. We could finish drinking our tea,” he offered but heard a chuckle. It sent a chill down his spine and made his scalp tingle. “Oh dear,” he muttered. 

“What’s the matter? Don’t like having your buttons pushed?” Crowley teased. Aziraphale chewed on his lower lip. “Surely you can handle the temptations of a demon. Oh, pious archangel.” 

“You said you wouldn’t do anything,” Aziraphale replied, feeling fingers trace up his spine. Crowley did not have a tight grip on him anymore, but it was too late to move away. He wanted to stay right where he was. 

“I haven’t done a thing, angel. I’m only talking,” he replied, his lips brushing gently against the shell of Aziraphale’s ear. It made the angel suck in a breath. “Now, there are certainly things I would like to do… There are things that I’d like you to do to me.” 

“Crowley,” Aziraphale warned. He lifted himself to where they were a bit further apart, but he was still above Crowley. He smiled up at him as his hands slipped down Aziraphale’s sides and up his chest. 

“Have I told you how pretty of an angel you are?” Crowley asked softly. Aziraphale’s eyes slid over him. It was such a different look and feeling for the demon to be underneath him. Aziraphale knew that he wanted Crowley, and he feared that he would cave soon. “I mean that. You’re a gorgeous person.” 

“You flatter me, dear,” Aziraphale stated. Crowley’s hand moved to cup the other man’s cheek, and his thumb rubbed gently at his lower lip. Aziraphale pressed his lips against the thumb with a hum. “…Did you know that you’re a master of temptation?” 

“I’m only as good as you’ll let me be.” 

“That’s not entirely true… I think I feel the work of a masterful demon working on me.” 

“Is that so?” Crowley asked. His golden eyes were half-lidded as Aziraphale leaned back down to him. Their lips met slowly as if to taste each other as their eyes slipped shut. Crowley’s arms slid to wrap around Aziraphale’s shoulders and bring him closer. The pace increased slightly as their mouths worked against each other. 

“Angel,” Crowley muttered as the lips left his mouth to trail his jaw. Crowley leaned into the affection. Then, he felt one of Aziraphale’s hands begin to roam. It started at his waist with a gentle squeeze. Next, it trailed up his stomach and over his chest. “Fuck me,” Crowley swore as the hand caressed his neck on the way by. Aziraphale chuckled as his fingers carded through the demon’s hair and gripped it. The demon’s breath hitched in his throat. Perhaps fucking him was what Aziraphale had in mind. 

Crowley felt his body grow warmer until he was nearly boiling. Aziraphale had lowered to press firmly against him, and his mouth was still working against Crowley’s jaw. Where had the angel learned to do this? Was this in his books? The grip on his hair made him tilt his head back. 

“Oh, Aziraphale,” Crowley said, feeling the hot mouth on his throat. It seemed to be traveling downward. “Aziraphale,” he said with more urgency. “Think about what you’re do HING,” he let out what was almost a squeak when he felt a nibble at his collarbone. “I don’t want you falling into lust. Screwing a demon may be hard to explain to upstairs.” 

“Is it really lust if you’re truly in love with each other?” Aziraphale questioned. 

“… Now, that’s what I call a temptation,” Crowley stated, tugging at Aziraphale’s collar. The angel moved as directed. Was this what they were going to do? Were they going to bang on Aziraphale’s sofa? Although the angel would probably refer to it as making love. 

“What are you two doing?” Came an inquisitive voice. 

“Muriel!” They yelled in unison. Between Aziraphale trying to get up and Crowley attempting to help him, Aziraphale landed on the floor with a thud. Crowley grimaced at seeing Aziraphale flat on his back. 

“Was this a bad time?” Muriel questioned 

“Yes,” Crowley answered. 

“No,” Aziraphale said, shooting him a look and getting to his feet. “No, dear. We were just.” He brushed his vest off, still looking to Crowley for help. The demon shrugged, not knowing what to tell him. “…Never mind that. What did you need?” 

“You got a book in the mail. I thought you’d want to see it.” 

“Yes, I would. Thank you, Muriel,” he said before heading to the next room. Crowley watched him leave. After a second, Aziraphale popped his head back in. “Crowley.” 

“Yes, Angel.” 

“We’ll finish our,” he stopped to clear his throat. “Our activities later.” Crowley gave him a grin. 

“I look forward to it.” 

[qwilanikan]

On Marriage in Fandom (with specific emphasis on Good Omens)

I’ve been reading a lot of GO fan fiction recently, and mostly I have been loving it! There are some amazing writers in this community and I’m so grateful to be able to benefit from their time and skill and imagination! But… I have a lot of cognitive dissonance when it comes to shipping Azicrow, and others, and the romanticization that fandoms put on marriage and them being married/husbands.

Some context:  I am a relationship anarchist.  

I wrote another post with more details about what this means to me, including my opinions on marriage as an institution, with a bunch of links to articles and resources if you are interested in digging into this a bit more.

So, I mentioned some cognitive dissonance.  I am pretty obsessed with Good Omens and with Aziraphale and Crowley and their relationship.  But, the fact that they rely solely on each other, does not align with my own values.  I don’t think it is healthy for them to have no other sources of support.  

And, of course there is a lot of discourse about them being ‘husbands’, what with the ‘ineffable husbands’ thing and such. 

This is something I’ve been thinking about for a while and felt compelled to try to express after encountering it over and over. Even though there are things about their relationship that don’t align with my values, I gush over Azicrow since they are not real, it’s a fantasy.  I have lifelong friends that I rely on and trust and care about deeply.  And so I can admire that in their relationship.  But once it enters the realm of marriage it gets harder for me.  

I see a lot of idealization of marriage in fandom without reflection or critique.  This is not unique to fandom by any means, it’s ingrained in our socialization.  

I am uncomfortable with so much emphasis on marriage (and hierarchical romantic relationships). I think organized monogamy and rule-based relationships (especially marriage) are about control and ownership, not love and respect and trust.  I don’t find that appealing at all. I wish the focus was on their love for each other, rather than creating a rule-based relationship between them and idealizing that.

I try to suspend my disbelief and just enjoy the warm fuzzies of Aziraphale and Crowley being cute. I love Aziracrow because I see their love and care for each other and their care for the world and humanity.  I want to celebrate that love and I don’t want to imagine that they are trying to control and coerce each other.  I don’t think that supports their love, I think it supports unhealthy systems in our society. 

notes:

* I want to acknowledge that this is not specific to Good Omens.  For instance this has been very present on the OFMD fandom since season two, and is just everywhere all the time.

* I have historically mostly lurked, and consumed fandom, rather than engaging publicly myself.  But this is something that I really care about and I want to be able to discuss. (Please feel free to engage with me about this!)

*I read one fic, (To reveal my heart in ink by chaoticlivi), which I loved. And something that I really appreciated about this fic is that even though Az and Crowley’s relationship was definitely sexual, and probably romantic (whatever that means… but that’s another topic), Az still continued to call Crowley ‘friend’ the whole time.  I loved that so much! There’s no reason they can’t still call each other ‘friend’ regardless of the ways that they relate might shift over time.

* Also, as occult/ethereal beings there is no practical advantage of them getting married, as they don’t need the financial or governmental benefits it gives you, so the only reason to do it is to idealize the idea of it and its hierarchical nature

[aziraphales-library]

hi!!! hope whoever reads this’s day is going good. as a lover of physical touch i was wondering if you know any where crowley comforts an anxious/upset aziraphale by holding him/just physical touch in general? thanks so much! also this blog is amazing ahskwjw thank u for making it!!!

We have a #cuddling & snuggling tag, so do check that. Another obvious go-to for this is #touch starved, so here are some comforting touch-starved Aziraphale fics...

Day 8: Touch by CinnabarMint (G)

Aziraphale hasn’t been touched in centuries, so he gathers his courage and asks Crowley. Crowley delivers.

On The Matter Of Touch by Somedrunkpirate (T)

“On the matter of touch,” Crowley begins, waving his teaspoon in what he hopes passes for idle curiosity. “Thoughts?” --- For two ineffable husbands, they don't really touch each other much. Here is a story on why that might be.

Adrift by Aethelflaed (T)

Angels don't experience physical touch the way humans do. The simple brush of a hand can form a connection that is powerful, intimate, and far more than Aziraphale can handle. Only one other being has experienced this phenomenon, a demon, so much his opposite and so very much the same. Can they learn to forge connections that don't overwhelm them, or will Aziraphale spend eternity never quite connecting with the world around him?

Take My Heart (But Not My Hand) by Ghostinthehouse (T)

"You know he needs touch?" "Yeah," Crowley says, following Adam's gaze to Aziraphale. "I know. We'll figure it out, he and I. We always do. Eventually."

Touch my Tears with Your Lips by IneffableDoll (T)

In Heaven, there was nothing to touch. Aziraphale re-tied the knot of his bowtie again and again and again. He was alone, and nothing was real, and he was alone, and nothing was real. * The emptiness of Heaven is punishment itself, a torture for a very Earthly angel. He has no power. The Metatron lied to him. Crowley is somewhere else. Aziraphale is alone. When he eventually escapes back to Earth – where he belongs – Aziraphale and Crowley have a lot to work through, even after averting the Second Coming, a renewed attempt at taking away all they hold dear. They need to be gentle with each other’s fragile, fractured hearts and together, figure out how to love one another the way they’ve long wished to. A story of trauma, healing, and love. So, so much love.

Introduction to Touch by sheendav (E)

Aziraphale and Crowley survive the Not-Pocalypse and profess their love for one another, but Aziraphale has tremendous anxiety about pursuing a physical relationship with Crowley. He genuinely wishes to move forward, but past fears surrounding touch, intimacy and body image are prohibiting him from acting on what his heart (and corporation) really want. Crowley is ready to go as slowly and carefully as needed to be there for his Angel as they pursue their new "Arrangement" step by careful, sweet step.

- Mod D

[consulting-ghosts]

You know what's bothering me. So many people are still shitting at Aziraphale. Not necessarily here, but on other platforms.

For those who don't know, it's confirmed by Neil that Crowley never told Azirphale that he lived in the car. That's also confirmed to me that he never told him what happened in Heaven post armageddon or about the book of life. That's wrong for two reasons.

1. Crowley was afraid of staying one night with Gabriel in the bookshop, right? He wasn't sure if he didn't pretend that he doesn't remember anything or he could just restore his memories at any moment. But Crowley was ok with Azirphale staying with Gabriel alone, through the whole season, when Azi didn't know that Gabriel openly hated him  or wanted him dead? If you think about it, Azi was in more danger here than Crowley, since he was the one who betrayed heaven and made them look stupid.

2. Crowley had no right to be mad at Aziraphale for wanting to go back. When Azi told him about the Metatron ofer, he should  tell him about the second coming, the book of life and other stuff he hid from him. Sure, at the end of the day, Aziraphale might still decide to go to Heaven, but at least Crowly would do everything in his power to explain his point of view and why he thinks it's a bad idea. Wanting to protect someone, doesn't justify withholding information from them, especially if it can put them in danger. The only thing it accomplished was sending Aziraphale to Heaven alone, without all the information about possible danger he would be facing there.

Also, I don't see Azi going back to Heaven as him being naive or going back to his old way of thinking. He knows heaven is toxic, but there are also angels like Muriel, who spend all their existence alone and away from others, and they don't know there's other life. Even if you look at Michael or Uriel or even Gabriel at some point in the past, they all seem to be so bored and done with what they do.They long for something more too, even if they don't know about it. I wouldn't be surprised if they all start a revolution with Azi next season.

Since I watched season 2, I couldn't put my fingers on Azi, because there's something different about him. You know what? He's just happy. Purely, unconditionally happy, like in these few small moments, we witnessed in the past. There's more to that thought.  He's comfortable in his skin, he's comfortable with what he does and what he enjoys to do, with his feelings for Crowley. That's where his confidence comes from. In allowing himself to be who he is without worry.

That’s why it saddens me, when Crowley is the one to put him down sometimes.  Like when he says that he magic is stupid or with Bentley situation. I know he doesn't mean it, he's just being a grumpy old man, but still.

Azirphale spent all of his existence feeling miserable and like a failure, because he was different. He didn't follow all the rules. He was mocked about human staff that he loved. He had to hide his true self, sometimes even when he was with Crowley. In season 1 we saw how he struggled to be himself  and be someone he was supposed to,  but probably never was in the first place. If you think about this, Crowley had to hide his true self too, even if for a different reason. That’s why they fit so perfectly together and why they have this deeper understanding. They always have been outcasts in one way or the other.

So seeing Azi feeling so good with himself and just loving his life is amazing to witness.

Also, I know, Crowley is there to save Azi or help him, but he's like a closed book most of the times, when it comes to how he feels. When you look at it,  most of their deeper  conversations were initiated by Aziraphale. Crowley is there to reassure him, but he rarely shares how he feels. He often turns everything into a joke, so it's hard to tell when he's actually being serious. I mean, Azi didn't even know, that he's Crowley's best friend, last season. I know he's been hurt very badly, but how many times can you pretend that everything is fine, when it's not? The sad thing is, when he finally decided to tell how he feels and what he wants, it was a little too late. I love him and I feel for him, but I don't understand his actions sometimes tbh.

As a conclusion I would like to know what happened to Crowley, that he decided to stay in his car for two and half years? Like WTF man? Did he snap post apocalypse, because there's no logical explanation for that? Did he think so low about Aziraphale, that he considered that he wouldn't let him stay in the bookshop? Even if for unknown reason, he didn't want to leave with Azi, why didn't he find a different apartament? If he loved his old one so much, he could change the next, to look the same. He could even steal his old stuff if he  wanted to, so whyyyyy???

If Gabriel didn't show up, how much longer did he plan to play this charade? He's so ridiculous sometimes.

[honeybeebabeblr]

Crowley’s journey for S2 is so interesting. I guessed it from the things in S1 added to the book that he was fairly powerful and perhaps a higher ranked angel. I also think some of his ability is not just rank but also his amazing imagination. He has the best imagination out of all the angels and demons. And he appreciates the living things on earth in the same way.

He keeps guiding and teaching aziraphale as well, gently, with a bit of frustration and humor, but BY EXAMPLE- he doesn’t just tell him what to do and why aziraphale is wrong ( why the heaven party-line is wrong). So I think HE KNOWS deep down aziraphale is going to have to go through this charade of being in charge in heaven to see why it’s pointless. So perhaps Crowley also learns by example.

Which takes me to how his emotional intelligence is inexperienced compared to everything else about him. Like any being who was open and trusting to someone and had that torn away, Crowley is wary of opening himself up to anyone or humans, even aziraphale, someone who he is the most open with. He’s not keeping info away from aziraphale for thinking he’s stupid or infantilizing him- it’s because he’s keeping things close to the chest because he doesn’t want to be seen as a burden. It’s him and aziraphale AGAINST the world. Meanwhile, aziraphale likely knows the lives of everyone in his neighborhood and chats with patrons of the barbershop he patronizes. Aziraphale sees it as he and Crowley WITH the world.

But we can see it falling apart as S2 goes on. He doesn’t want to have to think about it so he doesn’t. Blah blah blah all the time. Says Aziraphale only calls me for these 3 reasons and doesn’t realize it’s basically every excuse aziraphale can think of to have a reason to call him. He’s obliterated when Nina is like ‘dumbass you look like you two are together’. And he, with great strength and growing clarity tries to express his action and desire for he and aziraphale to be together, but it is so SO hard for him. Especially since he’s gotta do it with the sword of additional abandonment hanging over his head.

I do think S3 will be his time to have that emotional growth. While aziraphale is going to be facing his own issues, Crowley is going to have to actually process his own emotions and his attachments to earth. I think he knows deep deep down he doesn’t really want to abandon the earth and everything on it. It’s okay to get attached. It’s okay to bond with humans even with their tiny life span. It’s okay to stand up and protect this planet and these lives here because heaven and hell are going to keep coming at him.

Because he’s gaslighting himself. He’s telling aziraphale he doesn’t want Gabriel to fuck up his peaceful existence- but is it? He lives in his car. He spends a ton of time interacting with his replacement demon popping up everywhere.

In fact, in the present, he spends more time with Muriel, ‘Jim’, Nina and Maggie, and shax than he does with aziraphale! Most his time with aziraphale in S2 is spent in flashbacks or watching aziraphale do stuff with other people. Beelzebub is just poppin’ around.

How is this peaceful? Well- he’s getting more time to be comfortable with aziraphale instead of on guard. He supposes he can’t want more than that. He doesn’t deserve it. Which is crap, of course, but trauma does this to you.

[paperclipninja]

1941 thoughts

Just finished re-watching ep 4, after getting side-tracked by the opening sequence last night that led me to this post about the significance of the music Bentley plays for Aziraphale, and I tell you, nothing can convince me that we're not going to get a third part to the 1941 story in season 3. NOTHING.

The 1941 sequence in season 1 gave us the beautiful moment with the books being saved, Crowley walking on actual fire (pretty much) for Aziraphale and was part of a series of flashbacks showing that Crowley shows up for Aziraphale time and time again. Lovely, heart feeling many things here (as is a certain angel it seems).

The 1941 minisode in season 2 is an immediate continuation of the scene from season 1, with grateful Aziraphale insisting there must be something he can do to repay Crowley *fans self*, we discover that hell caught on to Aziraphale and Crowley's alliance at this time and Aziraphale steps in to help Crowley out of a pickle with angry Mrs. H. But that's not all.

We hear Aziraphale call Crowley his friend, twice. First, when trying to placate Mrs. H by offering to fill in for the magic show 'on behalf of my...good friend here' and then back at the bookshop, after Crowley thanks Aziraphale for getting him off the hook, 'no need to thank me, that's what...friends are for'. This is a significant insight imo, Aziraphale almost catches himself on both occasions but rather than stopping himself, he allows the follow through without correction.

We also get the unwavering indulgence and support of Crowley for Aziraphale's magic show; from the practice and Crowley pre-game inspo speech in the bookshop, suggesting a bigger act, 'isn't there somewhere we can buy tricks?', to the amazing bullet catch. I know the bullet catch scene has been discussed a lot and I'm not going add any new insight there, so as has been confirmed and observed, this is the ultimate display of trust between the angel and demon (I mean, as we find out, if Aziraphale tells Crowley to 'trust me', he does!), showing us yet another aspect of their deepening relationship.

Cue the dressing room with the coupliest couple who ever didn't couple, a radiant Aziraphale interrupted by Furfur, whose attempt at a gotcha moment is thwarted by banana-fish-gorilla-shoelace-with-a-dash-of-nutmeg (Aziraphale getting Crowley out of a pickle yet again) and we find ourselves watching the two drinking wine over candlelight and toasting to shades of grey. Ok ok ok.

Both the bullet catch and the photo swap-out happened while the miracle blocker was on. Which means that both Crowley and Aziraphale were put in positions to protect the other using only themselves, their own skill and thinking. The throw back to season 1 paintball and knowing Crowley is not a fan of guns, and repeatedly seeing that Aziraphale isn't great at magic, simply emphasises how big a deal both those instances of stepping up for each other actually are. But they also show something else I think.

They demonstrate that Aziraphale and Crowley's ability to perform 'miracles' is attributed to more than them being an angel and demon with special powers. There is a role that will plays for each when required, perhaps the influence of their time with humanity, but also the power of connection. I was going to say love, and perhaps it is love too, but the connection Aziraphale and Crowley have to one another means that they want to ensure the other is safe, will take a risk and bet on themselves in a time of need because they trust each other and don't want to let the other down. Also something to consider when thinking about why their 'tiny half miracle' to hide Gabriel was so powerful (that's a whole different post though). So what's my point here?

The minisode ends with our two faves very relaxed and enjoying one another's company, but also knowing that the trust there is absolute and reciprocated when it matters. There was a bit of a revelation for Aziraphale at the end of the season 1 sequence, they're now very in sync and on the same page it seems at the end of the season 2 scene, but it still feels like there's another piece. There are so many references to 1941 and when you view the season 1 and season 2 1941 parts right after one another, they read as a self contained developing story.

But you know what stories have? A beginning, middle and end. Right now, it feels like we've only seen two of those. And I will remain on this hill until proven otherwise, because as the lyrics of 'Moonlight Serenade' (the tune playing in the Bentley at the opening of ep 4) say:

Let us stray till break of day in love's valley of dreams. Just you and I, a summer sky, a heavenly breeze kissin' the trees.

And there's still a whole night before daybreak, just saying.

[fizzingwizard]

it's my first day of break and I'm being so indecisive over what to do. I have a ton, things I have to do and things I want to do, but instead of doing either I'm frantically browsing tumblr like it's gonna fold tomorrow

anywaaaay... Another thing I love that Good Omens 2 did was give us all those tidbits about how little angels and demons who don't work on Earth know about humans. That happened in season one too - a lot - Crowley's explanation to the other demons of what he did to M25 comes to mind. Season 2 gave us archangels who were terrified to even touch something from the mortal world, and demons who were perplexed by blinking lights on appliances.

Why do I like it? Well, because Aziraphale and Crowley are experts on the mortal world - until they aren't. And they don't seem to know that they aren't. They're so used to Earth, they've merged so well with it, and they're patting themselves on the back for creating this liminal zone of neither divine nor human.

But while they know that ducks should eat frozen peas instead of bread, and that hot cocoa is perfectly safe to consume, they don't know the ins and outs of the human heart. Crowley thinks he can get Nina and Maggie to fall in love by summoning a rain storm and forcing them to huddle together under an awning. Aziraphale thinks Jane Austen's protagonists fall in love through dancing in balls. The rain, the balls, they're catalysts for love - they can't create it out of thin air. And they can't erase the obstacles.

So Crowley and Aziraphale are innocently naive about love, in the same way Crowley was also stunned by how much worse humans could behave toward each other than any temptation he could come up with. It stands to reason that Aziraphale must also sometimes be amazed by the extent of love and forgiveness we unholy humans are capable of too. Or maybe he's never really thought about it. Because negative experiences weigh on us a lot more than positive ones, maybe that tendency towards pessimism has obscured it.

The point is they've got a lot of learning to do. Crowley seemed like he was starting to cotton on in the final episode, but can a demon who feels hurt and betrayed by God let go of anger and forgive as well as a human? Can an angel who forgives because it's what he's supposed to do learn real forgiveness, forgiveness that accepts people as they are and doesn't ask them to be something they're not? Ahh, delicious delicious angst. Well, I think their chances of figuring out love are better than Shax's of figuring out the electric kettle.