audio / @hello / open

[lunchbreaks]

Hello, um, everyone. This is Aziraphale. I know I haven't met all of you, but I have gotten to know a good number of you as of late, and I've come to like you all a great deal, so it doesn't sit quite right with me not to apologize for recent events.

The sinking of the ferry was inexcusable. Our-- my failure, was a direct result of poor planning and lack of transparency, but I do need all of you to know that the intention had been to find our only way out of Beacon as other methods had been exhausted, and it was always in the plan to make subsequent trips for everyone remaining who wished a return home.

But I know that no amount of good intention will bring it back, nor heal your injuries, nor surface the supplies it was carrying. For all this, I am deeply and terribly sorry; this was, in no way, how I should have repaid all your kindnesses. I understand your anger, and you can direct it at me, if you would like, if you have need of a place to focus your ire.

However, I am afraid, actually, that I must ask a favor. I have, though not for lack of trying, not been able to retrieve much of the sunken raw material - if anyone should lend abilities, magical or otherwise, to help in the rebuilding of the ferry or the docks, you will have my deepest gratitude, for whatever that is worth.

I will try to assist with this as much as I possibly can, and otherwise will be available to assist those who require healing, though my ability to do so has been stunted.

Comments

[lunchbreaks]

Alright.

[ He also takes a seat on the couch while he waits. ]

[sauntered_downward]

[Crowley sits in silence for a moment, eventually reaching down and putting a hand on his leg.]

This injury is really...stupid.

[lunchbreaks]

Yes, I know. But we're.. dead now. And that makes us almost human.

[ He also hates his injury. ]

[sauntered_downward]

I've never wanted to be human. Their lives are short, quick. I like them, well enough, but I don't want to be one of them.

[lunchbreaks]

No, neither do I. But we don't have another choice.

It's not all bad.

[sauntered_downward]

Can you name one good thing about being this close to being human?

Even one?

[lunchbreaks]

No Heaven to report to.

No Hell, either.

[sauntered_downward]

[Fair point.]

Get to be your friend out in the open.

[lunchbreaks]

That is quite nice.

Haven't had to explain to anyone yet. Or hide from anyone.

[sauntered_downward]

[Crowley reaches over and takes Aziraphale's hand.]

We might age here.

[lunchbreaks]

[ He hadn't thought of that. ]

So... what, do you think we have twenty years left? Thirty?

[sauntered_downward]

If that.

Bodies start breaking down as they age.

[He shudders] I might lose my hair.

[lunchbreaks]

Oh.

[ He reaches out instinctively to touch it. ]

We'll have to take plenty of pictures to remember it by.

[ He won't get to see Crowley grow it out again.

In fact, if they only have twenty or thirty years left-- ]

It's not enough time.

[sauntered_downward]

[Crowley turns to look at Aziraphale when he touches his hair.]

I've had longer naps than twenty or thirty years.

We've had longer rows.

[lunchbreaks]

Yes. It's no time at all.

[ Oh no, now he looks sad. ]

I wish we could go back. To the beginning.

[sauntered_downward]

To the Garden?

[He remembers that day very well, burned into his memory, as are many days involving Aziraphale.]

[lunchbreaks]

Another six thousand years to spend with you? Yes, I think I'd prefer it to this.

[ But he is still worried, his smile still watery at their impending mortality. ]

[sauntered_downward]

This could be Purgatory. We could be here forever, too.

[And he could spend forever with Aziraphale, easily.]

[lunchbreaks]

What if we're not? What if this is all we have left? A handful of years?

[ That's what worries him. ]

[sauntered_downward]

Then we'll live them.

[He gives the angel's hand a little squeeze.]

Together.

[lunchbreaks]

[ He looks at Crowley with eyes as if he's surprised to see him, but can't hide his fondness. ]

It always has been you and me, hasn't it?

[sauntered_downward]

When everything else has changed or ended, yeah.

We always make it through together.

[lunchbreaks]

You're right, of course.

I would never doubt you about matters of us.

[ And so, he pillows his head comfortably against Crowley's shoulder. ]

[sauntered_downward]

[Crowley leans his head against Aziraphale's.]

If we age, we age together. And besides, I'll get us out of here before we get too old.

[lunchbreaks]

And then what, we'll spend the rest of our years together in old age? You'll really need that old cane of yours, and I'll require a wheelchair. And real glasses!