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]

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!

[sauntered_downward]

Yeah, it won't be that bad. Plenty of people age without problems or wheelchairs or---no, no, all of them get glasses in the end, don't they?

[Gross. Crowley with glasses.]

[lunchbreaks]

You'll have to put glasses under your glasses. It'll be awful.

But I'll be here to read anything for you.

[sauntered_downward]

[Crowley's gaze is terribly fond]

I'll push your wheelchair to every restaurant in town.

[lunchbreaks]

Lucky me.

I'll have to help you put your wig on every morning.

[sauntered_downward]

[Crowley groans]

Oh, I'll have to get a toupee. Me, with a toupee. Could you even imagine?

[lunchbreaks]

We'll color it red. This exact red. You won't even notice!

[sauntered_downward]

Yeah, but I'll know. [He scowls] I'll know and it won't lay the same, they never do.

[lunchbreaks]

Speak for yourself, I had quite a few nice powdered wigs back in the day.

I'll lend you one of mine.

[sauntered_downward]

Yeah, but I never looked good in a powdered wig, you know that. And they're never coming back into style, angel, no matter how long you wait.

[lunchbreaks]

I was really hoping they would, fashion is always so cyclical.

How about we fashion you a hat? I did quite like the one you wore to come save me in the church. I thought it was fetching.

[sauntered_downward]

Oh, all right, if you liked it.

[This is such a silly thing, in the face of such a big, terrifying thought, like aging. Like dying of old age.]

[lunchbreaks]

You liked it too. We'll have to get you a new one, I suppose.