Altsernative

They/them, enbyish. pan, obsessed with Good Omens

[altsernative]

Hi folks! I'm back! I'm sorry I dropped off the face of the earth. It's because I was preparing THIS--and now it is ready! Good Omens in SPACE!

"You and I Stargazing."

Rated E, no archive warnings apply

The fic is fully completed, and I will be posting one chapter a week. More if I can. I really hope you enjoy it! It is the work of a community and I am so, so grateful.

This fic is 45 chapters, and fully completed.

Crowley arrives at the Johnson Space Center, where he will train for a year to prepare for six months aboard the International Space Station. He is excited. Ready to reach the nebulas. Even though his past military trauma overshadows everything he does. Chaplain Aziraphale, hired three years ago for the brand-new NASA chaplaincy program, finds caring for the astronauts to be a breath of fresh air. Especially since NASA is the latest of a long line of failed parishes in a career directed by his brother, Gabriel.

Their paths collide when Crowley, after suffering a panic attack in a simulation, stumbles into the orbit of Chaplain Aziraphale. Crowley finds unexpected solace and acceptance in their relationship, and Aziraphale begins to believe he can be more than the subservient chaplain his family expects. It remains to be seen whether they can truly find their way together through the stars.

[altsernative]

You and I Stargazing--a fully finished fic

Chapter 46: Epilogue One is live!

Crowley focused on Nina, who looked as if she was glowing. Not only were the bright bulbs focused on her, but she was back-lit by the large screen set behind all four of them that displayed the words: NASA@The Science Museum: Ask an Astronaut!  

“C’mon, it’s the question and answer portion. Standard operating procedure for Science Center presentations,” Crowley muttered out of the side of their mouth. 

“You’re answering the bathroom question.”

They had to give her that. “Fair enough.”

[altsernative]

You and I Stargazing, a fully completed fic

Chapter 45--the final chapter--is live. I can't believe it.

Rated E. No archive warnings apply.

“Really, really! Uncle Aziraphale got a solicitor, who has made sure Uncle Gabriel can’t even touch the collection, and we’ve all got full access to our trusts! He was magnificent, really,” said Muriel, earnestly. “And now–” Their face fell. “He's a mess. He sleeps in an armchair in the middle of the bookshop; he won't even go into the bedroom. I brought him pear danishes yesterday, and he only ate one!”

Crowley goggled at her. “One?” he echoed faintly.  

“One,” they enunciated firmly, hands on their hips. “Just go and talk to him. Please?”

One Danish. It was that little fact that shifted things for Crowley. If Aziraphale loved anything, he loved quality nosh. And if Aziraphale wasn’t eating–

If Muriel was to be believed, Aziraphale would have met Gabriel head-on for the first time in his life. He had finally used his inner endurance, a boon to everyone around him, to free himself. He would have fought through decades–no, a lifetime of fear and degradation to do it.

Crowley found the space behind his eyes stinging, his arms suddenly feeling empty. He hadn’t been there. He hadn't been there for Aziraphale.

[altsernative]

You and I, Stargazing

Chapter 43 (out of 45, holy cow we're so close!!) is live!

Rated E, no archive warnings apply

“Uh, here for Dr. Nutcase? 11am appointment?”

“Nutcase?” asked the receptionist, visibly confused. 

“The therapist, right?” asked Crowley. For a brief shining moment, he thought perhaps something had gone wrong. His appointment had been misscheduled. Or Dr. Nutcase actually worked at another location. The best case scenario and most implausible was that all the information he typed into his account last week had been lost.

“Oh!” The receptionist’s expression cleared. 

Damn. Apparently not.

“You mean Dr. Nutter. I’ll ring her to let her know you’re here. Please have a seat.”

The name Dr. Nutter didn’t seem much better, but it did appear that he was in the right place. 

[altsernative]

You and I, Stargazing

Rated E, no archive warnings apply

Chapter 42 (out of 45) is live!

Holy cow, three more chapters to go! I just have to share a quick gratitude for @curiouspupsicle for all of their help with the last few chapters. We're going to be done really soon, y'all!

Aziraphale suddenly felt the pressure of his clerical collar clamped around his throat.  The one that Gabriel had fastened around his neck so many years ago.

It was too tight. Far too tight. He choked and gasped for air, his hands flying to his throat to loosen its clasps.

But it wasn't there. His fingers scrabbled at nothing. It was just his own neck, ringed only with the button-down shirt that he’d put on this morning, which was now filthy from writhing about on the floor.

He gasped, massaging his throat. It's not there, it’s not there, he reminded himself, forcing himself to be in his body. I'm here, at the top of the stairs, and there is nothing around my neck–

Gabriel gazed up at him, unimpressed. “Did you hear a word I said, little brother? I asked you when the hell you were planning on packing up the rest of the books.”

The realisation hit Aziraphale between the eyes.

There was no collar. Because Gabriel was the collar.

[redwinevinegar47]

WD-40 (rated explicit, 7k)

Stacy’s Mom but make it gay, sad, and December 1993.

For the 2025 Winter Omens Big Bang, in collaboration with @klikandtuna who created the gorgeous, lush artwork that accompanies this piece. I lucked out with Bang match-ups.

Thank you to @depraveddame & @altsernative & @thegaromask & @klikandtuna for beta-reading. 💕

[altsernative]

I had the honor of beta-reading this wonderful fic. Check it out!!

[altsernative]

You and I, Stargazing

Chapter 41 is live! (ONLY FOUR LEFT TO GO HOLY COW)

Rated E, no archive warnings apply.

A note before you start reading (also in AO3): Things get difficult in this chapter, and that’s intentional. A period of hard-won happiness is disrupted here, not because it didn’t matter, but because it did. Please trust that this story knows where it’s going, and that this chapter is part of the path to a happy ending.

“Who is that?” said Gabriel, his lip curling. 

Aziraphale’s head whipped around again, a look of true terror on his face as his eyes met Crowley’s. “That? That’s–they’ve been helping, that’s all–”

Crowley finally mastered himself. He drew himself up to his full height and shoved his hands in his pocket, determined to look as unaffected as possible. “Crowley,” he said smoothly, loping around the bookshelf to meet the two Fells in the foyer. He stuck out his hand more confidently than he felt.

Gabriel looked at Crowley’s hand with a wrinkled nose, as if the offered handshake was laced with E. coli. His gaze flicked back up to Crowley’s face. “Wait–did I see you at NASA? Driving–?” His facial expression relaxed. “That pile-of-shit car! That was you!” He turned back to Aziraphale with a derisive bark of a laugh. “So this is who you fraternize with, Aziraphale.”

Aziraphale blanched. “No, no, it’s not like that.”

Uneasiness wormed its way into Crowley’s chest.  Not like what, exactly?

[altsernative]

You and I, Stargazing

Rated E, no archive warnings apply. Chapter 39 is live! Five more to go!!

Define Dancing” was almost over. He could see on his mobile that the progress dot was nearing the end of the line.  Crowley had the irrational feeling that if the music stopped, Aziraphale would lose his nerve.

He frantically scrolled through his music library. Hell, Crowley would kidnap the entire London Symphony Orchestra and haul them to Soho, music stands and all, if only Aziraphale could keep going.

Because Aziraphale’s bravery meant that Crowley could keep him. 

Crowley selected “Baby Blue,” by Steven Price, from David Attenborough‘s “Our Planet” series. It was one of Crowley’s spaced-themed favourite orchestra pieces, all calming strings and soft, lilting choral themes.

It seemed that Aziraphale was indeed better for it. He made no sign that he noticed the ending of “Define Dancing” or the beginning of “Baby Blue,” but his face held concentration, a steadfast perseverance that Crowley loved him all the more for.

He looked up near the end of the piece, relief loosening the knots in his brow. “Here,” he said quietly to Crowley, handing over his mobile. “I’ve just sent it, but thought you ought to read it as well.”

Crowley took the mobile from Aziraphale’s slightly shaking hands, and tilted it so that the sun wasn’t reflecting on the screen.

[altsernative]

You and I, Stargazing

Chapter 38 is live! Rated E, no archive warnings apply.

We're so close to the end, folks! Thanks for your patience and support. We will finish this thing, I *promise*

“Well. Right then. I'm not sure how-not sure what I am, or want to be, but I would like–to spend–” Crowley cleared his throat. “Er–be together, hopefully for a while. So I wanted you to know. Yeah.”

A while. Aziraphale bit his lip. If only he could see past the end of this week. Past the next two days.  But it didn’t matter, he realized. Not right now. Because they were here right now. Together. 

An “us.” It was a wonderful “us.” The best “us” Aziraphale had ever experienced, and the only “us” he wanted.

He found that it didn’t matter who Crowley was. They would be an “us” regardless. Who Crowley was didn’t change, even if the name, the pronouns, or even the body did.

Aziraphale got up. He had made up his mind, and he had found the words. He just needed to see this wonderful person’s face as he said this.  

[altsernative]

You and I, Stargazing

Chapter 37 is live! Thanks for your patience, all. Only eight chapters to go! (Holy shit. Only eight chapters.)

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Rated E, no archive warnings apply

Crowley watched as Aziraphale began to carefully slice at the packing tape haphazardly wrapped around the box. “Happy to, angel. My flatmates want to know all about what I've been doing.”

“Me, if I take your meaning?”

Crowley laughed. It was a fucking delight to be able to joke about sex with Aziraphale. “Yes, you. They're a nosy lot, them. Other things too, I expect, but mostly you.”

“Sounds wonderful,” said Aziraphale wistfully. “I don't have many friends, you know. Being a chaplain, most people I meet seem to want me to hear their problems and offer them comfort. Not that there's anything wrong with that in a proper work setting, but otherwise...” he trailed off. “Just makes it difficult at times, is all.”

Crowley carefully wrapped his arm around Aziraphale’s waist. “I'll introduce you before the week is out, angel. My friends are not the type to be looking for spiritual guidance. They'll treat you just like any old queer around Soho. Disdainfully, at first, of course. But then they’ll–” He broke off, momentarily silent. 

He’d almost said “Love you like I do.” 

[altsernative]

You and I, Stargazing: Chapters 35 and 36 are live!

Hey friends, it’s been a minute. Thanks for your patience. A tangle of health stuff and life curveballs pulled me off my usual rhythm for a bit, but the gears are turning again. Chapters 35 and 36 are now live, and if the stars (no pun intended) keep cooperating, 37 should arrive next week.

"There was no question about handling the mechanics of staying in Soho. Physically setting up the shop and addressing the business aspect of it? That would not be an issue. But appraising the collection; that might get tricky. This certainly wouldn’t have been the first cache of Nazi-appropriated materials to pop up in modern-day society, surely. He would just need to do a little research, that’s all.

It would be quite a bit of hard work, certainly. But Aziraphale knew he was capable and up to the task, especially with Crowley by his side

But whether he would was an entirely different thing. Would he be able to make that choice? What would Gabriel say? What would he do?

The would was daunting. Enough to stop Aziraphale before he started.

But those thoughts could be put away for another time. Crowley’s hardness against Aziraphale's thigh had jump-started his body, and now Aziraphale couldn’t reel himself back in. Which was a problem at the moment, since they’d just barely made it to the front stoop of the shop."

[curiouspupsiclelibrary]

Name That Fic!

[alt id: How real did you make the scene of Aziraphale in the shop? I barely stopped myself from warning Aziraphale about sitting on newspaper wearing light trousers.

You've made so many readers very happy with this chapter and Crowley's big surprise. I hope you had ear plugs in when the chapter dropped to protect your hearing from the squeals.

It's another lovely installment. Thank you for spoiling us--especially when you're struggling to type. Hope your arm recovers quickly.]

This is a comment I left on a fic I've been enjoying. Do you recognize this WIP in which Aziraphale is a NASA chaplain and Crowley is an astronaut?

The answer and link is below the fold.

You and I, Stargazing (E) by @altsernative. This fic is entirely written and updates regularly.

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

[altsernative]

Omg @curiouspupsicle, this is so sweet!! Im just thrilled you're enjoying You and I, Stargazing so much. Your help woth beta-ing, brainstorming, and just being an amazing cheerleader has been so amazing.

[altsernative]

You and I, Stargazing

Chapter 33 is live! Rated E, no archive warnings apply

CW: Smut! My second go at it!

Aziraphale stood in the doorway. He looked more nervous than Crowley had ever seen him. The daisy-print apron was gone–and–Crowley’s mind was in real danger of blue-screening out again–so were the pyjamas.

Aziraphale’s legs, so recently clad in angel-wing print pyjama trousers, were naked. His chest, too, was devoid of clothing. Only the dressing gown remained. 

What was happening?

“Have you changed your mind?” Aziraphale sounded calm. But his eyes looked nervous; he was chewing on his lip, and twisting his hands together

“Ngk. No, I–” Crowley’s voice overlapped with Aziraphale who said, “Because I'd really like to–” 

“Yeah, me too.” Crowley said softly. They held eye-contact for a moment. 

The mood shifted. Like an unspoken verbal agreement. It was as if their eyes agreed, acknowledging the want in their depths.

Crowley was not going to let it remain unspoken. He had with other partners; there were questioning looks, slow moving of hands, checking in with raised eyebrows and nods, rather than clear words.

But not with Aziraphale. He had every intention of making every move explicit, every suggestion clear. He gestured at the bed nervously. “Join me?”

[altsernative]

You and I, Stargazing

Chapter 32 is live!

Rated E, no archive warnings apply.

“I’m terribly sorry,” he said primly, “But this isn’t a shop, it’s a–” 

Aziraphale trailed off.

The person standing in the door frame was difficult to make out. The light from the lone lamp in the shop barely illuminated the foyer, certainly not anything beyond it. The street lights backlit their features, only offering suggestions as to their appearance when whoever it was shifted awkwardly from one foot to another,

Aziraphale blinked. And blinked again.

That profile; it was heartachingly familiar. The sloping shoulders, the narrow waist, the knobbly elbows jutting out from their sides, suggesting hands shoved into trouser pockets.

Aziraphale couldn’t be sure that he was simply seeing what he wanted to see. That the shadows were manifesting the silhouette of the person he had thought about every single day for longer than six months.

But–there–beams from passing headlights illuminated unmistakable red hair. Longer than Aziraphale remembered. It fluttered in the evening air.

“Crow–Crowley?” he gasped out.

[altsernative]

You and, Stargazing

Chapter 31 is live! Thanks for your patience, everyone. We'll be posting one chapter a week.

Rated E, no archive warnings apply.

Crowley sat on the end of a threadbare sofa, his head in his hands.

“Wot the hell am I doing here?”

“Not sure, mate,” shrugged the irritated wisp of a man curled up on the sofa across a coffee table from him “You don't talk to us for decades. Then you show up at our flat, in Soho acting like we're all chummy again, and bitch and moan about some boyfriend for nearly an hour.”

Frankly, Crowley had to agree. It was a dick move. “Ssssorry,” he said, awkwardly.

“Eh.” Frederick, one of his old flatmates, waved the apology away. “Guess we can't complain too much. You bought us the good coffee.”

“It’s just that I–” Crowley stopped himself just in time. No more bitching and moaning. He gritted his teeth together. “Rrrrrgk.”

He looked around the flat again, trying to rip his mind away from thinking of a certain angel, who was just mere blocks away.

[altsernative]

You and I, Stargazing

Rated, E, no archive warnings apply.

Chapter 30 is live! We're in Part III, in Soho, our final part of the fic. A huge, huge thanks to everyone who has read, kudos, and commented on the fic. It's been such a joy to have you along for the ride.

Tracey peered up at him, standing just outside the airport.  “We’ll–we'll take good care of Crowley now, all right?” she said, intensely staring into Aziraphale’s eyes. “He'll be waiting for you when you get back.”

“Thank you?” replied Aziraphale. Politely, but also very confused. 

“Sure thing, hun,” She still looked hesitant. “Your brother. The asshole.” She caught hold of Aziraphale’s sleeve gently with her thumb and forefinger and gently wiggled his arm. “Just–just be careful, you hear me?”

He was even more flummoxed as his limb jostled his shoulder. “Of course I will.”

She nodded again, scrutinizing him. “All right. Holler when you land back here and I'll come getcha.”

“Er–right?”

With nothing more than that, Tracey expertly swished back into her Porsche in one fluid movement. She gave Aziraphale a wave with her bejeweled hand out of the window, and tore out of the drop-off line at top speed.

Aziraphale stared after her. Be careful. What did that mean?

[altsernative]

You and I, Stargazing

Rated E, no archive warnings apply. Chapter 29 is live!

(This is the last chapter aboard the ISS, and I'm crying a little as I post this! I had no idea I would feel so sad that this part of the fic is over.)

“Fine, fine. Are you ok?” Jon peered at Crowley, wiping his face with his arm.

“He’s fine. He just gets the zoomies when he’s tired,” Nina appeared with Maggie from the next module over.

“I do not–” Crowley started indignantly, but stopped when Maggie gently looped her arm under his.

“Hey, spaceman,” she said gently in his ear. “Ready to say goodbye?”

He turned to face her. “Not sure,” Crowley said. He was unprepared for tears to prick behind his eyes.