If the final episode of Good Omens is about reevaluating stances and sides, and realising which relationships really matter, then this is Aziraphale’s moment.
As he and Crowley sit on the bench together, waiting for the bus home, the International Express van arrives, and the driver comes to collect Famine’s scales and Pollution’s crown - the package which is currently acting as a physical barrier between Aziraphale and Crowley.
The delivery man then asks for the flaming sword (Aziraphale’s flaming sword, originally), which Aziraphale reluctantly hands over and signs away.
The Horsemen are dead. Armageddon is cancelled. The game is up; Aziraphale and Crowley’s loyalties no longer lie with Heaven or Hell. The last vestige of Aziraphale’s status as Angel of the Eastern Gate has been removed.
As the parcel van leaves, and the bus draws near, Aziraphale glances coyly across at Crowley, before looking away and saying this line:
He knows full well his book shop burned down; he hasn’t forgotten. But he can’t just ask. He has to wait for Crowley to make the first move.
And Crowley does. Of course he does. Ever patient and indulgent with Aziraphale.
Aziraphale’s eyes widen. He smiles, feigns being flustered and slightly scandalised. It’s force of habit after 6000 years of resisting and needing to be ‘tempted’, and he makes one last token effort to protest.
At which point, Crowley gently reminds him again that they are now on their own side, not answerable to Heaven or Hell. And finally, finally, Aziraphale allows himself to accept Crowley’s love.
So they board the bus together, no longer sitting in separate seats as they did during their clandestine meetings about raising the Antichrist together, not relegated to opposite sides of the bench due to Heaven and Hell’s obstacles getting in the way.
There are still external problems to overcome from their respective sides, but Aziraphale’s internal barriers have been broken down.
He sits close to Crowley, holding his hand as they return to Crowley’s flat, free to act on their feelings at long last.
And neither of them leaves until the following morning (when one of the couples intended to mirror them wakes up in bed together).
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