Crowley's fingers are extra chilly today, but Aziraphale doesn't mind. He loves it here, this is their park, their bench, their place.
Their lives have slipped into a happy routine together, now everything is done, and although Crowley doesn't have a good thing to say about people, he loves animals. The bag that had contained today's allotment of frozen peas is now empty, so it's time to sit for a while and watch the world go by.
Aziraphale plans to talk to Crowley today. Reveal his secret. He's nervous and excited and a squealing pup toddling past seems to be the perfect segue into the conversation.
But Crowley speaks before Aziraphale has the chance, tutting, 'poor thing, think he can get radio two on those things?'
He's referring to the pups unfortunately large ears.
'Crowley,' Aziraphale chides softly as the pups dam hustles after her wayward son.
'Well, I suppose he has a guaranteed career impersonating the FA cup.'
Aziraphale sighs.
'I don't know how they do it.' Crowley continues, seemingly oblivious to Aziraphale's discomfort, 'having more of themselves like that. The responsibility must be dreadful. And the, you know, bodily functions. Atrocious, the whole thing. So glad that'll never be us.' Aziraphale does his best to school his features as Crowley continues to break his heart, seemingly unbothered, 'and if it was us we'd probably have to watch it grow old and die, if it were a human, bloody criminal idea.' In the distance, the pup squeals happily, 'and there's that. Blimey, imagine that racket in the book shop. Dreadful. Shouldn't even let them outside until they can hold a conversation.'
And Aziraphale quietly moves the miracle they made together, shifts her higher, moves her next to his human heart, where she will be safe, but never grow.
'What was that? Did you just do a miracle?'
'No, no,' Aziraphale insists, clearing his throat to hide the fact that he's pressing down tears, 'just a touch of...gas.' And then he gets up to finish his walk, uncertain as to what he should do, but certain he doesn't want Crowley seeing his face.















