(Or, what if we collaborated on a script for a """parody""" stage play and took the conclusion in to our own hands. Anyway this came in to my head and couldn't just live in my notes app)
*Az steps closer to Crowley, a shy, unsure smile starting to form as he speaks*
Az: But you so love saving me...
*he gets cut off as Crowley turns around and faces him in indignation. Az takes half a step back, looking surprised. Crowley's words come out bitter, strained, and as quickly as if a dam had burst inside of him*
Crow: Love saving you...no...Aziraphale.. I love YOU!!
*Az gasps and covers his mouth with his hand in shock, he seems to hold his breath as Crowley rips his glasses off, placing his hands on his hips and continues his ramble*
Crowley: For centuries I have loved you and tried to care for you. Countless times I would come to you because I didn't want you to go through this alone, -I- didn't want to go through this alone. Because the only thing I never questioned was how your brightness, your joy and excitement for the world around you that the humans had made for themselves...how that made me feel. How it made me feel pure to witness, as if I had never sauntered down in the first place. It made me happy. I question everything but I never once questioned you.
*Crowley looks away from him at this, and down at his shoes. He shuffles awkwardly as the realization of all that he has said washes over him, but he continues*
And somewhere along the way I had allowed myself to be stupid enough, foolish enough, to convince myself that maybe you loved me too.
*Az moves his hand from his mouth and tightens his fists at his sides. He seems pained as he takes a step back forward*
*Crowley winces a bit at the phrase. Az relaxes his hands and begins to fidget with his pinky ring, his eyes flickering between the floor and Crowley*
Az: I...do Crowley. I do love you. That's why, I wanted to go up to Heaven with you and....
*he is cut off by Crowley once again, but Crowley does not turn to face him this time. He scoffs a bit before he speaks*
Crow: Right. Loved me so much that you wanted to fundamentally change me to be someone more acceptable for you to love.
*Az mouth drops open, his hands tightening fists at his sides again. He stands like that for a moment before an intense look washes over him completely. He's back to fidgeting with his ring as the realization of what Crowley has said washes over him, the realization of what he has done. He shifts, taking a few steps towards the audience*
Az: Right....I can see....I can see now how what I had said would- would come across that way. Oh my dear- oh my dear Crowley I don't blame you at all for being upset with me....I've....I've made a right ass of myself haven't I?
*he chuckles weekly and awkwardly as he covers and rubs his face, before fidgeting with his ring again. Crowley slowly turns his body back towards Az at this, but still doesn't look up from the floor. His voice is softer this time*
Crow: I'd say you have, yeah.
Az: I made you- I made you think that I wanted to change you, when I've always thought of you as perfect, just as you are. I had thought- thought maybe if we just changed a title it wouldn't change you, but...no. No, no I hadn't really thought that through at all, did I....I just- I just wanted to...
*he swallows hard, choking back a sob as tears well in his eyes. He seems to be preparing himself to continue when Crowley does it for him*
Crow: Just wanted to do the right thing. I know, Angel. *Az straightens immediately and closes his eyes, taking a deep breath, hearing the nickname for the first time in so long right now clearly affecting him as Crowley continues* You've always wanted to just do the right thing, but you never once stopped to ask, who is it right for? I just wanted you to think about what was right for us...right for you.
*Az partly gasps and partly sobs at the last words, shutting his eyes tighter and shifting away from Crowley out of shame. In turn Crowley turns even more to face him, finally looking up at him and continues to speak*
Crow: You've always wanted to do what was right by Heaven, or some assumed ineffable 'plan'. But honestly, what does Heaven, or Hell's, opinion even matter? I mean, come on Angel...do you really think God cares?
*Az opens his eyes in slight surprise at this and turns his head to look Crowley in the eyes again, to make sure Crowley knows he is listening*
Crow: If she actually gave a damn about an Angel fraternizing with a Demon....with them loving each other....then why were Gabriel and Beelzebub not permanently erased from existence on the spot?
*Crowley sways his arms open as he often does as he takes a few steps towards Az. Az in turn shifts his body to face Crowley a little more, still fidgeting with his ring, but his face is softening in realization of what Crowley is saying*
Crow: You can't tell me that God is an all knowing all encompassing being with these ineffable plans and somehow also didn't know what had been going on this whole time. That just doesn't make any sense. I've had a lot of time to think and question since you left, and that's one that's come up a lot. Is Heaven really following God's will? Or just some assumed will because she only ever talks to one person and who bloody knows if he's even being honest about all that she says, or is conveniently filling in some gaps with his own narrative about what he thinks is right?
*Az eyes have increasingly widened as he has slowly turned to fully face Crowley again, his body softening as he begins to fully accept what the demon is saying*
Az: You're right....my word Crowley you're right. There really is no conceivable way that God would even allow it to be a possibility if she was so against it. Given her track record she would have already shut down the entirety of Heaven and Hell by now if she was even a little bit miffed by it. But her Supreme Arch Angel ran of with a Duke of Hell and she did.....nothing! She did nothing at all!! Oh, I've been so stupid, so incredibly stupid to have been so clouded when I could- when I could have just....oh Crowley I am so sorry. I am so unbelievably sorry that you've had to put up with my silliness for so long. I understand if you don't ever forgive me because I've been so completely, irrevocably stupid for thousands of years....
*he's cut off again is Crowley takes another step forward, the space between them significantly smaller now*
Crow: You're not stupid. You're a lot of things Angel, but never stupid. You were just...*he pauses as he seems to be choosing his next words carefully*...traumatized. Heaven can be just as vicious and brutal as Hell, just in a more 'polite' and 'tidy' manner....but that doesn't and didn't make them any less cruel. And.....
*he takes another step forward, and slowly reaches out his hands to take Azariphale's, holding them gently and loosely down at their sides. Despite their closeness he looks to the floor again, and tilts his head to the side as he tries to bring humor and sarcasm back in to his voice*
Crow: Maybe I can find it in my cold demonic heart to forgive you.....one day. Not today but maybe one day. Try again tomorrow and we'll see.
*Az squeezes Crowley's hands as pure love begins to cascade over his face, a grin forming as he lets go of Crowley's hands and surges forward, pulling the surprised demon in to an incredibly tight hug*
Az: Oh Crowley!! How I love you my dear!
*Az body trembles slightly and he squeezes harder. Crowley awkwardly pats his back, but can't stop the smile on his face from forming*
Crow: Right, okay there, Guardian of Eden, I may be snake-ish but if you squeeze any tighter I think I'll discorporate...
*as Azariphale's hold loosen ever so slightly, Crowley can't find himself able to stop from hugging the man back*
