Chapter Text
Crowley,
I’m certain you’ll be here before I finish a response, but I feel obligated anyway, if not just to pass the time. Oh, my dear, it seems I read your last message all wrong. I swear these lifeless machines and their typed fonts allow for tone to be too often lost in (code-based) translation. I must offer an apology for my sharp tone, I fear I’ve been reading far too into things over the last few weeks, my nerves have just been dreadfully on end. Having unexpected items to pack up once the majority of my boxes were sealed made me rather prickly, but upon reflection, I now appreciate the gesture. You more than anyone know how I get about my books. I would do the same with one of your plants if you ever dared to leave one here, though you also know me well enough to know my green thumb… or lack thereof.
After reading your electronic-mail and before writing this, I took a moment to finally glance at the letters you left behind. Specifically, I found myself strangely captivated by one from 1676. I’m rather surprised you had both the time and supplies to write during your busy time among pirates and other criminals. Though, I suppose boats back then were nowhere near as fast as your Bentley, or other modern transport. As I read through, one particular line caught my attention.
‘...Maybe when Heaven finally allows you to establish your angelic embassy here on Earth. I wonder where you’ll have it, and I wonder if you will let me in.’
At first, it startlingly reminded me that there was a time before I had my bookshop. I shiver to think of it now. I was still just as much of a hoarder as I am now, but simply without a place to put it all. Once I finally bought the building, I spent most of my time away trying to gather my belongings from throughout the world. It was all rather a hassle… though that’s not the point I mean to focus on. While I never mentioned it openly, you figured out rather quickly that my shop’s doors were open to you. It took not-a-small-amount of work in order to figure out how to make an exception within my shop’s wards for one specific demon. Even still, I’d have it no other way.
While we’ve shared many wonderful years and fond memories here, I find myself glad it’s coming to an end. Now, before you jump out of your skin, I urge you to allow me to explain. Obviously, I entirely adore my bookshop. It’s served me well as a beloved sanctuary over the last many years. Though, it’s never been fully a place that is ours. In our new home, it’ll be just as much yours as it is mine. I never again wish for you to ever have any doubt about your welcome, any question of ‘if I will let you in.’ As we head forward, I can’t find myself able to fully express my joy of being able to unquestionably share a life with you in every aspect and meaning of the phrase, including a home.
I know I’ve never quite done the best job of showing it, but I’ve cared for you much longer than I’ve made apparent. Even back in the Beginning, you caught my eye forever ago. As much as I tried to deny myself as much as I denied you, my fascination and adoration for you only grew with the time we’ve spent together on this planet. Through all the twists and turns within the long and winding river that is our history… Now, I can only be glad that fate has led us here, has led me to you.
I would ramble on far longer than this, though if I’m not mistaken by the insufferable screeching of brakes outside, I believe you’re already here. I suppose you’ll read this later, my dear. Apologies once more for ever frightening you—never doubt my utter adoration for you, nor my complete delight to now be able to live out my existence with you at my side.
Always,
Aziraphale
(P.S: We will be discussing the statues when you step inside. If you walk from this bookshop still unconvinced, let this addition stand as my final, defeated, grievance… I suppose they’re not the worst thing you could insist on.)