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It's the end of the world as you know it. You have a countdown going on your phone. You're okay with change, really. Just not this one.
This is it. And all you can do is watch.
"Hello, dear."
You blink up at the familiar voices you've learned to love. You don't question why they're there.
Your tongue feels heavy in your mouth. You feel like you're about to shatter into pieces at their feet.
There's a cottage in the distance. You're not consoled. Your heart, which somehow still lives, beats rapidly.
"What..? What do I say?"
"Whatever you want."
"I don't know where to start."
"It's alright."
It's not. It's far from alright.
"It's just…"
"Take as much time as you need, dear."
You try to choke back tears, but you fail, a sob tearing its way out of your throat.
"I just… don't know what to do."
"We're here to guide you."
But that's the problem.
The words come rushing forward. You can't hold them back.
"You won't be anymore. It's over. Quicker than I can process. You've been with me for so long, and I have loved you for so long, and now… I'm losing you."
"Come on," Crowley says. His voice is so gentle it hurts.
"I've spent so much time here. I could always rely on you. And I've been so happy— and it's over. I have to say goodbye."
"It doesn't have to be goodbye, dear."
"I know," you say, lying to the sense of finality in your chest. "I know."
You're crying heavier than you have in a long time. You should feel embarrassed, but you're too distressed to feel much of anything else.
The world feels as if it's crumbling beneath your feet.
"I just… what do I do??"
"You find a new dream."
You hate them for making it sound so simple, but when you look at them, the anger melts away into tears.
You'll miss those faces so much.
"I don't want this to happen."
"That's the thing about humans. You lot are so scared of change—" Crowley says, before Aziraphale interjects. "But… isn't it beautiful to be able to experience it?"
It doesn't feel like it.
"I'm so scared. Please, don't. Give me more time."
"There's no other way, my dear friend. All stories must find their end."
You'll miss them more than you've ever missed anything. You don't know what to do without them.
You can't tell if you're saying this aloud, but it doesn't matter, in the end.
"You will. It'll hurt, for a long while. It always does. Trust me, I know."
"In the end, you'll heal. You always do."
"I don't want to lose you."
You're shivering. Aziraphale reaches out for you.
"You won't. You shan't ever lose us."
"But you're going away! For..." you struggle to say it. This almost doesn't feel real. "Forever."
"It is for us," Aziraphale comforts as he smiles up at Crowley. "But it isn't for you."
"What do I do?"
You're wrapped in warmth as Aziraphale embraces you, Crowley's hand rubbing gentle circles into your shoulder.
"You live."
Hope instills itself in your core, but you know, deep down—
"I don't know how to."
Aziraphale simply smiles. Crowley's gaze feels encompassing, but soft.
"You'll do wonderfully."
They dry your tears, and you soak it all up, one last time. The scent of tea, of parchment, of fire. That blood red hair, those soft eyes.
They're the same as you remember them. They always will be.
You look to the cottage in the distance.
"If you need us, you know where to find us."
There's a moment of silence. Aziraphale squeezes tighter. Crowley's hand doesn't leave the back of your head.
They're making a promise. And you know they won't break it.
"We are beside you."