21

Chapter 21

I hesitated briefly as my hands clenched tightly around his shoulders lightly, pressing him firmly against mine

"Aziraphale…" Crowley murmured gently, his eyes glistening as he looked at me sadly, "I need to talk to you. It's important, but I need you to trust me… Can I come inside? I really am freezing."

I bit my lip nervously and glanced around the entrance hallway worriedly. Wasn't he supposed to be at work right now?

"Crowley..." I murmured, my gaze fixed on the floor in embarrassment, "what about work?"

I felt my heart drop to my stomach when he sighed defeatedly and shrugged his shoulders, refusing to meet my eyes as he spoke again, his voice barely above a whisper.

"They kicked me out... Because I failed them," he admitted as quietly as possible, his voice cracking slightly as he continued to speak in defeat, "and it's too late now... I'm sorry..."

"Don't say that, don't apologize," I protested quickly.

"But..." he started, trailing off weakly as he shook his head sadly, "but I promised them, I promised them we'd keep each other safe. But I was too slow..." he trailed off once more, closing his eyes tightly, "I couldn'

Crowley…" I said, turning around to face him as we stood there in silence.

His mouth was pursed as he stared down at the ground. I placed a gentle hand on his arm in an attempt to comfort him. He looked up at me.

"Why don't you sit down somewhere? You must be tired."

"No, no.. No. Please... Let's go inside. Where it's warm..." he begged, grabbing my hand and pulling me towards him with surprising strength in his weakened grip.

It was then that I realised how very strong he seemed. How could it be, after all this time? How could I possibly forget how strong he was? In spite of his injuries, how could he be so incredibly strong? I shook my head slowly.

"No, no... I'm not getting you anything warm. Sit down."

"Please… Let's just… Please, Aziraphale…. I need you!" he pleaded desperately.

I sighed.

"You can't even stand up straight, can you? Come on. Sit down. Take it easy."

I led him over to the couch, letting him fall onto it and wrapping the blanket around his shoulders. He buried his face against itbreathing deeply in and out shakily, clearly trying not to sob as I sat on the edge of the sofa beside him and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. I waited until he looked up and met my eyes before speaking again.

"I have a few questions, Crowley. First question: Who is Gabriel? And why does he hate you so much?"

Crowley frowned, confused at my question.

"Why should he want to get rid of me? Is he still trying to get me kicked out of the company? I mean I've been gone for months - long enough for him to think I've abandoned him, that I'm done with him, that I don't care anymore," he rambled, burying his face back in the blanket as fresh tears began to leak silently from his eyes.

"No, no, he doesn't want to kick you out of the corporation," I reassured him, "at least, not yet anyway. Second question: Why won't anyone believe me when I tell them about you?"

He shook his head and sniffed, his breathing getting quicker and shallower as he continued to cry. He wiped hastily at his cheeks with the sleeve of his jacket, attempting to conceal his face.