entranceway | 12th Book || The Principality Returns [video and action]

[Aziraphale wakes up in the middle of a hedge and looks around blearily. It only takes him a few moments after prying himself from the plant and pulling off a couple leaves from his jumper for him to recognize where he was. His (unneeded) breath catches in his throat and he feels mildly ill as the realization dawns on him how close he was to forgetting himself, forgetting who he became here. He wonders mildly how long he's been away, but judging by the temperature it seems like it could only be a month or so. Or perhaps he should start tacking years onto that.

He makes his way back to the mansion, a twig still stuck in his hair, and climbs up the the sixth floor, room 002. He tries the doorknob and it opens easily for him. Inside, the room looks exactly like he left it, if devoid of his book collection he had gathered over the near year he had been here before. He lets out a little sigh of relief.

He settles down in his old tartan wingback chair and pulls out his device from the pocket he normally keeps it in, smiling to know it's still there and then turns on the video. The angel's face is awkwardly off center, but he's definitely there with a smile to greet everyone once again.]

It appears I have been away for quite some time. I cannot rightly say that I was aware of the passage of time. I suppose... I suppose I was home for a short time. It was good to see my shop again, but... But I must say I'm glad to be back. And, more importantly, I'm glad to be back where I can be with Crowley. Crowley, if you're hearing this, please come to my room.

[A brief pause allows him to collect his thoughts some before he continues again.]

I hope to reconnect with many of the beings I knew before my... disappearance. And I do so hope that there aren't too many that have left as well. Please let me know that you are all safe and if there's anything I can do for you.

[He smiles one last time before he shuffles to turn off the video, anxiously hoping that Crowley is still in Wonderland.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He leans against Aziraphale.] Well, as I always say--we'd best make the most of the time we have.

I... I know, dear. I just... I don't want that future we got a glimpse of to come to pass.

[Crowley finds Aziraphale's hand and laces their fingers together, squeezing.] We won't let it.

[He holds Crowley's hand tightly for a moment before turning to kiss him desperately. He knows that future is just a possibility. They can change it now that they know about it, right? And then they could have at least one more day together. He never realized how important each day was until they arrived her and began sharing themselves with each other. Every day was important and the last thing he wanted was to see an end to them.]

[It's the same with the Apocalypse, really. Even if it's written in one place, something else is written somewhere else. And it's underlined. Twice.]

[He kisses Aziraphale back, letting go of his hand so he can cradle the angel's face in his hands, running his thumbs along the jawline, fingers twining in his hair. He really did miss the angel, all the little things about him, the tiny details.]

[He hates how easy it was for him to simply lack the memory of everything that happened here. He had know idea what he'd lost. Not even a clue. But now, with Crowley in his arms and pressed against his lips he is acutely aware of how tenuous their grasp on this world is.

And, not for the first time nor the last, his heart spilled over and filled his body with such warmth he knows Crowley has to be feeling it. This man-shaped being is so much a part of him and his soul that it would utterly destroy him were they to part. He intends not to let that happen. Not ever.

He shifts on the sofa so he can face Crowley instead of twisting so awkwardly. It's a lot more comfortable when continuing to snog, after all.]

[Crowley can't imagine it. He honestly can't imagine forgetting everything about this place and what they've become. And he doesn't want to try, or even think about it. The angel is here, and that's all that matters--his warmth, his presence, his, yeah, okay, love.]

[The angel not being here hurt like nothing else, but Crowley always knew they would see each other again, one way or another, even if it took centuries. They always do. Maybe things wouldn't be the same, maybe they wouldn't remember this, but Crowley can live with that. He didn't think he could before. The idea of losing Aziraphale's love is horrible, but losing Aziraphale himself is far, far worse. Unthinkable. They will always find each other. They have to.]

[He deepens his kisses, lets them linger while he tangles his fingers in the angel's hair.]

I love you so much, Crowley. [He presses slow kisses along the demon's jaw as he drinks in his scent and revels in his presence. No matter what may happen, now was more important.]