Chapter Text
January 2026
It was a cold day, with a cloudy, dark sky and an icy wind.
However, this didn't bother Crowley. For God's sake, he was too tired to care.
So Brighton beach is covered in snow. The sea waves bring a damp breeze. It's four o'clock in the afternoon and the sun is already setting.
Today Crowley just wanted to relax, to get out of the small room where he worked. Not to think about crime scenes for at least one day.
The red-haired man worked as a detective for the police, having started this journey in 2010, at only 25 years old, when he was just a lonely guy from the big city.
He felt lonely for many years, still feels it sometimes, actually. But now was not one of those moments.
- Maybe I should have brought two bottles of wine. Or vodka. I'm almost turning into a snowman.
- You would make a great snowman with that attitude of yours. (Crowley teased with a grin)
- Why do you think that? (a blond eyebrow looked doubtful)
- Well, you're always so beige. And you're also cold when we're working.
- Excuse me! I may have been cold once, but now? I'm giving you wine, devil.
The two men, sitting on the empty beach, began to laugh.
Yes, Crowley's days had become less gray since he met Aziraphale in 2016. They had also become more hectic. Jesus, sometimes it was too complicated working with the man.
- How long do you think they'll leave us alone? (He passed the bottle of wine to a pale hand)
- Umm… I think one night. You know, no rest for the good and all that.
- Damn! I want a vacation… Have you seen? My eye is already twitching from stress, look.
- Don't you dare leave me alone in that police station, Anthony J. Crowley, or I'll be forced to take drastic measures. (He said jokingly, but deep down it was a little true).
- I'm curious to know what you're going to do, Zira.
- Oh, I hate being called that… damn Gabriel!
Crowley loved it when those pale cheeks flushed, whether from anger, embarrassment, or cold… okay, maybe it would be better to stop that thought here.
- But you didn't answer me. What would you do if I didn't show up for work?
- I know where your house is. (he said, giving a threatening look, which the other man found adorable)
- And I know where yours is. (he smiled)
- OK, fair enough! (he took a long gulp of wine, finishing the bottle)
A comfortable silence settled in, while the stars began to appear and the wind grew colder and colder.
- What do you want to do now that Dionysus has abandoned us?
- I think I'll go home. I'm exhausted, and "Tickety-Boo" must be hungry.
Anthony considered himself a clever man. He always managed to solve mysteries and get answers. There was only one thing he couldn't answer.
- Why on earth would someone name a cat "Ticklety-Boo," angel?
- You've asked me that question 97 times, Crowley. And yes, I've started counting how many times (he said as he stood up, folding and putting away the tartan blanket they were sitting on).
- And I'll keep asking until you answer me. Seriously, if I were your cat, I would have already started a revolution to get you to change that name."
Aziraphale didn't respond to the joke, he just smiled.
- So that's it. See you tomorrow?
- Of course, angel! You know… it's hard to get rid of me.
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A new day began. Raindrops slowly tapped against the old windows. A white, fluffy cat slept on a plaid blanket.
- Good morning, my dear! You don't want to go to work in my place, do you? (said a sleepy voice).
The cat looked at the man with disdain and went back to sleep and purring.
- Fine. I deserve it… Let's go then!
After taking a hot shower and putting on his vintage beige clothes, he went to the kitchen to make some tea (an Earl Grey, of course). It was the least he deserved to face that Monday morning.
Suddenly, someone knocked on his door. Aziraphale knew very well who it was, so he got up from the armchair, with a smile, and went to answer the call.
- Good morning, Angel! How are things?
- Good morning, darling! Come in (he said, making way for the door) How do you think things can be on a Monday at work?
- Considering we're going to have to put up with Gabriel and the introduction of the new employees… yeah, the day is already a mess.
- NO! (he said, burying his head in his hands) I'd forgotten about that damn get-together. What would it have cost to just let us know that new colleagues had arrived?
- Well, maybe they don't want misunderstandings to happen again (he smiled provocatively).
- Crowley, that happened 10 years ago! And I still don't think there was a misunderstanding. I just had the bad luck to share a room with a complicated person.
- Oh, what a shame you think that of me. I was even thinking of, I don't know, giving you a ride to the police station…
- Oh, that's very nice of you. I was already missing our girl.
- First of all, no, I'm not nice. And "we" don't have a car. The Bentley is only mine.
- Whatever you prefer, my dear! (he said while finishing his tea) Ready to go to hell?
- Ah, you get used to it (he opened the front door for the blond. Let's pretend this isn't an act of chivalry).
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When the black car pulled into the parking lot, Gabriel Archer, the regional police chief, was already introducing the three new officers with well-rehearsed enthusiasm.
- Nina Davies will work alongside our competent team of inspectors, bringing innovation to this police station…
Aziraphale and Crowley liked their new teammate even before speaking to her. They both greatly admired all the women who joined the police force, facing the institution's prejudices.
- Continuing, I present Raphael Jones, the new IT assistant who will help Newton with the growing demand…
The blond man found the new hire friendly. He was tall and thin. He had red hair and chocolate brown eyes. He seemed like a good person.
Anthony didn't much like the expression of this new man. He seemed to be feigning an innocence he didn't have. He was a strange person.
- Finally, I have the pleasure of introducing Furfur Bates, who came directly from London. He will be a sergeant…
Okay, neither of the two men liked this Furfur guy. The man, who was now shaking Archer's hand, was very suspicious. He looked like he was going to kill someone at any moment.
…
After the boring meeting, Fell and Anthony walked towards the room they shared.
- All of this could have been an email (he took a long sip of espresso)
- Yes, then I would have the option of not even having to see it.
- At least now we'll have peace.
- Oh, dear, I hope so. I don't want to leave our room for the rest of the day.
As they were about to open the door, they were interrupted by an excited voice.
- Hello, umm… Well, you probably don't know me… (looking at the blond man)
- You're Raphael, right?
- Yes, that's right! (he said smiling)
- Newt's new companion, isn't he? (Crowley interjected)
- I think so… (he replied with much less enthusiasm) But well, continuing. I was watching you during the meeting, you know, it's quite a boring moment…
- Absolutely (Aziraphale replied with a polite smile)
Crowley was even thinking about saying something, trying to join the conversation again. But he didn't get the chance, because the other redhead continued, still staring at the angel.
- I just wanted to tell you that I loved your style. Seriously, your clothes are amazing! Oh, really, what a silly me. What's your name?
- Oh, thank you, darling! My name is Aziraphale, but you can call me Fell if you prefer…
- You have the name of an angel from Eden, you know? Spectacular!
- Well (he laughed awkwardly) religious family, you know how it is…
- Certainly (brown eyes met blue eyes)
Crowley was getting strangely uncomfortable. He would have to interrupt this ridiculous scene.
- Angel! Let's get to work? We have a lot of work to do today… You understand, don't you, Raph? (gave a fake smile)
- Oh, sure. Sorry to bother you… See you another time (said shyly, leaving)
Anthony had seen many men of that type. The bastard didn't regret anything, he just wanted to meet his new prey.
- See, Anthony, someone likes my style. I'm not as out of fashion as you always say (opened the office door smiling)
- Of course he would like your style. He wants to take you to bed…
- CROWLEY!
- What? Don't tell me you didn't notice? (threw his bag near the table where he was working)
- No, I didn't notice. You know why? It's because he doesn't want to. He's just a nice guy, that's all…
- Oh, angel, how can someone as intelligent as you be so naive? (observed those cheeks red with embarrassment with a smile)
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The sun had long since set, but the lights in a small room at the police station were still on.
Crowley yawned and stretched his arms while cracking his neck. That Monday seemed endless.
- Angel, I'm thinking of getting out of here. Will you come with me? (He observed the artificial lights highlighting the messy blond hair. Aziraphale had the adorable habit of running his hand through his hair when he was concentrating.)
- Oh, Crowley, I appreciate your invitation, but I can't leave here now. This case is really puzzling me…
- What case? I haven't even opened today's requests yet. (He was already forgetting the idea of going home. He didn't like leaving his partner alone, especially at night.)
- A murder case that came in from London. What were you doing all this time that you didn't see the photos? (blue eyes questioned with genuine curiosity)
- Ah, you know, today was a complicated day and all that (the truth is he had pretended to be working all day)
The room fell silent. Fell was very focused on observing the photographs of the crime scene.
- A truly terrible death. Larry lived in London with his grandmother and was a relatively young man who worked as a waiter in a Soho bar. He was also homosexual.
Anthony looked at the photos of the corpse. The man was lying on the floor with his arms outstretched and legs closed, resembling a cross.
- Did you notice the position? (he was almost certain he did)
- YES, that's what intrigues me. Look at the other photos (he spread two more photos across the table)
That body had a large, cross-shaped cut on its chest. And the right eye wasn't found.
- That central cut looks like it was made with an axe… could that have been the cause of death?
- No, those axe blows were inflicted after Larry was already dead. The forensic report stated the cause of death was strangulation.
- Wow, how original (said sarcastically).
- Maybe whoever killed him thought so too, hence the destruction and display of the body. It's someone who wants attention.
- Angel, when did it happen?
- Almost three months ago… What do you think of the eye?
- I suppose it was also to add drama to the crime scene.
- Umm, I think it's not just that. He took that eye as a souvenir of the death he caused.
- So you think we're talking about a serial killer?
- I can't prove that until another death of this pattern happens, but I believe that's the case. It's very sadistic…
The two men continued to brainstorm until late into the night, until their sentences began to be interrupted by yawns.
- Angel, you're exhausted, we'll continue the analysis tomorrow. Shall we go home?
- I'd love to say no, darling, but I'm too tired for that. I'll pack my things, just a moment (he stood up and began to gather his belongings).
- No rush. In the meantime, I'll go outside for a smoke. I'll be back in a little while, okay?
- Of course, I won't disappear, believe me (he said jokingly).
Aziraphale was putting some folders in his bag when a shadow appeared in the doorway.
- Crow… Oh, Raphael, what a surprise… what are you doing here?
- A tiring first day. No rest for the good, you know…
- Worse than I know. Are you already going home?
- Yes, that's why I came here. Do you want a ride?
- Oh, I appreciate the kindness, but…
- Shall we go, Angel? (Crowley spoke, entering the room and looking at Raphael, whose smile immediately faded)
- You already have company. I understand… maybe next time then (he laughed awkwardly)
When he received no more answers, Raph left dejectedly.
- Full of suitors, huh? I'm even a little jealous (he said playfully, walking through the parking lot with his hands in his pockets. And it was true)
- Oh, you know very well that you have no reason to worry.
- Really? (The redhead's heart beat faster.)
- Yes. You're my only partner, darling (he smiled sweetly, getting into the car)
The blond seemed truly unaware of the power he held over Anthony's heart. A heart that had been neglected for a long time, empty, but which now only had room for one person.