SpectrallyDistracted

Yes, you can see that.

I had a few rather stressful months where I struggled with reading and writing, and when the source of that stress was finally taken care of, I was one of those badly hit by the finale. Even though I kept reading, however infrequently, I couldn’t find the motivation, or indeed the time, to compile my beloved rec lists. But I’ve missed doing this! And I’m so happy to be back and help spread the love through the fandom! Once I started reading again, I felt like I was starving and I got reading several fics at the same time, alternating chapters from longer fics with shorter one-shots, so the WIP section in this list has been renamed WIPs and currently reading as I’m still in the middle of reading some complete fictions. So, even if you don’t read WIPs, please don’t skip that section; I will indicate whether a fic is there because it’s a WIP or because I haven’t finished reading it yet!

As always, this is a list of what I liked about the fics I read, it’s not a list of my very favourite fics, or exceptional fics. All fics are exceptional! A fic you haven’t read or that you feel lukewarm about might be someone else’s new favourite, so please don’t ever be shy about reblogging rec lists, new fic posts, self recs etc, even if you haven’t read them or they are not your favourites.

This list contains the fics I’ve read from February through to June. As always, at some point these recs will be added to my side blog, the nice and accurate lists of di-42, witch, so please follow that if you want to read even more (themed)  lists!

And I hope it hasn’t been that long that you might have forgotten my mantra, but a reminder never hurt anyone: please don’t judge a fiction based on the number of kudos!

I really hope someone can find the comfort they need in these fics and in the fandom creativity!

Usual disclaimer, if you want your fic removed from this list, or know anyone who does, please let me know.

And now, without further ado,

Buckle Up For My Backlog Recs!

WIP & currently reading:

The Rule Of The Rose, by @joyandotherstories. Rated M, 38k. P. Jan 26. THIS FICTION IS COMPLETE.

Beauty and the Beast AU where Crowley is Warlock’n nanny. This fic had been in my MFL since when it was published and I kept eyeing it, waiting for the right moment to get to it. I’ve finally (only just) started it and it flows beautifully. I can’t wait to get to the main part where Crowley gets trapped in the beast’s (or is it?) castle. Crowley’s voice so far is so much in character; warlock hasn’t really said much, but I LOVE him already. Go and read it!

The Devil’s In The Details, by @addledmongoose. Rated T, 165k. P. Mar 26. THIS FICTION IS COMPLETE.

I’m two thirds into this written-as-post-canon-now-canon-divergent fic and I’m loving it just like all the other works by this author! Sequel to The Beginning of The End (Again), the story takes place after the failed Second Coming, when someone starts murdering humans and demons alike in  Whickber Street. As always, the characterisation is great, and the established relationship dynamics between our Ineffables are explored so well. The mysterious plot is gripping and there is tension and suspense scattered throughout the fic, but not angst between Crowley and Aziraphale: their love for each other is unshakable. Great fic as usual!

And Your Nemesis Closer, by @beerok23. Rated E, chapters 1/6. This fic is a WIP.

Aaaahhh, I am SO excited about this human AU! My FTH gift from one of my favourite authors! I asked for a loose Bridget Jones AU from the queen of romcom AUs and Beerok is not disappointing! The way she’s adapting the vibes from the film and book to her original story is masterful, just like we’ve come to expect from her and I know I’m in for a treat! Outstanding humour as always. The story is pre-written and the author is unquestionably reliable with her posting schedule, so you can jump into this WIP confidently!

A Companion To Goats, by @vinyama. Rated M, chapters 3/?. This fic is a WIP.

Lovely human AU with animal rights activist Crowley and lawyer Aziraphale. They seem to come from very different backgrounds and have very different views on life, will they find that they ahve something in common after all?

Post Season 3, S3 trailer-inspired,  and fix-its:

A Lovely New World, by @0ldstoneface. Rated T, 1.7k. P. May 26.

Season 3 complaint/fix-it where Crowley and Aziraphale started the new universe and where they love each other very much.

A Little Knowledge, by @angie-words. Rated G, 200 words. P. Apr 26.

Trailer-inspired crackfic in which Aziraphale wants to teach Jesus about literature. Jesus wants to learn about the most underrated kind of literature. Incredibly funny!

Shedding The Suit, by graywings @graywingssmua . Rated M, 1k. P. Apr 26.

Lovely fic inspired by the lift snippet in the trailer, hot and sweet. In the lift to earth, Aziraphale initiates an intimate moment with Crowley, and Crowley responds enthusiastically.

Seven (Soft) Minutes In Heaven, by @redundant-angel. Rated T, 800 words. P. Apr 26. 

Lovely trailer-inspired fiction set in the elevator. Crowley and Aziraphale clear the air and have a lovely moment by themselves. 

An Antichrist And A Messiah Walk Into A Pub, by @bellisima-writes. Rated T, 3k. P. May 26.

Great fiction inspired by the trailer showing Jesus getting into the lift and the confirmation that Sam Taylor Buck would be back for the finale (oh, the good old days when we could dream!) Jesus gets to Earth, London. He is confused. He starts walking and finds himself outside a pub where his hereditary enemy is waiting to teach him he can make his own choices. This story is about defying your destiny, learning to trust and training your dog to be as petty as can be.

You Though There Was Just the One? By LadyZoisite. Rated G, 188 words. P. May 26.

Fix-it fic that was posted just hours after the finale aired. Just to put things right.

Empty Pages, by @cheeseplants. Rated G, 857 words, P. May 26.

Lovely fix-it where our Aziraphale and Crowley, them and in character, get to write infinite stories with a version of them as protagonists. They will never run out of paper and ink, This was very healing!

Waiting For The Finale One Sentence At A Time, chapter 13: One Sentence Wishes, by Ineffableprofessionals. Rated G.

This is an absolutely beautiful, touching poem about the grief part of the fandom felt after the finale aired. But even more than that it is an ode to the fandom itself. To our ability to hold on to what we love, to not give up, to defy the fate imposed on us by the writers and keep doing what we do best: imagine better endings; writing new stories; giving each other hope. We are more than the story ever was. I am so very grateful for this poem that I can’t even put it into words.

A Snow Globe In A Garden, by @mizmak. Rated G, 731 words. P. May 26.

Asa and Anthony keep receiving food deliveries with the instructions to leave them outside the snow globe in their garden. Sweet and hopeful. Contains lovely art by the author.

And They Didn’t, by Savyl. Rated G, 895 words. P. May 26.

Lovely, healing, sweet S3 fix-it where our Ineffables get to live and to confess their love. I love it.

The Gods Of Their Universe, by @ineffable-shadow Rated E, 6k. P. May 26.

Lovely fic where Aziraphale and Crowley survive erasure and get to build a better universe.

In Every Stupid Universe, by @mxmaxzephyrus. Rated G, 1.3 words.

Incredibly soothing fiction in the weirdest kind of way! Proceed only if you have a rather dark sense of humour. This fic really helped me deal with the grief, highly recommended.

After Canon, by @bohoteacher. Rated G, 2k. P. May 26.

Meta/fix-it fic where several Good Omens characters gather at Give Me Coffee Or Give Me Death to discuss the finale of their beloved series Agnes Nutter, Witch. They have mixed reactions, but the one thing they all have in common is to keep the fandom alive with their creativity and love. This fic gave me hope at a time when I was feeling rather down about the fandom. We’ll get there, eventually.

Create A Third Place, by graywings. Rated T, 6k. P. May 26.

Canon divergent fix-it where things go differently and everybody lives! So many things to love about this fiction!

Pillars, by @ireallyneedmoretea. Rated G, 666 words. P. May 26.

Asa and Anthony live an ordinary life. They make tea, they go to work, they read The Astrophysical Journal. This fiction IS a fix-it and I might have teared up when I read it.

The Gang Watches Good Omens Season Three, by MxMaxZephirus. Rated T, 3k. P. Jun 26.

This meta/fix-it fic is by far the most uplifting thing I’ve read to fix S3. Not just the ending but everything. I like to imagine them exactly as in this fic: sitting side by side, loving each other, among friends, alive, happy, and making sarcastic remarks at terrible the televised versions of themselves someone thought would make a good TV show. They are so much more in character in this fic than they were in the finale. Highly recommended.

My own Transcendental, rated T, 3k. P. May 26.

My own S3 fix-it, born of heartbreak for the ending and anger at the treatment Aziraphale’s character received throughout the finale. I wanted it to be canon-compliant and I didn’t want it to be god to grant them to live. Somehow I managed both, but that means that I could only salvage Aziraphale and Crowley, but nothing else of the old universe. It’s still bittersweet, just a little less bitter and a little more sweet.

My own The Bookshop At The End Of The Universe, rated T 2k. P. May 26.

Trailer-inspired fic based on a snippet of the credits. Meh, not my best work.

Complete multichapters:

Speed Limits (And How To Break Them), by darcykindbergh. Rated E, 13k. P. Jun 20.

Sweet, lovely, heartwarming post S1 fiction. Aziraphale and Crowley find themselves somehow celebrating Valentine’s Day. Initial awkwardness, love confessions and first times.

Accursed Be The Tongue, by Panic_CelestialInk @tamsinswriting. Rated T, 20k. P. Mar 25.

Delightful, funny and touching fic, set in a post S2 happy future. After stopping the second coming, life goes on for Azirapahle and Crowley, until Crowley is cursed to only speak the truth, and only in Shakespearean quotes. The result is phenomenal! Old friends and unexpected guests make an appearance, the mood is light, the pining obvious to everyone but the two of them, this fic has all the vibes of a post s1 fic even if it was written well after S2. And the work the writer must have put into making them talk in Shakespeare quotes while keeping their conversations on point is outstanding! I loved it!

Giddy Up, by KaeRaeSketches, @naturallyteal. Rated E, 11k. P. Jan 26

Lovely through the ages in-universe fic set in 1871. Aziraphale is riding a sleigh in the West Siberian Plain when all of a sudden he comes across Crowley in need of a ride. A story of love, lust, temptation and endless pining, with the sweetest epilogue.

And I’ve Got This Missing Piece, by 3obby @manekitora. Rated E, 21k. P. Apr 26.

Exes to lovers human AU told across two timelines. Our Ineffables’ insecurities lead to misunderstandings and pain. When Crowley flies back to London after two years, he picks his ex’s Azirapahle book at the airport and reads it on the plane. Big mistake. But, fear not! There is a happy ending, talking things through, great smut and sweet fluff waiting for you along the way and at the end, as well as some surprising and very welcome characterisation! Lovely story!

The Way To Your Heart, by Mizmak. Rated E, 37k. P. Apr 26. 

Lovely strangers to lovers human AU, full of baking and writing! Aziraohale and crowley meet through the readers page of a publishing website and decide to write a story together. This story is sweet, funny and angst-free. Seeing them fall in love step by step as well as communicating clearly is beautiful! Also I LOVED Aziraphale’s family!

Love And Solidarity, by @cemeteryangel725. Rated E, 25k. P. May 25.

Great human AU where Aziraphale and Crowley met as teenagers in the 90s and find each other again after fifteen years apart. Crowley is an activist and Aziraphale is a lawyer: they fight against the same system, but go about it in different ways, reminds you of something? I do love a good activism fic, and this one felt so real and was beautifully written! The teenage love story was incredibly tender and the author did a great job at describing all the raw emotions of that age, and their adult years were so relatable! Great fic!

The Least Eligible Bachelor, by @fellshish. Rated E, 37k. P. May 26.

In-universe canon divergent/pre-armageddon fic, full of humour, longing and incredibly hot sex scenes. Aziraphale takes part in a reality TV show where he’s a bachelor who has to be wooed by the contestants. The contestants are, of course, demons. There will be roses, there will be bananas, there will be snakes, there will be love. This fic gave me early-canon vibes, which I was and still am yearning, and I’m grateful for them. As usual, this author has the beautiful ability to make you laugh and cry in the same sentence, and feel all the emotions in-between. Highly recommended!

When Wishes Align, by AppleSeeds. Rated E, 33k. P. Jun 26.

Absolutely fantastic AU where Aziraphale is a human and Crowley is a djinn. The writer does a wonderful job of taking the readers on a journey to Persia alongside Aziraphale, describing the atmospheres and landscapes of the city of Nishapur vividly and beautifully. I loved witnessing the relationship between them blossom; the story was tender and hot at the same time. But what will happen when aziraphale has to travel back to London?

My own The Solstice Dinner, with beautiful art by Hogs_and_ham. Rated E, 42k. P. Feb 26.

Written for the Winter Omens Big Bang and very (I mean, VERY) loosely based on the Gilmore Girls episode the Bracebridge Dinner, this is my first enemies to lovers human AU where sunny Aziraphale owns an Inn and grumpy Crowley owns a cafe. I had so much fun writing the banter and the humour in this story and I’m always proud when I manage to pull off an just-enough-of-a-bastard Aziraphale in an AU setting! Working with Hogs was a real treat and her art will take your breath away!

My own Rovaniemi Calling, with incredible art by Lutralutra. Rated M, 37k. P. Jul 26.

Written for the Winter Omens Reverse Mini Bang. I had so much fun working with Lutra on this meet cute/stranger to lovers human AU set mainly in Rovaniemi. Aziraphale and Crowley meet on a plane, but after his holiday, Aziraphale will have to go back to London. Banter, fluff, a little bit of angst and a happy ending. I really hope I managed to do Rovaniemi justice, even though I’ve never been there! I absolutely want to go and visit it now, and hopefully so will you! Lutra's art is incredible!

One-shots and short stories:

All Of Us Angels, by fine_things_well_worn. Rated E, 8k. P. Feb 26

Beautiful, bittersweet story based on the film All Of Us Strangers. Aziraphale moves into a newly renovated block of flats. There never seems to be anyone around until he spots Crowley. The eerie atmosphere of this fic is so masterfully crafted and the prose so poetic, you will be hooked from the start!

Trigger warning: I asked the writer permission to mention that I feel that, at the time of writing this, there is an important tag missing. I don’t want to spoil the fic, but please read between the tags, and if you haven’t seen the film All Of Us Strangers, you might consider familiarising yourself with the plot before reading this wonderful story.

So I’m There, by AngieWords. Rated T, 9k. P. Feb 26

Human AU written for the DIWS Maggie’s Record Shop event and inspired by the song The Bones Of You by Elbow. This is a lovely and tender story of second chances. Crowley and Aziraphale had been friends in their uni years, and then drifted apart for reasons you’ll find out. I love how the writer manages to write a satisfying growth for both characters in a relatively short fic. Nothing feels forced in this story, it flows beautifully!

And It Feels Like Home, by AngieWords. Rated E, 5k. P. Feb 26.

Human AU, sequel to So I’m There, also written for the DIWS Maggie’s Record Shop event, and inspired by Madonna’s Like A Prayer. Sweet, romantic and hot account of how Crowley and Aziraphale get to know each other again and learn to communicate after spending years apart.

In Which The Snow Is Thoroughly Investigated, Weaponised, And Ultimately Followed By Hot Chocolate, by Savyl, Eybefioro. Rated G, 3k. P. Mar 26.

Sweet, tender fiction starring Eric & Muriel and following their adventure in the snow. Heartwarming!

Spread Me Open Like One Of Your Books, by @enderhuntresss. Rated E, 4k. P. Sep 25.

Lovely and fluffy human AU. Aziraphale is a librarian. Crowley never returns the books he borrows. That will never do, will it?

The Lunch Thief, by 3obby. Rated E, 6k. P. Mar 26.

Delightful human AU featuring flustered Crowley, just-enough-of-a-bastard Aziraphale, humour, wit, banter, lightheartedness and all the good vibes! Someone’s been stealing Crowley’s lunch at work, how will our hero cope? Truly great fic!

Angels Or Demons, by @curiouspupsicle. Rated T, 2k. P. Mar 26.

After the demons invade the bookshop, the shopkeepers of Whickber Street wonder about the nature of the local bookseller and his boyfriend. No one gets it right.

The Greasy Pole, by AppleSeeds. Rated T, 4k. P. Feb 25.

Lovely, funny, lighthearted story. Sort of canon-divergent, set before the events of S1, Furfur has been promoted to Temptations and asks Crowley’s help on how to do the job successfully. Crowley shows him, with Aziraphale’s help. That was lucky, wasn’t it? You can never go wrong with AppleSeeds!

LessonsI’ve Learned About Love, by curiouspupsicle. Rated T, 4k. P. Apr 26.

Very sweet Ineffable wives human AU. a story of found and chosen love and found and chosen family, community, solidarity and the metaphorical (and literal) village it takes to take care of the new generations and of ourselves.

Just (Maybe) a Gigolo, by @spectrallydistracted. Rated T, 5k. P. Apr 26.

The new gorgeous man in the neighborhood hits on Aziraphale. Of course Aziraphale would think he’s a gigolo, it’s the most obvious explanation, right? This human AU has all the feels: funny, sweet, intense, dramatic and sweet again! Lovely!

Crowleech: Love at First Latch, by twshowsufferer. Rated E, 9k. P. Dec 25.

Listen to me. Do NOT be put off by the tags. This is the Crowley-is-a-leech fantasy AU no one knew we needed, but we do need it. I went in for the crack and was immediately gripped by the feelings, the lust, the love, the banter and the trust. Beautiful and beautifully written story, I truly can’t recommend this highly enough. Have I ever disappointed you when I’ve been obsessed with a fiction before? Didn't think so, so just trust me on this.

5 Minute Dates, by curiouspupsicle. Rated T, 2k. P. apr 26.

Sweet human AU in which Aziraphae reluctantly agrees to take part in a speed dating event in order to help boost his friend’s business. Whoever might he meet there?

Grace Notes, by beardo @e-rated-beardo. Rated E, 1.7k. P. May 26.

Canon compliant fic set at some point in time before S2 and in the Scorn And The Saint-Maker universe (but can absolutely be enjoyed as a stand-alone). After receiving the visit of two, eerr, strangers, Aziraphale puts some music on and indulges in a fantasy about Crowley. Delicious smut in the form of a sad wank ensues, but you wouldn’t expect anything less from our beloved beardo. Beautifully written as always, this fic has all the feels.

Darling, by @eybefioro, Kiratastic_art. Rated G, 7k. P. Jan 25.

Sweet and funny story where Darling the cat makes friends with the two new strange humans (or are they?) as they move into their new cottage in her village in the South Downs. Lovely characterisation for Aziraphale and Crowley through Darling POV. Great artwork as well!

A Whole Lot Of Woolly Mammoth, by tvshowsufferer. Rated E, 11k. P. Jun 26.

Brilliant, hilarious, touching, tender, incredibly hot and so very clever cavemen AU. They’re cavemen. Just read it, OK? It will surprise you in all the good ways. This author is criminally underrated, please show them some love! This fic is incredible! 

This Is What Forever Looks Like, by CemeteryAngel725. Rated E, 8k. P. Jun 25.

Human AU, sequel to Love And Solidarity. Twenty years after the events narrated in the first story, Aziraphale and Crowley are happily married, but they are still fighting for a better, fairer world.

Thin, Friendly Walls, by tvshowsufferer. Rated E, 10k. P. Jun 26.

Funny and, oh, so hot, flatmate human AU. Every Friday night, Aziraphale can hear Crowley indulging in self-pleasure activities through the thin walls of their shared flat. Shame that lovely, gorgeous, handsome Crowley is straight. Ha! Great humour as I have come to expect from this wonderful author, plus pining, tenderness and fantastic sex scenes!

Be My Valentine, by Mizmak. Rated G, 6k. P. Feb 26.

Sweet and fluffy post S1 Valentine fiction! Aziraphale and Crowley are trying to summon the courage to confess their feelings to each other. Angst-free fic full of flowers, chocolates and romance. Lovely!

My own For Old Times’ Sake, rated T, 4k. P. Apr 26.

This fiction is so so dear to me. I love it more than I can say, even though it’s not my usual piece of banter. Human AU in which Aziraphale and Crowley have known each other… Well, sorry, but they really have known each other for a long time, but their lives went in different directions. Can they get back together after twenty-five years? My dear friend said that the fic is safe for the under-40s, but the over-40s should enter at their own risk and I agree: this fic is my love letter to middle age and I’m extremely proud of it!

Bite Size:

Major Flaw, If You Ask Me, by Angelica_Tree. Rated T, 433 words. P. Feb 26.

Lovely snippet of a post S1 future that could have been, where Crowley and Azirapahle’s personalities and dynamics are spot on.

The Chase Is Only Part Of The Fun, by @tigerseye67. Rated G, 520 words. P. Jan 26

Incredibly sweet and fluffy fic depicting a possible post S1 future. Such heartwarming vibes, I loved it!

3:10 To Yuma, by ireallyneedmoretea. Rated G, 666 words. P. Dec 25.

Great human Au that packs so much in just 666 words! Crowley’s last act as a soon-to-be former deputy sheriff is to make sure outlaw Aziraphale gets on the train to Yuma Territorial Prison. Cleverness, mystery and Aziraphale’s sassiness, what more can we ask for?

On A Mission From God, by curiouspupsicle. Rated G, 666 words. P. Apr 26.

Aziraphale is released from heaven. Crowley is waiting for him, so they can go on a mission to save the world. Funny Blues Brothers inspired fic.

You Rang? By PinkPenguinParade. Rated G, 781 words. P. Apr 26.

Lovely and very funny fiction in which Crowley is summoned and his husband comes to take him home, thank you very much. Great married couple dynamics between Crowley and Aziraphale.

A Masquerade In Every Sense Of The Word, by The_Rogue_Bard. Rated G, 500 words. P. Oct 24.

Lovely and funny through the ages fic. Aziraphale is at a masquerade ball talking with Oscar Wilde. Or, is he? Sweet and short, featuring just-enough-of-a-bastard Aziraphale.

Darling Visits The Veterinarian, by ireallyneedmoretea, Kiratastic_art. Rated G, 666 words. P. May 26.

Lovely domestic fluff ficlet inspired by Darling by Eybef=Fioro and Kiratastic_art. Darling the cat wants to make sure her own hereditary enemy is OK.

Knight Of Swords and Knight Of Swords (Reversed), by ireallyneedmoretea. Both rated G, 666 words each. P. Jun 26.

Lovely canon compliant fics inspired by the tarot card Knight of Swords, which, I learned in the author’s note, signifies a man or a woman on a mission. Set after the 537AD scene, these fics imagine what could have happened at the court of king Arthur and what happens next. Funny and sweet!

Poems and podfics:

I Am Death, Creator of Worlds, by ireallyneedmoretea, rated G and [Podetry] I Am Death, Creator Of Worlds, by Literarion.

Beautiful and very powerful poem about one of the most powerful –and most underrated– characters of Good Omens. The podfic’s sound effects are absolutely amazing!

Artworks:

The Days Of Innocence And Wonder, by Werpiper. Rated G, P. Feb 26.

Beautiful artwork depicting Eden.

Date Night At The Ritz, by @anatomic-girl. Rated G, P. Jun 24.

Great piece where Crowley is waiting for Azirapahle leaning on the Bentley and Aziraphale is wearing his finest clothes (which are also his usual clothes) for the occasion. Lovely fic and great art!

instead, we see every single character succumb to their past accumulated trauma

Crowley sleeping in an alley and drinking himself to oblivion night after night can work as comedy when he's a handwave away from a comfortable bed and sobriety. And that's the tone it's presented to us in, as comedy. Which fits because that's the tone of the previous seasons as well. We know he's not human, the usual human rules don't really apply.

But then we learn he can't do miracles. He can't sober up, so he's getting the full blackout drunk experience, including waking up the morning after. He can't miracle his clothes clean. He's sleeping rough, exposed to the elements. Even if we assume his corporation isn't subject to hunger, temperature fluctuations, and the negative effects of that much continued alcohol consumption, waking up soaking wet because it rained again in London, with a hangover, isn't going to be a fun experience. And it's been a few years! So throw winter weather into the mix. The more you consider the implications, the worse it gets.

There are things he could be doing to improve his living situation, but they're more work than a snap of the fingers, and he's depicted as severely depressed. Motivation to make things better, even if the task required isn't particularly difficult, tends to be thin on the ground once that sets in.

I was just sitting there thinking oh Crowley what happened to you?

And it hurts because Crowley's path is very realistic of one that so many uhhoused people find themselves on. Where housing is lost through the landlord being a jackass and new options are out of reach.

Now in S2 where we know he has miracles and the flat loss is recent. Mail is still going there and he's telling Shax about the quirks of the place it's different. Not to mention he has access to some sort of wealth, how else did he pay Shadwell all those years? So we can roll our eyes and sigh Crowley really? You overly dramatic love struck demon go get a new flat.

Except the love struck thing plays a big role in this I think if we go back to the lockdown short film.

"You know I could slither over there and watch you eat cake."

No that would be breaking all the rules.

That's why, for me, he doesn't just get a new flat, because he wants the next step to be with Aziraphale and if he asks himself to move in or let's Aziraphale know what happened to his flat well that would just be going too fast and so he waits.

Then comes the final 15.

"And I would like to spend...ngh."

No I'm going back to heaven and you're the bad guys.

Obviously this was not what Aziraphale meant, but it is how Crowley took it and ask me how mad I am we never got a resolution to that.

So Crowley might move around in the bookshop a bit to keep out the rats, but never for long.

Because he isn't wanted there.

So he continues living in their car as many do at first.

And then you can't buy gas, can't park it anywhere overnight, it gets towed and you can't pay the fee.

Then we're down to a sleeping bag in an alley.

With one little plant trying desperately to hang on to something.

And everyone from Mrs Sandwich to Mutt's spouse treat it as the sad situation it is.

For me Crowley saying I want a no god no us universe at the end isn't a triumph of beating the system.

It's Crowley losing the battle to his own demons.

As someone who has survived SI, Crowley is too depressed to be making life altering (ending) decisions. Not only were he and Aziraphale written completely OOC, the ending went against everything we saw in S1, and everything we were set up for in S2.

Fandom: Good Omens | Relationship: Aziraphale/Crowley | Category: F/F | Rated: M | Chapters: 2/2 | Words: 14,200 | Author: scullyphile

Please enjoy this gay awakening story that takes place largely on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Huge thanks to my amazing beta, @spectrallydistracted for keeping me going and making my writing better at every turn.

And thank you to my friend @kneelbeforeyourdogbabylon for the early cheer read of a little piece of this. I hope you like the rest. Good goblins tag @goodomensafterdark

Summary:

Aziraphale has been following the current all her life, going wherever it takes her. It's how she ended up in West Michigan instead of London. It's why she married the first man who saw her. One summer she joins a book club and learns what she's been missing. Crowley, the enchanting nomad who makes her laugh.

Excerpt:

Under Crowley’s adoring gaze, Aziraphale shifts and glances away, as if an errant spot on the wall is the most interesting thing in the room. It isn’t. Aziraphale is. There’s nothing and no one more fascinating in the entire world. Crowley’s heart might burst, seeing her lying like this with her shirt hanging open to reveal soft, fair skin. Crowley kisses a mole high atop Aziraphale’s collarbone. “How’d I get so lucky?” Crowley asks when she raises her head. “We really found each other again, after all these years? And you want me?” Aziraphale doesn’t answer with words, but her eyes fill with unshed tears. Her nod is nearly imperceptible, but it’s there. She’s here, in London, in Crowley’s flat. How?  This can’t be real.

There’s another piece of meta that’s been on my mind lately. I’ve seen a number of comments from people who liked the ending of S3 because, in their view, it was a big "stick it to God" moment. The sentiment seems to be, "Yay! We got an atheist universe. That’ll really show Her." If that’s your interpretation, I genuinely encourage you to engage with this post, because I have some questions. I’m not trying to be snarky. I really want to understand how you arrived at that conclusion. 

First of all, do you realize that the new godless universe only exists because She allowed it to happen? 

To me, saying the ending "stuck it to God" feels a bit like saying, "Yeah, my boss let me take the day off. I really showed him." No... you didn't. For almost the entire story, everything unfolds exactly according to Her plan. Then, right at the end, the new universe feels less like a victory and more like a consolation prize, a participation trophy. It comes across as God saying, "Yep, I got everything I wanted. Sorry, you never stood a chance. I know, very sad. Here, have one wish to make up for it." 

I genuinely struggle to see how that's interpreted as defeating Her.

That struggle is further compounded by the fact that religion still exists in the new universe.

If the new universe is meant to be our universe, and there's graffiti depicting angels and demons, then that lore has to come from somewhere. Which raises another question: are Aziraphale and Crowley actually free from Heaven and Hell? 

The only difference is that, before, Heaven and Hell loomed over them in a very literal sense. Now Heaven and Hell loom over them the same way they've loomed over humanity throughout history: through persecution, inquisitions, witch trials, sexism, homophobia, indoctrination, zealotry, religious wars, and countless other forms of oppression. In that sense, they're still not free from Heaven and Hell. Nobody is. So what exactly was the sacrifice for?  

And let me please remind you: Aziraphale and Crowley had absolutely no reason whatsoever to believe their God was benevolent. This is the same God who was perfectly comfortable drowning children in the Flood. The same God who sanctioned the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The same God who signed off on the deaths of Job's children. And that's only the material directly referenced by the show. Expand beyond that, and we're talking about the God who killed every firstborn child in Egypt to punish a Pharaoh. The omniscient, omnipotent being who witnessed the Crusades, the Inquisition, the Holocaust, the transatlantic slave trade, and every act of sexual violence in human history, yet never lifted a finger to stop any of it. And if we're embracing the interpretation that free will was an illusion all along, that She was secretly orchestrating everything from the beginning, then the implications of all of those events become... yikes. 

By that point, in my opinion, any interpretation of the finale that relies on God suddenly being trustworthy, benevolent, merciful, or compassionate in any way just falls flat for me. That God? That’s the God you’re wholeheartedly trusting to give us a “better universe”?

Well, then I have a bridge to sell you. 

My own interpretation is that the new universe is essentially the Job wager on steroids. In both the show and the biblical story, God makes a wager with Satan that's basically, "He's so loyal that I can destroy his entire life and he'll still worship me." The ending feels like the same wager, just scaled up to encompass an entire universe. 

"I'll create a universe where I don't even participate. I won't perform miracles. I won't answer prayers. I won't reveal myself. It’ll be as if I don’t exist. And look, these plebs STILL worship me." 

That motivation feels far more consistent with the egotistical deity we've been shown throughout the series than the idea that She suddenly had a change of heart and decided to give everyone a genuinely better universe. 

Which brings me back to my original question: did they really stick it to God? 

Because from where I'm standing, the only character who truly got everything she wanted was Her. Her plan succeeded. She retired (or evaporated herself) on her own terms. She created a universe where she doesn't even have to exist, yet billions of people still worship her. That's not getting owned. That's having your cake and eating it too. 

If I were writing an ending intended to stick it to God, then God would actually have to lose. A lot of fans suggested ending things with a card game. That could've worked. Others suggested using Jesus as an active character, having him stand up to his mother the way Adam stood up to Satan, and then having Adam and Jesus build a genuinely better world together. That would've been sticking it to God. Or, I dunno, they had the Book of Life in their friggin hands. They summoned Her with it. They could have just as easily told her to bugger off with it. Don’t know why that didn’t occur to them.

But having an arguably sociopathic deity get everything she wanted, voluntarily step away from creation, leave behind a universe where she's still worshipped, and leave the protagonists living in a world that's still fundamentally shaped by religion... 

No matter how hard I squint, how far I tilt my head, or how much I try to read between the lines, I still can't see how that's "sticking it to God," and I’m not even fully convinced they’re free from Heaven and Hell. 

A few days ago, I wrote a letter for the fandom that I shared on Discord. Today, I'm publishing it on AO3 and sharing it with all of you.

A new story written for Summer Omens Big Bang

Artwork by @becky-7750 (used with permission)

For ten summers, famed sci-fi author Anthony J Crowley and literary darling Aziraphale Fell return to Northwoods, a prestigious writing institute tucked beside a Minnesota lake.

Every year they sit on the same dock and watch the herons.

Year after year, their friendship becomes the fixed point around which both their lives quietly turn.

Crowley spends a decade believing Aziraphale is his best friend.

Aziraphale spends a decade believing Crowley will never love him back.

They are both wrong.

A story about friendship becoming love, summer traditions, patient birds, one very important dock, and two middle-aged idiots who take ten years to figure out what they mean to each other. This is a human AU featuring mutual pining, middle-aged romance, and a happy ending.

My heartfelt thanks to @thinkinginscripts for helping me figure out what story I really wanted to tell. Somewhere along the many conversations we had about it I realized that, beneath the writing institute, the lake, and ten summers of friendship, this was ultimately a love story.

Thank you as well to @thinkinginscripts and @maon25 for beta reading and much thoughtful feedback throughout the writing process.

With thanks to @gosummerbang for creating this bang space for us 💛 and to @becky-7750 for this beautiful illustration.

We knew, deep down, that Aziraphale was OOC when he asked Crowley to go to heaven with him. That's why we had a lot of theories and we were waiting for season 3 to confirm any of it. There was no way that Aziraphale could think that The Metatron 'wasn't so bad'. There was no way that he could said that heaven was 'the side of light/truth' when they had punched him and afterwards tried to kill him, and kill humanity. There was no way he could think Crowley would want to go back to heaven as an angel.

I never believed the coffee theory, of course, but the scene was so OOC that I thought it was some kind of performance for the Metatron. I trusted it would be explained.

A Summer Omens Big Bang collab by @maon25 (art) and me (story)

Now posting in instalments on AO3!

Summary:

It’s summer once more in Kensington Gardens.

The white marble statue of an Angel, half hidden under a canopy of trees, is content enough with his life, his animal friends in the park, the here and now.

Until an unusual Black Nightingale lands on his left wing and sings to him stories of woe, of mystery, of a dear friend lost, of his quest to find the love of his life again.

Every summer, the Nightingale, who remembers only fragments of what really happened to himself and his long-lost soulmate, revisits the Marble Angel, having gathered more hints and ✨Clues✨ to help his quest. The Angel’s marble heart melts with empathy for him, and with other feelings that seem new - but are they?

~~~

This is a romantic fairytale, inspired by Oscar Wilde’s ‘The Happy Prince’, retelling Good Omens in symbolic language.

~~~

This story is fully written, will have 8.3 k words in 6 chapters, and will update twice per week.

Thank You to:

@maon25 for the beautiful art (there is more to come in later chapters!), beta reading, helping with decisions, and a fun and fruitful collaboration!

@gosummerbang and all the writers and artists of the SOBB discord server, for making this bang such a fun and friendly experience! Check out the other SOBB collabs posted on that blog!

@thinkinginscripts , who is the best beta in the world!