#1601

hamlet and horatio (2.7k) - a 1601 fic by ineffabildaddy

Crowley and Aziraphale bump into each other after catching Hamlet at The Globe. They discuss the central friendship in the play, leaving truths about their own friendship unspoken.

written for @theineffablecon 6 zine!

thank you so much to @omens-for-ophelia for the cheer-read, and to @literarion for creating the podfic recorded during the con this weekend (which i'll go back and link here if/when it gets uploaded)<3

#1601

"Danny elfman is in my house.. please you have to believe me... he's in my fucking house he won't let me leave... I ask him why he throws a brick at me... so many bricks... 217.... all on the floor.... maybe if I ask again he'll let me leave....

Oh, how much I adore this brief moment between them.

Do you know how much trust it probably takes for someone like Aziraphale to openly complain about something related to his work?

First of all, he is not allowed to complain about anything in Heaven other than Hell. We see this a lot in S1 when he tries to discuss the plans of Armageddon and is repeatedly (even violently) shut down by the archangels. He is an Angel. He works for Heaven, the so-called Good Side. Everything he does, he should do with delight. Being unhappy about a task? Not wanting to do something, let alone disagree with it? It’s just not on.

Second of all, the way Aziraphale says it, he is expecting a certain reaction from Crowley, an affirming one, that is. He is saying it in a way that is asking: “Isn’t that awful?” He is not afraid to be judged, rather the opposite: He believes that Crowley will show him sympathy. And most amazingly, Crowley does.

Not only does Aziraphale trust Crowley enough to complain about something and communicate negative emotions about his work, but he also knows Crowley well enough to anticipate his understanding. He makes himself vulnerable and is rewarded with validation in return.

Even if this was already part of Crowley’s plan to speak about The Agreement, Aziraphale wouldn’t know it. And if we're honest, it doesn't really matter. He trusts Crowley because Crowley deserves his trust.

Sure, getting excited about the same things is fun. But additionally, being able to complain to somebody and knowing that they will be on your side, building a foundation of mutual trust by shared dislike?