AHHH

So everyone’s talking about Aziraphale’s religious trauma or the coffee but I want to talk about why specifically he believes it’s a good idea to ask Crowley to return to Heaven as an angel. To do that we need to go back to the start.

Aziraphale meets an innocent, enthusiastic angel Crowley who is happy simply creating the universe. And then here he comes and crushes that innocence in his mind, telling Crowley that it will all end in 6,000 years and that his work means nothing. Crowley starts to question, thinks he can makes suggestions to God. Aziraphale tries to stop him but fails. Their first meeting ends with Crowley saying not to worry and asking how much trouble he could get into for asking questions. Because unbeknownst to Aziraphale this isn’t an ordinary lower level angel but an Archangel, possibly a Prince of Heaven, who believes he can makes suggestions, who believes others will listen to him when he tries to say “No”. But it doesn’t and it ends with a Fall and the same realization as Gabriel that nobody will listen.

Meanwhile Aziraphale meets Crowley through the next 6,000 years and sees the angel he first met inside the demon. During the events with Job Aziraphale even says “I know the angel you were.” Crowley replies “The angel you knew is not me.” Aziraphale holds that guilt of causing Crowley to Fall while Crowley knows it’s the whole institution of Heaven and Hell that’s the problem.

So they both see the best and worst of each other over the years and they start and stop Armageddon. The Gabriel fiasco happens and they see it’s possible to be together. And Aziraphale wants it so much but would Heaven really leave them alone after everything.

Then the Metatron comes with an oatmilk almond latte and an offer that seems impossible. He can become Supreme Archangel of Heaven. He can change Heaven and make it GOOD. He can make it worthy of Crowley. He can make that suggestion box that Crowley wanted. He can make it so they’re never hunted again. He can let go of that guilt of causing Crowley to question and Fall. Crowley won’t ever have to go through that again with him in charge. They can be together and that bright-eyed angel he remembers can return.

But it’s all a scam. He doesn’t realize he’s being used to start the Second Coming until right before he steps into the elevator, or that Heaven WANTS to separate him and Crowley, If Metatron didn’t threaten Crowley’s existence. But I don’t think he did. Because it’s only Crowley who really understands that Heaven was going to use Extreme Sanctions, who saw the file on Gabriel and their plans and more than that, possibly has first-hand experience of what Heaven will do to even a Prince of Heaven who tries to stop their plans.

“I don’t think you understand what I’m offering you.”

“I understand. I think I understand a whole lot better than you do.”

Crowley does indeed understand so much better. He’s seen the memory wipes, possibly experienced it. He’s been forced to Fall. He’s watched Heaven try to kill his angel with Hellfire.

“We don’t need them. They’re toxic!”

Aziraphale believes that if he can fix Heaven that guilt he felt will go away. He can make a Heaven worthy of Crowley, the Crowley who saved goats and children and helped a young woman at the expense of being in trouble with Hell. Crowley hears this and thinks Aziraphale only wants a him worthy of Heaven.

“Oh Crowley, Nothing Lasts forever.”

Aziraphale means that he’d give everything up to be with Crowley. Crowley thinks that means Aziraphale would give even him up for Heaven. This time though, unlike with “Exactly” neither of them pick-up on the other’s different meaning. Because they don’t actually talk to each other,