Chapter 1: Of Stars and Schooldays
Chapter Text
In the beginning…
Year 7
Aziraphale was terrified. He stood in a flood of other 11-year-olds, looking around frantically, anxiety tingling in his fingers. His first 5 minutes at Celestial Prep and he was already lost. It was rotten luck. Panicking and desperate, Aziraphale walked into the first classroom he saw, and took a seat beside a boy with bright red hair and lovely brown eyes. His seatmate was currently absorbed in a copy of Modern Astronomy.
“Welcome Year Sevens”, their teacher declared smiling. Aziraphale sat at attention, ready and excited for the class ahead. Together with their seatmates, they were to create a presentation on a celestial body in the solar system. Aziraphale turned to his seatmate, only to realize that the assignment had already been started and was nearly finished.
“Oh.. ehm, hello. My name is Aziraphale.”.
His now partner grunted in response.
“Ehm. Can I help at all?”
“Well, um, alright, you hold this and I’ll copy it down.” He handed Aziraphale a very large, heavy book, while he began to copy the words down onto their presentation.
“Did you come up with this all by yourself?” Aziraphale asked impressed with the various diagrams and descriptions.
“I mean kind of? I got most of it out of the book.”
“Well, I think it looks very pretty and that you did an excellent job on it”
“Oh thank you.” The boy smiled and Aziraphale felt as though he’d unlocked the secret of the universe. His partner then began to animatedly describe all the stars and nebulas. Aziraphale was enchanted and about to ask for the name of his new friend, when their teacher came over.
“This is an excellent start you two… oh except, you were supposed to do something that we can see from Earth, or something close by, like Mercury or Saturn or something”. And after stating that they best start again, their teacher walked to another group.
Aziraphale looked over at his partner to ask what celestial body they should do instead, only to find that he looked as though he’d made the stars and nebulas on their poster personally. With a sigh, he pulled out a fresh poster and made to start again.
“But why did we have to?” his seatmate wondered aloud as they walked through the courtyard to lunch. “We were nearly done and what we had was much cooler than what’s going on around the Earth..” he punctuated this statement with a rather fantastic eyeroll.
“Well, she is the teacher.”. Aziraphale reasoned. “She just wants us to follow the lesson plan I think.”
“Yeah, well maybe I can give her a suggestion or a recommendation.”.
“To change the curriculum?”
“Or something. I mean how much trouble can I possibly get in for asking questions? This is a school after all.”
Aziraphale merely shrugged, he didn’t mind having to start again, it allowed him to feel more involved and have a sense of purpose in the project.
A light rain began to fall and his seatmate (I really should ask for his name Aziraphale thought), offered his umbrella to keep them dry.
It later turned out that Aziraphale wasn’t even in the Astronomy class to begin with, but instead had Modern Literature, so he didn’t return to that classroom after that day. And though he searched for his former classmate, Aziraphale didn’t see him for a long time after that.
—------------------------------------------------
Year 9
“Welcome Year Nines, to Terra Academy! We hope everyone has a fantastic year.”.
Aziraphale checked the map one last time, took a deep breath, and entered his first class of the day: Botany. He entered the greenhouse and decided to take a seat next to a girl with long brown hair in an elegant plait.
“Hello, I’m Aziraphale.”. She nodded in reply, “Nice to meet you, I’m Eve.”
The two began to chat and quickly became fast friends. Aziraphale didn’t even notice a familiar red-headed figure slip to the back of the class and sit next to a boy named Adam.
Aziraphale found that he enjoyed the class immensely. Their first unit was focused on fruit trees, specifically Malus pumila or the Apple Tree.
The entire first semester pairs of students would observe the Apple Tree on campus that they were assigned, taking note of its leaves, flowers, and fruit yield. Then based on their findings they’d write a report analyzing the overall well-being of the tree.
Aziraphale tried to be the best partner for Eve that he could be. He took copious notes and was around the tree so often, that some students nicknamed him the “guardian” of the tree. Everything was going splendidly until the day they were supposed to turn in their reports.
Aziraphale had fallen asleep while reading The Importance of Being Earnest, he’d just discovered Oscar Wilde and was loving it, so he didn’t write his half of the analysis report. He didn’t realize that he’d forgotten to write the paper until he walked into class the day it was due.
He and Eve quickly began to panic. Their professor wasn’t there yet, but what could he do? The red-haired boy from the back of the class walks over to them. He’s wearing all black with sunglasses (though they’re indoors), cutting a sharp contrast to Aziraphale's light-colored clothing.
“Are you alright?” He asks Aziraphale. “No! I completely spaced writing my part of the analysis and now Eve and I are going to fail the class.”. The boy looks at Eve and says, “You should go sit with my buddy Adam, our Apple Trees are very close to each other, the data should be fairly similar and I'm willing to bet that the professor won’t notice. I’ll help him.” He points to Aziraphale.
Eve nods and heads to sit by Adam. The two begin to chat as the boy turns to Aziraphale and states, “Show me your data.”.
Aziraphale hands it to him and watches in amazement as the boy writes a full analysis that will work perfectly in about two minutes. He hands the paper to a shocked Aziraphale and says, “I just really like plants.”.
“Well, thank you. I mean it’s kind of cheating, but thank you. I’m Aziraphale.”
“Nice to meet you, I’m Anthony.”.
After class Eve runs up to Aziraphale asking him if he had a pen, so she could give Adam her number. Aziraphale only had the pen that was school-issued that he was told to “Never lose.”. But he could see how excited Eve was, so he relented and gave it to her. He’d probably be able to get it back at some point.
Later that day, he’s sitting on the wall overlooking the school garden when Anthony comes over and sits beside him.
“Want some apple? It’s from my tree.” Aziraphale offers (it was technically against the rules of the class but Aziraphale felt as though he’d deserved it with how much time he put in observing it).
They sit together on the wall. They make a funny pair, Aziraphale soft, clad in beige, blue, and white, while Anthony sits beside him, all limbs and wearing all black. Thanks to the two-year gap and the complications of memory as one grows up, neither can remember the other, they just feel a sort of vague familiarity.
Anthony removes his glasses to reveal delicate amber, almost yellow eyes (Aziraphale will later discover that Anthony suffered a tremendous fall down a flight of stairs, resulting in his eyes changing color and having to spend most of 7th and 8th year recovering at home from his injuries), and Aziraphale thinks they are beautiful, but can’t quite get himself to voice that thought aloud, his train of thought derailing when he hears Anthony say:
“Well, that went down like a lead balloon,”
“I’m sorry?”
“Oh, I said that went down like a lead balloon. Seemed like an overreaction if you ask me.”
When their professor returned, all four of them had been given a lecture about consistency and how it had been irresponsible to swap partners at the last minute.
“Ehh didn’t seem so bad to me.”
“Well, it was! It was borderline cheating writing the essay for me like you did.” Aziraphale insisted.
“I was only trying to help, you’re the one who accepted my help. you ended up boosting my grade anyway.”
“Glad I could help,” Aziraphale says sarcastically.
“Do you have a pen I could borrow?” Aziraphale asks digging through his school bag so he can write down a reminder.
“What happened to yours?” Anthony asks confused.
“I gave it away”
“You what?”
“Well Eve just seemed so excited about giving her number to Adam so I just was like, here you can have my pen, don’t worry I don’t need it back.”.
Aziraphale sighs. “I do hope I didn’t do the wrong thing, my parents are going to be upset when I ask for another one.”
Anthony’s expression softens, “Oh I don’t think you have to worry about that, you’re such an angel I don’t think you’re capable of doing the wrong thing.”.
“Oh thank you,” Aziraphale says relieved. “That had been causing me stress.”. He hands the pen back to Anthony after writing “Get a new pen!” on his palm.
Anthony takes the pen chuckling.
“That’d be funny though, if I, so-so grade shadow in class, did the good thing, and .you an absolute angel, teacher's pet, did the bad one”.
Aziraphale finds himself smiling and quickly puts a stop to it.
“No! That wouldn’t be funny at all!”.
Anthony merely shrugs, and they both look to the sky as it begins to lightly rain. Aziraphale hastily grabs his umbrella to shelter them both.
END OF CHAPTER ONE
Chapter 2: Classroom Conundrums
Summary:
The next couple of chapters will serve as a montage of our boys' relationship growing in school and as the representation of their meetings throughout history.
This chapter is Year 10, they're 15 years old.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Year 10: Biology
“Well, hullo Aziraphale! What are you doing here?”
“Ah Anthony, yes I’m here for Biology, you?”
“Ahh yes, that’s the one.”
Anthony had been growing his hair out, it was now quite a bit longer, and it contrasted well with his black clothing. Aziraphale himself didn’t appear to have changed very much since last school year, he was the picture of consistency.
They were sitting next to each other in the biology lab, filling out a worksheet with the headline “Types of Reproduction”. Anthony was very confused.
“You mean to tell me that if we only had one of a mammal, like say, a unicorn or something -”
“Unicorns aren’t real”
“Well, not anymore because apparently whoever was supposed to go around saving them only got one? So even though our cells can multiply without a partner, most animals can’t?”
Aziraphale looked at him plaintively.
“Yes. That seems to be the gist of sexual vs asexual reproduction. But please don’t talk so loud. I heard the Professor is on a warpath. Looking to kick a bunch of students out because they’re tired of the poor quiz performances.”
“What? It’s only been like two weeks. That’s the point of school anyway, isn’t it? To fail, learn, and try again. Only a few angels like you can get it on the first try.” Anthony said exasperatedly.
“Well, be that as it may, we can’t tamper with the plans of the Professor they’re -”
“Are you going to say ineffable?”
Aziraphale sheepishly replied, “Possibly.” Aziraphale began to absentmindedly doodle a rainbow in the corner of his completed worksheet.
Anthony let out a sigh and also doodled on his paper, though his doodles seemed to be of unicorns and stars rather than rainbows.
----------------------------------
Year 10: Ethics
“You can’t just take all that man’s livestock!”
“Well I just did, and anyway I have a permit.”
“A permit?” Aziraphale replied in disbelief. “From whom?”
Aziraphale and Anthony were participating in a simulation meant to replicate people’s lifestyles in biblical times for their ethics class. Anthony was a shoemaker/gynecologist from a neighboring town, Aziraphale was going to ask about the specificity of the role but decided to just let Anthony have his fun. Aziraphale decided to be the sheriff, a guardian of the people, and a protector of the innocent.
Their teacher explained the purpose of the simulation was to witness human nature and what they were willing to do to survive. For Anthony that seemed to mean stealing a man’s goats to settle a bet.
“Did you just say “whom”? Nevermind doesn’t matter. I have a permit from the highest member of authority… the Mayor.” Anthony proclaimed.
Aziraphale just stared at him nonplussed.
“The Mayor?”
“Why yes. You see the mayor of this town and the mayor of the neighboring one have a bet. They’re testing this farmer's loyalty to see if even the worst happens if he decides to stay on his ancestral land or try his luck somewhere else.” Anthony explained as though he’d always known and not just come up with it on the spot.
“Anyway, I was hired by the neighboring town to steal this man’s livestock and if I do I’ll get paid a tidy sum, and can use it to buy supplies.”.
“But stealing is wrong!” Aziraphale protested.
“Yes, I hear what you’re saying Az, but I just disagree.”
“You’re an absolute demon.”
Anthony smirked in response. “Guilty.” And then he winked and fluffed his hair in response. He had been letting it grow out this year and it was getting quite long.
“Put it this way, if I don’t do this job, then someone else will, and I might as well get paid for doing it because otherwise I’ll starve,” Anthony explained.
Aziraphale still looked extremely uncomfortable, but he supposed Anthony might have a point…
Aziraphale crossed his arms and watched as Anthony carefully stole each goat, and then he watched as the determined farmer (through no fault of his own) faced trial after trial, and yet he didn’t leave his ancestral land.
He admired the farmer’s sense of loyalty and faith until he remembered that it was all a simulation. He himself was feeling slightly guilty because as the sheriff of the town he was meant to stop this whole thing, but the mayor had ordered him to not interfere. And then once the bet had been carried out, he witnessed something even more confusing, Anthony gave the farmer back his goats. He didn’t even try to sell them.
He was sitting contemplating this when Anthony came down and sat next to him.
“You know it was just a simulation, Aziraphale.”
“Yes, but it was supposed to reveal our nature, what we were willing to do, and we both defied our orders.”
Aziraphale had protected the farmer's family from the exploits of the warring mayors. He’d hidden them and kept them safe, against the wishes of his employer, the mayor of the town.
“Well, you know it’s not all black and white, there’s shades of gray,” Anthony said slowly. “Like look at me, I was a demon who followed the plot of the mayor for as long as I could, and then I made my own choice.”
“I guess, I’ve just always thought you were inherently good or inherently bad.”
“Only the Sith deal in absolutes,” said Anthony with a laugh.
At Aziraphale's blank expression, Anthony exasperatedly says “God I’ve got to show you Star Wars. Great films.”
“Anyway,” Anthony quickly jumps in at Aziraphales eye roll, “you’re just an angel who went along with his orders as far as he could and then made your own choice. It’s what makes us human you know, getting to choose.”
Aziraphale sighed. “I suppose you’re right, maybe.”
Then he smiled, “Thanks for doing the assignment with me anyway, imagine if I’d been stuck with Gabriel.” He shuddered and Anthony let out a laugh.
—------
Year 10: The Funeral
That spring, just before the end of the school year, Terra Prep suffered a great loss. One of their greatest Philosophy teachers, Joshua Marysson, had unexpectedly passed away. Aziraphale and Anthony unexpectedly met up at the burial.
Aziraphale is still dressed in his typical tan ensemble, though it’s a couple of shades darker than usual, and his bowtie is a deep navy blue. Anthony is dressed in all black, though he opted for a pair of long flowy pants, that give off the appearance of a skirt. He didn’t want to get berated by the headmaster today, though he knew Joshua would’ve applauded his skirt if he'd chosen to wear it.
“Did you ever get to have him as a professor?” Aziraphale asked softly.
“I did. He was one of the most brilliant teachers I ever had.” Anthony responded. “He always said the most controversial thing someone could say was to be kind to each other.”
“Well, Anthony, let’s try to change that, for him.”
“Oh my name isn’t Anthony anymore, I changed it.”
“What is it now?” Aziraphale inquired politely.
“Crowley.”
“Alright, then Crowley,” said Aziraphale testing the name out. He found that he liked it. “Let’s be the change.”
Crowley merely shook his head and replied, “Alright, but just for you angel.”
END OF CHAPTER 2
Notes:
I loved writing this chapter, and I can't wait to do more of the "flashback scenes".
I hope you like it too. Thanks for the kudos. :)
Chapter 3: All The World's A Stage
Summary:
Oysters in Rome, and Shakespeare at home.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Year 11: When in Rome
Aziraphale was happily strolling along the streets of Rome when he saw a familiar redhead sitting in a restaurant.
“Anthony, Er, I mean Crowley! Fancy running into you here! Are you on the school literature trip as well?”.
“No. My family sent me abroad on an independent study.”. For some reason, Aziraphale noted, Crowley did not sound happy about it. Crowley turned to face Aziraphale, still dressed in his usual black ensemble, but his hair was very short. Aziraphale supposed that it was probably the heat, or maybe it had something to do with why his family sent him here.
“Are you here by yourself?” inquired Crowley.
“Well, um, no. I might’ve forcibly separated myself from my companions because I was craving oysters.”. The ending of Aziraphale’s sentence came out rather jumbled and fast, as though he were a little embarrassed.
“Oh. I’ve never eaten an oyster.”
Aziraphale’s jaw dropped slightly, “Well, let me tempt you… oh, except that’s your job, isn’t it?”. He was only teasing with the last bit. Crowley was usually proud to be considered somewhat of a delinquent, but he didn’t laugh this time. They did end up getting oysters, though, and to Crowley’s surprise, they were in fact delicious.
—-------------------
Year 11: To Be or Not To Be
Aziraphale practically skipped out of their literature class. They had just begun learning about Shakespeare’s plays, and he’d convinced their teacher to actually let them put on a production of Hamlet. Whether his fellow students were any good or not, Aziraphale didn’t care. He just enjoyed watching them reenact one of his favorite plays… as an overly enthusiastic audience member. Crowley appeared at his side, “I thought you said we’d be inconspicuous here.”
Aziraphale didn’t even flinch. “Yeah, well, I was expecting there to be more of a crowd.”. The school auditorium was essentially empty apart from himself, Crowley, and a few stragglers from their literature class (their teacher had offered extra credit to those who came to watch).
“This is one of the gloomy ones, right? Oh, no wonder no one is here to see.” Crowley said thoughtfully.
Their teacher, Mr. William, approached them. “Hello, Aziraphale, Crowley, could I ask a small favor from you both? I was wondering if you might, in your role as the audience,” He gestured to the very empty auditorium. “You might give our actors some more energy to work with?”.
“You mean like in Rocky Horror?” Crowley asked eagerly, actually excited. Aziraphale was very confused, especially when Mr. William replied, “Yes! Exactly that would be perfect, Crowley.”. He then turned to Aziraphale, “it’s like when the ghost appeared and you shouted, 'He’s behind you!”. It made everyone on stage feel very appreciated.”. Aziraphale nodded in recognition.
Mr. William returned to the stage and nodded for their classmate who was reading as Hamlet to begin again. “I’m wasting my time up here,” he said with an eyeroll, a slight whine present. Aziraphale remembered he’d been the first to volunteer when he’d suggested the idea of a play, but maybe he was regretting it.
“Oh no, you’re doing quite good! I’m loving all the… talking!”.
Hamlet nods towards Crowley, “And what does your friend think?”.
Aziraphale turns to smile at Crowley, and then his mouth quickly flattens into a line. “Oh! He’s not my friend. We’ve never met before, we don’t know each other.”. He’s flustered, but also convinced himself a long time ago, though why exactly he doesn’t know, that he and Crowley weren’t friends. Couldn’t be friends. And yet… They seemed to keep running into each other.
“I think you should get on with the play,” Crowley replied breezily in that lilting tone that he used to charm classmates and teachers alike.
And so he began, “To Be or Not To Be, that is the question.”.
Aziraphale, quite happy with his new role of “the audience”, eagerly replied, “To be! I mean not to be! Come on, Hamlet, buck up!”. Crowley just watched Aziraphales whole whateverthatwassupposedtobe with mild amusement and secondhand embarrassment.
As the play resumed, Aziraphale turned to Crowley. “What do you want?”.
“Why ever would you insinuate that I might possibly want something.”.
“You are up to no good,” replied Aziraphale without looking away from the stage.
“Obviously, and you are up to good, I take it? Good deeds, charity events, and all that?”.
“Well, yes, if you must know, I have to go up to Edinburgh next week for a charity thing for my parents.” Aziraphale’s mouth stayed in a tight, emotionless line before finally turning to face Crowley. “Apparently, I have to ride a horse.” He finally expressed his dismay.
Crowley made an odd, breathy growl sound of displeasure, “Tough on the buttocks riding horses, major design flaw.” At this, Azirphale did let out a very small giggle of amusement.
“You know I’m meant to be heading up to Edinburgh too… though for a different type of conference than yours, I’m sure.”.
They never discussed it. Not really, anyway, they knew their families were on “different sides” of the extreme, but they avoided the topic the best they could. Except for the occasional demon and angel joke of course. Aziraphale’s parents left him alone for the most part; they were busy travelling and doing their own sort of good deed. As long as Aziraphale showed up for a few select gatherings and wasn’t embarrassing the family, he could pretty much do whatever he wanted.
Crowley, on the other hand, had been taken in by an “Uncle Luc” after an incident involving how Crowley had fallen down the stairs, resulting in his amber colored eyes. Similarly to Aziraphale, his guardians pretty much stayed out of whatever he was doing, as long as he kept up with reporting back to them and doing them the occasional favor, like this charity event.
“That’s why I was thinking, I mean, if you wanted, only one of us needed to go to Edinburgh… after all, it’s such a trek, and you don’t want to miss opening night, do you?”.
“You cannot be actually suggesting what I infer you are implying.”. Aziraphale’s eyes have resumed their steadfast staring at the stage.
“Which is?”
“That only one of us goes to Edinburgh, and does both… the blessing and the tempting?”
“It’s not like we haven’t done it before… we’ve done it dozens of times now, what with our little arrangement…”
“Don’t say that,” Aziraphale hisses.
“Our respective familial groups don’t actually care how the things get carried out, as long as they can cross it off the list.”
“But if they ever were to find out, they wouldn’t just be angry… they’d destroy you”. Crowley could’ve taken this opportunity to point out that Aziraphale’s own parents would do the same thing in a heartbeat… but instead he said, “Nobody ever has to know, I’ll toss you for Edinburgh.” Crowley pulled out a coin.
“Fine. Heads.” The blonde boy stated with an air of finality.
Crowley flips the coin and states, “Tails. I’m afraid you’re going to Scotland.”
Aziraphale sighed, but didn’t really mind. He actually enjoyed going on these types of trips, the ones where he got to do both roles, though he’d never actually admit it.
They overheard Mr. William talking to one of their other professors, Miss Juliet, “This is going to be such a dud, it would take a miracle for anyone to come and see Hamlet.”.
At those words, Aziraphale turned hopefully to Crowley, who said with a sigh, “Yes, alright, I’ll see what I can do, my treat.”.
END OF CHAPTER 3
Notes:
Heyyyy.
I'm back! Sorry it took a while 😬
I started my first year of college and had a bit of writers block, but I'm so excited to start working with these characters in this world again.