'Til Death Do Us Part - Crowley x Reader

Chapter 19

Soho, London

Crowley's POV

I excused myself from Aziraphale's bookshop, the faint jingle of the door's bell signalling my exit. The cool air outside enveloped me as I leaned against the sturdy frame of my Bentley. With a heavy exhale, I ran a hand through my dishevelled hair, attempting to calm the chaos swirling within my mind.

The past two days had been a whirlwind of celestial commotion and unearthed secrets. From Gabriel's sudden amnesia to the ominous prophecy looming over Y/N, each revelation had brought its own set of challenges. And then there was Y/N—her presence, her warmth, and the intricate dance we'd been engaged in.

Y/N—her name echoed in my mind like a haunting refrain. The way she looked at me, the genuine laughter we shared, the connection that had blossomed between us—all of it was both a balm and a torment. She was a celestial force, weaving through my existence in a way I couldn't have foreseen.

Yet, intertwined with the joy were the shadows of uncertainty. The weight of the prophecy hung over our connection like an impending storm, threatening to shatter the fragile sanctuary we'd built. It was a conflict tearing at the fabric of my being—the love I felt for her warring against the knowledge that I might be the catalyst for her unwittingly fulfilling a destiny that spelled doom. The very essence of our bond, once a source of solace, now harboured a bitter truth that gnawed at the edges of my consciousness.

My mind, usually an abyss of clever schemes and nonchalant musings, was now a battleground. The argument with Y/N echoed in my ears like a haunting refrain. Every word, a stinging reminder of the vulnerability that lurked beneath my sarcastic façade. I wanted desperately to reach out, to unravel the tangled threads of misunderstanding, but the weight of secrets held me captive.

The desire to shield Y/N from the shadows that lingered on the fringes of our existence warred with the truth that she deserved to know. I could practically taste the bitterness of my decisions, the bitter aftertaste of half-truths and omissions.

It was a paradox I couldn't escape, a dance with destiny that left me in a state of constant turmoil. I yearned to tell her everything, to expose the vulnerable underbelly of my fears and insecurities. But the fear of endangering her, of pushing her away, held me in a stranglehold.

I knew Y/N must harbour a sense of resentment, maybe even hatred, for my penchant for keeping things concealed. It's not like I enjoyed it—hiding truths from her—but there were matters too delicate to share, matters that danced on the edge of cosmic revelations.

Yet, in the midst of my contemplation, a nagging realisation began to claw at the edges of my consciousness. Y/N, it seemed, was also guarding something from me. The realisation gnawed at the edges of my thoughts, injecting a sense of irony into the situation. Here I was, the infamous serpent of temptation, harbouring my own suspicions about the woman I loved.

Recollections of an earlier scene replayed in my mind—the moment when Y/N had breezed into the apartment with Lucifer, her laughter a melody that clashed with the ominous undercurrents in my thoughts. How long had they been keeping this camaraderie secret? I questioned our shared space, the supposedly intimate connection we held. Why hadn't she told me about her newfound closeness with her brother?

My eyes reluctantly tore away from the myriad thoughts swirling in my mind as I looked up and noticed Nina through the window of her cozy coffee shop. The familiar scent of roasted beans and the gentle hum of conversation filled the air. A welcome distraction presented itself, and I decided to seize the opportunity to take my mind off the weighty matters that had been pressing on me.

With a determined stride, I made my way to the entrance of the coffee shop, the quaint bell chiming lightly as I pushed the door open. Nina looked up from behind the counter, her warm smile greeting me as she recognized the familiar face.

"You're the one who got hit by lightning, aren't you?" she remarked, a hint of amusement in her eyes.

"Guilty as charged," I replied with a wry grin, appreciating her straightforward acknowledgment of the peculiar incident.

Deciding to cut straight to the chase, I leaned in a bit, my tone conspiratorial. "How do you feel about sudden rain?" The question hung in the air, seemingly innocent but loaded with a hidden agenda. I was determined to set in motion whatever whimsical plan had formed in my mind. Nina raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the unexpected query.

Nina, clearly amused by the seemingly random question, laughed lightly. "That is a silly question," she responded, a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

My questions, as they often did, delved deeper than the surface. "Would you seek shelter under an awning if there were a sudden downpour?" I pressed, a wry tone suggesting there was more to my inquiry than met the eye.

Nina, ever quick-witted, shot back with a touch of sarcasm. "Oh my, it's as if you've looked deep into my soul with that one."

Our banter continued, a dance of words in the cozy confines of the cafe. I shifted the conversation, my interest pivoting to another individual. "How do you feel about Maggie?" I asked, a more serious note underscoring the question.

Nina's response was measured, a testament to the fact that the two of them were still in the getting-to-know-each-other phase. "We hardly know each other," she admitted, a touch of honesty colouring her words.

Eventually, as our exchange reached its natural conclusion, I bid Nina farewell, promising to return. With a nod and a parting smile, I left the cafe, the bell above the door announcing my exit. The streets of London awaited, and with them, the next unpredictable turn of events.