The Boy Next Door

Chapter 2

The next day Crowley went to work. He began with his research on a rare plant species called the Desmodium Gyrans or as Crowley liked to call it, the Dancing Plant. He called it this because when exposed to direct sunlight or vibrations, it would move on its own ((Yes this is a real plant!)). It was his personal favorite thing to study because it meant he could listen to Queen while looking in his microscope all day.

During his research, he got an idea. What if he brought Aziraphale a plant. It couldn't be a Dancing Plant due to their rare state. It would have to be something common yet beautiful. He spent the entire second half of the day deciding on what plant to get his new neighbor. That's when he found the perfect plant. It was a medium-sized Hypoestes Phyllostachya or polka dot plant. He grabbed one in the pink color rather than the white and took it out with him as he clocked out for the day.

He drove home with a confident smile. Crowley looked over to the plant and said "Now you be good for Aziraphale. He is a very...nice...man and if I find out that you misbehaved for him then you really won't like what I do next." He pulled into the driveway and got out taking the terrified plant with him.

Crowley walked over to Azraphales house and knocked on the door. When it oped there was a very exasperated looking Aziriphale in the doorway. "Crowley hello!" he said giving a smile."Sorry, I'm a bit flustered at the moment. I seem to be having a very difficult time understanding the instructions on putting my furniture together."

Crowley smiled "Well I'm here to help. Oh, also I got you this from work. It needs medium to low sunlight and a high drainage pot if you want to keep it in good condition. I um I hope you like it. " He handed the plant to Aziraphale who gasped and smiled a very bright smile. "Thank you ever so much! I promise to follow those instructions. Come in." He said walking into the house and putting the plant on a newly assembled bookshelf. 

Crowley spent the rest of the night helping Aziraphale set up his furniture. This included the table, the other 3 bookshelves, the television stand, the side table, the bed frame, the nightstand, and the wardrobe. They also hung up the curtains and several pictures. "We only have a few more to hang could you hand me another please." Aziraphale said as he finished hanging up a picture of a white owl. 

Crowley looked around for more frames when he found a box with the label pictures. He opened it and looked at the picture inside. It didn't have a frame but it was a very nice portrait of Aziraphale and what looked like his family. Crowley examined it and frowned. Aziraphale looked absolutely miserable in the portrait. He shrugged and gave it Aziraphale anyway thinking that maybe the painter just couldn't capture the man correctly. 

When handed the picture Aziraplale gasped almost as if it pained him to look at it. He cleared his throat and took a deep breath. "Actually I don't think that I'll be hanging this one up." He said giving his best smile, but Crowley could tell it wasn't a real smile, it lacked the usual brightness. Crowley frowned "Is everything alright?" he asked as he was handed the portrait to put back in the box.

Aziraphale nodded and pulled a picture of a polar bear from a different box. "Yes, I'm perfectly fine." He said hanging the picture. Crowley put the picture back and helped finish the pictures. Once they were done the two sat at the table and enjoyed a nice homecooked meal by Aziraphale. He made fried fish and vegetables. While they were eating Aziraphale sill wasn't acting normally. Crowley looked up at the other and sighed. "Look I'm going to be blunt here. That picture obviously brought up some feelings for you and I'm not going to make you talk about them but I'm just letting you know I'll listen if you ever do want to get it off of your chest."

Aziraphale looked at Crowley and gave him a small sincere smile. "I-I thank you but I wouldn't want to burden you with my problems." He said. "You aren't listening. Your problems wouldn't be a burden. I-I know we've only known each other for two days but I like to think you and I will be good friends...I've never really had friends before but I know that they help each other when one of them is upset so if you tell me what's making you upset I might be able to help you.' 

Crowley looked to Aziraphale for a response and he saw the other man in tears. Crowley looked, he didn't know what to do. It's not like he's ever comforted a crying adult before and he was certain that the tricks he used on children to cheer them up wouldn't work. He sat flustered for a moment before reaching over and giving Az an awkward pat on the back. "Um...D-Did I say something wrong?"

Aziraphale shook his head and wiped the tears he looked up at Crowley. "No quite the opposite in fact. I have had a rough time these past few months and that little statement made me feel much...much safer." he said quietly. "I really do appreciate it...However, if you truly don't mind there are a few things that I would like to get a bit of help with." he said hopefully.

Crowley nodded and led Az to the couch where they sat down next to each other. "Alright, then I'm all ears."