(Based on a convo with the lovely @manbuncrowleys)
So I can’t stop thinking about the fact that Aziraphale can sense love. He has to have been able to feel the love radiating off Crowley since the moment he uttered the words “I gave it awayyyy!” So either Az is aggressively in denial about the feelings he’s sensing from Crowley, or, and this is the one that’s got me fucked right up, Aziraphale is well aware of Crowley’s feelings and is politely pretending not to notice in an effort to spare Crowley any embarrassment. But, and here’s the kicker, Az has mistaken his own returned feelings for Crowley with the kind of love he feels for all of creation. It takes Aziraphale nearly 5500 years to realize his love is reciprocal and not at all the generic and indiscriminate kind of love he feels for everything and everyone else.
“Oh Crowley, the poor dear, he’s really barking up the wrong tree, isn’t he. Has done for 5000-odd years, now. Of course I love him as well, but I’m a being of love. It’s my job to love all of God’s creations, great and small. And Crowley is a greater creation than most, truth be told. Not that I play favourites, gracious me, no. I just rather enjoy his company. His smile, too, what a treat. And the funny way he draws out his s’s. Absolutely endearing. His ability turn up at just the right moment to get me out of a tight spot is unparalleled. His loyalty is unmatched, certainly, at least by any demon, and certainly his kindness and proclivity for selfless acts were certainly a shock for me in the beginning, and his uhh fingers are so elegant and long, and oh fuckkk - ”