The Thing Is, Crowley And Aziraphale's Problem Isn't Miscommunication. I'm Not The First Person To Point

The thing is, Crowley and Aziraphale's problem isn't miscommunication. I'm not the first person to point this out but I see enough posts taking this framing at face value that I feel it's worth saying again.

If Crowley and Aziraphale sat down and talked everything out calmly and rationally without hiding anything and while validating each other's feelings, they would still end up exactly where they are. Because they fundamentally DO NOT AGREE about the problem they're facing or how to address it.

Crowley should have told Aziraphale about apocalypse take two, sure, yeah, but if he had, Aziraphale would have seen it as just another reason to go back to Heaven. He finds out about the second coming and he's horrified but just as resolved in his decision.

Flip side: Aziraphale might have had a hundred good reasons for wanting Crowley to come back with him, none of which boiled down to thinking he was worth less as a demon, but it wouldn't have mattered how eloquently he articulated them. It was always going to be a deal breaker for Crowley.

To be slightly more nuanced about it, there are some things they've been avoiding saying that they really did need to put into words, even though in my opinion they both kind of knew it, already. But the painful fact is that their fight is that in action. Sometimes communicating with someone means exposing the failure points between you (and if you suspect that's going to be the case, that's a very human reason to avoid doing it).

At best, they could maybe have parted with less collateral damage to each other. But the real tragedy of their story is that there was no other way this could have gone. For a long time, their love has been thwarted by the external forces keeping them apart, but also - Aziraphale hasn't Fallen, and Crowley has never expressed any desire to return to Heaven. And just like I think they must have had at least some understanding of the depth of their feelings for each other, I think they must have understood the implications of that too. They're on opposite sides, and even with the danger, it's all very exciting and romantic - until they have to face the fact that the convictions they've held for millennia put them on opposite sides.

So if they're going to move forward together, they can't just talk about it. Crowley's right, actually, they've been talking since before the beginning of time. It isn't enough to understand each other. Together, they're going to have to change. That tentative middle ground between them is going to have to become a place they set down roots, and learn to choose and trust in even when everything else is falling apart.

HA! I like both!

Are you the Queen or the ABBA in your relationship?

Nah, fam. It's not about "taking" criticism. It's about the fact that unless a writer asks for it specifically, it's a dick thing to do on a website that is rooted in community.

If a writer wants critique they will ask trusted friends or professional associates (in the relevant field). When a writer shares a fic on AO3 it's not necessarily with the aim of improving their craft (there are better places for that). It's about sharing joy.

Positive comments enhance that feeling of joy and community. Negative comments do not.

Fic isn't a product to be evaluated. If it's not for you, then you can just walk away. 😁

I love him so much, you know? Didn't know people were making fun of it/didn't like it because I was avoiding anything to do with season 2 like it was the plague until the premier.

I honestly think this was my favorite look for Crowley this season (my 2nd favorite look, if I'm being honest, just because I really liked Crowley's fem dressing ass in the early 2000's).

He's everything ok?

People: Bildad the Shuhite is the worst look of the season

Me *slowly hiding a pic of him behind my back* yeah *sweat pours down my face like a water fall* uh yeah he’s yeah

Me 3 weeks later: SUP BITCHES WHO ELSE HERE LOVES THE ABSOLUTE BEST LOOK HE HAD ALL SEASON, BILDAD THE SHUHITE, HMMMM??? ISNT HE A BEAUTY???

😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

Wait, what the hell? Is this real? I did no one tell me about this!?

🎶✨when you get this, put 5 songs you actually listen to, then publish. Send this ask to some of your favourite followers / mutuals <3

Forgot to do this, because I'm an idiot, so I'll do it now:

Spotify

Victory

Hunter Hayes · Song · 2023

Spotify

Craving You

Thomas Rhett, Maren Morris · Song · 2017

Spotify

’Til You Can’t

Cody Johnson · Song · 2023

Spotify

Iodine

Icon For Hire · Song · 2011

Spotify

If Our Love Is Wrong

Calum Scott · Song · 2018

This are some (starting to wonder if I still here too much country tho XD)

Thanks for the ask @yeahthatswhatimtolkienabout, really appreciate it.