Chapter Text
Around seven years and two proposals after the apocalypse-that-wasn’t a certain Adam Young found himself in a college lecture hall waiting for class to start. The Them had hated saying goodbye to one another after so long a friendship but they knew that come the winter holidays they would see each other again. To be frank, Adam was bored. He had already beat the game on his phone and planned to shoot off a text to Wensleydale when a voice cut through his stupor.
“Adam? Wow, I sure didn’t expect to see you here!” Adam looked up. Towering over where he was seated was Greasy Johnson. He was a tall, blonde boy with harsh features. It had been a while since Adam had seen Greasy and was quite shocked that the large boy was even standing there at all. Greasy had a strange sort of air about him. That’s when Adam realized that he was smiling.
“Adam? Adam? You alright, mate?” Adam realized he had been staring but he couldn't help it. All of the negative feelings that Adam had always seen on Greasy had vanished from his face. Dare he say it but with that wide and clumsy smile, Greasy looked almost handsome.
“Oh. Oh! Oh yeah, I’m alright.”
“Oh good, I was getting a bit worried there for a second. "Hey, can I...uh...can I sit here?” Greasy nervously pointed at the empty seat next to Adam. On Adam’s nod, he stumbled into the chair and dropped his book bag onto the table. Then he turned that damned smile back on Adam. “You know I was a bit upset when I couldn’t catch you after graduation,” he laughed, rubbing the back of his neck as he slouched in his seat as though trying to be smaller. Adam just stared so Greasy continued. “I had wanted to uh...to apologize for how I treated you. But uh...since you’re here I just wanted to ask...could we start over?” Adam was shocked. To be fair it’s not every day your childhood nemesis asks to “start over”. Greasy seemed almost hopeful. Dammit! Adam couldn’t believe he was doing this. Adam couldn’t believe he was actually going to do this.
“Well then. Nice to meet you. I’m Adam Young,” Greasy’s face lit up.
“Nice to meet you, Adam! I’m Greasy Johnson!” and they shook on it. They sat for a few minutes just catching up. Anathema and Newt had gotten married a few years ago and were still living in Jasmine Cottage, Madam Tracy and Sargent Shadwell had been engaged for about a year and were still living happily together. The Them had all gone their separate ways. Unsurprisingly Wensleydale went into accounting, Pepper was trying to get into law school, and Brian was an artist. Then Greasy asked a question Adam wasn’t expecting.
“How are your uncles?” Adam stared. “Your uncles? I see them around town sometimes. One of them drives a really old looking car?” That’s when he got it.
“Oh! Oh yes, they’re doing alright. They live in South Downs now.” Talking about Crowley and Aziraphale as though they were actually related to him was kind of weird. “Pepper, Wensley, Brian and I are going to visit them for Christmas.” Before Greasy could respond an American accented voice spoke up behind Adam.
“Excuse me, boys, can I sit here? Everywhere else is taken.” Adam turned to see one of the prettiest girls he’d ever seen. She had long curly blonde hair pulled back from her face. She was wearing a white floral sundress with a dark red lipstick.
“Yeah! Of course!” Greasy accepted. She flashed a sweet smile before sitting down then held out her hand to shake.
“Hi, I’m Ashtoreth Cortese. You can call me Ash if you’d like.” Soon after introductions were passed around the class began and the three new friends agreed to get coffee after it ended.
Adam never really liked coffee. He preferred the mint tea Anathema would make whenever he came to visit. When they got to the small coffee shop he decided that a cup of tea would do him good. Truth be told only Greasy got any coffee. Ash seemed to prefer cocoa. When he got back to the table with their orders Ash was laughing at something Greasy was telling her.
“It’s not funny! It’s serious! I’ve won awards!” Greasy insisted trying not to laugh which only made Ash laugh harder.
“What’s so funny over here?” Adam asked smiling from their shared amusement.
Greasy pouted jokingly, “She’s making fun of my fish!” This statement sent Ash into peals of laughter while Adam tried not to join her.
“Your...fish?” He asked smothering his incredulous tone.
“Yes, my fish! I keep tropical fish!” The confused look on Adam’s face set off the just calmed down Ash for whom it was getting hard to breath around her laughter. Greasy rolled his eyes. “Fine. If you’re only interested in mocking me then I won’t say anything!” he said sounding genuinely put out.
This calmed Ash down. “No no, it’s very interesting Greasy. I’m sorry I laughed. I apologize.” Her eyes were sincere as she reached over the table to grab Greasy’s free hand and give it a squeeze.
“It’s alright. You’re a good friend Ash.” Adam butted his shoulder against Greasy’s from where he was sitting beside him and Greasy gave him a smile. Ash grinned at them over the table.
“So how long have you two known each other?” She hadn't let go of Greasy’s hand. Greasy looked nervously down at the table, obviously thinking about all the years he used to terrorized the Them.
Adam smiled at Greasy fondly and without thinking slipped his arm through Greasy’s bent one. Greasy looked up in shock at Adam, surprised and hopeful. Adam nudged Greasy again and a soft smile curved Ash’s lips. Adam turned his blinding smile on the girl sitting across from him.
“All our lives.”
Two past enemies and a stranger sat in a small coffee shop drinking their coffee, tea, and cocoa until night fell. Then like perfect gentleman the once enemies dropped the stranger off where she was staying but not before thanks were given and a kiss was bestowed on two cheeks.
That night one tropical fish owner and two (supposed) antichrists went to bed dreaming of new friendships and perhaps something more.