It started as it will end, under an apple tree.....

{1986}

Aziraphale, a sweet seventeen-year-old boy, sits under an apple tree at the park in the small town where he lived. In his hands was a book, and beside him were two more, stacked on top of each other. He read his book quietly as a gentle breeze rustled the leaves above him.

Suddenly, an apple fell, landing in the middle of Aziraphale's copy of The Light Fantastic. He was about to comment on it when he was startled by an abrupt apology that came from above.

"Good lord, what are you doing up there!?" Aziraphale asked the boy straddling the tree branch he was sitting under.

"Climbing." the boy replied, candidly.

The boy was around Aziraphale's age, maybe younger by a year or two. His curly red hair framed his freckled face with eyes that were somewhere between brown and gold. He sat calmly on the tree branch, lazily swinging his dangling feet back and forth.

Aziraphale wondered how he didn't notice the other boy climbing up the same tree he sat against. Perhaps he was too lost in his book. He had the tendency to do that a lot. It often got him reprimanded at school for not paying attention in class.

"Well, you should get down before you get hurt. Climbing trees is quite dangerous." Aziraphale told the boy.

"If you're so worried, then you should catch me if I am to fall." the boy said, now hanging upside down from the branch.

Now, after having a good look at him, Aziraphale recognized the boy as Mrs. Cowell's youngest son, Raphael. Their families went to the same church, which is the only time he has seen him, considering he's two years ahead of him in school. Even at church, Aziraphale doesn't see much of Raphael, who's always helping his mother run things after the death of his father, who was the priest. According to Aziraphale's cousin, Gabriel, Raphael's older brother, Ariel, is supposed to be taking over as the church's priest after the summer.

"Hey, Aziraphale, can you hand me that?" Raphael said, snapping Aziraphale out of his thoughts.

He was pointing to the apple that laid on his open book.

"Oh? You...know my name?" Aziraphale replied, confused, handing Raphael the apple.

"Uh, yeah? We go to the same church, don't we?" Raphael snorted, taking a bite of the apple.

"Well, yes, we do. I just figured you didn't know me. I mean, I didn't even recognize you at first." Aziraphale laughed shyly.

He watches Raphael take another bite of the apple and cough as it momentarily got stuck in his throat.

"You really shouldn't eat upside down, you could choke." Aziraphale stated uneasily.

"Wow, you worry a lot, don't you?" Raphael asked, surprised by the genuine concern on the other boy's face.

Raphael carefully climbs down from the tree and sits next to Aziraphale. If he did this to ease Aziraphale's worries, he didn't mention it.

"What are you reading?" Raphael asked.

"The second installment of the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett. It just recently came out, I've been really excited to read it." Aziraphale answered, enthusiastically.

"Have you read it?" he asked.

"Nah, not much into fantasy. I like things with a little more action and drama." Raphael shrugged.

"Oh, then I think you'll enjoy this gem." Aziraphale giggled excitedly, grabbing the book at the top of the small stack beside him.

Aziraphale passes Raphael a hard cover copy of The Phantom of the Opera. Then he happily tells Raphael all about the book, having to stop himself several times from giving away too much. As Aziraphale spoke, Raphael listened...as much as he could. He was too busy enjoying watching the other talk so passionately about something that brought him joy. Aziraphale seemed to pick up on Raphael's inattentiveness and mistook it for disinterest, that radiant smile dropping.

"Ah, sorry for chatting away like that. Gabriel says I talk too much." Aziraphale mumbled an apology, staring down at his lap, clasping his hands nervously.

"No, no, it's fine, you're alright." Raphael assured, laying his hand on Aziraphale's shoulder.

"I'm not...annoying you or anything?" Aziraphale replied self-consciously.

"Not at all." Raphael shook his head.

Aziraphale was quite surprised that Raphael didn't poke fun at him for talking so much. He was used to being told, "shut up", "stop talking", and most of all "can't you just be silent for once". So, one can imagine the blonde's astonishment when he was told that he wasn't annoying, nor was his chattering a bother.

"So, what brought you to the park today?" Aziraphale asked Raphael, feeling guilty for hogging the conversation.

"No special reason, just thought the weather felt nice today." Raphael answered, shrugging his shoulders.

Then, Aziraphale asked him if he often climbed trees. Now, Raphael wouldn't exactly say he loved climbing trees; it was just something he did when he needed to release some pent up energy. Whenever Raphael isn't on his own, he's made to control and subdue his wild energy. Running, playing, and impulsiveness is for children, not young men, is what his mother tells him. Young men are meant to be obedient and responsible, is what his brother tells him. It's only when he's by himself that Raphael gets to just let go and do what his mind and body tells him to do. Sometimes, that's climbing trees, other times it's splashing knee-deep in the pond, playing with the ducks (but that usually ends with him being chased off by mean geese). Raphael is also inclined to find the tallest hill and simply roll down it like a log. There was one occasion he tried to cartwheel down a steep hill, unfortunately it resulted in a twisted wrist and few bruises.

"Woah, perhaps you should try a sport, maybe that'll help focus all that energy you have." Aziraphale chuckled fondly after being told of Raphael's usual antics.

"ehh, nahh, I don't care for sports." Raphael replied, making a face and shaking his head in disagreement.

"Besides, I don't want to focus my energy, I just want to let it be what it is." he added, stretching his legs out in front of him and slouching against the tree.

"Hmm, but you could still exercise some caution. I'm sure getting yourself hurt isn't any fun, now is it?" Aziraphale said.

Aziraphale and Raphael spent many hours sitting under that tree, talking. Aziraphale learned that Raphael loved everything about stars and wanted to be an astronomer when he's older. They sat under that apple tree getting to know each other well into the afternoon.

"I better get going, I don't want to be late for supper." Aziraphale said, placing most of his books back into his backpack.

"Don't forget this one." Raphael said trying to hand the other boy the Phantom of the Opera.

"No, it's alright, I meant for you to take it home with you." Aziraphale laughed, pushing the book towards Raphael's chest.

"You're letting me borrow it?" Raphael asked.

"Mhm." Aziraphale nodded.

"Cool, thank you, I'll be sure to take good care of it." Raphael replied, tucking the book under one arm.

The boys part ways and head to their respective homes.

What Raphael was unaware of was that Aziraphale normally never lends his books to anyone, he's very protective of them and doesn't like others touching them, fearing they'll be damaged. So, the redhead didn't realize what it truly meant for Aziraphale to willingly allow him to borrow one of his books, that it meant the blonde trusted him wholeheartedly. This was Aziraphale's way of saying that Raphael was now his friend, something that neither have really had until now.