It hurt, hearing that. Sort of. Aziraphale had chosen the work over him, over them, because of course that was the right thing. The necessary thing. Needed.

Cleaving to a demon, even if it was your best friend, was obviously Wrong.

And of course Aziraphale would do what was needed...

"But it's all back right, now. Right? Back to the bookshop? Back to keeping an eye on the world?" he asked, almost daring to hope.