"Your support?" Aziraphale would freely admit that human love was mostly a mystery to him, but it made him smile nevertheless. It was, in its purest form, a wholehearted devotion on an equal footing. So human, to transform the social need for companionship into a pair bond.

"As a friend," he said conspiratorially, "I must tell you that the close air in here will probably leave your clothes smelling a bit of smoke. Fair warning. But your secret's safe with me." He winked.