Okay the Metatron IMMEDIATELY saying these things the second he sees Aziraphale is like a MAJOR RED FLAG for me. Why would he be so interested in what Crowley thought if his entire plan wasn’t hinged on Crowley’s reaction to it?? And despite being on ‘opposite sides,’ Aziraphale and Crowley have often demonstrated similar thinking when it comes to morality, so it stands to reason that if this is the opinion the Metatron has of Crowley, he would likely have similar feelings toward Aziraphale as well. I think he offered Aziraphale the choice to reinstate Crowley KNOWING it would drive him away. Because the best way to control Aziraphale is to remove him from Crowley and that’s exactly what he did.
![[Image Description: A meme with the format of two astronauts staring at the Earth from space, one aiming a gun at the other’s head. The astronaut facing the Earth says, “wait, is *every* great story about how the meaning of life is love? and humanity will keep telling stories about love, until the end of time?” The other astronaut answers, “always has been.” End ID.]](https://64.media.tumblr.com/49e85774da64ba489b0a6475086d439a/b393f77875cd167c-14/s500x750/d0ff03895c46d6f2e8306ddd1a6533c1abfb6b84.jpg)