How could it be any other declaration? Alec's heart was tender and vulnerable. Anthony had left Grace for Aziraphale; he couldn't very well turn around and betray that. Maybe it could have happened before. If Aziraphale had been less blind and better able to read between lines, or if Alec had been less noble and a little more selfish, maybe. If they had spoken it into being.

But now anything he said was exactly the kind of thing Alec had spent weeks trying to save Aziraphale from. Or maybe Aziraphale was reading it all wrong.

But he was at least certain Alec was dismissing his genuine declaration, so...

"I mean it, Alec." They were both a little to blame that their relationship largely revolved around their respective relationships with Anthony. "I know being my friend and confidante was already more than you ever wanted to be. But I like you. You're-- You're awful, you push everyone away, and I hate that, but I like to think maybe you pushed me away a little less."

He was leaving, though, wasn't he.

"Take care of yourself. Please. It makes me happy knowing you're in the world."