Work Text:
The night was taking its first breaths, the sun just barely setting over the horizon as Anthony tidied up his and his beloveds home. He absentmindedly picked up misplaced items to return them to their proper places, misted a few of his houseplants, and cleaned up the place as he kept an eye on the darkening skyline. His dear husband Asa was, presumably, still in the study repairing a first edition Jane Austen book, which was a surprise from Anthony himself for their recent anniversary.
Anthony placed his hands on his back and stretched, he'd been tidying up the place for a while, and yet Asa hadn't left their study for at least an hour. Very odd, indeed. Anthony slipped his previously removed cardigan back over his shoulders before striding into the kitchen.
Must be a hard repair, Anthony thought. He wished he could've gotten a copy in better condition, but it was an excellent deal he couldn't possibly pass up. Anthony popped the kettle on and prepared two cups of tea, one with a bit more sugar than the other. While preparing it, he couldn't help but smile at the novelty heat reacting cup his nephew Adam had gotten him a few years back. He hadn't meant to grab it on purpose, but, as it may, the pure black mug turned into a swirling nebula before his eyes. By the time Anthony was done reminiscing on memories of him babysitting the young lad as a child, the tea was ready. Anthony picked up the two mugs gently, and approached the study.
Anthony knocked with the pale yellow paisley mug in his right hand, "Asa? I'm coming in, love," he said, weirdly kneeling down to open the door without hands, and went inside.
The couples study was simple, as were a lot of rooms in the house, but the room was decorated nicely with items relating to their respective specialties. Anthony had a box of his Astrophysics For Everyone book in a corner, of course, but other books awaited on the shelf to it's right. Anthony had gotten into gardening in the last 10 years or so, and generally seemed to have quite a natural green thumb, as there were truly gorgeous houseplants all around their small cottage, at least one per room, and an expansive garden in their yard.
The other half of their shelf consisted of Asa's books, all very meticulously organized, of course, on a varying degree of subjects. Lately, though, Asa was getting into classic vinyl's, having discovered the most lovely woman who became business-neighbors with Asa as she opened up a small but stacked record shop just across the road from Asa's (previously Derek's) bookshop.
Anthony set his own mug on his own desk, before plucking two coasters from a random shelf and making his way to Asa's desk.
"Brought you tea, Angel," Anthony said, placing the coasters down (and Asa's mug), and sitting in his own rolling chair after grabbing his own mug, and pushed himself over in Asa's direction. Asa turned in his chair, holding the warm mug up to his face, smiling fondly. When Anthony reached him, Asa gave him a small kiss on his cheek, "Thank you, dear,"
Anthony looked at him a little closer, his hair seemed.. curlier than usual? Lighter? Airy? Perhaps it was just the dim light in the room tricking his poor eyes, "Did you do something with your hair?"
"How do you mean?"
"Not saying it looks bad, just like you had a.. perm almost? A long lasting bedhead? Bit curlier than usual, innit?" Anthony asked, running a hand through Asa's very soft hair, "It's like a dandelion!" he exclaimed.
"A dandelion?"
"Yes, yes, that's it! A little weed in my garden that needs to be taken care of!" Anthony joked, wrapping his arms around Asa snugly and nuzzling into his neck, covering his neck with kisses. Asa burst into a fit of giggles, setting down his mug so it didn't spill. "You fiend!" Asa laughed. Anthony smiled, ending his attack of endless kisses to Asa's neck. Anthony took a heaping swig of his tea as he let Asa relax, "How's the repair going?"
"Quite well, it doesn't even need that much work, truthfully, I just wanted to take my time," Asa replied, smiling at his work. The book looked practically brand new. Anthony's jaw dropped, "It looks like it just popped off the shelf this morning! The cover was all cracked an-and the pages were all--all discolored, how on earth did you do this one? This is your best restoration yet!" he marveled.
"I suppose my skills are better than you thought, hm?" Asa remarked.
"It's amazing!" Anthony praised. He wanted to pick up the book and inspect it himself, take a proper look, but he knew things like this needed proper handling. Anthony let out an impressed breath, leaning back in his chair. They enjoyed the happy silence for a few moments, taking small sips from their tea until the mugs were empty. Asa pouted at this.
Anthony looked at the large, antique clock standing by a nearby shelf. Perfect time for a look at some stars, he thought. Anthony stood up slowly, taking Asa's empty mug with him. "Care to join me?"
"Where to, dear?" Asa asked. Anthony raised a brow, "..To take a peek in my telescope? What else would I be doing at this time of night?" he jested. Something was weird with Asa this evening, but he suppressed that feeling.
"Right, right," Asa said, standing up with surprising nimbleness. Anthony raised a brow. Something was definitely weird. Anthony went to their kitchen to plop the two mugs into the sink, keeping an eye on Asa out of the corner of his eye. Asa seemed normal, but he looked at the cottage with a curiosity that made no sense. He picked up a framed photo of them both, their wedding day. Anthony saw Asa smile and gently sat the frame back, and then look at his own wedding band with a fondness in his eyes that seemed much older than their 20 years.
He chose not to pry. Yet.
Anthony walked over to Asa, hand outstretched. Asa looked at it for a few moments, and took it. Anthony led them to their gently lit garden, where their apple tree, their expansive garden, and two red chairs sat idly for their owners. Anthony heard Asa take a sharp breath in, looking at his surroundings like he'd walked into a film. Anthony led Asa to their chairs, pulling out the container with their "outside blanket" (Asa insisted they needed one specifically for their stargazing) inside, and settling down. Anthony saw Asa relax, looking at the night sky, and then looking at him. Anthony passed over the extra long blanket, getting comfortable as he reached for his telescope. Anthony paused. It felt wrong to ignore his husbands strange behavior.
Anthony leaned back in his chair, grabbing Asa's hand gently, rubbing his thumb lovingly on it. Softly, he spoke up, "Are you feeling alright, Asa?"
"Hm?"
"You're acting strange tonight, are you feeling ill?"
"No, not at all, dear," Asa smiled at him with a loving expression, then looked down at their intertwined hands.
Anthony blinked, letting the peace hang in the air for a few moments. He ought to ask him some damning question. A question only Asa would know, but his Asa was right here. He could feel the love from him practically radiating off of him in calming waves. He ought to investigate deeper, but he wouldn't.
Anthony looked at Asa's face again. He seemed so.. content, like he was savoring the moment. Anthony saw Asa's eyes get wet, and leaned over to comfort him.
"Are you sure?" He asked, cupping his husbands cheek.
"I'm sure, Crowley," Asa paused, kissing Anthony's palm "Just.. reminiscing," he finished, leaning away from his hand to rest his head on Anthony's shoulder.
Anthony paused. He took a long breath in before deciding Asa was most certainly going to be down with a vicious cold tomorrow. Anthony unclasped their hands to wrap an arm around Asa, rubbing his arm.
This would do.
...
After their stargazing, the two went to bed. Anthony fell asleep quickly, his body still a little sore from the cleaning he did. He snored peacefully beside Aziraphale. He let out a long sigh of relief, he really needed to study this universe a little closer before doing this again.
Aziraphale gestured, disconnecting himself from Asa's body, who was asleep when he left the body. Aziraphale gestured again, letting the memory of the evening fill his head as to not mess up any continuity issues the next morning. With a third and final gesture, Aziraphale found himself back in his bookshop in his and Crowley's personal Eden.
"You almost blew it then!" Crowley said instantly, smacking Aziraphale lightly.
"I did not!" He puffed.
"You're lucky the bastard didn't ask anymore questions, I could tell he wanted to," Crowley cackled, taking a long sip of the red wine in his glass before leaning back on the sofa he was sprawled upon, the snowglobe containing their favorite universe sitting idly on the coffee table. Aziraphale sat on the sofa, moving Crowley's gangly legs so they rested on his lap.
"I did a good deed as well,"
"Yeah, used a couple miracles on that Jane Austen, did'yu?" Crowley snarked.
"The poor thing needed the help!"
"Right," Crowley smiled, reaching for Aziraphale's hand. He took it, of course. Aziraphale looked at their hands, suddenly missing the almost obnoxiously large golden wedding bands Asa and Anthony shared.
"Should we get rings?" Aziraphale asked, rubbing Crowley's hand.
Crowley paused, looking at their intertwined hands, "..Don't see why not," he agreed casually. Aziraphale could see the warmth on Crowley's face, though.
"We could go shopping across universes again!" Aziraphale exclaimed, his legs bouncing slightly. They hadn't done that in a while! Crowley looked to the side, smiling fondly. Aziraphale looked into his eyes, he hadn't worn his sunglasses in such a long time, and he'd never been more grateful.
"I missed your eyes in there," He said quietly, rubbing Crowley's leg with his spare hand.
Crowley's face turned red. Such outwards compliments always made him flustered, even if it's been a few billion years now. Aziraphale chuckled at the former-demon's embarrassment. Crowley swung his legs off the couch to rotate himself completely around, choosing to rest his head on his angels soft legs.
"I love you so much, Angel, you know that?" Crowley said, almost whispering.
Aziraphale kissed Crowley's hand, "I love you too, dear,"