Chapter Text
After reading the articles in the newspapers, the two did in-fact move to the cottage in the Southdowns.
It was a cosy bungalow, nestled among rolling hills, surrounded by vibrant green meadows. Its thatched roof had blooming wisteria hanging from it, and the cream, concrete walls were adorned with ivy. The arched windows looked onto green pastures and winding rivers, sheep sleeping in the fields as the sun reached up to the sky. The garden bloomed with colourful flowers; a gazebo sat at the bottom of it, over a small table, overlooking huge cliffs and the beautiful Sea. It was about ten minutes away from the town centre, and a short walk from the Planetarium; however it was still secluded enough to be surrounded by stunning meadows. (It was safe to say, Crowley and Aziraphale had gotten plenty of alone time since moving there.) The bedroom had a plaid bed set, with bookshelves and hanging plants decorating every corner. The kitchen had an arched doorway leading to the garden, as well as a huge wooden table set up, adorned with flowers, ready for 7 people.
It had been 6 months since The (almost) Second Coming, and Aziraphale was hurriedly searching the house for a teacup set.
"Woah!" Crowley gasped as he turned a corner, bumping into Aziraphale. He took the opportunity to wrap his arms around his angel’s waist and kiss him.
"What are you in such a hurry for?"
"Teacups! Nina, Maggie and Muriel will be here any second, and Gabriel and Beelzebub come in an hour." Aziraphale answered, leaning into Crowley's grip.
"I'll grab them, angel - Oi Phil! Stop it!" Crowley shouted, at a long-haired orange cat who was attempting to eat a Tomahawk steak laid out on the table. (It had been visiting their house since they moved in, so they had basically adopted it. Crowley liked to call it Phil because he claimed it 'Looked like an old man'.)
He walked to the kitchen island, grabbing the teacup set from the cupboard. "Ooh! Pofiterols." He said, reaching for one, however was intercepted by Aziraphale.
"No! These are for the guests." But Crowley had already shoved one in his mouth. Aziraphale sighed as Crowley laughed, and he couldn't help but give into a giggle as he ate one too.
It had become a tradition to have these dinner parties with Nina, Maggie, Muriel, Gabriel and Beelzebub now, and it was their turn to host. Nina and Maggie had hosted, and it was lovely. Gabriel and Beelzebub had hosted, but it consisted mainly of celebration turnips. And frankly, no one trusted Muriel to host a party alone, but loved her company anyway. As much as Crowley hated to admit it, he felt like they were one big family (even Gabriel).
Aziraphale had insisted on using no miracles whilst cooking, Crowley reluctantly agreeing. He immediately regretted it when he got sprayed with flour ten seconds into baking.
Once all the guests arrived, Aziraphale led them through to the kitchen.
"Your house is beautiful." Nina said, looking around at the radiant pastures through the windows.
"It's just like one in a fairytale." added Muriel, who had recently began watching movies with Nina and Maggie. (Specifically disney cartoons.).
"Yes, well, it took quite a lot of miracles to get it like this - but we managed." Aziraphale replied proudly, he was very happy with how the house had turned out. He sat the guests down at the dinner table, excitedly bringing platter after platter of perfectly cooked foods - he may have broken his no-miracle pact once or twice whilst cooking.
"This looks lovely!" Said Maggie, admiring the display of vegetables and other assorted foods.
"Yeah, it looks great." Beelzebub agreed, sitting down next to Gabriel, who saw a jug of hot chocolate and shouted:
"Hot chocolate! You remembered.", Aziraphale smiled at him, finally feeling comfortable in his presence.
Muriel spoke to Maggie, who was tucking into a full Roast Dinner. Crowley was speaking to Beelzebub about how Shax had said that neither side would be initiating a Third Coming; And Aziraphale spoke to Nina and Gabriel about the house and area as Gabriel tucked into the hot chocolate and basket of turnips he brought.
After the meal (and for Aziraphale, Crowley and Maggie, unfathomable amounts of wine), and promising to meet soon, the guests started to clear out. Nina wrapped her arm around Maggie as they waved goodbye, getting into the car with Muriel. Gabriel and Beelzebub disappeared with a basket of tomatoes Crowley had been growing in the garden and left for Alpha Centauri.
"Well that was fun." Crowley admitted, miracling some plates clean.
"It was rather. What do you say about going to the Planetarium?" Aziraphale said, stacking the plates on an overhead shelf.
"Sounds perfect - I heard they have a new exhibition!"
After a walk down the river and blooming meadows, they reached the Planetarium. Crowley spoke enthusiastically about all the planets, as Aziraphale watched him lovingly.
"And that one - Look angel! That's the horsehead nebula. You called it the 'pinky bit' when we first met. I built with uh.. Oh, what's their name." Crowley said, pointing at a picture of a pinky-looking cloud.
And after talking Aziraphale through the entire exhibition, the two of them finally set home.
They walked back up the winding river, and through a group of (particularly angry) sheep, before they finally reached home to find a package at the door.
"What's this?" Crowley asked.
Aziraphale smiled excitedly, and Crowley looked at him confused.
He took the parcel through to the kitchen and miracled it open, revealing a sleek back telescope.
"You're joking! Angel!" He smiled and inspected the telescope. "Oh, I've been wanting this one for ages! I could never find it. It's beautiful!" He hugged Aziraphale and kissed him on the forehead. "Thank you."
"Well, wanna test it out?" Aziraphale asked excitedly.
"Yes! Duh!" Crowley smiled.
They sat under the gazebo, sharing a bottle of Chateauneuf-de-papes. Crowley looked through the telescope as the sun set over the steep cliffs and glistening Ocean.
"You know, today was perfect. I've dreamed about this." Crowley smiled.
"I hoped it would be." Aziraphale beamed, "I love you."
"I love you, angel."
Aziraphale planted a kiss on Crowley's cheek, and they spoke for hours as they looked out onto the peaceful sunset, the golden rays of light cascading down in waves onto the calm Sea.
If you want to imagine the future, picture a couple spending their days dining at the Ritz and having picnics. Every warm night they stargaze under a gazebo, sharing an undying love for one another.
This story ends, as it started, in a garden.