Chapter Text
Christmas 2242: The Clue
It’s the annual Eden Fall Mystery. Avery Eastgate and his husband, Raphael Anthony debate the merits of solving the case or simply disappearing into their bed. This is their 3rd or 4th reincarnation. All mentioned characters are former angels or demons.
Mr. Avery Eastgate, detective extraordinaire, lay back in their bed and eyed his husband. “So, what clue did you find under the sofa?” He had to admit the replicated 1920s dinner dress suit looked really good on Raphael Anthony. On himself, he thought it made him look lumpy. It also itched.
“What makes you think I found a clue?” Raphael smiled wickedly. “Maybe I was trying to solve the mystery if after twenty years you still like my ass.”
Avery felt himself blush. Raphael’s smile grew. “Looks like you do.”
“You are insatiable.” They were present, because Gabriel Archer, Avery’s boss, had insisted that the company’s yearly retreat and murder mystery be held at Eden Fall Hotel.
“Insatiable, that's me.”
“But you did find something, didn’t you, darling.”
Raphael laughed. “Don’t try to tempt me. Obviously I did. The missing cufflink.”
“So Matt Tron was in the parlor before being killed in the library?” The late Matt Tron had founded Heaven’s Gate, the think tank Avery worked for. Matt had died eleven years ago and somehow had become the victim at the annual mystery, Avery would never say, even to his husband, that Matt Tron had been a bastard to work with.
“Possible, Angel. But the bloody rules for this fucking game specifically state we are not to talk to each other about the clues.”
“That is absolutely correct.”
“I’m not letting Gabriel Archer win for the fifth time in six years.” Raphael said with a growl.
“Bella won two years ago. And I know you know full well she’s married to Gabriel.”
“Are you telling me they don’t share their findings?” Raphael added, as he straddled Avery. “Perhaps you should remove that suit, before you start complaining about how replicated menswear doesn’t fit you right.”
“I’m more likely going to gripe about how much it itches, but we really do need to discuss the case.”
“Are you advocating that we cheat?” Raphael leaned down so his lips were only a few inches from Avery’s.
“Next year, I’m leaving you home. I’m not losing to the Archers again.”
“Not to worry. This year I’m putting my money on the young lady who’s playing Detective Inspector Constable solving it first.”
“Muriel Constable has never played before.”
“Apparently she has a cufflink someone found under a couch.” Avery felt his husband’s breath on his cheeks..
“We’re not supposed to help each other.”
“Oh, really.” Raphael kissed his husband. “We’re skipping this shindig next year. Gabriel is a fucking bastard. Bella isn’t much better. After ten years of company murder mysteries, it’s getting boring.”
“He’s my boss, treat him with respect.” Avery reached up to wrap his arms around Anton’s neck.
“Some boss. Cheats at the annual murder mystery. Probably cheats at his taxes too.”
“At least the food is good. The tiramisu this evening was scrumptious.”
“Watching you eat it was shear torture. Now, shut up and kiss me like you mean it.”
***
Space, the final frontier
2378
Reincarnation X. Ambassador Azira and Lieutenant Commander Anthony have been together for over 40 years and are retiring.
Pillars of Creation
it will end where it began, in a nebula
Azira Fell shifted his derriere again. Humans had been traveling in space for almost two hundred years, and still hadn’t designed more comfortable seats. This was his final official flight. The shuttle Kraken was taking him and his spouse, Anthony Crowley back to Earth and their retirement home in South Downs. They’d been dreaming of this moment since their vacation there some thirty years earlier.
He smiled at that thought. After forty years in the Diplomatic Corps, he was actually retiring. They’d talked about it for years, but it was never the right time. He was pretty sure it would never be the right time, but Anthony was determined to finally begin creating the garden of his dreams.
Azira was looking forward to putting his baking skills to use. There was only so much one could cook or bake on a starship and replicated food just never tasted right. And replicated fruits, especially apples, just had the wrong texture.
He would miss the excitement of being a senior ambassador for the Federation, though he fully expected to be asked to help, now and then. At least he hoped it was only now and then. He glanced over at the foul fiend he called his husband who managed to look comfortable slouching on the opposite bench.
“I’ve been waiting for this…since…forever.” Anthony smiled at him. “I can’t believe we are retiring.” He stood quickly. “Almost there.”
Azira looked at the screen. “The Pillars of Creation.”
“Beautiful, isn’t it. The oldest spot in our galaxy. I always wished to know how and why it was created.”
“You always liked to ask questions.” Azira knew the smile he gave his husband was rather sappy but after over forty years and a brand new retirement, he didn’t care. “Probably why you went into the sciences.” He glanced at the metallic object in Anthony’s hand. “I know it is an antique, but wouldn’t it be safer packed carefully with the rest of our stuff.”
“It’s a crankshaft, and I like it.” Anthony clutched it tighter. “Today, I feel like I could start a universe with it.”
“I doubt you could start an autocar with it.”
“Motor car, angel. I’ve always wanted one, a Bentley would be a wonder, but they’re only found in museums.”
“Where they belong. Fiend. I’ve seen you fly a shuttle, I don’t even want to think of you driving an autocar.” He emphasized the word with a grin. Anthony loved fast flying and would probably also enjoy fast driving.
He stood as he felt the shuttle slow. This nebula had a special place in his heart–it’s where Anthony had proposed and a few months later they’d been married under the bright lights of the star factory.
So, long ago. Anthony had only been a lieutenant then. He would be retiring as a Lieutenant Commander. He felt Anthony stand behind him. History was a forward moving mistress. Earth had suffered and flourished over its lifetime. Humans and all the citizens of the universe had a future, despite the wars, near wars, all because of the desire that that future could be better.
“To the world.”
“To the world. To the universe.” Anthony spun him around and kissed him.