Chapter Text
“I’m… not sure I understand,” Zira said as she looked down at the papers in complete shock. Her husband, Gabriel, of 5 years just sat them down after dinner and brought out the paperwork. No build-up or anything.
“I think it’s quite obvious sunshine I want a divorce. Just sign the papers and we can get this moving.” Gabriel said as he leaned back into his chair. A slightly cocky smiled appeared on his slim face.
“Yes, I see that, but why though?” Zira said as she looked up at Gabriel and felt her face fall. “I.. know we have had some tough times recently, but it seemed like it was getting better.” She said softly as she tried to hold back her tears.
“Aziraphale this has been coming on for a while now. You have fattened up recently, you are severely lacking in the bedroom. No motivation or drive anymore... it’s like you aren’t even attracted to me anymore, and to top it off you pay more attention to your books than me. When I ask you for something, I want it right then, not ‘in a moment dearest’. Also, heaven forbid you ever tried to do anything nice for me. I’m the one bringing home all the money and you just sit on your fat arse all day and read your stupid books. Surprised that you haven’t grown into your chair with how much you sit in it.” Gabriel stated with a low growl in the back of his throat.
Zira froze up and felt the heat rush into her creamy cheeks. When Gabriel was mad he gets very... loud and it is usually very much directed at her.
“I’m sorry Gabriel.. my books are my life, but I didn’t mean for them to get in the way of our marriage. Please I can try harder.” She muttered.
“Speak up Aziraphale! I hate when you mutter!” Gabriel shouted as he stood up in rage. “If you are going to say something say it loud enough where I can fucking hear you.”
Aziraphale whimpered quietly and flinched back. She was always ready for the day that Gabriel turned violent against her, but she always prayed that it would never come to that.
Gabriel just huffed and gave her a pointed look. “Sign the damn papers and then get out.” He demanded. He tossed her a pen and waited with arms crossed over his chest. Zira nodded wordlessly and signed her names on the lines that were pointed out this little side tabs. She initialed everything and soon got up to go pack up her belongings.
Zira made it to the bedroom before she began to cry. She couldn’t tell if it was in relief or heartbreak. She curled herself into a small heap on the floor and let out all the emotions for the past 5 years that were building up. She wanted to cry, scream, and maybe curse but she kept herself silent in case Gabriel would come in and yell at her some more about making noise.
Yes, she did love Gabriel at the beginning of their marriage, everything was fine then. Then Gabriel took up a new job in London and that’s when the trouble began. He began to stay later and later at his job and came home more upset at the lack of anything being done around the house since he had a housewife. The rumor was that he was sleeping with his secretary anyway, but still came home sometimes and demanded she be ‘a good wife.’
Not that Aziraphale did nothing at all. She cooked and cleaned to the best of her ability and tolerance, but most of her time she was either restoring or reading in her private library. A gift from Gabriel when they first moved in but now it was her haven when she needed time away from him and his harsh words.
Looking around the modernly styled room Zira headed for the walk-in closet and grabbed a trunk for her clothing, bathroom essentials, and some of her book collection. She grabbed some skits, a dress or two, some jumpers, socks, underwear, and bras before quickly moving to the bathroom for her belongings.
Zira looked up in the mirror and sighed as she begged herself not to cry again. Once everything was gathered, she moved quietly out of the room and into the library. She looked around to find her most precious books. ‘Only 2… I don’t have much more room in the trunk.’ Zira thought as she grabbed a book of sonnets by William Shakespeare and a copy of Jane Eyre. She sighed as she wished she could take more but there would be more time for that afterward.
Stepping out into the living room she saw Gabriel scrolling away on his phone. He never once looked up at her when she passed by. She headed to the door and gave one last look to him.
“Zira.” He said as he looked over to her. “Yes?” “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out fatty.”
Aziraphale was appalled and his words cut her so deeply. She practically ran out the door after she heard him chuckling to himself.
Down to the street level of London, she went. She had some cash and a card in her wallet, but she figured the card was useless now that she signed the divorce papers.
She had nowhere to go honestly, all of her family was gone or elsewhere in the country. Zira looked towards the sky and closed her eyes more a moment asking someone for a small miracle. Soon after it began to rain.
‘Perfect weather for me.’ Zira thought as she looked around and slowly began to wander into the city to find somewhere to stay for the night.