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Aziraphale opened the door to The Ritz for him and his demon in the darkness of a New Year’s Eve night. Him and Crowley had arrived in time for their nine o'clock reservation with time to spare due to the demon’s reckless driving.
“Thanks Angel.” Crowley said as she passed through the gilded door, her glossy, floor length, black dress shimmering in the warm light.
They had booked their reservation the human way, wanting to celebrate New Years, a human made holiday, the proper way. However, they both wished to have a quiet and romantic evening. In response, The Ritz’s guest list had shortened, sudden cancellations creating the perfect atmosphere for the celestial pair.
The young waitress at the door smiled as she saw the pair enter. “Hello Mr. Fell and Ms. Crowley, glad to see you two tonight.”
“Thank you.” Aziraphale responded warmly, offering his arm to Crowley and grinning when she took it. They followed the waitress who led them to their usual table, already putting in an order of Crowley’s favorite wine.
The pair settled in their usual seats, the topaz eyes of Crowley’s snake necklace glittering in the light as the waitress whisked off to give Aziraphale time to look at the menu.
Crowley watched Aziraphale excitedly contemplate his options, lips pursing as he was forced to decide between the Cornish Halibut and the Traditional Roast Sirloin of Beef.
“Do you ever wonder what it would be like?” The demon asked. “To really be human I mean.”
Aziraphale looked up, surprised. “Well, I suppose it would be rather… brief. After all, could you imagine only getting a few decades to explore the Earth. Why, we wouldn’t have gotten very far at all.”
Crowley chuckled. “Yes, I suppose you're right.”
She leaned over Aziraphale’s shoulder to glance at the menu as the waitress returned with the wine, pouring each of them a glass and setting the bottle on the table.
“Are you ready to order?” She asked Aziraphale.
“Ah yes. I will have the Sea Bass for my first course, with the Cornish Halibut as my main dish and the apricot souffle for dessert.”
The waitress wrote Aziraphale’s order down quickly and glanced up at Crowley, expecting the demon to order a pastry or truffle to give to her partner, but tonight, the demon surprised her.
“Um, I’ll have the same but with the Salted Caramel Amindi Chocolate instead of the souffle.” Crowley ordered, passing the waitress their menu before returning her gaze to Aziraphale.
“What?” She asked the surprised angel.
“You ordered a whole meal.”
“Yeah, figured if we were playing at being human for the day I might as well take it seriously.” She shifted so her leg was pressed against the angel’s.
Aziraphale smiled warmly back, taking her hand in his own. “Thank you for humoring me.”
“Of course.” Crowley said, guiding the angel’s hand up to her lips. She pressed a soft kiss to his palm and re-entwined their fingers. “Anything for my Angel.”
Aziraphale shyly smiled and looked away as the waitress returned with their meals.
Crowley released the angel’s hand and picked up his fork. “Shall we?”
“We shall.”
They dined in the soft light of the Ritz, keeping up a pleasant conversation throughout their meal. Aziraphale picked the topics, expressively gesturing as Crowley watched him, love present all over her face even with her yellow eyes hidden behind dark glasses.
As their plates slowly emptied, the topic shifted.
“When did you know?” Aziraphale asked the elegantly dressed demon.
“Auwhh, well I fell for you at the garden, and I loved you at Job but I didn’t know until you gave me the holy water. You know, I’m still waiting for that picnic you promised.”
Aziraphale smiled, reaching for another bite of his souffle before realizing it was gone.
Crowley slid her still half full plates over to him, stealing a morsel of chocolate before resting her chin on her hand and watching her angel finish the rest.
“I suppose I’ll have to make good on my promise soon.” Aziraphale said as he lifted a bite of chocolate to his lips.
The waitress returned to give them the check and Crowley reached for some money, finding the exact amount for the bill and enough extra for a handsome tip.
Aziraphale finished Crowley’s meal, wiping his lips as Crowley downed the rest of the wine.
“Shall we?” She asked, rising from her seat and offering Aziraphale her hand.
The angel smiled, taking her offered hand and letting her lead them out of the restaurant. Crowley pushed open the door, shivering as soon as the cold December air hit her skin.
Aziraphale noticed, dropping her hand to remove his jacket, passing it to her.
The worn, tan jacket was far too big for Crowley, but she still pulled it on, warmth radiating from the fabric.
She smiled and they returned to the Bently, passing a curiously long line of people waiting to be let in for dinner.
The Bently beeped as it unlocked the doors for the pair, engine turning on as Crowley settled into her seat.
Crowley put the car into gear and pulled out of their parking space, taking care to keep her speed under 80. The Betnly began playing “Tonight” by David Bowie and Aziraphale reached for Crowley’s free hand, squeezing it tight.
The buildings of Central London blurred past and soon they were pulling up to Aziraphale’s bookshop, sliding into Crowley’s usual parking spot.
The pair exited the car, and it’s doors locked behind them as Aziraphale opened the door to his bookshop.
Warmth rushed out of the shop as they entered. Aziraphale turned to shut the door behind them as Crowley miracled the lights on, a crackling fire already starting in the fireplace.
Aziraphale stroad up behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders. “May I take your coat?” He asked, grinning.
I love him so. “You may.” Crowley responded, humoring the angel by allowing him to slide the jacket off her shoulders and drape it over a chair.
The low, warm light played off her bare shoulders as she poured them two glasses of champagne, a bottle of which had appeared on the side table. She picked the flutes up and offered one to her angel. “May I tempt you?” She asked playfully.
Aziraphale smiled, “You may.”
They wandered over to the couch, Aziraphale sitting on the soft, tan cushions and Crowley sprawling on the worn, knitted rug at the angel's feet.
They stayed there, in a comfortable silence as the flames danced in the fireplace.
Soon the champagne was gone and Crowley was getting drowsy from the food and alcohol. She dozed off for a bit, hand going lax around her glass.
Aziraphale softly smiled, rising and picking her up bridal style. He carried her over to the couch and let her head rest in his lap.
She blinked up at him blearily, a smile on her lips. “Happy New Years.”
“Happy New Years, my dear.” Aziraphale responded, pressing a soft kiss to her lips.
Crowley finally fell asleep for real and the angel miracled a blanket over them as the golden clock softly chimed twelve.