Work Text:
If you were to ask nearly any long-married couple, as the Crowley-Fells did in the time surrounding their wedding, the most common advice is to stay united against adversity, and to work through the small things before they could become big things.
Asa and Anthony were rather proud of the way they managed the big things, the scary things. Emergency surgeries and bookshop fires only made them stronger, in the end, and here they were: newlyweds, moving into their quaint cottage by the sea, and feeling rather more fulfilled than they could recall feeling in their near six decades living. What, if anything, could threaten this security, this safety, this love?
Despite their best hopes, the warnings their friends offered held true. The pair had always bickered playfully, but stresses still built up and debates turned to snapping arguments. Simply building desks and garden beds, organizing bookshelves in new offices, and eventually, once tension mounted enough, choosing a restaurant for the evening’s meal would have Asa’s head spinning and set Anthony pacing.
A bit of time apart typically served them well— a closed door or a walk along the cliffs in the warm wind let each of the husbands relax and think better of the situation.
A new tradition was established to lighten the mood and set them on the correct path again once they came back together and talked it through. A dance— some simple choreography and a twirl, received with smiles and clumsy kisses.
“You were right, you were right, I was wrong and you were right."
The dance alone never replaced conversation, certainly not a meaningful apology, but it was enough to remind them what really mattered. A painting’s position on a wall could wait when they could come together to dance and spin in eternal patience.