Work Text:
While Anthony and Asa Crowley-Fell had discussed a retirement in the country, it had always carried a particular eventuality to it— someday, when they’re out of work, someday, when the economy was better, someday, when they found the perfect home. The trauma and chaos of the bookshop fire, though, had them both itching for a change.
Derek had no plans to reopen the shop in his old age, so Asa no longer had any definite attachment to London outside of his friendships. He had no need to work much longer, but he could find a simply job elsewhere. While Anthony was tenured at his university, he didn’t mind a bit of a longer commute, especially with his new Bentley to speed about in.
Every someday became today— their flat, though perfectly suitable, was put on the market, and they set about finding their forever home.
The list of hopes was short, but crucial: somewhere remote, quiet, somewhere with a large garden and room for a study. Somewhere with fewer stairs to go easier on Asa’s knees and the twinge in Anthony’s hips and back.
After six weeks of searching, they toured the perfect cottage, nestled in the South Downs. They visited the place with the song of nightingales in the trees a perfect seranade, with the setting sun casting perfect shadows and smearing pink and orange across the blue, blue sky.
A glance, a kiss, and a perfect space for two chairs and a telescope, and they could imagine such a life here, hosting their friends and colleagues and growing old in peace. The Crowley-Fells made an offer right there, and within a week were piling antique furniture, boxes of books, and dozens of plants into a moving van.
Another week later, they’d christen their new bed, laughing and smiling.