2019
It seemed strange to just be the two of them, but Ezra could sense that something had been bothering Adam the last few days. He thought, perhaps, it had something to do with school starting. It was only just over a week away, and he vaguely remembered Eliza mentioning Adam's nerves about nursery. Warlock, of course, wouldn't stop talking about how great he thought primary would be, so Ezra assumed whatever was bothering Adam might not be voiced in front of the youngest Crowley.
There was guilt over taking Adam to an ice cream shop without Warlock, but Anthony had assured Ezra that he'd do something just as special with Warlock, just the two of them, so he wouldn't feel left out.
Adam looked at his ice cream, the color from the sprinkles beginning to blend in the white of the vanilla, a sure sign that he was somewhere in his own head.
"You've been awfully quiet at home lately." Ezra tried to start the conversation. Adam said nothing. With a purse of his lips, Ezra nodded, and attempted a different approach. "Doctor Crowley told me that Doctor Adams has a trampoline, and I believe he'll set it up in the back garden. That might be fun."
"Yeah," Adam said, which was at least a start.
Ezra narrowed his eyes at the mop of curls he could see instead of his son's face. "Are you nervous about stayingwith someone you don't know?" He asked gently. Adam shook his head. Then he opened his mouth before pausing.
Ezra stayed very still, and waited.
"Do you have to go away?" Adam asked in a small voice, and it felt like an immediate shot to the heart.
It hadn't even occurred to him that that was the issue, and he felt more than a little selfish and like a terrible parent for not having realized it sooner. He very nearly said no.
But Anthony had arranged everything already, and Ezra was more than willing to have a weekend just for them. It wouldn't be long enough, they would leave tomorrow morning, spend the night and Saturday night in London, then return home late Sunday afternoon. Ezra had much to do in prep for the upcoming academic year, and was usually incredibly busy in the days leading up to it. Anthony had told his staff he wouldn't be in during the week to take over watching the boys so they didn't have to find a minder at the last moment. The weekend away would be just the respite they would need. For Ezra, one after months of being with the boys all day everyday, which was draining despite how much he loved them both. For Anthony, it was a pause before jumping into the chaos of it himself.
So, despite how much his heart ached looking at Adam's little face all sad and pitiful when he finally looked up, Ezra steeled his resolve. He reached across the small table and took Adam's hand.
"Yes." He said firmly. "Because Anthony and I, while we adore you both, and love you both dearly, we need some time just us. All couples do from time to time."
"But mum went away with Gavin… and…." Adam protested, seeming to both lose his words and feel he'd said enough.
"Adam, what happened with your mum… it had nothing to do with what she was doing or why she was doing it. It was Ineffable."
Adam's face scrunched up. "What?"
Ezra chuckled. "It means unknowable. Which is what the accident was. There was no way anyone could have known that it would happen. It wasn't because she went away, or because she was with Gavin, or any other little thing. And just because Anthony and I are going to go away for the weekend doesn't mean the same thing will happen to us."
"But what if it does?" Adam asked.
"Don't think on it." Ezra said firmly, his mind vaguely going to Lucas and the likely possibility that boarding schools would be Adam's future. He shook his head, both to assure Adam and to clear the thoughts. "You'll see, dear heart, that everything will be alright. We'll call you two as soon as we get to London, and we'll call as soon as we leave. And, of course, we will make sure Warlock's nana knows we're fine, so she can assure you."
Adam frowned as he considered this, then nodded. "I suppose that would be alright." He said almost sagely.
Ezra chuckled. "Good. Now, eat your ice cream before it melts. And then afterward we'll see if there are any ducks to feed."
~C~
"Will you go to the eye?" Warlock asked, half skipping as he held Crowley's hand with one of his, and a dripping 99 in the other.
Crowley smirked at his son, shades on as he didn't feel like wearing his contacts out. "Maybe." He replied.
"What about Big Ben?"
"Ezra's not a tourist, Lock. He's been to London."
"Yeah, but what about St James Park? Will you take him there to feed the ducks? Will you go see the palace? I bet Ezra would like that."
"I'm sure he might, but we aren't…." Crowley huffed. "Lock, it's not the sort of weekend like we took to Stonehenge. We're not going 'round to sight see. Ezra's been, many times. Sometimes… sometimes grown ups who are together just want to go away for a weekend together. To spend time with each other doing little things."
Warlock frowned. "You've never done that before." He pointed out, which made Crowley cringe to realize he'd been in enough relationships since Warlock began developing long term memory to point that out. "And Nana and Grandpa James doesn't."
"Yeah, well, they aren't a good example." Crowley said half to himself. He looked at the now essentially empty cone in Warlock's hand (that he knew wasn't going to get eaten), and gingerly took it out of his son's hand. Clasping it with two fingers, he tossed the remains in a garbage can, pausing a moment beside it and letting go of Warlock's hand to extract a napkin from his pocket to whip his fingers.
"Is it going to be romantic?" Warlock asked with a scrunched up face. "Will you two kiss each other a lot and hold hands?"
Among other things. Crowley thought. Crowley hoped , really, since the last time he planned a spontaneous weekend with Ezra, it had blown up in his face quite spectacularly. At least this time he knew where they stood with one another.
"Yes," He replied, and Warlock made a disgusted face. "Oi, one day," Crowley warned.
"Kissing looks gross." Warlock grumbled.
"I kiss you." Crowley said, ducking down and getting his son's cheek. "See? Just did!"
"Yeah, that's different, though."
Crowley chuckled, and took Warlock's sticky hand and wiped it. "It is. And when you're older, good chance you'll not find it so gross. And if you still do, well, that's alright, too."
"I know." Warlock said easily. "Dad, can we go feed the ducks?"
"Maybe, we'll see." He replied as he finished cleaning Warlock's hand, tossing the napkin away. "But before that, I have a very important task for you to help me with."
"What's that?" Warlock asked, eyes wide.
"It's my night to cook, so… what shall we have?"
The goodbyes were both very difficult and terribly easy.
Adam hugged them both a little tighter, and since Ezra explained why Adam had been so quiet lately, Crowley could understand.
"I will drive extra careful," he'd promised the boy as he hugged him, keeping his voice low so it was just between them. "Papa and I will get there and back, safe as houses, alright?"
Adam had nodded, offering a smile before he and Warlock switched off for hugs and farewells, and then they were off.
Which, admittedly, was the easy part. Because as soon as they'd gotten in the Bentley together, just the two of them, Ezra sighed a happy, contented sigh and smiled.
"I do adore how you have left everything a surprise except the location." He said as Crowley started the car.
"Well, didn't want you expecting Paris or anything."
"I would have been just as content if we left the boys with them for the weekend just to spend it locked in a bedroom with you." Ezra admitted as they began their journey, heading for the motorway leading into London.
"Well, now you tell me." Crowley smirked, glancing at Ezra quick enough to see the wicked grin. "But, that wouldn't be romantic." He continued, eyes on the road. "It would be… fun, and enjoyable, but it wouldn't woo you."
"Woo me?" Ezra repeated, amused.
"Yes, woo! Been wanting to woo you for damn near twenty years. Finally got my shot with you, and I'm not doing a lot of wooing. What if some other bloke comes along and sweeps you off your feet? Hell, what if Gabriel- "
"Hush," Ezra said. "I don't want that thought leaving your lips. No one else will sweep me off my feet, Anthony. They're quite firmly placed on the ground."
"And that's a problem. Because they need to not be. Because I… made them… not. Anyway, point is, wooing. I will woo you."
"Darling, you already have in all the ways that matter." Ezra replied, sounding a touch aggravated. "We're practically living together, we're essentially raising two boys together. You still remain my best friend after all these years…."
"But I haven't-"
"If you say 'woo' one more time-"
"Romanced you." Crowley corrected, smirking. "Angel, I've been in love with you for an age, and I just… really need to make up for lost time over the weekend."
"There isn't any need to, Anthony." Ezra retorted. "Really, truly."
"So, that mean you don't want to picnic in St James Park? Dine at the Ritz?" Crowley asked, waiting a moment before glancing over and witnessing a slightly petulant pout on Ezra's face as he pretended to not be affected by the mere idea.
"Well, I wouldn't say no." Ezra finally admitted.
"You could be more excited."
"I am excited, I just… don't want to give you the satisfaction at the moment."
Crowley smiled wide, glancing at Ezra again. "Can I get a wahoo, at least?" he asked teasingly.
Ezra turned, and the fleeting glimpses Crowley could take gave him enough of the exasperated scowl to know he'd both egged Ezra on just enough, but also knew he'd amused him a little as well.
"Just, drive the care, please." Ezra huffed as he looked out the window.
"Yes, dear." Crowley retorted, barely able to keep the chuckle in.
Was totally worth getting smacked on the chest for.
~A~
"We're safely in our hotel room," Ezra told Adam over his mobile, eyes still wide and taking it all in.
They weren't just dining at the Ritz, they were staying at the bloody place. Which was… beyond insane. He could almost hear Marjorie telling him to bag Anthony as soon as possible. Jokingly of course. Mostly.
"And you aren't driving around the city?" Adam asked.
"It might be safer if we do." Ezra teased.
He heard a scramble in the background, some slight bickering, and then a huff.
"Ezra," Warlock said, "when are you two coming back?"
"Not until Sunday night, dear, why?"
"Well," There was a pause. "Tony isn't a very good cook." He said in a half whisper. "He can't make pancakes like you do."
"I'm sure it will be fine, Lock." He said, and then noticed Anthony perk up from where he was unpacking the suitcases.
It was a shame that the first thing he did after they got in the room was duck into the (exquisite) ensuite to pop in his brown contacts. Ezra could understand why, though. Anthony had gotten some skeptical looks from the concierge upon check in while wearing his shades. Ezra had a feeling Anthony lowered said shades to see better in search for his credit card only as a pretense. Whether he saw the man at the desk startle at his eyes or not, Anthony didn't let on. He did pop his shades up on his nose after that, and he was treated with far more politeness. Maybe a bit too much.
And how could Anthony enjoy the splendor of everything if he had to see it all through tinted lenses? And at least his fake brown eyes were lovely, though maybe not as lovely as his natural ones.
He then beckoned for the mobile. "Hold on, love, Dad wants to talk to you." Ezra said as he headed over to Anthony and handed him the phone. Then, to give him some privacy and because he could, Ezra went over to the large window and looked out over Piccadilly.
The whole thing felt very much like them, in combination. Their room, in the beautiful, historic building, furnished with antiques, appearing British in every sense of the word. Outside and around them was modern stone and concrete, shops for the sleek and stylish, Green Park being just around the corner. Perhaps not as lush or verdant as the plants Anthony could grow, but still lovely. Them, sort of. Maybe at a stretch, but it still felt like it to Ezra.
He touched the cool glass as his eyes caught on a red double decker and followed it until it was out of view. He didn't think he could live here these days, though it had been a bit of a dream in the past. But he did love to visit, to get a taste of the hustle and bustle without needing to be around it all the time.
What would they do first? What had Anthony planned?
"I promise, Adam." He heard Anthony say, and turned toward him with a frown. Anthony shook his head and waved him off. "Nothing like that, I promise. I'm not… no. What did he say? Adam. Adam! Get Lo- Adam!" He pulled the mobile away from his ear and looked at it offended. "That little devil hung up!"
"Are they up to no good already?" Ezra asked with affection.
Anthony blushed. "They're being little demons is what they are."
"Oh?" Ezra asked as he moved to take back his mobile. "Shall I call back and ask?"
"NO!" Anthony said immediately. "Got some ideas, those two."
"Well, they're five, it can't be too terrible." Ezra rolled his eyes. "Better than if you'd been talking to, say, Anathema. Or heaven forbid, Marjorie."
Anthony snorted. "Probably coulda handled those two." He then looked around them, at the mostly empty bags, at the sort of filled drawers. "Right." He checked his watch. "We have some time before lunch. Anything you wanted to do?"
Ezra smirked. "I can think of one thing. A… gesture of appreciation for this wonderful surprise."
"Oh-oh, that… that sounds… fun." Anthony swallowed. "But it's going to have to wait."
Ezra's brows shot to his hairline. "Why?" He asked.
"Because we have a reservation downstairs, and I would hate for you to miss it." He replied, throwing a thumb over his shoulder toward their hotel room door.
Ezra stepped closer, hooking one finger into Anthony's trousers. "You'll be quick." He promised.
~C~
He ate lunch entirely too fast, and was forced to watch Ezra eat at his usual pace, savoring every bite, all while quietly freaking out.
This was just a weekend away. Just a couple getting away from their lives and their kids for a couple days to just be them. And Crowley had it planned out well, to ensure they would have all the romance he should have been giving Ezra since they officially got together. After this, there would be a lull in which he hoped they could go for a walk, go see some Art while walking hand in hand. Then there would be dinner, Ezra's choice, probably something quaint since they had lunch here. And after, the theater, because how could he take this beautiful, arts loving man to London and not take him to a show?
He ignored how that was a lot of what Gabriel had done with Ezra over the last decade. He probably didn't get to hold Ezra's hand while doing it all, though. Or recieve the very wonderful thank you Ezra bestowed on Crowley before they had to come downstairs, except maybe that one time. But it's unlikely that Ezra enjoyed it quite as much as he had upstairs.
They had made it downstairs with plenty of time to spare, so the smug bastard could look around the lobby and bask in it. Crowley should have hated that Ezra had been right about his being quick, but really, he had nothing to complain about, did he?
Except, maybe, the little hell spawns they left behind and the idea that this was all a big lead up for….
He couldn't even think it without hyperventilating a little bit, so he didn't.
Wouldn't.
So he didn't.
Instead, he leaned on the table and rested his chin in his hand as he watched Ezra close his eyes and quietly moan in appreciation for the little dessert thing he had after their delicious (it was, really, even though Crowley didn't properly enjoy it) meal.
"That was scrumptious." Ezra said after he swallowed, then dotted his mouth with his napkin. "What's next?"
"Art!" Crowley spat out, and regretting it. "We're… yeah. Just, up and…."
"Are you alright, darling?" Ezra asked as he frowned. "You're usually not still lost for words this long afterward."
Crowley's jaw dropped as he glanced around. Not that Ezra had blurted out what he meant, or that anyone would think it was about anything but the meal should they have been eavesdropping. But that he was so … and Ezra was smirking, knowing full well what he just did.
"You… I still can't believe I didn't see this much of this side of you back then." He sputtered out.
"To be perfectly honest, I don't think I was quite this… teasing back then. Especially like this. I can certainly say I wasn't this way with my past partners."
"Good, more for me." Crowley smiled.
The waiter came by, and once they'd paid, they got up and left the restaurant hand in hand.
~A~
They were just leaving the Academy of Art when Ezra's phone rang.
"Probably the boys," He said with a quick grin to Anthony.
As Ezra reached into his pocket for the device, Anthony let go of his hand and snaked his arm around Ezra's waist, pressing his nose behind his ear, partly in the blonde curls.
It was lovely, and as Ezra answered the phone he closed his eyes, basking in the feeling of being loved so tenderly and completely.
"Hello?" He said happily, the smile on his face positively radiating in his voice.
"Hey, sunshine!"
Ezra's smile fell.
"Gabriel." He said with strained politeness, and Anthony instantly pulled back as if he'd been burned.
Ezra quickly looked toward him, watching Anthony go through so many reactions. Anger, hurt, annoyance, curiosity, back to hurt, annoyance, anger.
A bit perturbed that Anthony would back away because of Gabriel, Ezra reached out and grabbed Anthony's waist, hauling him right back to where he was while Gabriel talked.
"I remembered you saying you'd be in London. Thought maybe we could meet up, where are you?"
Ezra had to wonder if Gabriel honestly thought he would just tell him where they were so they could join them on what the man had to have known was meant to be a romantic getaway.
"With Anthony," he said, to which Anthony frowned at him, mouthing something that Ezra couldn't catch.
"Right." Gabriel said. "But he's there for work, right? You could just…."
"He's not, but perhaps you could join us." Ezra perked up suddenly, watching Anthony wrinkle his face in disgust and hurt. "Yes, see… we were on our way to the eye. I hadn't actually been before, so I thought now would be a good opportunity to check it out."
Anthony grew more confused.
"Great!" Gabriel enthused. "Where will we…?"
"Just find us on the pier," he replied smoothly. "Until then." He hung up, then kissed the confused downturn of Anthony's lips. "Now, my dear, what had you planned next? I'm quite excited to find out."
Anthony simply stared.
"Darling?"
"Did you just send Gabriel to the other side of the Thames?" He asked, pointed at Ezra's phone.
"Of course I did." Ezra replied with a frown. "I don't want him about. Quite frankly, I think when we get back I'm going to need have a talk with him. He's starting to get a bit ridiculous."
"Only starting?" Anthony grinned, taking Ezra's hand off his waist and clasping it in his own. "And as for what's next, that would be dinner. Wherever it is you want to go. But, apparently, on this side of the Thames. Mind, that's awfully convenient since I have tickets for Mousetrap tonight."
Ezra nearly burst with how excited, pleased, and in love with this man he was all at once. He gave Anthony a quick kiss once more.
"You know, this might come as a bit of a shock, but I quite fancy you, Anthony Crowley." He said, full of the affection he really meant. Anthony gave a pleased grin, and if he had a tie to straighten with his chin tilt, he would have done so.
"Fancy you, as well, Ezra Fell." He said, turning them away from the art center. "So, any idea where you would wanna go?"
"I do know of a fantastic little spot around the corner from there…"
It hadn't been a dream.
Ezra had gone to sleep last night swearing when he woke up, he would be back in either his or Anthony's bed, and the whole thing would have been the most wonderful dream. The whole day was just too perfect, and Gabriel's call in the afternoon made him think that, of course, his mind would have made that up, wouldn't it? Just to put a ripple in the perfection.
But it didn't. It wasn't a dream. He was in a soft bed, with luxurious bedding and the love of his life was curled up against him, nothing separating their skin as the boys were back in Tadfield and clothing was optional.
He didn't want to leave the bed, not really, but the thought of the boys suddenly had him missing them terribly. He and Anthony did call the night before to say their "good nights" and "I love yous", but it had been a brief thing between dinner and the theater before the boys were tucked in.
Glancing at the clock, he could see it was nearing eight in the morning. They would be up, he was sure. So, very carefully, Ezra extracted himself from Anthony's grasp, placed a kiss on his temple (admired the smile in sleep that got him), then grabbed one of the two robes tossed on the end of the bed.
One does not sit on a chair at the Ritz in the nude, no matter what one does in the bed. Standards and all.
Robe secured, Ezra picked up his phone and called the number Tony plugged in before they left so he could call if needed, then sat down in one of the two chairs at the table by the window while it rang.
"Good morning." Tony's voice answered cheerfully, and the boys were heard clearly in the background.
"Good morning, Doctor Adams," Ezra said as quietly as he could. "How did they do last night?"
"They were fine," Tony replied. "Went to bed alright, didn't give any trouble."
"Is that dad?" Ezra heard Warlock ask in the background, and it was suddenly quiet.
"It's papa." Tony replied, and before Ezra could say anything he could hear both boys scrambling to talk to him. "Wait, wait," Tony admonished, firm but gentle. "Alright, now papa's on speaker so you can both talk to him.
"Morning papa," Was mixed with, "morning Ezra," and Ezra's heart warmed.
"Good morning, darlings. Dad and I miss you."
"Where is he?" Adam asked this time.
"Sleeping." Ezra replied, glancing at his beloved still in bed.
"Figures," Warlock said, and in the background, Erica's laugh came through.
It did give Ezra pause, wondering how she was getting away with staying there overnight. Maybe, if he recalled it later, he could ask Anthony about it.
"Remember to be good today, alright? And perhaps we'll bring you back something small from the trip, alright?"
"Papa," Adam started, "Can Tony bring us to the fun fair? There's a fun fair here, and he said that he already knew Anthony would be okay with Warlock going, but he didn't know about you, so since you called, can we go?"
"I don't see why not." Ezra replied. "But!" He cut off any excited cheering with the firmness of the word. "You both should eat your breakfast well, and no more than one treat each, understood?"
"Yeah," they both said.
"Good. I will have dad call you later, okay? Have fun, and I love you."
He was genuinely surprised by the course of "love you" back before the byes took over and they were gone.
He sat stunned for a bit, watching the early morning traffic below, thinking about that.
Wondering.
~C~
"What was that?" Warlock asked over the phone.
"It was a duck," Crowley replied, eyeing the bird that seemed intent on trying to get one of their sandwiches from them. Ezra merely giggled where he sat against a tree, finishing his sandwich as he watched the would-be thief waddle away to a more willing human.
Which was good, because Crowley was laying on his side, stretched out over the cheap blanket he grabbed from home, and couldn't have defended his lunch with his weight on one arm (the one with the hand holding the sandwich), the free arm holding the phone.
Precarious situation, that.
"So you're in the park? Did you show him where we lived?" Warlock asked,
"Papa wouldn't want to see that, he would want to see museums and stuff." Adam replied. "Dad, can we go now? There's bumper cars."
"Oh, well, if there's bumper cars." Crowley said casually while glancing at Ezra and hoping the panic wasn't clear on his face.
Adam had called him dad a total of three times, now. The first, he was pretty sure was an accident. He didn't even remember what it was over, but it was before "papa" came into play, and it had panicked Crowley immensely. The second time had been the week before, when Ezra was on a call with one of his co-workers, and Adam had needed something. He could have said Anthony, and of course Crowley would have replied, he always did. But he used Dad, and Crowley found it was far less scary the second time. Mind, he still stood in the kitchen staring at the wall wondering what it all meant.
He was still petrified that Ezra would be upset.
Yes, people joked since the boys' birthday that they were just dad and papa in general. Yes, Tony and Erica referred to them that way while dropping them off. No, Ezra hadn't looked terrified then, so it was only Crowley's fear at play here.
Fear, he supposed, that he'd fallen in love with Adam like he had his own son, and at any moment the second boy calling him dad could be taken away from him by one wrong choice.
"You two have fun. Be good for Tony, not a toe out of line." He warned them, and the boys rang off with sentiment and excitement.
"Did you ever figure out if ducks have ears?" Ezra smirked, and Crowley rolled his eyes.
"Shut up," He said with a grin, Ezra chuckling just a bit more.
"You know, I could never see a duck with anyone else without telling that story." Ezra confessed.
"I still have the stuffed duck somewhere." Crowley admitted, though he knew full well it was in a box under his bed with Warlock's baby bracelet and his blanket, and his own hospital bracelet from the surgery he had for Terry.
"I had wondered if there was a reason Warlock had a stuffed duck. Wanted yours, did he?"
"He did, yeah." Crowley nodded. "Luckily he was just young enough to think it was the same one when I bought it. Didn't want him destroying mine. Too precious."
Ezra hummed, perhaps in agreement or merely understanding, as he finished his sandwich.
"So," he started once he was finished chewing. "You promised me dining at the Ritz, and a picnic in St James park, and we have done both of those and more. What could you possibly have left up your sleeve to woo me with?"
"I thought 'woo' wasn't allowed?" Crowley asked with a smirk.
"Only by you."
"Oh, well then." Crowley sat up and scooted back to sit right next to Ezra. "There's this old book shop in Soho I thought you might want to have a look at. Always thought of you when I would pass it on a delivery."
"Oh!" Ezra perked up, looking around. "Is your shop terribly far? I know you said you lived in Mayfair, but did you have your shop here, too?"
Crowley smirked. "Just on this side of Soho, actually. Why? Wanna see it?"
"Oh, I do, very much." Ezra said, brushing his hands together. "I've seen your Tadfield spot plenty with Eliza, but I would love to see the original, if I may."
Crowley considered it, a part of him a little sad that doing so might mean he may not get a chance to show Ezra that beautiful, antique shop. But, how could he deny such a simple request?
"When you're ready. Bit of a walk, though."
"Probably for the best." Ezra said as he used the tree behind him as leverage to get up. "After the room service breakfast, not to mention lunch and tea yesterday, I could probably use the walk. Lest I become any more… soft."
"I like the soft," Crowley smirked as he got up. He then looped his arm around Ezra's waist and brought him close. "Makes you nearly impossible not to snuggle up with."
"Yes. However, I do recall the type of men you were fond of in the past, darling."
"Nothing on you, angel." Crowley promised, kissing Ezra quick on the lips. "Place holders, all they were. Someone I could have when I thought I couldn't have the one I wanted."
"I'd have been yours," Ezra assured in that tender, loving way of his. "You just had to ask."
"Didn't, actually." Crowley teased. "Just had to snog you on a sofa."
"Quite." Ezra agreed. "Now, shall we tidy up? Much as I enjoy the conversation, I do want to see where you started roots, so to speak."
Nerves suddenly struck Crowley, but he took a deep breath, and nodded. "Right. Let's, ah, let's do that."
The Garden in Tadfield was expansive. It looked from the front like a typical storefront, with large windows and white brick exterior. The sign hinted at the wonders within, but most expected an average garden shop at first glance. It was inside that kept them coming back, the near jungle like feel of how everything was arranged. The interior trees, like the dwarf fruit trees, the money tress, etc, all had little cards for people to take the cashiers for purchase. No one was ever disappointed with the one selected for them, as it was always as beautiful and verdant as the ones on display. People could wander the floor, see smaller plants they could pick as they liked (the shelves always seemed fully stocked, like some sort of miracle), maybe venture into the cooler room off the main where anyone looking for floral arrangements could find them or request them. When they went further back, they would discover the doors that led to the outdoor things in an impossibly large space.
The Garden in London lacked that beautiful backspace, it lacked the sleek offset cooler room, but it still had the effect of walking into a beautiful oasis. It didn't have the brick exterior, but a sleek, all glass and steel front which had to have accordion gates pulled down over them each night to prevent most damage and break-ins.
"Oh," Ezra had said as he walked in, Crowley watching him a moment. "It's… it feels very much the same and yet very different."
"What the hell are you doing here?" Bea asked, but at least did it with what someone might call a friendly tone, so it wouldn't put the customers off too much.
"Ezra wanted to see the place."
"Oh," Bea directed their attention to Ezra. "So, you're the angel."
"Suppose I am," Ezra nodded, nonplussed. "Ezra Fell."
"Bea Zell." They replied, taking Ezra's offered hand in a shake.
"Interesting name." He commented as politely as one could with that.
"Thanks, I chose it." Bea replied.
"Really?" Ezra perked up. "Did it have any significance, or did you simply like it?"
Bea smirked, "My mother said she wouldn't let me change it to Beelzebub, that was as close as I could get. She was paying for it, so I played along."
"She paid? How very supportive." Ezra grinned. "Crowley's told me you two go back quite a ways. You met while taking horticulture, correct?"
Bea blinked. "Did he tell you everything about our past?" They asked.
Ezra blushed ever so slightly. "Yes, my dear, he did."
"Not going to try and start, I dunno, marking territory or anything?"
"Why ever would I do that?" Ezra asked, face curled in distaste.
Bea blinked and turned to Crowley. "You fuck it up with this one, and I'm burning this place to the ground. He's good, keep him."
"Yeah, thanks." Crowley said, gesturing toward the counter where a couple was slowly beginning to drift.
"Whatever did they mean by that?" Ezra asked once they were alone again.
"I've had partners in the past who, upon meeting Bea, get a bit defensive. Because Bea and me were never a couple, it was always just… whatever it was until it wasn't."
"That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard." Ezra tutted. "That would be like you being defensive around Gabriel for the same reasons."
"Uh, yeah, difference there, angel." Crowley said as he followed the now wandering Ezra. "Gabriel actually wants something more from you."
"I suppose you're right, there, darling. He had texted, by the way. And called, as well, but only once while we were in the show so my mobile was on silent. He seemed to be under the impression that he missed us."
"You." Crowley corrected, starting to smile.
"Yes. He did go back to Tadfield, at least. Wanted me to give him a ring should I want to do something this evening."
Crowley scoffed, wandering toward the floral arrangement counter to see what would be coming up.
"Doesn't give up, does he?" He mumbled, flipping through the orders. Nothing pressing, or that required him. He went through the past orders for the week, sneering when he saw James Crowley on two slips for two separate women, neither being for Erica.
"Darling?" Ezra asked. "Everything alright?"
"Yeah," Crowley said, dropping the pages he'd gone through back on the top of the pad, then looked to Ezra. "As you can see, nothing terribly special here. Shall we go look through that bookshop now?"
Ezra pondered for barely a second. "Oh, alright." He replied like it was some great hardship and not something that sparked excitement. "Was lovely to meet you, Bea." He called, and Crowley could see the tiniest bit of confusion on Bea's face before he and Ezra left the shop. No one said it was lovely to meet them to Bea, and Crowley could just imagine them wondering where they went wrong for the rest of the day.
~A~
They had spent the day wandering Soho and Mayfair, and returned for dinner at the hotel. Anthony had offered another outing, a second show or anything else Ezra wanted. They wandered the streets a little longer instead, because all Ezra had wanted was just to be with him, to have his hand in Anthony's and just be in the world as them.
When they returned to the hotel, they stripped off their jackets and shoes, their ties from dinner, and Ezra removed his waistcoat to be as comfortable as possible. They had ordered a bottle of champagne and had it brought to the room, Anthony surprising him once more with some room service nibbles.
"This weekend has been positively delightful," Ezra told Anthony as they sat at the table by the window hehad that morning to talk to the boys.
Anthony hummed in agreement, meeting Ezra's gaze with his now contact lens free eyes. "It has been. Almost a shame we go back to reality tomorrow."
"Almost," Ezra agreed. "I do miss the boys."
"Yeah," Anthony said, glancing out the window. He took a sip of his champagne. "Warlock's going to miss having you two around everyday, I think, when things go back to… before. Next week."
Ezra's heart sank. "Oh." He said, looking at the golden liquid fizzing in his flute. "I hadn't realized… I suppose I thought things would carry on the way they had." He looked out the window, went to take a sip of the champagne, and then realized he'd lost his desire for it. He set it down on the table, instead, turning the flute in his fingers.
"It doesn't have to," Anthony said barely louder than a whisper. Ezra stilled, but didn't look at him yet. "If-if you want, I mean. We could… keep going the way it was. Works, right? Maybe… I dunno, but… yeah. If you want, we can … keep going."
Ezra looked at him then, and his sinking heart was suddenly soaring, floating, filled with affection.
Anthony looked terrified, like it took every ounce of his courage to just get that little bit out. Just to ask, in such a roundabout way, if Ezra would like to continue sharing a space or two with him.
"We could keep going," Ezra said assuredly, glad to see Anthony smile before trying to hide it with a drink of champagne. "Anthony," he started, the words he wanted to say halting on the tip of his tongue.
He wanted to say that Anthony had to know how much he loved him. How much he didn't want to spend any more time apart from him. HE thought it should be spoken aloud that he wanted to live with him, and wake up with him everyday. That he wanted more weekends away, either as just them or with the boys as well.
Instead, he said, "Marry me."
Anthony didn't react, not for what was probably close to a minute. Long enough that Ezra had wondered if he'd really let that slip out.
Eventually, though, Anthony choked out a, "sorry?"
Well, in for a penny.
"I asked if you would marry me."
Anthony turned to him with wide eyes, his mouth agape. "Marry you?" he repeated, a touch too incredulous.
"Oh." Ezra said, his heart starting to sink again. "You don't want that, do you?" He said with an awkward grin. "I suppose I am getting ahead of myself. We've only been together for a few months. There have already been enough life changing things happening to us this year, I suppose marriage…. But, well, you are my best friend. And, I believe, you always have been. Even in those years we weren't talking, because I had wanted to tell you so many things in that time. You never left my mind, or my heart. And I don't know what I said or what I did to cause you to leave-"
"Nothing," Anthony interrupted, showing more passion and emotion than he had since they sat down at the table. "You did nothing. It was me , I … believed Gabriel when he said you two were dating, and I didn't like what you were saying outside, and it was just all me, I swear, angel-"
"Be that as it may," Ezra interrupted. "I have blame in there as well. Perhaps I could have followed you, despite what we said. Or I could have been more persistent in calling. I could have done many other things, but that's not the point. The point is that I lost you, and wasted so much time not being with you when that's all I ever wanted."
"Me too," Anthony said with soulful eyes. "Every day of my damn life."
Ezra gave a little grin. "I can't wish our time apart away, though," he confessed. "It gave you Warlock, and I could never wish that sweet, wonderful, lovely boy away for anything, even for more time with you. But, darling, I can't let you go now. And if all you want is to move in together, then I will do so gladly. I know the boys will welcome it. But in the spirit of honesty, I don't want that to be all. So, I will ask again, properly this time, without any expectations: Anthony Crowley, will you marry me?"
A very weird, odd, implacable sound came from Anthony before what might have been a laugh. Then there was definitely a giggle.
"You're serious?" He asked with a wide grin.
Ezra huffed. "Yes!" He said firmly. "Would you like me down on one knee? Would that help?"
"Yes. I mean no. I mean… yes to the question, no to the whole… knee… thing. Yes, yes I will bloody marry you." Anthony said, getting up from the table so quickly he bumped it.
Ezra had been holding his flute in an increasingly tight grip, so his didn't move, but Anthony's wobbled.
"Shit," Anthony cursed, quickly plucking the towel from the ice bucket, wrapped around the bottle, and wiped up the spilled liquid. The flute didn't topple over, at least.
Now that the spill was cleaned, Anthony went around the table, and kissed a baffled and amused Ezra square on the lips.
Ezra giggled, letting go of his flute to cup Anthony's face in both his hands. They traded quick, happy kisses for a moment before Anthony returned to his seat and plucked up his flute again. "We're really doing this?" He asked, smiling wide. "We're really… if people ask?"
"You're my betrothed." Ezra agreed. "My future husband."
"Holy shit," Anthony said, his smile never wavering. "I get to be Ezra Fell's husband. I'm the lucky bastard."
Ezra laughed, picking up his flute and lifting it toward Anthony. "Indeed you are, my dear. And shall we toast to that?"
Anthony smirked, "Cheers," he paused, "To us."
"To us," Ezra repeated, and their flutes made a satisfying clink.
"Do we get rings?" Anthony asked as he lifted his flute to his lips.
"Do you want one?" Ezra asked after a sip. "Aside from the wedding band?"
"Nah, you?"
"No," Ezra shook his head. Then he grinned, "where do you want to honeymoon?"
"Family or just us?" Anthony countered. "Or maybe we can do a weekend away just us after the wedding, and then maybe take the boys away for a family one?"
"That would be lovely," Ezra said, reaching a hand across the table, patting Anthony's hand once before the ginger turned his palm, and curled his fingers around Ezra's. "Maybe it could be in the summer, what do you think?"
And so it went back and forth for a couple hours, discussing things that were both real and very dream-like, as though it was all hypothetical instead of a possible reality.
They made sure to call the boys and tell them that there was some exciting news to share when they got back in the morning.
After that, they finished the bottle of champagne in bed, celebrating their future, happy and light, bubbly like liquor, and showing one another just how deeply and truly they were loved.