I do not own Gargoyles; Disney owns them. Gargoyles is a show that I love, and write stories about. I own Crystal, and any other characters that did not appear in the show.

New Life, New Beginnings: Interlude I

Brooklyn paced the circumference of the tower nervously. He couldn't understand why he was so nervous. It wasn't like she was going to say no. This was more of a formality. This is how things were done in the clan, and he knew Hudson would be more than happy to see the younger generation trying to keep the old traditions alive after so many years in this new century.

So why was he so nervous?

He glanced at the box sitting on the parapet, and brushed off the little bit of snow that had fallen on it. At first he wanted to do this on Christmas, but soon decided against that, and instead decided to do it tonight; on Solstice. Christmas was more of a human tradition, and this was far more than just any gift. This... this was a very important step for their relationship.

"There you are."

He looked over his shoulder and smiled. He should have known his prolonged absence would make Crystal want to search for him.

"What are you doing up here?" She asked as she climbed the last two steps. She shivered, and caped her wings to shield herself from the light, yet bitter wind. Even with her thicker gargoyle hide, she found she was still sensitive to the cold.

Careful to keep the box hidden from view, he turned around. "Just enjoying the view."

Crystal looked out at the city to see what he was talking about. Brooklyn, on the other hand, kept his eyes on her. And what a gorgeous view it is, he thought. Taking in a deep breath, he drew himself up to his full height and grasped her hands.

She looked back at him. The look on his face made her ask, "What's wrong?"

Brooklyn realized how serious he must have been looking, and chuckled. "Nothing's wrong. I'm just... excited."

"I don't remember your excited face looking like you were about to give bad news before," she replied, smiling.

He chuckled again before nervously clearing his throat. He had no idea where to even start. "As you've probably figured out by now, gargoyle mating customs are quite different from human mating – er, dating customs. And I know that in your mind, we've been together since that night at the hockey game." At her raised eye ridge, he quickly added, "I mean, I have too, don't get me wrong." Smooth, buddy. Real smooth. "What I mean to say is, it's customary in our clan for a male to offer the female a courting gift. It's to let her know he wishes to court her, and to show that he can provide for her when she's heavy with egg."

Crystal smiled as she looked at him, and did her best not to laugh. It was obvious he was trying to make this as sweet and romantic as possible, but the awkwardness was obvious, and his attempt at trying to hide it was just so adorable to her that she wanted to laugh, if only to help him calm down.

Brooklyn continued. "Usually the gift would be a deer or something, but deer are pretty scarce in these parts. I mean it could be replaced with a bag of rats or pigeons, but then you were human most of your life, and I've seen how you look away when any one of us snacks on a fresh kill..." Why? Just... why are these words coming out of my mouth?

Crystal snorted in laughter and quickly slapped a hand over her mouth. "I'm sorry," she muffled, the mirth still evident in her voice. She cleared her throat and returned her hand to his. He could tell she was trying to keep a straight face, and only had to wait a second before she started laughing again. "Really Brooklyn, I'm sorry," she managed to spit out between laughs. "I know what you're trying to say, and I get it." She took a deep breath, and took control of her giggling fit. "No more explanation is needed. Just tell me whatever it is you've been trying to say."

He couldn't help but chuckle. The mood had been completely ruined by his attempt at an explanation, but at least now he was relaxed.

She smiled. "I know you're trying, but you don't need to try and be all sweet." She reached up and rubbed his eye ridge. "Just be the Brooklyn I know and love."

Brooklyn pulled her close and used his wings to shield her from the wind. "What I'm trying to say is, I know it's not necessary to show you that I can provide, given the century we're in – and our landlord. But I still wanted to give you something I had made on my own... with some help from Broadway." He reached back for the box, and brushed off the new snow that had landed on it. "And at least this will have an easier time being sweeter than me."

Crystal opened the box and giggled. "It's definitely sweeter, but your effort gave you enough points to put you ahead." She looked back up at Brooklyn. "Is this why I wasn't allowed into the kitchen yesterday?"

He nodded sheepishly. "Yeah. I didn't want to ruin the surprise."

"Is there any more left?"

"There should be, unless Broadway's already gotten into it."

She took the box from him and kissed his cheek. "Well I think I should share this tiramisu – I mean my courting gift – with the one who went through the trouble of making it."

Brooklyn kept one wing around her as he folded the other on his back and wrapped an arm around her waist. "But I can have some after Broadway, right?"

Crystal lightly elbowed him as they went down the stairs. "You know very well I was talking about you."

"Yeah, but it's one of the reasons why you love me."

"Unfortunately."