Chapter 12: Valentines Day dance Off
Summary:
Its Valentines Day
Why not dance,
Whynot see your house
Why not ask
Love is in the Air
Notes:
Lovely fluff chapter with some info
Chapter Text
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Six months had passed; it was Valentine's Day, and not a noise or sighting of the EDEN group had been anywhere near Horns n Halos. The bistro was getting prepped for a dance-off, a competition of the 1920's dances to Electro Swing, and they were going to be packed, the dancers were entered, but the people watching, those tickets were sold out. Crowley was going over everything with Anathema, all the plans were in place, they only needed to open. Crowley laughed joyfully at Anathema, who was now practicing dancing with Newt on the dance floor since everything else was done.
Shadwell was swinging around his mansion, in and out of rooms, he had a date with Tracey. Calling to his butler, Shadwell went over the arrangments, flowers, chocolates, one of Tracey's favorites. Shadwell was determined to win her over. To keep her as his own. With a nod in a mirror at his current attire, he ventured into his office. There were a few calls to make, a few evil witches and demons to remove from power, he was just the man to get it done.
Shadwell had become quite fond of Aziraphale during their arranged appointments for his biography. Appreciating the time Aziraphale had taken to make his errors in life seem more of a learning experience than a downfall, that angel as far as he was concerned was amazing. Crowley had been an instant confidant, how could he not be, the sneaky little bastard made Shadwell smile. However, seeing them in pain, seeing the aftermath of almost losing them both in the fire, and holding his Tracey barely together as she sat with Crowley praying that Aziraphale would open his eyes.
Shadwell was not as nice as Aziraphale had made him out, his learning experiences were more along the lines of carefully planned out endeavors. Gabriel had placed himself as a definite endeavor, Shadwell was going to make sure that Gabriel didn't enjoy his "vacation." Grinning ear to ear, Shadwell hung up, signing off on his plans with his associates. Shadwell's friends were going to be well taken care of; his best friend's wedding was not going to be interrupted, especially as he was the best man.
Tonight though, tonight was for dancing. Horns n Halos was hosting a dance-off for Electro Swing. Shadwell was taking Tracey, and from what he understood from her, she could dance, so with a smile and a nod, Shadwell signed them up. Gathering what he needed, he left his house, flowers, candies, and himself were carried off into his Corvette to get his Tracey, his love.
Tracey looked in the mirror one last time, turning this way and that, she nodded at herself in approval of her look. Aziraphale was in her living room, he had been trying to sing again and didn't want anyone else to hear him, his hope was slowly failing. Tracey listened and heard the telltale break in his voice as he tried, and the more he tried, the more his voice strained, she heard the sob.
Tracey went to him in the living room sitting at her piano, mystical arms slid around his shoulders. "You'll get there, Aziraphale," Aziraphale sniffled and leaned his head against her arm. "Tracey, what if I don't" a tear ran down his face, one that Tracey caught on her finger and swept it away. "Trust me, you'll get there. Now come on with you, tonight is for dancing and having fun." with a smile and a teasing grin, "I am sure your fiance will be in awe of your dancing skills."
Aziraphale giggled, "He doesn't know I can dance Tracey."
Tracey stopped and looked at him, "Is this going to be another night like when you..." Tracey stopped herself before she finished the sentence, she saw Aziraphale's face drop. Hugging Aziraphale to her chest, she ran fingers through his hair. "We'll get you there, Aziraphale, we will. I have a friend that owes me a favor, think it's time to call it in." A gentle kiss placed on platinum curls, with a release of an angel they both got up. Aziraphale said his goodbyes and headed home to get ready.
Aziraphale had been gifted a Smart Car by Crowley. Small sky blue with the cream-colored interior, Aziraphale loved it, although Crowley teased him often about it. Crowley didn't want Aziraphalke walking any distance when things were still not settled with Gabriel. Rubbing his leg, more out of habit now than anything, Aziraphale smiled that he had healed so well. Crowley had a lot to do with his healing, waiting on Aziraphale hand and foot, even to overcooking. With a smile, Aziraphale poked his waist quite happy that he was gaining a bit of weight, but Crowley was still checking him daily, and nightly if you asked.
Driving home, he slowly passed his house, the tape was still there, but Crowley had yet to bring him back. Even after six months, Crowley was on edge about what happened, Aziraphale could understand why but he needed to see for himself. Pulling off the road, Aziraphale stopped his car that was probably smarter than Aziraphale was being. Closing the car door behind him, he stopped, looking at the ground he went to the passengers' side and leaned against the car. Keeping his eyes shut, he imagined his house before, then he opened his eyes.
Black, charred, and falling in on itself was his home, his sanctuary, his old sanctuary Airaphale reminded himself. Sighing Aziraphale pushed himself off the car and started for the back of the house, the place he had not been allowed to see. Taking a much need breath and slowly letting it out, Aziraphale walked to the back, his eyes averted to the ground, not genuinely wanting to see, but needing too. Here and there, he would see a page from a dearly beloved book, charred, burned, stepped on breaking his heart with every step. Facing away from the house, he looked up and turned, his breath being stolen from him. Seeing the shattered glass on the second floor where Crowley had somehow managed to get him too, Aziraphale could see the staircase that had collapsed under the weight of burnt wood, falling debris.
A shuddering breath later with no understanding of how either of them survived the fire, Aziraphale hugged himself. Realization of just how much Crowley was willing to give for him, his angel. Aziraphale realized without a shadow of a doubt Crowley would die for him, it was a sobering and humbling thought as tears welled up. Aziraphale was feeling overwhelmed and needed to go, quickly he started back for the car when something shimmery caught his attention. Aziraphale stopped and picked up a violet-colored wing, not realizing really what it was he put it in his pocket.
Quickly heading back to the car, he popped in and headed for home, his home with Crowley. Aziraphale arrived, snuck in and headed upstairs, Crowley quickly saw Aziraphale's car but let him think he was a stealthy little angel. Throwing the violet wing on the table Aziraphale jumped in the shower, he was running a smidge late and wanted to impress his love it was Valentines Day after all, and he was going to dance.
A shower later, a fluffing of his curls into perfection, he donned a beautiful cream-colored suit, a vibrant blue button down to make his eyes pop. Knowing that Crowley loved to look in his eyes, he added a touch of eyeliner, just enough to outline them slightly more than usual. Aziraphale looked at his tartan bowtie and reached for it, he almost left it, almost, with a quick flick of his wrist, his bowtie was perfect. A set of golden angel wings Aziraphale added to his lapel, a gift from Crowley, Aziraphale adored them. With a final going over, Aziraphale was quite happy with his attire and the look he had given himself.
Music started to filter up into the flat, Aziraphales queue to get a move on. Sliding his shoes on he grinned and hopped off the bed, traversing the stairs he made it into the kitchen, the music booming. Aziraphale could hear the people coming in; he carefully slid out of the kitchen, keeping himself against the wall. Moving down the wall, he went to where he had his table, it was slightly away from the crowds. So Aziraphale could see all angles, all entrances, and on this night Crowley was locking the door, the only way in was by key and going out was watched by security.
Horns n Halos was decked out to the nines golden balloons, silver lights sparkled, and the 1920s ruled the rest. Aziraphale was giddy with excitement! Crowley watched from across the room and chuckled, seeing his angel wiggle in his seat, looking around. With a flick of a switch, the lights dimmed and created a Valentine Heaven. Red, pink, and silver lights flipped on, fading in and out, the tables were dressed with Valentine colors, a single red or white rose on each table. As Aziraphale looked around, Crowley appeared next to him, holding his hand out to Aziraphale.
"You look absolutely stunning, Angel."
A blush crossed his angel's face, and that smile that was just for Crowley appeared, never failing to steal his very breath away from him. Aziraphale took his hand standing, his eyes bashfully looking away, until from behind his back Crowley pulled out a dozen or so perfect red and white roses. Aziraphale pressed his hand to his chest before taking the roses and inhaling them. Taking a step towards Crowley, Aziraphale was pulled into a kiss meant to make his dizzy, it worked.
"Happy Valentine's, my love." Crowley smiled lovingly down at Aziraphale, who was trying to gather his knee strength back.
"Happy Valentines, my life, my love and.." from a pocket Aziraphale pulled out a single black box that shimmered with iridescent looking scales. Opening the box as Crowley watched his eyes flicking back and forth from Aziraphale to the box was a unique ring. A black and red snake that matched Aziraphale's, but it was sleeker. The ring would wrap around Crowley's finger twice, the head of the serpent resting just below the knuckle, eyes of gold, small sapphires ran down its back, in its mouth a small red ruby in the shape of an apple. Crowley looked at Aziraphale, taking the ring from the box, Aziraphale dropped to his knee and looked up at him.
"You may have asked me my love, but would you also do me the honor of being my husband?" Aziraphale held the ring up from his kneeling position. Anathema looked on as her best friend in the world was being proposed to, like he deserved, she couldn't help the tear that ran down her face watching Crowley nod his head ~yes~. Aziraphale slid the ring onto his finger, standing back up Crowley pulled Aziraphale into a kiss, they hadn't realized they had gathered a crowd. Horns n Halos erupted into cheers for the two, then the dance floor cleared it was time for the competition.
Aziraphale held Crowley just a moment longer before names were being called forward. Anathema and Newt went up against a good size group of people, crowds cheered them on, but even as good as they were, Newt somehow managed to trip, pulling Anathema down on top of him both laughing. The Dj called for a free for all dance-off before the next set.
Crowley turned to go check on things when he heard the music change to the Charleston, he closed his eyes with a slight grimace and turned. There on the dance floor with the other competitors was his angel, and his angel was far too happy to leave out there all alone. With a smile, Crowley slid onto the dance floor, whipping his angel into a spin before continuing to dance with him. Neither knew the other could dance, even though they should have. Aziraphale and Crowley were both smiling as they spun off of each other's backs then broke into a full Charleston.
Aziraphale was still healing, so he was taking it easy on his leg, his partner though took over the dance floor. Crowley, not only could do the Charleston, he knew steps to all of the dances and was doing them much to the delight of Aziraphale. Aziraphale kept up by doing the Charleston his favorite dance ever, but Crowley was on a whole different level that Aziraphale wanted desperately to just watch. As Crowley spun around Crowley and slid back to next to him, arms wrapped around Aziraphale waist, turning to face Crowley, they danced as one.
Tracey and Shadwell came onto the floor dancing next to them, both couples smiling, dancing. Valentine was a beautiful day for them all, looking off to the side Aziraphale stopped, as did Crowley, then Shadwell and Tracey all looked in the direction of Aziraphale, all dreading the worst. Before them, off in the corner was Newt on bended knee, Anathema in tears and nodding crazily yes. The group rushed over hugging them, it was a good day, a beautiful day, and that was when the music came to a close. The DJ called for the last group of people, Shadwell and Tracey, amongst them.
Tracey dropped her covering cloak to the floor as she entered the dance floor. Pooling around her feet in a black velvet pool was the cloak, stepping to take Shadwell's hand. She was all shimmer and shine. Tracey had stepped right out of the 1920s, golds, reds, silver beading draped her in a flapper dress, her blonde hair in tight curls, she was the epidemy of beauty. Shadwell blinked and had no words, the group wasn't sure if he was going to be able to move, but as soon as her hand touched his, the glided across the floor.
Shadwell, in his black suit, complete with hat slightly tipped danced Tracey around the floor as though she was a goddess. Aziraphale smiled brightly as his best friend was being wooed by someone who would love her, leaning back against his demon Azirphale grabbed Crowley's hand, pulling his arm around him. Crowley's finger-tipped Aziraphale's head up just enough to place a gentle, loving kiss upon perfectly formed lips. The competition finally came to a close, Shadwell and Tracey winning best dressed and the competition they had entered. The two smiled and danced away for the rest of the night. Finally, the music changed again.
Crowley placed his hand on Aziraphale's lower back, bringing him to the dance floor. Aziraphale was tired; his leg was bothering him, but one slow dance was fine, it was fine. Tracey and Shadwell were already dancing around the dance floor in a waltz while Anathema and Newt just stared into each other's eyes at one of the tables under the sparkling lights.
Under the sparkle of Valentine's lights, the candles that lit the tables and the smell of beautiful roses, music played on. Aziraphale looked up at his love; Crowley placed his forehead against Aziraphale taking a deep breath, releasing a breath he had been holding for a very long time. Together they slowly danced in each other's arms, forever knowing they had each other. It was Valentine's Day, and on this day, at least all was well. Love ruled the day, and fun had been had at Horns n Halos, they both knew that it was only a matter of time but, they had a wedding to plan, they had loved, and they had a world of trouble with EDEN.
At the end of the night, Shadwell and Tracey went off, in each other's arms, and apparently up against a Corvette as Shadwell kissed Tracey senseless. Aziraphale was scandalized by what he saw while Crowley was rather too happy to watch, with a slap on his arm and a chuckle later, Anathema and Newt left walking on cloud nine. Aziraphale smiled and sighed, watching the love of the night, and seeing his Crowley close up and double-check the locks, he absently rubbed his leg. Crowley didn't miss that, up into Crowley's ars Aziraphale went and up the stairs with much complaining of an angel, until a kiss shut him up, a door could be heard being closed in a very empty Horns n Halos.
Notes:
I hope you enjoyed it!
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