Chapter Text
Aziraphale’s heart began to beat erratically from the minute she stepped into the great palace’s ballroom. It was not her first time in the room, but her first time there betrothed. She remembered her childhood, visiting the palace with her mother, running around the grand halls and gardens with her best friend, his Highness Prince Anthony J. Crowley Lightbringer. Crowley amongst friends, Anthony by his mother’s and those he considered family. She hadn’t seen him in years, but well, she still considered him a friend, and she hoped, given the circumstances, he still considered her a friend. She remembered their dancing lessons in here, it had devolved into a tickle fight in record time after they stopped stepping on each other’s toes.
“Aziraphale,” Sandalphon, her brother’s advisor said, sounding stern. “You need to focus. We are here at the King and Queen’s Invitation.”
“I am aware,” Aziraphale said neutrally enough.
“Then be on your best behavior,” Gabriel said, looking agitated in the way that meant he was nervous. He hadn’t spent as much time in the capital, he had to learn how to be a lord after Father died. “This is unlike when we’re at home, you must use your best manners, and keep courtly protocol.” His face paled. “You do know the proper protocol don’t you?”
Aziraphale’s jaw dropped in shock. She was used to Sandalphon and Gabriel reminding her of all her faults, but to ask if she knew anything about something she knew better than him? That was a new low “Of course I-” A door on the other side of the room opened, and Aziraphale snapped her mouth shut.
Queen Lillith was still a beautiful, intimidating woman. Her red gown was made of the finest silk but the design was simple, allowing it to show off her still excellent thin frame. “Oh it has been too long!” she said with a wide smile, striding confidently toward them. “Oh, you must let me look at you both.
Lilith turned to Gabriel first, as protocol would demand. “Lord Gabriel.” He bowed low and placed a kiss on her offered hand. When he stood she shook her head. “You look just like your father at this age. It’s uncanny.”
Gabriel blinked in surprise, whatever he’d expected the queen to say, it wasn’t that. “I- Thank you, your highness.”
Lilith then turned to Aziraphale. Aziraphale did her lowest curtsey. “Aziraphale,” She pulled Aziraphale from her curtsey to her feet. “I remember watching you practice that very curtsey in this very room.” She pulled Aziraphale into a hug. “Oh, how I’ve missed having you here, and your mother.” She stepped back. “I miss her. But it is good to see you.”
Lilith and her mother had been friends. When Lillith became Queen, she naturally asked her best friend to be one of her ladies in waiting, even after introducing her to one of King Michael’s top generals and through the birth of all their children. “And you, your highness.” Lilith kissed her cheek
Lillith turned finally to Sandalphon. “Lord Sandalphon,” she said quickly. Her voice lacked the warmth it usually contained. Sandalphon bowed, of course, but as soon as was proper Lillith turned back to Gabriel and Aziraphale. “Now, I must apologize, Her Majesty and the prince had some training and they lose track of time so easily. They will meet us for lunch out in the garden. Come.”
The queen looped her arm through Aziraphale’s and led them toward the back of the palace. “Aziraphale, you must tell me what you think of the garden, Crowley has been helping me with my plans, it looks quite different from the last time you were here.”
“Oh?” Aziraphale asked. “The gardens were always lovely this time of year,” she recalled.
“Come now, Aziraphale,” Sandalphon said from behind them. “I’m sure things have changed greatly.”
Lilith hummed in thought. “There have been some improvements, but I hope it will still feel familiar to you.”
They exited the ballroom and stepped into the sunlight. The Garden was always breathtakingly gorgeous. Flowers of all shapes and sizes were in full bloom. The plants were vibrant shades of green, reds and blues, and all the colors in between. Aziraphale found it all familiar and different at the same time. “Oh you added a gazebo by the water,” She noticed.
Lilith smiled. “Crowley and I realized we loved lunch by the water, but we didn’t much care for the mud.”
Aziraphale laughed. That sounded like Crowley.
“Oh there you are!” the Queen said.
Further up the path, Was Her Majesty King Michael, and Crowley. He had grown, obviously, from their childhoods. He still seemed to be all limbs, but now there was more muscle behind it, more stature. His hair was cut short, though likely a touch longer than his mother would have wanted, if she still knew Crowley.
Crowley caught her gaze and she realized she'd been staring. She was ready to panic but he shot her a friendly smile. When they met at the stairs of the Pavilion the proper greetings were exchanged, though in the nature of King Michael, not nearly as emotional. Prince Crowley hung back as the rest took their seats, and Aziraphale felt an odd need to do the same.
“Aziraphale-”
“Prince Crowley-” Aziraphale bowed her head, hoping he’d continue.
“Your letters.” Crowley’s voice held no accusation, but there were other emotions as well, ones Aziraphale couldn’t place as her own guilt echoed in her ears. “I stopped getting your letters.”
“I-I was told that it was inappropriate for a young lady to be writing to random men in the city,” Aziraphale explained. “And the Anthony I was writing to could not be his royal highness, as I was a liar and lost in the fantasy of too many books.” Aziraphale felt her eyes watering in spite of herself. She thought she’d grown numb to Sandalphon poisoning Gabriel’s ear, but that original thorn was jammed again, telling Crowley. “I’m sorry, your highness for wasting-”
“No, no that,” Crowley paused and swallowed. “I understand, and that is good to know.”
Aziraphale wasn’t sure what that meant, but at the Queen’s insistence, she sat between the Queen and Gabriel. The Queen and Crowley shared a look and a nod. And then the Queen caught King Michael’s eye and also nodded. Aziraphale was even more confused. Some message had been passed, her mother had taught her the art of silent courtly conversation, but what?
“Now,” King Michael began, as their lunch began. “You’re likely wondering why we extended an invitation to come to the capitol early, before the Council of Lords meeting.” King Michael was always very direct.
“We were pleased,” Gabriel said diplomatically. “And honored. But you’re right in that we weren’t quite sure of the reason for such an important invitation.”
Queen Lillith took over. “Aziraphale, Gabriel, you know how close we were to your parents,” She took Aziraphale’s hand in hers. “Especially your mother and I.”
“They wanted what was best for you both,” Michael said, sounding melancholy. “Which meant your title, Gabriel, and for Aziraphale to marry well.”
Aziraphale felt her face flush. Marriage. She was of a proper age now, but Sandalphon and Gabriel debated about Aziraphale seeking a husband at all. Should they get rid of her quickly, or should they prevent her from being inflicted upon another house of standing.
“We had begun putting some thought into that,” Gabriel said, forcing a smile. “But nothing has been decided yet.”
“Well, we have your answer,” Lilith said, as she pulled out an envelope. Her mother’s handwriting was on it. “Your mother gave me this when she was ill,” She explained. She flipped the envelope to show their family seal, unbroken. “It contains the results of a decision she and I came to seven years ago.” She handed the letter to Gabriel.
“We know what it says, as I have my own copy,” Lilith continued. Gabriel opened the letter at her insistence. “You, Gabriel, were taken care of, though some things were out of her hands, but she wanted Aziraphale’s future to be just as secure.”
Aziraphale read what of the letter she could, which the way Gabriel was holding the paper she couldn’t quite make out. But judging from Sandalphon’s face it was nothing good. Dread filled Aziraphale and she quickly glanced at Crowley. He nodded at her and mouthed “ it’s okay. ”
“There must be some mistake,” Sandalphon stuttered. “Surely Lady Sarah wouldn’t-”
“She did.” Michael leaned forward. “We did.”
“They’re a good match,” Lilith said. “They were such friends in childhood.”
The reality of the situation was making itself abundantly clear to Aziraphale. Her body was tense with anxiety and she again looked at Crowley. She shot him a questioning look. How much did he know? He shot her a sympathetic smile. It wasn’t much of an answer, but her stomach flipped in a good way.
“But-Prince Crowley and Aziraphale?” Gabriel managed to choke out. “She wrote this?” He sounded incredulous.
Aziraphale sent Crowley another look of panic. He mouthed “Later.” Aziraphale nodded. Yes, of course, he’d explain, later, hopefully before the wedding. A royal wedding. Aziraphale didn’t know whether to laugh or vomit.
“We wrote it up together,” Lilith explained, pulling out an identical copy. “We would of course refuse any dowry, take up costs of the wedding, such business.”
“But we are extending the courtesy to ask you again, here and now,” King Michael, her voice taking in a commanding tone. “Will you see this through and marry Aziraphale to Prince Crowley?”
Panic struck Aziraphale then. What if Gabriel said no? She wasn’t sure how marrying Crowley would be but she’d rather him over other options he’d been considering. Or that Sandalphon was pushing.
“I-I- Of course,” Gabriel said, he sounded like he still didn’t quite believe their luck. “It would be the highest honor imaginable. Thank you for informing us of this, for honoring this. We couldn’t be more thrilled.”
Sandalphon sputtered beside him but said nothing. There was no way Sandalphon could talk Gabriel out of the decision without risking all their status and offending her Majesty and her Highness.
Lillith smiled widely, though there was steel in her eyes. “Excellent, why don’t we discuss some logistical and practical things while, Crowley, show Aziraphale some of the other new additions to the garden.”
Aziraphale didn’t really remember leaving the gazebo or the walk, but she finally noticed she’d moved when they came up to the hedge maze. Crowley guided her to a bench and had her sit down.
“Are you alright?” Crowley asked, kneeling in front of her. “I know this is a bit… much.”
“How long?” Aziraphale asked. When Crowley shot her a confused look she took a deep breath and repeated herself, managing to finish her thought. “How long have you known about this?” she shook her head, trying to find a word. “Arrangement?”
“Two weeks.” Crowley pushed a cool, wet handkerchief against her forehead. “Mum only told me when your brother accepted the invitation.”
“I’m sorry.” Aziraphale was desperately trying to order her thoughts but it was difficult. “About the letters.”
“You said it yourself, not your fault,” Crowley said lightly. “That was one of the things Mum explained as well.”
It was Aziraphale’s turn again to be the confused one. “Explain what?”
“Apparently, your mother, as well as at least one of mine,” Crowley stood up again, seemingly satisfied that she was breathing a bit more normally. “Are not fond of Lord Sandalphon.” He rewatered the handkerchief with a nearby spigot, hidden among the plants. “Mum wouldn’t give me many details, but apparently he and your mother began to butt heads regarding you and your brother’s education and direction in life.”
That brought Aziraphale up short. Gabriel always believed Sandalphon without question. Most people in their lands did. “W-so what did she say?”
“The lack of correspondence, from you.” He handed her the wet handkerchief and she placed it on the back of her neck. “Was more likely than not, was his doing.”
“So that’s why you asked.”
“I-I didn’t want to force you to marry me if you had no interest,” Crowley mumbled. “Do you have an interest?”
Aziraphale sighed and looked up at Crowley. He had certainly grown up quite handsomely, and his inner kindness had not diminished. “Do you?”
Crowley sighed and sat on a bench across from her. “You’re still one of my best friends I’ve ever had,” Crowley admitted. “But, I also know it’s been what? Six years since we last saw each other?”
Aziraphale nodded. “You’re one of my only friends,” Aziraphale said even more quietly.
“That can’t be true!” Crowley said with a shake of his head. “At your brother’s court-“
“I am not educated properly on things and it’s better if I don’t speak unless spoken to,” Aziraphale parroted Sandalphon’s words.
Crowley shook his head again. “That’s ridiculous, you were always better at reading, at manners-“
“And sword fighting,” Aziraphale said before snapping her jaw shut. Being around Crowley had reawakened old habits, bad habits.
Crowley’s jaw dropped but he slowly began to laugh. “I will remind you that I bested you in our last duel.” He smiled. “I won the last one, that's the only one that mattered.” He prodded her foot with his own.
Aziraphale watched his face carefully. Crowley seemed to be goading her on. Fine, if that’s what he wanted. “I let you win.”
“Is that so?”
“I’d won the previous three, you were getting upset, it only seemed fair,” Aziraphale said with a shrug. “But, you were faster, and the better dancer.” Aziraphale smiled as she remembered more. “And climbing. Very good at climbing trees.”
“Flattery, Aziraphale,” Crowley sighed. “Did you know that the Apple tree is still by the eastern wall?” The eastern wall of the garden burned the back wall of a lovely house known as the eastern gate; it had been in their mother’s family for years. At one time there had been a functional gate, but it had long been lost to renovations and safety improvements. Still, it was a house of great honor, to live so close to the royal estate, it was odd that it had gone unused since the death of her mother.
“The apple tree!” Aziraphale cried with a smile. “Can you still sneak into my room from it?”
Crowley cocked his head to the side in thought. “Ya know, I haven’t tried in years. But now I have to, don't I?”
“You certainly think so. But if you break your leg or worse before our wedding I will be quite cross.”
“So we’re doing this then? Getting married?”
“Crowley.” Aziraphale sighed equally frustrated and fond. “You’re my best friend, you’re funny, you’ve grown up well. If nothing else we’ll never be bored.”
Crowley grinned. “You got that right.” He leaned forward and took one of Aziraphale’s hands in his. “When mum and mother told me that I was to marry you, my first thought was, ‘At least I like her.’” He looked into her eyes. “I know we really don’t have much of a choice, but, for once in my life I’m not annoyed at Her Majesty telling me what to do.”
Aziraphale felt her heart flutter erratically. “That’s certainly a change,” she noted. She smirked at him, remembering the rows between Crowley and the King.
“I know, it’s called maturity, or something,” Crowley teased.
“You? Mature? Impossible.” Aziraphale realized she was still holding his hand so she squeezed his hand fondly. She considered her circumstances. Crowley was right, of course, she at least liked him. They seemingly hadn’t missed a step despite the years apart. “I would also be more than happy to marry my friend. Mother always said it was good to marry a friend.” She took a deep breath and met his gaze. “I would like to marry you, my best friend.”
Crowley grinned widely and planted a gentle, but lingering kiss on her hand. “I feel the same,” He said. “And I must say, I’m also looking forward to marrying someone as beautiful as you.”
“Crowley,” Aziraphale grumbled and turned her face away.
“What? It’s true!” Crowley stood and helped her stand as well. “You’ve grown up well too.” Aziraphale rolled her eyes. “You said it first.”
“I was hoping you didn’t notice.” Aziraphale followed Crowley’s path. She realized neither of them had let go of each other’s hands. She didn’t stop.
“Didn’t notice the comment, or the staring, or your blushing?” Crowley brushed his shoulder against hers.
“I’ve changed my mind,” Aziraphale teased, shouldering him back. “I cannot marry anyone as horrible as you.”
Crowley suddenly barked out a loud laugh. Aziraphale couldn’t help but giggle in return. Perhaps Crowley was right, at least they liked each other.
~~
That evening Aziraphale sat at her vanity, looking over herself in the mirror and idly playing with her hair. Tomorrow she would begin to follow Lillith around the castle, learning what it meant to not only be an adult at the royal court, but a princess, and one day, a queen. She wanted to make a good impression, and not draw too much attention to certain features.
There was a knock at her door and then Gabriel entered. “Oh, good, you’re still awake, and not reading.”
Aziraphale bit her tongue. She knew better than to say something out of turn to him. Instead, she forced a smile. “Gabriel, what can I do for you?”
“I just want to discuss your betrothal to his highness.”
Aziraphale had managed to put that together but smiled instead. “Of course.” She turned to face him more fully.
Gabriel sat stiffly in an overstuffed chair near the fireplace. “Aziraphale, do you think that you can handle being married to Prince Crowley?”
“What on earth do you mean?” Aziraphale began to twist her fingers in front of her, a nervous habit.
“Marrying the crown prince carries a lot of burdens and responsibilities.” Gabriel’s voice had taken on the tone he always did when he was parroting something Sandalphon had drilled into him. “Mother’s death derailed your education on the expectations of a lady, much less a princess. You don’t know the first thing about-”
“I know more than Lord Sandalphon believes I do,” Aziraphale insisted.
“Do you?”
“Mother taught me a lot,” Aziraphale insisted. Gabriel leveled her with a flat look. “And I pay more attention than you think. I read-”
“Fiction, frivolous novels.” Gabriel had raised his voice. He was getting angry, she had to be careful.
“I finished all the novels at home because Sandalphon told you to throw nearly all of them out,” Aziraphale said through gritted teeth. “And so I read the nonfiction until those were taken away as well.”
“Because he noticed how they distracted you.” Gabriel stood up and began to pace around the room.
Aziraphale sighed and looked down. Sometimes reaching out to the brother she once knew helped but today that was clearly not working. She had to try something else, the same thing Sandalphon did, play to his ego.
“Brother, dear, after Mother passed, I had you, and you do an excellent job of taking care of me, teaching me.” Gabriel shot her a quizzical look. “Come now, just because I don’t speak during court doesn’t mean I don’t listen.” Gabriel stopped pacing. Aziraphale breathed a sigh of relief. “And besides, I start learning from Queen Lillith tomorrow, and hopefully I’ll be under her tutelage for many, many years, as King Michael remains healthy.”
Gabriel paused. “I hadn’t considered that.” Aziraphale bit her lip to hide a smirk. “You’ll have to work hard, Aziraphale.”
Aziraphale nodded. “I know, and I do not take such an honor lightly.”
“Good.” Gabriel opened the door. “Be sure to sleep well, I do not imagine the coming weeks will be easy for you.” He shut the door behind him.
Before Aziraphale could turn back to the vanity mirror there was a knock at her window. She jumped and turned toward the window, seeing Crowley in the Apple tree, looking far too proud of himself. She ran to the window and pushed it open. “I should let you stay out there, my brother could have spotted you.”
“I stayed in the shadows until he left, I’m not an idiot.” Aziraphale leveled him with a flat look. “Not about that at least, now let me in.”
Aziraphale sighed before stepping aside. Crowley shimmied his way in, though, with more difficulty than when they were children. “I remember that opening being bigger,” he said with a frown.
“I think you were shorter, and somehow even skinnier than you are now.” Aziraphale teased. “Do you know how much trouble I could get in if we were caught?”
“We won’t be,” Crowley insisted. “Besides, it would be in no one’s best interest to make this known even if we were.”
Aziraphale hated it when she couldn’t argue with him. Unlike Gabriel or Sandalphon, Crowley almost always had a point. “Why are you here?”
“Prove I could,” Crowley said with a shrug. He picked up a shawl from the back of her vanity chair and handed it to her. “You seem cold.”
Aziraphale didn’t feel especially cold, what could he… she looked down at her chest. Her nightgown was doing absolutely nothing to hide her breasts' reaction to the cooler air coming into the room. She yanked the shawl out of his hands and wrapped herself in it. “You are the worst.”
“What? Why?”
“You looked in the first place,” Aziraphale said with a pout.
“I did, and I apologize.” He shot her a gentle smile. “That’s probably something we should talk about.”
Aziraphale blushed. He was right, of course, he was. “What exactly do you want to talk about?” Aziraphale asked through gritted teeth. She sat in the chair by the fireplace, wrapping as much of herself up in the shawl as she could.
Crowley sank into the chair by the vanity, concern washing over his features. “You’re really not comfortable with this are you?”
Aziraphale blushed and looked away. “I-I know I’m not the most attractive woma-”
“What? No!” Aziraphale shot him a look. Crowley grimaced and lowered his voice. “Aziraphale, no, that-that's not true, you, you’re gorgeous.”
Aziraphale looked away quickly. “Please don’t feel the need to flatter me just because we’re getting married.” Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes. “I know I eat too many sweets and therefore I’m not as trim as I should be, and everything I wear is scandalous and shameful because of it and-” She felt a hand on her knee. She looked to see Crowley kneeling in front of her.
“Aziraphale,” Crowley whispered. His eyes were wide with concern “Who talks to you that way?”
Aziraphale tried to blink away her tears. “It’s not important.”
“Yes, it is,” Crowley said. “Even if we weren’t getting married, you’d still be my friend.” Crowley squeezed her knee. “And no one talks to my friends that way.”
Aziraphale smiled in spite of herself. “I think you’re just a rake.”
“A bit, perhaps,” Crowley admitted with a wink. He shifted to sit on the floor in front of her. “But does admiring my future wife’s body really make me a rake?”
“You’ve had other lovers if rumors are anything to go by.”
“A few, but there are also many drunk people who fuck a redhead here in Eden and assume it’s me, so likely fewer than rumors suggest.” Crowley shrugged. “Does that bother you?”
Aziraphale pursed her lips in thought. “Are you in love with anyone?”
“Wouldn’t marry you if I was.”
“Any bastards running around, looking to overthrow your rule in say...fifty years?”
Crowley laughed. “No. No. Definitely not. When I first joined the army a few years ago Her Maj told me, ‘Screw whoever you like, but if there are any bastards I will kill you myself and your cousin Anathema will inherit the throne.’”
Aziraphale blinked in surprise. “That’s rather direct.”
“And yet kinder than what Mum said.”
“Well, you can’t say it didn’t work.”
Crowley admitted that with a nod. “What about you? Obviously no bastards, but am I going to have to fight off any poor, but honorable man who you’ve nobly set aside to do right by your family?”
Aziraphale laughed and rolled her eyes. “And Lord Sandalphon thinks I read too many frivolous novels.”
Crowley scowled at that, but the look vanished just as quickly. The clock on the mantle chimed. “I should probably get going,” Crowley said, albeit reluctantly.
“Will I see you tomorrow?” Aziraphale asked as she walked him to her window. “We really ought to spend more time together before the wedding.”
“My mums and I were thinking the same thing,” Crowley said as he hooked a leg out the window. “So I am fairly confident we’ll get some time tomorrow. And even if we don't, I'll break into your room again.”
Aziraphale rolled her eyes, but didn’t say no. “We’ll see about that.”
Crowley smirked, remembering how Aziraphale always stayed out of trouble with careful wording. “We will. Aziraphale?”
“Crowley?”
Crowley grabbed her hand and gently pulled Aziraphale closer. His eyes were on her face, specifically her lips. “May I?”
Aziraphale considered him for a moment. He was quite handsome, a vision from some fantasy, and he would be hers. “Yes."
Crowley gently brushed his lips against hers. Well, it started gently, but every time they tried to pull apart the other would pull them back in. When Aziraphale felt her mind had truly left her, she separated.
“You are. You.” Aziraphale took in gasping breaths, feeling overwhelmed again, but this time was a good overwhelmed feeling. She wanted to be angry at how deeply it affected her. But judging from the rising color on Crowley’s cheeks she may have had the same influence over him. She groaned in frustration.
“You too. Good night Aziraphale.”
After he dropped from sight Aziraphale slammed her window shut and threw herself into bed. How was she supposed to sleep after that?