Can We Get On? (Ineffable Husbands 2 Week 2021)

/2/ Tartan With Leather, Really? (7,000 Words)

As he did every Sunday night, Aziraphale went to his parents' house for dinner. He had made it a point to visit weekly and be present. Of all 5 Fell brothers, Aziraphale was the only one who still lived in town. Gabriel, Michael, Uriel and Sandalphon had gone to college and moved away almost as soon as they graduated. While he didn't want to admit it, the appeal of doing the same thing only grew with time. This is not to say that Asher and Frances Fell were bad parents. Far from it, actually. They had always been good and loving parents, doing everything possible to give their children everything they needed. It's just that they also expected certain things from all their sons.

In the past seven years, every one of Aziraphale's older brothers had settled down and had kids of their own. And while Asher and Frances loved and spoiled them from afar, it clearly bothered them that they could only enjoy them during the holidays. So every Sunday, the inevitable 'When will you give us a grandchild?' question would pop up and Aziraphale would dodge it to the best of his ability. Usually, they would accept it and move on. But today had been a rough day at work for the chubby man. A million things had gone wrong, customers were more rude than usual, and he simply wanted to be by himself. Which was how he accidentally ended up snapping and answering the question outright.

"Never. That's when." He said, frustrated.

His mother rolled her eyes. "Oh come on, you're only saying that because you haven't met the right girl."

"And I never will, because I- I don't like girls!" He stammered, regretting it immediately.

There was a pregnant pause at the dinner table. He didn't quite manage to make eye contact with either of his parents before Frances started speaking again. "Aziraphale, really. There is no need for you to lie."

He was shaking his head vehemently. "I'm- I'm not lying, mother! I'm... gay." He finally confessed.

Frances made a face, not angry, but as if she were trying to understand. "You've never mentioned this before. Dearie, if you still aren't ready to start dating, that's fine. Some people are just late bloomers, no need to make up another excuse for it. I was three years older than you when I met your father, and we had plenty of time to-"

"It's not an excuse, I'm finally answering the question honestly!" This was when he was finally able to look at them. Aziraphale's chest tightened as his anxiety started spiking.

Asher stared at his youngest son for a long time. He didn't seem upset or disappointed. Only slightly sad. "Why did you never tell us?"

"Because... I felt bad."

"About?"

By now he had completely discarded his plate and was wringing his hands together. "I was hoping either Michael or Uriel would move back here with their families in a few years. So you'd have at least some of your grandchildren to enjoy more often, before I broke the news to you."

"So that's why you've never brought home a girl for us to meet..." Said Frances, mainly to herself but it came out louder than expected.

Aziraphale replied anyway. "Yes..."

"Well... Sorry we never made you feel comfortable enough to come out..." She said, reaching over and placing her hand over his wrist.

He was taken aback by this, but immensely relieved. Considering their religious upbringing, a small part of Aziraphale's mind had always feared that his parents would reject him for this. Even knowing they were good people, he was always scared. And here he was, being accepted by them. He had been safe all along.

Overwhelmed, he started tearing up. This lead to both Asher and Frances engulfing him in a hug and serving dessert sooner than expected.

~~~~~