Ineffable Husbands one shots and Shorts

Night Out In Paris 1/2

This story is dedicated to my best friend. You'll probably never read this but I love you 💕

Paris 1928

"Have you ever tried it?" Crowley said looking out into the salon where people were dancing, spinning around the room slowly in pairs.
"Angels can't dance" Aziraphale responded lamely sipping his drink. They had been sitting there for hours drinking and watching the humans. It was the kind of event humans were expected to attend if they were part of certain circles and while the music and drinks were quite pleasant constantly avoiding to be asked to dance did get tiresome. He'd much rather be with his books in the shop back in London.
"Oh shut up. I know how much you enjoyed your gavotte" Crowley derided still looking out at the dance floor. There was a sense of yearning about him that the angel couldn't quite place.
"Nothing is stopping you from dancing with someone," he suggested ignoring the other's jab and the sense that he'd rather not sit there by himself.
"Walz isn't quite my métier," the demon replied dismissively "besides, that's not what I meant." He waved over a waiter and helped himself to another glass of gin. "I meant wearing dresses and such," So that was why the demon had been eyeing the ladies in their flowing gowns with artfully arranged hair and dazzling jewellery all night.
"of course not, that would be quite inappropriate" Aziraphale responded matter of factly. Crowley turned to look at him one eyebrow raised.
"You're not human angel, you don't have to hold yourself to their standards." the demon sounded quite astounded which in turn surprised Aziraphale. He'd been given a male appearing corporeal form when he'd been first sent to earth so he just adjusted to what male humans were commonly wearing every time there were significant changes to the fashion or he changed location. He'd never thought about wearing what the female humans wore. Besides, with the newer fashion of loose-fitting gowns falling down a preferably very slim physique, it would have looked quite ridiculous he reckoned.
"That might be true but it really wouldn't suit this form" he reasoned. Crowley sighed.
"You could adjust your form for it." the demon suggested, "I think you'd quite enjoy all the silk and beads and embroidery" Aziraphale thought about this for a moment but it would be quite an effort just to try on some clothes and he'd gotten rather used to this form over several thousand years now.
"Vanity seems more like your department and I rather fancy this form." he quipped hoping the demon would drop the topic; unfortunately to no avail.
"Tell you what," the demon said now fully turning to face him with an expression that the angel recognized as him having devised a new scheme. "You go out with me dressed in woman's clothes tomorrow night and in return, I'll take up your next blessing" Aziraphale looked at him taken aback
"the next one is in Cardiff, you're not too fond of it, if I recall correctly." he pointed out. Crowley seemed to consider this for a second but then offered his hand for a handshake
"and neither are you. So what do you say, angel? Do we have a deal?" The angel hesitated for a second then shook his adversary's hand.

Aziraphale spent a significant amount of time the next day making sure his form and clothes were appropriate for an evening outing. He wasn't fond of miracleing clothing but he would have needed some everyday clothes just to go out to buy a dress and then there would have been a chance that he wouldn't have found something. Instead of chancing that he leafed through a significant number of fashion magazines to get an understanding of the matter and ended up quite proud of the result. What he was now wearing was a light beige ankle-length low waist dress with modest ¾ length sleeves. It had a shell off beaded and broidered chiffon and lining of silk and was, he had to give that to the demon, quite comfortable, definitely more comfortable than the shaping undergarment that went with it. He hadn't worn clothing this tight or heels this high for almost two centuries and he really could have done without it but he was, of course, an angel of his word. When somebody knocked on his door Aziraphale was just adding a wing-shaped bejewelled comb to his, now rolled up at the back of his head, hair. He looked at the clock and noticed Crowley being earlier than they had planned which was quite unusual.
"Come in dear he called out while adjusting his hair again.

The door opened but he didn't hear a sound from his acquaintance so when his hair was fixed properly he turned around looking at Crowley who stood in the open door looking perplexed. She was admittedly absolutely stunning but had clearly opted for a less... dignified way of dressing. Shining, auburn, playfully bobbed hair shimmered with a black jewel-encrusted headband matching the beading on the black mesh above the shimmering red satin of her dress. Her skirt would have barely covered her knees if it weren't for the black fringes on the asymmetrical hem. Sheer black stockings matched the stole around her otherwise bare shoulders and the red bottom and heel of her t-strap heels, that were still significantly higher than the angels, matched the colour of her dress. Her usual black sunglasses had been replaced by more delicate ones that went well with the outfit and just barely masked the demon's golden eyes and slitted pupils while allowing the red-lipsticked lips to be the centre of attention. after looking at each other in silence for a moment Crowley started laughing and walked in closing the door behind her.

"Really angel?" she managed to say in between giggles.
"What's wrong with this?" Aziraphale said scowling down at his dress "I thought I did quite a good job."
"You did... Nothing's wrong with it." the demon pressed out before another fit of laughter shook her.
"For heaven's sake, what is it then?" Aziraphale asked quite irritated by his companion's behaviour.
"People" she took a deep breath to calm herself with moderate success, "People will think you're my mother." still suppressing fits of giggles she took of her glasses and wiped laughing tears from her eyes, where her delicate and quite unnecessary makeup stayed miraculously immaculate. Aziraphale huffed and considered to miracle himself back to his usual self right away and blow off the whole thing but too much effort had gone into this charade at this point.
"So what? You can't be seen with me like this since you decided to look like promiscuous human youth?" he snapped giving the demon's giggles pause.
"Promiscuous? You flatter me" Crowley said with a smirk. "but no I will definitely not pass up the chance to have a girl's night out with my favourite angel." She stepped closer and offered her arm to the angel to hook under and looked at Aziraphale expectantly.
"We're going for dinner, your treat?" Aziraphale bargained more on principal than actually making it a condition to come along.
"Dinner and drinks, anything you want" Crowley replied Smiling widely.
"Very well, then come show your mother where you youngins go to have fun" Aziraphale teased as he hooked under Crowley's arm and as they left the angel's hotel room he miracled his silhouette a little slimmer and the hem of his dress somewhat serrated, hoping it would look a little more youthful and that the demon wouldn't notice.

- - -

Author's notes:

I watched a movie the other night that inspired this and I couldn't help but write it right away. Unfortunately, it completely gained a life of its own and I didn't get to the point I was trying to get to so now it'll be a two-parter.

Zira's dress is something roughly along the lines of the one on the left but with long sleeves, because I feel like he'd get his inspiration from housewife magazines or fashion catalogues for sophisticated women and older women wore long sleeves in the 1920s. (they're not full length cause Zira was trying to mix things up to be more stylish 😄) He's also wearing hanging pearl earrings and pearl bracelets and created a matching clutch to accessorise.

Crowley's dress is in style almost exactly the right one but without the triangular cut-out hem. Instead, the hem is straight at the length of the longest part of this and it's slightly flared from a low waistline down and asymmetrical front to back. Accessories are hanging black jewel earrings with matching armlets, a clutch, and a black feather fan.

Neither dress is form-fitted like in the pictures but rather straight cut and kinda loose with a drop waist as it was fashionable at the time. (only Crowley's is a little more flattering in cut 😁) Also instead of sequins both of their dresses are decorated with beading and embroidery. I also have ideas for outerwear but didn't want to spend to much time on descriptions 😆

This was an absolute blast to write tbh so I hope it was fun to read as well 😊 Second part will probably be the next thing I post 😁

PS: Yes it's a reference. I couldn't help myself 😄 If you caught it you're awesome 💕