a hope for rain

[green-eggs101.livejournal.com]

~800 words of g-rated Good Omens ineffable husbands fic though it's mostly outside POV OC/OC in this segment.

“It'll be even more fun, next time!” Adam promised on his way out the door. “No matchmaking or accidental rainstorms needed!”

Margot huffed, waving as Adam and his friends left the shop. “I’ll have the mochas ready!”

Out the window, Margot watched Aziraphale and Crowley dance slowly under the awning. The music had long since changed to something faster and upbeat, but their sway remained gentle and slow, not even noticing Adam’s wave.

With a grin, Margot began to close up shop, cleaning and prepping the espresso machines, sweeping the floor, and finally closing up the register.

The next time she looked up, the two men had left their spot under the awning.

Instead, Margot saw a light on at the bookstore across the street.

With a smile, Margot closed the blinds, humming ‘A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square’ her whole way home.

===

“Margot!” Stella greeted the next day, “Some guys came in early this morning.”

“Yeah?” Margot hung up her jacket on the hook by the door.

“Yeah. Couple of strange blokes.” Stella shrugged. “But they said they’d be by later and wanted to make sure you were here to serve them?”

Margot felt her face heat up. Mr. Crowley and Mr. Fell… did they know? “Oh? Well, I’ll be here all afternoon!”

“Yeah,” Stella grinned. “So… I’m good to take my—”

Margot laughed. “Yeah, go take your break.”

Stella’s smile grew as she grabbed her own coat to head out back. Margot watched for a moment before swallowing and taking her own plunge. “Stella?”

“Yeah?”

“Do… do you maybe want to catch a drink sometime? Not.. coffee. Obviously,” Margot laughed nervously. “But a pint? And maybe a movie? Or…”

Stella’s brow furrowed briefly before her grin lit up her face. “Yeah. Sure! I’d like that.” She paused for a moment. “But only if I can take you to a museum before the movie? I always found the paintings a bit more romantic.”

Margot felt her face heat up even more. “Right. Yeah! I like museums! All that romantic… art. And stuff.”

Stella laughed. “We can set something up after my break? We have all afternoon.”

“Yeah…” Margot said, watching her leave. “Looking forward to it.”

And as if it were planned. Mr Crowley walked in not a minute later. He even offered Margot something close to a smile before taking his seat.

At a spot close to the dead center of the cafe.

Margot got to work, turning the kettle on and then starting on the six shots of espresso.

The bell rang.

“Oh, Margot dear. I had hoped you’d be in later.”

Margot grinned. “Barely a day off while Nina’s on holiday.” The kettle turned off and she poured it over a teabag of Earl Grey. “But that should change soon.”

“Oh? Big plans?” Mr. Fell’s smile lit up his whole face, looking wholly angelic, though Margot saw a bit of a mischievous grin in his eye.

Margot shared his smile. “I got a date. I hope.”

“Lovely,” Mr Fell nodded, then his eyes slid over to Mr. Crowley.

And his smile lit up even more, if possible. “Hello, darling.”

“Angel,” Crowley answered.

It was the only time Margot had ever seen him smile.

Mr. Fell sat down across from Mr. Crowley.

Margot filled a tray with the tea, the espresso, and the Jaffa cakes. Picking it up easily, she delivered it to the single table, a smile on her face.

She had a feeling this wouldn’t be the first time she would be delivering this exact order to this table.

Mr. Fell and Mr. Crowley seemed lost in each other’s company, so Margot returned to the register, already planning on paying for their order herself. At least this once.

But to her surprise, there was money waiting on the counter. She blinked, sure she hadn’t rung out their order yet. And the amount—

“Mr. Fell! This is way too much—”

“Is it?” Mr. Fell waved his hand. “Keep it dear.”

“I couldn’t possibly—!”

“Oi, of course you can!” Mr. Crowley said. “Have you seen museum admission prices these days? Outrageous.”

“Practically devilish,” Mr. Fell added.

Mr. Crowley chuckled, then turned his gaze to Margot. “Keep it for your date. Show her a good time.”

“I—”

The bell rang as another customer came in, cutting off Margot’s protests. Absently, she pocketed the tip.

Soon she was inundated with customers, making Stella’s return a relief as they worked their way in unison through the line. At some point, Mr. Fell and Mr. Crowley left, and Margot spotted them across the street entering the bookstore.

Finally, the line gave her and Stella enough pause to actually talk and plan out their date. Nina and Maggie would return in a few days, and both Stella and Margot would have a whole day off that weekend.

With a smile, Margot checked the weather for that day. For once, she hoped for rain.

Next up is nichi! Line is: "For once, she hoped for rain."