Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Chapter Nine: The HEA

~December 31, 2025~

~Later that year~

~May 22, 2026~

Ezra donned his favorite traditional Watson costume, complete with a penciled-on moustache, cane, and bowler. It was the one he used to wear for the book tours until he got tired of tourists asking why he wasn’t dressed as Sherlock. He was excited to wear it to a convention where he knew it would be appreciated, and even more excited to be going this time with a date.

Anthony pulled up in a modernized classic Bentley, a car he had rented for the weekend from Driveshare just so he could escort his angel in period-typical style. He got out of the driver’s seat to open the door for Ezra.

“The name’s Holmes. Sherlock Holmes,” Anthony said, holding out his hand. Ezra shook it, loving all the ways they continued to introduce themselves to each other. He figured they must be on their eighth or ninth meet-cute by now. 

“Dr. John H. Watson. Charmed, I’m sure,” Ezra answered, as he admired Anthony’s James Bond crossover costume, sporting a modern black suit and tie with a very stylish watch, while wearing a sleek black deerstalker hat to complete the look.

Anthony drove fast to the convention, which made Ezra a little nervous even though he trusted him completely. He held on tight as they excitedly compared notes on which guests they wanted to see and panels they wanted to attend. Ezra planned to go to the ones on the literary track, while Anthony was more interested in checking out some of the film screenings, so they planned to spend their morning separately and decided to meet up again for a cosplay photoshoot at the Bentley in the afternoon.

It all went nearly according to plan, until a sudden and unexpected rainfall cut their photoshoot short and forced them under an awning where they shared a fabulous kiss while they waited out the rain.

That night after the convention they checked into their hotel room together, specifically requested with only one bed to continue the fanfic tropes that had brought them together.

As they dried off and carefully hung up their costumes and picked out what they wanted to order for room service, Anthony excitedly pulled out a box from his suitcase.

“I got this for you, Angel…”

Ezra opened the box to see a necklace of a horse inside.

“It’s based on the Uffington White Horse, made in prehistoric times from white chalk,” Anthony explained. “Not quite Millstone Grit but close enough. It’s the one Tiffany Aching talks about in the Discworld novels. And it’s near where Pratchett grew up. So figure it’s where the magic of Discworld comes from, too… It's about finding your power by being true to yourself."

Ezra gasped. “The horse on the chalk! I adore it! Thank you so much, dearest…”

Anthony went behind him and helped to clasp the necklace around his neck, and quoted Granny Weatherwax as he put it on him: “’Taint what a horse looks like. It’s what a horse be.’” 

“It’s absolutely perfect.” Ezra teared up, and leaned in for a kiss.

“Glad you like it.” Anthony beamed.

“It just so happens to match this,” Ezra said, and revealed a small wrapped box from his own suitcase.

Anthony’s eyebrows shot up as he accepted the gift, and carefully removed the black paper wrapping. He recognized the turtle on the box lid immediately. “You were shopping on Discworld.com too?”

Ezra nodded, excited for Anthony to see what he’d picked out. “Yes. Tonight is a special night, after all!”

Anthony opened it, and inside was a hare running into fire, the same necklace that Preston had given Tiffany in I Shall Wear Midnight that VaguelyScribblesDownward had said meant so much to him all those months ago.

“The hare runs into the fire... The fire, it loves her, she is free... Angel, this is amazing! Thank you so much!” Anthony exclaimed as he blinked back tears.

"It's gold. To match your eyes." Ezra helped him put it on, and was treated to yet another kiss from Anthony.

He pulled away and looked him in the eyes meaningfully. “Well, food is on its way. And there is only one bed. Are you ready?”

Anthony nodded. “Might be a sodding mess afterward. Just so you know…”

“I’ll be here for you, dearest. Every step of the way.”

“Might as well get comfortable, then.”

Anthony and Ezra both changed into their pyjamas. Ezra had a soft cotton tartan set, and Anthony had on a pair of black silk trousers with a loose black t-shirt of A’tuin, the large turtle swimming through space with four elephants on his back carrying the world of the Disc.

They climbed inside the bed, and adjusted the blankets and pillows until they were cuddling close and cozy. Ezra pulled out his copy of The Shepherd’s Crown by Terry Pratchett.

Ezra started to read.

"For Esmerelda Weatherwax--mind how you go..."

"Bloody hell, that's the opener?!?" Anthony exclaimed. "Feeling soppy already!"

"Just the dedication, love. Ready for the next part?" 

Anthony cuddled closer to Ezra and nodded. 

"It was one of those days that you put away and remember. High on the downs, above her parent's farm, Tiffany Aching felt as though she could see to the end of the world..." 

Ezra continued reading, all through the night, only pausing when room service arrived and after Chapter 2 when Anthony needed a break, supporting each other as they read through the last of Terry Pratchett's novels together. 

For Ezra, it was certainly one of those days he would put away and remember for a long, long time.