Hail and Well Met, Newsletter Friends!

The next chapter of Short Steps, You Dip it in Soy Sauce, has finally, finally, finally been published! In a fun throwback to the before times, Crowley and Aziraphale go to a restaurant.

“My pleasure,” says Aziraphale, before a moment of hesitation. “Are we, ah…should we have a conversation about Thursday, or…?” Crowley feels the tips of his ears turning red.

“Just a bit a of mix up with…some medication. Wasn’t right in the head for a minute. It’s all sorted now though.”

“Alright, ” says Aziraphale. And then—“Look if you don’t…want to do this anymore, I understand. I know people do all sorts of things they later regret under the influence.”

“No!” Crowley is seized by the sudden urge to grab Aziraphale in case he tries to bolt out of some misdirected guilt. “No, absolutely not. I want to do this. Should’ve done it a while ago probably.” Before the conversation can get any more out of hand he hauls open the door to the restaurant and ushers Aziraphale inside.

That’s right folks: we’ve finally earned that “Dinner dates” tag (although, I’m afraid the chapter title is a bit misleading—there’s no actual soy sauce).

This chapter was supposed to published Friday, but then I decided to watch A Midsummer Night’s Dream starring Gwendoline Christie as Titania and Hippolyta. I have no regrets about my choice, and would heartily encourage you to watch it as well (and quickly—the video is only up until July 2nd). There’s basically nothing I can say to promote it that isn’t kind of a massive spoiler, so just trust me when I say: it’s good.

On the WIP docket: …looking through my WIP folders :þ I’ve probably written twenty-thousand words in the last three months, but they’ve pretty much all been homework required for graduation, rather than things you can post on AO3. I have a vague notion to finish Short Steps before the end of September, but that’s probably too optimistic (especially with all those oneshots simmering on various back burners). My next three weeks are light on work but heavy on packing, and then…I honestly don’t know. I suppose we’ll find out together.

—unsmilingchuck