[video]

[blessedarethebookmakers]

[he stands in front of a window, winter light streaming in around him and highlighting his white wings. Clever people may notice he's added another ring, silver and black on the fourth finger of his left hand as he folds them in front of him and beams. More than his usual polite interest, his eyes are shining and he looks positively radiant and may, in fact, be glowing just a hair.

When he speaks, his voice is like warm honey]

Hello, I'd like to take the time to welcome all the newcomers to our lovely little situation. It may seem odd and even frightening to be so far from home. You may feel overwhelmed by the task ahead of you and that you may not be able to accomplish healing the corruption that has blighted this land. But I can assure you, it's possible. Some of it has already been cleansed and purified.

How, you may ask?

Why, through our efforts. As a unit. As a group. A team even. Everyone has value and worth here. We are all able to contribute. And there are many here who would help you and guide you to settling in. Finding your way. I'd call upon Lydia if you needed a ready mind and an open ear. Or Eleanor or Richie if you wanted someone to drink and commiserate with. Michael is always splendid to talk to. If there are any children among you, Webby [goodness, what a name] and Leia are wonderful playmates. [so he assumes]

And there are plenty of others here to help.

As for me, I am your local librarian. [his grin widens as this is very new and not even Crowley knows it yet] The selection here is rather small and limited at the moment,but feel free to come in and browse and check out [his wings twitch a little at that] at your leisure. But do see the books are returned in a timely manner. After all, I know where you live. [a smile as if it's a joke]

To that end, I am offering a slight commission for any one who can bring me a book that they find in the wilds or wherever. If you're interested, please take stock of what the library already offers. I'm not interested in copies of mundane things here, but other sorts of books. They don't necessarily have to be non-fiction, but any sort of spell work, spell craft or magic theory that you can find I will pay top dollar for. And also limited or first editions.

[he is not sure where he'll get the top dollar, but nevermind]

Aside from that, welcome to all who have come.

If you have any questions or wish to seek the personal attentions of the head librarian, my consultation hours are posted on the office door.

Comments

[serpentinthegarden]

[ Too helpfully for a demon he did assist Aziraphale to his feet but may have pulled him a touch closer than needed to accomplish the task. It didn't hurt anything at all, to be near enough to brush a few stray leaves off his lapel or to examine those stains with a pitying eye. The demon had been engaged in several rounds of misuse of power this week and therefore his energy meter was running a little dry... but maybe one more couldn't hurt. His fingers snapped transforming those stains into harmless dust that could easily be blown away with a quick puff of air from his lungs. If afterwards he did rely a bit more heavily on leaning on the angel's arm or his cobra headed cane it wasn't a terrible price to pay. ] It's a new year, thought I should try to fit in with the locals better... their modern fashion. [ His nose crinkled making those muttonchops bristle. ] Feels like a step back in time really. Like we ought to be standing by a pond full of ducks instead of outside this castle.

[blessedarethebookmakers]

[he did notice, but couldn't help but be grateful for the attention. But the words, well, hit a sense of nostalgia deep in him. Of something that never was and frankly never would be.

What a world it would have been, standing feeding ducks. Not worried about heaven or hell but just...there...feeding creatures. But there always seemed something to do. Something to worry about. There and here.]

It is a wonderful look for you, my dear. But are you sure you're alright with it? [he sneaks a hand around his waist to support him and relaxes his wings so their feathers brush]

You're usually cutting edge. And happy to be there. But I can't help but be a little worried about all this.

[serpentinthegarden]

[ It was a very sweet sort of daydream of them just feeding the ducks as the carriages rolled along behind them and the elegant ladies chattered about the days events. And it did bring to mind the what ifs. What if instead of asking for the holy water that sent Aziraphale into a fit that had entirely ruined their meeting... what if the note had said something else? What if the elegantly scrolled script had asked for a kiss instead? Without Heaven or Hell to stop them would it have been as easily granted as Crowley imagined it might be here? ] It's fine! It's not like Victorian men's fashion is uncomfortable to wear. It's not like whale bone corsets or bustles... or those nasty Mediterranean slingback shoes that dug into your heel. Gaarhh, those things were terrible. [ He said but drew out the 'e' in fine to twice the needed length as his arm snaked ever so stealthily around the angel's waist, just mirroring the cuddle not taking advantage of a fortuitous situation. ] How can you really be cutting edge in a society that isn't? Their hip fashion is 150 years old.

[blessedarethebookmakers]

Oh yes those were awful.

And no it is not fineeee [he pouted] Clearly it's not. I wish you would tell me what's on your mind, darling. [he gave him a little squeeze]

[serpentinthegarden]

It could be fine. [ He amended that then and as they were ever so close, he did so with the tickling brush of his new/old muttonchops against Aziraphale's cheek. ] I could wear next year's hat before these people have even thought to create it. [ Assuming he could pin down just how far behind the times they were. ] It's nothing major, well nothing you would think of as major... you've worn that same outfit for centuries. Still looks good on you by the way. Very... [ He smirked as he said the word. ] Dashing. [ The rest Aziraphale would just find silly so he braced himself for one of those 'you silly demon' looks. Probably fitting really as it would end up countering that 'you silly angel' look Aziraphale had gotten for tripping over that wall. ] It's a fashion crisis. I don't know if I should stick with my 2018 look, switch over to a 1800's look, go for something in-between. Can you get away with a slouchy Victorian? Nah, it'd never look right. [ His hand finally found its purchase on Aziraphale's hip and his grip momentarily tightened warmly against the well worn fabric. ] You're no help with that at all, you know. You like me in everything. [ An ever so sly smirk appeared again. ] And nothing. Maybe I'll become notionate. Then you would never have any idea what century you might wake up next to!

[blessedarethebookmakers]

Oh I see... [he smiled a bit at the tickle of fuzz, his feathers fluffing. And he did notice that hand at his hip, thank you very much,but was currently ignoring it.]

I do like you in everything. [he shifted a bit so instead of side by side, he was in front of him, pressed against him, an embrace more than a supportive side hug. With his free hand he graced those wonderful muttonchops, following hem to trace the curve of an ear with his fingertips.]

And nothing. Everything about you is absolutely tempting, you smug thing. [he didn't give him a kiss though his gaze lingered on that mouth and he breathed in the scent of wool and silk and memory]

Do whatever it is that makes you happy, and if it's you doing it, I'll likely as not enjoy it.

[serpentinthegarden]

Aziraphale might have wanted to be more clear on that. Doing whatever made him happy opened the field for a great deal of mischief! The more wicked thoughts were soothed by the tender petting of his old school hairstyle and his wings tucked quiet passively into the embrace. A Victorian styled romantic moment it was not. They ought to be exchanging calling cards really to set up a meeting to walk each other home. Or he might have slipped the angel a pressed flower hidden in a handkerchief with one of those secret meanings he had nearly forgotten ever existed but now recalled in perfect clarity. He hadn't planned ahead for this and so had none of those more traditionally romantic offerings but words came to him easily enough. They were whispered so that none but Aziraphale might hear as they were for him alone. A pressed flower in poetic form. "My heart is at its fullest when drawn close to thine." His eyes drifted closed as he sank nearer, lightly brushing his lips across the angel's before settling upon them for a proper kiss. He was happy, absolutely ridiculously happy in that sickening twitterpated way the newly engaged were, always looking to his ring, dreaming of Aziraphale's smile, wishing for the brush of the angel's wing whenever they were apart. He just didn't show it by means of glowing.

[blessedarethebookmakers]

Oh! That was positively insidious! There was something about the way he said it! Dressed like that! Looking like that! It was positively evil and absolutely divine. Aziraphale felt himself blush crimson and more than just romance coursed through his veins. He meant to lean away from the kiss. He really did. He didn't want to so easily swayed. But those words. They hooked in him deep inside, calling forth the warm and fragile thing precious as an eggshell. His heart, he supposed. Which rested in Crowley's hands more fully than ever before.

Not to mention the teasing brush of lips was merciless. And the way his eyes closed ah--

"Mmh!" Aziraphale sank hopelessly into the kiss, both hands twining about Crowley's neck to pull him even closer, pressing his body flush against the demon's as his wings flared. Oh it was horrible. It was awful. Delicious sinful heat rose in him that he did his best to fight down, even when taking a daring taste of that lower lip, but offering no more than that.

"We're meant to be exploring a castle," he murmured when they parted. Or took a small space. Only a breath away from another kiss. A slightly different path that should not occur right here in the open. "Not making love."

[serpentinthegarden]

"Is that what we're doing?" That grin that betrayed so many levels of sinister thoughts reappeared as he teased. "Making love and out here in the open, what terrible wicked creatures we are." Crowley couldn't have been more pleased or less inclined to move away from that ever so inviting meeting of their bodies that had betrayed a deeper longer just as indisputably as those wonderfully flared wings had. He maintained the breath's distance between them, drinking in that recently freshened scent of old books. Doubtless the angel had already spent much of the day pawing through all those old volumes, sorting them, and their fragrance did suit him so very well. It was familiar, like coming home again. The only reason Crowley's thoughts ever turned back to that large imposing castle behind them was the myriad of hidden rooms he was sure it must contain. Dark, hidden, secretive places where he was certain an angel and a demon could be lost in for a few hours. His lips drifted closer to Aziraphale's again, not taking the initiative for another kiss, but showing he was entirely willing to make love out here for as long as the angel was or they could... "Castle like that does have to have a lot of secret rooms..." Or they could find some lofty tower room to make their own for a while.

[blessedarethebookmakers]

"Oh hush. You know what I meant!" He really needed to stop flushing and giving Crowley more ammunition. Self control. He reminded himself. That's what he needed. Not covering the short distance to meet that mouth again, not wanting to taste more of him or to tug him into the shadow of the wall just there and--

--that mouth drifted close again and he nearly cooed. Just stopped himself in time. Tried to focus. Crowley was talking about secret rooms. What on earth could he be looking for, Aziraphale wondered?

"Mm. Yes. Secret." He rubbed his nose against Crowley's, sneaking a hand into his hair. "And if you behave, we may share one."

And then he pulled away before he didn't, walking ahead a little, hands behind him, peeking at Crowley over his shoulder.

[serpentinthegarden]

His tall silk hat was given an adjustment to center it on his head again after that angelic ruffling of his hair and he smirked after the playfully retreating form of Aziraphale. If he behaved... that was practically an invitation for him not to. So it was translated in the demon's mind as his cobra cane was given a light spin to be tucked into the crook of his arm so he could follow the angel to the castle in a leisurely, not at all overly eager, saunter. "Start the search upstairs then?" Crowley asked as he stepped through the archway into the foyer which here and there still showed signs of the most recent party in the form of confetti and the remnants of a popped balloon. "I doubt there is a place on the ground floor that hasn't been gone through already." He found the stairs which spiraled their way up to the second floor and beyond but he leaned back on the railing, to drink in Aziraphale's every motion as he decided whether or not to take point on the stairs.

[blessedarethebookmakers]

He did so mean to behave himself! Absolutely do not do anything wicked or naughty. "Good idea. I don't know if there are any dungeons but I don't think I should trust you with chains about." Said somewhat saucily as he mounted the stairs ahead of him. There was something almost thrilling at Crowley at his back, but he tried not to pay too much attention to it.

"Anything in particular you hope to find?"

[serpentinthegarden]

"Books, isn't it?"

He spoke nonchalantly as while that was the original goal, and he would still be on the lookout for them, there was another more wicked plan that had been inspired by their heated tête-à-tête outside.

Crowley did behave as far as the stairs went. Only his eyes went wandering over the angel's back and wings... And a little lower... as anything too surprising might have sent both of them tumbling back down the way they had come.

"Chains..."

He barked a laugh as they reached the landing on the second floor before leaning close enough to nip at an earlobe.

"You do wear them well."

The demon then slid past Aziraphale none to subtlety brushing his dark wings over the angel's as he opened the nearest door and peered inside. This one didn't contain much of interest at all unless you were a spider... Lots of their kind inside, tons of webs.

[blessedarethebookmakers]

He smiled at the laugh, pleased, then yipped at the earlobe bite. Honestly! Wear them well indeed. And don't think he didn't notice that little feather brush. He knew what you were up to you lascivious serpent!

But then he had an idea. Smiling, he sidled up behind Crowley, resting his chin on the demon's shoulder, ostensibly to peer in the room.

"You know, I sometimes wonder why you were there. A demon could get in a lot of trouble keeping such close tabs on an angel. Why, one could almost assume you were doing a good deed." And he pressed a soft kiss to the side of that neck, light as a feather.

[serpentinthegarden]

The delicate kiss sent as many senses tingling as the implication he had been doing a good deed way back then. He thought to snarl and deny it outright but as he twisted to give Aziraphale a hard glare... Crowley discovered how very easy it was to pin the angel against the doorframe. Leaning against Aziraphale's chest, looking up into those sky blue eyes, his demeanor softened.

"I was in the area. Checking on... Things."

His hand reached up to brush against the angel's cheek as his golden eyes grew far softer than a demon's ought to.

"Very important things."

His fingers played over that soft skin even brushing once over those desirable lips.

"But I could say it was entirely selfish. That I saved you then because I couldn't stand the thought of losing you."

[blessedarethebookmakers]

Being pushed against the doorframe was rather unexpected and not altogether unwelcome. But then the softening of the face. The touch of that soft hand. The implications. He hadn't seriously expected Crowley to be in the area, checking up on him. His cheeks flushed and he turned his cheek into that palm, kissing those sensitive fingers. Couldn't stand the thought of losing him.

"Oh, Crowley..." In so many ways it wasn't fair. That a demon should feel so strongly. That Aziraphale hadn't been able to return that affection. That once they corrected their world, well, it would have to go back to the way it used to be. No wonder Crowley didn't want to leave this place.

But leaving would come when it came. For now they were here. For now it was alright.

"If that's true than I should endeavor to help it become something pure." He wrapped his arms around Crowley's neck and looked at him imploringly. "To draw the darkness out of you by whatever means possible. My hands. My mouth..." He watched him through lowered lashes. "My body."

[serpentinthegarden]

There was no going back. Not for Aziraphale... and certainly not for him. They were trapped here in this world and almost certainly bound to stay here no matter what sense of duty or obligations drove the angel to think it could ever be otherwise. It was just taking Azirapahale longer to come to terms with their new situation than it was him, that's all. In time, a few thousand years or so, he would come to accept it. It was like Falling really... once you were tossed out there was no power in the universe that could reverse the process, not even a very willing sacrifice. But uhm, Crowley swallowed hard as his eyes drifted down in the direction those lashes lead him. He could play along with that. "That's... a lot of darkness, angel." Crowley tilted his head as if concerned it might all be too much for him. "Could take... centuries." Centuries with Aziraphale where he didn't have to guard his feelings! Where he could be free to express them, acknowledge them for what they were, and taste those divinely angelic lips as he did again now. "You want to start that here or... find a chaise or something?"

[blessedarethebookmakers]

People had gone back before. Had disappeared without warning. Aziraphale hadn't known them well enough to know if it was voluntary or not. But the point was, it was possible. The point was, it was largely unexpected.

He pursed his lips at that questioning frown. Certainly he could handle the darkness! His feathers bristled a bit-- and then he realized that Crowley was just baiting him. Clever thing. Fiendish thing.

He would bring the ball back into his field. But he should take care, he realized suddenly, not to go too fast for even himself. There were some things he was still not prepared for and that Crowley was always overeager for.

But he knew just how to do it.

"I shall persevere. But you know, my darling..." He shifted against him purposefully, lightly drawing his fingernails against the back of the demon's neck in lazy patterns. "It's a two man job, this getting rid of darkness. And you haven't behaved a single moment since we got here." He pressed a kiss just at the corner of his mouth, and then the other side.

"Nor have I received a single coupon." A frown. Pout really. Wings slightly arched. "I really can't give you a surprise for that, now can I?"

[serpentinthegarden]

It was a moth to a flame really only some how he was always the moth reaching out for those angelic beams of light that always danced just out of reach. He enjoyed Aziraphale's company, loved when they were all nestled up snugly together, and didn't much care where or when that happened anymore. If that made him seem overeager well... hell with it! Making out on a chaise is a perfectly reasonable thing to do when you are in love! Transfixed by those lazy claws drawing their patterns against his neck he might well have stayed here cuddled in the uncomfortable doorway for the rest of the day only the game did have its pitfalls and he had tumbled into one. Go to jail, go directly to jail... and do not collect your angelic kisses. Crowley's snarl began low in the throat but gradually increased in volume until even his lips had coiled in a Dicken's-like grimace. Good deeds! UGH! He couldn't even find a way to twist anything he had done today in such a way that might make it seem good. And if Aziraphale had heard about that party... He had livened it up but that wasn't exactly coupon worthy, was it? Crowley tried anyway, though it was admittedly some of his weakest work. "Participation trophy? I am trying to help you look for books." Sorta... I mean if they happened to find some while teasing each other up and down the halls it was a win-win right?

[blessedarethebookmakers]

He should not find that snarl so...interesting. And certainly not adorable. Aziraphale folds those somewhat conflicting thoughts carefully and puts them away in the (now somewhat bulging) lockbox of his mind. He is smiling. Well he can't help it, can he?

"I suppose I ought to give you at least something for that. Afterward, I mean." Before Crowley got any ideas. But then the more he looked at him, the more he wondered if he could melt that snarl away. His wings flickered a bit.

"Before we're off again..." He petted one of those darling muttonchops. "Kiss me, Crowley."

[serpentinthegarden]

He had failed the game and never expected that to actually work but he wasn't going to complain that it had. Crowley drifted closer, that snarl still present but fading gradually the nearer he came. By the time their lips met and he could close his eyes to savor the ecstasy of the moment it was as if the growl had never happened. There was only the two of them, those fingers running through his hair and the doorknob stabbing him in the butt. "I should be giving you a reward... really..." The demon sighed contentedly with his cheek resting just to the side of Aziraphale's chin, the tickledy fuzzys very his old school hairstyle no doubt playing mischief on the angel without a beard to counter them. Crowley changed tactics. "As congratulations for the new job."

[blessedarethebookmakers]

Oh, there was something about that scowl fading. His eyes softening. Closing, or so it seemed, behind the dark glasses. Aziraphale nearly melted himself at the press of lips, so simple and yet so perfect. He hummed needily into the kiss and wondered how Crowley could manage to be so magnificent all of the time.

It didn't help that he was aware that he'd won the game and the triumph made him quite happy. Though not as much as this moment.

The whiskers did tickle dreadfully and tried and only moderately succeeded in not squirming or rubbing his cheek against them like a cat. The demon was horrible for his constitution. He truly was.

"Oh!" His feathers fluffed at the suggestion. He hadn't thought of it that way before. "Yes. Well! Not a reward. It wasn't difficult at all. But a celebration. With a bottle of wine and chocolate. Hmm. Yes I like that." He pressed a kiss his ear. "Shall we look around a little longer, darling? I'm sure there must be something to see." And it would give him time to plan the wine. And the chocolates. Oh and the music. It had to be something with just the right sentiment. A little celebration was just what they needed.

[serpentinthegarden]

"Hand dipped designer chocolates fresh made this morning?"

The demon teased against Aziraphale's cheek like those were a possibility.

"Extra sinful because they were made by demonic hands? That sort of chocolate?"

Crowley's smile took on a touch of that smugness again as he watched for the delighted response he was sure that suggestion would receive.

"There's a box in the apartment. A perk of working at a sweet shoppe. I brought a box home after I got off the mirror with you."

He nuzzled into the ear kiss but tried to take a step back, only to be met again by the knob... He settled then for snuggling in as close as he could to Aziraphale's chest and sliding out. It was the only way really. But before he escaped entirely the angel was given one last parting kiss. Once he popped free of the doorway he smug swaggered his way a few paces down the hall before looking back to Aziraphale and grinning.

"Yeah, let's look around. Plenty more rooms left!"

[blessedarethebookmakers]

"Ooohhhh. Yes, please" He practically breathed in Crowley's ear, then realized he shouldn't've at the smug smirk, but honestly he couldn't help himself. "Foul tempter." He returned the sweet kiss as much as he could and watched Crowley swagger away a short ways. It was hardly his fault the demon had such a very nice swagger.

"Yes, of course." He caught up at his own pace until they were side by side. "I'm sure this castle is just full of surprises." And as he said it, he let his hand drop and goosed that delightful backside.

[serpentinthegarden]

Got him right next to the doorknob! The demon startled enough to give Aziraphale a questioning look but how could he not smile, even bark a laugh, at those evil pinching fingers and ever so holy angelic grin.

"Doors."

He said as much to keep himself on task as anything as they came upon a set of doors.

"Your pick, angel. Do you like right or left?"