[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

[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?"

[blessedarethebookmakers]

He smirked, and giggled at the laugh. Oh it was so nice to make Crowley laugh. He really ought to do it more often. As for the pinch, well, he certainly had to apologize for that. What better way to keep a soothing hand on the spot and, why look, there was a pocket back there for just such a convenience.

"Oh decisions decisions. I suppose I really ought to go right." He ran his thumb absently up and down. "But it would be interesting for it to be left." He glanced at Crowley. "I don't suppose you have a coin, do you, dear?"

[serpentinthegarden]

Paused in his walking as they stood in front of the doors and pondered the rightness or wrongness of left or right, he considered the usefulness of back pockets. You couldn't really reach them, especially while wearing a long Victorian style long coat, and yet you always stored things back there. Wallets, watches, combs... some people had combs. He apparently had the hand of a very skillful angel who had managed to work his way through the puzzle of the long coat and deep into his pocket before Crowley had even become aware of the danger. What a masterful pickpocket he would be! Crowley stood beside Aziraphale, his weight shifted largely to one foot, so he could watch those coy eyes with a thoroughly amused expression. "You tell me, angel. Any loose coins back there?"

[blessedarethebookmakers]

Please. He was old hand at this. The Victorian era was an awakening in more ways than one. Either way he basked in Crowley's attention.

"Not that I can tell. Not unless you're hiding something." He gave that bum a gentle squeeze. Then dug around in his own pocket for a moment, trying to surreptitiously bring out a coin without it being noticed before peering hard at Crowley.

"But I do believe there's something glinting behind your ear."

[serpentinthegarden]

The squeeze he could enjoy, the pick-pocketing if Aziraphale chose to do it would have been nothing... but THAT set off every warning klaxon in the demon's mind. "No." Crowley spoke firmly as if he could command this not to be real. "There's nothing behind my ear but the rim of a pair of glasses. There's no coin, or handkerchief... or rabbit. None of that."

[blessedarethebookmakers]

"Are you suuure?" He batted his eyes at him. "I rather think there is something." Though it is a bit difficult to twist and do the trick whilst one hand is in his pocket. Nevertheless, Aziraphale does his level best.

"Let me see now... Whoops!" The coin slipped through his fingers and into Crowley's collar.

"Now just give me a moment..." Where did that devilish thing go?

[serpentinthegarden]

Ugh stage magic... It was pure torture watching that free hand fluttering about, knowing what Aziraphale was about to do and he readied himself for a good whine about it when... "AAAaa!!" THAT was a cold coin! It slipped down his neck and traced a line across his chest all the while radiating out its foreign cold beams. His whole body shivered as it staked its claim out somewhere in the deepest pits of his clothing. The look Crowley leveled at the angel was a glare now. "It went some where angels fear to tread."

[blessedarethebookmakers]

He tried not to laugh at the yelp, but a little titter slipped out anyway. At the look he gave Crowley a smile.

"Do they?" His gaze said more clearly than words that he had indeed tread there and would like to do so again in the near future.

"Well never mind. It will keep. Since it's definitely not tails I imagine it's the other." He slipped his hand from Crowley's pocket and took his hand instead.

"I'm feeling a little devious today. Let's go left." And he lead him to the left door and pushed it open.

It seemed the remnants of some sitting room or antechamber. There are chairs and a sofa draped with cloth and a (sadly bare) bookshelf with a chipped goblet. But what really drew him in was the view.

"Oh...look. We can see everything from here." Well, most of Main Street. Wasn't it odd. Such a tiny place this was. So much civilization for so much wilderness.

[serpentinthegarden]

Angel... If that laugh hadn't been so enchanting you might really have been in for it. Whatever 'it' would end up being. The hand's presence in his back pocket was sadly missed when it was gone but that coin soon took up residence there so his rear wouldn't be too lonely. Crowley shook his leg once or twice trying to dislodge the blasted thing but allowed himself to be guided along by the clasped hand. "What makes you think it didn't land on tails? It very much feels like it did land on tails." He meanwhile found that chipped chalice interesting... one needed to be on guard against those. You really never knew when an old goblet like that might be a holy relic. "It's a big castle. It makes sense you would be able to see a lot from up here." Which, as he looked out the window and down at all the little buildings and people rushing around down there, did sort of brought a thought to mind. "Ever had any luck with those flight spells?"

[blessedarethebookmakers]

Promises promises.

"I felt the tail, darling. Not a coin in sight." He leaned into Crowley a bit and hummed. "Yes. But it's odd, isn't it? Such a grand castle for such an Americana town. And a rather pretentious one at that." He sniffed. "Doesn't it seem to you out of place here? As if it's a monument to something else entirely?"

On the other hand. "Though I suppose it could be just poor city planning."

At Crowley's question he smiled. "Yes. I mean... they do get a bit awkward but..." He stood in front of Crowley and flared his wings wide, letting the light catch the brilliant white feathers. "Would you like a spin?"