[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 Mm. A Western... Well..." He didn't have much to say about that as those arms winding about his waist were awfully distracting. Not to mention the warmth pressing between his wings. The slightly cool air when his collar was tugged aside gave him chill prickles and the brush of Crowley's breath even more. He did his best not to let out so much as a peep at the kiss... Though a tiny little sound might have escaped anyway... and tilted his head to allow more of that if Crowley so wanted to.

"What is a good deed? Volunteering information?"

[serpentinthegarden]

"Successfully finding a book for the library!" He said ever so triumphantly, but added with just a slight hint of teasing like they were school age youngsters with their first crush. "And I'll carry it home for you." And the wickedness being visited upon that soft skin wouldn't count against him in the least! So Crowley thought as he took up the invitation to nuzzle into the neck and press a few more kisses randomly here or there, where ever seemed most in need of a little demonic attention.

[blessedarethebookmakers]

"O--oh...." He had been the one to find the book really so that hardly counted-- but with those wicked kisses it was difficult to keep that in mind. "Mm!" That noise was in agreement and not because Crowley had found a particularly devastating spot right in the center.

"Yes... I suppose you ought." He wasn't even sure what he was agreeing to, to be honest. He let go of the book with one hand to rest it over the ones wrapped round his waist, running a finger over the smooth band on the demon's finger and getting an odd little thrill.

"You'll be using a coupon then, I imagine?" There is just resignment in his voice and not at all hope or expectation or thrill.

[serpentinthegarden]

Oh the sweet surrender! The way Aziraphale leaned back against him, that blissful hum of pleasure... and there was something about the ring. It was a sort of power that often drew even the demon's fingers to play over its surface, like it was a dream or some sort of absolutely impossible miracle. His lips lingered over the angel's pale skin, loathe to move away but this room wasn't exactly as comfortable as their own might be. He gently moved out from under the angel's hand to take the book, then practically danced his way back towards the door. "Maaaaaybe." Biting his lower lip playfully he leaned briefly against the door-frame with an evil tease. "You will just have to wait and see."

[blessedarethebookmakers]

He frowned as Crowley moved away. He hadn't been done yet. But they could continue where they left off, he reminded himself. He pouted at the tease. Cheek.

"Well..." He sniffed and lifted his head. "You'd better make it a good one. They're non-refundable you know."

[serpentinthegarden]

Truth be told he wasn't what one would call 'done' either but some one had stressed the importance of drawing the moment out so... he was. And Crowley felt it must have been working to get such a pout from Aziraphale. Leave them wanting more and you will get more. "I've read them." Which might have been the only book he would admit to reading from cover to cover. "They are all good ones! I won't regret a thing." He held out an arm, like Aziraphale were a lady in need of an escort. "Walk you home, angel?"

[blessedarethebookmakers]

"Nor will I..." He took that arm, still pouting a bit, and walking with him side by side. He could hardly remember what cuopons he put in there honestly. Most of them were silly little things. Some a bit more risque. Some perhaps entirely too bold now that he thought about it. Perhaps he should have added points to them or some such thing. But surely Crowley wouldn't pick anything too extreme.

Would he?

"Which ones did you like best?" Perhaps he could get a clue as to the demon's intentions.

[serpentinthegarden]

"Eh..."

Crowley rolled his head as they walked back down through the castle like he was actually trying to think up an answer. Of course he couldn't! Silly angel, that would ruin the surprise entirely! You were just going to have to wait and see.

"I like them all because every single one of them has to do with you."

[blessedarethebookmakers]

"That's cheating. Surely you can give a more specific example." He gave him an imploring look. "Something you've been dying to see or do or try perhaps?"

[serpentinthegarden]

"Asking is cheating too." Crowley claimed with a sly smile at his partner. "Removes all the surprise. It's..." He leaned close enough to speak the name near the angel's ear like a diabolical plot. "...the long game."

[blessedarethebookmakers]

He shivered, wings caught somewhere between a fluff and a bristle. How dare he use that against him? Honestly. It was alright though. He was fine.

Two could play at this game.

He gave Crowley a long look which clearly said this was war, and then smiled.

"Quite right. We shall see who wins it."

[serpentinthegarden]

The demon just beamed in that way of his when he felt he had twisted things to his advantage. Really, how could he lose here? Either he held out longer than Aziraphale and he was able to tease and torment him all evening or he surrendered and gave into whatever tender mercy's the angel might see fit to punish him with. It was a win-win from where he stood. They could see who won the game but the war was already his. "Defiant in the face of defeat. I've always liked that about you." He laughed in a far more warm and tender way than he usually did. For it was true in a way. Good always lost to evil in the end but one had to admire that tenacity.

[blessedarethebookmakers]

"I have not been defeated!" His head and wings arched proudly. "Nor will I be. You'll see. I'll come out on top."

How was beyond him. He was still working that part out.

...Except wait. He knew. He really did. But oh he shouldn't say it. It wouldn't be fair at all. But the assurance of his victory was enough to turn his pride into something far more smug.

[serpentinthegarden]

"On top or on bottom its all the same to me!" He might have spoken that tease just a little too loudly as they stepped out of the main castle gate for one of the passerbys suddenly choked on their latte. Not that he cared. The guy shouldn't have been listening in on a private conversation anyway. Aziraphale had a cute smug. It was insufferable at times and something Crowley thought to nip in the bud, only... he didn't know what he was so smug about. Heaven winning the conflict over Earth had been easy, just mention all those human things the angel would no long be able to enjoy. This was a mystery. "Penny for them? I still have one rattling around down there somewhere."

[blessedarethebookmakers]

Aziraphale chuckled a little himself at that dirty little joke, but tried to reign in his enthusiasm if only to keep Crowley from getting too smug.

"I think we both know where you prefer, darling." And he patted that bum with a wing.

Though he couldn't help but grin at that joke and laughed a little more. How could one be expected to resist such a clever thing?

The question was... should he tell him?

"Hmmmmm... No... Far be it from me to ruin your fun. You're adorable when you think you're winning. But, you know, good will always triumph."

[serpentinthegarden]

Crowley considered the counterargument of that wing glancing across his backside with his head slightly tilted at what looked like an awkward angle but one that was actually very comfortable.

"I do like that."

A beat in which they managed to walk nearly all the way to the street.

"But the hand was better. Back pockets are made for hands."

Walking arm in arm Crowley still managed to turn enough to give his angel a good long skeptical look.

"You are adorable when you laugh..."

Smirking for the win.

"And you weren't laughing because I was being good. You loved those risky jokes! Points for evil."

[blessedarethebookmakers]

"They are..." And he was tempted, he had to admit. But there was something charming about being arm in arm with Crowley. Like strolling on a Sunday afternoon. He flushed and flapped a hand in the air at the compliment. Really. Really. Where was he to put his face after being called adorable? Though his wings did fluff quite considerably.

"Mm. I did. You're right. You've got points." He leaned in and kissed his cheek. "And hell help you, you're going to need them."

[serpentinthegarden]

"I don't need any help for this. Especially not from hell..."

Pointed look at the angel.

"Or from heaven. None of the divine insperation stuff when you realize you're losing ground."

His wing flapped over the angel's like a hug or like they were strolling under a dark umbrella, just giving them both a light touch of shade, so when he leaned close to return that kiss they would be in a private world of their own.

"Love you."

[blessedarethebookmakers]

He bristled, then fluffed, then managed to do both at the same time as he stood under that beautiful shade and listened to those beautiful words.

"I am not losing ground!" He huffed. "And you're not going to get me to tell you by seducing it out of me." A sniff as he told both of them that.

"Anyway, I fail to see how loving anyone isn't an act of good. So points for me." A beat. "Not that I need them," he added hastily.

[serpentinthegarden]

Didn't he look a treat with those feathers torn between upset and flattery! Sort of like a freshly fluffed whipped topping. Crowley admired their confusion as he carried on his role as proud, teasing escort.

"That one was a gimmie. Didn't want you to feel too upset that you had already fallen behind in the points."

He smiled again before giving the arm latched over his a warm squeeze.

"That you don't need."

He added because in his estimation the poor fellow needed all the free points he could get.

"So... If I can't get it out of you through seduction, which I might add I haven't tried yet, what if... I just asked you?"

His golden eyes peeked over the rim of his shades, watching the angel intently and feigning as much innocence as a demon could muster. Now come on, could you really deny him?

[blessedarethebookmakers]

"It was not a gimmie and don't patronize me." His feathers were bristling now more than fluffed. "Love is the most powerful force in the universe. So don't cheapen it by calling it a gimmie."
He huffed. It was precisely why he would win, but he cared about Crowley too much to win so easily...and he knew it would bother the demon to realize.

[serpentinthegarden]

"Alright, alright..."

The demon drawled not really seeing the big deal in that. Angels claimed love was the most powerful force... Demon's would say hatred was. Him personally, he hadn't really wanted to start a debate on that.

"I was only kidding around, angel. I take it back... Not the love bit obviously but the gimmie bit."

[blessedarethebookmakers]

"Hmph." He should say so!

Even though he was pacified somewhat, his dander was still up as it were. He tried to calm himself as they made their way to the apartments... and wasn't sure he'd be able to even once they reached it.

...That is until he saw their door.

Until he stepped into the by now familiar room that they shared.

They shared.

The two of them.

He moved to stand in front of Crowley, taking the hat off his own head to toss onto the table-- then after a moment, purloining his glasses to set them on his own hair so he could press his hands to either side of Crowley's face. The whiskers tickled. Those beautiful citrine eyes were sensitive and vulnerable under dark brows.

"The thing of it is, Crowley, all games and jokes aside, I do love you. Far more than I should." Even a little would have been bad enough. "Enough so that if..." He took a breath. Let it out. "...if they cast me from heaven for it, I would think them fools. How can this not be the most powerful? How can it not rock the very foundations of the Earth?"

[serpentinthegarden]

With his face clasped between those two hands his eyes were indeed a mix of feelings. Confusion came first as he was grabbed and the questions over why began running through his mind. Then there was the hint of hope that this might be something playful. Which altered the instant the bomb landed and puzzlement mixed with love, swirled in a soupçon of centuries old abandonment issues, gratefulness over being forgiven, regret that Aziraphale might ever accept a Fall for it... and heated all through by that boiling all consuming feeling that if he had to, if there were no other way, he would walk through the most red hot burning fires of Hell for that angel. His mind having blue screened some time ago he just stared like he had never really seen Aziraphale until this moment and his lower lip quivered slightly like it was trying to form words. If they cast me from heaven for it, I would think them fools. That was so unlike the angel he had met on Earth that his expression curled into a confused snarl. This Aziraphale would buck Heaven... all for the love of him? Rock the foundations of Earth it might not have but it had certainly rocked the foundations of a demon's heart.

[blessedarethebookmakers]

He didn't understand that look. It seemed at odds with everything. Wasn't it a good thing? Well it wasn't a good thing certainly but it was... oh he didn't know.

"I... I-it's alright...isn't it?" he hated sounding like a tentative child about it. But...but maybe he'd overstepped a line somehow. Or overestimated or...