[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]

Spoken forcefully! Crowley's snicker threatened to turn into a proper laugh as he pressed his cheek firmly into the angel's chest trying to prevent it. Aziraphale always had such a funny way of rephrasing concepts even though they both knew the truth of it.

There was no danger of any of that being taken for an actual insult. Crowley was too secure in that hug to ever want to leave it and his own wings, not nearly as tired, still tucked in over the pair of them adding the light warmth of feathers to the blanket.

"I think you put up with me because I must be irresistible."

Which he said with a tender smirk largely to wind Aziraphale up a little.

[blessedarethebookmakers]

"Humm..." It was so warm under that downy blanket. The sofa was hardly their delightful cloud bed, but he was finding anywhere with Crowley could be quite comfortable.

"No. Not that... Though you are difficult to resist at times." He kissed the top of his head. "I rather think it's because I love you. I love the wonder in you and the mischievousness and the tender spark that you can deny all you like, but it's there."

[serpentinthegarden]

The tender spark was growled at and that collar bone given another nip, this time in playful warning. "Do I have to call you a bastard again?" It was a denial in a way and a deflection in another as the rude word never held its correct meaning when applied to Aziraphale. There was always that hidden undercurrent of that tender feeling he had just been accused of running underneath the insult which transformed it more into a term of endearment. "You're irresistible." This too was spoken a touch gruffly like it was an insult but the palm working its way over the angel's bare skin proved it wasn't as it seemed either. "And you're in trouble, because I love you too and after tonight... I am going to want to do this all the time."

[blessedarethebookmakers]

He ought not to be pleased with being called so, and not with the nip either, and certainly not the growl since that was dangerous territory he was not going to admit to. Fortunately he also found it somewhat adorable so he focused on that.

The compliment made him flush all over and he clicked his tongue.

"Now I know you're lying." But he believed it somehow. Or halfway wanted to at any rate which was pretty much the same. He captured that roving hand before ht could get into mischief, bringing it up to his mouth and pressing a kiss on the warm palm.

Oh and how his heart leapt at that declaration even though he'd heard it before. What a wonderful emotion. What a precious demon he'd ended up knowing somehow.

What's more...

"All the time? Goodness me." He couldn't help but sound a little flustered even though he knew it was hyperbole. "Remind me not to lead you into further temptation."

[serpentinthegarden]

Though that hand wouldn't have minded continuing it's roving it was equally content to be made love to as long as his palm could have those wonderfully dear lips pressed to it. "I don't see any reason to avoid temptation. Not when it leads to this." Crowley sighed the words as a kiss was laid against that poor bit of abused collar bone that had been nipped so many times this evening. It was a strange feeling, a bit like melting, but the demon felt like he could stay wrapped up in Aziraphale's arms like this forever. This didn't feel like hyperbole to him, it was more like a siren's call he was helpless to do anything other than give into. "Mind you..." He exhaled again as his voice gained just a touch of wicked humor. "I might need to invest in a pair of welder's goggles. Only thing that might protect my eyes the next time you go all supernova."

[blessedarethebookmakers]

What a beautiful little sigh. He sighed himself as his poor collarbone was kissed and stroked the small of Crowley's back with his other hand. He continued to kiss the one in his grip, the soft palm, the heel of his hand, those sensitive fingertips.

"Mm, you wouldn't would you."

But then he flushed, horribly embarrassed by the rest of it.

"Oh-- well, yes.... er... but you know you don't have to er...give me your attentions. I'm rather used to being on the giving end of that arrangement and, to be honest, as an angel I should refrain from such carnal pleasure. Tis better to give than receive after all... And I would hate to-- well if anything should happen to you because of me... Anyway, you needn't worry about it."

[serpentinthegarden]

Each finger curled receptively after being visited by those kisses and the stroking of his back induced his wing to slide closer, those downy feathers fluffing their way snugly over the angel's chest.

"I liked giving you my attentions."

Crowley paused, to consider an angle to take on this but it wasn't too difficult to find one.

"If I took all of your attention and gave none in return... Wouldn't that be selfish? If you really don't want me to, I won't but otherwise, be setting a bad example."

[blessedarethebookmakers]

"Mmmmm." Those spreading downy feathers were quite distracting. It only encouraged more strokes and, since he was there, continuing to kiss those lovely fingers, the backs of them now, over the knuckles.

"Oh!" His feathers bristle slightly at the realization, not annoyed so much as something he hadn't heretofore yet thought about. "Well of course I couldn't encourage selfishness..." But. At the same time...

"I'm afraid I don't know how to stop ...er ...lighting up as it were. Are you sure it will be alright?"

[serpentinthegarden]

That was absolutely intoxicating. Whoever would have though the gentle kissing of a hand or the fond rub of a back could take one's breath away this easily? "I'll just have to figure out the pattern, won't I?" Crowley smiled and looked up into Aziraphale's face wondering if he couldn't encourage his angel to spare a kiss for a pair of demonic lips by only batting his pleading lashes. "Learn when to close them."

[blessedarethebookmakers]

"You are so sweet to me." He knew he oughtn't point it out, but he couldn't help it. He was touched and in more ways than one. What had he ever done to deserve an affection so rare and pure?

He pressed a kiss to those waiting lips and then another just for good measure. Then had to lean away as an unexpected yawn overcome him.

"Well, my dear." He stroked that back gently, brushing his thumb against joint and whatever feathers he came across. "I am enjoying this immensely, but may I request we retire to our cloud?" Our...how amazing. "I would hate to sleep here and wake up with a kink."

[serpentinthegarden]

He was sweet? Aziraphale was allowed to get away with that comment, not because he was sweet, but because he had been able to get two kisses for the price of one eye batting. The angel got a fitting nose crinkle though.

Crowley's wings fluttered softly at the touch but the request was... difficult. He was warm and quiet comfy here. Moving was the last thing on his mind and as he squirmed trying to gear up to the whole 'moving' thing he discovered his feet were pretty neatly tangled on the blanket.

"Guess we should, ugh... Might be a minute."

It might have seemed like a game of footsie as he wiggled his toes and brushed his feet against Aziraphale's but really he was very innocently trying to free them from the twisted sheet.

"Not sure waking up with a kink would be the worst thing. Could be exciting."

[blessedarethebookmakers]

He knew what you were doing, you foul thing. All that wiggling and not so innocent brushing of toes. He shifted and sat up instead, carefully so Crowley wouldn't inadvertently twist something. But he kept a hand on the small of the demon's back, holding him close on his lap and rather enjoying the weight.

He smiled at the comment, meeting Crowley's beautiful eyes.

"Could be." He pressed a kiss against his throat. "Anything you had in mind?"

[serpentinthegarden]

A vision from the movies flashed in his mind of the beautiful Princess rescued by the handsome knight. They always ended up sitting across the knight's saddle like this, with their cheek pressed against their hero's shoulder, blushing up at him. Into those deep baby blue eyes...

Erm...

The demon cleared his throat and instead went with.

"Thought you were tired?"

[blessedarethebookmakers]

Well! With that image in mind he really had no choice as to what to do next. With a hum he bundled Crowley smartly in the blanket and stands, hefting the demon into his arms like a blushing bride. He was beginning to enjoy this aspect of their relationship honestly.

"I am, dearest. I did say wake up with one, didn't I?" A smirk as he navigated his way to the room in the semi-dark. "Any requests?"

[serpentinthegarden]

It was a ridiculous image! The Black Knight didn't ride off with the White Knight and yet...

And yet.

When he was swept up into the angel's arms he found himself with his cheek resting on Aziraphale's shoulder and gazing up into those blue eyes with just the faintest blush of color on his cheeks. Damn... it was wonderful.

"You could always wake me with a kiss."

Was that too sweet?

"Before I wake you with a nipped ear."

There! Totally made that less adorable!

[blessedarethebookmakers]

Crowley was just lucky he wasn't in a good position to catch that blush. As it was, his feathers fluffed at the thought. It wasn't very kinky, but what it was was sweet beyond words. He couldn't help but fluff more as Crowley tried to save his demonic dignity.

"Perhaps I'll nip your ear instead," he said in honeyed tones. "Or your jaw or your lips or elsewhere until you've been tasted all over."

[serpentinthegarden]

"Oh, now you've done it!"

Crowley complained rather loudly with a eager flare of his own wings which made them brush against the door frame as they entered the bedroom.

"I'll be awake all night thinking about that!"

[blessedarethebookmakers]

He laughed.

"Oh you poor thing. I'll be sure to make it up to you." Though how he left up to the demon's fervid imagination. He set Crowley gently into the cloud, then climbed in himself, tugging at the swaddled blankets and adding the one still on the bed until they were wrapped in a cocoon of warmth and he was able to once more slip his arms around the demon's lean form.

He kissed his throat because it was there, then nuzzled the dip in his collarbone, sighing contentedly.

"This is more like it. Don't you agree?"

[serpentinthegarden]

The cloud was fluffier and had more bounce in it's 'springs' than the sofa but really either place would have suited Crowley as long as he had those arms around him. Though now that he thought of it the cloud mattress did hold one little further advantage. His hand parted the puffs of the cloud and disappeared down into it only to reappear on the other side of Aziraphale where ever so sneakily an angel's tush could be grabbed. "You were right," he sighed as he regained his wing tucked, snuggled in close position... and gave that cheek a light squeeze. "This is much better."

[blessedarethebookmakers]

"Eep!" He could not help the sound that left him at that unexpected squeeze, nor the light tensing or the bristling shocked feathers. He clicked his tongue.

"Cheek!"

Two could play at that game! He took the direct approach, moving his hand over Crowley's hip to pay eye for eye tooth for tooth retribution. In this case it was squeeze for squeeze.

[serpentinthegarden]

He was already smirking broadly at the loud eep and those comically bristling feathers, but the exclamation was nearly enough to send him rolling in laughter. Fortunately he did indeed have that 'cheek' to hold onto and... his own eyes widened suddenly as a hand landed that fond counter-strike on his bum.
Crowley gave his prize another squeeze, entirely content to leave his hand there if Aziraphale wasn't going to do more than squeak a weak protest. And he himself certainly had no aversion to being held like this. Squeeze away angel.

"They do fit nicely in the palm, don't they?"

[blessedarethebookmakers]

He wasn't sure what to do with those hands just... remaining there. All warm and very present. He wasn't sure if he liked it, but he wasn't sure that he didn't either. For the moment it was a bit too much and he reached back and tugged those hands to the small of his back instead before slipping his own back around Crowley's waist.

"Yes. They do." And he buried his face against the side of Crowley's neck, hoping the demon couldn't feel the heat in his face.

[serpentinthegarden]

Crowley had very much liked it and felt a slight twinge at the loss of that touch which for a fraction of a heartbeat produced a faint frown. But, they were still snuggled up close and they were meant to be sleeping now so... He gave the angel's hair a kiss in a silent acknowledgement that he would attempt to behave.

"Goodnight, angel."

[blessedarethebookmakers]

Maybe next time. He sighs contentedly at the kiss and snuggles further, feathers fluffing in contentment.

What a wonderful feeling this was.

"Dream sweet, my love."