Chapter Text
“But Ziraaa—” Crowley whined and pouted in the passenger seat of the Bentley as the angel got in the driver’s side.
“It’ll be fun dearest, you’ll be able to see books that I don’t have in my shop.” Aziraphale started the engine with the best encouraging smile he could muster because, in hindsight, he wasn’t too excited about this either.
Aziraphale was called by an old acquaintance who shared a love of books and old scriptures and texts. He was asked to come to help preserve a piece of very old religious text, and of course, Aziraphale agreed under the circumstance of it being an old acquaintance who also helped him restore a piece of a rare original novel. It should’ve been a purely selfish action, but Aziraphale was too soft to not help.
“Don’t like books.” Crowley crossed his arms. His headspace was inevitable today as he fought it all last night, but it just backfired and now he has to go with Aziraphale to this stupid library.
“You like them. I read to you every day Crowley.” The Bentley was severely under the speed limit thanks to who was in the driver’s seat. “I expect the best behavior from you.”
Crowley grumbled and pouted even more, knowing this was going to be very very boring.
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When they pulled up to the more modern-looking library, it took Aziraphale a bit longer to get Crowley out of the Bentley. The little demon kicked his legs and threw himself everywhere, but his caregiver was used to such behavior. Of course, they had some supplies, basic things like a non-spill cup and a change of clothes (Crowley has a reputation for getting dirty in the cleanest places). But importantly, Crowley’s turtle plush named Friend. He was tucked under the little’s arm while Aziraphale held his other hand and led him into the big glass doors.
The library was very different from the vintage and homey feeling of Aziraphale’s shop. Crowley shivered at the sterilized feeling of the building, way too white and sharp… familiar to a specific place. His hand tugged on Aziraphale’s coat jacket.
“I promise it won’t take long at all.” Aziraphale smiled, and Crowley’s tight chest lightened and he nodded. “I’ll show you the children’s section,” he said like everything was tickety-boo, but everything wasn’t.
They passed by the displays of very old-looking books and boring things that made Crowley’s head spin with all those words. “Is Zira gonna fix books like that?”
“Exactly my dear.” His caregiver always knew how to make him feel less grumpy. Rows and rows of books they walked through, all kinds of books that Aziraphale already had in his collection, but he had the originals.
They turned a corner and the children's section was nothing like Crowley had imagined. It was big, the entrance was arching with fake tree branches and--real plants! The fresh smell of ferns and big leaf plants calmed the itch under Crowley’s skin and he was bubbling. It didn’t compare to the sight of comfy-looking chairs and beanbags that were scattered around a stage-like platform, it looked like a tree trunk cut out.
“Zira! Zira! look!” The little tugged on Aziraphale’s hand to let him go. aziraphale chuckled and let him go, watching Crowley explore the nicest area. Friend was being nicely put down onto the one chair and Crowley placed himself right next to his stuffie. The books were all very nice looking, definitely not something Zira has at all back home.
“Now, will you find some fun here?”
“Mhm—is nice.” Crowley beamed and rubbed the chair's soft fabric, loving it so much.
“Alright then dearest, I shall be not too far. Remember to be polite to other people that might happen to be in the library, just like when customers come in we don’t want to disturb them.”
“Yes Zira, I know.” Crowley simply said as he got a kiss on his forehead and he waved Zira off.
He looked around, seeing what he could play first. Firstly he took Friend off of his chair to sit in his lap, Friend has a comforting weight to him so it was more to anchor him for the moment as he looked around, overwhelmed by the choices.
“Hmmm, what do you think Friend? I think there’s too much to do.” Crowley giggled to himself looking into the friendly eyes of Friend. “Miss Zira already…” He played with the fins of the turtle.
“I know, let’s find the best book to show Zira!” He got up from the comfy spot and carried Friend around and around to every bookshelf, every little cabinet of books until he landed on the ones about stars.
“Stars, Friend! Look!” Crowley grabbed the first one and he was flipping through the cardboard pages that showed all the stars and his friends soaring through the sky and seeing all the different neb—neebu—nebulas.
“Think Zira would like this one, do you think so?” Friend seemed to agree and they were back on their comfy spot, going back and forth the pages more than twice.
A lot of time had passed, not that Crowley could tell because he was so mesmerized by the nebulas that colored the pages and told the story of shooting star friends going across the universe. He didn’t even think that there was anything like this made for small kids.
“Crowley dearest!” His ears perked and held Friend tighter as he saw his zira waving to him.
“Zira! Zira! Look! I got you a book! It’s the coolest one here—I made sure to check every book !” He ran up to his caregiver, showing the book while still balancing Friend in his arms.
“Oh sweetstar look at this book! a bunch of nebulas” Aziraphale said as he walked over to the seats and sat down on the one beanbag, where Crowley sat with him in his lap. The angel opened the book and saw the beautifully and creatively illustrated book of the pillars of creation nebula, one that stood out in his memory. “I love this book, Crowley. You were right it is the… coolest one.” Aziraphale kissed Crowley's forehead who was still mesmerized by the book.
“Can we take it?” Crowley looked up at him, big innocent yellow eyes.
“I’m afraid not, but I can most certainly purchase it for you.” A hand smoothing Crowley’s wild hair down.
“Thank Zira!” The little one hugged his caregiver and giggled “Home now?” And Aziraphale chuckled.
“Yes dearest, we’re going home.”
“Can we come back one day?” Crowley gathered Friend in his arms when he felt Aziraphale pick him up to stand up himself and then placed the little one back on his feet.
“Whenever you’d like,” Aziraphale smiled and reached out his hand for Crowley’s to link onto “I’m glad you found some fun.”
“Yea, it was fun.”