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Crowley sat in the coffee shop moping more emphatically than he usually mopes. He stirred a spoon in his cold mug of espresso, glancing up periodically to see if he’s caught the attention of the barista. Nina knew better than to get involved in his shenanigans. She continued to ignore him. He let out a long dramatic sigh.
The bell on the door jingled as Maggie entered. She spoke to Nina briefly then turned to the morose demon. “What’s with him?”
“No!” Nina exclaimed. “No no no, I’m not getting dragged into this. He’s trying to get a rise out of us.”
It was too late. Crowley looked over and knew he had caught their attention. He sighed loudly again.
Maggie sympathetically joined him at the table. “What’s the matter, love?” Nina rolled her eyes but stood behind Maggie. In case she needed rescuing.
“I’m worried about Aziraphale.” He said staring sadly into his coffee mug. “I think he’s trouble.”
“Mr Fell?” Nina replied. “Can’t imagine him getting up to too much trouble. More trouble than being mixed up with you.”
Maggie elbowed her. “What kind of trouble, dear?”
Crowley sighed again. “It’s a long story, but Aziraphale promised me he’d stop using, but I think he’s at it again. I just don’t know what to do. Any time I bring it up he just denies it.”
Maggie and Nina exchanged a silent glance.
“Would you like us to talk to him with you?” Maggie offered. Nina grimaced but stayed silent.
Crowley propped his elbow on the table and tapped his fingers to his mouth. “That might help.” He said after a moment. He looked up at them. “Can you come to the bookshop in an hour?”
“Of course!” Maggie said “Anything to help Mr Fell!”
Crowley nodded then got up and left.
“What do you think that’s all about?” Nina said after he was gone.
“I don’t know. I can’t imagine Mr Fell using drugs!” Maggie said, watching Crowley walk across the street.
“Could be anyone, isn’t that what they taught us in school?” Nina responded.
“You think it’s alcohol?”
“Nah, that one drinks more than a fish.”
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An hour later, Nina and Maggie sat on the sofa in the bookshop. Crowley positioned an arm chair across from them and a small table between the seats. He paced across the room silently.
“Can you give us any more details about the situation?” Nina asked. “So we know what to expect?”
Crowley said nothing but continued to pace.
The bell over the door rang as Aziraphale entered the shop.
“Oh, hello Nina. Hello Maggie. To what do I owe the pleasure?” His smile faltered slightly when they didn’t respond.
Crowley spoke up. “Aziraphale. We need to have a talk.” He motioned to the arm chair.
Aziraphale nervously sat down. “What is this all about?” He glanced around at the three sullen faces.
Crowley paced back and forth for a moment. Finally Maggie spoke up, breaking the silence. “Crowley asked us to come talk to you. He’s concerned.”
Aziraphale chuckled. “Concerned? What are you concerned about, dear?”
Crowley paced back before speaking. “I know you are using again, Aziraphale.”
Aziraphale furrowed his brow. “We talked about this. I’m not hiding anything from you. There’s nothing to be worried about.”
Crowley frowned. “You’re spending more time locked in the spare room upstairs. When you come out you’re acting all weird. All of the signs are there. What am I supposed to think?”
“I’m– I’m not…” Aziraphale’s voice trailed off.
Maggie placed a comforting hand on Aziraphale’s knee. “This is a safe space, Mr Fell. We won’t judge you. We just want to make sure you’re okay. We’re your friends. We’ll help you any way you need us.”
Aziraphale rolled his eyes. Crowley stood in front of him defensively and stared him down. “Please, be honest with us.”
Aziraphale opened his mouth to defend himself then paused. “Okay. I was at a party a few weeks ago and people were using and I joined them. It was only a one time thing.”
Crowley growled in frustration. “You can’t just do it once. I know you, Angel. I know how quickly it becomes a problem!”
Crowley reached into his pocket and produced a small box and threw it on the table in the middle of the group. “I found these hidden behind the toilet in the upstairs bathroom. It didn’t stop at a party. You brought it home.”
Aziraphale frowned, visibly becoming flustered.
Nina picked up the object on the table. “Playing cards? What do you use these for? Is it cocaine?” she said the last part in a hushed voice.
Aziraphale looked at her alarmed. “Heavens no! I do not partake in consuming illicit matter!” He took the cards from her, shuffled them, and sprang them from one hand aiming for the next but missed. The cards sprayed out onto the floor. He scooped some up and fanned them in front of the humans. “Pick a card, any card!”
Maggie gleefully picked a card. Crowley stepped between them, swiping the card from her hand. “No! No, no, no!” He turned to Aziraphale. “We agreed that there would be no more magic!”
Nina rolled her eyes. “Magic tricks? We’re having an intervention for magic tricks!?”
Aziraphale laughed. “What is that? There appears to be something in your ear!” He moved closer to Crowley, who jumped over the table to get away from him.
“Stay away from my ear! Do not bring my ear into this!”
“We thought you were using drugs!” Maggie said standing.
“Why did you think that?!” Aziraphale said incredulously.
Nina pointed at Crowley. “Becuase HE made it sound like you were using drugs.”
Crowley stopped moving away, defending his ear from Aziraphale’s magic tricks. “Why would I talk Aziraphale out of doing drugs? I try to get him to DO drugs all the time! Last year at Burning Man. At Woodstock. The 1980s!” He let his guard down and Aziraphale was beside him trying to magic a coin from his ear. Crowley swiped his arm away. “No!”
Nina got up and sighed. “You boys need to figure this out on your own!” She moved to the door with Maggie close behind her.
“Don’t leave me here with him!” Crowley called out to them. “He’s a mad man!”
“Figure it out!” Nina yelled back as they left.