𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚜 - 𝚊 𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚜 𝚏𝚊𝚗 𝚏𝚒𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗

Part one: Prologue

The Arrival

(fair warning: the first two/three parts are poorly written but I promise after that it gets better lmao 😭)

The smell of warm rubber on Soho's rich pavement filled the air as a distinctive black Bentley, filled with an array of plants, squealed to a stop beside the street. A lean darkly dressed male walked towards A.Z fell and co slowly, his hands tucked within small pockets and his wavy ginger hair half tied up in a bun. Crowley, the ginger, walked into the old bookshop slowly looking around, taking in the change the old bookshop had endured.

It wasn't very different by looks but rather the feeling Aziraphale had once brought to it was now absent. It was not nearly the same. No longer the same deeply intimate space it once had been, not without the angel. Not without the constant care Aziraphale had taken towards the bookshop.

This didn't particularly hurt the demon though. After Aziraphale had left, so did Crowley for a while till he had come to accept how the situation had played out. the truth was he hadn't lost hope but rather no longer relied on the return of his dear friend. Lord knew he deeply missed Aziraphale, his absence was consistent and numb like a quiet buzz, filling space in his mind of what was no longer there. Of course, the demon still longed to reconnect but what was dearly important for him now was to build some structure into his life.

Crowley drifted out of his state of recollection and walked over to what once was Aziraphale's desk. The desk was made from an old deep brown wood, it had various drawers covered in numerous carved-out details. On top of the desk, there was ink and a beautiful fountain pen as well as a small pile of books. he trailed his hand along the well-kept books that lay upon it; stopping his thin hand at the top of the pile on one book in particular. Its cover was a subtle green with swirling dark imprints shaping mountains at the top and a winding dragon at the bottom, in the center read "The Hobbit" in fine print.

As he observed the book before a sudden pitter patter made its way down the steps, " 'ello, 'ello, 'ello Mister Crowley!"

The demon's gaze snapped to the steps and there was Muriel. Their expression was bright and happy, their cheeks practically glowing with a smile. They were dressed in beige dress pants and an ill-fitting sweater filled with soft, earthy greens, and various shades of browns. Something she likely had thrifted or found in Aziraphale's small selection of clothing in his closet upstairs.

Crowley cracked a slight grin looking at the angel," You have done a wonderful job taking care of the bookshop."

"It's wonderful to see you again! Oh, you think so? I'm so glad! I see why Azir- I mean supreme archangel Aziraphale is so fond of books they are fascinating!"

The words 'supreme Arcangel hissed in the back of Crowley's mind."Reading the hobbit I see." Crowley said, breaking himself from his thoughts.

"Oh yes! I think I found my favorite...oh what do humans call it.. oh! Genre that's it! I enjoy the  fantasy genre!" Muriel said, cherry emphasis filling their words particularly on the the word fantasy, sounding out each syllable with intricate detail.

"Good to hear, kid." Crowley hummed. Though his rested expression wasn't always quite readable, Crowley gave a proud nod to the other watching their smile fill their almondy cheeks as a moment of comfortable silence fell between the two.

"I will be moving back into my flat so I'll be fairly close now, let me know if you need any help with," Crowley paused gesturing very vaguely, "Any of this."

"Thank you thank you I appreciate that, you too!" Muriel chirped happily.

"Haven't sold any books yet have you?"

"I'm sorry but I just can't seem to, "Muriel said solemnly as she began to play with her hands.

"Good."

"Good?" Muriel said looking up in confusion.

"Aziraphale never wanted to sell any of his books. He rather enjoyed having this shop as his very own collection rather than a real shop." As Crowley spoke he began to look around the shop at the various books.

Muriel let out a sigh of relief, "Well that is wonderful to hear I'm so glad."

The two bantered for a bit before eventually Crowley went on his way back to his flat, he moved all of his plants back in. Aside from that he had nothing there, having lived in the Bentley so long it wasn't as though he had kept his old furniture. So that night he had gone out and thrifted fancy furniture, similar to what he had before, and more importantly a fairly minimalistic bed. because if he was In for anything it would be one of his long naps and perhaps treating himself to an alcoholic dinner at the Ritz. One of two he did. As soon as he had gotten a surface to sleep on as well as some bedding he took a long, well-deserved nap, collapsing into his fresh comforter happily.

It had felt wonderful to be back in his home and see what his future had in store.

Author's note:

Hey! Just so all of you know the following parts will be longer than this don't worry this is just the prologue

I hope you guys are doing well and taking care. If you haven't already (and you have the chance to) relax and get comfy while you read with some tea, hot cocoa, or whatever else you may like, and take care!