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fledermausforstrauss · 5 years

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Day 7 - Enchanted

Aziraphale tries to save some books from a library and is caught. There's a few rodents and some bad ballroom dancing. 1602 Words. -----

1480, Italy.

Aziraphale smiled as he circled the dancefloor, watching the dancers spin around each other as he made his way around the fancy costumes. The outfits were stunning, all frills and feathers, sparkles and gold, the ball gowns practically floating across the dancefloor as the dancers waltzed, gilt and rhinestones shimmering in the candlelight.

His own outfit was adorned with diamonds and gold trim, with a matching mask that gave him a halo of white feathers.

He stepped out of the main ballroom and into the quiet hallway, looking around to make sure he wasn’t being watched. When was sure that the few stragglers that were tucked into corners were otherwise occupied, buried in their own lace and frills and kissing drunkenly, Aziraphale made his way down the hallway towards the stairs.

He stopped at the top of the stairs at an opening that looked out over the dancefloor, tapping his fingers along the railing to the music. He spared the swirling colours of the dancers one last glance before he turned away, heading for one of the side rooms and opening the door just enough to slip inside, closing it carefully behind himself and turning around.

He couldn't help the small gasp.

It was one of the most beautiful private libraries he had ever seen.

Triple tall ceilings, wall to wall, packed to overflowing, with a maze of shelves in the middle. Books upon books, ranging from ancient to up-to-date. Fiction, nonfiction, medical texts, and autobiographies.

“Oh, Lord.” Aziraphale sighed, a smile on his face.

He started on one end, taking his time to study the volumes he passed, turning down every aisle with a gasp of delight every time he spotted something new. He pulled out the occasional book, leafing through pages before putting it back in its spot. After only a few rows, he heard the door to the library open and close.

He ducked along the aisles, making his way to the nearest balcony and slipping out the door into the cool night air. He sighed, and leaned on the railing, listening for the sound of the intruder leaving the library so he could go back inside.

The moon was full and bright, lighting up the beautiful garden below. He could make out a few couples hiding amongst the bushes, clinging to each other, and sighed.

He froze as he heard the latch on the balcony door open behind him, his eyes wide. He turned on his heel, an excuse ready on his tongue, to find a woman smiling at him.

She had a large, red ball gown with black lace and gold trim. Her mask matched her dress with black lace and feathers twisting into wild red curls. A large gold necklace, curled to look like a snake, sat with it’s head just above the neckline.

Aziraphale glossed over the entire outfit to stare into her eyes.

They sparkled like gold.

“Hello, Angel.” She said. “Running away from the party so soon?”

Even on ruby lips, the smirk was unmistakable.

“Crowley.” Aziraphale smiled.

“What are you doing out here?” Crowley asked, shutting the door behind herself and joining Aziraphale by the railing. “Too much spinning for you?”

“Ah, I’m not here for dancing, though it does look like fun.” Aziraphale said as looked back at the door to the library. “What are you doing here?”

“Oh, I’ve been asked to ruin the party, so that’s what I’ve come to do.” Crowley said. “Thought I’d enjoy it first, though.”

“...Just how do you plan on ruining the party?” Aziraphale turned his head to give her a side-look, suspicious.

“Don’t worry, it’s nothing dangerous.” Crowley said, the smirk back on her face. “Just a little fun, is all.”

Aziraphale felt oddly reassured, despite the fact that the demon’s idea of fun could still be dangerous.

“Are you done up here?” Crowley asked, stepping back towards the door. “I'd be getting out of here pretty quick if I were you… I wouldn’t want you to get caught in the tide.”

“Did you come out here just to give me a warning?” Aziraphale asked, raising a brow.

She shrugged, slipping through the door.

“Hold on, Crowley.” Aziraphale called, making her pause with her hand on the door. “How… distracting is this going to be?”

“Oh…” Her smirk grew more mischievous. “Distracting enough for you to make away with at least a dozen books, if you’re careful.”

“How--! I would never--! That’s ridiculous!” Aziraphale said, trying to sound as offended as he could.

“Oh, of course. Sorry to assume that you snuck into this darkened library in the middle of a masquerade ball to nick some old books that have been marked to be donated to a public library, which we both know how that always turns out.” Crowley said. “That is ridiculous of me, isn’t it...”

“Quite.”

“My deepest apologies.” She twisted he hand as she mocked a bow, her eyes sparkling with quiet laughter. “Enjoy your night, Angel.”

She closed the door and disappeared from sight.

Aziraphale gave her a moment’s head start before he headed inside, snapping his fingers to materialize a bag strapped over his shoulder.

Crowley was right. Most of the library was in the process of being donated to a public library, and that was exactly why he had come. There were books that were too precious to be put in danger like that.

They had both witnessed far too many library burnings.

Hence why he felt he had to save at least a few books from their inevitable fiery fate, adding them to his collection to keep them safe.

He slipped the books he had come for off the shelves, piling them into his bag. He made his way through the aisles again, quick paced as he grabbed a few more books to take with him, feeling the anxiety of choosing which to save and which to let go. When he was done, meaning, when he couldn’t possibly carry another book, he stepped back out into the hall, stopping to look out over the dancefloor again.

He could make out Crowley spinning her way through the ballroom, switching partners as she neared the centre of the dance floor, the dark colours of her dress standing out against the bright ones. She stopped in the middle of the room and looked up, scanning the upper balcony until she spotted Aziraphale.

Aziraphale could make out her smile from where he was standing as she grabbed the front of her large dress, lifting it slightly.

Rats poured out from beneath her dress, scattering across the floor.

There was an eruption of screams as the rats made there way to the edges of the room, chasing the dancers who tripped over each other in their haste. The rodents ran up tablecloths, knocking over glasses of champagne and gnawing on the hors d'oeuvres, crawling up the legs of the guest who didn't run away fast enough and tearing at the expensive fabrics.

Aziraphale covered his mouth with his hand, gasping as he stared down at the chaos. He turned and made his way down the stairs, pushing his way through the doors until he made it down to the dance floor, the wave of rats giving him a wide berth as he walked through them.

By the time he made it down to the main hall, the rest of the guests had left. He could hear muffled shouting from outside the front doors.

“Well?” Crowley asked as she turned in place, her swaying dress noticeably less full.

“A bit over the top, don’t you think?”

“Efficient, is what it was. Rats are underrated and underused, they are just so versatile.”

“Is that why you were wearing a dress? To hide rats?”

“Yes and no.” Crowley said, spinning again to make the fabric swirl. “They’re also just nice to wear.”

“It does suit you rather well, I’ll admit.”

Crowley slowed her movements, looking at Aziraphale.

“Angel.” She said, holding out her gloved hand. “Share this dance with me?”

“Oh. I don’t…” Aziraphale looked at her hand hanging in the air between them. “I don’t know how to.”

“It’s easy, you can just follow me.” She said, looking around the room at the remains of the chaos. “Just seems a waste of a party, figured we could fit in one final dance.”

Aziraphale hesitated for only a second longer before he took Crowley’s hand.

“Put your other hand on my shoulder.” Crowley pulled him closer, putting her other hand on his waist. “There we go. Just don’t step on my feet.”

Crowley took the lead, spinning Aziraphale as they made their way through the room, laughing every time either one of them misstepped. Her smile was infectious, and the way the candlelight made her eyes shine had the angel positively enchanted. He couldn’t look away.

They made almost a full round of the floor when Crowley dipped him clumsily, nearly toppling the both of them over.

“Easy.” Crowley said, holding the dip at the lowest point as she smiled. “See--?”

They both turned their heads towards the sound of the building’s main doors opening.

Aziraphale let go in panic, dropping to the floor with the added weight of his bag of books. He scrambled to stand, looking at Crowley with wide eyes.

“I-- I better be going.” Aziraphale stuttered, pulling the strap of his bag close. “It was nice seeing you again, Crowley.”

He looked up at her startled expression before he turned quickly, heading for a side door out to the gardens.

When he looked over his shoulder, she was gone.

#good omens #good omens fic #aziraphale #Crowley #fem!crowley

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