Even though I normally prefer these two to be in their canon Angel/Demon characterizations, this little Human AU/Opposites Attract/Coffee Shop AU plunny just would not leave me alone until I wrote it.
2022 Tropes & Fandoms event - Trope: Opposites Attract
Books & Coffee
The mild mannered man who was known by his customers as Mr. Fell, or Az to his closer friends, stood by the window of his antique bookshop and watched the action across the street morosely. After all, his favorite little café & bakery in Soho was being remodeled into a common coffee shop by its new owner over there. The process had been going on for weeks, too, ever since Mrs. Tracy and the Sergeant had decided to sell the place and finally retire to their oft-discussed little cottage out in the country village of Tadfield.
Az would have loved to buy the shop himself and make it into an extension of his store – especially since he already desperately missed their tea and biscuits…not to mention the bit of gossip they used to share over such treats during his morning break…and sometimes his afternoon one, as well. Unfortunately, however, all of his business capital was tied up in his expenses for his current building, its books, and his one employee. Plus, even though he did enjoy baking, he did not know the first thing about how to run a café.
Therefore, he was stuck helplessly at his window while he watched as the cheerful and smiling little muffin-shaped sign that proclaimed the shop's name as Tracy's Treats was taken down. It was soon replaced, however, by a grinning, horned, devil-shaped bloke where the words Demon's Brew were spelled out in puffs of smoke over the ugly creature's head, instead.
How charming! Az thought facetiously as he wondered gloomily what kind of person the proprietor was going to be with a sign like that. Someone flashy and modern, probably . Certainly not anyone who would be willing to share a cuppa and a bit of midmorning chatter with a simple fellow like me, I'm sure.
With that depressing thought, Az forced himself to turn away from the window. After all, he had to finish up his paper-and-pencil inventory before he unlocked the shop door for his morning customer appointments. He knew that it was an old fashioned way of doing things. However, a couple of years earlier, he had attempted to modernize the whole process and had even hired young Newton to set it all up on the computer for him. However, the dear lad had somehow fried the entire system instead. Az did not mind, though…not really. In fact, he took it as a sign from above that his quaint little shop and technology were simply not meant to be mixed.
It was just as well, too, since his books were more like old friends to him. In fact, quite of few of them had even been in the shop since the days when his grandfather actually ran the place before his death had placed it into the eager hands of a certain fresh-from-Uni student who had spent most of his school holidays there throughout his childhood. Therefore, Az already knew where each and every one of the precious volumes was located – even without the help of some annoying machine. Consequently, doing a manual inventory was usually more of a pleasure than a chore. After all, he had determined that his grandfather was right and that sometimes the old ways were simply better.
Plus, when computers were not involved, Newt...who was still with him...had proven himself to be quite the helpful and satisfactory assistant. Therefore, Az contented himself with just a simple desktop machine in the upstairs flat for paperwork purposes, text ordering, a bit of online shopping in the evening, and maybe even a game or two of solitaire after work hours. That…along with a deal to share the internet with the tailor's shop next door…was simply all he needed technology-wise.
In fact, the lack of electronic clutter downstairs simply adds to the charm of the place, he thought.
...
A few mornings later, Az was surprised during his break…just as he was removing a tray of chocolate biscuits from his oven in the upstairs flat…by the pleasant tinkly sound of the bell over the door as it announced a visitor. Since it was Newt's day off, Az hurried down to see who was there himself. After all, the shop normally attracted a very distinct kind of intellectual clientele: scholars, researchers, professors, and rare-book collectors or dealers…but they usually all made personal appointments instead of random visits.
Occasionally, a young future philosopher or budding poet would wander in unexpectedly with wide eyes and an eager mind, but empty pockets. In those situations…depending on the cleanliness of their hands, of course…Az would even allow them to browse and read in the shop as long as they liked. After all, who was he to stand in the way of a classical education?
However, what the shop did not usually attract was the kind of visitor that stood before Az the moment he exited the stairs. After all, the man was dressed from head to toe in dark shades of black and gray that only served to accentuate his obvious slimness and height. Dark glasses also hid his eyes, but his windswept hair was a such a vivid shade of ginger that it immediately took Az's breath away.
After all, he had always had a weakness for redheads.
At any rate, the sight of the gorgeous…but extremely incongruous with his surroundings…man in his shop made Az suddenly conscious of his own appearance. Usually, he took great pride in his bowtie and impeccable beige tweed and linen. However, on this particular occasion…in a way that had never happened before…the man in front of him made him feel downright frumpy in such attire.
"M…may I help you?" he managed to say, however, once he finally found his voice.
The visitor's response was to grin in such a way that made Az forget all about his feelings of self-consciousness because he immediately felt weak in the knees, instead. That was even before the man reached up to whip off his sunglasses to reveal amber-colored eyes that were even more breathtaking than his hair was! Az was then so completely mesmerized by the almost yellow-tinge that shone there when the light struck them in just the right way that it took him a few moments to notice the small snake tattoo under the man's sideburn, as well. After that revelation, he just could not help but to wonder if his visitor had any other tattoos that might be hidden from view.
After all, Az had known for many years that he preferred the romantic company of men over women…and had even been in a few such relationships during that time. However, he also knew…without a doubt…that he had never experienced such an instant physical attraction to anyone before as he did to the man in front of him. The devilishly handsome stranger in his shop was simply magical and magnetic. That was the only way Az could possibly describe his appeal!
Consequently, he found that he had to force himself to look away from the visitor in order to break the spell when he realized that the man was actually speaking to him. In fact, the visitor interrupted Az's questionable thoughts as he brandished the takeaway drinks tray that Az had not even noticed that he held – not until the very moment when the man introduced himself.
"You must be Az. I'm Crowley…Ant Crowley…but mainly just Crowley to my friends. I own the Demon's Brew right over there." He pointed out the window to the shop across the street. "Mrs. Tracy…quite the minx, that one…made me promise, before she would even sign the papers to sell, that I would introduce myself to her favorite customer as soon as I could. We've just got the place up and running, so I brought some of our coffee for you to try. It's my own special blend…and it's quite good…even if I say so myself."
Az just shook his head in embarrassment as the man's explanation cleared up the mystery of his presence in the shop. After all, Mrs. Tracy was always vetting her other customers and neighbors in order to try to set him up with some "nice handsome single bloke" or the other…and it seemed as if even moving all the way to Tadfield had not stopped her interference in his love life. However, he could not be sure if he was irritated or grateful in this particular instance…since he did not know if he would have ever met this gorgeous creature, otherwise – especially since he had not intended to visit the new shop anytime soon...or maybe not ever.
Perhaps I should not have been so hasty in that decision , he mused to himself, though, as he graciously accepted the cup the man offered.
Aloud, however, once he composed himself, he finally replied with good humor. "Mrs. Tracy is a force of nature who will be sorely missed in this neighborhood…even if she is an interfering old biddy, as well!"
Crowley laughed. "Here's to Mrs. Tracy, then," he replied cheerfully as he tipped his cup towards Az's with a smile. Az accepted the offer with an answering smile of his own and clinked the two cups together before he took a large sip of the strong liquid inside.
The flavor flowed across his tongue in an intriguing way as he looked up into the man's unusually compelling eyes. He was obviously waiting for a comment, so Az obliged him.
"I'm normally a tea man, myself…but I have to say that this is quite good," he admitted a bit ruefully. "However, would I be remiss if I mentioned that I think it would be even better with some fresh-baked biscuits? Chocolate ones, in particular? I do happen to have some upstairs…and they should be cool by now…if you have time, of course."
The last bit came out as more of a question than a statement, because Az found that he was eager for his intriguing new business neighbor to stick around for a while. He need not have worried, though, because the man's face split into another huge grin again as he replied.
"There's always time for biscuits, Angel!"
His response took Az by surprise, however. "Angel?" he asked in a bit of startled confusion.
Crowley's look actually slipped momentarily from confident to sheepish as he rushed to explain. "I meant no offense," he insisted. "In fact, it really just slipped out since Angel was simply the first word that came to mind when I saw you."
The compliment was clear and the obvious embarrassment was endearing. Therefore, Az just blushed in pleasure himself as he explained his reaction. "Absolutely no offense was taken, I assure you, my dear," he answered quietly. "I was simply surprised by the coincidence. After all, I don't think that even Mrs. Tracy knows that my full name is Aziraphale…after the Angel, you know. It was a favorite name of my parents ever since they met in their Religious Studies class at Uni. Well…that and Gabriel, but I find that I am grateful that they went with Aziraphale instead. I believe that it suits me better."
"That it does!" Crowley assured him. "In fact, the one Gabriel I have known before turned out to be a pompous little prick." He was very relieved that he had not offended the charming man in front of him. After all, Ms. Tracy had been absolutely right when she said that the bookshop owner was a sweet and beautiful creature…just like the angel who shared his name.
Therefore, the newcomer continued to chatter animatedly. "For me, Ant is short for Anthony…nothing exciting there. However, my sister and business partner, Ana…well…that's short for Anathema. Nevertheless, I would not recommend that you call her by her birth name if you like all of your external male organs in working order and in their original location." He grimaced in such a way that Az was suddenly certain he had made that mistake before and he gave the man a sympathetic grin.
"I thank you sincerely for the warning then…and I will endeavor to avoid that situation entirely."
The other man grinned. "She's a tough one, she is. In fact, even though the shop was originally my idea, she was the one who came up with the name and theme."
Az raised an eyebrow as he looked down at the unusual logo on the disposable cup that was still in his hand.
"Yeah," Crowley read his mind as he looked down at his own cup. "He sure is an ugly bugger, isn't he? Ana likes that dark and edgy look, though. She's a practicing witch, after all, you know."
Az had just taken another sip of his coffee and almost choked in surprise. When he was finally able to swallow the offending liquid, he asked for clarification. "Witch?"
Crowley nodded. "Not the evil, eye-of-newt, turn you into a frog, eat little kids sort, though. She just likes that aesthetic. Mostly, she's into the nature stuff: crystals, healings, Earth magic...that kind of thing."
"Oh!" Az just shrugged since his initial surprise at the unexpected news had immediately settled down into easy acceptance. "Well...to each, his...or her...own, I suppose," was his further...and quite sensible...answer. It must have been the right response, too, because he was favored with another gorgeous smile from the man across from him.
"I'll drink to that," Crowley replied...and the two...with mutual smiles...clinked their coffee cups together once more.
"Now…about those biscuits…" Az ventured again.
"Lead the way, Angel, lead the way!" was the enthusiastic response.
Az did. Soon he and Crowley were sharing those treats with their coffee over more informal getting-to-know-you type of conversation in his flat's little kitchen while the quiet strains of classical music flowed peacefully in the background from the old CD player on the windowsill. The time passed much too quickly, however, and after singing the praises of the biscuits…and their baker…Crowley noticed how late it had gotten and reluctantly insisted that he had to leave before the lunch rush…or Ana would have his head…or worse, his precious dangly bits!
"Now that would be a shame indeed!" Az replied truthfully...and perhaps...Dare he even think it?...a bit flirtatiously.
His visitor just laughed, however, as they both walked down the stairs together to the front door.
Before Crowley exited, though, he insisted that Az visit the coffee shop during his morning break on the following day to try some of the other things on the menu that may be even more to his liking than the coffee. Eager to see the man again...and perhaps to see what else might be offered that was not on the menu...the bookshop proprietor completely forgot his earlier resolution to stay away from the new shop and agreed immediately. They said their farewells and Az was left to meet with his afternoon patrons with a wide beaming smile that never completely left his face – especially since he continued to think about his unexpected morning visitor throughout the rest of the day!
...
The next morning, a very tardy Newton stumbled into the bookshop and it only took a glance at the cup in the young man's hand for Az to see why.
"You've been to the Demon's Brew." It was not a question, but Newt tried to explain the situation anyway.
"I didn't plan to, I swear it!" He explained hurriedly since he was worried that his boss might be angry at him for betraying Mrs. Tracy. "I was just walking by the place on my way here…when suddenly through the window I saw… her!"
"Her?" Az asked in confusion.
Newt answered dreamily. "She was gorgeous! She was dressed all in black and her name tag said Ana…"
Even though Newt continued to speak, that was all that Az heard. He just heaved an internal sigh as he realized that his assistant's new crush was obviously the sister of his new crush...and what a crush he had, too! After all, he had thought about the exciting new man across the street all throughout the entire previous day...and long after he should have been asleep, as well! Crowley's face, gorgeous hair, and unique eyes were even the very first things that had popped into his head upon awakening. Az could not believe it. After all, he had spent only an hour or two in the man's company on the previous day, but he already knew that he was completely smitten with him.
In fact, the whole encounter caused Az to question his hasty assumptions about what the owner of the coffee shop would be like. There was no doubt that Ant Crowley was indeed flashy and modern. However, contrary to Az's earlier belief, the intriguing man had turned out to be exactly the type of person with whom he wanted to share a drink and conversation...and perhaps even more than that! In fact, he found that he looked forward to seeing him again very much. That thought made him glance down at the watch on his wrist and he sighed as he realized that he still had a few hours to go before he could do so.
Therefore, Az returned his attention to Newt...who was apparently still telling him about the bewitching woman across the street who had made his coffee. Az could not help but to smile at him, however. "Don't worry about it, dear boy, just keep an eye on the clock next time," he said and gave the young man a gentle pat on the shoulder to acknowledge the importance of such matters of the heart. "Now...if you would...kindly go and finish that university order that you started yesterday while I see if I can fulfill Sir Terry's request for that special text he wanted."
Newt gratefully wandered off to follow his boss's instructions, but his mind still full of his dream girl. Az, meanwhile, resisted the urge to look at his watch again. After all, he knew that only a few minutes had passed since Newt had come into the shop. Therefore, he simply sighed again and turned to head off and start his own task...even while his own thoughts were occupied by the idea of seeing Crowley again.
He could not help but to wonder, though, if that attractive and intriguing man could possibly feel the same way...if he had also felt the attraction between them...or if he was just trying to be neighborly and/or using his obvious charm to drum up customers for his new business. The latter bit was a depressing thought, but Az was intelligent and rational enough to realize that it might actually be the truth. He also knew that he would have to wait until his break to find out, though. Therefore, he just sighed again and really got to work in order to keep himself busy until then.
As it turned out, Az need not have worried at all.
After the early morning rush of caffeine addicts had all gone to work and even the more leisurely taking-advantage-of-the-free-wifi-with-their-breakfast crowd had dwindled down to just a couple of patrons, Crowley found himself looking at the shop door with some frequency. He sincerely hoped that Az...Aziraphale...would take him up on his offer and stop by. After all, he had been absolutely enchanted by the angelic man on the previous day. His face must have shown it, too, because Ana obviously took great pleasure in teasing him about it.
"I certainly hope your dreamy angel bloke comes in soon, or you're going to be absolutely worthless to me for the rest of the day," she stated after the fifth or sixth time she caught him looking hopefully in the direction of the door.
"Thanks for your support, sister dear," Crowley replied with enough sarcasm to wither the potted plants on the windowsill from just his tone alone. He then questioned the wisdom of confessing his interest in their new neighbor to his annoying younger sibling upon his return from the quaint little bookshop on the previous day.
"But, of course, Ant...my dear brother," Ana replied, completely unfazed by his tone. They had grown up together, after all, and she was used to his moodiness. "Seriously, though. You know I only want the best for you, so I do hope it works out this time. After all, you deserve a nice guy for a change. That last one was such an arsehole. I really wish that you had let me put a curse on him."
Crowley found that he certainly could not argue with her characterization of his last boyfriend, so he just shrugged. "Wouldn't want you to turn to the Dark side, Sis. After all, you're supposed to be a good witch, remember?" was all he said about that before he changed the subject. "What about you, though?" he countered. "Any nice guys pique your interest since we've been here? Your last one reminded me entirely too much of the mascot you picked for our shop." He pointed to the logo on the napkin in front of him. "He was an ugly little shite-stain, too...smelled like one, as well!"
Ana just shrieked with laughter as she punched her brother on the shoulder. "He did not! In fact, his looks were the only thing he had going for him! Dumb as a rock, though, that one. It taught me a lesson, however. I'll never agree to date someone from the gym again. Too many pheromones to cancel out my common sense." She paused and looked thoughtful. "There was a guy here this morning, though. I didn't get his name, but he said he worked nearby. He seemed sweet...even a bit shy...and this didn't scare him off." She paused to gesture to her dark clothing and make-up before she continued. "I think that it might be nice to go out with someone who is not so full of himself for a change."
Crowley could not help but to agree with her as he thought again about the angel from across the street. Nobody could ever accuse Az as being full of himself. In fact, he had been extremely considerate during their pleasant interlude on the previous day. He seemed interested, too - if Crowley had read the situation correctly...and he certainly hoped he had! Therefore, the man easily commiserated with his sister. "I think you're right. Maybe we both need someone different this time around. I hope your bloke comes back again."
Ana smiled and leaned over to give her brother a kiss on his cheek. "I hope yours does, too," she said right as the electronic chime for the door sounded, "but it doesn't seem as if you have anything to worry about," she stated matter-of-factly as the man simply beamed at the sight of the curly blond head that peered uncertainly around the slightly open door until its owner caught sight of him, too...and smiled angelically.
"After all, books and coffee go so well together," she added with a smile...mostly for herself, though.
After all, her brother did not hear her...and it was not because of the loud thumping music that poured forth from their state-of-the-art sound system, either! He had simply already rushed forward eagerly to greet his guest. He was also completely unaware of the good luck talisman she had made and spelled herself before she surreptitiously slipped it into his pocket just for the occasion. After all, a little extra magical insurance never hurt...even when it was already obvious that two people were perfect for each other...as she could already see just by observing them talk excitedly together from across the room.
In fact, that was exactly why she had placed another one in her own pocket, as well...just in case she happened to run into that cute bespectacled fellow that she had met earlier in the day, again.
She soon found out that the magical token must have done its job...and quickly, too...because the first thing Ant's angelic bloke told her when they were finally introduced was that she had made quite the impression on his assistant earlier that morning. When she asked him to describe the man, she realized...without a doubt...that it was the same guy she had been thinking about all day!
Apparently, books and coffee were indeed a perfect...and quite possibly magical...combination, after all!