Summary

Antonia Crowley (just Crowley is fine, thanks) co-owns a shop on Whickber Street specialising in the occult. Nevertheless, she spends the majority of her time playing barista at Give Me Coffee or Give Me Death so that she can make eyes at the woman who owns the bookshop across the street help out her old friend Nina as a stop gap before she can hire permanent staff.

Magnus Bane is a middle child and in search of something new and exciting. For a while he’s been on the search for something, but isn’t sure what.

Alec and Newt are best mates and have been sharing a flat for years when they find matching jobs as booksellers at A.Z. Fell and Co. Their boss, Aziraphale, is a little awkward, but they enjoy working for her. Newt especially enjoys working on Whickber Street as he has gotten to know Anathema Device, who co-owns M.A. Device & Co. with her siblings.

One Friday night at the height of summer they get together for a friendly game night.

And that’s when everything changes.

Notes

This fic was written as a birthday gift for Evie_Bane/

Honey, you’re familiar, like my mirror, years ago

Chapter One: I fall in love just a little, oh, a little bit

Crowley was running late. She and her siblings had spent the night before at a nightclub, and perhaps indulged slightly more than was healthy considering that Crowley was supposed to be at work the following morning at 6:30.

It was 6:35 and she had yet to leave the apartment.

Luckily, Give Me Coffee or Give Me Death was only a five minute walk away from the flat where they lived above the occult shop that Magnus and Ana ran together. Technically Crowley co-owned it, and she didn’t really need to also work as a barista, but Nina was an old friend and could use the help. Not that Crowley was being much help right now given that they were late. Again.

Despite the lingering effects of a hangover, she managed to throw on a (mostly) clean black dress, ran some gel through her hair, scrubbed her face clear of last night’s makeup, and brushed her teeth in record time, making it to the coffee shop by 6:50.

“Well, look what the cat dragged in.” Nina drawled from where she was setting up behind the counter. Technically Crowley wasn’t late late. The coffee shop didn’t actually open until seven, so she still made it before the customers. Still, she felt bad for not helping Nina set up for the day. It was a Monday morning— they would be slammed with customers as soon as they unlocked the doors.

“Sorry, sorry. Ana and Magnus kept me up late last night. Celebrating.” Crowley waved her hands wildly in apology as she dashed into the back room to grab her apron.

“Well, at least you made it here before the morning rush.” Nina sighed. “Did you all have a good time?”

“Yes. Would have been better if you had come with us, though.” Crowley replied pointedly as he began to make himself an espresso. Because what was the point of working at a coffee shop this early in the morning if you could not use the opportunity to caffeinate yourself?

“You know I couldn’t. Lindsay wouldn’t have liked me being out so late without them, and they don’t feel like you all enjoy their company.”

Crowley kept his lips pressed tightly together. They were not going to have this fight before at least two more espressos. She, Ana, and Magnus definitely did not like Lindsay, and the feeling was rather mutual. Nina’s partner was one of the most toxic people that Crowley had the misfortune to ever meet, and considering the people she grew up with that was saying something. She wasn’t someone who prayed, but if she had been she would have started praying for Nina and Lindsay’s breakup for ages.

“Well, hopefully you can still join us for game night on Friday. Ana’s bringing that boyfriend of hers, Newt. The one who works at the bookshop across the way.” Crowley gestured towards the bookshop opposite them, and Nina started to smirk.

“Oh? Is Newt the only person coming over?” Crowley fidgeted over Nina’s knowing gaze.

“Well, I believe he may have asked if he could bring some of his co-workers. You know, Alec and, uh—”

“Is the name you are struggling to push out of your mouth Aziraphale then?” Nina asked, her smirk a full grin now.

“Oh wow, would you look at the time? I think we should unlock the doors, there’s already a queue outside!” Crowley dashed over to the door, unlocking it quickly and welcoming in their first customers.

—

Alec was not a fan of game nights. He always felt awkward in large groups, and would have been happy to stay at home with his books, if it were not for the fact that his roommate, Newt, had started to acquire a boldness he never had before meeting and starting a relationship with Anathema Device. Alec had seen Ana in passing before— he had certainly heard her plenty during the past six months through the thin walls of the two bedroom flat that he and Newt had been sharing since they graduated uni five years ago. But this would be the first time he actually hung out with them. What was more awkward still was that Newt insisted on also inviting their boss.

He understood the reasoning, of course. Ana worked at the occult shop just down the street from the bookshop where Alec worked with Newt and Aziraphale. She co-owned it with her siblings, Magnus and Crowley, and the three of them lived in a large flat above the shop. Alec had yet to meet Magnus, but he had met Crowley plenty of times. Despite co-owning her own shop, Crowley also worked part-time at the coffee shop across the street from the bookshop. And Crowley could not be more obviously in love with Aziraphale if she tried.

Alec had only started working at the bookshop a year ago, but shortly into that period he became familiar with the way that Crowley and Aziraphale danced around each other. It was not uncommon for Aziraphale to find any and every excuse to visit Give Me Coffee or Give Me Death, but only when Crowley happened to be on shift. Similarly, it was not unusual for Crowley to stop by the bookshop when Aziraphale happened to be working a shift, and engage the woman in conversation about whatever the latest books were and, having received and purchased a recommendation, later coming back to discuss the book with Aziraphale.

The way that the two of them were constantly making eyes at each other had prompted many a night’s speculation between Newt and Alec as to when the two of them would give in and just admit their feelings already.

Thus, when Friday night rolled around, Alec found himself standing outside M.A. Device & Company with his best friend and his boss, clutching a bottle of wine.

Newt opened the door and the bell jingled as he, Alec, and Aziraphale entered the shop.

“I’m afraid you’ll find that we are quite closed!” A silky voice called out to them. The person who had spoken had his back to them as they adjusted a display.

Newt coughed before speaking himself. “Hey, Magnus.”

The person whirled around and Alec realized that this must be Magnus, Ana’s brother. The first thing Alec noticed were his eyes. They were a gold-green and Alec was startled to realize that his pupils were slits, not unlike those of a cat or a snake. He had seen Crowley’s eyes before, but since Ana’s eyes were a simple brown he had not realized the trait was a family one. They were fairly twinkling, and Magnus’ smile was broad as he greeted Newt.

“Lizard boy! You brought friends.” Newt rolled his eyes, and Alec’s eyebrows raised once again. He had rarely seen his friend so bold anywhere outside of their own apartments.

“Newts are amphibians, Magnus, you know this.” Newt grumbled, but nevertheless accepted it when Magnus pulled him into a hug.

“Aziraphale, always nice to see you,” Magnus shook Aziraphale’s hand before his rather captivating eyes turned to Alec, who felt his heart catch in his throat as those eyes lingered.

“And you must be the famous Alexander.” Magnus was veritably purring as he reached his hand out to Alec’s. Shifting awkwardly, Alec tucked the wine bottle under his arm as he shook Magnus’ hand. It might have been his imagination, but Alec could have sworn that he felt a small shock as their palms touched. Something like surprise or even worry entered Magnus’ eyes before it was gone in an instant, and the smile was back.

“Well then! Crowley and Ana are already upstairs, Newt, you know the way. Head on up while I close the shop.”

Newt guided Alec and Aziraphale through the shop until they entered the back, where a set of stairs led to an apartment that seemed almost impossibly large for the space. The thought slipped from Alec’s mind almost as it appeared, and he followed Newt and Aziraphale into what appeared to be the living room. Snacks and piles of board games were already set up, and Ana was talking quietly with Crowley as they both sat on one of the couches.

They both stood, Ana walking quickly over to Newt and pulling him into a rather enthusiastic embrace. Aziraphale and Crowley’s eyes met rather intently, and Alec stood awkwardly, making eye contact with no one as he clutched his wine bottle. This was going to be a long night, he could already tell.

Chapter Two:  my heart’s already sinned

“Alright, have we decided on the next game?” Crowley asked as she settled back onto the couch next to Aziraphale. Well. Next to Aziraphale was a bit of an understatement. They were sitting close enough that he was all but on her lap. Aziraphale, emboldened by Crowley’s closeness, as well as a generous amount of wine, tentatively wrapped her arm around them.

“I think Bards Dispense Profanity was next on the list.” Ana replied as she began to pull the yellow and white cards out of their box.

“Oooo I don’t think I’ve played that one before!” Aziraphale replied cheerfully.

“It’s basically just Cards Against Humanity, but with Shakespeare quotes.” Newt explained. This did not seem to clear things up for Aziraphale, and Alec had to stifle a laugh at her befuddled expression. He looked away as Crowley began to patiently explain, and found that his eyes had locked with Magnus. His breath caught, as it had every time this had happened throughout the night. Magnus’ lips curled into a smile, and Alec could feel it as his cheeks warmed.

“Crowley, would you like to start?” Ana asked as she finished dealing the cards.

“Sure.” Crowley selected one of the yellow cards with a smirk that broadened into a smile as they began to read what was on the card. “I don’t consider myself religious, but I do believe in… you finish the sentence.”

Alec stared at his cards blankly. His options were ‘my well-known body 2 Henry IV Induction’, ‘twenty lascivious turtles The Merry Wives of Windsor II.i’, ‘the incestuous pleasure of his bed Hamlet III.iii’, ‘delicate burthens of dildos The Winter’s Tale IV.iv’, and ‘a cock that nobody could match Cymbeline II.i’. His regrets regarding the night were starting to increase at an exponential rate. He looked up from his cards and found himself staring once again into Magnus’ almost hypnotic eyes. He would have stared forever were it not for Newt knocking their shoulders together.

With a start, Alec tore his eyes away from Magnus to look at his friend.

“This is the part where you pick a card and put it down,” Newt’s attempt at whispering was far too loud, bless him. Alec shook himself and selected a card at random—they were all equally terrible—and picked up the replacement. He attempted not to facepalm when he read the description.

“whoremaster man King Lear I.ii”^[1]

---

Alec was a creature of routine. He went to sleep and woke up at the exact same time every day, even on weekends. He started the day with a full glass of water alongside his vitamins and probiotic supplements. He brushed his teeth before going on a short run. Then he returned to the apartment he shared with Newt and took a brisk shower before having the same breakfast— two eggs, scrambled, with a side of toast and two links of sausage. He would have two cups of black coffee, and then begin his day.

From the moment he woke up, Alec knew that this was not a day he would be able to follow his routine. It was the smell that he registered first. As he began to blink awake, he realized that his pillows didn’t smell right. He also had a massive headache, and his brain was moving slower than usual. As he sat up, he realized that he was not in his own room. And he wasn’t wearing his normal sleep clothes. Typically, he went to sleep in boxers and a t-shirt, but he instead found himself shirtless and wearing… were these silk pajama pants?

He shook his head as he took in the room around him. His own bedroom was almost entirely black, from his sheets to the walls to his curtains, and even the dressers. This room seemed to be nothing but color. The sheets he was sleeping on were a rich purple, and the duvet and pillows were in a sparkling rainbow pattern. To the left was floor to ceiling bookshelves, each of them a different color of the rainbow, and the opposite wall to the right was gauzy, glittery, white curtains, under one of which was a long couch that had a rumpled blanket and one of the rainbow pillows on it. The other two walls were painted in swirling, glittering, rainbow patterns. There were two doors to either side of the bed, and one across from it on the left. A giant TV hung on the wall directly across from the bed, with a large L-shaped desk underneath it, once side up against the curtains. Alec’s brain was only barely able to comprehend this before the door to his right opened, and out walked Magnus Bane in nothing but a towel.

For a moment they simply stared at each other before Magnus’ mouth curved into a smile.

“Well, if it isn’t sleeping beauty, awake at least.”

Alec blinked rapidly and shook his head. “I— what happened?”

“Well, you got piss-drunk at game night for starters. At one point you started speaking exclusively in Spanish, and then you tried to kiss me before falling asleep on my lap.” Magnus replied with no small amount of amusement. “I didn’t want you to have to sleep in the living room and you were in no condition to make it home so I had Newt change you into a pair of spare pajamas and we tucked you into my bed for the night.”

“So we didn’t…” Alec drifted off awkwardly. Magnus said he had tried to kiss him, which implied that said attempt was unsuccessful. He was a bit too hungover and far too embarrassed at the situation to contemplate just how much that rejection stung. The amusement faded from Magnus’ gaze and he frowned.

“Of course not. We only just met last night and you were drunk and unconscious. I wasn’t going to take advantage of you like that. I slept on my couch.” Magnus gestured towards the pillow and blanket. Alec felt a strange mixture of disappointed and pleased. The rejection still stung, but it was also nice to know that his intuition that Magnus was a good person, albeit one inordinately fond of glitter, was correct.

Still, his head hurt, and he felt himself unable to muster anything more than a helpless “oh,” as he started feeling self-conscious over his lack of shirt. He was not sure the last time he had felt like this, if he had ever felt like this. He was not someone prone to getting drunk and having encounters with people he had only just met. A large part of him wanted to disappear back under the blankets until he was completely consumed. Yet he was also painfully aware of the fact that said blankets were Magnus’, not his own.

“Look, Alexander—”

“Alec,” he corrected automatically, before immediately falling silent. He found that he liked it when Magnus used his full name. Maybe he should have stayed quiet about it.

“Alec,” Magnus acquiesced, and Alec found himself almost mourning the lack of formality. “I can tell that you’re embarrassed, but I find you quite charming, even while drunk.” Alec blushed furiously, but still found himself at a loss for words.

“Thank you?” he managed, before cursing himself for making it sound like a question.

“Would you like to have some breakfast? And maybe also dinner, tonight? Just us,” Magnus asked. “You can of course say no, but I’d like to get to know you better, if you would be amenable.”

“I think I would like that,” Alec replied hesitantly. Magnus’ face broke out into a smile, and Alec felt an answering smile appear on his own face. “I think I’d like that a lot.”

---

^[1] For those who are curious, the card he selected was ‘delicate burthens of dildos’. Meanwhile, Newt picked ‘two napkins tacked together and thrown over the shoulders like an herald’s coat without sleeves 1 Henry IV IV.ii’, Anathema went with ‘some wine, ho! Othello II.iii’, and Magnus chose ‘both the Blunts 2 Henry IV I.i’. Aziraphale won the round, however, by putting forth ‘what my tongue can do Coriolanus III.ii’.