Chapter Text
So, the truth is. Well, the truth is. Anthony J Crowley was a little smitten. Or, maybe more than a little. He liked books. Occasionally. He himself was a writer (also, occasionally), after all. So, it made perfect sense to find himself wandering through a small, yet endearing bookshop on the way back home from one of his lessons. What didn't make perfect sense was how he found himself sort-of-and-not-at-all-creepily checking out a kind gentleman who he assumed worked there.
He had such kind eyes. And such a kind, gentle voice. The bookshop itself was very cheery and bright, and yet this beautiful man outshone every lovely thing surrounding him.
Anthony didn't get the chance to speak to him. The man kindly greeted him when he walked in. Then, another woman walked in, asking for his assistance and he hurried off to tend to her needs. Anthony only watched from afar, quick glances in-between browsing through the collection of books, some newer some used.
There was another man there that day. A man much older than Anthony. He approached Anthony with a smile. “Hello. Need any help with anything?”
“Um.” Anthony had then only slightly forgotten why he was here in the first place. To look at books. “No, just browsing.”
Anthony might have been mistaken, but he could have sworn he saw a mischievous sparkle in the man's eye. “I see. Just… looking for something you like? For something to catch your interest?”
Anthony flustered. The man then laughed heartedly and walked off, saving Anthony from having to think up an appropriate response.
Well. He thought, still somewhat fluttery. Well, that was a thing.
And well, the truth is-the further truth is-Anthony might have made note to visit the bookshop. More than once. But only a couple of times! He was a professor, not a stalker. He just found the bookshop…to be very welcoming. Charming. Endearing. Polite. And beautiful. Like an angel. And well, maybe he wasn't talking about the bookshop.
So, a few weeks pass by. Anthony checks in the shop occasionally. Because he was anything but a stalker. And that's how it is. Until it isn't.
“Well, good afternoon professor!” A familiar voice practically shouted from behind Anthony. He turned around and found one of his favorite students, Muriel, rushing towards him. They had a very typical smile on their face, and wore very typical bright and comfortable sweater.
“Muriel, hey.” Anthony greeted kindly.
“Off to see your bookseller, aren't you?” Muriel giggled. The thing about Muriel is that they like books. Love them, even. So naturally, Anthony found them at the bookshop from a couple of his visits. And, well. They might have caught Anthony admiring the bookseller man. Occasionally. And then they came to their own conclusion.
Anthony flushed. “I'm just. Looking.” He made a useless hand gesture.
Muriel fell beside Anthony, matching his pace. Though, unlike Anthony, there was a slight skin in each step they took. “Just looking. Again. At that nice bookseller. Who you definitely don't have a crush on?”
“Shut up,” Anthony said. There was no real bite to it.
“Do you think he thinks you're stalking him?”
“I'm not!” Anthony sputtered. “And he doesn't! He probably just thinks…” he probably doesn't even recognize me each time I come in, Anthony thought, glum. He tried to shake the feeling away. He couldn't think like that. After all, he considered himself quite the optimist. “That I'm a regular.”
“And how many books have you actually…bought at the bookshop?” Muriel asked.
Anthony most certainly did not blush. “That doesn't matter.”
“Professor. Just ask him out on a date!” Muriel suggested giddily, like it was the easiest thing in the world.
If Anthony wasn't blushing before, then he most definitely wasn't blushing now, either. “A date,” he managed. The words felt as if they were tangling together in his mouth. “Erm. Ngk. I, eh.”
“Or at least ask for his number.”
“His number,” Anthony repeated. “N-well, uh. Right.”
Then, Muriel's phone went off, startling Anthony out of his stupor. They checked their phone. The caller ID read Eric. Muriel, already ever so bright, somehow brightened even… er. Brighter. “While I'd love to watch you finally make a move-” make a move! “-I really ought to go.”
Muriel practically began hopping away as they called from behind their shoulder, “good luck, professor Crowley! Remember! Phone number! Date!” And then they were off. To meet Eric, Anthony assumed.
Anthony neared the bookshop. Once the bookshop was in sight, his chest immediately began to flutter. He mentally swore to himself. “Number.” He repeated, with each step closer he felt even more fluttery. Like he was back in school, with his first ever crush. It was silly. He didn't necessarily believe in love at first sight back when he was a boy. And he couldn't say he believed in it now. But something about the man in the bookshop pulled him in. Even if they shared a few, very minor words in greeting. It was like he was meant to be there. “Phone number.” He muttered. He paused right in front of the store's doors.
He took a deep breath. Then released. Then, he breathed in deeply once more. With what little courage and confidence he actually had, he made his way inside the bookshop, with every intention of getting this man's number.
Only, that isn't what happened.
Instead, Anthony made a slight fool of himself. He said he was looking for a book (which was true. He was!) And the beautiful man offered up his own book to him instead. On a silver platter! And with a huge bargain! Anthony made light of it. A small joke. It was worth it just to talk to the man. Who recommended him a different book instead. He took it. Grateful of course, and incredibly charmed. And then, like an idiot, he said thank you. And he purchased the book. And he left. Only after he left did it register that he left. And he mentally swore to himself a second time that day.
A date. A phone number. That was his plan. He felt silly. But he couldn't turn back. Not now. Luckily, he didn't have to. Because the man chased after him instead.
And much to Anthony's surprise. The man asked for his autograph. Signed to Asa Fell. (Anthony felt so giddy then, finally knowing this absolute angel's name.) And then, almost more surprising than wanting his autograph, Asa had wanted his number as well. His number! To take him to dinner, he said. To dinner!
That meant he had to have liked him, even just a little bit, surely?
“I won't write my number,” Anthony said, still positively reeling. He saw Asa visibly deflated at that. And he quickly added, “I'll wait for you.” A little desperate. But seeing the light return in Asa's gorgeous blue eyes was worth it. “Where are we having dinner?”
Asa was, to put it simply, marvelous. It felt as if the very core of the universe was drawn to him. Or at the very least, the core of Anthony's existence. He was funny. And very polite. And he enjoyed his food so happily, like he hadn't eaten a meal in days. Anthony hardly felt the minutes to hours tick by over their different conversations, their easy laughter, and silly questions they asked each other, such as, “how did you manage to write that book anyway?”
In which Anthony had answered in return, “you mean how'd I fail to write that book?”
To, “done anything rebellious in your youth?”
Anthony had said, “eh not really. I got a snake tattoo when I was really young. Though my parents hated tattoos.”
Asa had positively gasped. “Oh, really? Can I see it?”
“Maybe later,” Anthony replied with a cheeky wink.
“Oh!”
Maybe he was just imagining it, but Anthony could have sworn he saw Asa's adorable face dust pink. Might've just been the slight dim lighting in the pub, he tried to tell himself. Then again, Asa did ask for his number. And asked him out on a date! Or… for dinner? Maybe not a date. Maybe a date. Either way, Asa definitely liked him. Anthony still couldn't believe it. Like he had told Asa earlier in the bookshop, it truly was his lucky day. Perhaps his luckiest. A foolish thought. But a thought he embraced nonetheless.
As dinner went on, that silly, yet light feeling in Anthony's chest only continued to glow and glow. He can't remember the last time he felt so content and interested in another's company. He loved his students dearly, of course. Especially Muriel, who was a friend as much as they were a student. Anthony had other friends of course. Bee (who was snappy and irritable as much as they were simultaneously sweet and patient, they were a force to be reckoned with) had been a friend of Anthony's for years. As well as Miss Ana Device, who worked with him at the university. And her golden retriever boyfriend. Newt.
Each person in Anthony's life made his existence all the more brighter. He adored each student, each co-worker. Each friend, both new and life-long alike. But this spark buzzing beneath his skin as he was in Asa's company, this curiosity and eagerness to get to know him, it was a different light. A different heat. Anthony could almost choke on the sheer intensity of it all.
“Ohhh, professor!”
A loud, cheery voice snapped Anthony out of his thoughts for a second time that day. Muriel was standing at their table, smiling wide. Anthony groaned internally. He loved them to pieces. But come on!
“Oh, hello, Muriel!” Asa greeted. “How are you doing this fine afternoon?”
Anthony sputtered, glancing between the two of them. “Wh-wait, hold on. Do you two know each other?” He gave Muriel a pointed glare. Muriel pointedly ignored it.
“Of course!” They said, “Asa has always been so kind to me. And he has great taste in books!”
You know his name? Anthony thought wildly. You knew this whole time? Muriel could be a little bit mischievous, when they wanted to be. Anthony couldn't help but feel fond of the fact. But he was definitely going to be having words (very lighthearted words, don't you worry) with them later.
“You know Anthony,” Muriel began, and there was that mischievous smile, damn them. “I'm so, so happy you finally asked him out!” Yep. Right. Gotcha. Damn them indeed. Not noticing Anthony's embarrassment, Muriel happily rambles on. “I mean, he hasn't been on a date in forever, at least, that's what he told me! He's been crushing on you for-”
Crushing! Anthony could feel his ears heating up with embarrassment. “Muriel,” he interrupted their rambling, only slightly stammering on his words. “Weren't you meeting with some fella… Derrick?”
“Eric!” Muriel somehow managed to grin even wider. Anthony's attempt to embarrass them in return was clearly lost on them. “Oh he's here with me! He's over there!” They turned to point at a table not too far away from Anthony's and Asa's. Muriel waved at the young man at the table. He waved back, just as smiley as his company.
“Maybe you should get back to him?” Anthony said, with a look.
“Oh!” Muriel finally got the hint. “You're right. Great seeing you!” To Asa, “and you too! You'll really like professor Crowley. He's super, super sweet!”
“Muriel.” Anthony hissed. There was only so much embarrassment he could take in one afternoon.
“Oh, I'm quite sure I will,” Asa told Muriel with a chuckle and a wink. Oh. It was like the last bit of faulty wiring in Anthony's brain completely fizzled out. Leaving nothing but an absolutely flustered mess. More than he was already.
“Excellent!” Muriel beamed. With that they turned on their heel and eagerly rushed back to their table with Eric.
“Er,” Anthony managed, turning his attention back to Asa. Asa looked amused. “Ngk, um. I'm so sorry ‘bout that.”
“Oh, it's alright. I adore that young one's energy. And I didn't know that they were one of your students!” Fuck, could a man be any more gorgeous? “Oh, you must tell me all about your classes…”
Oh, I must, Crowley wanted to agree helplessly.
“But… oh dear,” Asa looked at his phone. “It's rather late, I-well, I hadn't realized how much time had passed.” Was that disappointment in Asa's voice? He looked way less, er, smile-y and glow-y as he was moments ago.
“Yeah…” Anthony agreed reluctantly.
Silence, for a beat or two. And then Asa blurted out, “I-I know you said you wouldn't give me your number. But-but, well, could I maybe give you mine? Then you could, I don't know, call, or we could meet up again, and we could talk some more about your work? If-that is, did you want…?”
Anthony couldn't bite back his smile. Oh, this ridiculously adorable man. “I would love that.”
“Oh, splendid.”
Anthony handed Asa his phone and watched amused as Asa frantically typed in his number. “There!” He said as he gave Anthony back his phone. “I sent you a text!”
Anthony snorted as he read the message on his screen, which read: Hello! This is Asa Fell. “You sent yourself a text, actually.”
“Ah,” Asa sounded so pleased with himself. He pulled out his own phone from his coat pocket and began typing. “Well… I've sent you a text now.”
Anthony's phone lit up with a notification. Well, now this Asa Fell!
Adorable, Anthony thought. He saved Asa to his contact, first putting him under- well. He immediately stopped typing and cleared his throat. It was stupid. Ridiculous. He deleted the silly pet name and simply saved his contact as Asa instead.
“Well… um…” Asa started, and then his voice trailed off. Neither of them wanted their outing to end. “Well, see you around then, Anthony?”
“Counting the minutes,” Anthony replied. And he meant it.