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It had been a peaceful morning in the bookshop. Muriel tried a new flavor of tea, Earl Grey this time, and dusted the shelves a little. Crowley lounged, got some coffee, and lounged some more. The afternoon was just a little busier, folks in and out to browse.
Evening brought tidying and hot chocolate. Things Crowley was more than willing to help with. Nothing was going to fill the Aziraphale shaped hole in his heart, but between Muriel and all his new friends he’d say it was half filled. Which was much more than he could have ever hoped for.
“What do you want to get up to tonight Petal?”
“Well, there’s something new I wanted to try.”
“Whotsit?”
“Um. Well I know about eating and drinking, Maggie taught me about hugging. We drive in your car, I don’t think I’m ready for swimming or bike riding. So I think I’d like to try sleeping.”
“Alright, yeah. You’ve got that little bedroom upstairs, might as well put it to some use.”
“Exactly! I think I’ll need your help though. To walk me through.”
“Alright, let’s get comfortable then.” Crowley wasn’t really sure if it would work that way. But at the very least they could give it a try. The two of them had made a list of things Muriel wanted to experience. He wouldn’t tell them, he didn’t want them to feel responsible for him, but their joy trying out human things had been the only thing keeping him going in the beginning. He felt better now. Less raw, more aching. But if it hadn’t been for Muriel he wasn’t sure where he’d be.
A pair of fuzzy pajamas and a big old quilt later Muriel was ready for bed. They tucked them self in. Crowley sat at the end of the bed.
“Now what?” They asked.
“Alright, uh, close your eyes. Clear your mind. Um, think about your breathing.” Crowley did his best. Muriel wiggled a little farther down and closed their eyes. It was a few moments of quiet and then some odd breathing. They opened their eyes.
“It’s not working. It’s hard to relax. I keep thinking about things. Is sleeping supposed to be hard?”
“No, but it isn’t always easy for humans either it’s alright.”
“What do humans do?”
“Sleeping pills sometimes, sometimes other things. But for you though, warm milk? A teddy bear?”
“What’s a teddy bear?”
“Really? Alright one of these, here.” Crowley reached towards the floor and picked up a little plush bear from the ether. “For a cuddle.”
“How cute!”
“Wonderful, let’s try the relaxing thing again.”
“Crowley? Could you come here for a cuddle? The bear will help. But I think I’m worried about things? I don’t know what I’m worried about. If I’m not awake I might miss something. And what if it’s something bad?” What was he going to do? Say no? So with a snap of his fingers he was a little more comfortable in pajamas of his own.
“Well budge over then.” He tucked in next to them, and opened his arms. Muriel scooted in and rested their head on his shoulder.
“I think this will help. It feels nice to be close to other people. Angels don’t really hug or cuddle.”
“They’re missing out.” Crowley wrapped his arms around them. “Now, try closing your eyes again.” After a few moments they actually yawned, and in a few more moments he could feel them relax.
Muriel was asleep. Their soft breathing against his neck brought back a flood of memories of the only other person he had ever soothed to sleep like this. Warlock.
He wasn’t supposed to be affectionate with the boy, but more often than not it was just easier to hold him while he slept than to put him down and risk waking him. That and nobody was really watching anyway. Well, nobody that would have punished him for caring about the child.
The nostalgia was so soothing, and the relaxation so overwhelming he couldn’t help but think it was a side effect of holding a sleeping angel. He wiped a single tear that had made it’s way down his cheek.
Hours later he woke up to find Muriel already awake, reading in bed. This wasn’t the angel he had imagined doing this with. But he wasn’t alone, and he wasn’t lonely.
“So how do you like sleeping?” He sat up and stretched.
“It’s nice. I do feel refreshed. I don’t know if I need to as much as the other angels, but once in a while I could nap.”
“It’s a start. Now c’mon we’ve got books to not sell.”
A few weeks went by and some time near their middles Muriel would declare they needed to sleep, both of them. They’d have to gently cajole Crowley into bed with them, but they never had to convince him to cuddle once he was there.
Then one Wednesday night Eric stayed late.
“I think he should get some sleep too.”
“Alright, I’ll see you in the morning then.” Crowley would just go for a drive and return in time to open the store.
“Could you help us out first? Eric doesn’t know how.” Muriel pointed at him and Eric nodded dutifully.
“What, am I nap teacher now? Is this sleep school?” He grumbled. Muriel just smiled at him. Crowley wasn’t ever really sure if they knew he wouldn’t say no to them. But sometimes he was sure they were taking advantage of it. “I’m surprised they didn’t teach you.” He gestured at Eric who was already in something like pajamas, patiently waiting for them to finish their gentle bickering.
“Who?” He asked.
“Your parents.” Muriel and Eric shared a confused look. “Bee and Gabe.” Crowley clarified.
“Think about that one for a minute Mate.” Eric smiled at him. “Would you want them teaching you how to nap?”
“Right, no, you’re right.” There was a moment of silence before Crowley gave in. “Fine, fine. I’ll make the bed bigger.” Culturally demons didn’t have much of a concept of personal space, not enough room in hell, but Muriel’s twin bed was still going to be way too small for the three of them.
“I think it would be more helpful if you were in the middle.” Muriel nodded, and Crowley sighed. Somehow he would up as Muriel’s little spoon, Eric was on his back close enough for Crowley to rest his cheek on his shoulder if he wanted (eventually he would).
Aside from any individual scents, demons had an underlying smell of smoke. It was stronger on some than others, but all of them had it. Eric smelled mostly like grass, and with the smoke smell, it brought to mind a lawnmower. He still couldn’t place Muriel’s heavenly scent, but between the two of them it reminded him of fine incense.
Eric was asleep before either of them. Even before Crowley could start with the whole clear your mind and think about your breathing bit.
“Something tells me I’ve been tricked.” Crowley whispered.
“Are you mad?” He could hear the smile in Muriel’s voice.
“No.” he sighed. “Far from it.” There was a warm friendly body on either side of him, and hours to go before daylight.
“Good. Goodnight Crowley.”
“Goodnight Duckling.”