( quartz )

...

THE LIBRARY OF SECRETS, a rumored place filled to the brim with books containing secrets that could answer all the mysteries in the world. The white business card that had been slid under your apartment's door had no extra information about the place, except on how to find it. Perhaps if you didn't need answers so desperately for your magical infliction, you wouldn't have taken the risk of finding this strange library. For all you knew, it could have been a trap, a murder-house.

In fact, as you stood in the empty alley way, holding your breath and staring at the dirt caked bricks, you considered retreating. Before you could turn and flee, the bricks rumbled, and then, started sliding, up, down, left and right, until a small door was revealed. The door itself was nothing special, just a plain cracked wooden door that needed another touch of paint and a new handle that wasn't rusted. What did stand out, however, were the strange markings that glowed a soft orange.

You had come this far, why retreat now? So you placed your hand on the shaky handle, and with a satisfying click, the door swung open, creaking on its hinges.

"Ah, come in," a voice called out to you. It was coarse and shaky. Your eyes adjusted to the sudden candle light coming from the room you peered into, spotting a small hunched figure with a tuff of white hair, sat behind a wooden desk much too large for him. "Dear, you're letting the warm air out. Library's open, hurry up inside."

Hesitantly, you stepped in and slowly closed the door behind you. You noticed a theme: wood. Wooden floors, ceilings, walls, chairs, desks, staircase, and windows. Windows that to your shock, overlooked a snowy landscape, rattling slightly as an icy wind shook them.

That's not possible. But it was, somehow, because you realized you were no longer in New York. This peculiar library was far too big to fit in the dingy two story building you had tracked down.

"Here's your library card." The man held up a wrinkled hand to you, his papery skin holding a gold card. You trudged slowly across one of the many rugs in the place and accepted the card, confused. "Books checked out should be returned within three weeks, but you can submit a form for an extension. If they're lost, we have a fee you need to pay. Please ensure all books are handled with care." He squinted at the stack of papers on his desk, shifting up his oversized glasses as he did. "Er, says here you're not yet cleared for the more uh, special books. When that time comes, I'll let you know. But, for now, enjoy what is available to you."

You nodded, unsure what to say. Turning away from the man, you wandered in further. The room was cluttered with book-stands, and the walls themselves were filled with books, from floor to ceiling, each bound in colorful hardcover, embossed with silver or gold writing in their spines. There was an upstairs that too, unsurprisingly, held an unbelievable amount of books.

You walked through the aisles of books, skimming the titles: Apothecary, An Ethical Guide to Necromancy, Cooking With Magical Properties, Chaos Magic, Illusions for Parties, Stones and Runes, Basics of Eldritch Magic. One book in particular caught your attention the most. Sure, you wanted to check out all the books, or set yourself up in the loveseat beneath the window and start reading as much as possible, but your life was on the risk, so the fun had to wait.

Picking up Curses, Hexes, and Demons, you sat down onto the floor by the shelf, the thick red rug oddly comfortable, and flipped the book open. The book was beautifully detailed, with drawings of strange creatures, and descriptions that pulled you in. More importantly, it was simple enough to understand considering your lack of knowledge on the heinous topic.

It must have been 30 minutes into reading when you heard a jingle in the distance and the librarian greeting someone. You expected the individual to explore the other parts of the library, instead their footsteps started in your direction.

A blond man popped out from behind a bookshelf, holding a paper and gazing at it and then the books. His eyebrows were pulled downwards in concentration, so much so that he didn't realize you were sitting there on the floor, awkwardly looking up at it him. It was only when you turned to the next page did his blue eyes widen in shock and shoot to you.

You gave him a small smile in greeting and then focused your attention back to your book, not wishing to delay any longer. A couple of minutes passed by, the man still standing in the aisle, face pinched as he examined the books when you decided to speak up.

"Do you need any help?" you asked him, straining your neck upwards to make eye contact with him.

The man ran a hand through his short hair and nodded, eyes going back and forth from the paper to you. "I'm helping out a wizard friend, and he sent me to get him all of these books." He held the paper towards you, hopeful that you could help. "It's not many, but I've only been here a handful of times so I'm still at a bit of a loss."

Taking the paper, you stood up and examined it. "Huh, my first time here, and lucky for you, I just saw a few of these books. Follow me?"

"What brings you here?"

You rolled your shoulders back as you led the way, the man trailing behind you. "Cursed by a demon."

"Oh, um, have you found anything that could help you?"

"Nothing yet," you replied, stopping in front of the books. "Here you go. Sorry I can't help you with the others, think you'll need the librarians help with that."

The man rubbed the back of his neck, frowning. "I don't really like the librarian, he's too bossy." He extended a hand to you. "I'm Thor, you?"

Your eyes widened. The Thor. How did you not recognize him? "Name's Y/N."

"You've just saved me a great deal of work, Y/N. Thank you." Thor grinned at you, extending a hand. You took it, and rather too enthusiastically, he shook your hand.

***

You had returned to your spot after meeting Thor, and picked up where you left your book. Thor was still in the library after a couple chapters later; you could hear him walking around the aisles, muttering annoyed words about a Stephen Strange.

The wind had picked up outside, howling ferociously and rattling the windows. The librarian had left his spot and went upstairs with a cart of books, restocking the shelves. It was oddly cozy in the library, listening to the crack of the fireplace at the end of the room, and snuggling up with an extra blanket the librarian had brought you, enjoying your book.

You were on Page 212, eagerly typing down notes on your phone on how to summon, and then banish a demon, when Thor wandered back into your aisle.

He clasped his hands in front of him, eyeing the books once more. The list was gone, tucked away in his pocket. Leaning forward, Thor pulled out a book, eyeing it intensely, before placing it back on the shelf.

"You know," Thor cleared his throat loudly, "My wizard friend might be able to help you with your demon problem."

"Really? I would really appreciate all the help. I wasn't keen on doing this by myself." You stood up quickly, facing Thor, still having to crane your neck to look at him due to his imposing height.

Thor nodded, a sly grin forming on his handsome face. "But, there is a price I must ask for in return."

Your heart dropped. "Uh, money? I can see what I can rake up but -"

"-No, no, not money," Thor quickly interrupted you. "A date. I meant a date, because you're very beautiful, and you seem lovely, and I would like to get to know your more."

Your eyes widened, realization setting in. "Oh, I-"

"-But, I mean, if you don't want to, I was um-It's fine. My wizard friend and I will still help you, because that's what we do, and you need our help- Did I overstep?" He was rambling, the words tumbling out of his mouth in quick bursts. His cheeks had turned a light pink. "I'm sorry, here's Stephen's address. He's the guy with the cloak, and the floating and magic hands and all that."

"Thor, I would love to go on a date with you," you told him, grinning at how cute and nervous he was. "In fact, I'm not doing anything after this, are you?"

His mouth dropped open, forming an o. "No, I'm not. Um, do you like pancakes? I know it's probably late back home, but it was the first Midgardian food I had when I got here, and so it holds a special place in my heart."

You nodded, tucking your book under your arm. You were about to pick up the rest when Thor quickly collected them for you, easily balancing the heavy stack. You asked him, "I'm guessing you know a place?"

"Yeah, it's a cute little diner, open 24/7. I think you'll love it."

author's note
magic libraries are my aesthetic