redwhale:

Inspired by some replies from the-night-painter here.

Wednesday tries to recruit Captain Flint for his war, and
runs afoul of Thomas Hamilton in the attempt. Meanwhile, Shadow just wants a new goddamn
book to read, is that so much to ask?

(Note: Vague reference to Wednesday’s true identity spoilers,
plus some brief not so cheery talk about sacrifices.)

Wednesday
had certainly taken Shadow to a lot of unique places in the last few months. There
had been many diners, a photocopy shop, a laundromat, some shady hotel rooms,
the movie theater with the unnaturally sticky floor, and a pizza parlor were
Shadow wasn’t entirely convinced that cheese was really what was being used as
the topping. A homely bookshop in Boston was something new, all things
considered, especially taking into account the extremely long detour it took to
get there.

Shadow
followed Wednesday through the aisles of the shop, inhaling that new book
smell. He had fond memories from when his mother would take him to bookshops as
a child, his small hand gently held in hers. She’d let him pick a book, and
then they’d read it together. Books had always been a comfort growing up, and
the lack of variety was something he’d endlessly missed in prison.

Wednesday,
after pausing briefly in front of the History section, finally halted in front
of the Classics. He hummed and hawed to himself for a moment, before finding
his prize.

“Did
you ever read Treasure Island, Shadow?” Wednesday said, with a grin,
tapping the red cover.

Shadow
nodded. “Yeah, sure. Preferred Muppet Treasure Island, though. Miss Piggy
was kinda hot.”

Laura had
found Kermit quite attractive in his weird little froggy captain’s coat, so
that had been a more than unusual bonding point when they first had started
dating.

Wednesday
froze for a moment, heavy brows raised, before assessing Shadow thoughtfully.
“…hmm. And thus I continue to plumb the depths of the enigma that is
Shadow Moon…”

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