When in Rome
(Part One- 41 AD)
A Good Omen AU fan-fiction
Rome was the place to be. It was a bustling metropolis, full of noise, life and full of people. There were people everywhere and from every walk of life. Roman senators, women of high standing, tradesmen, servants and slaves. The markets were overflowing with merchants selling goods from all over the Empire; from exotic spices and beautiful tapestries and pottery to luxurious silks from India and China.
The markets also sold every kind of food imaginable, from wine to honey cakes, dates, figs, fancy meats and all manner of good things.
A lady in white robes was wandering through the crowds. Her robes and the silver pin on her shoulder suggested that she came from a good background. At any rate, money seemed to be of no importance, as she had already purchased innumerable delicacies from almost every vendor, and many of them knew her by name.
Aziraphale had finally begun to enjoy her stay on Earth. She had found her niche. She liked the humans, (when they weren't plotting evil and killing each other), and she really liked the food. From the rich dark wines, to the sugared dates stuffed with something sweet and wonderful, she had found her weakness. That, and she had also begun to collect scrolls.
Aziraphale found herself in a public house. Besides the young woman behind the counter, the angel was the only female in the bar. This didn't bother her. She was often the only female around and most of the time, it went unnoticed.
Aziraphale sat down and waited for the bartender to see her. Aziraphale noted she had quite the attitude. She was busy with a man at the far end of the counter. He was wrapped in a black toga.
"What will you have, then?" the bartender asked, hands tapping on her hips.
She really does have quite the attitude, Aziraphale thought.
"Whatever you think is drinkable," the man replied in a voice Aziraphale instantly recognized.
She got up. "Crowley, is that you?"
The man looked at her. His ginger hair was no longer styled in long curls but clipped close with a crown of laurels. He was wearing a pair of small tinted glasses, which slipped down his nose to disclose yellow eyes with slitted pupils.
Aziraphale smiled brightly. "Fancy running into you here!"
Crowley didn't return her greeting and merely grunted.
The jug of wine was set down in front of Crowley. Neither he or Aziraphale saw the bartender's expression. She was smirking.
Crowley poured himself some wine. He seemed to be in a very foul mood. Aziraphale sat down next to him and searched for something to say, something to lighten the mood. She twirled her fingers.
"So, I imagine you're still a demon, then?" she asked with a smile.
Crowley slammed down his cup. "What sort of stupid question is that? 'Still a demon'?" he demanded.
Aziraphale coloured. She hadn't expected this reaction. "I was just trying to be friendly."
"Be friendly with someone else. 'Still a demon.' What else would I be anyway? An ostrich? An aardvark?" Crowley grumbled and drank some wine.
Aziraphale watched. She wondered if perhaps she should leave. Her staying didn't seem all together a good idea anymore.
Crowley sighed and turned to her. "Sorry I blew up. It hasn't been a good day."
"Oh, that's alright."
"Can I offer you some wine?"
Aziraphale gave a little smile in reply.
Crowley motioned for another cup. The bartender gave him an empty one, shooting a raised eyebrow Aziraphale's way. The angel blushed and felt like sticking out her tongue. The lady behind the counter smiled.
Crowley poured some wine from the jug and passed it to Aziraphale.
"It's house brown," he said, trying to sound a bit less irritable.
Aziraphale took a sip. "Very palatable," she said. "Are you in Rome for long?"
Crowley shrugged. "Just here for a quick temptation."
"Oh. Did it go successfully?"
"No," Crowley growled. "My target doesn't need to be tempted. He's appalling all on his own."
Aziraphale was confused. "You're upset because he was already… bad?"
The corner of Crowley's mouth twitched. He mumbled a word the angel thought was "exactly."
"But, that's your job," she said.
"Ngk."
Crowley was busy focusing on the wine and not her. Why did he seem embarrassed? Aziraphale swirled the dark alcohol in her cup. "What do you do in a case like this?"
"Going to send back a report to head office saying it was a flaming success."
Aziraphale furrowed her brows in a way not becoming to her face. "Wouldn't that be lying?"
"Of course. I'm a demon."
Part of Aziraphale had vainly hoped he wouldn't be a demon anymore, though this idea was of course ridiculous. How could he be anything else, as he had already pointed out.
"How about you?" Crowley asked. "Up to any angelic deeds? Or are you just here on holiday?"
"Music," Aziraphale said. "I am trying to improve minds. Music seemed the perfect tool. There's a boy named Nero who is very interested. Just might stay in town long enough to see if I can be of any influence."
Crowley shrugged, sipping his wine. "Can't hurt," he mused. "Doing anything else while you're here?"
Aziraphale's smile brightened like a star being born. Crowley watched the change out of the corner of his eye. It was difficult to feel grumpy when he was near the angel. Her enthusiasm had a positive effect on him, as it always did.
She looked almost wistful as she said, "I thought I would go down to Petronius's new eating house. I hear he does remarkable things with oysters."
Crowley resisted a smirk. This was a new side of Aziraphale. A food enthusiast. Crowley was more of a wine connoisseur. Food didn't do anything for him. However, if Aziraphale was interested…
"I've never had an oyster," he said, staring casually ahead of him.
"Oh!" Aziraphale cried. "Let me tempt you…"
Crowley had to look at her with both eyebrows raised.
Aziraphale realized what she had said and blushed, not catching that Crowley was trying to keep himself from laughing.
"Oh, that's your job, isn't it?" Aziraphale was very pink.
"You seem to have a good start," Crowley said, his fangs threatening to expose themselves as he fought the urge to smile.
"I hope not," Aziraphale said, sounding completely distressed.
Crowley put down his wine. "Relax, angel. There's no need to look like that. I was joking."
"Oh." Aziraphale blushed even more.
Crowley pushed two sesterces across the counter towards the snooty bartender and looked to Aziraphale.
"Let's try those oysters," he suggested.
Aziraphale shyly glanced up from her cup. "Really? It wouldn't be… problematic?"
"What, for two friends to drink wine and eat seafood? Can't see why."
He gave her a smile, a genuine smile this time. His glasses slipped to reveal his eyes. The angel relented. She loved those eyes and had for years.
"Salutaria," she said.
"Salutaria," Crowley repeated.
How do we save a life
Pointing fingers?
How can we end the fight
This way?
I will be the first to say
I'm far from perfect
But grace was made for those who don't
Deserve it…