Crowley felt oddly bubbly on the inside that evening. He assumed that it was the oysters he had for lunch not settling right with his stomach. Then again he remembered that he hadn't felt this odd feeling since he had found a passion of his, music. This must be that disgusting human chemical in my flesh Dopamine. Crowley was rather dissatisfied that he had fallen low enough to be in the same mind range as a pathetic human, but then he looked over at his bright eyed friend. The both of them for some odd reason decided to not split hands after Crowley had helped Aziraphale up out of his chair. The two entities were perusing down the maze of a hallway and down together in silence. Despite being thousands of years old and having infinite knowledge on everything the human culture has to offer neither of the men knew what to say to break the drowning quiet. The elevator gave off its usual ding and a different elevator monitor opened the door than the one that was harassing Aziraphale earlier. Crowley led Aziraphale out through the lobby and began trekking through towards the banquet hall. Just about to enter the room Crowley felt a tug that jolted him backwards. He looked back at a worried Aziraphale who was nervously looking at the floor. "Won't my presence tarnish your reputation Mr. Crowley? Don't misunderstand me I do very much appreciate all that you have done for me so far, but I don't want to repay you with having you be looked down upon." Crowley let go of Aziraphale's fair hand and placed both hands on his shoulders instead. "Aziraphale your presence is all that matters to me, they cannot judge us because they fear me. They fear the power that eludes off of me.The reason I chose you as my friend and as my guest is because you do not fear me like these mortals do." Crowley removed his hands and put them at his own sides. "And remember what I said just call me Crowley. Let's go in shall we?" He gestured to the door. Aziraphale gave him a glance that showed that he was weighing his options before deciding to take courage and go in.The two doormen then opened the two large wooden doors that were lightly labeled A to reveal a ginormous ballroom filled to the brim with people. Round white linened tables spotted around the room while the rest of the space was manned with long viking style dinner tables. There were several chandeliers that hung above the different sections of the room. Crowley began walking as if he had seen the place a million times, while Aziraphale was stuck marveling with his jaw dropped. "Even in the first class we separate the room by classes. In the corners we put the widowed heiresses as well as their children. Towards the middle we have the wealthy businessmen. And in the center here we have us." Crowley walked up to the head of the largest table in the room. There happened to be two empty seats left, one at the end and the other on its left. "We couldn't possibly seat here could we?" It was too late Crowley was already seated and had placed a peach colored cloth napkin on his lap. With two fingers he waved Aziraphale over and patted the chair to show him his seat. A skeptical Aziraphale slowly made his way and then sat down. "Duke Crowley I am glad that you have made it down. May we start now?" It seemed that chatter that had filled the room had silenced to hear the important man's reaction. Aziraphale had noticed that a few young bachelorettes were swooning in their chair pointing at Crowley and whispering to one another. Crowley looked around the room and then sat up straight and said. "I thank the lot of you for waiting patiently, now dinner shall be served." The room then bellowed back to its original state of modestly loud conversations. Now Aziraphale was as confused as ever.He decided to wait until he found the right moment between his hosts' conversations with royalty, architects, and businessmen who were now swarming him like gnats in the summer's heat to talk to Crowley. The first course which consisted of a mint gelato to clear the palate was being served by the waitstaff which alerted the nosy men near Crowley to sit down out of edict. Crowley looked over to see a very off looking Aziraphale. "What's wrong Aziraphale?" Aziraphale gave Crowley a light scowl. "Really? Duke Crowley? Of what country?" Crowley laughed a bit and then leaned into a whisper in Aziraphale's ear. "Whatever country they want to believe! I may have snuck some brainwash ink from hell and...I don't know...write a smidgen of something on the business card." Aziraphale leaned back and gave Crowley a stern look. This look startled Crowley and made him start to come up with an excuse, until Aziraphale put on an amused smile. "You can't help but be a wiley serpent can you Crowley dear?" The phrase "dear" caught Crowley off guard for a moment. Just enough time to not catch Aziraphale drinking his water, his finger washing water. The people on their side of the table gave the two a disturbing and cynical glare. Crowley signals Aziraphale to put down his glass and gave a fake chuckle. "My friend here is a little new to our customs so you must excuse him. He is from...uh. ... Southern Africa!" Aziraphale was of course oblivious to the problem with his actions so he just stayed silent and nodded his head as Crowley spoke. The people at the table soon took Crowley's word and went back to their hollow conversations. Crowley then showed Aziraphale the silverware, plates, and glasses and their uses. To Aziraphale's luck no one felt obligated to talk to him due to his fake origin of birth, so that no more slip ups. As the night went on and the meals continued to flood inAziraphale did not make waste of the food in front of him like his tablemates. He ate every quail leg, mustard sprout salad, and delicate appetizer place before him. The last course was just served and most of the women decided to slip off to start their nightly regimens and the men hobbled around in herds towards the poker room. Crowley took the clearing to his advantage and tapped a stuffed Aziraphale's arm. "Care to head to the bar a want to show you something." Aziraphale who was always a victim to curiosity couldn't help but say yes. They both wandered out of the A hall and towards the second half of the ship where the servants prepared the food. After wandering quite a ways, Crowley put his arm out and presented a large bar with a glazed stone countertop, alcohol of all colors and thickness in glass bottles organized on the wall, and a casually dressed bar keep who manned his domain. "What can I get for you tonight sir?" Crowley smirked at Aziraphale and then leaned over and whispered an order to the barkeep. The man then looked around and gave Crowley a sharp nod and left. "What is getting?" Aziraphale asked. "Hold your horses mate you'll see soon enough." The bartender then came back with two oddly shaped glasses and a packaged box full of mysterious items. He pulled out some red liquid as well as clear bag labeled garnishes. "This is the first of its kind, it can be fruity or it can be savory, but one thing is for sure you can get mighty drunk from it. Hell informed me that this little drink is their new plan for converting thousands over the next century to alcoholism." Aziraphale was now feeling the guilt of heaven in his heart. The bartender had finished their drinks. It was a translucent red drink with sugar grains stuck around the rim of the glass. The drink was garnished with a cherry and a curled orange peel. Crowley then pushed one of the glasses to Aziraphale. "May I tempt you to an apple martini?''Crowley playful hissed behind a grin. Aziraphale was puzzled on what to do. "I could be discorperated for this." Crowley formed an over the top sad face. "Oh dear, it seems that heaven doesn't want their little angels to live, oh so sad." Aziraphale shook his head a smidge. "I shouldn't, if it is part of one of hell's schemes then I can't." Crowley was slightly agitated. "You shouldn't have to be monitored like a human child, it never killed anyone to simply try something new. Aziraphale stared at the scrumptious looking drink which was driving from its precipitation. "Well...I guess I will be keeping up with the enemy's plans if I test one of these." Crowley gave a devilish grin. "There we go.''Roaring laughs were drifting down the corridors of the ship. It led back to the two eternal beings who were fourteen drinks in and laughing over how God had come up with giraffes. "So you're meaning to tell me that the Earth design crew got its neck stuck in the door?" Crowley asked through giggles. "Yes! And it was only because Gabriel had just invented doors!" The two hollered and teared up from laughing but then simmered down when they saw the negative attention they were receiving. "Well that sure does explain why that bugger's neck is so bloody long" Crowley said while finishing off his last drink. Aziraphale was now beyond tipsy and was getting rather tired but he pushed to have a more progressive conversation with his newfound friend. "So Crowley'' Crowley gave a drunken hiccup before giving an unsteady "yeah?" Aziraphale then tried to open his eyes a bit wider to focus. "You mentioned earlier that Hell had given you an assignment. What was it?" Crowley then visibly stiffened as if he were bitten in the arse. "It would be better if I didn't tell you mate." Aziraphale clumsily scooted his chair forward so he was closer to Crowley. "Please tell me, I won't tell a soul!" Crowley then felt a wave of sadness because he knew that once he told Aziraphale Hell's plans then he would lose his trust and friendship forever. "Aziraphale, I'm going to sink the ship.''Aziraphale then had a sudden burst of consciousness and stood up and ran away. Crowley bolted after him stumbling because of his intoxicated body. "Aziraphale please wait let me explain '' Crowley had no clue where Aziraphale was heading. Maybe to his room or maybe to the storage room. Crowley soon found out when he curved around the corner to see his friend standing behind the guardrails of this ship. "Aziraphale you crazy bastard what are you doing!" Aziraphale did not turn to face Crowley as he spoke to him like he had done earlier. "If heaven finds out that I even spoke to you I will be discorperated and demoted. If I kill myself now then they will think it is an accident." swoosh Aziraphale was then suddenly thrown back on the deck again. An out of breath Crowley said "Aziraphale there was something I needed to tell you from the moment I met you." He helped slightly injured Aziraphale over to a lounge sun chair that was out for the next morning. Crowley stared out at the open sea and took a deep breath before turning to look Aziraphale in the face. "Hell has already told heaven about our plans to destroy this ship." Aziraphale paused before countering with "No, Heaven said this ship must be protected at all costs. It will be the future of travel to the colonies I- '' Aziraphale didn't not know what else to say. Crowley put his hand on Aziraphale's leg and slowly explained "Both of the realms decided it was the best way to cause both havoc and peace by ridding some of the worst swindlers on the continent as well as several thousand innocents."Aziraphale looked stone cold and emotionless while Crowley spoke.''So this was a trap? They sent me here to die?" Crowley noticed the angel was shivering, he did not know if it was out of fear or coldness but he set his jacket around him anyways. "I'm afraid so Angel" Crowley said in a soft tone. Aziraphale then looked at Crowley with a devilish look. "I am not one to usually condone revenge but I believe I deserve justice for...for whatever this is!" Crowley leaned back and smiled and said "oh ho how are you going to do that." Aziraphale then uttered the first words he had ever said in confidence. "Crowley, I am going to enjoy myself on this deathbed of mine! And you're going to help me."
YOU ARE READING
Sapphire Tides
FanfictionIn an alternative universe the demon Crowley and the principality Aziraphale have been assigned to both protect and destroy the vessel known as the Titanic. Watch as two born enemies blossom into inseparable lovers.
