Chapter Text
“Aziraphale, excellent work on the brief.”
“Why thank you, Gabriel.” Aziraphale glanced up from his desk. It was unlikely that his boss would visit him during the middle of the work day. If he needed something, he would usually demand that Aziraphale leave his desk and travel halfway up the skyscraper to his office. “Is there anything I can help you with?”
“Do we pay you enough?” Aziraphale stiffened at the question which had to be a trick of some kind. He was not reimbursed for his work at a rate that seemed suitable but that did not seem like something Gabriel would notice or care about. Usually his boss only noticed if he did something wrong— which Aziraphale would like to point out that wasn’t something that happened often.
“Well— actually I could use a raise—“
“Done.” Gabriel snapped his fingers. “Whatever figure you want.”
“Huh— why? I mean, thank you, but is there a reason you're suddenly aware of... my work?"
“You do good work, Aziraphale.” Gabriel sniffed. “And the fact you’ve been so poorly compensated must be the only reason you are the only lawyer in this division— heavens, the whole company!— who doesn’t own a slave.”
Ah.
There was the trick.
“I haven’t needed one. I live a quiet life.” That and he didn't believe in owning other people but he knew better than to say that bit out loud. Especially here. Gabriel probably had a hundred slaves and for no reason other than the fact that he could.
“And that’s why we’re concerned. It’s not good to be alone as much as you are. If you had a slave, maybe we would worry less.”
“This is because of the case coming up, isn’t it?”
“They have concerns about your involvement but I need you on this. You’re one of the sharpest tools we’ve got.” Gabriel slapped him on the back. “So take your raise and hurry down to the secondhand shop and buy a slave so they stop fussing, all right?”
“And if I don’t?”
“Then you’re fired, Aziraphale. And you’ll never work in law again. But we both know it won’t come to that.” Gabriel put a piece of paper down in front of him, gesturing a pen. “Any amount.”
Aziraphale wrote down twice as much as he would hope for and Gabriel didn’t even blink. “We’ll even mark up your pay from the last pay period so you’ll have enough money to buy the slave today. Why don’t you head on out and get that done?”
“I’ve never bought a slave before.” Aziraphale told his boss. “What do I look for?”
“Someone who won’t kill you in your sleep.” Gabriel chuckled. “In your case, you’d want a slave well broken in. Someone who knows their place. They won't give you a hard time then.”
Aziraphale should have known this was coming when they took on this case. They were representing one of the largest slave corporations in the world. Of course, the group would vet the team of lawyers representing them. Aziraphale was good at his work but he was not a supporter of slavery. He didn’t see the point.
God had given them all a measure of free will and it seemed arrogant for some with the money and the means to do what they will to take away the free will of those who could not defend themselves. Aziraphale was a religious being and believed in protecting those god given measures, not taking them away.
But corporations did what they did best and bought up swatches of free will and turned it to their own wants and desires. They were running things now and everyone had been forced to fall in line. And now Aziraphale would have to do the same. Slavery was encouraged for anyone who made enough money. And those who couldn’t were often forced into slavery. There were other ways too– pissing off the wrong people, breaking laws, etc. Aziraphale didn’t agree with any of it and now he was being expected to buy another person like he might buy an appliance.
“I see.” He murmured.
“Well, we’ll see you in a few weeks.”
“A few weeks? But my work?”
“Your work will be waiting. It’s customary for our company to offer time up to a couple months to help an employee settle a new slave into their household.”
“I was not aware of all of the support put in place to assist employees.”
“Well– our current case has provided a great deal of money to our cause.” Gabriel smiled. “And they want to make sure they’re represented by the best.” Something twisted in Aziraphale’s gut and he tried one more time to be brave and to stand up for himself.
“I don’t need a slave. I don’t want one. It goes against–”
“Oh, yes, we know all about you and your faith, Aziraphale.” Gabriel scoffed. “Might I point out that most of your particular brand of belief find solace in the holy texts encouraging slavery?” Aziraphale was aware of that too. It just– it never felt right. He’d seen the slaves come in with the families that owned them, showing them off like the latest accessory. It had left a bad taste in his mouth. And he’d stopped attending that church right after the service was done.
“It just feels wrong.”
“Nothing wrong with following orders, Aziraphale. Now be a good little grunt, shut your mouth, and do as you’re told!” Aziraphale swallowed hard. “Or you’ll be the next fuck up I deliver to the slavers myself!” The lawyer’s eyes widened as he looked up at his boss. He wouldn’t– would he? “And I’d sell you for free!”
Perhaps he would. Aziraphale felt like it might be best to not test the theory. He’d go get the slave. He’d start looking for a new job. He’d free the poor bastard once he started working at the new job.
He got up from his desk and tugged down his sweater vest from where it had started to ride up over his belly.
“I’ll go right now. Thank you, Gabriel.”
“Of course.” Gabriel turned and made his way back to the shiny gold elevator. Back to his high level life, leaving Aziraphale to do his bidding. To do as he was told.
The walk to the secondhand slave shop was long when he looked it up. Aziraphale ended up taking his car instead of trying to walk. He had the next few weeks off now– time to do as he was bidden. At least– until he got a new job that didn’t make him own another person.
The shop was exactly as he had feared. Loud, booming music he could hear from down the street like it was some kind of club. The lighting inside was dim and mostly red. He peered around, recoiling when he saw naked bodies strapped in all sorts of positions.
“Welcome.” He jumped as someone stepped up next to him. “What are you looking for?”
“A slave.” He blurted. She chuckled.
“I could have told you that much. You’re in here, are you not?” She chuckled. “I’m Shax. How can I help you?”
“It’s a work thing. I just need someone easy.” Aziraphale stammered. “Someone who isn’t going to give me any trouble.”
“I sell humans, they’ll all give you some trouble.” She snickered. “But some will make the trouble worthwhile. Age? Sex? Gender?”
“Uh— I don’t want a young one.” The young ones troubled him the most. They should be starting their own lives! Not... this.
“Good. Most of the young ones come from the shiny slave factory. The cast offs are older but more experienced.” Shax all but purred.
“And I don’t care what sex or gender.” He added. “I really just need them for a work thing.”
“Interesting. It’s like you’re not even buying for yourself.” She laughed. “Walk around. Look around. The exhibits are interactive.” She smirked. “And let me know if you find anything that sparks your interest.”
Aziraphale did as he was told and he really did look and consider what he saw. But a lot of it he ended up wishing that he hadn't seen at all.