Baking lesson for angelic_asshole

[sohoangel]

When Balthazar PINpoints into Aziraphale's bookshop, the first thing he'll likely notice are the sheer number of books filling the space from floor to ceiling. The second thing he might notice is the celestial magic protecting the books and the fact that the shop is heavily warded against prying celestial and infernal eyes.

The third thing he might notice is the distinct smell of a demon, alongside the scent of old books and the angel's cologne. However, the only visible person in the shop is Aziraphale, who has taken the liberty of closing early to accommodate the other angel. He's standing behind the till when Balthazar arrives, but quickly walks around it to greet his guest.

"Hello, dear, glad you could make it. I have everything laid out in the kitchen upstairs, if you're ready for that lesson."

Comments

[angelic_asshole]

There certainly were a lot of books.

Balthazar found himself staring at all the different titles stack up upon the many tiers of shelves. This angel did love his books alright. The scents were certainly exotic and it caused the celestial to smile as he reached Aziraphale standing behind the counter. He looked rather proud of his bookshop and he should be.

"Well, you certainly do hold an impressive collection of books. Now, I'm wondering just how many are erotica."

Oh, he was never going to let that slide since it was something Balthazar found amusing. Yet, he was here to learn and not tease the poor angel who had been kind enough to invite him. Offering a friendly smile, he looked upstairs.

"Oh yes, I'm ready. Lead on, love."

[sohoangel]

Aziraphale is proud of his bookshop, although it's not so much the quantity of his collection as the quality. He loves human literature and has spent so much time among writers, poets, and playwrights, that each book is like a pleasant bit of nostalgia. And of course there's the fact that he's kept the shop running for over two hundred years among the hustle and bustle of humanity.

"Not as many as you'd prefer, I'm sure," he replies smartly, but he does appreciate the compliment. "You can have a look about later if you like, but for now, follow me upstairs."

In the back of the shop there is a stairwell that leads up to the flat on the second floor. It is a curious mishmash of Victorian and modern style, leaning heavily towards the former, although there is a large screen television on the wall (in the corner). There are pieces of artwork, and even more books, and several plants, either on special trivets or hanging from the ceiling in macrame planters. The smell of demon is up here, too, perhaps even stronger than downstairs.

Aziraphale does not give the other angel much time to poke around, gesturing for him to follow him past a small dining area into the kitchen. In contrast to the cluttered living room, the kitchen is clean and tidy, although all the appliances appear to be from the 1940s. The angel has an ancient electrical mixer on the counter, along with some mixing bowls, measuring cups, and a recipe book.

"I wasn't sure what you'd like to learn how to make, so I thought I'd start with something simple, like a muffin recipe. How does that sound?"

[angelic_asshole]

"Oh, muffins? How delightful! Yes, I'd love to learn."

Balthazar was pleasantly surprised that Aziraphale was going to teach him how to bake muffins. It would certainly be a new experience for the angel and hopefully he could bring his experience into his own home for Jack and the kids. Surely, they'd appreciate sweet muffins and Jack perhaps savoury ones.

"Jack can't really eat anything sweet since sugar doesn't agree with him much. Yet, the kids will love anything sweet. Can we also bake savoury muffins too?"

He was thinking more along the lines of caring for Jack's needs since his alien heritage was different to his human kids. Glancing around at the kitchen, the angel was very impressed with all the retro-looking equipment. It wasn't modern at all yet Aziraphale seemed to work with it fine. What all of it did was another matter entirely and Balthazar was just gazing at all the items. He kept his inquisitive hands to himself though.

[sohoangel]

"Oh! Oh, certainly, I have several recipes for savory muffins." Aziraphale opens his recipe book and begins flipping through it, looking for muffin recipes that don't call for sugar or other added sweeteners. "Are there any other allergies or preferences I should be aware of?"

Although Aziraphale has quite the sweet tooth, he can appreciate baked goods that tend towards the savory side. Quickly, he finds a recipe for courgette and cheddar muffins, which he shows to Balthazar. "How about this one? Will this work for Jack?"

As far as the retro appliances go, Aziraphale has never seen a point in replacing anything that does its job perfectly well. And naturally, being around an angel that expects his appliances to work, none of them have failed him yet.

[angelic_asshole]

Balthazar slightly leaned over so he could see the book that the other angel was glancing through. Frowning, he wondered about the courgette and cheddar muffin recipe. That sounded safe enough. It wasn't about allergies, more the point that Jack was half-alien, yet that was a close-guarded secret. Even Jack himself didn't know about his Anthean heritage. Not yet. Only Ziggy knew.

"Oh, cheddar and courgette? Yes, those sound delightful. He'll be able to eat them without feeling sick."

It pleased him that Aziraphale was willing to help him bake some muffins for his partner. Jack would surely love them as would the kids no doubt. It eased his worry that he wasn't about to poison the man he loved.

[sohoangel]

The recipe book is from his collection downstairs, which means that it is not the glossy sort full of pictures and big text, but the recipe is laid out in a straight-forward manner, with ingredients first and then step-by-step instructions. Aziraphale doesn't even question why sugar might upset Jack's stomach, as even human corporations can be very finicky about what's put into them.

Once the recipe meets Balthazar's approval, Aziraphale smiles and turns the book back towards him. "Excellent. Let's see what we need, then... I'm fairly certain I have everything." Even the courgettes, which with a quick miracle are now in his refrigerator's crisper.

"Let's start with the dry ingredients, as I have those out already." He reaches for a ceramic canister labeled flour and begins measuring it out. "The very first thing I learned about baking is that you mix the dry and wet ingredients separately before incorporating them together. Otherwise you end up with a lumpy mess."

[angelic_asshole]

"Oh? Well, I'd better remember all of this somehow. One moment, love..."

Balthazar quickly summoned his handy journal and began scribbling notes as Aziraphale spoke. This way he could remember what was said and go by visual aids also when back in his own kitchen. This was partly due to his vessel's perchance for being an artist kicking in.

"Alright, carry on. This will help me cook up some delights once I'm back home with Jack."

A cheeky smile and the angel was watching carefully at what the other angel was doing with his hands and what ingredients he was using. Jack deserved it to at least be edible and not give him stomach ache all night.

[sohoangel]

Aziraphale looks over at Balthazar taking notes and smiles fondly. The Heaven he's used to is obsessed with the latest technology, like tablets and hover boards. It's refreshing to see another angel writing things down the old-fashioned way. That's much more Aziraphale's speed.

"You must care about Jack a great deal," he notes, although he doesn't sound particularly surprised, considering how loving the other Balthazar is towards Lucifer. "How did you two meet? Was it in the Nexus?"

While he asks, he puts the flour in a bowl, followed by baking powder, salt, and a pinch of flour. Then he turns to the refrigerator for the wet ingredients: milk, egg, and two tablespoons of oil. "The cheese and courgettes come last... come to think of it, the courgettes need to be shredded. Do you mind handling that for me?"

[angelic_asshole]

Balthazar loved writing things down the old fashioned way so out came his notebook which he last used when Ziggy explained Anthean biology to him. Don't worry, Az. He won't show you any of the rather intimate pictures of Antheans he jotted down. A new page comes up and over the pad as he takes note of what the other angel is saying.

"...right. I think I've got that. Oh, you mean Jack and I? We actually met in Jack's city in New York. We had a brief date up on his chase building, skyscraper and I told him about the Nexus. He's much safer here then he is back home."

Balthazar didn't want to go into detail at just how rough and harsh Jack's own world was. Not right now. He was here to learn how to bake. Those things might be spoken about at a later date.

"Oh, of course, love."

He grabbed the shredding tool and began shredding the courgette into pieces so that they could be used in the mix.

[sohoangel]

It sounds like there's much more to Jack's world, but Balthazar isn't inclined to share at this time. Aziraphale glances at him curiously, but he won't pry. "That sounds very romantic," he says instead. "A date on the top of a skyscraper. I'm glad you told him about the Nexus, if that is a safer place for him."

That's actually saying a lot, considering how the Nexus has its own dangers.

Aziraphale begins mixing the wet ingredients in a separate bowl while Balthazar shreds the courgettes. Unfortunately, the angel doesn't believe in anything so modern as a food processor, so Balthazar will have to do the shredding by hand with a grater, but at least it's only a couple of vegetables.

"You know, I've never made savory muffins," he admits. "I've made savory scones a few times. Crowley doesn't have as much of a sweet tooth as I do..." He gives Balthazar a grateful look. "I can't tell you what a relief it was to meet your alternate, and then you, and learn that I wasn't the only angel who likes to eat and drink. No other angel on my world does either."

[angelic_asshole]

"Well, what can I say? They are missing out, darling. Completely! Food and drink are like sex. You can indulge as much as you want and still go back for more."

A cheeky smirk spreading widely over the angel's face. Balthazar knowing full well it might cause the other angel to blush. This one was a trashfire at times and wasn't afraid to cross that boundary into the coarse and lewd. But, onto the task at hand; learning how to bake properly for Jack.

"I do have a sweet tooth but Jack can't eat sweet things being an Anthean. So, it'll have to be savoury from now on. I'm sure they'll taste divine, darling."

The worst thing would actually be poisoning Jack.

[sohoangel]

Aziraphale does blush, as predicted, pausing a moment in his mixing to give Balthazar a vaguely disapproving look. "Well, they don't much care for that on my world, either," he says before returning his attention to his bowl. Of course, he conveniently leaves out the fact that he is an exception to that rule, too.

Once the wet ingredients are thoroughly whisked, he adds them to the larger bowl of flour. His ears perk up at Balthazar's comment. "Oh, he's an Anthean! I know an Anthean, a lovely woman by the name of Aletayria. I wonder if she's related to Jack, she told me that the few Antheans who are in the Nexus are all cousins of one sort or another..."

[angelic_asshole]

"Ah, Aletayria? She's Ziggy and Jack's mother. Tom is their father. Such wonderful people they really are."

Balthazar was quite smitten with Jack and was grateful Ziggy was there as the supportive brother---sister? Both. Space mum and dad were also supportive of the angel's relationship with Jack. Now, that he was involved with the kids too, Balthazar had more responsibility thrust upon his celestial shoulders.

"Jack is still suffering from awful memory loss due to what the Ministry did to him. I'd prefer if you didn't mention the whole alien part to him since...he doesn't know he's an Anthean. At least, not yet. I am yet to tell him and it will be a special moment for the both of us."

He was placing a lot of trust into the other angel but hoped it would be upheld.

[sohoangel]

Aziraphale once more pauses in his mixing, giving Balthazar a thoroughly confused look. "They are? I thought there was only Ziggy and his baby sister."

Ziggy's parents had alluded to Ziggy's alternate in a roundabout sort of way, and the angel unfortunately didn't pick up on their explanation. Only now is he starting to put the pieces together. Regardless, when Balthazar requests his discretion, Aziraphale nods earnestly.

"Oh, yes, of course. I won't breathe a word of it to him. Er... but how does he not know that he's an alien? He doesn't question his dietary restrictions or any of his physical differences?"

[angelic_asshole]

This was quite difficult for Balthazar to speak about because there were issues with Jack where there were none with Ziggy. The poor man didn't even know who or what he was thanks to those Ministry bastards. Sighing, he pinched his nose. This wasn't easy for the angel.

"Jack---he knows he is different but just thinks the Ministry messed around with his body. They were responsible for his bad eye. The patch. But as for the rest of his body--he doesn't know he's an Anthean. Ziggy told me this and well---being his partner, it's best if I break the news to him."

He knew the other angel wasn't about to blurt out any of this since he was trustworthy enough. At least Balthazar was putting enough stock in him.

"He thinks he's allergic to things because of allergies and things. The real reason is because his alien side doesn't agree with certain human foods. I hope this makes sense because it's deeply personal to me and I'd rather it be a secret between us for now. The only other person I've spoken with about this is Ziggy."

It had to be said. Touching the other angel's arm softly, Balthazar swallowed dryly.

"Sorry--but I thought I'd get this out of the way as we bake things together. I trust you, Aziraphale."

[sohoangel]

Already aware that Jack comes from a dangerous world, Aziraphale is starting to understand what sort of trauma the poor man has been through. He's not surprised that Ziggy already knows what Jack really is, as Antheans have strong empathic connections to one another. It's likely very similar to how Aziraphale can identify another angel, even one not from his world.

"Yes, it makes sense. I won't speak of it to anyone, you have my word."

Although the angel does love to gossip on occasion, he always keeps the feelings of others in mind and would never break the trust of someone that he considers a friend. The fact that Balthazar is being so serious about this means that he will take it just as seriously.

"Don't apologize, dear. I'm honored you would take me into your confidence." He pats Balthazar's hand reassuringly. "It sounds as though it's going to be a difficult conversation for you to have with him. Have you thought about how you'll broach the subject?"

[angelic_asshole]

"Thank you, love. It does mean a lot to me and to Jack too. I will be breaking the news to him soon about his Anthean origin. Perhaps over these muffins that we will be baking. Hopefully!"

His smile brightened a little after breaking the rather serious and personal news the the other angel. Balthazar trusted Aziraphale and knew the other man wouldn't betray his confidence. Sighing softly, he got back into the mind-set of trying to cook something. Sliding a hand on Aziraphale's shoulder, he squeezed slightly.

"Right then, darling. I'm ready to learn more."

[sohoangel]

Aziraphale isn't sure whether to feel flattered or concerned that his muffins will be part of such a serious, potentially life-changing discussion. "Hopefully," he repeats. "I'm glad you're having this discussion sooner rather than later. Putting these sorts of conversations off has a tendency to backfire."

At any rate, he's glad to be taken into Balthazar's trust. The other angel's signs of platonic affection are also more than welcomed. He gives Balthazar a bright smile. "Let the lesson continue, then. Have you finished shredding the courgettes? They'll need a squeeze in a tea towel to get out most of the moisture, and then we can add them to the batter."

[angelic_asshole]

"Oh, I'd never put them off, darling. Jack is just too important for me to be even thinking about putting that on hold. It's his life we're talking about here so it has to be sooner rather than later. Anyway---I just had to get that off my chest so to speak."

He offered the other angel a smile and then frowned. Oh, the courgettes. Had he finished shredding them? It seemed he had forgotten all about it by thinking and talking about Jack being an alien. Goodness. Balthazar got to shredding them and made short work of it too. Surprising even himself.

"Well, I didn't expect to be that good at shredding courgettes. Funny what you learn about yourself from learning from others."

He chuckled softly and grabbed a tea towel as instructed, squeezing them gently, allowing the moisture to seep through into the sink. It was all very interesting.

[sohoangel]

"I understand, dear." Aziraphale is happy to play the role of confidant. He didn't have one for the longest time, except for Crowley, but that meant certain topics (i.e. his feelings for Crowley) couldn't be discussed. It's nice to be able to do that for someone else.

It would not have been a tragedy had Balthazar taken a longer time to shred the courgettes, but the speed at which he does so is impressive. "Perhaps you have an innate talent for it. I didn't expect to be as good at baking as I've become, either. It was always easier to simply buy what humans have made, but this has become a very fun hobby for me. Here, go ahead and dump them into the bowl here and I'll stir them in."

[angelic_asshole]

"You know what? Maybe I do! Fancy that."

Balthazar was perking up a little bit after his rather intimate discussion regarding Jack's alien heritage. Who would have known that he would be good at cooking? Maybe it helped that his vessel, Seth, used to do a lot of wild cooking out in the woods during his survival training. Being an explorer he had to learn to cook for himself otherwise he'd end up starving out in some godforsaken place. Dumping the courgettes into the bowl, he smiled at Aziraphale.

"You know---this is all rather stress relieving. Do you come out here often to cook and unwind?"

[sohoangel]

Aziraphale's talent comes from being able to follow a recipe down to the minutest detail, although he's learned some tips and tricks along the way. He smiles at Balthazar and stirs the shredded courgettes into the batter.

"It is, isn't it? I'm usually up here in the mornings. Crowley likes to sleep in, and I barely sleep at all, so I pop into the kitchen and bake for the day. It's a different matter in the evening, I like to unwind with a glass of wine and some music while I read."

The back of his bookshop used to be his sanctuary, but now that extends to the flat above, once he and Crowley turned it into a proper home.

"Now, then. The batter, you'll note, is rather lumpy, but that's perfectly fine for this specific recipe." He snaps his fingers, and a greased muffin pan sits on the counter, colorful muffin liners in each tin. "We'll pour a little into each one, about halfway. That will give it room to rise. Does Jack have a kitchen? Where will you do your cooking, when you're there?"