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As soon as the lights have gone dark and the market all quiet, the produce all breath a sigh of relief at having survived another day. Each department takes roll call to deduce who all is left and who is new within their baskets. There will of course be new stock brought once the sun rises, but for now everyone can relax at having made it through the day without being picked and purchased.
There had been only a few casualties during the shopping hours, the big holidays were still a couple days away and the coupons hadn’t been released yet. Medic mushrooms rushed through the chaos carrying those that had been snapped or broken away to the back where the compost bin was kept. A silent prayer to the great Bulb was given in the hopes that their fallen comrades would be reused and repurposed.
Being checked off and accounted for, the leaders of each basket release them and the different fruits and vegetables are allowed to mingle amongst themselves. One of the thinner carrots, who had been there a while, wiggles his way through the crowds and over to the organic produce section. Hopping over the barrier, he attempted to smooth down his greens in a more presentable manner. It didn’t really matter though because the object of his affection had caught him and chuckled at the sight.
“My dearest, you know I love your wild greens just the way they grew.” Aziraphale the aubergine toddled his way over and pecked Crowley the carrot on the cheek. They had found each other after a customer had decided on a different choice and left Crowley in the organics bin instead of the regular one that he had been picked from originally. Thanking above he wouldn’t be made into soup that day, he wiggled his way amongst the produce in order to hide. There he met and spoke with Aziraphale.
They had clicked quickly and after having both survived the day without being chosen, had come together every day to chat and spend time together. Time for produce was fleeting so every moment was precious to them. Speaking about somehow getting away from the market and starting a farm together was one of their favorite things and Crowley couldn’t help but hope that they might actually get the chance one day. To the point that he had secretly begun to collect seeds that were either dropped or had fallen from those taken before him.
While it was unorthodox for a carrot and an aubergine to be together, they loved each other more than two vegetables could. Sharing secret kisses, they believed that nothing would keep them apart. As the morning came and the doors unlocked, Crowley made his way back to his produce box after peppering Aziraphale with promises of making it back to the other. “I swear, they won’t buy you without taking me too.” But they each knew there were some promises that just couldn’t be kept.
Securing his spot near the bottom of the box with the rest of the carrots, Crowley swallowed thickly when he spotted the sandwich boards being put out. ‘Huge Produce Sale Today’. Accompanied by balloons and bright colors, he knew today might just be the day he is separated from his love. Even a thin and useless carrot like himself wouldn’t be safe from those humans with coupons and eyes only for a deal. He only hoped that Aziraphale would be safe from the hungry eyes of the patrons. Being an organic vegetable, Crowley thought they might have a better chance at being looked over for one of the cheaper aubergines.
The sale had worked and throughout the day, Crowley could only watch as his fellow carrots were chosen and placed in the plastic bags to be taken away and used for salads or other meals. For the first time in his life, he was actually afraid that someone would be desperate enough for a carrot to choose him. In the end, it was an older lady human that plucked him out of the bit. Cooing about how perfect he would be for her ratatouille. Sending a prayer to the great Bulb, Crowley accepted his fate and went into the bag with a few of his fellow carrots.
As he made his way in the trolley, he couldn’t help but wonder how Aziraphale was doing. Had they survived the day? Would they be upset when Crowley didn’t come that evening for their daily chat? Oh how he wished he could see his aubergine once more before his inevitable passing. Crowley would never want his love to know that he had been sliced thinly for something as mundane as a ratatouille.
Taking the ride on the conveyor belt had been a little more thrilling than anticipated, so at least Crowley could think on it during his last moments, and he was only a little offended about how cheap he was when they weighed and priced the carrots before placing them back in the trolley. The other carrots seemed excited to have been chosen and continued chatting about being a delicious meal the whole ride in the car. Crowley was annoyed by it, but also couldn’t blame them for it. Far better to be full of joy than to be terrified.
As the older human unpacked her groceries, Crowley could hear a dog barking and through the bags he was being carried in, he could see a nice yard with a fence. Sighing, it was exactly the place he and Aziraphale had spoken of having their little farm in their chats together. Being brought out of the bag and into a sink full of cold water, Crowley couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw his aubergine bobbing next to him. “Aziraphale!” At his cry of excitement, the bright blue eyes of his dark purple beauty opened and widened as they also realized the other was there. “Oh my love! I thought you were safe and hidden within the market still.” Aziraphale exclaimed and bobbed as close as possible to the carrot.
They embraced as best as they could and shared hurried kissed before each were pulled from the water and dried before being laid on the counter in front of an open window and a cutting board. Both watched in horror as their fellow vegetables were sliced thinly and coated in butter and spices before being gently placed within a baking dish. Crowley was so consumed with fear that he couldn’t move, even when he felt tugging on his leafy green top. In the back of his mind, he knew it was Aziraphale’s way of comforting him, but there was no reason to hope anymore.
As if by magic, the phone rang and the elderly woman turned to answer. The tugging became more insistent and Crowley couldn’t help but turn over to see what the other could possibly want at a time like this. Rolling was exactly what Aziraphale had in mind and as Crowley turned, the aubergine turned with him. As quickly as they could, each vegetable managed to roll their way to the window sill and then out into the garden. By some miracle neither were harmed in the fall and both were able to hide within the bush.
The woman never found them and they lived together in the bush happily. Over time, they did eventually join the others in compost, but the next Spring, the old woman took a walk in her garden only to find fresh carrots and aubergines growing next to each other. In the end they had managed to grow their garden together and fulfill their dreams.