John

[theangelfell]

Aziraphale rather liked visiting churches, though he'd done less of it these days. Perhaps a small part of him was afraid that being more conspicuous in God's view might make those Up There decide to start paying attention to him again. And if that happened he was pretty sure they wouldn't like what they saw.

"Mr. Fell," said the priest kindly when he walked into the sanctuary. "How very nice to see you." He was just stepping out of the confessional booth, so he paused and said, "Did you come to take confession?"

Aziraphale blurted, "No," so very quickly that it was probably suspicious.

The priest blinked, and then lowered his voice a little and said, "Just so you know, Mr. Fell, I consider myself a progressive member of the clergy, and you won't find yourself doing hail marys for perfectly natural forms of lo - "

"I just came to sit and pray," Aziraphale said quickly, cheeks turning quite pink.

The priest only smiled. "Well it's nice that you're here. I've been wanting to share a book with you. I came across it recently and thought you might like a look."

Aziraphale brightened. "That would be so lovely. Thank you, father."

The priest nodded, and then shuffled away, leaving Aziraphale standing at the front of the sanctuary.

Comments

[theangelfell]

Aziraphale ignored him.

"You're looking quite judgey," he said to John. "He and I just saved the world, you know."

[petty_dabbler]

"That's what I did last Tuesday," he scoffed.

"Wot's your story? Really?"

[theangelfell]

"Well, I mean... there was an apocalypse... and the antichrist... only we had the wrong one... oh Crowley, maybe you ought to tell it, you know I'm no good at getting things in the right order."

[petty_dabbler]

"Oh no. Oh, no..." John said. "You're the problem in Tadfield, aren't you?"

Crowley lowered his glasses. And then rose like smoke and crossed the room strangely fast.

"You need to leave, warlock," the demon said menacingly as he put himself between John and Aziraphale.

"You are!"

[theangelfell]

"What is happening?" Aziraphale asked, now utterly confused.

[petty_dabbler]

"Your boyfriend has all of Hell out for him," John chuckled. "Which, one would assume, is going to spill over to you."

"Get out!" Crowley insisted, then looked at Aziraphale. "Don't listen, he doesn't know what he's saying."

[theangelfell]

Aziraphale blinked at them. "Crowley, is that true? Are they looking for you?"

[petty_dabbler]

"Psspssspssss!" Crowley hissed, shoving John out the door. Crowley slammed the door behind the warlock and then leaned against it like someone might try to kick it in.

"Funny story, angel..." he started.

[theangelfell]

"Crowley!" Aziraphale looked scandalized, though it was unclear if he was upset he'd clearly been keeping something from him, or just that he'd been so rude."

[petty_dabbler]

"I didn't think it was serious," he said.

[theangelfell]

Aziraphale looked torn between worry and exasperation. "Tell me."

[petty_dabbler]

"AwwohhhhWell..." he drawled, looking up and off to the left. He made a vague gesture as he mumbled.

"Beelzebub is still mad I...you...didn't boil away in that tub, so It put out the word it would be quite pleased with someone who might, erm, try to bring me Down for a conversation."

[theangelfell]

"Oh, Crowley." Aziraphale looked very worried now. "What should we do?"

[petty_dabbler]

"Doing nothing was working quite well until you brought the narc home," he replied.

[theangelfell]

"That's not my fault," Aziraphale sighed. "Gabriel told me to keep an eye on him. It's not like I could refuse."

[petty_dabbler]

"I think we might be screwed, angel," Crowley said cautiously.

[theangelfell]

"Why... why would you say that?" Aziraphale asked, moving closer to him and looking anxious.

[petty_dabbler]

"Well, think about it. You're in charge of a demon hunter. And I'm a demon. And I'm being hunted. And you're going to be collateral damage."

It was almost as if the gears in his brain were visibly turning.

"We could...flee. I know a place."