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They were walking down to the parade. Crowley had wanted to drive there, but had agreed with Aziraphale that the traffic would be a nightmare that day, especially if you consider that not only the people interested was there but also those who saw this as the worst thing that could happen to humanity. Very ironic how they were against the community yet they never failed to appear at a gathering that were, specifically, not for them.
Anyway, that was an every-year occurrence. The new thing was that they didn’t stay away with their signs anymore, now they tried to get into the crowd and speak individually with the people attending, especially targeting those who looked like newcomers, like they were overwhelmed by the experience or that were alone. The “weak” of the stack one would say.
He and Zira where neither of those things; maybe overwhelmed, but that’s to be expected in an event of these magnitude. Maybe that’s why, when a man with a sign and an attitude pulled him over, some things went downhill.
― Excuse me, sir – said the man – Don’t you think you’re a little too old to be in this kind of event? – he looked at him pointedly, as if every aspect of him were disgusting.
― What do you mean? – said Crowley, feeling the nearby presence of the Angel, who had gone to get some ice cream.
― Well, dressed up in all that leather, wearing sunglasses and that tattoo; one would be lead to believe that you’re with these people. – he gestured to the people around that kept walking, heading to the principal stage.
― And what would be the problem, if I was? – he replied, making obvious that he was.
― Surely you wouldn’t want to be associated with these fag- - He wasn’t able to finish the sentence, when Aziraphale, who had overheard part of the conversation, inserted himself in it.
― You shouldn’t be speaking that way sir, that’s not a nice word – He said with repressed anger.
― Why not? You’re clearly one of them – said the man, annoyed by the interruption – Also I’m just doing God’s work.
― Well, as an emissary of God Herself in the Earth, I should advise you, she’s utterly indifferent to sexual orientation – said Aziraphale, quoting one of his siblings.
― Her? – the man said, disgruntled – You dare to speak His name in vain, claiming to be His soldier and suggesting that these deviations are okay!?
To that, Aziraphale couldn’t keep it anymore.
― Listen here you, ridiculous excuse of a human being. You dare to tell me I’m the one who’s using Her name in vain? You’re the one using Her name to justify your hate, that’s a vain use for it. God is love in every for, and you think that spreading hate is doing Her work? I can feel the love in every place here, except inside you heart; because you’re not here doing Her work, you’re here just by your own means and your own selfish agenda. If you really loved God, you would be loving the people around you and helping it spread; not trying to stop it – he said all of this without stopping, which was impressive on itself.
The man was perplexed and couldn’t think of nothing to say to that, so he decided to retreat. Maybe he would change his mind, maybe he was going to look for a weaker person to break, Aziraphale would count it as a win if he just went and stopped molesting people. After all, not everyone has a millennia of dealing with bullshit to stand their ground, but he had found the ones who did.
― Well Angel, if that’s not putting the fear of God upon people, then I don’t know what it is – said Crowley, while smirking and taking his ice cream from Zira’s hand.
― I have to admit, I may had overdone it – replied Aziraphale, while turning to resume the walking down the street towards the main event.
― Nah, he deserved it, - they resumed walking beside the angel - he was planning on targeting young people; and you know what a speech like that could do to a young mind - he made a face.
― Then I really hope he decides to go home after this.
The man did, in fact, go home. And, as part of some kind of miracle, the rest of the protestors went home too, leaving the people who gathered there to participate of the parade and have a good time, be themselves and spread their love.