Chapter Text
After the last failed angelic extermination, Hell hasn't changed a lot, more like nothing has changed at all, if you can put it like that.
Of course you cannot say the same about Heaven.
After the redeemed Sir Pentious appeared right under the noses of Emily and Sera, Heaven got quite fussed.
Sera, while not being amused by this fact, was finally down to Emily's persuasions, and took the matters into her own hands. Someone has to pass Princess of Hell the good news (at least they should be good for Charlie). The Highest Seraph wasn't going to trouble herself with that in person. It wasn't in her liking. But she knew someone who would be perfect for the job, and now, she was on her way to the Heavenly Library, to recruit the angel for his new job.
***
Aziraphale was of course present at the unforgettable trial in Heaven. After the truth about the exterminations was revealed, he himself couldn't believe it. And he started to doubt. But he couldn't think too much about these doubts. He knew that it won't end for him well, if he's not going to stop.
His library didn't have many visitors. His only job (despite being a high ranked Principality) was writing down the heavenly articles and being in charge of the whole Heavenly Library. Aziraphale was some kind of a loner, but he hardly ever felt lonely. All he needed to forget about the lack of interactions with other angels was a good earthly book and a cup of tea. Eartly books were something that Aziraphale was expert in. He could spend hours beside his small desk while devouring the words written (mostly on yellowed) pages of beautiful poems, tragedies and romances. The genre of the book wasn't important. The important bits were content and the message behind them. Those books came to his possesion due to authors that succeed in reaching Heaven's gates. But his collection was unfortunately not too extensive, and he always was missing other works which could interest him enough. He often thought a lot about the stories that were written by the sinners stuck in Hell. Unfortunately, he wasn't given a chance to be introduced to them. Until today.
Someone knocked on the gates of the Library. At first the Principality thought that he misheard it, but after a while the knocking was heard again. And again. Aziraphale spread out his wings, flew down and opened the gate, which revealed that the Highest Seraph was standing beind them.
'Oh dear, Sera. What an unexpected pleasure. What brings you here?' the quite troubled angel bowed politely in front of his superior.
'Aziraphale, you must listen to me carefully. I have a new job offer for you.' said Sera.
'A job offer? But I already have a job. Looking after this Library is my top priority.' replied Aziraphale, who was clearly suprised about the Seraph's offer.'
'Treat this mission as a part-time job. You were always a resourceful angel and I hope that you'll cope with this task too.' Sera gave him a comforting smile.
'Then, what job are we talking about?'
***
'The redemption worked? That's...' the angel couldn't find suitable words. If it wasn't for Sera's not confinced opition on that topic, he would said that these are great news.
'That's downright unbelievable. Unheared of.' said Sera. 'Coming back to the topic, that's the reason I am here. I want you to pass the message that you heard just now, to the Princess of Hell.'
'Pass... to the Princess? That means that... I have to go down there?' distressed Aziraphale pointed with his finger on the floor.
'Exactly. Recently I've heared that you were interested in existence of the sinners' realm...' shorter angel gulped at response. He did actually told it to some other angel that happened to be around here, but he didn't expected the information to spread all the way to the top. 'So, it'll be a great oppurtunity for you to get in touch with things that were occupying your mind recently. Just don't overdo it.'
'Oh, yes. Jolly good...' Aziraphale haven't had the courage to refuse such a proposition from his superior. To be honest, he was somewhat afraid, but on the other hand his dream of acknowlegding the sinners' books was at his fingertips! He couldn't missed such an oppurtunity, even if it could seem... Potentialy dangerous.
***
The angel stood in front of the portal between the world's of Heaven and Hell. Sera opened it up especially for him.
Aziraphale took a deep breath, spread out his wings and flew through the portal. Loads of red buildings with an equally red sky appered in front of his eyes. This view... Wasn't really a good view. He noticed a few burning buildings in the distance. On the streets there were masses of overspeeding cars, that were running over the innocent pedestrians from time to time.
'What a... nice view.' the angel spoke to himself sarcastically, a one single drop of sweat flew down at his temple. He thought that he ought to immediately go to so called Hazbin Hotel, were Charlie - the daughter of Lucifer was supposed to be. Before he could make a move, a sudden wave of missiles, bombs and other death-bringing objects came right down at him. Angel barely escaped the attack while doing skillful circles around the red sky.
'What is going on here for Heaven's sake?!' If the Principalty wasn't a Principality at all, he would've swear right know. But his internal code of angelic conscience didn't let him say any profanities.
'You stupid cunt! Are you blind?! Give me that, now that's my turn!' some demon stammered to his aquaintance and stanched the gun from his hands. 'LET'S FUCK UP THE ANGEL!' he roared, and a missile went straight into exhausted from all the dodging Aziraphale. He quickly dived into the depth of red buildings.
'Animals. I knew this trip wasn't a good idea...' other rule of Aziraphale's internal code of angelic conscience, forbid him from any murdering, killing or even hurting. Even when it came to demons. He believed that every even the most rotten or hurt soul still has some kindness in it somewhere, and it shouldn't be allowed to take away their lives. That was the main reason why Aziraphale wasn't fond of exterminations. It gave him stomachache.
After he landed on something that seemed like a sidewalk, another horde of revengeful souls pounced on him. The angel didn't know what to do.'
'Dear ladies and gents, it's a mistake, I'm here only in peaceful bussine-' Aziraphale tried to explain himself, but he was quickly interrupted by some second-rate imp.
'DON'T DARE LISTEN TO HIM! JUST FUCKN' FINISH HIM OFF!' suddenly when more bullets and missiles were to touch the angel's celestial body, all things just stucked in place.
Aziraphale opened his eyes, and his intuition didn't failed him. The time has stopped, the demons with faces of twisted expressions faced the angel, and the bullets were stuck in thin air.
Through the horde of frozen sinners, another demon walked his way. He was tall, had a slim body and red-flaming hair. He also was wearing a pair of stylish shades.
'Wha'do we have here... An angel?' the demon hissed quietly, and a long, snake-like tounge slipped from his mouth.
Aziraphale's heart was pounding like never before. He couldn't get his stare away from the red-haired demon. He didn't even noticed when a big blush found it's way onto his face.