SPN Fic: Strategic Maneuvering
May. 19th, 2009 09:20 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
errant_jane"When the Levee Breaks" Coda that was jossed almost immediately. Ah, well.
Castiel was assigned to Dean Winchester for a reason. When it happened, Uriel was furious-- thought he had gotten passed over because of his disdain for humanity. While that certainly didn't help, the truth of it was that Uriel had all the finesse of a bludgeon, and Dean Winchester needed handling.
Castiel was chosen because he excelled at strategic maneuvering.
If Castiel believed in luck over divine will, he would have said that finding James Novak was a stroke of it. He fit all of Castiel's criteria. He had the right blood to perceive Castiel's true form, he was devout enough to believe, but proud enough to offer himself to an unknown mission. There was a reason pride was a sin: it allowed one to be so easily manipulated.
Perhaps more importantly, however, James Novak had the sort of looks Castiel could use to his advantage. Steely strength combined with a certain wounded vulnerability that fit in perfectly with Castiel's plans. He had briefly considered finding a female body, but he did not want to engage Dean's protective instincts.
With Dean, Castiel had to walk a fine line. Fearsome at first, with a slow and gradual wavering, as though he had started to question his mission. As though his loyalty might be swayed to serve the Winchester brothers instead of Heaven.
Castiel did not ever expect Dean's trust. Dean loved fiercely and with everything he had, and trusted no one. Not even himself. Castiel did not need Dean's trust, he needed Dean's affection, because with that came Dean's loyalty.
It was easy enough, in the end, to accomplish. Especially with both Anna and Uriel's unwitting assistance. Castiel could see, at least in part, why Uriel would think he might join him in his treachery. Anna… Anna should have known better.
The staged battle and Castiel's brief sojourn in Heaven served two purposes. It gave Dean faith that at least some part of Castiel was on his side. It also gave Castiel the opportunity to take over James' body indefinitely, to do with it as he would. Unlike demons, angels needed explicit permission.
Everything had gone according to Castiel's plan. The bond between the Winchester brothers had been irrevocably broken-- in such a way that would allow Heaven to claim Dean's undivided loyalty.
There was a reason Castiel had been chosen for this mission.
He had no regrets, he was not capable of them, but he experienced a moment of... remembrance for Anna and Uriel. They had served together well, and it was unfortunate that they had both fallen so low. But there were consequences for angels who placed themselves higher-- or lower-- than what they were.
He also gave himself a moment to consider Dean. Castiel did not have Uriel's disdain for mortals, nor did he have Anna's love of them. They were his Father's creation, and as such it afforded them a certain amount of respect. But the idea that he could feel affection for them, even for one as exceptional as Dean, was ludicrous.
When all was said and done, mortals were beautiful but fragile creatures. They could be admired from a distance, but they were not to be touched. For all the mettle that free will gave them, they broke so easily when you knew where to apply the pressure.
Castiel counted on it.
Castiel was assigned to Dean Winchester for a reason. When it happened, Uriel was furious-- thought he had gotten passed over because of his disdain for humanity. While that certainly didn't help, the truth of it was that Uriel had all the finesse of a bludgeon, and Dean Winchester needed handling.
Castiel was chosen because he excelled at strategic maneuvering.
If Castiel believed in luck over divine will, he would have said that finding James Novak was a stroke of it. He fit all of Castiel's criteria. He had the right blood to perceive Castiel's true form, he was devout enough to believe, but proud enough to offer himself to an unknown mission. There was a reason pride was a sin: it allowed one to be so easily manipulated.
Perhaps more importantly, however, James Novak had the sort of looks Castiel could use to his advantage. Steely strength combined with a certain wounded vulnerability that fit in perfectly with Castiel's plans. He had briefly considered finding a female body, but he did not want to engage Dean's protective instincts.
With Dean, Castiel had to walk a fine line. Fearsome at first, with a slow and gradual wavering, as though he had started to question his mission. As though his loyalty might be swayed to serve the Winchester brothers instead of Heaven.
Castiel did not ever expect Dean's trust. Dean loved fiercely and with everything he had, and trusted no one. Not even himself. Castiel did not need Dean's trust, he needed Dean's affection, because with that came Dean's loyalty.
It was easy enough, in the end, to accomplish. Especially with both Anna and Uriel's unwitting assistance. Castiel could see, at least in part, why Uriel would think he might join him in his treachery. Anna… Anna should have known better.
The staged battle and Castiel's brief sojourn in Heaven served two purposes. It gave Dean faith that at least some part of Castiel was on his side. It also gave Castiel the opportunity to take over James' body indefinitely, to do with it as he would. Unlike demons, angels needed explicit permission.
Everything had gone according to Castiel's plan. The bond between the Winchester brothers had been irrevocably broken-- in such a way that would allow Heaven to claim Dean's undivided loyalty.
There was a reason Castiel had been chosen for this mission.
He had no regrets, he was not capable of them, but he experienced a moment of... remembrance for Anna and Uriel. They had served together well, and it was unfortunate that they had both fallen so low. But there were consequences for angels who placed themselves higher-- or lower-- than what they were.
He also gave himself a moment to consider Dean. Castiel did not have Uriel's disdain for mortals, nor did he have Anna's love of them. They were his Father's creation, and as such it afforded them a certain amount of respect. But the idea that he could feel affection for them, even for one as exceptional as Dean, was ludicrous.
When all was said and done, mortals were beautiful but fragile creatures. They could be admired from a distance, but they were not to be touched. For all the mettle that free will gave them, they broke so easily when you knew where to apply the pressure.
Castiel counted on it.
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(no subject)
Date: 2009-05-23 11:00 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-05-23 06:02 pm (UTC)I am glad it was jossed as well!
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Date: 2009-06-14 10:56 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-06-15 12:51 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-06-25 03:14 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-06-30 01:22 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-10-28 10:04 am (UTC)