ultraviolet9a: (impala)
[personal profile] ultraviolet9a
>> They are not all saints

TITLE: They are not all saints
AUTHOR: [livejournal.com profile] ultraviolet9a
SPOILER: Vaguely for all season 4 and for The Graveyard Book.
GENRE: Gen. Supernatural/The Graveyard Book.
CHARACTERS: Sam, Dean, Silas
SUMMARY: “If you drop that match, I will have to harm you.”
RATING: PG13.
FEEDBACK: Dude… duh.
DISCLAIMER: Don’t own, no profit, don’t sue.
NOTES: Dear Mr Gaiman. Please please please don’t sue me. I meant no offence, it’s just that Silas haunted me. Dear Mr Kripke… well, you know how that one goes now, don’t you?
BETA: by lovely [livejournal.com profile] kattahj



Lisa, vampires are make-believe, like elves, gremlins and Eskimos.
-Homer Simpson




Like another story, years ago, this too starts in a cemetery. It’s not an ornate or overtly large one, just a cemetery this side of a small no-name town with an increasing rate in mysterious deaths the last weeks.

There is nothing unusual in the night breeze and the rustling leaves of the trees, nothing unusual about the silhouette of the town in the darkness. What’s unusual is that this tiny cemetery seems to have forgotten that graves are supposed to be covered up and the mausoleums locked, and it is strewn with salt and doused with gasoline from one end to the other. It makes one wonder who would have so much time and stamina, gasoline and salt to do all this, but the answer is probably easy: this is a hunter’s job. A Winchester one, to be more specific.

“If you drop that match, I will have to harm you.”

It isn’t a threat. It’s a statement, an undisputable fact like the Earth is round or This is the middle of nowhere (sort of) in the middle of the night and this guy has appeared out of the dark shadows around us and most importantly, we didn’t hear him.

Sam’s hand wavers uncertainly in the air. Even in the Impala’s lights the stranger seems to be cut out of some outdated cardboard darkness: tall, lean, pale. He’s dressed in velvety black and he’s holding no weapons.

“Christo,” Dean says.

“The conjugation is wrong,” the stranger sighs, lacing long-nailed fingers in front of him. “I never understood why that is working in the New Land. Back home demons would throw a fit.”

Sam flicks the match and the flame perishes. He licks his fingers where it momentarily burned him.

“I am no demon,” the stranger continues. He holds his palms open. “I am your ally.”

“Well, then you won’t stand in our way,” Sam says, carefully placing himself in a position ready to jump between Dean and the stranger.

Dean rubs the back of his head. “If you know your stuff, you’ll know that we have to burn down the cemetery before the ghosts trap someone else. They are dangerous.”

“Some ghosts don’t need to be set free,” the man, if a man he is, says. “Some ghosts happily linger on in their afterlife and move on when they choose to.”

“These ghosts are sadistic little bi…”

“Someone else was controlling them. Do not destroy the cemetery, other ghosts will be left homeless without the necessary time to move on.”

“That’s why we want to burn the place down.”

“I cannot allow that. There are innocent spirits here.”

“Sonofabitch!” Dean says, not for a moment questioning the statement-like voice. There’s something too familiar there, something Dean has learnt not to doubt.

“Indeed,” the man says. “There is no need for this. The real culprit has been… taken care of.”

“What do you mean taken care of?” Sam carefully asks.

“I mean that if you wish to put his bones on fire, by all means do so, Samuel Winchester. Why do you think it was so easy to strew the salt without any ghostly interference? It’s been taken care of.”

The logic is too solid, and sinks in the Winchester mind as fast as a stone in water, till something else strikes them, and makes them reach out for any weapon at hand.

“How do you know my name?” Sam says, eyes slivered in suspicion.

The stranger seems unimpressed. “Like I said, I’m an ally.”

“Who are you?”

“I am here to protect you,” he says.

“You threatened to hurt us,” Sam points out.

“Only if you dropped the match,” he says. And that is a statement, too.

And then Dean knows what the tone and reason remind him of. “You’re not an angel of the Lord by any chance, are you?” he asks.

“Hardly,” the man scoffs. “I’m Silas. Now help me close those graves up.”

.:::.

“So you are really a…” Dean starts, looking uncertainly at him.

“Indeed,” Silas says. The bottle remains unsipped in his hand.

“You are different than the ones we’ve come across before.”

“Our species vary. Like ghosts. Not all are raving maniacs.”

“Most are, where we come from,” Sam says, rolling the bottle within his palms.

Silas’ gaze is old. His words feel old, too. Older than the cemetery. Almost as old as night itself. “Death,” he says, “like life, rarely is white and black.”

Dean smirks. “Yeah, no kidding.”

The gaze Silas locks on him could splinter granite. “I rarely am.”

Dean pushes himself forward, leaning closer. He doesn’t give a shit about granite. He was raised by John Winchester. Though, he has to admit, Silas’ gaze is not bad at all.

“What’s going on, Silas? Really?”

“Your name travels fast,” Silas says. “It has travelled all over the world to those who have ears. You’re in the middle of a chessboard.”

It is perhaps ironic that a chessboard, unlike life or death, consists only of white and black, and the irony isn’t lost on the two men and Silas standing alone under the stars.

“And you?”

“I will try to be the objective observer who’ll help you become a player instead of a pawn.”

“Why?” Dean asks.

“I fought long and hard in this world.”

“Why?” Dean persists.

“Because I had to.”

“No, that doesn’t convince me,” Dean says shaking his head. “Why would a creature of the night do that?”

There’s the barest hint of a smile on Silas, as if something he is fond of has crossed his mind. Almost as if he’s reminded of someone dear. Then his brow darkens.

“I have a lot to redeem myself for.”

“Dude,” Dean says. “That’s not a reason, that’s a Whedon show.”

“You know,” Silas says. His eyes have a faraway look. “You know what it’s like. To feel like sole survivors of a fate that is dark. That the end of the world rests on your shoulders only. But the end of the world is everyone’s responsibility.”

Dean looks at Sam. Sam looks at Dean. He wants to say something, but Dean’s eyes shush him, so he lets the silence draw out a bit longer. It’s a Winchester thing, the silence. It makes people fill it up.

“I know you have been offered assistance from angels and demons alike,” Silas quietly says. His long-nailed fingers are splayed out as he leans against a wall. “And you think you are caught in between and I only confound you. But I have been the guardian of one who travelled different ways. I can be your guardian as well. What’s another stripe on a tiger?”

And the Winchesters don’t know if the proverbial tiger Silas is referring to is them, or himself.

“You’ve done your homework, I’ll grant you that,” Dean finally says.

Silas closes his eyes as if reaching a decision. “I am here to save the world for a boy who still hasn’t seen it all.”

“What boy?”

“My boy,” Silas says. And then he’s the one standing as still as the statues in the cemetery, looking at them. Waiting.

Dean looks at Sam. Sam looks at Dean.

“Guess there’s a backseat if you want to,” Dean finally says.

“I travel… faster,” Silas replies, faint smile just there. “We’ll be seeing each other, Winchesters. You can rely on that. Godspeed.”

And then he’s gone.

Soon, the Winchesters leave, too.

Soon, not even the night remains.

Around dawn it’s starts to snow. The snowflakes are fluffy and persistent, and won’t be daunted. They cover the salt, drown out the stench of gasoline in the crisp cold scent of winter, till there is no trace of the night before, till there is nothing more to add to this small cemetery story.

-The End.



I would have thought the end of the world is everyone's responsibility, wouldn't you?
-Death in Thief of Time


They are not all saints who use holy water.
-English Proverb



Date: 2009-02-21 04:14 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] saberivojo.livejournal.com
I love everything you write and this is no exception. It makes me want to read/watch The Graveyard Book. Silas seems like someone I could get behind. These lines cracked me up.
Dean pushes himself forward, leaning closer. He doesn’t give a shit about granite. He was raised by John Winchester.
It warms a John girl's heart.
The little shout out to Whedon too. You are so funny,..
Thanks for sharing.

Date: 2009-02-22 09:13 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ultraviolet9a.livejournal.com
You should totally read it, it's an amazing book!

Thank you so much for reading!

Date: 2009-02-21 05:08 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] erinrua.livejournal.com
I have absolutely no clue about Gaiman or Silas or any of it, but this? Was fascinating and amazing, and I LOVE Silas' voice, just so deliberate and calm and unflappable.

Yes. Definitely a Winchester thing. Thank you so much for sharing! I wuvs your stories. :-)

Date: 2009-02-22 09:14 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ultraviolet9a.livejournal.com
MY GOODNESS. YOU MUST READ GAIMAN. GAIMAN AND PRATCHETT. YOU MUST. (Silas is...gaah. yes.)

I'm so happy you like it!!! yeeei!

Date: 2009-02-21 05:17 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] riverbella.livejournal.com
I have The Graveyard Book in my queue to read and I think it just moved up some. What a lovely, and somewhat mysterious, story. I feel like Sam and Dean would be in much better shape than they are if Silas was really on their side. I loved the shout-out to Whedon, too. Lovely atmosphere you created and the ending was so soft and gentle.

Date: 2009-02-22 09:15 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ultraviolet9a.livejournal.com
Oh, the Graveyard Book is a brilliant book. Pratchett and Gaiman, they rule my world lately.

I'm so happy you liked the story, esp the strange little ending!

Date: 2009-02-21 08:44 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ladybugkay.livejournal.com
I LOVELOVELOVELOVELOVE The Graveyard Book, and I wanted to see more of Silas, too, so having him pop up here with Sam and Dean was a wonderful little thrill. Thanks for that.

Date: 2009-02-22 09:18 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ultraviolet9a.livejournal.com
That book is pretty fantastic, isn't it? Both in concept and execution!

Thank you so much for reading!

Date: 2009-02-21 09:25 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dixiehellcat.livejournal.com
Oh, that was superb. Well done! It fits perfectly into both universes. You got all their voices spot on.

“I have a lot to redeem myself for.”

“Dude,” Dean says. “That’s not a reason, that’s a Whedon show.”


hehe!

Date: 2009-02-22 09:18 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ultraviolet9a.livejournal.com
Thank you so much!

Date: 2009-02-22 03:46 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] may7fic.livejournal.com
Though I don't know Silas, you made him very real and wonderfully intriguing. I loved your language and the atmosphere you created. It felt very literary. I'm not sure if that's because you were channeling Gaiman (whose works I haven't read) or if, by design, you wanted to create that literary feel but, either way, it worked beautifully and I thoroughly enjoyed it :)

You wrote some amazing lines in this, as usual, lady. I think my favorites are:

Dean looks at Sam. Sam looks at Dean. He wants to say something, but Dean’s eyes shush him, so he lets the silence draw out a bit longer. It’s a Winchester thing, the silence. It makes people fill it up.

and

The gaze Silas locks on him could splinter granite. “I rarely am.”

Dean pushes himself forward, leaning closer. He doesn’t give a shit about granite. He was raised by John Winchester.


Beautiful!

Date: 2009-02-22 09:23 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ultraviolet9a.livejournal.com
I was trying to put some of Gaiman's style here, though that is a bit hard, cuz he is unique. But yeeeeeeei! It worked. I'm so glad you liked it!!!

Date: 2009-02-22 03:55 am (UTC)
ext_1310: (Default)
From: [identity profile] musesfool.livejournal.com
Fantastic! I love the Whedon line, and also it's awesome to see Silas again. *heart* Now I am imagining them meeting Miss Lupescu, too. Sigh.

Date: 2009-02-22 09:24 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ultraviolet9a.livejournal.com
Aaaah man, the Winchesters are soooo flexible for crossing over. *adores them more*

I'm so happy you liked it! And heeeh. Whedon rules. And Kripke too.

Date: 2009-02-22 04:23 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] brigid-tanner.livejournal.com
I have adored Neil for at least 20 years. The first few paragraphs and the last few, in particular, felt very _The Graveyard Book_ to me. I think Silas and the Winchesters would totally understand each other and be able to work together. You did an amazing job blending the two mythologies.

I think my favorite part is this: Dean pushes himself forward, leaning closer. He doesn’t give a shit about granite. He was raised by John Winchester. Though, he has to admit, Silas’ gaze is not bad at all.

Perfect Dean line: “Dude,” Dean says. “That’s not a reason, that’s a Whedon show.”

This story makes me very happy.

Date: 2009-02-22 09:33 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ultraviolet9a.livejournal.com
I've only discovered Neil the last year really. But i think i caught up with him pretty well and very fast. I adore him almost as much as pratchett, and that's saying something.

I'm so glad you think so about the ending and starting paragraphs because yes, i did try to conjure up a bit of the book's atmosphere. Thank you!

Date: 2009-02-22 10:07 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] pandarus.livejournal.com
::loves::

Oh, what a splendid idea. What a simply splendid idea! Brava! And I was sitting here enjoying it, and wanting to hug them all, and then there was this line:


“Dude,” Dean says. “That’s not a reason, that’s a Whedon show.”


WHICH IS HAND-CRAFTED FROM PURE, 100% UNADULTERATED WIN!!!

Lovely job!

Date: 2009-02-22 10:37 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ultraviolet9a.livejournal.com
Thank you so much! You know how some things just stick in your brain and demand to be written? Yeah. I blame Silas. :) (plus, crossovers are just so damn fun.)

Date: 2009-02-22 10:22 am (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
I just-as in fifteen minutes ago- finished The Graveyard Book, and was wondering whether bribery or blackmail would be a more effective method of convincing Gaiman to write a sequel (preferably within a week), when I happened on your wonderful fic. Thank you for providing a wonderful epilogue to the novel, not to mention saving me from a life of crime...

Date: 2009-02-22 10:40 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ultraviolet9a.livejournal.com
Ooooh, i so share your sentiments. I felt the same way when I finished the book. Do you think physical threat might do the trick on him? Because i wanna KNOW. Be it sequel or prequel, i wanna know. Preferably about Silas. Ahem.

But anyway, I blame Gaiman for this fic.

Thank you for reading!

Date: 2009-02-22 12:37 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] manicr.livejournal.com
*Loves you to DEATH for the Graveyard Book xover and the jab at Castiel and Whedon*

Gaiman for the win! Awesome fic!

Date: 2009-02-22 05:24 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ultraviolet9a.livejournal.com
Thank you! I'm happy you liked it!

Date: 2009-02-22 04:50 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] animotus.livejournal.com
Ohhhhh very good!I've never read this book even if it's something I wanna do,so maybe I can't understand the deep meaning of the crossover,still...this Silas looks like a very interesting character,while reading I had this "quietness" feeling,I can't explain it!
And shut up you and your John Winchesters' references!
P.s.I talked to your muse and we agree that you could/shold feel inspired by the 4x15 promo,lots of badassery things!♥

Date: 2009-02-22 05:29 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ultraviolet9a.livejournal.com
Thank you, sweetie! :)

Silas, for me, is also GAH. HOT. But i'm biased towards guys like him anyway. :D And the book is excellent, you'd get a kick out of it!

Yei on the calmness of the piece coming across.

(of course John manages to slip in anywhere. He's stealthy like that. Heeeeeeeh.)

ps oh yes, my muse told me that already! :) I've been flailing like an idiot at the promo. FLAILING. IS IT MARCH YET. OMG. O.M.G. I wanna do things to Dean and Castiel that... might cause me to combust, so i won't mention them. Heeeeeeh.

(no subject)

From: [identity profile] animotus.livejournal.com - Date: 2009-02-22 05:44 pm (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

From: [identity profile] ultraviolet9a.livejournal.com - Date: 2009-02-22 05:47 pm (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

From: [identity profile] animotus.livejournal.com - Date: 2009-02-22 05:50 pm (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

From: [identity profile] ultraviolet9a.livejournal.com - Date: 2009-02-22 05:52 pm (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

From: [identity profile] animotus.livejournal.com - Date: 2009-02-22 05:55 pm (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

From: [identity profile] animotus.livejournal.com - Date: 2009-02-23 03:04 pm (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

From: [identity profile] ultraviolet9a.livejournal.com - Date: 2009-02-23 04:45 pm (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

From: [identity profile] animotus.livejournal.com - Date: 2009-02-23 04:47 pm (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

From: [identity profile] ultraviolet9a.livejournal.com - Date: 2009-02-22 05:42 pm (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

From: [identity profile] animotus.livejournal.com - Date: 2009-02-22 05:48 pm (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

From: [identity profile] ultraviolet9a.livejournal.com - Date: 2009-02-22 05:50 pm (UTC) - Expand

Date: 2009-02-22 07:31 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tahirire.livejournal.com
Um. I think I need to read this book now. *stares*

Really, REALLY cool. Thanks for sharing!

Date: 2009-02-23 04:37 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ultraviolet9a.livejournal.com
Ooooh, you are SO going to enjoy the book. *nod*

Thank you for reading this! :)

Date: 2009-02-23 01:47 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] just-pie.livejournal.com
I don't generally read fanfic, but I'm a sucker for anything related Gaiman and I have to say, you didn't disappoint! You captured his voice, and Sam and Dean's, very well. And it was nice to have another story about Silas. Gaiman and Supernatural's world blended together very nicely.

I recently discovered Pratchett and can't get enough of him. Have you read Good Omens? It's by Gaiman and Pratchett, the best of both worlds!

Date: 2009-02-23 04:39 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ultraviolet9a.livejournal.com
I'm so glad you think so. Gaiman is frakking amazing, though i must admit I love Pratchett even more. And yes, I have read Good Omens. It's such a sweet ride!

Thank you for reading this!

Date: 2009-02-23 03:17 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] labseraph.livejournal.com
Sweetie, I am so glad to see that a hideous cold did not dampen your muse at all (unlike RL shites). I have yet to read this fine specimen by the fantastic Mr Gaiman, but I think this Silas could merge wonderfully with the SPN 'verse.

Will there be more along this vein?

*flutters lashes*

Date: 2009-02-23 04:41 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ultraviolet9a.livejournal.com
Heeeeh. I'm glad you liked this, thank you. You MUST read the Graveyard Book. It made me hug it after i read it.

I have no clue if there will be more along this vein, for now i'm just letting the muse go wherever the muse is pleased too. I have two Cas pieces finished though. Betaed and everything. \o/

Date: 2009-03-08 12:19 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kimmer1227.livejournal.com
I don't know of Silas, but I liked his voice here. He fit right in with the Boys.

Good stuff.

Date: 2009-03-08 09:30 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ultraviolet9a.livejournal.com
Thank you!

The Graveyard Book is immensely amazing. I totally rec it.

Date: 2009-03-18 05:49 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kyriofic.livejournal.com
I am unafraid to admit that I am completely and utterly obsessed with anything and everything Gaiman. And this was bloody brilliant!

Honestly, I think Neil would be proud at how well you've captured Silas!

Date: 2009-03-19 01:56 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ultraviolet9a.livejournal.com
Thank you so much!Esp because you are a gaiman fan and omg isn't silas amazing?

(no subject)

From: [identity profile] kyriofic.livejournal.com - Date: 2009-03-20 02:50 am (UTC) - Expand

Date: 2009-03-27 02:01 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] theonlytwin.livejournal.com
hihi,
you don't know me (i lurk through spndom for castiel fic) but holy crap this is fantastic. i consider crossovers to be one of the best aspects of fandom and this is one of the best crossovers i've read in a long time. ok, i'll go back to lurking.

Date: 2009-03-28 11:37 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ultraviolet9a.livejournal.com
Hello! I'm glad you delurked to tell me you liked it. It made me happy! Crossovers are my fav genre too, although they can be a bitch to write! Happy lurking!

Date: 2009-04-10 02:52 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] yetunknown.livejournal.com
oh, Silas. this was wonderful. (I just finished the book a couple of months ago, and I'm so glad someone is writing about it.)

Date: 2009-04-10 01:13 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ultraviolet9a.livejournal.com
Thank you so much! He's such an interesting character!

Profile

ultraviolet9a: (Default)
ultraviolet9a

January 2013

S M T W T F S
   12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031  

Most Popular Tags

Style Credit

Expand Cut Tags

No cut tags
Page generated Jul. 13th, 2025 07:46 am
Powered by Dreamwidth Studios