Samael sat in the library, a book on sign language in his hands, his eyes occasionally drifting to Cassandra who stood near the window.
A couple of days had passed since he found out her true identity, and since then he'd been observing her more carefully.
His angelic senses were even used to observe every part of her being, trying to get a lock on who this, Cassandra Cain, so different from the one he read about was.
He easily noticed every slight tension in her muscles when she spoke, the microsecond delays before verbal responses, the way her soul seemed to constrict when forced into prolonged conversation.
It was fascinating, really. The way her body betrayed what her disciplined exterior tried to hide.
"You don't like talking much, do you?" he asked suddenly, breaking the comfortable silence.
Cassandra's posture shifted slightly - a barely perceptible tension running through her frame. "What makes you say that?"
"Just an observation," Samael replied, closing his book. "You're uncomfortable when you speak. Your body language changes, becomes more rigid. It's subtle, but it's there."
Her eyes narrowed, studying him with renewed intensity. "You... notice things."
"I do," he said, offering a casual shrug. "So, why is that? The discomfort with speech?"
Cassandra remained silent, her gaze fixed on him.
"Come on," he pressed, his tone deliberately light. "We're supposed to spend a lot of time together. Might as well be honest with each other."
"Not relevant to protection duty," she responded, her words clipped.
Samael laughed, "Everything's relevant, Cassandra. If we're going to work together effectively, we need to understand each other."
He watched as she processed his words. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, she spoke.
"Sign language," she said quietly. "More... comfortable."
"Ah, so I was right." Samael nodded, holding up the book he'd been reading. "That's why I picked this up. Thought it might be useful."
Surprise flickered across her features, quickly masked but not before his angelic senses caught it. Her soul brightened momentarily, a flash of appreciation cutting through her usual guardedness.
"You're learning sign language?" she asked, curiosity evident in her tone.
"Why not?" he replied, flipping through the pages. "It's interesting. Besides, might come in handy if we need to communicate silently."
He paused, considering his next words carefully. "Speaking of communication, I've been thinking about what my father would think about me wanting to go to Gotham University."
Initially, he'd considered Gotham nothing more than a cesspit worthy of destruction. The city was a wound on the world's surface, festering with corruption and madness.
His first instinct had been to cleanse it with holy fire, consequences to his vessel be damned.
But now, looking at it through his more... Lucifer perspective - as he'd begun to call it - he saw something else.
Gotham wasn't just corrupt - it was cursed.
The city's very foundations seemed to pulse with dark energy, its streets more than just crime-ridden - they were haunted.
Unlike Metropolis, where Superman's pure soul brought a certain peace, causing spirits to move on, Gotham was different.
It was, in essence, a perfect gateway to Hell.
Where Metropolis, even with his father's less-than-pure influence, maintained a certain spiritual cleanliness, Gotham wallowed in its darkness.
The concentration of suffering, madness, and evil made it an ideal location for accessing infernal powers.
And with access to Hell came opportunities - specifically, demon blood, which could temporarily strengthen his vessel.
"Still want to go?" Cassandra asked, interrupting his thoughts.
"More than ever," he replied, a smile playing on his lips. "I think it could be... educational."
Cassandra's eyes narrowed. "Dangerous."
"Life is dangerous," he countered. "Besides, isn't that why I have you?"
She studied him for a moment, her head tilting slightly. Then, to his surprise, her hands began to move in fluid motions - sign language.
'Why really want Gotham?' she signed, her movements precise and graceful, testing him, wanting to see how much he'd learned, knowing his intelligence.
Samael's grin widened. Setting down his book, he responded with his own signs, albeit slower and less practiced. 'Opportunities. Experiences. Growth.'
Her eyebrows rose slightly, impressed despite herself. 'Quick learner.'
'I try,' he signed back, then switched to speech. "So, what do you say? Will you help me convince my father?"
Cassandra's expression remained neutral, but her soul swirled with consideration. "Conditions," she finally said.
"Name them."
'More training,' she signed, switching to her preferred method of communication. 'Harder. Longer. No complaints.'
"Done," Samael agreed readily. "What else?"
'Follow orders. No risks. Stay close.'
He pretended to consider this, though internally he was amused. As if any normal danger could truly threaten an archangel. Still, he nodded. "Reasonable terms. Anything else?"
Cassandra's hands moved again, but this time with a hint of hesitation. 'Trust me.'
Samael's expression softened slightly. "I do trust you, Cassandra. More than you might think." Especially with him being able to see her loyalty towards him, her soul easily betraying it.
Her soul - as she processed his words - flickered with surprise and something else - warmth? Interest? He filed that reaction away for later consideration.
"Then prove it," she spoke, her voice quiet but firm. "Train properly. Learn to protect yourself."
"Is that concern I hear?" he teased, but his tone was gentle.
Cassandra's response was to move into a fighting stance. 'Training now,' she signed. 'Show me you're serious.'
Samael laughed, setting aside his book and standing. "Always business with you, isn't it?"
But as he moved to face her, his mind was already working through multiple plans. Gotham's darkness called to him, its potential as a hellgate too tempting to ignore for more reasons than one.
Sue him, he wanted demonic slaves.
He kinda missed Azazel to be honest - not that he really was his, but well, he'd been looking through Lucifer's memories, and seeing that kinda loyalty, made him want it as well.
Though he did have Cassandra, and he has been wondering: how far would she be willing to go for him?
Her skills, her loyalty, her unique way of seeing the world - all were assets he could use. The fact that she was beautiful and intriguing was merely... additional benefit.
Would she be willing to be made a Prince - or in this case, a Princess of Hell?
'Ready?' she signed, her stance perfect.
"Always," he replied, matching her position. As they began their dance of combat, Samael couldn't help but smile.
The training session that followed was intense, with Cassandra pushing him harder than before.
She seemed to appreciate his effort to communicate in her preferred method, her instructions coming more frequently in sign language than speech.
As they moved through various combat forms, Samael maintained his careful balance of showing improvement while holding back his true capabilities.
It was a delicate dance, one that required constant attention to ensure he didn't accidentally let his instincts fully take over - he didn't want to accidentally kill her.
Angels - primarily archangels are always smite first, ask questions later.
By the end of the session, both were breathing heavily - though in Samael's case, it was because of course, he had forgone enhancing himself with grace.
'Better,' Cassandra signed, a hint of approval in her expression. 'But still need work.'
"Always do," Samael replied, both in speech and sign. 'That's what makes it interesting.'
Her lips twitched in what might have been the ghost of a smile. 'Tomorrow. Same time.'
"Sure, though after that we'll go try and convince my father of the Gotham plan,"
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And just like that, the next day - after a bit more training - had Samael and Cassandra standing in Lex Luthor's office, the morning sun casting long shadows through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
His father sat behind his desk, fingers steepled, expression unreadable.
"Gotham University," Lex stated, the words hanging in the air like a challenge.
"Yes," Samael replied, his posture relaxed, "I believe it offers... unique opportunities."
"Metropolis University is superior in every measurable metric," Lex countered, his eyes sharp. "The facilities, the faculty, the research opportunities-"
"Are all perfectly adequate," Samael interrupted smoothly, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "But Gotham offers something else. Something less... measurable."
Lex's eyebrow raised slightly. "Enlighten me."
"Character building," Samael said, his tone deliberately light. "What better way to prove my recovery than by thriving in one of the most challenging environments possible?
The media would love it - the prodigal son, not just awakening from his coma but excelling in Gotham of all places."
He could see his father processing this, analyzing the PR potential. But Lex wasn't finished.
"And the dangers?" he asked, his gaze shifting to Cassandra, who stood silently by Samael's side.
'I will protect him,' she signed, her movements crisp and professional.
"You've trained him?" Lex inquired.
Cassandra nodded. 'Improving. Shows promise.'
"Really?" Lex's attention returned to Samael. "Show me."
Without warning, Mercy stepped forward from her position by the door, launching a swift attack at Samael. He reacted instantly, his movements controlled and precise - careful to show skill but not inhuman ability.
The brief exchange ended with both of them at a standoff, neither gaining a clear advantage. Exactly as Samael had planned it.
"Impressive," Lex acknowledged, though his expression remained neutral. "But Gotham isn't just about physical threats."
"No," Samael agreed, straightening his jacket. "It's about politics, power plays, and positioning. Rather like our family business, wouldn't you say?"
A ghost of a smile touched Lex's lips. "And you believe you're ready for that?"
"I'm your son," Samael replied simply, letting a touch of pride color his words. "I was born ready."
Lex studied him for a long moment, his mind clearly working through scenarios, possibilities, potential outcomes. Finally, he nodded.
"Very well," he said. "But there will be conditions."
"Of course," Samael replied, his tone appropriately deferential while his eyes gleamed with triumph.
"Cassandra stays with you at all times. Security protocols will be doubled. And," Lex's eyes hardened, "you will maintain regular contact with me. Any sign of trouble..."
"And you'll have me back here faster than Superman can fly," Samael finished, his tone light but acknowledging. "I understand, Father."
Lex nodded, then turned his attention to some documents on his desk - a clear dismissal. But as Samael turned to leave, his father spoke again.
"Samael," he said, his voice softer than usual. "Be careful."
Samael paused, allowing a genuine smile to cross his features. "Always am, Father."
As they left the office, Cassandra glanced at him. 'Too easy,' she signed.
"Perhaps," Samael replied, his smile turning enigmatic. "Or perhaps I'm just that convincing."
No, he knew that his father took this opportunity to put distance between them, and actually put him in a "dangerous" place to show he doesn't actually love him beyond his pride in his own lineage -
which he knows isn't true as well as that his father can't really show that with how many enemies he has.
Especially with what he has found out after a bit of... Well, not exactly hacking, more commanding the universe to show him what is hidden in those files and what he found was...
Calling it interesting would be an understatement.
He knows which world, or at least, a bit of what this world is made up of, from what he saw.
And he can not wait to use that to his advantage.
He'll soon need to awaken the son of the sun who just so happens to be his younger brother.
To say the least, he can not wait for that meeting.
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(Author note: So, Sam knows he's in Young Justice now - well, not really Young Justice exactly since he exists which takes into consideration of course.
He knows Lex is part of the Light, about Superboy's existence.
Luthor himself used Samael's desire to go to Gotham University in his own favor to put distance between him and Samael,
him needing to make sure the others don't think Samael to be a weakness they can exploit against him, and what better way to show that than to send him to Gotham?
Sure it's kinda risky (to Lex who doesn't know Samael's true capabilities), despite the heavy guarding and all that, but do remember, this is Lex Luthor.
Yes he cares deep down, but his love is conditional upon Samael's achievements, so he does need to prove himself, especially with how much time is lost.
Well, I hope to see you all later,
Bye!)