Samael's mansion in Gotham stood silent in the pre-dawn light, its gothic architecture casting long shadows across the manicured grounds.
Within the master bedroom, Cassandra sat cross-legged on the floor, Samael's empty vessel cradled in her lap.
She had maintained her vigil for nearly twenty-four hours, barely moving except to check his vital signs, and get herself some food and drink have enough energy to remain vigil and protect what is his.
Though his body breathed shallowly and his heart beat with mechanical regularity, the absence of his true self was unmistakable.
The vessel was just that - an empty container, beautiful but hollow without the soul and celestial light that animated it.
Her fingers gently brushed a strand of hair from his face. Despite her exhaustion, she remained alert, her senses attuned to any change in his condition or threat to his vulnerable form.
A subtle shift in the air was her only warning. The space before her shimmered, reality bending as if viewed through heat waves. Then, with a sound like crystal chimes, two figures materialized.
Samael stood unsteadily, his – Bruce's - expensive suit rumpled and singed in places. Beside him, a being of such overwhelming presence that Cassandra instinctively tightened her grip on her beloved's body - Gabriel, restored to his archangelic glory.
Instantly though, Gabriel dimmed it – excitement at his restoration, and being used to so long having been human, having made him forget to keep away the waves of power that brought the feeling of the supernatural into humans when in the presence of an archangel.
"Cassandra," Samael acknowledged with a nod, his voice tired. "Thank you for watching over my body."
Before she could respond, Samael's essence flowed from Bruce in a stream of cold light, returning to its proper vessel. Bruce swayed, suddenly pale, and would have collapsed had Gabriel not caught him with supernatural speed.
"Easy," Gabriel murmured, lowering the billionaire to a nearby chair. "The separation can be... disorienting."
Samael's eyes snapped open, hellfire red fading quickly to human black. He drew a deep breath, wincing slightly as he sat up in Cassandra's arms.
"How long?" he asked, his voice slightly hoarse.
'Twenty-three hours,' Cassandra signed. 'No complications.'
"Good." He touched her cheek briefly, a gesture of gratitude, before turning his attention to Bruce. "Are you alright?"
Bruce nodded, though his complexion remained ashen. "I'll survive. The experience was... intense."
"Possession usually is," Samael replied with a hint of his usual dry humor. "But you handled it remarkably well. Most humans would be catatonic after hosting an archangel – especially one with my power."
Bruce's lips twitched in what might have been a smile. "I've had worse houseguests."
Gabriel, who had been silently observing the exchange, stepped forward.
"Your vessel is deteriorating is slower than the traces of the past show," he said, addressing Samael directly. "That self-mutilation of yours has slowed down the process somewhat, with you having weakened yourself a bit - but don't get any ideas."
Cassandra's eyes widened in alarm, her hands moving quickly: 'What self-mutilation?'
Samael shot Gabriel an irritated look before turning to Cassandra. "I gave Gabriel some of my grace to restore him. It's nothing to worry about."
"Nothing to worry about?" Gabriel echoed incredulously. "You tore off a wing and ripped out a heart! Your celestial form is in tatters!"
'You did what?' Cassandra signed, her movements sharp with anger and concern.
"It was necessary," Samael replied firmly. "And temporary. I'll heal."
"Not without proper restoration," Gabriel insisted. "The divine message was clear - you must be whole before the quest can begin."
Bruce, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke. "Perhaps you should explain what happened for her. All of it." He himself, having not been aware when the message came down, having also been frozen in time.
Having heard though the discussion between the two brothers.
Samael sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fine. But first-" He turned to Bruce. "I need to get you home. You've fulfilled your part of our agreement, and I'm grateful."
"I can take him," Gabriel offered.
"No," Samael countered. "I'll do it. It's my responsibility." He stood, helping Cassandra to her feet as well. "Besides, I need to speak with Alfred, assure him that Bruce is unharmed. And later down the line I still need to fulfil my promise of making Gotham better. Dealing with Barbatos, and all that."
Bruce's expression slightly darkened at the mention of the Bat 'god', but was relieved that Samael was still going to help with that.
Gabriel looked like he wanted to argue but ultimately nodded. "Very well. I'll remain here and... familiarize myself with your world. Each universe is after all… different."
"I'll help you with that when I get back," Samael said, before turning towards Cassandra, and kissing her on the cheek, surprising her for a moment. "I won't be long." He told her with a small smile.
Before anyone could object, Samael approached Bruce and placed a hand on his shoulder, and they vanished in a soft flash of light.
Wayne Manor's kitchen was silent save for the gentle clink of china as Alfred prepared tea with methodical precision. Constantine slouched at the counter, nursing what appeared to be his third or fourth whiskey despite the early hour.
"He should have been back by now," Constantine muttered, glaring at his glass as if it had personally offended him. "Something's gone wrong."
"Master Bruce is quite capable," Alfred replied, his composure betrayed only by the slight tremor in his hands as he arranged cups on a silver tray. "And from what you've told me, Samael gave his word to return him safely."
"Yeah, well, the road to Hell is paved with angelic promises," Constantine scoffed. "I've seen what happens when demons use human vessels. It's never pretty. The Demiurge I reckon would be a whole bloody lot worse."
"Your optimism is truly inspiring, Mr. Constantine."
"It's called experience, mate. When you've been screwed over by as many heavenly wankers as I have-"
A soft displacement of air interrupted him as Samael and Bruce materialized in the center of the kitchen.
Bruce looked pale but steady, while Samael appeared completely at ease, as if flying through the veil across the city was no more remarkable than hailing a taxi.
"Master Bruce!" Alfred exclaimed, setting down the teapot with uncharacteristic haste.
"I'm fine, Alfred," Bruce assured him, accepting the butler's supporting arm nonetheless. "Just tired."
Constantine pushed away from the counter, his posture tense. "Well, look who decided to return the rental car. Should I check for dents and scratches?"
"Your concern is touching," Samael remarked dryly. "But as you can see, Bruce is unharmed. A bit drained, perhaps, but that's to be expected after hosting an archangel."
"And what about the other part of your little field trip?" Constantine demanded. "Did you find Gabriel?"
"I did," Samael confirmed. "He's currently at my residence, adjusting to his restored status."
Constantine's eyes widened. "Restored? You mean you-"
"Made him an archangel again, yes." Samael's tone was casual, as if discussing a minor favor rather than a cosmic transformation.
Constantine's face drained of color as Samael's casual words registered. "You... you brought Gabriel back?" His voice cracked, eyes darting between Samael and the door as if calculating his odds of escape.
"I'd start running now if I were you," Samael replied with a dismissive wave. "I have no idea if he holds a grudge about you causing his fall. Nineteen years as a human might have given him perspective... or made him exceptionally vindictive."
Constantine swallowed hard, his usual bravado evaporating. "Right. Well. Been lovely chatting but I've just remembered an urgent appointment in... anywhere that's not here. Not this bloody universe." He backed toward the door, nearly tripping over his own feet.
Samael turned to Bruce, who was now supported by Alfred's steady hand. "I should be going. We'll discuss Gotham another time - particularly that bat-shaped problem beneath the city."
"Wait," Bruce said, his voice stronger now.
Samael paused, confusion crossing his features as Bruce gently pushed away from Alfred's support and approached him. Without warning, Bruce wrapped his arms around Samael in a firm embrace.
The archangel froze, arms hovering awkwardly at his sides before slowly, uncertainly returning the hug. His expression betrayed genuine bewilderment at this unexpected gesture.
"Thank you," Bruce said, his voice low and thick with emotion. "For helping me meet them. For giving me that closure."
He pulled back, meeting Samael's eyes with unexpected warmth. "Heal yourself soon. And if you need anything - anything at all - tell me."
A small, genuine smile formed on Samael's lips. "Thank you, Bruce. That's... unexpectedly kind."
With that, Samael vanished in a thunderous beat of invisible wings, the sound like thousands of hawks taking flight at once. The air displaced by his departure rustled papers throughout the room.
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Samael materialized in his bedroom, immediately scanning the space.
Cassandra sat perched on the edge of his bed, alert as always despite the late hour. Relief visibly washed over her features at his return.
"Where's Gabriel?" he asked, noting the absence of the newly restored archangel, having only been gone a minute at most.
'Flew off,' Cassandra signed. 'Said he wanted better view of universe.' her hands moved well, but Samael noticed a bit of tiredness in her way of signing. 'Adam was keeping watch too. Convinced him to sleep. Across hall.'
Samael stood motionless for a moment, processing the info.
Then, without warning, he crossed to Cassandra in three swift strides, swept her into his arms in a princess carry, and tossed her playfully onto the bed.
He followed immediately, landing beside her and pulling her against his chest in one fluid motion.
"I missed you," he murmured, burying his face in the crook of her neck. "I made sure to sense your presence constantly - couldn't not do so. Too worried about you. Couldn't wait to hold you again. To kiss you." His lips traced a path along her neck, each touch gentle.
A soft moan escaped Cassandra's lips before she firmly placed her hands on his chest, pushing him back enough to create space between them. Her eyes were serious as she signed: 'Gabriel said you're injured. What did he mean?'
"It's nothing," Samael dismissed with a wave. "Should barely be considered an injury for something like me. I consider it a scratch."
Cassandra's expression hardened, her hands signing sharply: 'No half truths. No word play. Complete CLEAR truth. Now.'
Their eyes locked, as they silently battled.
Finally, Samael sighed, relenting. "Fine. I cut out about a tenth of my grace and fed it to Gabriel. I... currently am missing a wing, a heart, and a couple limbs - but it was worth it though. It restored him to roughly fifty percent of his former power."
'That is NOT a scratch!' Cassandra signed, her movements accusatory.
Samael winced slightly. "Technicallllly... it indeed isn't. But I consider it so. I'm quite big after all."
Cassandra's hands moved to his shirt, clearly intending to examine him, but Samael caught her wrists with a smirk. "If you want to see me naked, darling, you only need to ask." His playful tone faded at her unwavering serious expression.
"You can't do anything about it," he admitted, his voice softening. "It's on a spiritual level. Not something you can patch up with bandages and antiseptic."
Frustration flashed across Cassandra's face as she freed her hands to sign: 'What can be done? And God help you if you say wait and let it heal.'
"I wasn't going to say that way exactly," Samael replied, though his expression suggested that he most definitely would've meant the same thing, but with different words.
Another word play.
"But I really dislike the alternative. The only one who can help me heal faster is... well... my... Mother. Asherah." He grimaced as if the name itself left a bad taste. "I've been keeping the wound hidden from her since I made it. Don't want her knowing I'm vulnerable."
Cassandra immediately began to rise, signing rapidly: 'Doesn't matter. We go now. Get you healed.'
Samael caught her wrist, gently pulling her back down until they were face to face on the bed. "I'm tired, Cassandra. I've missed you."
His voice dropped lower, a rare vulnerability showing through. "I don't want to deal with my Heavenly family drama right now. It's become too much - permeating every facet of my life when it's the last thing I wanted to deal with."
His fingers traced the line of her jaw. "All I want is to live in peace and happiness, to enjoy all life's pleasures with you at my side. Forever, and ever." The last bit, showing a bit of the possessiveness kept contained.
Cassandra's expression softened, her hand coming up to cover his.
This- This was what had made her fall for him so hard.
Initially, it had been duty - years of preparation as Lex Luthor showed her photos of Samael growing up in his coma, making her purpose clear.
Him being the only constant in her life of ever changing female teachers, and locations, and the like.
Him, unknowingly keeping her grounded.
Then, upon meeting him, intrigue. He wasn't the immature, helpless figure she'd expected but someone intelligent, powerful, respectful - someone who treated her as a person, not a tool.
He offered her warmth - an all-consuming warmth that was his love.
The irony wasn't lost on her: feeling warmth for the first time from the angel whose grace burned colder than anything in Creation.
She loved how much he wanted her. It made her want to be with him all the more. It didn't make her afraid like it would've anyone else.
For the thought than an archangel - God's favorite son, his mightiest - being in love with you, possessive of you beyond any bounds, that betrayel would be met with the greatest suffering that can be conceived, didn't scare her.
Not at all.
Why would she be? She would never betray him after all.
It even made her feel... safer. Knowing how far he is willing to go for her - ready to burn down all of Creation for her.
He was the first person she met to ever truly love her and show her that love truly - and his love made up for all the people who never did.
Their eyes locked, faces inching closer until their lips met in a gentle kiss that quickly deepened with shared hunger.
Cassandra's hands tangled in his hair as Samael pulled her closer, everything else in this moment, cast aside in their minds.
When they finally broke apart, Cassandra's fingers traced patterns on his chest, right where she somehow knew one of his wounds must be inside. 'Tomorrow,' she signed firmly. 'We deal with it tomorrow.'
"Tomorrow," Samael agreed, kissing her forehead. "But tonight is just for us."
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(Author note: Hello everyone! Apologies for not updating for so long.
I hope you all liked the chapter.
I believe I have for the most part, an understanding of what I want to do.
I kind of feel, I have been... neglecting DC's non-angelic/cosmic side of things too much.
So I wanna deal a bit more with that - though of course, like always, remember, Samael won't use too much power.
Well, I hope to see you all later,
Bye!)