As the Hulk in Danny Phantom/DC/Young Justice

A week after their conversation at Sam's house, Samael was doing his usual evening patrol of the warehouse district when he noticed something different. The shadows weren't moving quite right.

He stopped, muscles tensing slightly before recognizing the presence. "This is... unexpected."

Batman emerged from the darkness, his movement deliberately casual. Not threatening, not imposing - just present. "The warehouse district. Good choice for patrols. Multiple sight lines, minimal civilian presence."

The tactical observation was so normal, so Batman-like, that Samael felt his usual defensive warmth subsiding. "Easier to handle things without collateral damage."

"From what I've seen, you're quite careful about that," Batman settled on a nearby crate, the motion smooth and calculated. "Even during the Axion incident, you prioritized civilian safety."

"The students were the priority," Samael responded, unconsciously straightening at the memory. "Everything else was secondary."

"Including your own safety," Batman noted, though his tone carried no judgment. "That's a heavy responsibility for someone your age."

"Age doesn't matter much when you're the one with the power to protect people," Samael's voice carried the weight of recent experiences. He indeed did put other people before him, and put his family primarily above everybody else.

"No," Batman agreed softly. "It doesn't. Though having support helps."

"The others..." Samael started carefully.

"Are remarkably coordinated," Batman finished. "Your team's defensive measures are impressive. Tucker's technical skills, Sam's strategic thinking, Jasmine's psychological management..."

There was something almost paternal in Batman's tone - not the harsh judgment of the Dark Knight, but understanding from someone who knew what it meant to carry such burdens.

"Jasmine's methods of misdirection are particularly effective," Batman continued, his posture remaining deliberately casual. "The way she handles school administration, creates plausible explanations for unusual events."

"She's always been good at managing situations," Samael acknowledged, finding himself oddly comfortable with this unexpected conversation. "Even before... everything."

"Before the portal accident," Batman stated simply. The direct mention made Samael's temperature rise slightly, but Batman's tone remained conversational.

"Your parents' ghost detection technology is quite innovative, if somewhat..."

"Reckless?" Samael supplied, a hint of bitterness creeping into his voice.

"Unpredictable," Batman chose his word carefully. "Though their basic theories about supernatural energy are sound. Just poorly implemented."

"That's one way to put it," Samael muttered, memories of that day flickering through his mind.

"You moved quickly," Batman observed. "To save your brother. No hesitation, no thought for yourself."

The observation carried something more than just tactical analysis - almost like recognition of a shared instinct.

"There wasn't time to think," Samael responded, though they both knew that wasn't entirely true. There was always time to think, to choose. He'd just chosen Danny's safety over everything else.

"Those split-second decisions," Batman's voice carried quiet understanding, "they define us. Shape who we become."

"Like choosing to protect a city dressed as a bat?" Samael asked, surprising himself with the slight challenge in his tone.

But Batman actually smiled slightly - barely visible but genuine. "Something like that. Though I suspect your transformation was less... planned than my costume choice."

"Didn't exactly pick green," Samael agreed, finding himself drawn into this oddly comfortable dialogue. "Or the anger management issues."

"But you've adapted," Batman observed. "Found ways to channel it, control it. Most of the time."

"When people don't push too hard," Samael acknowledged, feeling the familiar warmth simmer beneath his skin at certain memories.

"The government teams think they're monitoring a standard supernatural situation," Batman continued. "Their equipment isn't designed to detect... other variables."

"Like half-dead teenagers with anger issues?" 

"Like a family protecting their own," Batman corrected gently. "In ways the authorities might not understand."

Samael's temperature rose slightly as understanding dawned. This wasn't just a casual check-in. Batman knew. About their conversation, about his declarations of what he'd do to protect his family.

"How long have you been monitoring us?" His voice carried dangerous quiet.

"Long enough," Batman's tone remained gentle - not the harsh judgment Samael had expected, but something more... personal. "We needed to understand. After Axion."

"We?"

"Superman's hearing is quite exceptional," Batman explained. "And Constantine has his own methods of monitoring supernatural situations."

"Tucker and I checked everything," Samael's fists clenched slightly. "The security measures-"

"Were impressive," Batman cut in smoothly. "Are impressive. But we needed to be sure. About where you stand. About what you're willing to do."

The warehouse fell silent as they regarded each other, the comfortable dialogue shifting into something more... heavy.

"So what now?" Samael asked, his temperature rising further despite his efforts to maintain control. "You're here to warn me about crossing lines? About proper hero conduct?"

"No," Batman's response was simple but carried weight. "I'm here because I understand exactly what it means to draw absolute lines for those you care about."

That caught Samael off guard. "You... what?"

"You think you're the only one who's made those kinds of decisions?" Batman's voice remained gentle. "Who's decided what they're willing to do to protect what's theirs?"

"But you have rules," Samael challenged. "Lines you won't cross."

"Because I chose them," Batman emphasized. "Not because someone imposed them. I set my boundaries based on what I can live with. Just like you're doing."

The warehouse felt smaller suddenly, as Batman continued.

"The difference is, you've been honest about where those lines are. About what would make you cross them. That's not weakness, Samael. That's knowing yourself."

Batman gestured to another crate, and they both sat, the conversation taking on a more personal tone.

"I've had those thoughts too," Batman admitted quietly. "About permanent solutions. About ending threats once and for all."

Samael stayed silent.

"For years, I've felt... ineffective," Batman continued, his voice carrying rare vulnerability. "I put out fires, save lives, stop crimes. But the war never ends. The same threats keep returning, hurting more people, destroying more lives."

"Then why?" Samael asked, though he knew the answer from his previous life's knowledge. Still, hearing it from Batman himself...

"Why keep playing by rules that seem to favor the threats?" Batman finished the thought. "Why let them come back, again and again, when I have the means to end it permanently?"

"Because," he continued. "the moment I cross that line, the moment I decide I have the right to be judge, jury, and executioner... I become something else. Something I'm not sure I could come back from."

"Even for for those you care about?" Samael challenged softly.

"That's the hardest part," Batman acknowledged. "Because for them... that line becomes much thinner."

"What's your point?" Samael asked, genuine curiosity replacing his earlier defensiveness. "Are you here to impose your rules on me?"

"If it ever came to that point," Batman answered carefully, "I would try to stop you. Not because I disagree with your reasons, but because I've seen what that path can do to someone. Especially someone so young."

He paused, choosing his next words with precision. "But I'm not here to make a child into a criminal for being capable of doing what I know I can't - not without becoming something worse than what I destroy."

The warehouse fell silent as Samael absorbed this admission. 

"Your siblings," Batman continued softly. "They meant what they said about standing with you. About following you if it ever came to that."

Samael's temperature rose slightly. "You heard that too."

"We did. And that kind of loyalty... it deserves to be protected. Even from itself sometimes.

All I wish to say, if you ever came into a situation you believe necessitates lethal force, come to me first, and I will try my absolute best to give you a better option."

"This was... enlightening," Samael stood after a moment of silence, taking everything in, as his tone shifted to something more final.

"But if I find out you've invaded our privacy like this again, I'll break your kneecaps. Superman and Constantine's too for that matter, so deliver the message to them as well."

A genuine smile of amusement crossed Batman's face - small but real. The threat wasn't just bravado; they both knew Samael meant it.

And somehow, that honest declaration seemed to please the Dark Knight more than any pretense of proper hero conduct would have.

Batman without a word stood up as well. 

The warehouse's shadows seemed to deepen, as he soon enough was gone, leaving Samael to process this unexpected conversation.

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(Author note: Hello everyone! I hope you all enjoyed the chapter!

Do tell me how you found the conversation? I found it more realistic that they find out about it.

Because, even though Tucker and Samael are geniuses, Batman, Superman and Constantine, are well... Batman, Superman and Constantine.

It isn't easy hiding things from them, especially when they check in out of care, because of the Fenton parents inventions possibly harming the two brothers.

So yeah, hope you all liked it and I hope to see you all later,

Bye!)