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The young boy was having a hard day, the understatement of the year. Billy had been attempting to look presentable as his younger self in aim to get some money from some jobs but he knew that most people would call CPS or reject him. Both where bad, CPS alerted would be the worst outcome, but that wasn't what had made this day have such a 180. Where as, it was the 3 older boys, obviously between their 17-20s who had spotted him with his hair brushed through with the minimal possessions he had, a too-big grey shirt littered with stains that had faded overtime and some jeans that where stitched with odd assortments of materials that he scavenged up which was the most clean Billy could look with the lack of- well everything- he had. They found that he was the perfect target to rile up, which didn't work because he had developed a lot of knowledge over being homeless the past 2 years but also he was Captain Marvel so it took a lot to anger him. In turn, it made themselves frustrated and the taller of the three had decided that his presence was generally annoying therefore had dragged him into a alleyway and kicked him a few times. This had happened before but the added weight he was feeling against his chest alongside the pins that felt where piercing each part of his brain was not helping his case so he laid against the cold alley floor for what felt like a few minutes but when he had arose he realised it was more like an hour.
This was not good.He had a Justice League meeting today and needed to get to the Watchtower soon or else he would be late and he was not excited for Batman slamming his brain with more noise. The young boy scrambled off the cold concrete floor that was stuffed between two large brick buildings and had broken chairs stacked upon one another in a corner and the large bins that where used for businesses, with a soft groan as he felt the bruises already begin to form against his thin skin. However, his mind wasn't focused on that right now but rather the meeting that he was going to be late for so without another thought the young boy stood up properly and spoke the simple words "SHAZAM!" firmly with a crack of lightening piercing the soft blue sky and slamming against the ground to replace the young and very pale looking boy for a tall man who many knew as Captain Marvel. Billy let out a strangled gasp as this was not what he was expecting, the pain of his head shot through his nerves and made every inch of muscle in him begin to ache.
Great.
The one thing that he was known for, relied on for, was his ability to not get harmed unlike most of the other hero's but a simple headache was knocking him on his ass. The older man had to relent against this pain or else he would be late. So, he made his way quickly towards the Watchtower with the throbbing pain against his skull similar to what you'd feel if a sledgehammer was smashing into your head repeatedly.The doors to the meeting room swung open, making each and every single hero sitting at the large table be put on edge immediately before being put at ease at the familiar figure, Captain Marvel, standing in the doorway and fumbling out "Sorry" and "I'll make up for it" like a small child who had been in trouble. They all find themselves quite fond of the taller man and his kind demeanour as it was definitely a fresh air compared to the bruting Batman at the head of the table. Unlike what was shown or that was believed, Batman was also slightly fond of Captain Marvel as well but found his kind nature would be taken advantage of one day and it would cause destruction and chaos due to how it was Captain Marvel with unfathomable strength and knowledge that not even Superman could rival sometimes.
The taller man made his way quickly towards his seat between Cyborg and Green Lantern, the three of them exchanging glances with each other as it went from sympathy for Captain Marvel at how Batman was definitely going to scold him later to immediate concern for the man from how pale he was compared to usual. This did catch the attention of a few others due to how most where still giving playful quiet comments about how Batman was going to respond to his lateness however, no one planned on commenting on it right now due to the fact Batman just continued on with what was happening around the Watchtower and other cities that had odd attacks occurring by how they weren't the usual villains that they encounter but where at such velocity that it definitely wasn't a newcomer to the game with it also being at very specific times and random cities. So it was Batmans main focus rather than the tardiness of Cap."Hey, you alright?" Green Lantern leaned back towards Captain Marvel with his eyes focusing on the brooding man at the head of the table, the words being quiet and hushed but it caught the attention of both Captain and Cyborg who also shared the same concerns with the man.The words felt like knives carving into his brain like a pumpkin, but Billy pushed past the pain due to how embarrassing it would be to show such things in front of his co-workers due to how much he respected them even though none of them would judge him for such. The tall man felt himself supress a flinch as the man beside him leaned close before speaking in soft words. It felt comforting as no-one had spoken to him like that for quite some time however, that was not his focus right now. "I am fine, why?" The taller man questioned in the similarly hushed tone due to how they would definitely be punished by Batman if caught speaking about other things during an important meeting.Green Lantern immediately placed his gaze on the taller man, giving him sceptical looks with narrowed eyes, it made the heavy sensation on his chest become tighter at the glare being placed on him especially by one of the Justice League members he had grown quite close to. Billy inhale quickly at it before he returned the gaze but in a much more tired and curious way as they sat there.A voice did speak however not the one he had expected to, "Because you look pale as fuck and exhausted, cap." It was another quiet and concerned voice which caught his attention but was not next to him like Cyborg or Green Lantern was. It was Flash, of course, he was another one he was very close to- that doesn't say much due to how he had grown very strong attachments towards all of the members- but he was at least two chairs away from Captain Marvel so it gained a few glances by other members who hadn't noticed the conversation beforehand alongside with Batman who glared at the four beneath his cowl which caused all of them to tense immediately with the silence weighing over the table like a blanket before the man continued his plan that Captain Marvel wasn't taking in from the headache that was increasingly becoming more difficult to ignore as it felt like his nerves where being set on fire.He had to ignore it.Ignore it. Ignore. The piercing lights where so intense on his opening eyes before he realised that he was laid down. Why was he laid down? Billy knew that he was at the Justice League meeting but now he was laid down with bright white in his sensitive eyes from the headache that still persisted against his skull. He must have gone through the meeting and home through the headache and blocked it out, because why else would he be laid down right now? The tall man tried to sit up but the aching pain shot through his nerves like lightening and making him realise he was still Captain Marvel.
Great.
He went home still as Captain Marvel, Billy must have forgotten to turn back before collapsing in his bed so without thinking much else he decided that maybe turning back to Billy would be a good idea as it could ease the pain he was experiencing so a quiet voice echoed a small "shazam" before lightening crashed against the bed he was laid in and instead of a tall man laid there it was a younger and very malnourished boy laid there, curling up around himself in an attempt to comfort the aching muscles that where easing with the burning sensation that flared over his body ever so slightly.However, before he could fall back asleep a few gasps was heard causing his instincts to go in overdrive. There was people in his home, possibly with knives to take his fire station from him due to how it was very protected and he needed to either defend himself quickly or flee even quicker. Billy shot up with his eyes forcing themselves open, adrenaline pumping in his veins to make the pain be fought of for a few seconds as he defend himself, his shelter.But.He wasn't in the fire station, he was in a disgustingly bright white room that had a large window into.. space on the wall to his left with his bed head against the wall behind him. His eyes travelled to each instrument that reflected the harsh bright light of the humming light until he remembered he was not alone.
Billy was in a medical room in the Watchtower with Flash and Batman.
They had seen him as Captain Marvel and then Billy.Crap."You're 10!" Flash almost shouted at the young child sat on the bed with his guard up still, wincing at the loud voice that echoed in the room. Batman was also surprised, maybe horrified?, it was hard to tell the mans emotions behind the cowl. The two was sat on the two small wooden chairs closer to the door on the other side of the room with not much separating the three but thin, cold air."I'm 12, actually." Billy corrected, finding himself quieter than usual but it seemed to be instinct to not agitate his own headache that was still flaring harsh burning pain into his nerves every 5 seconds no matter how much he pleaded it to stop mentally. Flash look even more bewildered, his mouth making a weird shape as he sat there and seemed to be frozen in the seat while Batman was typing something on the tablet he had firmly in his grasp.
How he got it? Billy couldn't tell you, it wasn't there the first time the young child looked at him in the chair."Like that makes it anyy better!" The man continued in a higher than normal pitched voice to show his absolute horror for what had just been discovered, his partner in causing chaos and also the wise, kind natured Captain Marvel who has saved the WORLD on multiple occasions was a 12 year old boy."You're making his headache worse." Batman finally spoke, his tone was quieter than usual and more... kind? It was weird to hear him speak in such a gentle way especially towards Billy or- well Captain Marvel. However, how he found out he had a headache wasn't that surprising due to the absolute unfathomable deduction skills of this man. Barry glanced at the man with the same shock he had painted on his face when Billy had looked up from the medical bed before realising he was not helping the younger child who was in obvious pain due to the headache."Sorry." The man spoke in such a gentle tone in a way someone would speak to a child who was- vulnerable and defenceless. However, Billy hoped that he was doing it to not worsen his headache as he hated the thought of people looking down at him for being 12, the reason he had not told anyone, as he was very capable and could defend himself and others better than some of the members. Bruce placed down his tablet onto the small table between the two chairs that he and Flash sat on. The young child shifted in the bed, letting out a small wince from movement as it sent fire-like pain through his nerves once again and finding himself faulting back into the position he woke up in, laying in the surprisingly soft and comfortable hospital bed- or at least the most comfy thing he had touched for possibly a year."You should get some rest, we'll make sure no-one enters." Batman said, much to his surprise, sending a "do it or else" glare towards flash and he nodded nervously in agreement- though he probably would've done it without being threatened. Billy let out a very small sigh out of exhaustion and knowing that Bruce was very paranoid and firm on the secret identity thing so it brought a sense of comfort towards Billy, the previously tight feeling on his chest reliving softly as he had fallen asleep quite quick where he was laid in the bed from how he was exhausted at being so paranoid on someone taking his shelter that he hadn't gotten decant sleep recently.