AN: Alternate Universe where Billy doesn't live with Uncle Dudley. Yes, he's still a homeless kid, and the Team and the League doesn't know about that little detail. Read on!
Billy clambered off the Bioship and trailed after Wally. Being able to tag along on a mission with the Team was good enough, but when Wally invited him to grab some ice cream afterwards with Artemis-well, who would say no to that?
"Ready to have your mind completely blown away? I know the best place for ice cream in Happy Harbor. I swear, dude, you'll die by the sheer taste alone." Wally grinned at him, perching himself on the counter.
"I dunno…" Billy trailed off. "It's just ice cream, right?" Wally gasped at him in mock horror, then fell of the table, clutching his chest.
"'Just ice cream', he says!" Wally groaned on the floor. "This is treacherous talk! This is-it's blasphemy!"
"Blasphemy against what, Baywatch?" said an amused voice from next to Billy. Artemis was peering down at Wally, a smirk playing on her lips. Wally quickly jumped up and crossed his arms.
"Against the Brotherhood Fraternity of Frozen Dairy Treats," he explained. She raised one eyebrow. "It's true! Our motto is 'Never Let a Single Cone Go to Waste'. So, kid," here Wally turned to Billy, "if you can't finish, just give it to me, 'kay?"
"My dream guy, Wally the human trashbin," Artemis rolled her eyes, and Billy laughed as Wally pouted and skirted away when she tried to hug him.
"No sugar for you, you harpy," he grumbled, but he let Artemis drop a small kiss on his nose.
Break
At the ice cream shop, Wally ordered the biggest sundae available (it fed five people), and the expression on the waiter's face was priceless when he turned around and asked, "So what'll you two be having?"
Artemis ordered plain vanilla cone with some Kit Kat, and Billy, who was sort of new to this whole thing, just got chocolate in dish. Artemis smiled down at him, then added whipped cream, hot fudge, sprinkles and a cherry to go with it.
"Thanks," Billy blushed, looking down. She laughed, not in a mean way, and then ruffled his hair.
"No problem, Billy."
Break
Billy's stomach had never felt this satisfied in-well, probably in his whole life. Living on the streets, he had little money. And the Justice League dinners Superman would sometimes throw usually had weird little truffle desserts that he didn't like, never ice cream.
"So, Billy," Wally grinned lazily at him from across the booth, rubbing his stomach appreciatively. He had inhaled his 10 scoops of ice cream in less than 15 minutes, and all that was left was a dirty dish and a spoon licked clean. "Was this not the greatest ice cream you've ever had? How does it compare to the other stores you've eaten at?"
Billy suddenly felt very embarrassed. How could he tell Wally that this was probably the second time he's ever had ice cream? They would get concerned, investigations would ensue, and pretty soon, everyone would know about his situation. He didn't want to trouble anyone, so he'd never told them.
"Um…" Billy decided just to improvise. "Yeah, it was definitely the best! All other stores fall short, I guarantee!" He could tell Artemis didn't quite believe him, but Wally was leaning forward, the talk of food pretty much blocking out all his other instincts.
"Yeah? What's your favorite store, before you ate here?" He had no idea how to respond to that, but luckily, Artemis-angelic Artemis-came to his rescue.
"Leave him alone, will ya? You're making us look like idiots." She took a napkin and began to wipe at Billy's mouth. "Sorry, but you have crap all over your face," she added with a smile.
Billy closed his eyes at her touch. He supposed this is what his mom did when he was a baby, but he barely remembers her. Or the rest of his family, for that matter. He's not sure where Artemis learned to be so matronly, because he's heard her life story, and Sportsmaster didn't seem like the kind of dad to take her and her sister out for treats like this.
"You'll be a good mom," he blurts out, then immediately wishes he could hide. Artemis pauses in her wiping, and she and Wally share a glance. Billy's afraid that they're going to be angry, or even worse-laugh at him, but finally they both beam in his direction.
"Thank you, Billy!" Artemis' warm gaze makes him feel lighter than air. "That actually means a lot, since I never really had a motherly figure growing up. Dad was a lunatic, and as for Jade, well, she was a kid herself."
He steals a glance at Wally, who smiles widely and shakes his finger at him. "I always knew you were an awesome kid."
Break
Wally and Artemis offer to walk him home after they zeta him back to Fawcett City. He tried refusing multiple times, but they both argue and eventually win. So here he is, trying to figure out a way to get them to leave before they figure everything out. He quickly listens in on their conversation-
"What are you talking about? Of course it's mandatory to include ATP in the formula for respiration!"
"No, you don't, because respirations is just photosynthesis backwards and I'm pretty sure there's no ATP by-product or reactant in a plant!"
-good, they're talking about some science thing. While the couple is distracted, he comes up with a plan. He decided he'll just walk up to some random apartment, go in, and pretend to live there. Then, while they zeta back to the Cave, or wherever the heck they need to go, he'll come out and find his way back to the alley that he stays in. He chooses apartment number 256 coming up on their left.
"This is it, guys," he says with a cheerful smile.
"Nice place," Artemis mutters, and Wally smiles back.
"Thanks for joining us, Billy!"
"No, thanks for inviting me!" Billy replies. Wally turns to walk away, but Artemis stays.
"Okay Billy, we'll leave when we see you wave from your window, 'kay?" Billy freezes on the steps. Slowly, he swivels around.
"Why?" he asks, seemingly innocent, but he sees her eyes narrow, and he knows that she knows this isn't where he lives.
"Because cities are dangerous. And you're only ten. You're not Captain Marvel here, just Billy Batson." Wally sees the light in her argument too and stands stoically on the sidewalk.
"Just go in and call out to us, or something," he urges him. Since he has no choice, he turns around and steps inside.
Billy seriously feels like banging his head against the wall (which he actually does a couple times). There is no way out of this one. Either stay here until they both come inside, or show them his real place of dwelling. Either way, he's stuck. Sighing, he opens the door back up.
"Okay," he says. "Okay. Fine. I'll take you to where I really live." Artemis smirks at him, but Wally looks totally confused.
"Wait, what? You don't live here? Then who does? And why'd you bring us here in the first place?" And Billy thought Wally was supposed to be smart.
He ignores Wally's questioning and Artemis' scrutinizing gaze, because yeah, he's usually a happy kid, but he's kinda pissed off, so he feels like he's allowed to act like a jerk. Pushing past them, he speed walks across the streets, walks down a few blocks, takes a left turn and stops in front of a narrow, darkened alleyway. Home sweet home.
"What are we doing here?" The disgust was evident in Wally's voice, and Billy can't really blame him, because yeah, there's a dumpster in the corner, and there are rats everywhere, but he's used to it because it's all he's ever known.
"Billy," Artemis' voice is gentler, and now he's a little glad she came, because she of all people knows what it's like growing up dirt poor.
"Yeah," he mutters. "This is where I live." Wally gasps, like he's in some movie, and Artemis lays a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"Wanna tell us about it?" She asks.
"It's a long story-"he starts to say, but she cuts him off.
"We've got time." He looks up at them doubtfully, and Wally, who finally understands what's going on, looks him straight in the eye.
"We're here for you, Billy."
Break
It's actually pretty late when he finally wraps up his pathetic life story, because it was already evening when they got back from the mission those hours ago. How does that saying go again? Oh, yeah-time flies when you're recounting the events of your life that drove you to homelessness. He's surprised that they both actually pay rapt attention through the whole ordeal, and it makes his chest swell up a bit, even if he doesn't know why. When he's finally done, finishing off with a concluding "Um…yeah. That's it," Wally and Artemis share a swift look, then quickly stand up. Billy starts to panic.
"You can't tell them!" Wally looks at him curiously. "Not Batman, or Superman, or anyone! Please!"
"Billy," Artemis says, crouching down so their eyes are level. "We're not going to tell anyone. This is your story. You can share when you're ready, okay?" He nods, and she cups his face with one hand. "But you realize you do have to tell them. Maybe not now, this week, or even this year. But you have to, do you promise?" And Billy nods and promises as they entwine their pinkies.
"Come on, kid," Wally holds out his hand.
"Where are we going?" They both laugh.
"You don't think we're going to let you sleep here, do you?" Billy still doesn't quite fully comprehend what's happening. "You're gonna live at the Cave. No ifs, ands, or buts. Black Canary can tutor you, M'gann will feed you-it'll be like heaven. I'm jealous." Right now, Billy's too tired to complain. It's actually around midnight, too late for a kid his age to be putting up a fuss. Plus, he really likes this whole 'Living at the Cave' idea.
Break
It's raining heavily and everyone's already asleep once they get in, and as a spur-of-the-moment decision, Wally and Artemis decide to spend the night in the Cave, too. The three quickly realize that they are now short one bedroom.
"I'll sleep on the couch," Wally quickly offers, and when Artemis starts to protest, he quickly places a finger to her lips. "Relax, babe. It's not the end of the world. In fact," he finishes cheerfully, "I even think the couch is comfier than my bed here!"
From his spot on Artemis' bed, Billy watches the two of them bustle around, getting him clean sheets for Wally's bed, pillows and pillowcases, piles of blankets ("Trust me, it may be June but it's freezing at night!") and old clothes for him to sleep in. He is tossed some old boxer shorts, ("They're clean, I swear!") and one of Artemis' old night shirts and is ushered into the showers to have a hot bath and change.
When he steps out of the bathroom, feeling the cleanest he's ever been, he tiptoes back to Artemis' room, and catches some of their low conversation.
"Oh, jeez, my back is killing me!"
"What's wrong with it?"
"I think I might've pulled a muscle, or something, it aches like hell."
"Go rest, Wally. I'll take care of Billy."
"No, no it's fine. I still gotta get him that big comforter in the closet, and you're too short to reach it."
Billy blinked. He didn't realize how much of a hassle he was. How stupid could he be? Here they were, two heroes, coming home after a grueling battle, then treating him to ice cream and walking him to his city! And on top of all that, making his bed and getting him fresh linen and pajamas and sleeping on dusty couches instead of their own warm beds? Without warning, a tear slowly trickled down Billy's face. He sniffed and tried to subtly brush it away, but nothing escapes Artemis' hawk-like vision.
"Billy, what's wrong?" She quickly rushed over. And once one tear started its way down his cheeks, he couldn't stop the flow.
"I j-just didn't-I didn't real-hic-realize that…I wa-was such a p-problem…" He tried keeping the tears under control, but it was a losing battle. Artemis quickly pulled him into a tight hug.
"Oh, Billy," she murmured, and he breathed in her lilac smell. "How could you ever think you're a problem?"
"I know you're both so t-tired…"
Wally rubs his back. "Billy," he says seriously. "We do this kind of stuff almost every day. Sure, my back pains, but since when do we go around without any injuries? Don't think any of this is your fault, okay?" Billy doesn't know what to think, so he settles for just putting his head in Artemis' shoulder.
They sit there for a while, the three of them, until Wally picks him up-actually picks him up-and puts in him the bed. Silently, they both climb in on either side of him, pulling four or five blankets up. Squished between Wally and Artemis, with almost ten pounds of cloth on top of him, he should feel overheated, but this is the first time he's shared a bed with anyone-no wait, this is actually the first time he's even been in a bed. Rusty old cots at shelters don't count.
His eyes feel suddenly very heavy, drowsiness overcoming him as he listens to the steady beat of rain against the window that's right next to Artemis, whose side of the bed is pushed up against the wall. The darkness overpowers him, the only light a gentle glow from the blinds from the moon's unusually bright rays. He manages one sentence before sleep completely takes over,
"You guys are gonna be great parents together."
Their quiet laughter finally lulls him to sleep.
Break
Billy wakes up, sunlight streaming through the closed blinds on the window and splaying across the bed. He's nestled in the crook of Wally's arm, his head on the speedster's shoulders, and Artemis has one hand across him, resting on Wally's torso. He feels like he's a little kid, tucked in between his parents. Wally's loud snore interrupts his thoughts. He quickly checks the alarm on the bedside table and is surprised to see that it reads 7:46 am. Usually by this time, he's up and about in Fawcett City, helping out the other hobos he's come to know.
He would get up, really, he would, but the blankets are heavy, and Artemis' arm is sort of like a barrier, and if he moves, he'll disturb both the teens in the bed. So he just drops his head back down and snuggles closer into the nest that's formed overnight. He figures sleeping in is teenage behavior, and if he's going to start living with eight other teenagers, he better be used to this way of life.
Billy closes his eyes and drifts back into the first peaceful sleep he's had in-well, his whole life.