Billy Batson [One-Shots]

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Zatanna struggled to get out of her bindings, her mouth bound, preventing her from using magic. John was in no better predicament. His hands were tied behind his back, so he couldn't use his magic to get out and while his mouth was open, John always relied more on his hand-gestures. Felix Faustus really outdid himself this time.

"Don't worry, Zee. Help is coming."

Zatanna looked incredulously at John. When did he manage to call help? She shrugged it off and slumped back, waiting for their mysterious rescuer.

They were stuck in an old, abandoned warehouse, where Felix was conducting some obscure ritual, harvesting the power of soul wells. So the madman kidnapped her and John, so they wouldn't interfere and stop him. Quite ingenious really, as much as she hated admitting that, even if only mentally.

Timeskip

"Pssst! Mr. John, sir. Are you okay?" 

The youthful voice chimed in, very quietly, but since Zatanna was tied next to John, she heard it just fine. Her head snapped to it, watching as a boy, no older than 12, dressed in dirty clothes was crouching next to John. The pure concern and worry that was radiating from his eyes were so heart-warming and gut-wrenching that she almost started crying there. She had no idea John was good with kids. This was more than good. The kid looked at him as if he was his best friend in the whole wide world. 

"Just peachy, kiddo. Can you untie us?"

Billy nodded his head, closing his eyes and holding out his hands in concentration. Zatanna watched in curiosity as the young boy successfully undid John's bindings muttering a spell. It wasn't how she used her magic (speaking backward) nor the way John did it. So John didn't teach the kid. More questions. How curious though, who could have taught him? The kid looked like he had no home... or family... or they were very poor. 

"This is Zee," introduced John. "She's my friend and a very capable magic-user. Do you mind untying her too?"

"Sure, Mr. John, sir."

Billy happily nodded his head and got to untying Zatanna. When she could finally speak, Zatanna sighed in relief. She never wanted to feel this powerless. 

"How many times do I have to tell you, mate? It's John!"

"Thank you, Billy," thanked him Zatanna. "Thank you for helping us."

Her smile was warm and kind, just like her eyes. Billy nodded his head, feeling pretty proud of his accomplishments. 

*Blast*

"Billy!" Screamed John, watching in horror as Billy was tossed to the nearby wall, falling down with a painful thud. He rose his head, coughing out some blood. 

John's eyes turned furious, glaring at Faustus. Zatanna quickly rushed to Billy, checking on him, while John started kicking Felix's ass.

"Are you okay, Billy?" Zatanna's hands were nervously hovering over Billy, unsure what to do.

"I've had worse," coughed out Billy, even more blood coming out. 

"naip sih esaE¡" 

Her hands glowed with blue light, like her eyes, and Billy could feel some of his pain receding.   

"Thank you, Ms. Zee," smiled at her Billy, his blood-stained lips making a grotesque smile, making Zatanna wince in sympathy.

"Hey, you okay, mate?" asked John, as he quickly approached the duo.

"I'm fine, John, thanks to Zatanna."

"You're not fine, you had internal bleeding!" snapped Zatanna, feeling so extremely angry that whoever was responsible for this kid, would allow him to venture out like this, alone. 

"But... that's where the blood is supposed to be," helplessly argued Billy, drawing a chuckle from John, who ruffled his hair. Zatanna wasn't sure to glare at both of them or laugh with them. She decided to change the subject.

"Where's Faustus?" asked Zatanna, sparing John a glance.

"Completely conked out," grinned John, buffing his nails.

"I'll take you home, Billy," spoke John, scooping up the kid bridal-style and carried him away, Zatanna closely following, intending to have a word with his guardians. 

Timeskip

They approached a derelict building, Zatanna could feel magic emanating from it - Billy's signature. He must've been around here for long. Where was his home though? Zatanna's heart skipped a beat, and not in a pleasant way, when John suddenly turned and walked into the building. This simply could not be! No way that this sweet, caring, vulnerable child lived here. 

John walked ahead, oblivious of Zatanna's internal dilemma. 

"Mind the step."

Called out John, still not looking at her. The familiar way he oriented himself here, must mean that he visited this place quite often. Finally, they reached the second floor, where a moth-eaten mattress was lying, with springs protruding. John gently laid Billy there and covered him with a dirty, red blanket with a lightning bolt on it. Billy was already asleep, so he didn't hear anything. Leaning down, John placed a small kiss on his forehead and tucked in the kid.

"Didn't know you had a heart," started Zatanna. That looked like the best place to start, considering there were many things she didn't understand. "Who's the kid, John?"

"It's not my place to tell, Zee. What I can say, is that he's like fungus. Grows on you. Impossible not to fall in love with his brave and kind heart."

Zatanna smiled softly at John, who knew it would take a kid to bring out the side of him, that only she knew existed. 

"Where are his parents?"

"Dead. He's been on his own since then. His own uncle kicked him out. Been livin' on the streets."

Zatanna turned sorrowful eyes at Billy's sleeping form, perceiving the kid in the new light.

"Poor thing... He could come and..."

She was interrupted by John's headshake. 

"He won't. Don't you think I offered him to stay at my place? The kid has enemies. People who wouldn't hesitate to kill everyone he cares about just to get to him," he meant Black Adam, but Zatanna didn't need to know that. It wasn't his secret to tell. "I respect his decision. Doesn't mean I don't worry about him every fucking day!"

Zatanna was on the verge of tears. "What type of monster would want to hurt a child?"

John gave her a bitter grin, devoid of humor, as if to say 'Don't you know the world we live in?'

Zatanna shook her head, taking his arm and leading him away, not wanting to wake up Billy.

That day Zatanna cried herself to sleep, questioning herself and other heroes. What good were they, if children like Billy, suffered through life like this.