Billy Batson [One-Shots]

Be Us Against the World

Freddie Freeman is a street kid who is very lonely until he isn't.

Freddie Freeman was turning twelve soon

Freddie Freeman was a street kid, who, like many other street kids, lost hope of ever finding parents who would love him. Who would ever want to adopt him? A disregarded broken toy with a lame leg. He didn't have any friends, because nobody wanted to be friends with someone who would only slow them down. And even though it hurt very much, he knew they were right. On the streets, you couldn't afford to make a mistake. That's what he was, a huge universal mistake, and a liability.

Limping through the dirty, rain-soaked streets of Fawcett City using a stick as a crutch, because he couldn't afford the actual thing, Freddie set down on the pavement, resting his leg, that started throbbing due to all the walking he did. Dragging his hand down his face, he took a shuddering breath, trying very hard not to cry from frustration and the pain. And while the physical pain was sometimes unbearable, nothing beat the agony of loneliness. That's when he noticed a half-eaten sandwich laying there. He looked to his right bewildered, staring at a blue-eyed and black-haired boy, who was giving him the kindest smile he has ever seen.

"You look like you could use some food," offered the kid, nudging the sandwich in his direction. Freddie tentatively took it, his hands trembling all the way and gave it a bite, staring at the mysterious boy and slowly chewing on the offered sandwich, afraid that it was some sort of cruel prank and he would take it away from him, laughing. Billy never did, he stood there, staring at Freddie, his eyes twinkling and teeth sparkling.

"I'm Billy, Billy Batson. What's your name?" asked Billy, and Freddie couldn't help but smile at him in return, feeling warmth flooding his insides. No one ever bothered to talk to him unless it was for their own benefit, but here he was, Billy, who gave him his sandwich out of the goodness of his heart. By the looks of it, Billy was a street kid too. And parting with the food you found as a street kid, meant more than one could imagine. Freddie finally found his voice, awkwardly clearing his throat and trying to remember his name.

"Freddie Freeman," replied Freddy after he managed to swallow his food. "Thanks... for the food you know?" What a lame way to thank someone Freeman! Scolded himself, Freddie, giving himself a mental kick.

"No problem!" peppily exclaimed Billy and stood up from his crouching position. "Wanna be friends?"

Freddie couldn't believe his luck. He was pretty sure there was something in his throat, that's why his eyes were all watery. He just dumbly nodded his head, not trusting his voice right now.

"Holy Moly! That's awesome!" exclaimed Billy and helped Freddie up, going together, hand-in-hand, and looking for a place to stay. Their home.

"Leave him alone you assholes!" screamed Billy, staring as the older kids beat on Freddie. Billy and Freddie were walking together towards their hideout, when they were assaulted by older street kids, holding down Billy and making him watch as they beat up Freddie. Taking away their measly funds, they ran away, leaving behind injured and beaten-up Freddie. His body looked like a huge bruise, while blood was trickling down his broken nose and cut lip.

Leaning on the wall, he helped himself up using his crutch and looked at Billy, whose face was red from anger. Helpless tears streaming down his cheeks.

"What a birthday present, huh?" rhetorically asked Freddie, chuckling in a bitter amusement and started walking towards their hideout. Billy closely following, silent the whole way. Freddie assumed that the poor guy was blaming himself, even though he couldn't have done anything.

Unlucky for him, a police car noticed him walking around in pouring rain, and considering his condition, he couldn't run away this time. That's how he and Billy were taken to the adoption center. Waiting for a new set of parents to adopt them, only to be discarded, like it always happened.

Victor and Rosa Vasquez were once foster kids themselves, and when they saw Freddie's condition they didn't once doubt that he would be their son. Loving smiles on their faces, they approached him and started getting to know him.

"So, Freddie, tell us what's your favorite color?" asked Rosa, trying to start a conversation, Victor looked happy to let her wife do the awkward talking.

"Blue, I guess. Because It's a Superman's color," sagely nodded his head, Freddie. Victor looked delighted if his childish grin was anything to go by.

"I love Superman," exclaimed the man, his demeanor putting Freddie at ease. He didn't seem like the most adults, mused Freddie, staring at them and studying these people, deciding if he should trust them.

"He's the best," agreed Freddie, thinking of what else to say, but Rosa and Victor beat him to it.

"Freddie, we'd very much like to adopt you. We think you'd be a great addition to our family... if you'll let us be our son that is..." spoke Rosa softly, her tone motherly and caring, eyes shining with sincerity.

Freddie thought about the offer, contemplating the consequences. "Only if you adopt Billy too," spoke Freddie, deciding to give it a shot, he wouldn't go without Billy, he wasn't going to leave his only friend behind, even if it meant a good and happy life for him.

"Billy?" asked Rosa and Victor surprised, did they miss something?

Freddie simply looked where Billy sat, and nodded his head in his direction. Billy was looking at Freddie with adoration and a huge smile, swinging his legs back and forth from the high chair.

"Oh, Billy," spoke Rosa, sharing a strange look with Victor, one Freddie couldn't decipher. They seemed to have some sort of silent conversation between them, probably contemplating adopting two kids.

"We'd love to welcome you, boys, into our family." Freddie nodded his head, happy that he and Billy would be brothers, officially that is. They could be twins even, they were born on the same day! How cool is that? Tomorrow they'd have the happiest birthday ever!

Tomorrow, Freddie Freeman was going to turn twelve. Freddie was going to be a 7th grader. Tomorrow, Billy Batson was going to turn twelve. Billy Batson wasn't going to go to the 7th grade. Billy Batson was never there, to begin with...