#the JLA means well but I imagine they become such helicopter parents

[redrobin-detective]

I would love it if you wrote something with Billy in the identity reveal AU! Maybe with him while he's still in the adjustment period a bit after the reveal and has to deal with adults who don't understand, either as Billy or as Captain Marvel.

The sound of an explosion followed by the dull rumble of a collapsing building; the citizens screams loud enough to be heard for blocks. What more invitation did a hero need? In an instant, Captain Marvel took to the skies to help. He was still a hero, even if most of the world disagreed and he would never turn his back on people who needed him.

The building was coming down fast, he needed to get the people inside to safety even faster. He flew through a broken window and looked at every terrified face.

“I’m here to help, how many of there are you?” He asked already scooping as many as he could into his arms.

“There’s three floors,” an older woman said, her brow furrowed. “Shouldn’t you wait for help, young man?” With the building literally crumbling under their feet?

“No time, ma’am,” he said curtly as he dropped the small group off before using the Speed of Mercury to whiz back up methodically searching each and every floor for signs on life. Even to the people he hadn’t made it to in time, he gingerly picked up their bodies and brought them safely below. Finally, the building caved in on itself and collapsed with no people inside, just 120 seconds from when the first boom had sounded. Captain Marvel grinned, surveying the scene. He bets even the Flash couldn’t have done it that fast.

“Alright, everyone step back away from the site so I can start in on the debris, if you’re hurt there’s ambulances back there. Please help each other out, I’m sure we’ll start working on getting a place for you to stay in the meantime.”

“Thank you, thank you so much,” a young man asked with broken glasses. “Oh God I thought I was dead back there, thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Marvel smiled, being happy and content and as tall as the Gods right now. Which is predictably when the media showed up.

“Captain Marvel! Were you scared going into the collapsing building all by yourself?” One reporter questioned.

“No Ma’am, I have the Courage of Achilles on my side, it takes a lot more than that to scare me,” he responded, moving some rubble so emergency service could help finish of the fires. 

“Marvel! The city has requested you turn yourself back over to social services? What sort of message do you send to your fans by not cooperating.” Another asked and the part of Billy deep inside the hero sighed. 

“My personal life has nothing to do with my hero work,” he said professionally even though he wanted to scream that he could barely walk outside anymore as Billy Batson. That he had to hide in his own city from more people who just want to use and abuse his power. Instead, he held his tongue and continued to move the rubble.

“Mr. Batson! You are aware that the government has placed your membership with the Justice League on hold given the recent revelation of your true age? Are you voicing your disapproval of the government by continuing to fight?” One demanded. 

“When I’m at work I expect to be referred to by my hero name,” He said with more venom than he really needed to. “And no, I was blessed with my powers from the Gods which means the government nor the League speaks for me. I do what I can and no one will ever stop me from helping those in need.”

“William, why don’t you leave all this to the grown-ups?” Another asked softly and Billy felt so very exposed, so very human, in his godly body. He truly felt like Atlas, carrying the weight of not just the World on his shoulders, but Billy’s smaller world. It wasn’t much but it felt so very heavy in that moment.

“Because I have the power to help, to effect good change. I was blessed with these abilities and I will not let something so inconsequential stop me from doing what’s right,” he frowned before staring down the reporters. “In this form, I am an adult in mind and body and expect to be addressed as such. I will answer no personal questions, is that understood?” For a beautiful, blissful moment, the reporters in the crowd looked most contrite. He could almost pretend that his identity was still a secret, that he could still a hero people looked up to and respected. That he could be more than just a dirty, lost kid. And then Superman showed up.

“Bill, I heard there was trouble, is there anything I can help with?” Superman asked, floating gently to the ground. Great, the Babysitting Brigade was here. 

“No, Superman,” Marvel said because Billy wasn’t so impolite as to call a hero by their first name in public, “as you can see I have it all wrapped up. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to finish cleaning up.” He announced turning away from the group to do some real work.

“Let me help,” Superman said, following. “It’s like my Ma always says, Many Hands Make Light Work.”

“I don’t-” Marvel snapped before taking a deep breath and speaking more calmly. “I appreciate the thought, as always, but I’m just as strong as you and I can take care of my city by myself.”

“Yes well,” Superman said, not agreeing or disagreeing on the sentiment. “We just worry about you, son. We’ve having a helluva oh pardon me a heckuva time trying to keep you in the League which means we have to be careful. If you were to get hurt, well, just try to see it from our perspective.” Marvel clenched his fists and went to work. No one ever bothered to see from his point of view or to ask his opinions anymore. Because no matter how strong or fast or wise he was, from here on out, he’d always be the little kid playing superhero. If only he could click his heels and turn 18 already. 

“Fine,” Marvel said, “Let’s get this done but I’m serious about all this coddling. I am a hero the same as the rest of you and I don’t deserve this kind of treatment.”

“Of course, Billy, of course,” Superman said but the gentle, placating tone said otherwise. Billy had a feeling the next 6 years were going to pass awfully slowly.