Chapter Text
If you had asked William Joseph "Billy" Batson how his life ended up like this, he would have honestly told you that he had no clue for a while now.
Because he could never have imagined his life would turn out like this.
Looking his tired eyes over at his "new" gaming computer—which was really an outdated model but had been discounted by 70%—that he bought just ten days ago at an electronics shop, he felt his heart warm up at the thought that his luck seemed to have turned around drastically these past months.
Just a couple of months ago, Billy was just another street kid—barely scraping by, helping small business owners and strangers with odd jobs for a few bucks.
At first, people were uncomfortable and tried to hand him money without asking for anything in return, but Billy was nothing if not persistent. He wouldn’t let himself take anyone’s money without doing something to earn it.
'Do good and good will follow.'
That's how Billy barely managed to scrape by for food and other supplies.
He found shelter by camping out in run-down buildings on the outskirts of Fawcett City, far from the bustling, dangerous streets that came alive at night.
He’d learned that lesson quickly after becoming homeless—staying away from the city’s gangsters, organized crime, and the small-time crooks who lurked in the shadows, always looking for an easy target.
He couldn’t stay in one place for too long, though. The fear that someone might report him to CPS always hung over him like a dark cloud.
The thought of being carted off to another foster home, where he would be just another number in a broken system, made him sick. The last thing he wanted was to go back to that. After all, you never knew when someone might decide to snitch.
And while most people thought they were doing the right thing by reporting runaway kids like him, Billy had his own issues with the system.
His countless, less-than-pleasant experiences in various foster homes had left deep emotional scars that his physical ones could hardly account for.
He couldn’t forget the cold indifference of the caseworkers, the empty promises of "better homes," or the possibly abusive situations that had followed him from one place to the next.
Each foster home was a new version of the same nightmare—a temporary fix that always seemed to fall apart, leaving him feeling even more abandoned than before.
The scars he wore weren't just skin deep; they ran much deeper, hidden beneath the surface.
By the time Billy was seven, he was on the run from CPS, living on the streets.
That’s how it had been until he turned ten—and that’s when he met him.
Shazam.
An old wizard who struck him down with lightning after delivering a speech about a golden heart, the chosen one, and the only person perfect for the powers.
It all happened so fast that Billy couldn’t fully grasp everything, but he understood the gist of it.
He became a hero with powers straight out of a comic book!
After calming down from the initial shock, he quickly flew up to the rock ceiling of the Rock of Eternity, as the wizard Shazam had called it.
When he finally made his way back to the streets of Fawcett City, Billy wanted to help everyone he saw.
But in reality, there wasn’t much he could do.
There were no other heroes around, and Billy guessed that made him the only protector of Earth.
But what exactly was there to protect?
So far, all he’d done was stop a robbery and find some clothes for his Captain Marvel form.
That was a couple of months ago now, and thanks to his new adult, manly form, he had landed a job at a small thrift store down by the river, free from worries about CPS or child labor laws.
Yay!
Now, resting in his "Captain Marvel" form, wearing comfy tiger PJs and chilling on a couch he had found at a scrapyard, Billy felt like his life was looking brighter.
He had a stable income, a small studio loft over said thrift store that he bought after two weeks of savings from his new job, and things were finally falling into place.
A buzz made him snap out of his thoughts as he looked down at the flip phone lying on his stomach, next to Tawky Tawny, his soft, plush tiger friend.
Reaching over, he quietly opened his phone.
His eyes widened—it was his alarm letting him know it was time for his stream to start.
Closing his phone, he sprang up to stand, catching Tawky before he could fall—who squeaked a little as Billy saved him—and setting up his "Starting Soon" screen for his livestream.
And that was also a new development that came with having an older form—streaming.
Before he got his powers, Billy wasn’t unhappy or sad—just maybe a bit lonely.
Watching streamers had always made Billy feel connected and brighter, especially when he’d curl up in an empty, abandoned apartment building.
The screen of his barely-functioning dumpster iPad, the only light in the room, would keep him company as he listened to the happy banter of the Justice League, the biggest entertainment streaming group around.
And now, he knew them personally!
It was so amazing, even if he’d only streamed with them a couple of times—he was quickly becoming a friend of theirs.
One month after starting to stream as Captain Marvel, Billy had initially been nervous that nobody would watch him.
But as his fanbase grew, that nervousness quickly turned into excitement.
By the first week, he decided to use a V-Tuber model designed after his Marvel form, dressed in a tiger costume.
It made him feel safe, knowing that no one would recognize him if he accidentally transformed.
"Hey, everyone!"
Captain Marvel, the V-Tuber, beamed, his animated model bouncing a little as he waved.
"Guess who's back and ready to game? That’s right—me!"
Having found nothing out of the ordinary, he smiled at his chat with a warm greeting, humming as he petted Tawky, feeling the soft fabric under his hands that engulfed the plush.
"So! How’s everyone doin’? Did anything cool happen today?"
_ _ _
Teddybearll: Doing Good, Cap! ヾ(＾ ∇ ＾).
LolGG1999: Great!
O-Zeroo: Not bad, what about you, Cap?
SpiderTea: Fine, you?
CakeBun: Hello!! (˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶)
(First-time chatter) TigerLover: Nice model love the ears! ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡
Xaoo: Hi, guys!
Bubbletealover: Hi!
BamboHouse: It's going alright •ᴗ•
Polercat: Hanging in there, Cap! ( ◡̀_◡́)ᕤ
_ _ _
Looking over at the chat, Billy could see many people greeting him back, making him smile and let out a small giggle at the warmth it brought. Especially when he recognized quite a few from his previous streams, like his mod Teddybearll, who was one of his first subscribers.
Being able to interact with people now felt so different compared to when he lived on the streets, where people fought for themselves and weren’t so friendly. At the sound of his giggle, the chat quickly exploded with hearts and questions about what made him so happy.
_ _ _
O-Zeroo: Guys, he giggled!!? awdaxjk (,,>﹏<,,)
SpiderTea: Omg, he is sooo cute!
LilySmiledl: ♥︎ cute ♥︎
TigerBot00: ♥︎♥︎
JLSuperfan20: What got you so happy, Cap?
StarnighC: ?
Bubbels: ( ╹ .╹)?
CrankyGame: Wtf!? What grown ass man fucking giggles!? (·•᷄ࡇ•᷅ )
CrankyGame was banned by Teddybearll
LighJames1: ♥︎♥︎♥︎
_ _ _
Billy smiled as he laid back in his comfy, big couch chair, which he had thrifted not too long ago. It was certainly an upgrade from sitting on those painful dining chairs that came with the loft when he had moved in.
Billy peeked at the chat, his eyes going big. "Huh? Why am I so happy?" He grinned, rocking back in his chair. "Uh, ‘cause it’s STREAM TIME?! Duh!" He threw his hands up for dramatic effect. "Or maybe ‘cause I had waffles this morning. Waffles make everything, like, a billion times better. It’s science."
Cap’s V-Tuber model made a big thinking face, his lion tail swishing. "Oh! Also, hearing you guys are doin’ good makes me happy too!" His model’s face lit up with a big, wiggly smile, tail wagging shyly as it copied him.
_ _ _
Seeing all the nice messages, Cap's smile got even bigger—like, almost-too-big-for-his-face big. "Aww, you guys are the best!" He giggled, wiggling in his chair. "Seriously, stop it, or I’m gonna get all mushy!"
The chat exploded even faster, spamming hearts and kind words. Cap gasped dramatically. "NOOO, they're too powerful! The kindness—it’s TOO MUCH!" He pretended to fall back in his chair, flailing. "I’m being defeated by friendship!"
His V-Tuber model copied him perfectly, his tiny lion tail flicking wildly.
As the chat calmed down a bit, Billy looked at the clock on the monitor, realizing it was about time to begin. He moved the start screen to the Minecraft starting screen that he had loaded up in the background.
Trying (and failing) to contain his excitement, he laid out the details for today’s stream. His little avatar swayed along with him, a reflection of his jittery energy, as he carefully placed Tawky down by his side.
Tawky, ever the loyal companion and silent guardian, kept a vigilant eye on the chat with his button eyes, ready to ensure everything stayed in line.
"So, guess what?!" Cap practically bounced in his chair, his excitement spilling over. "I’m playin’ Minecraft today!" He threw his hands up like it was the best news ever. "And—and—get this! One of my super cool Justice League buddies invited me to their server! THEIR SERVER!!"
_ _ _
Chapter 2: Ch2 - Tawky’s Keyboard Takeover ₍⸍⸌̣ʷ̣̫⸍̣⸌₎
Chapter by MrVisnet
Summary:
Cap joins Flash for his first Minecraft stream, with viewers excited to see how he handles the game.
During gameplay, Cap’s plush tiger causes him to fall off his chair, leading to some curious reactions from Flash and his chat.
Chapter Text
"So, guess what?!" Cap practically bounced in his chair, his excitement spilling over. "I’m playin’ Minecraft today!" He threw his hands up like it was the best news ever. "And—and—get this! One of my super cool Justice League buddies invited me to their server! THEIR SERVER!!"
_ _ _
JLSuperfan20: I’m lowkey excited to see what Superman’s gonna build! (≧ᗜ≦)
O-Zeroo: Another collab!! Am I dreaming?! ✧｡٩(ˊᗜˋ )و✧*｡
SpiderTea: I love Minecraft! Yes! ♥︎♥︎♥︎
LilySad: Cap and the JL always make these streams so nice in vibes.
Bambilov: ♥︎♥︎
BamboHouse: JL! ヾ(｡✪ω✪｡)ｼ
_ _ _
The chat was going wild, and Billy couldn’t help but bounce in his seat, his excitement hitting MAX level. He’d never played Minecraft before—like, ever—but everyone made it sound super fun. Plus, if Flash invited him, it had to be cool, right?
Grinning, he grabbed his way-too-small mouse and clicked over to Discord, joining the voice call.
"Uh, hello?" Cap asked, his voice a little unsure.
"Hey, Cap!" Flash greeted, all hyped up as usual.
"Hey, Sir Flash! How’s it goin’?" Cap chirped.
...
There was a tiny pause before Flash went, "Uh… Sir Flash?" He sounded confused but also kinda amused. "Dude, just call me Flash. Or Barry, if you wanna."
"Oh! Right! Okay, Sir—uh, I mean Flash!" Cap laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck even though no one could see. Old habits were hard to break.
Flash grinned, practically bouncing with excitement as he spoke to his relatively new friend, who was about to play his favorite game for the first time. He’d only known Cap for three weeks, but the guy was already a breath of fresh air. With his happy, carefree nature, he had quickly become a hit with the other Justice League members.
Flash chuckled. Even through the monitor, Billy could practically hear him bouncing in his chair. "Not bad! Just gettin’ started in this new server. What about you?"
"Same! Wait—OH! Is that you by the tree?" Cap squinted at the blocky screen, tilting his head like that would somehow help.
"What—oh! Yeah, that’s me!" Flash cracked up.
They met up in the middle of a grassy field, little pixelated blockheads staring at each other.
"I was thinkin’ of buildin’ a secret base," Flash said. "Wanna join? Hal’s already off mining in the mountain somewhere."
"Secret base?!" Cap gasped. "YES. I mean—uh, yeah, sure, that sounds awesome!"
Grinning, he punched a tree (because apparently, that’s what you do in Minecraft), when suddenly, a now familiar text-to-speech voice popped up with a question.
O-Zeroo would like to ask: Have you ever played Minecraft before, Captain?
Cap blinked at the question, tilting his head. "Oh no! Never ever!" he admitted, his voice a mix of embarrassment and honesty. "Like, not even once."
Nearby, Flash froze mid-resource gathering. "Wait—what?!" He spun his in-game character around. "Dude, you’ve NEVER played Minecraft?!" He let out a laugh, but there was definitely some disbelief in there. "That’s… kinda wild. This game’s been around forever!"
Cap shrugged, leaning back in his chair. "Yeah, I just never got the chance," he said, like it wasn’t a big deal.
Flash, recovering from the surprise, smiled. "Well, you’re in for a treat then. I’ve been playing this game for years—don’t worry, I’ve got you covered."
Excited for what they dubbed a “hard challenge,” Flash started a poll on his stream asking if Cap would die before the day passed in-game.
Meanwhile, Cap’s chat was buzzing with excitement over the fact that their streamer had never played before.
_ _ _
JLSuperfan20: Cap’s never played Minecraft?! This is going to be hilarious!! (≧◡≦)
Bambilov: Wait, never played Minecraft before? How?
SpiderLily9: Seriously? ( •᷄ᴗ•́)
Carlon18: Who even watches this attention-seeking dork? (¬_¬)
Carlon18 was banned by Teddybearll
WhoStranger99: How has Cap never played this?
O-Zeroo: Cap is gonna be so lost, and I’m here for it!! ⋆｡°✩
BunnyWho: ???
BamboHouse: Minecraft noob Cap!! (´∀｀)＊
SpiderTea: What does Cap mean "never had a chance to?" (╥﹏╥)
_ _ _
As he built the walls of his house higher than the trees and beyond, Billy felt a sense of weightlessness, almost like he was floating. He played and had fun, chatting away without a care, completely lost in the game and temporarily escaping the worries of his real life.
But then, a small grumble caught his attention, and he glanced down at his hands. In that split second, Tawky decided to leap onto his keyboard, startling him. The shock sent him toppling off his chair with a yelp that was definitely very manly—certainly not a squeaky mouse sound, thank you very much—and he crashed onto the hard wooden floor with a loud thud.
For a moment, he just lay there, groaning at the impact, the cool floor pressing against his back. Moonlight filtered in from the window, casting faint silver streaks across the room.
Above him, his screen flickered, the game still running, Supermans half-finished ice palace waiting to be built.
Holding the culprit by the neck like a wet kitten, Billy opened his mouth to scold him. "Tawky!" he began, but quickly thought better of it when he realized his friend just wanted some attention and pets.
Huffing a laugh, he sat up, snuggling the little tiger plush against his face before dragging himself back into his chair. He made a mental note to clean up the mess… soon. Maybe tomorrow… Or the day after.
_ _ _
SunDanser11: Tawky? ∘ ∘ ∘ ( °ヮ° ) ?
Teddybearll: Are you okay, Cap?! ( ˶°ㅁ°) !!
Catcuddler100: Cap? (⊙_⊙)
SpiderTea: What happened!?
WonderFlower: ( ╹ -╹)?
CakeBun: ???
O-Zeroo: Who is Tawky?
TigerLover: Tawky who?
JLSuperfan20: Cap? (｡· v ·｡) ?
_ _ _
Chuckling, Billy turned back to his stream, making sure the grumpy Tawky had gotten enough pats before focusing back on the game.
"Sorry about that, Flash, chat," he said, adjusting his position in his plush chair.
Barry had heard the fall—both through the mic and in-game—and his concern kicked in immediately. His hands stilled over his keyboard as he frowned. "Dude, Cap, what happened?" he asked, his voice carrying a hint of worry.
That hadn’t been just a small bump.
"Uhh, my..." Billy hesitated before smacking himself lightly on the forehead. No point in lying. "My plush tiger fell on the keyboard from where it was sitting next to me."
...
.....
Silence
Barry blinked at his screen, processing the words. A plush tiger? He hadn’t been expecting that. Not from Cap, at least.
Cap wasn’t just any random streamer—Barry knew that much. He was a bit of a mystery, really. And now, apparently, a grown man with a plush tiger by his desk. Not that Barry was judging, but... it was definitely unexpected.
"You good, though?" Barry asked after a moment, shaking off the surprise. "That fall sounded... real." And painful.
Billy hummed a random tune in response, brushing it off. "Yeah, it good. No worries."
Barry wasn’t entirely convinced, but Cap sounded fine, and Tawky—whoever that was—didn’t seem to have taken any damage either. He hesitated, still trying to make sense of it all.
There was something about Cap that didn’t quite add up, but he didn’t want to pry. Everyone had their quirks.
"Alright," Barry said finally, deciding to let it go. "Just making sure you're okay, man. Now, let’s get back to this before it gets dark and we get mobbed."
_ _ _
Billy continued humming as he focused on the game, his pride swelling when he noticed the chat’s reactions to Tawky.
Watching Tawky puff up at the praise made Cap smile, and as the comments rolled in, he couldn’t help but feel proud of his animated plush sidekick.
_ _ _
TigerLover: Aww!! Tiger plush! (づ> v <)づ♡
CloudyPie: ♥︎♥︎♥︎
BlackOcean2: Why does a grown man have a plush?! ヽ༼ ಠ_ಠ༽ﾉ
BlackOcean2 was banned by Teddybearll
Teddybearll: Plush! ദ്ദി(˵ •̀ ᴗ - ˵ ) ✧
SunDanser11: aww! Cute!♥︎
O-Zeroo: Omg same?!! I have a tiger plush! (•˕ •マ.ᐟ
Hermen88: How is Tawky?
CakeBun: Awww! (˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶)
Sup100Lover: What is Superman doing?
Time out 20 minutes by Teddybearll
_ _ _
Chapter 3: Ch3 - Clark Kent vs. Captain Marvel’s Awful Lying Skills
Chapter by MrVisnet
Summary:
Cap ran into Superman while exploring. At first, everything was fine—until Superman asked a simple question.
Billy hesitated, stumbling over his words, and Clark immediately took notice. His reporter instincts kicked in.
Something wasn’t right...
Chapter Text
Flash, Hal, and Cap had been building their top-secret base in the mountain for some time now and Billy decided to go exploring a bit more, looking for other players.
As he walked around, picking flowers, chatting with his viewers, and absentmindedly petting Tawky, a text-to-speech message popped up.
TigerLover would like to ask: Do you have anything else tiger-related? •⩊•
Billy thought for a moment before answering. "Not really, but I really love tigers! They're actually my favorite animal!" he explained happily, his model bobbing up and down with excitement. "Oh! But I do have tiger pajamas that I'm wearing right now—they're super comfy!"
The chat immediately exploded with hearts and messages about how adorable Cap was, with many viewers sharing their own tiger-themed items, like stickers and drawings.
As Billy continued chatting and exploring, he suddenly stumbled upon Superman in-game. The hero was constructing something that strongly resembled an ice palace.
"And I was saying—Oh! Hi, Cap!" Superman greeted, cutting himself off mid-sentence when he noticed Captain Marvel standing nearby, staring up at his creation.
Cap practically vibrated with excitement, his in-game model jumping in place. "Hiya, Superman!" he called out enthusiastically. He was a huge fan and had only met Superman once before on stream, making this his second interaction with him.
Superman chuckled. "Please, Cap, just call me Clark," he said as he continued working on his build. "Want to help out?"
"Sure!" Cap agreed instantly, thrilled at the opportunity.
As they built together, talking about random things, Superman eventually asked, "Hey, Cap, how old are you, by the way?" His tone was casual, just curious—after all, Cap didn’t list his age anywhere on his streaming profile.
"I’m, uh... ya know... old." Billy fidgeted slightly before adding, "Uh... Tw-Twenty?..???"
Superman paused mid-block placement, his in-game character going completely still. "...Tw-Twenty?" he repeated slowly, his tone laced with obvious skepticism.
Cap let out an awkward chuckle, his fingers suddenly clammy on his keyboard. "Y-Yeah! Twenty...ish?" That is old... right? Billy thought to himself.
Clark narrowed his eyes slightly, even though Cap couldn’t see him. His instincts as a reporter were tingling—something about that answer wasn't right. "You don’t sound too sure about that, buddy."
Billy gulped, feeling his heart hammer in his chest. He hadn’t meant to stumble over his words like that, but now it felt like he had just painted a giant question me sign on his forehead.
He scrambled for an explanation, waving his hands around uselessly as if that would somehow help. "W-Well, you know, birthdays kinda blur together after a while! Haha—uh, anyway, how’s the palace coming along?"
Clark didn’t respond immediately, his in-game character still unmoving. Billy swore he could feel the man thinking as he prayed he would let it go.
Clark Kent wasn’t just Superman—he was also an investigative journalist, and something about Cap’s response set off little alarm bells in his brain. A grown adult should be able to say their age without hesitation. Was Cap hiding something? Lying? Or was it just simple nerves?
Billy, meanwhile, was sweating bullets. He could feel the silence stretching, and it was making his skin crawl.
"...Right," Superman finally said, still sounding a little suspicious. "I mean, I get it. Sometimes, with all the things going on, you kinda lose track of stuff."
Billy nodded vigorously, even though Clark couldn’t see him. "Exactly! Streaming can be stressful, y'know? Keeping up with chat, playing the game, answering questions—sometimes your brain just kinda... short-circuits, haha!" He forced a laugh, but it came out a little strained.
Clark hummed, as if considering something. Normally, he'd push a little further—dig just a bit deeper. But this wasn’t an interview, and Cap wasn’t some politician dodging a question. He was just a streamer, maybe one who wasn’t used to personal questions.
After a moment, Clark let out a short chuckle, shaking his head. "Yeah, I guess I can see that. No pressure, Cap. Just... make sure you’re taking care of yourself tho, alright?"
Billy let out a quiet breath of relief, wiping his suddenly sweaty palms on his fluffy pajama pants. "Y-Yeah! Of course!"
Clark still wasn’t entirely convinced, but he decided to let it go. "Alright, well, let’s get back to making this place really cool—pun intended."
_ _ _
Teddybearll: Twenty...ish? Cap, that’s not how ages work!
Hermen88: Cap? (⊙_⊙)
Bird00Singer: ∘ ∘ ∘ ( °ヮ° ) ?
SunDanser11: Why did he hesitate, though???
KKLoop2: So... is he 20? (ᵕ—ᴗ—)
TigerLover: Superman’s reporter brain is ACTIVATED! ᯓ★
FigurBook: Does it make sense that he sounds older but also not? (o_O)
JLSuperfan20: Cap.exe has malfunctioned ( ꩜ ᯅ ꩜;)
SpiderTea: Guys, maybe he’s just nervous?? Streaming is a lot!
CloudyPie: True, but that was really sus, not gonna lie...
_ _ _
"Uh, so—ice palace! Very cool! Let's go!" Cap blurted, desperately throwing himself back into the game.
Clark hummed in amusement but let it slide. The guy was obviously flustered, and maybe it really was just the pressure of streaming. Still, that hesitation was... interesting. He’d keep an eye on Cap, but for now, they had a palace to build.
Clark, deciding not to push further, shifted the conversation. "So, Cap, what do you do outside of streaming? Any school, work—hobbies?" His tone was casual, but the reporter in him was still curious.
Billy blinked. "Oh! Uh, nah, I didn’t finish school," he answered easily, placing another block like it was the most normal thing in the world.
The moment the words left his mouth, though, he felt a sinking feeling in his gut. Why did I say that? Nilly knew he was a terrible liar, and now he'd just handed Clark a perfect reason to start asking more questions.
Clark’s in-game character stopped again—completely still.
Both of their chats collectively froze as well.
_ _ _
SunDanser11: Bro, Superman just had a SYSTEM ERROR.
Cap00: (╥‸╥)♥︎♥︎♥︎
Creepsleep00: Ohhh, so that’s why he’s dumb!!!
Creepsleep00 banned by Teddybearll
O-Zeroo: no school? ૮₍ ´• ˕ •` ₎ა
Teddybearll: Don’t be mean, guys! ( •̀ - •́ )
Cap00: ( • ᴖ • ｡)
GlamRockFan: Sending virtual hugs! (つ╥﹏╥)つ♥︎
PoppyLove: (╥‸╥)
FigurBook: I think Clark’s brain just blue-screened. ( ╹ -╹)?
_ _ _
Clark watched on his second monitor as Cap’s V-model frowned at the chat, hands flailing in distress. "Oh! Why are you so sad, chat? Don’t be sad! Did I mess up?! I promise I didn’t mean to!"
But Clark’s mind was still on Cap’s answer as something uneasy settled in his gut. He tried to keep his expression normal for his viewers, but the words wouldn’t leave him.
Didn’t finish school?
That… didn’t sound right.
And the way Cap said it—so casually, like it was nothing—only made the feeling worse. That wasn’t how someone talked about dropping out or switching to homeschooling.
His investigative instincts were screaming, connecting dots he wasn’t sure he wanted to see. Had Cap been kept from school? Trapped in a situation where education wasn’t an option? Clark had covered stories like that before—kids who never got the chance at a normal childhood due to neglect, control, or something even worse.
Lois his wife always said he had a tendency to get hooked on new mysteries, to sink his teeth into anything that caught his interest until he had the full picture worse than Bruce sometimes. And right now? This had his full attention.
But he also knew better than to push too soon. He needed to play it cool for now.
"Cap," Clark said, keeping his voice steady, "you mean, like... you were homeschooled? Or...?"
Cap, now focused on placing blocks again, hummed in thought. "Uhh, not really? I just, y’know… figured stuff out! Like, reading and math and junk. It’s not that hard!" He grinned. "I think I’m doin’ pretty good!"
Clark didn’t share the sentiment. If anything, the concern gnawed at him even deeper.
_ _ _
CloudyPie: Wait wait wait. Figured out?? (꩜ ᯅ ꩜;)
Teddybearll: Superman please. Investigate. We are begging. ( •̯́ ^ •̯̀)
BunnycoolSS: ♥︎ ♥︎ ♥︎
WonderFlower: Cap, honey, no offense, but this is not normal. (╥‸╥)
WonerCat5: ♥︎♥︎♥︎
_ _ _
Clark exhaled slowly, forcing himself to stay calm. He wanted to ask more. Needed to ask more.
But Cap wasn’t some mystery to crack open—he was a person. And if Clark pressed too hard, he might just clam up entirely.
For now, he’d let it go.
"...Right," Clark said at last, though he couldn’t quite keep the concern from his voice. "As long as you're okay, Cap."
Billy beamed. "Yup! ‘M all good! Now—should we put ice statues everywhere, or would that be, like, too much?"
Clark forced a chuckle, playing along. But his mind was still turning.
Maybe he was overthinking this. Maybe Cap really had just taught himself and it was fine. Maybe there was no deeper issue here.
But… maybe there was.
Bruce was good at spotting red flags. Too good, honestly. If anyone could tell him whether he was reading too much into this or not, it was him.
Clark sighed. He’d keep an eye on Cap for now. But if this nagging feeling didn’t go away… he might just have to make a call...
_ _ _
Chapter Text
Bruce—or, as his fans knew him, Batman—was conflicted. He sat before the Batcomputer, eyes narrowed, staring at the screen as though it held the answers to the universe. It didn’t. Not yet, anyway.
It had been exactly twenty-four hours since Clark—longtime friend and occasional headache—had called him about a relatively new VTuber streamer. The streamer went by the name Captain Marvel, and apparently, he’d already met several Justice League members online.
Bruce had raised a brow at that. He should have known. Normally, he was the one who vetted any newcomers to their "little" streamer circle before giving his cautious approval. But this month, he’d done something rare: he took a break.
A real one.
He’d made a conscious decision to spend time with his family—the Batfamily, as Dick had dubbed them years ago—and had let things slide in his absence.
So now, here he was: seated alone in the dim glow of his underground sanctuary as dusk surrendered to night, contemplating the unsettling holes in his investigation. He was a professional detective and CEO of his own company, damn it. This wasn’t supposed to stump him.
With a frustrated sigh, he pulled up everything he’d compiled so far on this Captain Marvel, who seemed better known online as simply Cap.
The file was... sparse. Suspiciously so. And if there was one thing Bruce excelled at, it was unraveling mysteries—especially the kind that tried to stay hidden.
And something about this one reeked of hidden.
He leaned forward, scanning the data once again:
BASIC PROFILE Alias: Captain Marvel (Note: Presumably not a real name; no official record in Fawcett City) Age: Estimated 20 (Dubious, but within theoretical range)
Streaming History: Began streaming approximately a month ago to a relatively small audience. Gained sudden popularity after befriending Flash during a speedrun competition for an indie horror game.
Facecam: Never used. Initially audio-only; later switched to a custom avatar following the viewer surge.
Known Contacts: “Tawky” mentioned during last stream. No confirmed identity. (Possibly a friend?)
Education: Unknown. No traceable records without a real name. Concerning lack of digital footprint.
This last point was the most troubling—and the very reason Clark had called in the first place. Even with Bruce’s considerable resources, he couldn’t pin down anything concrete. No school records. No birth certificate. Not even a shadow in public databases.
The money went to a bank account he couldn’t access without alerting someone.
Add to that the odd, almost childlike personality Cap exuded online… and it left Bruce unsettled in a way he didn’t like to admit.
One particular social media post stuck out like a sore thumb:
Captain Marvel
“Uh… so like, does anybody know how do taxes?? Cuz like, nobody teaches this stuff!! Do I just scribble on some paper and hope it works??? Is there a big red button that does it for you??? Just askin’ for a fren! Yep, totally for a fren!!!”
2K retweets | 7K likes | 2:17 AM · 25 Feb
It could be a joke, yes. But Bruce’s instincts whispered otherwise.
He rubbed his eyes and leaned back in the chair, its creak sounding thunderous in the silence of the cave—that was more of a mancave than the cave, as Jason would joke about. The glow of the monitors suddenly felt harsh against his dry eyes. How long had he been sitting here?
He was pulled from his spiraling thoughts by a familiar voice behind him.
“What’s got you so grumpy, B?”
Dick’s head appeared upside down over the back of the chair, eyes flicking across the screen.
“New personal case,” Bruce muttered, voice low and tired. He needed coffee. Or perhaps just sleep.
Once Dick had skimmed the screen, he straightened and leaned against the desk. “So what’s your plan?”
“Hn,” Bruce replied—classic Bat for I’m thinking.
A light thud on the stone floor signaled Damian had probably been lurking around for some time before making his presence known. Bruce didn’t have to turn around to feel the familiar glare.
“If you’re so out of a plan,” Damian said sharply, “why not just meet him? In person. It would be faster than lurking in his chat streams like a creep.”
Bruce considered it. Honestly? It wasn’t a bad idea. A direct approach might be the only way to pierce the mystery surrounding Cap.
“Hmn.”
Before anyone could say more, Dick leapt up with a grin and grabbed Damian in a bear hug before the boy could retreat.
“Good thinking, Babybat!” he praised, lifting Damian clean off the ground.
“Unhand me, Richard!” Damian hissed, struggling in vain as Dick laughed.
Bruce allowed himself the faintest of smirks.
Maybe… an in-person meetup was overdue.
_ _ _
Bonus scene:
“…Tawny?” Billy asked slowly, squinting like he wasn’t entirely sure his brain was working right. His voice was a mix of suspicion and confusion as he pointed a small shaky finger at the big, fluffy, very real tiger lounging on his couch like a housecat.
“Yes, Billy?” Tawny replied sweetly, his tail swishing lazily as he lay sprawled out on the cushions like this was just another Tuesday.
Billy stared. Blinked. Rubbed his eyes. Peeked again.
“…You’re a tiger,” he said, half whisper, half accusation.
Tawny gave a pleased rumble and even threw in a little thumbs-up with his paw. “Why yes, yes I am.”
“No, no, no—you’re a TIGER! Like—like, a real one! With muscles! And claws! And stripes! And you're HUGE!”
“Aw, now that’s just rude,” Tawny said, placing a paw dramatically over his chest. “Are you fat-shaming your best friend? Shame on you, Billy.”
Billy flailed. “What?! No! That’s not—Tawny!! You weren’t like this yesterday! You were… I dunno, more stuffed animal-y! You had button eyes!”
Tawny yawned, then licked his paw like this was the most boring conversation in the world. “I was always magnificent. Maybe now you’re just finally seeing it.”
Billy gasped, then flopped backward onto the floor like the world had personally betrayed him. “You’re impossible,” he moaned dramatically, flinging his arms over his face. “I’m losing my mind. Yep. That’s it. I’ve officially snapped. Too much magic. Not enough naps.”
Feeling just the tiniest bit of pity (and a whole lot of amusement), Tawny leaned down and gave Billy a big, rough, tiger-sized lick right across the face.
“Bleghhh! Gross!!” Billy sputtered, scrubbing at his face with the sleeve of his hoodie.
Tawny chuckled. “You did this, you know. With your magic. I wanted to be real—more alive. And your magic felt that. It felt your feelings and mine. So here I am. Real tiger. Real stripes. Real claws.” He flexed one paw for dramatic effect. “And a very real need for breakfast.”
Billy stared up at him, eyes wide. “Wait… I did this?! This is my fault?!”
Tawny grinned wide—showing one very big, very pointy fang. “Isn’t it wonderful?”
Then, with zero warning, the giant tiger pounced, knocking Billy into a laughing, flailing heap on the floor as they rolled into a mock wrestling match. Billy squeaked, trying to escape, but Tawny pinned him with a big, smug paw.
“No fair! You’ve got like, five hundred pounds on me!” Billy laughed, trying to wiggle free.
“All the better to snuggle you with, my dear,” Tawny teased.
Billy eventually tapped out, breathless and grinning, still half-buried in fur. “Okay, okay! Truce! I’ve gotta go to work at the store in like ten minutes!”
Tawny let him go with a playful chuff and a flick of his tail. “Fine. But only because I’m a benevolent tiger. And because I get first dibs on snacks when you get back. The Pop-Tarts were delicious, by the way.”
Billy sat up with a look of absolute betrayal. “You ate my Pop-Tarts?”
Tawny gave a content purr and a very unapologetic shrug. “They were delicious.”
Chapter 5: Ch5 - IRL Stream ⋆⁺₊❅.
Chapter by MrVisnet
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Billy was so excited—no, not just excited, exhilarated—rolling around on the floor like a goofball, grinning like a maniac in his Cap form. "What got you so... happy?" Tawny asked, eyebrow raised, concerned, as the tiger jumped down from his perch on the loft, his head sticking through the big wooden railings.
"I got invited by Batman to an IRL meet-up in Metropolis!!!" Billy gasped, glancing at his friend’s totally unimpressed face.
"Uh-huh." Tawny said slowly, clearly uninterested, like he couldn’t care less about Billy’s excitement.
But Billy didn’t care. He kept laughing like a lunatic, his excitement off the charts. It was going to be his first real meet-up with someone since he left his last foster home—wait, how old was he again? Doesn’t matter! He was so excited!
Then suddenly, Billy stopped, his eyes wide with panic. "Wait... what am I gonna do about my face?!" he squealed, looking at Tawny like he was about to lose his mind.
Tawny, still looking bored, just gave him a side-eye. "Your face? Really? Billy, do I need to call someone? Like a doctor or something? Because I’m pretty sure you're overreacting."
"No, no! I mean my face cam! Should I just show my face, like Cap’s?" Billy said, staring out the window like the answer would just magically fly in at any moment.
Tawny tapped his chin with a paw, looking like he was deep in thought—well, as deep as a tiger could get. "Well, I say let them look. It’s you who’s freaking out, not Marvel," he said, as if he’d just made the greatest discovery of the century. "Relax, kid. It's just a face."
"Hmm..." Billy hummed, rubbing his chin like he was thinking real hard. After a second, he nodded. "Yeah, I guess you’re right. What’s the worst that could happen, right?"
_ _ _
Captain Marvel
"IRL stream meet-up with Batman, Superman, and Flash later TODAY!! ᐠ( ᐛ )ᐟ"
5K Retweets | 20K Likes / 8:10 AM · 30 Feb
ZoeZooms: FIRST FACE CAM steream?!?! Σ(°△° ꪱꪱꪱ)
Teddybearll: First IRL stream, Cap?!? Can’t wait to see you!!
Cap4Ever: OMG IT'S FINALLY HAPPENING!! FACE CAM FACE CAM!!! ( ˶°ㅁ°) !!
NervousNugget: AHHHHHHH IT’S HAPPENING!!!♥︎♥︎♥︎
TruthLass: FINALLY! Been waiting for this FOREVER! Are we gonna see you in the face cam?? (ㅅ´ ˘ `)
SpiderLily9: Cap's first IRL stream, huh? Hope you don’t break the internet with that face reveal!!
_ _ _
Bruce finished securing the GoPro to the tripod, double-checking the angle with a glance. The park they picked for the stream was quiet. Too quiet, considering they were nearly in the heart of the city. Snow helped. People stayed inside when the weather got unpredictable.
Not that he minded. The fewer eyes, the better.
He didn’t know how this meeting was going to go. It felt like it could only go one of two ways: Option One: Captain Marvel was acting suspicious on purpose. Probably hiding something. Possibly something illegal. Option Two: He was a victim. Abused, maybe since childhood. Possibly worse.
Neither option sat well.
Bruce adjusted the last of the equipment. Eight minutes until the stream started. That gave him time to think, which he rarely considered a luxury.
With a soft grunt, he leaned back against the cold wooden bench, staring up at the thick, snowy clouds overhead. Silence. Actual silence. That was rare—at the Manor, quiet usually meant something was wrong. Or someone was plotting. Here? It was just still. For once.
He let himself enjoy it.
"I GOT THE COFFEE, BAT!"
There it went.
Bruce sighed internally. He didn’t move right away, just turned his head slightly as Barry Allen—The Flash—came bounding over like a Golden Retriever that’d just discovered caffeine. Coffee in each hand. Feet moving a little too fast for the slick ground.
Bruce didn’t need precognition to know he was two steps away from falling on his face.
“Why do you always have to run?” he asked, deadpan.
Barry grinned like it was the funniest thing he’d heard all week. “You know, Bat—LIFE IS A SPEEDRUN! Or something poetic like that. I just like running.”
“Hn.” Bruce took his coffee with a quiet, “Thanks.”
He sipped. Hot. Good. Strong. Probably the one thing Barry did right today.
Barry flopped onto the bench beside him, bouncing one knee like he was waiting to explode. Bruce ignored it.
Didn’t take long for the other two to arrive.
Clark Kent—Superman—approached with his usual modest posture, like he was trying not to take up space. The glasses, the polite slouch, the small-town softness he wore like a second cape. It was so him it almost hurt.
The country-boy look shouldn’t work. But it did. Not that Bruce would ever say it out loud.
Then came the fourth.
Bruce’s eyes narrowed.
Young man. Early twenties, maybe. Taller than Clark. Loose posture with a thread of nervousness woven in—something in the stance, the way his shoulders dipped.
Clothing: red hoodie, large enough to be a blanket. Blue overalls underneath. Red sneakers. Deliberate, but casual. Eye-catching. Possibly hiding in plain sight.
Bruce’s gaze traveled upward—his face was… striking. Statuesque, even. Smooth, symmetrical, like the marble busts in Greek museums. Too perfect. If Bruce didn’t already know the young adult was real, he might’ve assumed Photoshop. Or AI-generated glamor filter.
Hair: black. One loose curl falling over the forehead.
He looked young. Too young.
Something in Bruce’s chest shifted.
That instinct. The one Dick had joked about—his so-called “adoption radar.” Tim called it the “stray sense.”
It was buzzing.
Hard.
_ _ _
s Batman started staring, Billy’s nerves kicked into overdrive. The kind of stare Bruce gave could probably melt steel—or at least make you wish you could turn invisible. He shifted awkwardly, then leaned slightly toward Barry, trying to whisper without being obvious.
“Did I do something wrong?” he asked, tilting his head subtly toward the Bat in question. “He’s staring like I broke something. I didn’t break anything… I think?”
“Hm?” Barry blinked, then followed Billy’s gaze. When he saw the look Batman was giving, he just grinned.
“Oh, nah, he does that with everyone. It’s the trademarked Batstare,” he said, waving his hands dramatically like a street mime performing existential dread. “Super intense. You get used to it.”
Billy’s shoulders relaxed a little. Okay. So maybe Batman didn’t already hate him. That was… good. He still felt like he was being scanned by a giant laser, but at least it wasn’t personal.
And then, like a miracle, Batman—please call me Bruce—finally stopped staring.
Billy let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.
Okay. Cool. Fine. Everything was fine.
Probably.
Maybe.
He glanced at Barry again. “You sure he’s not mad at me?”
“Man, he stares like that at his own kids. You’re good.”
Billy nodded slowly.
Okay. He could handle this.
Maybe.
_ _ _
After a round of quick introductions—light handshakes, a few awkward smiles—they made their way toward the large fountain near the center of the park. It was a good backdrop: quiet, symmetrical, with just enough natural noise to feel alive without being distracting.
Bruce had planned this stream like a mission.
Officially, it was a casual Q&A, something to “connect with fans.” Unofficially? It was an intel-gathering op. An opportunity to get answers.
He adjusted the GoPro and gave Barry a nod to signal the start.
Clark, ever the warm host, took the lead. “So, how are you liking Metropolis so far? Or have you been here before?”
Captain Marvel brightened immediately. “Yeah! I mean—no, I haven’t really been out of Fawcett City before. Not like this. And Metropolis is pretty nice! Big, though.”
“You’ve really never left the city?” Barry asked, eyes wide like that fact alone was criminal.
“Nope. Not that I can remember,” Billy said with a shrug. “My parents used to travel a lot, though. They were archaeologists, actually. Or… I think they were?”
Bruce didn’t flinch, but something cold coiled low in his chest.
There was something off about Captain Marvel.
He wasn’t wrong in any obvious way—he was smiling, charming, a little awkward in the way someone might be if they weren’t used to socializing much. But there was an edge to it. Something in the way he laughed too loudly at Barry’s jokes or tilted his head like he wasn’t entirely sure how a normal conversation was supposed to go.
It reminded Bruce of something. Of someone.
Tim.
If he hadn’t stepped in—hadn’t noticed the absences, the missed meals, the too-clean clothes that hid too-thin shoulders—this could’ve been Tim.
Still stuck in that in-between space. Too mature for kids his age. Too stunted for adults. Isolated for so long he’d learned to mimic normal instead of feel it.
A twisted Peter Pan in Wonderland, never allowed to grow up, but never really allowed to be a child either.
Bruce watched as Billy laughed, deflecting Clark’s gentle question about his parents with something light, something forgettable. Something practiced.
The others didn’t seem to notice.
Clark’s smile faltered slightly. Barry shifted where he stood.
They all thought the same thing—an adult who lost his parents. It was tragic, yes, but survivable. Understandable.
What they didn’t realize—what Bruce suspected—was that Cap had been a child when it happened.
And he’d been alone since.
Still, Cap brushed it off with a grin that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “It’s not a big deal. I mean, I turned out okay, right?”
Barry, clearly sensing the drop in mood, blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “Bet I can climb that tree faster than you.”
Billy blinked. Then grinned. “You’re on.”
Before Bruce could object, the two were already racing toward a large oak nearby, boots crunching over the snow-dusted ground. Laughing.
Clark sighed and moved to stand near the base of the tree, arms crossed. “Just don’t fall,” he called up, already sounding like someone’s mom. “Seriously, watch your footing—Barry!"
Barry laughed. “I am speed!”
Cap clung to a branch just above him, beaming. “This is awesome!”
Bruce didn’t follow.
He stayed behind, camera in hand, silently recording. Not just the footage, but the moment.
_ _ _
As the sky dimmed and the fountain’s soft gurgle filled the lull in conversation, Bruce checked the time. The stream had run its course. They’d answered enough questions, dodged enough of his more subtle probes, and given the audience just enough chaos to keep the fanbase satisfied.
“It’s getting late,” Bruce said, already reaching up to stop the recording. “We should wrap it here.”
Barry gave an exaggerated gasp. “But the people need more tree stunts!”
Clark just shook his head, smiling. “Thanks for joining us, everyone. Be good to each other.”
The little red light on the GoPro blinked off, and Bruce felt the shift immediately.
Captain Marvel didn’t change much—but something about him softened. The lines around his eyes, the bright polish of his smile. It was still there, still blinding, but it wasn’t being projected anymore. It was just… his.
Bruce tucked the camera away, quietly watching as Cap sat down on the fountain’s edge, his boots swinging slightly above the ground like a kid at a bus stop.
He didn’t know why, but the moment struck Bruce in an odd way. There was a part of him that couldn’t shake the instinct to watch over him, to keep an eye on him as though he were vulnerable. Maybe it was the way he sat, the easy-going posture, or how the smile didn’t quite reach his eyes anymore. It reminded Bruce of something. Someone.
The pull to protect him was unmistakable. Bruce had seen it before—when he’d first taken in Tim, when the kid was alone and adrift. That vulnerability, hidden beneath the bravado and sharp jokes.
But it was different with Cap. Bruce didn’t know why, but it was. He wasn’t some orphaned street kid. He wasn’t some lost soul trying to find his place. There was something… off about him. Something that didn’t sit right.
Bruce’s protective instincts flared up, the urge to step in, to make sure Cap was okay. To look after him. He didn’t know why it bothered him so much. He couldn’t put his finger on it.
“Fawcett City’s a long way out,” Bruce said after a beat. “Gotham’s closer. If you don’t feel like heading back tonight… the offer’s open.”
He didn’t expect a quick answer. He didn’t get one, either.
Cap hesitated. Just for a second. And then, a small nod. “Sure. If it’s not a problem?”
Bruce shook his head, trying to shake off the gnawing feeling that something was off. “Not at all.”
There was a quiet pause.
Then, Cap looked up at him, something bashful—real—in the tilt of his head. “Also… off stream?”
Bruce raised an eyebrow, signaling he was listening.
“You can call me Billy.”
Bruce blinked.
Billy.
The name lodged somewhere in his brain like a missing puzzle piece finally snapping into place. He hadn’t even known something was missing until he heard it.
And now that he had it?
It felt oddly, painfully fitting.
“…Billy,” he repeated, testing it. It suited him. Too much, maybe.
He nodded slowly, filing the name away with everything else he didn’t understand yet.
Billy.
Bright smile. Quick dodges. A laugh just a little too sharp at the edges.
Another mystery.
Bruce glanced toward the others—Clark running after Barry, who was chasing a poor, startled bird across the park—and let his eyes drift back to the man in red.
Billy.
Yeah. Bruce was definitely going to figure him out.
Notes:
Next, we get more insight into Billy's POV and some of the chat's reactions to the face reveal! (˵ •̀ ᴗ - ˵ ) ✧
Also, what do you guys think? Should Bruce find out that Cap is a kid, or should the ruse go on? (｡· v ·｡) ?
Chapter Text
1#Captain_Face_Reveal| Trending
@Marvelous00
I knew he was young, but not that young?? He’s literally a young adult Greek god. I’m losing it (๑-3-๑)
2K Retweets | 5K Likes
@FlowerWatchHero11
That smile—my heart can’t take it ughh!. Please do more facecam, king!! (˶˃ᆺ˂˶)
1K Retweets | 2K Likes
@FanboyCAP25
How is Captain Marvel real AND hot AND act like the world’s sweetest cinnamon roll?? Life’s so unfair—why am I the ugly one (╥‸╥)♥︎
1,5K Retweets | 3K Likes
@CitySCREAMER
Hearing Cap say he doesn’t know his parents like… what??? cap you good man? Also can we talk about how he looked this close to looking for an escape during the Q&A bit?? Cap, it’s okay not to answer everything ( ´･･)ﾉ(._.`)♥︎
5,6K Retweets | 10K Likes
_ _ _
_ _ _
Chapter 7: Ch7 – Hello Tawny!
Chapter by MrVisnet
Summary:
Billy had been worried about Tawny—but now that he was back, Billy couldn’t help but wonder how he’d gotten such a good friend.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Getting up from the floor and realizing he’d fallen asleep on was not a pleasant experience in the slightest. But, hey—what could you do?
Yawning, he stretched, feeling the tight pull of sore muscles. He couldn’t help but give in to the urge to strike a few silly poses—like those bodybuilder models in magazines. It was actually one of Billy’s favorite things to do whenever he found a mirror. Just goofing around, as he liked to call it a “workout.”
He was a bit of a muscle guy, after all, which made him chuckle—but now wasn’t the time for flexing. Not with the clock on the wall reminding him that he really needed to get downstairs and get to work at the Trifft shop he ownd.
“Look who finally decided to wake up.”
Ah, there it was. That voice. Tawny.
“And where have you been, mister?” Billy looked up and spotted the smug feline lounging on the loft above. At this point, it didn’t even feel like his space anymore—Tawny practically lived up there. Oh well, he thought with a sigh as he arched his back, letting out a silent scream at how stiff it felt. Yep. Moving today was going to suck.
“Little ol’ me?” Tawny placed a dramatic paw to his chest before launching into what was clearly a rehearsed monologue. “Well, you see—it’s quite a funny tale. See, as much as I adore being trapped in this... dum—house. This house—” (He was totally about to say ‘dump.’ Rude!) “—I thought it was about time I took a little trip out. You know, get a feel for the weather?”
Billy stared up at the cat, unimpressed, letting the silence stretch on like taffy.
“T-Billy?” came the nervous reply—not even a full minute into their intense staring contest.
“Yes, Tawny?” he answered sweetly, voice dripping with saccharine calm, eyes never once leaving the smug (now slightly squirmy) feline.
Tawny’s tail flicked faster, slashing the air in increasing agitation.
“Why are you so... quiet?” Tawny asked.
Ah. Yep. Time’s up. No filters now.
“Tawny,” Billy said, voice sharp as he stood up straighter. “You were outside. Outside! And—as you probably know, but clearly need reminding—you’re a TIGER! What if somebody saw you?!”
Huffing and trying to calm his breathing, Tawny leapt from his perch—and landed squarely on Billy with a startled yelp, sending them both crashing to the floor again. Billy’s back screamed in protest.
“Billy,” Tawny said dramatically, ears drooping just a bit. “Have you so little faith in me?”
And... ouch. Now that Billy was face-to-face with him, Tawny actually looked hurt. Genuinely hurt. Guilt twisted in Billy’s stomach.
“No, no—Tawny, it’s not that. I was just... worried about you.” His voice softened. “What if someone called animal control? What if I lost you?”
And just like that, the words hit Billy straight in the chest. Hard.
He hadn’t meant to say it aloud—but there it was. Out in the open.
Tawny was his companion. His longtime plush toy turned living, breathing, sarcastic nightmare-bestie. And honestly? Billy didn’t know what he would’ve done without him. Not last night. Not now.
He hadn’t questioned Tawny’s absence much at the time—he’d been too overwhelmed, too emotionally drained. But now that he felt a little steadier, the guilt crept in. He should have noticed. Should have cared more.
But it seemed Tawny wasn’t about to let him spiral into another pity party.
The tiger snorted, leaning in closer with a toothy grin. “Aw, Billy,” he purred dramatically, “you do love me.”
Billy groaned, burying his face in his hands. “Tawny, for the love of sanity—don’t make this weird.”
“Too late. Already did.” Tawny plopped onto his side, letting his tail flop across Billy’s legs. “Admit it. You’d miss my majestic butt if I vanished.”
Billy tried—tried—to look exasperated, but the laugh slipped out anyway. “I’d miss the noise, that’s for sure.”
“See? That’s basically love.”
“Shut up.”
They both burst out laughing, sprawled across the floor in a tangled mess of limbs and fur. The argument—such as it was—forgotten, fading like morning mist under the warmth of shared laughter.
Billy found himself feeling lighter than he had in days, basking in the quiet comfort of his friend’s presence. The weight in his chest eased, if only a little, and for the first time in what felt like forever, he let himself just be.
But now that they were both calm, one question still lingered.
"How did you go out and not get seen?"
Tawny cracked one eye open from where he was sunbathing next to him. "Oh? That! Well, there's this thing called camouflage."
That... didn’t answer anything.
Billy opened his mouth—then promptly shut it again. Maybe he didn’t want to know.
"I just put on some glasses and a suit. Boom. Nobody questioned a thing," Tawny chuckled, clearly far too pleased with himself.
Billy was done.
He smacked his face into the floor with a groan, immediately sneezing at the dust. Stupid floor.
Notes:
Hello! I’m not dead—I’m going to continue the fic, don’t worry!
I just had a bit of writer’s block, but I’m back now, so yay! ૮₍ ´ ꒳ `₎აAnyway, this chapter’s a bit short, but I wanted to ease back into writing Billy again, so yeah! ദ്ദി(˵ •̀ ᴗ - ˵ ) ✧
Til next time!
Chapter 8: Ch8 – The Flash Drops By, and Tawny Steals the Show.
Chapter by MrVisnet
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
The bell above the thrift store door jingled frantically—way more than once—as Barry Allen, the streamer Flash, came dramatically skidding into the shop like he was running late to a business meeting.
"CAP!! I made it before closing this time!" Barry shouted as he burst through the door—then immediately dropped his volume, glancing around like he’d just walked into a library instead of a thrift shop. Seeing it empty, he grinned. "And not a minute late!"
Billy blinked from behind the front counter, where he’d been halfway through packing up a box of mismatched mugs.
“Barry?” Billy said, confused, giving him a deadpan look. “There’s like… ten minutes left ‘til closing.”
They’d planned to hang out after Barry had raved over messages about the park stream in Metropolis, and after some thought, Billy had invited him over today.
Barry shot him a pair of finger guns. “Exactly! I’m way early. Trust me, I usually show up so late it’s a miracle I still have a job!”
Billy snorted, shaking his head with a grin. “Right. Welcome to Huye Thrift—home of my favorite used comic books, mysterious furniture probably haunted before it got here, and a hundred forgotten trinkets just waiting to mildly curse you the second you touch them.”
He spread his arms dramatically, setting aside a stack of cups like a showman unveiling treasure.
Huye, of course, being a wink to the guardian tiger who totally isn’t watching from the shadows.
“Sweet,” Barry said, already drifting toward a shelf of mismatched action figures like a kid in a candy store. “This place is awesome. Really has a unique charm. Kinda like you, actually.”
Billy grinned wider, but his ears went a little pink. “Thanks… I think?”
Was that a compliment? Probably? He wasn’t great at reading those—but hey, he’d take it.
As Barry wandered through the aisles—marveling at a lava lamp shaped like a rocket and a box labeled “Definitely Haunted Christmas Stuff. DO NOT TOUCH”—he suddenly spun around, holding up his phone.
It had a Batman case.
Billy, dusting a pair of vaguely monstrous lamps in the aisle beside him, snorted.
“Hey, Cap. Mind if I start a little stream?” Barry asked, shaking his phone.
Billy hesitated for half a second, then nodded. “Yeah, sure. Just… don’t show the back room. It’s a war zone.”
Technically true. Also the back room held a few actual magical artifacts—stuff Billy had gotten from the wizard Shazam or things Tawny brought back like gifts, cat-style. Adorable, in a “here’s a slightly cursed relic, friend” sort of way. Billy would never say that to Tawny’s face, though. He valued his life.
Oh, and there was also a door. A very suspicious, probably-magical door. One that had appeared out of nowhere after Billy bought the thrift shop from an old lady months ago. He hadn’t tested it. He wasn’t that dumb.
“Aye aye, Cap’n.” Barry said with a grin.
Just a moment later, Barry was live.
“Yo, what’s up, my chaotic crew! I’m here at the legendary—uh, what was the name again, Cap?”
“Huye Thrift!” came the shout from off-screen.
Captain Marvel himself popped into frame behind the counter, having set aside the duster to enjoy the show. He locked the front door, flipped the sign to CLOSED, and leaned casually against the counter.
“Owned and operated,” Barry continued dramatically, “by everyone’s favorite streamer, VTuber icon—CAPTAIN MARVEL! Oh! Yay!”
Billy blushed instantly as Barry—who was notably shorter than him—ruffled his hair like an older sibling on a sugar high.
Billy ducked his head, shyly giving the camera a tiny wave. “Hey, guys. Welcome to the shop.”
The chat immediately exploded:
_ _ _
TheFastLane: CAP RUNS A STORE?? wtf?
Leggs4Days: That explains the vintage vibes loky.
JLStan12300: cool also awsome face reavle bro!
Teddybearll: aww it cute! defernely going to be shooping ther soon!
_ _ _
“Cap, what is this place even?” Barry asked dramatically, doing a full spin in the middle of the shop like he was on a game show as he showed chat around.
Billy chuckled. “It’s a thrift shop. I sell stuff people toss out. Comics, old furniture, knick-knacks, and, uh—more comics.”
Barry zipped over to a nearby shelf. “I just found a rubber chicken and a first-edition Spider-Man comic. This place is a goldmine.”
“Please don’t bend the spine!” Billy shouted, suddenly panicked as he peeked around the corner—
“Oops,” Barry said with a sheepish grin. “Too late. Sorry, man! I’ll be more careful, I swear!”
The stream went on like that—chaotic, funny, and surprisingly wholesome.
Barry bounced around the shop, asking questions and hyping everything up like it was a national treasure hunt, while Marvel—clearly loving his job—explained the origins of the more unusual items. Like a solid crimson sweater that, according to him, once belonged to a priest and was supposedly stained with the blood of the devil. Barry, being a horror fan, immediately bought it on sight.
Barry’s fans were eating it up—thrilled by the spooky vibes, obsessed with the dynamic between calm, low-key Captain Marvel and his goofball tag-along. The contrast worked. And even Billy was having fun.
For a while, he forgot his nerves. Forgot his troubles. The shop felt more alive, more real, with Barry there laughing and running around like a golden retriever on espresso. Billy couldn’t wait for the fans to stop by in person—because for once, he wasn’t scared. He was excited.
Then it happened—because of course something had to go wrong. It wouldn’t be a Marvel stream if it didn’t.
A low creak echoed from the loft above the shop—Billy’s apartment.
Barry looked up. “You got raccoons in the ceiling or—?”
“Nah, that’s just my apartment,” Billy said, waving it off. “Probably the fan knocked something over. A comic, maybe.”
Barry shrugged and turned back to the camera, showing off a cool comic he’d found to the chat like nothing happened.
Thump.
The stairs behind him creaked.
And then—graceful as a ghost, silent as a nightmare—Tawky Tawny descended.
A very real, very alive tiger, in full open view of the shop big middle space.
Billy felt his heart stop.
Tawny landed on the shop floor with the calm poise of a jungle king who also happened to run the register- witch for the record he dident do...yet. His massive paws made no sound. His tail flicked, once—sharp and slow.
His eyes gleamed—bright, intelligent, and utterly judgmental—as he stared at the speedster who, bless his heart, still had his back turned and was completely oblivious to the apex predator behind him.
Billy felt his soul leave his body as his brain scrambled for an explanation.
A tiger.
Tawny was a tiger.
Billy might’ve technically never finished school, but he was very sure that tigers weren’t allowed to just be in the States—let alone roam around freely and be his best friend.
Which, unfortunately, was exactly what was happening.
Barry came bouncing back into frame, holding a random trinket book. “Hey Cap, what is thi—”
He froze mid-step.
Eyes wide. Camera still rolling.
“…Is that a tiger?” he asked, disbelieving, staring straight at Tawky Tawny now lounging like a very judgmental sphinx in the middle of the shop.
“YEP!” Billy squeaked. His voice jumped three octaves as his hands fidgeted like they had a mind of their own. “Taxidermy! Yep. Totally decorative. Not alive. Not sentient.”
Oh god, he thought, I am the worst liar alive.
He shut his eyes. Please please please believe it. Tawny, don’t do something stupid—
Barry blinked.
Then blinked again.
Then grinned. “DUDE. That’s amazing. Look at this big guy!”
And just like that, Barry was back in full hyper streamer mode, zooming the camera in on Tawky for chat to see.
Before Billy could stop him, Barry—bless his doomed little heart—grabbed Tawky like a prop and started posing him into kung-fu stances for the stream.
Billy watched in frozen horror.
_ _ _
TigerKing920: This is sooooo cursed and I love it ৻( •̀ ᗜ •́ ৻)
GlitterGremlinforlife: is it only me- That tiger tail MOVE wtf!?
Teddy00: HE'S FLEXIBLE HELP
Thedemonsshoes: SOO CUTE ♡(˃͈ ˂͈ )
HumanIam: Cap really loves tiger lmao
_ _ _
“Cap, this tiger is hilarious,” Barry laughed, carefully placing Tawky in a dab pose. “Where’d you get him? A zoo? Museum market?”
Billy, now sweating bullets, whispered from the corner of his mouth, “Tawny… please stay still.”
“Oh, I got him from my—uh—family. My parents, actually!”
He blurted it out before he could stop himself.
“Oh?” Barry looked intrigued. Cap never really talked about his past—aside from the whole orphan thing he talk about befor on stream. This was the first real detail he’d ever shared with just Barry.
“Yeah—they were archaeologists,” Billy said. That part was true, at least, which made it easier to spin the rest.
“They traveled all over. Brought the tiger back from one of their last expeditions. Before they… didn’t make it back.”
Barry’s expression softened. He instinctively tilted the camera away from Cap, giving him some space.
“Oh. That’s… cool. Dude, I’m really sorry about your parents,” he said gently, stepping forward to give Billy a small, heartfelt hug.
Cap was such a sweet soul. The more Barry learned about him, the more it felt like watching a kicked puppy who somehow stood up and carried the world anyway.
“It’s okay,” Billy said with a small, watery smile, hugging back. The human contact felt warm—comforting.
He let go and quickly wiped at a tear that had snuck out, chuckling under his breath. “Ugh. Sorry.”
Barry just grinned and gave him a little nod before turning back to the tiger, going back to posing Tawky in ridiculous stances—giving Cap a moment to himself.
Tawky’s tail flicked. Slowly. Dangerously.
“Oh, I will remember this,” he hissed—low enough that only Billy could hear, fangs just barely bared.
Billy’s smile for the camera was way too wide. Way too panicked.
“Okay! Stream’s over! Thanks for watching, folks!”
He practically slammed Barry’s phone shut.
- - -
Moments later, with the stream ended and dinner (takeout Chinese) long devoured, they were upstairs in Billy’s tiny studio apartment above the shop.
Barry, still giggling like a lunatic, flopped dramatically onto the couch.
“That was so much fun, Cap. Seriously, I love the collection you’ve got—super cool stuff everywhere. And that tiger? He’s got more flexibility than I thought was physically possible. He could totally start a fight club.”
Billy snorted, handing him a mug of coffee.
He’d kind of grown addicted to it himself—now that he actually had money, he kept it stocked like an essential. Essentials + comfort, he liked to call it.
“He will if you keep manhandling him,” Billy muttered under his breath as he poured himself a cup of coffee in the open kitchen.
Barry didn’t hear him. He was too busy lounging on the couch like a gossipy teenage girl at a sleepover.
“Alright, movie time!” he announced cheerfully. “I brought The Exorcist. It’s a classic.”
He held up a DVD from his worn brown leather bag. The cover alone looked... deeply cursed.
Billy blinked. Slowly.
“The what now?”
He’d never heard of it. It sounded like some kind of holy film? Maybe a comedy?
That fragile illusion died instantly when he sat down and saw Barry’s grin.
It was... terrifying.
“Trust me,” Barry said, popping the DVD case open like a man about to ruin lives. “You’re gonna love it.”
- - -
An hour later:
Billy was buried under three different blankets, curled into the corner of the couch with only one eye peeking out.
“I hate you,” he muttered, as if it were the only thing keeping him tethered to reality. The movie was terrifying. His heart was still hammering in his chest from the last jumpscare. He was, without a doubt, traumatized.
Barry, completely unfazed, was calmly munching popcorn on the other side of the couch.
“You’re welcome.”
“I’m never sleeping again.”
“You say that, but your eyelids are drooping.”
“…Shhh.”
They kept watching in a strange mix of dread and denial until Barry’s phone buzzed. He checked the screen and stood up.
“Ah, shoot. Gotta go—family stuff! Catch up next time?”
Billy gave a thumbs-up from deep inside his blanket burrito. It barely emerged.
“Mhm. Yep. Sure. Totally.”
“Cool! Night, Cap!”
“Night, Barry.”
The door shut behind him with a quiet click.
Silence returned.
Then—thump—a heavy weight landed right on Billy’s stomach.
Yep. He deserved that.
“OW—TAWNY!” he wheezed. “You’re heavy!”
Which, duh. He was a tiger.
Tawky perched atop him like a king reclaiming his throne. “That was for the dab,” he grumbled.
Billy groaned. “I feel like I just lived a lifetime.”
Tawky shifted, putting all his weight down.
“Okay—maybe two lifetimes.”
Tawky stretched, a deep purr rumbling in his chest. “Good. Now scoot. You’re hogging the couch.”
Billy laughed softly and nudged him over so they could both fit. Tawky didn’t budge much, but he allowed just enough space.
Despite everything, Billy’s heart felt warm.
This… wasn’t so bad.
Well.
Except for the movie.
And the trauma.
And the fact that he’d never sleep again.
Notes:
So I heard you guys wanted Tawny on stream—well, here you go! ≽(•⩊ •マ≼
Hope I did it in a fun way—I definitely had a blast writing it!
Anyway, hope you enjoyed! ♥︎
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