Chapter Text
"Billy?" Snapping fingers brought Billy back to present company. "Did you hear what I said?" Joe's face was bright red.
"Yeah. I'll cover the game and continue the next segment at two," Billy tore his eyes off the cute cheerleader who walked past.
"You like Courtney Whitmore?" Joe's pimply face broke into a sadistic smile. "Sorry kid. She's out of your league." The bigger teen ruffled Billy's hair.
"Yeah," Billy mumbled to himself. "I know."
What chance did he, a too-small-for-his-age scrawny geek, have with the rival school's cutest cheerleader?
Pulling himself together he made his way to his spot in the stadium.
No time for self pity. He had to set up his equipment for his broadcast.
The cheer leaders were already there.
He caught his breath.
There she was. Her golden hair, brilliant in the noonday sun.
"Courtney," he whispered. His cheeks burned. She was looking his way. At him.
"Billy Batson?" She smiled brilliantly and skipped towards him. Her smile looked even cuter with those adorable braces peeking out.
Billy's heart thumped so hard it would jump out of his chest.
"I love your show!" She offered her hand.
"Oh. Thanks!" He smiled, taking her hand. His cheeks were on fire.
"Could you do me a favour?" She clasped her hands together, smiled sweetly and trained those beautiful eyes on him. How could he say no?
"Anything," he croaked. Did his voice have to break right now?
She giggled. Her cheeks turned pink.
"It's my friend Cheryl's birthday today." Her voice was silvery. "When she walks in, can you play a song dedication for her - Birthday by Destiny's Child?"
He nodded. Mute. He never did song dedications but would make this exception for her.
"Thanks!" Her eyes twinkled when she smiled. Her face was a bright rosy pink. She looked down shyly. "It's so sweet of you."
He couldn't help staring at her cute shiny braces that played peekaboo in her mouth.
Her eyes widened. She pulled her lip over her teeth to hide them.
Uh oh. She caught him staring.
She looked down as if to hide her scarlet face. Then she skipped away.
Stupid Batson. He could have kicked himself.
He played the song as promised and watched from his station while the cheerleaders celebrated a redhead's birthday.
Courtney caught his eye. "Thanks," she mouthed. Then she turned to join her friends.
Alone at his station, broadcast completed, equipment put away, Billy took Tawky Tawny out of his backpack and hugged him.
He knew the jokes they made about him and his soft toy but he didn't care. Tawky Tawny's all that's left of his family.
"I guess I'm just a music player to Courtney," he sighed. "Should have known."
"She likes you," came a low voice. "Ask her to be your Valentine."
"Who me? She's a cheerleader." Billy rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm just a geek."
"Never try, never know." Tawky Tawny, now a well dressed bipedal tiger leaned forward from his seat beside Billy.
"Think I got a chance?" Billy's heart lightened.
"Of course, Captain," grinned the tiger.
Billy grabbed his bag and ran as fast as he could to the opposing team's cheerleader squad.
"Courtney!" He panted.
"Who's that squirt?" A huge quarterback who was talking to Courtney glared at him.
Ignoring the hulk, Courtney made her way to Billy. "Thanks Billy!" Her smile lit the room. "We loved it!"
"Courtney." Billy's stomach did flip flops. "Uh. I was wondering..." He gulped.
"Come on. We're late for the victory parade!" A brunette cheerleader grabbed Courtney's hand and pulled her away.
Courtney gave Billy a small wave and ran off with her friend.
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"He's Captain Marvel!" The pink rabbit waved his arms. "Which human female wouldn't want him to be her mate?"
"He cannot pursue her as Captain Marvel," sighed the tiger.
"Why not?" The bunny didn't get it.
"It would be scandalous! Captain Marvel looks old enough to be Courtney's father," Tawny explained.
"So?" Hoppy scratched his head.
"Billy and Courtney are the same age. He has to pursue her as his real self," Tawny cracked his paws/knuckles. "If she gets to know the real him, she will love him."
"Billy is the kindest human ever," Hoppy grinned. "You're right."
"So let's bring them together," Tawny had a plan.
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"Naughty Bunny!"
Courtney was furious. A pink bunny popped up from a hole in the ground and stole her phone.
"Give it back!"
"Nah," the bunny wagged it's tongue at her. Then hopped away with Courtney hot in pursuit.
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Captain Marvel's patrol completed. His Justice League communicator went off when he landed. It was Batman again. He scrolled through the never ending texts and sighed.
"What's up Cap?" A deep voice rumbled.
"Batman's batty," he showed Tawny the paranoid messages.
"Let me see," Tawny took the communicator and scooted off.
"Tawny," said Cap. "You know you can't out run me.
A portal opened in front of the tiger who jumped into it. Captain flew in and caught him.
Tawny raised his balled fists, a shit-eating grin on his face.
"C'mon Tawny. Hand it over."
"If you say so," Tawny unfurled his right paw. It was empty.
"The other hand," Cap tapped his foot. The Tiger's tricky.
With a flamboyant grin, Tawny opened his other fist. Nothing.
"The Justice League Communicator isn't a toy." Captain Marvel sighed. Batman would kill him if he were to lose his comms.
Tawky Tawny's taił flicked out, waving the comms.
Before Cap could grab it, the tiger tossed it into an open vent.
The vent was way too small for Cap's broad shoulders but Billy could get in.
"Shazam!"
Lightning changed Cap back to Billy.
Quick as a squirrel, Billy crawled into the vent and retrieved his comms.
"Heya Cap!" Piped a sunny voice right behind him.
"Hoppy? Not you too!" Billy protested as a furry cushion bumped him out of the hole, sending him tumbling out.
"Watch out!" he yelled as he found himself falling towards his crush, Courtney.
"Bill-" Courtney grunted as she landed on her bum with Billy on top of her.
A bouquet of roses hit Billy's head. He caught it.
His cheeks burned as he held it out to the girl who broke his fall.
"Courtney, will you be my Valentine?"