Chapter Text
Hanging out with the Justice League was kind of the coolest thing ever. Not only does Billy get to talk to the greatest heroes on earth, but he gets to do it in space! Sure, Billy might have access to the Rock of Eternity but it’s all lonely and isolated and ancient in a way that’s creepy and not cool. Frankly Billy dealt with enough loneliness in his regular life, so he avoided the place when he could. The Watchtower on the other hand was always busy with staff and supers and sometimes even visiting aliens, plus it had an amazing view of the earth.
Of course, it was a little hard to appreciate any of these things when he was stuck in a boring, windowless meeting room. Someone (Billy bet it was probably Hal Jordan going by his seasick expression) had been using the League’s emergency fund “inappropriately” and now they all had to listen to Batman explain in detail what did and didn’t count as a League-related emergency incident.
“... to conclude, the League’s emergency fund is for League related expenses only, even if you intend to reimburse what you use,” Batman said.
Finally!
“Which brings us to the last item on our agenda.”
What!?
“Captain Marvel,” Batman said. All eyes in the room locked onto Billy, who sat up straight in his seat. He felt exactly the way he did when Ms. Whittemore called him out in class for not paying attention.
“You’ve been a member of the League for six months now, which means your probationary period is over. Which also means it’s time for you to select your official Confidant,” Batman continued.
“My what?”
“Confidant.” Batman’s voice gave nothing away. It was really unsettling. “Every member of the League is required to disclose their identity to at least one other member, in case we need access to that information.”
“Don’t I get time to think about this? It’s a big decision!” Billy said.
“You had time. Six months of it.” Batman narrowed his eyes. “In order to be a full member of the Justice League, you must choose a Confidant. Otherwise, we will have to remove you from the roster.”
“So if I don’t tell you who I am you’re gonna kick me out?”
Batman opened his mouth to say something else, but Wonder Woman raised a hand. Batman gave her a small nod and she turned to address Billy. “Captain, we all understand how important it can be for a hero to keep their true identity secret. Batman more than most.”
There were a few chuckles around the room.
“That’s why we have the Confidant policy, so we don’t have to make you reveal your identity to the whole League, but just to one person. Your closest and most trusted friend. Surely, there must be someone among us you can trust.” She looked at him earnestly.
Billy scanned the room, the expectant, impatient faces of the gathered heroes. He caught the Flash’s eye, and he gave him a huge grin and a thumbs up. Billy turned back to Batman. “I’m sorry but I really can’t…” he trailed off. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the Flash’s face fall.
Batman’s face was grim when he spoke again. “Being a member of the Justice League is a responsibility, not a right. We all make sacrifices in order to be members of this team. I thought you understood that when you accepted a place here, but it seems you don’t.”
“No, I do, I really do, I just can’t tell you my secret identity because-” Billy paused for a split second and channeled the Wisdom of Solomon. He needed a reason, a really really good reason. Something that would convince the rest of the League that he did trust them. “I don’t have one” was way too simple, they’d never believe that. It also had to be something worth hiding, otherwise his behavior up until now would seem weird. It also had to be something that couldn’t be tested or proven wrong. He also had to think of it fast, because hesitation was the first sign that someone was lying. Which meant he only had one choice.
“I can’t tell you my secret identity because I’m not real.”
The other Leaguers exchanged glances like they were questioning both his sanity and their own. And yeah, that’s kind of fair. Billy knows how insane that excuse sounds, which is part of the reason he picked it. No one would ever lie about something so absurd, right? Good lies were supposed to be simpler than the truth.
“You’re not… real?” Hawkwoman asked, tilting her head in a birdlike way.
“Nope. Well, not a real person anyway. A wizard made me out of magic to be a hero. So when I’m not doing hero stuff, I just kinda… stop being?”
At the mention of a wizard, all eyes turned to Zatana, who looked absolutely baffled. She collected herself after a moment. “I guess it’s technically possible. But they would have to be an exceptionally powerful mage to make a construct with your abilities and so much… personality,” she concluded.
Batman turned back to Billy and for a split second, Billy could swear he looked amused. “I see. In that case, the League will need to interview the mage in question.”
“That’s not a good idea,” Billy said. “You see, he doesn’t actually know he made me. Can I just explain from the beginning? I think that would be easier.”
Batman nodded. “Go on.”
“So there’s this kid,” Billy begins. “And he has some problems in his life. You know, everyone does. But he’s not just any kid. He has magic. Like, a lot of magic. So when he started imagining a superhero who would save him from his problems…”
“He unconciously created you,” Batman concluded. “Zatana?”
All eyes shifted to the magician again. “It’s possible,” she said slowly. “Children can be magically powerful just like adults. And without training, their magic can behave unpredictably.”
“So basically you’re this kid’s imaginary friend, but you’re real?” the Flash said.
“No, I’m definitely just imaginary,” Billy insisted. “The stuff I do is real, but I’m not.”
“And you’re okay with that?” the Flash pressed.
“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?”
“When you’re not doing hero stuff, you don’t exist, and that’s fine with you?”
“Flash,” Batman interrupted, “Captain Marvel’s existential reality is not the subject of this meeting. His identity is. We’ll take what you’ve said today into consideration, Marvel.”
Billy smiled. “I’d appreciate that.”
“And I would like to remind everyone that information about another hero’s secret identity, no matter how strange it might seem, is considered confidential outside of emergency situations,” Superman added. “So no gossiping. Now, unless there’s anything else…” he looked around the room, but no one raised their hand. He smiled warmly. “Good. Our meeting is adjourned. Thanks for coming today.”
“See you guys around!” Billy said with a cheerful salute, and then he vanished.