Chapter Text
It’s far from the first time Billy’s gone dumpster diving. Of course things have gotten better recently. The League making sure he has enough food and clean water. They had tried to get him in a house, but after a few break downs as they tried talking about who they could place him with. He turned into the big guy and did his best to explain what he’d been through. It wasn't pretty. So with an agreement to check in with the league every day, call for superman if he gets into something over his head as Billy, a decent apartment that wouldn’t ask questions, if he needs to he comes to his room on the watchtower, and weekly meetings with Dinah. The plan is to hopefully get him comfortable enough with one of the adult League members to stay with them long term. Several had offered, even Stargirl and S.T.R.I.P.E. But Billy can't accept any of the offers.
Sure he’s slept over at a few of the Hero’s houses, but that really only happens after large group missions and they're all too tired to go home. And he cant really leave Fawcett for that long, the rock of eternity needs its champion.
Anyways, back to the dumpster.
He’s not looking for food, but he can't let a lot of the old clothing and blankets go to waste. There's a lot of people who could use it, so he perches on the side and carefully lifts the lid.
A hiss fills the air.
The lid falls back with a loud clang.
Holding his breath he lifts the lid.
“Oh.” At the bottom of the otherwise empty dumpster there’s a cat. It’s hot inside the dumpster, “Hey kitty,” Billy whispers, “I'm going to get you out of here.”
The cat turns its head and its amber eyes seem to bore into Billy’s with an uncanny intelligence. It’s fur is an ashy gray and a dirt covered collar rests around its neck.
Flipping the lid to the dumpster over Billy hops down and looks around the allye. Spotting a plank of wood he grins. That’ll do.
Placing it into the dumpster Billy watches as the cat crawls onto the plank and looks back into Billy’s eyes as it carefully climbs up the wooden bridge.
Once it’s down Billy drops the wood into the dumpster wincing at the loud bang it makes. Moving a hand to put the lid back on he looses his balance and falls.
Landing on his but he shakes his head then looks down. The cat is slowly approaching him, tail fluffed up but he doesn’t look too defensive, more scared.
“It’s ok kitty, I'm not going to hurt you.” Billy murmurs, as the cat pads forwards Billy smiles, careful to keep his lips over his teeth, “That’s a good kitty.”
The cat freezes. He’s a good Kitty. That’s him. This isn't his person… She's long gone. But this boy. Dexter blinks at the boy and walks closer. This will require watching. But he feels kind. The boy reaches into a bag. Dexter freezes. Bags are a bad thing…
“Hey, hey, hey, it’s ok, I'm just getting you some food.” Billy murmurs as he pulls a little bag of food and rips off a little piece.
The cat sniffs at it and then takes a bite. A happy rumble radiates from the cat.
“I have to go now,” The boy says softly. “Don't get stuck in any more dumpsters.”
Of course he wouldn't get trapped again. That was a stupid mistake. Besides his ring is low on power so he will be saving it for when he needs it.
Watching as the boy runs off to an old apartment complex, Dexter finds himself padding along the street after the boy.
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Once in his apartment Billy sets about putting his things away. He doesn't have much, but he’s happy with what he has. It’s miles better than the old place. It’s not home, but maybe one day he’ll be able to live somewhere better. Batman is putting his Justice league salary in his parents account that will transfer to Billy when he turns eighteen.
Looking out the window Billy gasps.
The cat is watching him.
Running over to the window Billy opens it, “How did you find me?”
Blinking the cat jumps into the house and mews up at him.
“You’re a chatty cat.” Billy states as he watches the animal inspect his apartment, “Don't you have a person to get back to?”
The cat shakes its head. Then jumps up and opens the bathroom door. Standing in the shower Dexter looks up at the shower head expectantly.
“Oh, you want a bath,” the boy grins, “Ok, uh can you get out so it can warm up and not be too cold.”
Dexter nods and steps out of the shower. As the boy turns it on he looks around the room. There’s only one of the things humans use to brush their teeth. Strange, a kitten this young should remain close to his mother.
“Ok, it’s ready, can I take your collar off?”
Dexter nods and lets the boy remove his collar.
“Oh. Dexter, is that your name?”
He nods, it had been far too long since any one had called him his proper name, the ring pronounces it as Dex-Star so most sentient beings call him that.
“I’m Billy, Billy Battson.”
Dex brushes his tail over Billy’s hand and walks into the shower. He dislikes the water, but the dirt, grime and blood covering his body is far worse.
“Holy Moly,” Billy gasps, “Are you bleeding.”
Dexter looks down at the water that has blood swirling down the drain, Not his blood
“It looks old,” Billy murmurs to himself, “Ok lets get you cleaned up.”
Pulling out his phone Billy hums, “Ok no shampoo. Oh baby shampoo works.” Kid Flash had gotten it for Superboy as a joke considering the whole clone thing and Billy, never being one to let anything go to waste, had rescued it from the trash can.
Billy is almost done washing the cat when his fingers brush cold metal, “What’s this?”
Whirling around Dexter tucks his tail behind himself and hisses.
“Sorry,” Billy murmurs, holding his hands up, “I wont touch it.”
Dexter murps and visibly relaxes.
“You are a smart cat,” Billy murmurs as he gently scratches behind his ears.
After Dex is completely clean and dried off Billy microwaves his dinner then he heads to sleep. Slinking to the window Dexter nudges it open and jumps outside. Half an hour latter he returns.
Billy wakes up to a sharp crash coming from the kitchen. Falling to the ground with a thumps he scrambles over to see what had happened.
Dexter is sitting on the ground next to an overturned lamp with a mouse caught securely in his mouth.
“Dex spit it out.” Billy yelps.
Shaking his head Dex stalks over to the window where he pushes it open and drops the mouse outside. Billy’s on the ground floor so the mouse was fine and scampered off into the alleyway.
“You know what.” Billy hums, “Pest control is a good thing… good kitty.”
Dexter purrs happily, this will be a good place to stay.
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Tucking his head down Billy crosses the street and looks over his shoulder. Crap. Sivana’s still there. He’s been following Billy for a few blocks now.
Billy walks faster, he needs to lose him before he gets home.
Passing an opening into an alleyway Billy ducks in and huddles silently on the ground.
A paw brushes his leg.
Jerking his head up, Billy locks eyes with Dexter. The cat flicks his tail proudly then stalks away to sit staring at the gate.
Sivana walks in a moment later muttering something about knowing that Billy’s there.
Dexter lunges forwards, no one will hurt his person. He will not lose another.
Sivana wisely runs, he could have sworn the cat’s eyes flashed blood red for a moment...
Hissing and spitting Dexter glares in the direction the mad scientist ran until he’s sure he won't come back. Padding over to Billy he purrs loudly and rubs his head on Billy’s chin.
“Thanks,” Billy whispers, “You’re a good cat.”
Dexter preens as Billy scoops him up and carries him back home.