#the fun

Anyway. So, here is my hypothesis: Alberu does not primarily want to be loved, but rather acknowledged. Seen. Validated for who he actually is, rather than the mask he wears.

While Cale is a yearner, to me, Alberu is a survivalist who strategised his whole life to a point where he grew a heart and had the audacity to keep it.

I mean, come on -- his childhood? Being rejected for who he was? His dak elf lineage? Not to mention the throne he had to claw his way toward while smiling politely?

You think someone like that would want someone to dote on him lovingly? Of course not, even if that is what he needs.

No, he would rather need someone who:

Knows his competency and trusts him (to a degree at least) for it

Sees how hard he works (or at least, doesn't invalidate him)

Understands the weight he carries

Chooses to be by his side anyway

All the markings of a partnership, honestly. (Also, why I think rivals to lovers or co-workers to lovers would do best with him, if anyone does wanna do the romantic route. Enemies to lovers may also work but only if written properly with a mutual respect between them, even when on opposite sides of the field)

That's also why he thrives so well with Cale, because they both don't baby each other. Instead, they assess, tease (bully?) and challenge in a way that respects each other's capabilities.

What is funny to me here is that Cale is mentally 38 years old. And Alberu vibes with someone of that age this well, because of how much he has been around adults only his whole life. Be it in the palace or his dark elf relatives, who are even older than human elders.

Anyway, back to the point -- where Cale suppresses attachments (or any sign of it) out of trauma, Alberu does it out of survival. Because he cannot afford uncontrolled emotions.

Maybe that's why he liked and trusted Cale so much, because Cale was not only useful, but unbiased in a way that it made him feel oddly safe.

I guess that's a big thing in TCF too -- to feel safe. Have a safe haven in each other. Cale is that for a lot of people, including Alberu, because of his non-judgmental outlook.

What others called sad for me was magic‼️

the actual reason why he’s like that is because billy just really values those things as an orphan and is proud to work with such great people

Whenever someone mentions or even breathes the implication of Cap being mistaken as a dad or seen as a father figure, I lose my marbles, because, oh cheese and crackers, I just can't express enough how much I adore this headcanon! I'm doin' a little happy dance :D

Billy Batson is someone who has always yearned and wished to be a part of a family again since his experience was cut short due to tragedy and made sour thanks to his uncle Ebeneezer being crusty dusty, so it's easy to see him respecting those who appreciate the family they have. He had to grow up and mature far faster than any kid his age, and compared to most adults, Billy is actually more mature and responsible than they are, unfortunately. It's reasonable to see that this would be reflected in Captain Marvel; someone who's immature at times, but ultimately a good-natured person with a golden heart and good intentions, who others can depend on anytime and anywhere (much to the sacrifice of his personal life).

Billy has been in enough foster homes at a young age to know the difference between a good parent and a rotten one, so seeing members of the league prioritize their family members and kids would make him really happy. He's the type to take on any shift or mission in the place of another member if they had something important to do with their family. What you said about him being very proud and empathetic towards parents in the league made me realize that Billy would have loved to have parents like them had his own not perished. In a way, he's not just proud of them, but a little bit envious.

This also brings up another headcanon of mine, where Captain Marvel is the unofficial designated babysitter of the league when emergencies come up. Because despite not knowing who he is/his secret identity, people trust him enough to let him know theirs. Like, it all starts with the Captain in the watchtower break room drinking apple juice, and is suddenly bombarded with a group of children or sidekicks being thrown at him by the other heroes, saying that the Captain was in charge while they were away before teleporting away.

All these kids and teenagers that he suddenly has to help look after, and while Captain Marvel is calm on the outside, Billy Batson is freaking out on the inside. Some of those kids are older than he is, and there's some hilarity to it. Shenanigans ensue in the Captain Marvel: Adventures in Babysitting day, but it all turns out okay in the end. As a kid, Billy would know how to talk to them and keep them busy with fun/educational stuff. Might even teach them a thing or two about good morals, manners, archeology, or ancient magic stuff.

I imagine some of those kids would want to be babysat by him again, and Billy would welcome it (with warning ahead of time). Captain Marvel is just someone people like being around with his good dad vibes. Some of them even ask if he has kids of his own, but are met with an empty room immediately as the man zooms off whenever people ask him questions about family.