It looks to be that I caught your interest. Incredible, I hope that you become a familiar face around here.
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Giant Masterlist
Here is where you will find lists that bring you straight to my writings. Enjoy some reading.
📜Headcanon and Small Tales📜
🤍💚🩷Original Character Stories🤍💚🩷
🚩Homelander x Reader 🦅
⏳ Timeline⏳
🍑Juicy Bits🔥
So that is about it. I will be updating this with more information in the future. Thank you for reading!
To answer the whole "how would you pull Homelander:" tbh, I would just try to show him genuine kindness and emotional support that he never recieved as a kid. Straight up hug him, kiss him, tell him I would've tried to get him out of his situation as a kid, try to encourage him to be in more "human" situations to show that humanity is not all bad. Like someone else mentioned, showing some autistic special interest in things and gushing over them on my end would hopefully be attractive to him? 🙏 I think he would also find my submissiveness attractive and see himself in my own fears of failure and disappointment. I headcanon him as a switch, so he would identity with my sub while also wanting to dom me when he wants 😅 I think he'd like having some control over another human as his little "pet" lol, and I would fill that role for him, for better or for worse.
Why it wouldn't work: Well, my efforts probably wouldn't be enough. At worst, he thinks I'm just another human to be disposed of, and best, he thinks because I was the nicest human to him that I'm too good for this world and kills me "as an act of mercy." But who knows? He's so complicated anything and everything is possible ♥️
Sorry for the long rant, bestie! Always love chatting everything and anything Homie with ya! 💗💗💗
HI SUNNY!!!
I love that, it seems like he’d have a great time until driven over the edge by Vought. I think I wrote that before: characters like him will never find love because they don’t want the only people who could give it to them.
I feel like he’d SO completely embrace the mercy kill while in his Jesus Era. He’d claim this to be some new way of life, him being a savior, answering prayers you didn’t know u had :((( I hate that. He’d probably think that’s love ://
Response to a post of mine:
💬 3 🔁 0 ❤️ 17 · Okay guys. Why do u think you’d pull Homelander? Visually, intellectually, freak wise. Answer in ask. Also add why it woul
Keep This Ship Afloat (Homelander x Reader x Starlight)
Homelight is solved with a sandwich. The sandwich is you.
This can be considered a sequel to this or its own standalone filth—definitely NSFW due to threesomes and Homelander being a little confused about consent.
The Homelander’s sheets are a silky embrace across your bare skin. His hand is on your hip, his forehead between your shoulder blades. Starlight sleeps on her back in front of you. Her hair showers over the blue pillows in a blonde cascade of temptation; it has your half-awake fingers twitching lightly at your side, resisting the instinct to touch. Neither of you likes to give Homelander any credit, but his insistence on all three of you sleeping naked while in his penthouse wasn’t the worst idea – not when it gives you a view like this. Annie is beautiful at rest, but has never been a sleep cuddler. She’s delighted to hold you any other hour, but she needs room for sleep. You think it has something to do with her powers, which keep her body heat slightly elevated. Homelander, on the opposite side of the spectrum, can’t sleep without touching you. His preferred position is to spoon - he’s a switch for whether he prefers the big or little spot - but he isn’t picky so long as you are under his fingertips. He nuzzles your hair, he traces his fingers along your stomach, he purrs into your shoulder. One night, you dared to use the bathroom in the middle of the night. You opened the bathroom door to find the co-captain of the Seven pouting, then lifting you over his shoulder to bring you back to bed. Annie gave him hell for that one.
This morning is a slow one. You vaguely remember that your two supes have an interview with Seven on 7, but there’s no rush around the most powerful man on the planet. There hasn’t been an early meeting since this arrangement among the three of you began. It was the silent kindness Homelander offered when he noticed Starlight hated mornings; it was the same kindness that elevated his bed to a size that put Alaskan kings to shame.
You shift slightly. Homelander notices immediately. He groans against you, his forehead bumping your back. “No.”
You snort and ignore your chest fluttering when his hand on your hip tightens. “No, what?”
“No, you’re not getting up.”
“Who said I was?”
Homelander grunts and eases his grip so his bare fingers can trace along your waist. He says nothing for a long while, simply amuses himself by brushing his hand back and forth on your sensitive skin. He finally lifts his head to kiss the back of her neck. “What woke you?”
“Nothing.” You tell him as he continues dotting lazy pecks along your skin.
“No?” He mumbles with a nibble to your collarbone. “Sleeping Beauty didn’t try anything?”
You look up at Sleeping Starlight with a smirk. It wouldn’t be the first, fifth, or tenth time he woke up to the two of you fooling around - or at least attempting to. With his sharp senses, it never lasts very long before he’s butting in and complaining the entire time about being left out. The last time it happened, you nearly passed out due to his attempts to “make up for lost time.”
There’s movement. It takes your sleepy brain a moment to understand that Homelander has angled himself to rut between your legs. The warm, hard press of him pokes slowly between your thighs, already lubed with precum. When you try to move, his hold on your grip tightens - a band of iron around you with just his thumb. He groans against your neck as he ruts harder, and you bite back a moan. “Homelander…”
“She won’t wake up.” Homelander murmurs before his tongue licks a long strip up the side of your neck. “Little firefly could sleep through an earthquake.”
That wasn’t exactly your concern, but you understand that the comment is more for him. Any moment he can steal you away from his co-captain, any time he can prove that he is the superior lover in this trio, is a win. He shifts then, keeping one of your hips anchored to the bed while the other slides over your waist. He’s humming to himself when the pad of his middle finger rubs tiny, slow circles into your clit. If your body twitches, if you try to buck into his touch, his strength prevents you. You’ll take what he gives you - nothing more, nothing less. Annie hasn’t moved an inch.
“So wet already.” He chuckles meanly when you whine, still refusing to go any faster. “Good dreams, hm?”
You part your lips to reply, and he chooses that time to push two long fingers into you in a slow, soaked slide. You moan, but he moans louder. “Fuck. Fucking perfect.”
The slide of his fingers is just as slow as his playing with your clit. He knows exactly how to get you off, but he’s not trying to be quick. He pulls them all the way out, all the way back in with a hard thrust that steals the breath from your lungs. He curls just so, and you’d be embarrassed by the choked moan you let out if you weren’t so turned on. Annie shifts, and you quickly cover your mouth.
“No, no,” Homelander squeezes your hip and gives a harder thrust of those damned talented fingers. “I want to hear all of those.”
“We…we’re gonna wake her up…”
“Good. She loves seeing you like this.” He purrs into your ear. His fingers leave you with a sopping tug. Your pussy quivers, nearly pulling them back in, and he coos, smug enough to give your soaked lips a little pat. “Don’t worry. I’ll be right back.”
Homelander hooks his wet fingers under your thigh and tugs it back over his hip. The angle gives him enough room to slowly, ever so slowly, slide his thick cock into you. Your head falls back on his shoulder with a whine that’s pure music to him, and he bites down on your neck like a rutting dog. His devious fingers prepped you plenty, leaving no resistance for him to fuck you as he pleases. You can tell he got himself worked up fingering you; he’s faster, needy in his huffs against your skin and his thrusts.
“The fuck?”
You hadn’t realized how loud you were moaning, or how Starlight had started to stir. Her chocolate eyes are sleepy but open, looking more annoyed than surprised - and a bit aroused, judging by how she bites her lip at the sight of Homelander’s cock buried in you.
“Starlight! Good morning,” Homelander greets as he continues fucking you. He gives a rougher thrust that makes you choke on a moan. Annie looks up at Homelander sharply. “Oh, don’t give me that look. You’ll get your turn.”
She opens her mouth, but you cut in, “If you both start arguing with a dick inside me, I’m blue balling both of you.”
Homelander mockingly gasps and replies by slamming into you. Your eyes roll back as he slaps your ass. “You heard the lady,” He purrs to Starlight. “Play nice.”
Annie is too turned on to argue further. She kisses you hungrily, her soft tongue petting yours. Her hands roam your body, fondling your breasts with a knowing pressure. She heats her hands against your nipples, and you whine against her lips. “Cheating.”
“Sorry.” She smirks and moves one hand just over the outline of Homelander’s cock in you. His breathing is ragged as she syncs her swirls on your clit with his dick. You’re stuck between the Seven’s captains, at their mercy, so it’s no surprise when your orgasm leaves you boneless. Homelander is still inside of you; you know well enough by now that that means he’s holding back his own climax. He distracts himself by sucking at your neck.
“Don’t leave any hickeys,” Starlight murmurs as she pulls her hand gently from your clit. “We have the interview at 9.”
Homelander growls against your skin; you are still blissed out between them. “Don’t talk to me about work right now,” He mutters.
Starlight sighs, her fingers trailing lazily over your thigh and up your arm. “The last time we woke up like this, you made us late. We need to make sure-”
“For fuck’s sake.” In a flurry of movement too fast for your human eyes to process, Homelander lifts you and lies down on his back. He seats you so his cock never leaves your cunt, still hard, then grabs Starlight. “If you wanted my attention that badly, just say so.”
Starlight makes a small yelp of protest, but then he seats her pussy right over his face. She’s facing you, so you can see the exact moment his tongue starts working its magic. Any argument she had left dies – and if you could have that look on her face framed, you absolutely would. Her eyes flutter, her sweet lips part, her hips rock slowly over his face. Homelander groans in approval and gropes her ass to spread her wider onto his mouth. You bite your lip and grind down onto his swollen cock. Homelander eats pussy like he has something to prove – and he almost always does when it comes to Annie. Eating her out has become his go-to for solving any sort of argument, and with his mouth’s skill, it tends to work.
You lean your front half over to mouth at her breasts, sucking a mark over her nipple. She curls her hands through your hair, tugging lightly to send a shiver down your spine. “You’re perfect.” She whispers.
“Thanks, honey,” Homelander murmurs from between her legs.
“Fuck you.”
He just chuckles and goes right back to work - though this time with more gusto, judging by Annie’s louder cries. She silences them by tugging you up by the hair to kiss you. You happily oblige as Homelander ruts into your cunt. There’s a louder slurp as he sucks hard at her clit, and you know she’s close. You pull away from her kiss just in time to see it – her eyes shifting to that golden yellow, her back arching as she comes. It’s a long one, and the beauty of it triggers another orgasm for you. Homelander ceases moving, still determined to keep himself from climaxing. He pulls away from Starlight’s pussy with a long inhale of breath he doesn’t need, then smacks her ass. “No broken lights this time…good job.”
“Ignore him,” You tell Annie, brushing a hand through her hair as she comes down from the high. “He hasn’t come yet.”
“Oooooh, zesty this morning.” Homelander chuckles.
“Too much talking.” Annie murmurs. She pulls on your arm, Homelander allows it, and you both fall to the sheets on your stomachs. She leans over to kiss you lazily, cupping the side of your face to hold you to her. There’s no doubt of her adoration; it’s in every breath of her lips and swipe of her tongue.
There’s another shift. Homelander grows tired of watching the pretty sight of you two and shifts behind you, lifting your hips so you’re on your knees. You moan against Starlight’s mouth as he pushes into you again, his hands spreading your ass cheeks wide. He fills you perfectly, but your body is still tingling and sensitive after two consecutive orgasms. You whimper, “I need…a minute…”
“You’re fine,” He replies, then starts fucking you in earnest. His hands on your ass are the only thing keeping you from being bounced up the bed, and damn if it doesn’t blank your brain of any complaints. Your fingers clench into the sheets as Annie looks over her shoulder in lazy warning. “Homelander, she said she needs-”
He rolls his eyes as she speaks and frees a hand from you to push two fingers into her pussy. She gasps, the nearby television screen cracks, and he chuckles darkly. “Always so desperate for me, sweetheart. You’ll always get your turn.” Homelander fingers her in time with how he fucks you. You’d be impressed if you weren’t completely cock drunk. He leans over your back, never once stopping in his movements, and the new angle breaks you. The orgasm comes soundlessly this time, but Homelander more than makes up for it. He finally comes in a roar, his forehead finding your shoulder and his hand leaving a bruise on your ass. You hear Annie’s soft moan beside you and the wanton squelch of Homelander’s fingers working her over the edge again. He’s come inside of you again, but you’ve given up telling him to stop that. Starlight keeps a careful eye on your birth control.
You can’t be sure if Homelander uses his super speed again or you simply black out - it wouldn’t be the first time - but the next thing you know, Homelander is spooning you again. It’s the same position you woke up in. He’s brushing kisses over your cheek and jaw as Annie sits up, lovingly carding her fingers through your hair. “You good, babe?”
You nod lazily. “Yep. Can’t feel my legs, though.”
Annie grins and leans down to kiss the side of your head. “Good,” She purrs, then shakily sits herself out of bed.
“Where on Earth are you going, Starlight?” Homelander asks with a pout.
She sighs and starts walking around the massive bed to collect her scattered clothing. “The interview? Remember? It’s in an hour.”
He whines and buries his face against your neck. “Cancel it.”
You sigh, already sensing the impending drama. “Homelander-”
“Don’t Homelander me. I do whatever the fuck I want. And right now, I want to fuck the two of you until you don’t remember any fucking interviews.”
Starlight pauses where she’s holding her cape. Her eyes drift to where his hands have already begun to fondle your breasts, brushing wicked thumbs over your nipples. “Edgar requested the interview himself…”
You arch your hips into Homelander’s hands with a lazy groan. “We’re screwed, Annie…literally and figuratively.”
Starlight sighs deeply and drops her cape, one knee already back on the bed. Her eyes lock sharply on Homelander. “You’re dealing with Edgar.”
You feel Homelander’s grin as his canines sink into your neck. “Deal.”
I missed your post about how we could or couldn't pull homelander!
This is so sad of me but I like to think we could bond over feeling isolated. I never really interacted with too many people until I left home, and it's left me feeling like I'm always just imitating how a normal person would behave. When it comes to acts of love in the few relationships I've had, I'm the one constantly saying things like "you're so safe, you're so loved. I see you, i feel you, youre allowed to rest" ect. Because it's what I would want to hear.
He'd also either love my clinginess or hate it lmao
HI JAMIE!
Oh, he sure used to search “how to behave like a normal person” on Google before so maybe he can help? :/// power couple?
I do believe that if anyone could ever get him is someone who experienced similar things, otherwise it’s hard to even try to understand him. Like I often say “to not understand him is a privilege” , so hey, maybe there’s one positive in that?
Sometimes you should trust your gut.
Female Reader
Warning: Mature Content, Stress, Red flag, Degrading, Humiliation, Foul Language, Threats, Judgement, and Anxiety.
"All I have to do is not go in. Yeah. Abandon my job and move to a different state to start fresh." The pastel maroon tied v-neck, that screamed accent wall color, slipped past your bed head. "Of course my record will show quitting, but I could say that it was a family emergency." The black yoga pants with flared bottoms pulled up the shaking legs. "It can work, it will work." You brush your hair before running your fingers along your scalp with a laugh of disbelief.
Bag, shoes, door, jingle of keys as the lock turns. Your thoughts turning into outside thoughts as you walk down the stairs of your apartment. "Easy as pie." You spoke cheerfully as you catch the sidewalk before joining the river of people. "So I don't have to go in. It will just be easier to give up and move."
*"This train will be heading south~"*
The stuffy compacted subway car didn't help as the weight of your actions drove you to think of quitting. Your clammy hands sliding back and forth with the motion of the car. Your face feeling like plaster drying as you did your best impression of the smiling emoji. The thoughts still playing on repeat as you feeling the impending doom.
"I don't have to go in."
"I don't need to go in."
The doors open and the river of people float you along the path out.
"I could disappear from Vought."
"Easy Peasy."
"No need to show my face."
Chatter from phones, rushing steps, the sinking feeling pulling your feet rather than keeping you stuck.
"It will be fine."
"Ill be fine."
"Ill be…"
Swallowing as your head turns upward to the sky. The looming glass tower brought no reassurance to your attempts to giving up and running away. It could be so easy to leave and forget about even trying to make up for what happened. That feeling of nerves cutting deep into any kind of bravery that got you this far. Thoughts swarming the longer you look up at the trap before you. *It was a simple ticket drawing.**An accident, it was an accident.**I was just trying to help and do my job.**He looked like he needed help.**It was to protect people and draw attention.* Each thought was to try and make an excuse or save your skin. None of them seemed to be good enough for your own version of Madelyn Stillwell.
Unfortunately that didn't stop your feet as you continued to move forward. The stairs feeling longer with each weighted step of fear. A crowd of workers making the elevator creak in your mind as the capacity limit felt like it had been reached. Each normal business action turning from casual to world ending. Your heart thumped with warning of the imaginary punishment to come. The claustrophobia of the elevator didn't assist with the torturous ideas. The idea of this company suffocating you with stacks of paper or having you be crushed by a public announcement of the situation from the event. Each thought whizzing by just as the floors did.
Until there finally was an empty elevator holding you prisoner as you reach your floor. The doors opening to allow you to leave, but standing on the other side was Ashley Barrett. Any color that was still left in your face was gone as her lips cracked from her straining smiling. A brisk flash of red hair in your face before the doors were closing again. The swift movement of the metal box began, only to shortly stop. The jostling of the elevator made you step forward before being shoved back against the door by Ashley's voice.
"WHAT THE HELL YOU WERE THINKING!?" Her scolding yell that seemed to strip away any kind of smarts from her victim. "You had one simple job. Do as Madelyn Stillwell says! Are you trying to get us fired- no, ME!"
Ashley's arms waved with her words. One hand landing on her hip and the other pinching the bridge of her nose. Her left leg pacing her around in a circle before bringing her back with her next words. "If Stillwell doesn't fire you, then I will if I get any shit from this theatrics of your's." She took a deep breath.
Ashley turns on her heel and smacks the button to continue the elevator. Your jostled again, but thankfully pressed to the wall helped. That flash of red hair was shaking as Ashley adjusted her frizzled hair. Her hands dropped to her top straightening it out then falling to her sides.
"Stillwell has invited us to her meeting at noon. She strictly instructed that you are to be there. Do NOT be late." Ashley manages that cracked smile from before. "First, I need you to deliver the folder from Marketing to my desk. You will have time to make up for your bullshit. Do not sit, keep busy on your feet. Then grab my coffee and deliver it to me before the meeting."
Ding and the doors opened to allow Ashley off. She steps to the side to not even give you a look back. Instead she gave you full side eye as she exited the metal prison. Her look saying more than the tongue lashing you received within minutes. **Get to work while you have a job left.** It made your mouth dry and die a little on the inside. Leaving you wobbling to press the button to take you to Marketing. Time to be punished before the real deal comes.
Staying busy in Vought was supposed to be the normal boring chore, but there seemed to always be something different. Causing every run to gather paperwork or getting signatures to be interesting. A tower with 99 floors has much to explore. Sticking to the same turns left nothing to the imagination, but the doors that were closed brought in secrets. Though you were in enough trouble that you couldn't cause more evidence to terminate your employment.
Sadly you had stuck to every run and ask like it was the law. Not even taking a break longer than the restroom, but your time was filled up till the noon meeting. Your shoulders only being able to relax for a moment as you ride up to the 99th floor to meet Ashley. You held her coffee as you lean against the corner of the tin box. The steam keeping your hand at a slow burn. A thankful distraction from the storm going on in the back of your mind. Not once has your internal monologue stopped spewing worse case situations at you. Each full stream of stress was dulled by the daily tasks given. Thus keeping you calm enough to stay and not walk out. Probably was your last time before being torn apart verbally.
The doors open with that chime of arrival just like a dinner bell. You step out with barely any confidence of keeping your job. The hallway empty and still daunting. Ashley's presence at the door of Stillwell's office could give some relief, but even she couldn't hide the fear of entering the room. This was the end for one of you and all you had was to hand over the coffee.
After the coffee was taken, it hadn't met Ashley's lips as the two of you were called to enter. First Ashley, leading the way as you followed behind ready to be fired within seconds.
The same room as before, still so heavy. Madelyn not sitting her desk. Wait. She wasn't at the desk. You spun to face the television and seating that was for luxury guests and discussions. Possibly making this all the more serious. Madelyn stood next to the TV with Homelander sitting on one of the couches. His cape draped to the side with his hands clasped in his lap. It seemed that the two of you entering was interrupting a meeting that had started long before.
"Finally, you both decided to join us." That same smile of calm and answers. "Ashley, you didn't tell me that your assistant was a magician." Stillwell said sarcastically.
You could hear the faint grind of teeth as Ashley spoke. "I hadn't seen that in her back-"
"She gave a great display of making herself invisible until needed. Then disappeared after finally showing herself off." Her words felt like claws as Madelyn spoke as if you weren't there. "She also made a decision that fooled the guests there." Stillwell stepped away from the television to take her place on the other couch across from Homelander.
There was a small shuffle from his end as he seemed to glare at her action. With a twitch of his cheek he fell back into a thin smile. His eyes finding themselves on your figure just behind Ashley, but you believed it to be him looking pass you or at Ashley.
"I think your choice in hiring her was…a lapse in judgement." There is was, your official announcement of being unemployed. Ashley seemed to ready to breathe a sigh. "But, she did as I said for the most part. Earning her position as your assistant."
Positive statements.
"She still lacks what is expected. You will need to train her better. Make sure that happens before we leave." Not so positive, but it sounds like you still had a job.
"Leave?" Ashley questioned as she started to dig her nails into the coffee cup.
"Of course not you Ashley. You have to stay here and keep things running, but *you*." Stillwell finally took a moment to acknowledge you. "That raffle you put your name into was for not only a date with Homelander…"
You had forgotten the ticket box was for a date. Your eyes fall to the good blonde boy shuffling in his seat. His leather gloves squeaking with praise to the most gracious opportunity you will be having with him. His posture screaming to jump up like a dog ready to go outside.
"But a weekend, all expenses paid, at our first Vought Resort in Florida." She gestures to the TV. Like magic the screen starts a slideshow of the resort. "White beaches, private pool, spa, all you can eat buffet, and more. We will be doing filming for ads there and some beach photos for our Vought+ members. You will be an extra for any of the campaigns we will be covering. In addition you won't be paid for your time as that will go into your trip you *won*."
A breath caught in your throat as the protect against no pay wanted to jump at Stillwell, but you were stopped by the dog man getting up from the couch. The words clearly being interrupted by the proud stance he took besides the screen.
"Perfect opportunity to test Ashley's skills at training." A clear direction that either was scripted by the two or coincidence.
Stillwell clearly clasp her hands together as she looked to Homelander. "Great idea. A personal assistant should be able to follow directions, no matter who they are working for. So during that time, you will be Homelander's PA to really test your skills in following directions." Madelyn ended her words looking at you as it seemed to be final.
You were to be Homelander's personal assistant for a whole weekend. A whole weekend. Three days max. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Huh.
WHAT!
Madelyn Stillwell wanted you to be Homelander's PA for a whole weekend. You could barely make it as Ashley Barrett's PA. How on God's green earth are you supposed to make it as Homelander's! His schedule was supposed to be jammed packed, according to Stillwell, and you had no clue what to expect. How was this a good idea?! Could you even make it? What the hel-
"I am so glad we could get this taken care of." Ashley put on her strained smile as she knew it was time to leave. "I'll make sure she gets trained properly before leaving."
Madelyn shifts her weight to the left as she directs her words to Ashley. "Great. Ashley make sure to not forget about my next meeting at 2 and my dinner at 6. I still need reservations. Take this as an example of-, well you know. We don't have to keep beating a dead horse."
"Of course." Her voice shook. Ashley's voice had shook and not with anger. That fear you could tell that she kept lying through. "Move." Ashley whispers through her teeth as she started to push you.
That whole meeting you couldn't even speak or get acknowledged. All you got was just insulted, lectured, and practically disrespected point blank in your face. So as you were pushed you stumbled and fell towards the door. Your feet keeping you up thankfully as you jogged out of that room. Ashley followed right behind you closing the door and shoving you towards the elevator.
"Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!" Ashley's quiet cusses didn't help as she began to lay out a game plan. "This is fine. I just have to get you to a level of forgetting how to do things without being instructed." She moves her jaw left to right as she thinks. "You can NOT do anything to piss anyone off. You can't even blink wrong, do you understand me?"
The game plan was to make you a mindless slave to the man in stars and stripes. Maybe it be better to call it quits now. "I understand."
Yes, it is I! I basically have crawled out of the depths of hell to speak. Though I fear I'll be stuck back down there again.
Anywho, still working on Clumsy reader and one other side project. But I will give a tiny something here and now. Kind of like when I talked to you guys about pregnant reader, this time it is about a different reader. I don't know if it has been done before, but I kind of like the idea because of the latest season. (I finished the final season. So yay I can be on Tumblr.)
My idea is about a blind reader. Because of the last season and most of Homelander's story there has been this theme of helplessness. Not being able to control much of a situation, but seeing what can be done. I think a blind reader would be a interesting take as Homelander could do a few things that normally he would have to hide.
(TW: blood and small bit of gore.)
Homelander just got done ripping apart a couple of people and he wants to see his sweet unfortunate pet. Appearing at your door, waiting for you to open the door. You are pretty quick, but hesitant as usual when opening the door after a few knocks. Homelander stands there drenched in blood, but you can't really tell besides a strong smell of iron and copper. He plays it off as your nose is off. He should know, he has the strongest senses. You let him into your place and he carries a trail of red behind. You offer him a seat or a drink and instead he asks to use the restroom. His age certainly peeking through, but you don't mind. He takes the opportunity to wash off what he could, but at the same time. A little twist of joy comes from him as he calls for you. Saying there is no towel to dry his hands.
As good as you are you enter the bathroom to grab a new one, but are stopped by his hands. The same smell of metal flicks at your nose as it mixes with the scent of your coconut soap. You feel wet on your cheeks as his thumbs rub along your cheek bones. Oh how he is enjoying this. The sight of red on your skin sends tingles through him. How he wants to kiss that red into your mouth, but restrains himself as he kisses your forehead. All so innocent as he releases you to grab him a towel. Leaving more of a mess, but as you leave he finally takes a moment to clean up. Just enough to not make you question more about smelling blood.
~
Far more he could do, but I enjoy the thought. Especially if he saved you from a possible accident when crossing the street. A simple game of his. Seeing how far you could go as someone who can't see danger standing in front of you.
So what do you guys think? Maybe you have some fun tid bits that will entertain the idea further. Possibly a one shot or maybe something to get started. Who knows as my schedule has been busy and all over the place.
The perspective changes when stepping into someone's shoes.
Female Reader
Warning: Mature Content, Red flag, stalking, degrading, humiliation, age gap, intrusion, judgement, and somnophilia.
Drip. Drip. Drip…
The ringing like a tundra. Empty, cold, and slow with little to no life. The sizzling golden drink burned the corners of his eyes. Frozen like the ice burgs slowly trudging along in the crystal cold water. His body erupts with earthquakes as a gust of breath whistles between his teeth. The world forces every element onto him as he feels the weight on his shoulders, spreading to his arms.
Then it comes all rushing in at once. The sound, smell, taste, the feeling of thunder in his chest. He awakens to reality as clapping and praise fills his ears. The taste of metallic fizz on the tip of his tongue. That marble smile chisels along his skin. A perfect curve that leads to the deep icy eyes that hold more depth than a bummock. His back straightened to form a towering stance. His red gloves squeak as he drops his cape and rests them on his hips. His left hand waved as the drumming in his chest rolled into his throat and out his mouth. Chuckling. He was soaking in the audience's attention along with the champagne into his suit.
Finally the woman who should have saved him earlier appears. She brought over a towel to Homelander with the brightest smile. Madelyn's clear intention to show, the audience that nothing went wrong. That everything was going according to plan or everything was taken care of.
It didn't matter. What mattered was that little tramp who thought pulling this stunt would gain anything. At least nothing of anyone's attention but his own. Something not most seek out, but demonstrated with what happened would lead to said conclusions.
She was…incorporeal. Existing as merely the air that the ants breathe around them. Your existence should mean nothing to him, but in that moment he was drunken with the image of you, rather than the beverages offered that evening. Those wide eyes that anticipated a grave consequence. He could hear your heart stop from the lack of space between you both. How your bubble was popped by him as he tried to take you away from the rain of champagne. Your face turned pale before his eyes. He found you to be ostentatious—hard to ignore with his entire being. He watched your eyes search for something, something in the depths of his eyes. The possibilities with him, his reactions, unpredictable. He wished you would have kept him there for hours, instead of those seconds the filled glasses crashed down on you both.
The fibers from the towel stuck to his skin just as the emotions clung to his heart. The feeling of those granules peeling from the towel itched with the need for answers. He needed to know. He needed her to answer his aching chest that swallows in the beauty of his doubts.
"Where is she?" He practically hisses under his breath as he follows Madelyn away.
The staff marching ants cleaning up the glass and champagne. The headless chickens continuing on with each mind numbing conversation that is only competition on who has the bigger dick.
"She likely went home. I know I would after embarrassing myself and causing a scene." Madelyn doesn't hide her true feelings on you clearly to Homelander. "Then again, I wouldn't have caused such a scene. I knew she was clumsy, but to think she would grab the bottom glass."
Homelander flashes his eyelashes as he processes what she just said. So she was watching the whole time. Was what ran through his mind. He believed she was taken away or had left the party entirely for work. Now he was wrong, but he was upset that she did nothing to help him.
"So you watched as I was swarmed by women…" it was set up to be a question, but his eyes told a different story.
Madelyn Stillwell stopped and turned to face him. Her arms folding over her chest like a snug push-up bra. Her lips parting to speak but took the form of a smile.
"Of course. I knew you can handle our guests kindly and I thought you would be interested with each one of them telling you", she took a step closer, "just", step, "how", step, "good you are." Her hand now lifting, letting her fingers strut up his peck to his cheek. Letting her palm slide along his sticky jaw. Not as graceful as she normally does, but still getting the same reaction.
Homelander's jaw tightening as her skin smeared the stick deeper into his pours. Making his flesh stretch before releasing to settle back into place. Drawing his attention to her hand, but also trying to maintain eye contact with her.
Madelyn's reaction only grew a sense of responsibility, but nothing more. "You did so good tonight… I think you deserve something."
If it wasn't for the irritating stick of skin to his face now, Homelander would have practically swept Madelyn off her feet with glee. Though it was only just a reminder of the unanswered questions he had.
"I think I deserve answers." Homelander's words leaden as they rolled off the tongue.
The act she had slipped for a moment before she cleaned up her own mistake. Letting her hand slide further back to let her arm rest on his shoulder. Her fingers stroking his hairline and the short buzz going on at the base. A familiar scratching spot that practically rolled his eyes back and melted with just one move. Madelyn knew what it took to take the beast to its knees. Though as her nails flared the skin to break out in heat and shivers, she could tell that his eyes only became sharper.
She swallows before speaking. "Fine, but don't be out for too long. You have more hands you need to shake."
Madelyn dropped her hand completely now as she swayed her hips. A last flick of the snake's tongue to see if anything would catch. Though as she looked over her shoulder, the stripes were facing her as he strides away from the small intimate scene.
~
The quick steps drowned the thrumming in his chest. Not even focusing on how he should wash off the sicking stick on him, he was already leaning into the dark clouded sky. The chill of the air bringing some bit of relief to his coated body. The cold more welcoming often than he realized. The crisp air above the clouds that kept the tar of exhaust from the packed streets from his lungs. He loves the fresh and empty space that flying allowed him.
Even as he soars through the rippling waves of air, he could use the empty time to recall over those moments once again. Formulating each question into the front of his mind.
Why?
Why did she do it? Did he look like he needed saving? Of course not. He doesn't need to be saved, he does the saving. So why did she pulled that stunt? Why would she be so clumsy to take the bottom glass? It was obviously deliberate. She wanted his attention and that is what he gave. Then she has the audacity to leave like a a fairytale. A. fucking fairytale. A princess running from her prince… and now her prince came to find her.
Cinderella, here comes your prince.
Within minutes he had found the small apartment. Had he tracked you down before, not exactly. It was just by mistake. A simple patrol that so happened to be near your building. A simple glance to notice you laying on the couch-
That isn't the point, Homelander had arrived at your building. He slowly lands on the fire-escape with a tiny clink of his boots hitting the metal. His fists at his sides as he looks into the apartment. His eyes glaze through the walls to locate his princess. Catching glimpses of an ordinary life, but falling onto the slow rise of a curvy chest. curvy. God, Madelyn's words still wondered in his head. A reward. He deserved a reward for his night, for everything he has been through.
It didn't take much force to open the window. A simple crack before something shot off the frame and the window opened nicely. He slowly bends through the window and floats right in. Not causing another sound besides the slow steps of his boots along the floor. Homelander glanced around the small space. Significantly smaller than he could ever consider to be a living space. He couldn't be this cramped nor be aware of his movements. The window that he entered was in a short hallway. Bathroom on the right and then a door on the left where his sleeping beauty lay.
The walls covered with frames. Pictures of memories, graduation, friends, nature, and even paintings of birds. At least that was one good thing, an appreciation for birds. Nature itself was beautiful, but the angelic creatures were the best part of it. Seeing a magnificent animal soar through the air with ease, Homelander could relate. Feeling freedom until called back to the iron cage of "safety". He had to pull his eyes away from the photography of the birds to look at the graduation photo. High school, so nothing too thrilling there, but there seemed to be only people in caps and gowns. He squints his eyes before moving on, not really thinking too much into his runaway's life. What was the point since it was only to last for so long~
He stepped towards the living room, but he paused at a door frame. The door was a crack open to peak at a bed that was ruffled around with a lump in the far left corner. Blankets pulled like waves towards the figure under the fabric. The bundle submerged by pillows around the only piece of them exposed. Must have moved. A simple observation as he seemed to begin to float. He glided away from the door. His thought creeping as he did further into the living space. He found himself at a bookcase that lined the wall boringly. He glanced at the scattered tilted books that looked more worn from use than age. Possibly restored. No. Saved. Homelander's hand reached for the cracking spine of a golden book. The Count of Monte Cristo. He parted the cover from the first page. A small written note on the first blank page captured his eyes.
Brilliant child of mine,
With most care and admiration for your intelligence, a tale that speaks of self justice and love. I hope the words and story ring true to your judgment on how life will steer you to acts, lies, and deception. While helping you identify the people to trust and learn from-
Homelander flips the page getting bored of the self righteousness message penned into the thin paper. He looks at the first chapter, reading over it briefly as to get a somewhat idea of what this story is really about. He floats slowly over to the couch where he falls into with a muffled clunk. Clearly the age of the couch only tells him that it must have been thrifted or free on a corner. He sat back into the deflating cushions as he got to the first obstacle in the book. The accusation of a crime that was not committed by the man, all because the woman he was to marry had captured the attention of a powerful man. How intriguing. He closed the book gently as the spin crackled from the constant wear on it.
He stood back up not enjoying the feeling of the couch. He walked back to the bookcase and slid the book right into place. Homelander than glanced to the other books before finding one that was set on a lower shelf. It had a bookmark sticking out from it. It was small, portable, he lifts it up. A faint twinge of curiosity like before captured him, tucking it under his arm before floating towards the front door. He glanced around the small makeshift entry with a shoe rack, coat hanger, shelf, and key bowl. He reached down and picked up the keys that held a subway pass, home key, and a small rabbit key chain. He examined it before noticing the one framed photo pointing towards the door. There was a noticeable dust trail of turning it back and forth. He turns it towards himself and saw why it was facing the door. Her family.
In the center was that familiar face that burned his retinas with champagne. To the left side of the photo there was an older woman leaning on a tall young man. On the right was an older man with a young girl holding onto the arm of his sleeping princess. Sickening. Though as he studies the photo further, he recalls how none of the pictures in the hall had any of these people. He knew they had to be related since they all had similar features. Though you resembled your parents perfectly mixed of both. The other two leaning to looking more like a respective parent. Brother looking like father, daughter resembling mother. A normal looking family. So what makes you so different?
Homelander turns the photo back to facing the door. He then floats back towards the door that held that sleeping beauty. He gently pushes the door open slowly. He pauses whenever the door would creak before it can get to a point of alerting his target. It wasn't till the door was mostly open when he glided inside. His boots touching the floor as he was at the foot of the bed. His eye bearing into the pile of blankets and pillows. why does someone need that many blankets? He floats close enough to peer over the edge to see that messy hair ruffled over the peak of your cheek.
The quiet breathing against the blanket was shallow and steady. He listens with a small low rumble in his chest. He slowly placed a hand down on the bed, the bed sinking down as he began to lean his weight on the bed. A quiet groan left your lips as you stir in your sleep. The blanket pulling tighter as he leaned down as though you knew he was there. His breath finally dusting your little to no skin exposed. The strands of hair twitching on your behalf as Homelander could feel the smirk chipping his skin. His fangs nipping at his bottom lip as he releases a breathy chuckle.
Something about her…seeing her lay there, seeing how easily I could get this close without her running away. His mind rolls over those thoughts like they were treats. Was this his reward? Wasn't scaring this lamb supposed to be that reward? Wasn't taking that breath away supposed to fill his chest with glee? Instead he felt something different. The feeling of blood dripping down his glove. That is what he felt like. That satisfied feeling that made more that a warm feeling rush him. A release of more than frustration, a build up, a beautiful edging that he sought for.
"Fuck~" He whispers as he took in a deep inhale of your hair.
A sudden stir inside him made his eyes widen as he realized what he was doing. He glares at more of the thoughts he had. The feeling just being this close to you caused to him. He pulled back, he stood straight, his eyes staring down at you as he turned stiff as a board. He strides with light steps out of your room and back to the hall. He adjusts the door to be only a crack open before heading for the window. He looked back over his should as the moonlight illuminated the hallway. His eyes practically glowing with something more than anger.
So little bit of a big announcement for the lovely app OC Social Network. They have DMs now for characters!! So if you would like to join and talk with my lovely cowboy or my badass cockroach, sign up!
Awwww, that is so sweet of you. To be honest it has just been hard, around this time of year it is not the best for my mental health. I do apologize for not being active here. I am doing my best to recover.
Thank you for asking. So I might as well do an announcement. 💜
Yes, I will be making a Trouble Maker PT 4. As of late I have struggled to write my stories. There is so much that I would like to spoil or to give out my thoughts, but currently I have been hyperfixared on my OCs. Since I have been fairly active on the OC social network. I will do my best to eventually come back.
But since I have you, I will give you a tiny spoil~
Drip. Drip. Drip…
The ringing like a tundra. Empty, cold, and slow with little to no life. The sizzling golden drink burned the corners of his eyes. Frozen like the ice burgs slowly trudging along in the crystal cold water. His body erupts with earthquakes as a gust of breath whistles between his teeth. The world forces every element onto him as he feels the weight on his shoulders, spreading to his arms.
Then it comes all rushing in at once. The sound, smell, taste, the feeling of thunder in his chest. He awakens to reality as clapping and praise fills his ears. The taste of metallic fizz on the tip of his tongue. That marble smile chisels along his skin. A perfect curve that leads to the deep icy eyes that hold more depth than a bummock. His back straightened to form a towering stance. His red gloves squeak as he drops his cap and rests them on his hips. His left hand waved as the drumming in his chest rolled into his throat and out his mouth. Chuckling. He was soaking in the audience's attention along with the champagne into his suit.
Thank you guys for still sticking around and reading what I have here. Hopefully I can get this written by the end of the year.
"Currently at Vought International anyone special can live the dream of being a hero. Our biggest name around the United States is The Homelander. A rising star among the greatest powers in Vought. Progress in the making. A brighter future for the next generation."
Vought, a name commonly listed on products, newspapers, radio channels, and even spoken at the dinner table. A company that is not uncommon these days.
Vought is known for the arsenal of heroes and security. Classified information is kept under wraps. Classified personnel are kept on strict rules. No matter the situation, person, or hero, Vought keeps everything locked down. The security surrounding the company facilitates the raw power and money they hold.
Personnel chosen by Vought go under background checks, giant stacks of paperwork to get them approved for possible work, then they are reminded by strict policies and NDAs. That is for normal employees. There are a very select few who Vought owns.
In the case of a Supe is found to be put into a situation of the parents releasing parental rights. There is a system that deals with collecting the potential heroes of the future. Which brings the few chosen to be under the protection and care of Vought International. Given the highest quality of training and education provided to keep the world safe.
Tap, tap, tap, step, turn, step. The air turning from metallic and heavy with gasoline to stuffy and over used cleaning products. The smell of corporate cleanliness was disgusting and unnecessarily strong on the main floor. Entering the tower there is first a long front desk wrapped around the center wall that likely hid the main support beams of the building. The flooring led with hints of texture towards a couple of security guards and what looked to be the highest tech for metal detectors. Past that was sectioned off walls, elevators, café, and the main bustling of corporate employees.
So much was going on already, yet nothing pierced the metal and fabric of wired headphones. Chunky, heavily pressed against ruffled jet black shoulder shoulder length hair. The speakers squeak with tremble as the figure turns to the security. The first guard raised a hand which was lowered the moment the headphones were taken off.
"Empty your pockets and bag on the table before walking through." A brief exchange between the guard and the woman.
Silence from the woman's end as the headphones and a walkman. The two items stretched a good technical jump, but could easily be found locally. The woman drops her bag on the table before walking through. Nothing detected that wasn't obvious to see, but the security still does a pat down before letting her go. The woman grabbed her items and continued on. The dark hair swayed, leading the eye to a baggy black jacket, black button up slightly tucked into cargo pants, and old sneakers that saw better days. The dark eyes looked around before landing on the elevator. Stepping towards the direction there was a noticeable change as she passed others. Her express is dark, cold, and unwelcoming. She did not speak even as she got on the elevator and tapped the floor she needed to go to. Silent, uninterested.
To no one's surprise the elevator was quick. The doors open and close with each floor till the woman stepped off. Almost an instant sigh of relief from those still on the metal box.
Briefly the hallway looked white, medical almost, but after walking through a door it looked industrial. Cement, dim lighting, hues of blue. Nothing too uncommon for back walkways to a certain room. At the end of the hall there was a double door and with ease the woman opened them to find a densely padded and concrete room. Had aspects of a dojo and gym. A training room for Vought's greatest heroes.
A new face was there to welcome the woman. "I am so glad you could find your way here. I did tell the front desk to have an escort, but you are a smart girl who knows how to follow directions. Welcome to Vought Tower Amrita" Madelyn Stillwell, the current agent over Homelander and, as far as Amrita knew, the Seven.
"It was not hard." Amrita sighs out before flicking a strand of hair out of her face. "So I was told that I would be training Supes for Vought."
"You are going to be training The Seven for Vought, but I want you to take over someone's training specifically." Her lips curling into a fake smile that would be award winning.
"Homelander." Amrita interrupted shortly as to not dillydally this warm welcome.
"Exactly, our rising star has been needing some refreshers on combat and other life saving acts. Which is why after hearing we produced the perfect Supe to train other Supes, I could not resist insisting on your employment here." Madelyn's words are very particular as though she was not trying to say that their golden boy was failing at being a hero. "I do want to inform you that your quarters will be on this floor and you can leave whenever you like after you make sure all training sessions are finished."
Amrita didn't act honored or anything all she did was look off past the blonde woman. She just wanted to get this over so she didn't have to socialize with her boss. "Where is the boy wonder?" She said already taking steps to wander the training area.
Another way of teaching is by seeing. What that means is Homelander needs more real life examples to gain what he needs. As much as they focused on form for warm ups, it was best to learn other things. Not to lean on his powers and allow himself to be human for a second. Though Amrita was not going to tell him that. If anything she was going to give him that opportunity to see it before hearing it.
Though as he asked questions and joked around. Amrita just had a small smile on her lips as she watched him. It seemed that he was enjoying himself with this training. It was interesting to her since she had a feeling it would go wrong. Oddly nice, but she just waved such a feeling off as it was a matter of business.
"Field trip it is, you'll find out where we are going. Do not change, you are going like that." She takes her hair out and shakes her hair a bit. "Alright, to make sure no one recognizes that puppy face. Let's get you a hat and sunglasses, you can borrow one of mine. I just have to grab them from my place."
Amrita was practically skipping to the door to leave the gym. "Come along or you don't get to hit me later." She jokes as she opens the door and leaves already moving quickly to head to her place and grab him those items.
Not even stopping or checking on Homelander. She made her way to her apartment that Vought gave her on the same floor as the gym, just a little farther away. She just pushes her door open, since she didn't care or dare to lock it. Amrita was pretty quick to open a drawer and pull out a grey cap and some sunglasses that looked to be bought from a dollar store. She then turns on her heels and heads to Homelander to present them to him.
"Now, in the case you are discovered. Your cover story is that I am a criminal and you are following me. Then when I make a run for it, you play Hero. That way you can get away and not have too many fans looking at you without the suit on. Plus I can steal their phones in the case they try to take a photo of you. Making the story a little more truthful."
Homelander’s eyes narrowed slightly at Amrita. For once, not out of malice, but curiosity. She seemed to have it all figured out, plan after plan. An answer for everything. He was…impressed. She was taking this extremely seriously and seemed to truly want to help him, given that Madelyn nor Stan Edgar were around to also impress.
He noted her attitude seemed to change. Less talking him down and more teasing. He wasn’t going to go so far as to say Amrita wasn’t as bad as he thought she’d be…but he was learning that it wasn’t too difficult to tolerate her. If anything, it was different company outside of Ashley, the others, camera crews and photographers.
“Puppy face? What the hell does that mean?” He asked with a tilt of his head, further proving her point. He did look like a lost puppy outside of his costume. Unsure of himself without his armour to protect him. He found himself following after Amrita without question or fuss. It was like he was a completely different person without the cape and shoulder eagles. Probably because he was. He’s given up on any sense of identity outside of Homelander long ago. Now he felt…a bit lost.
He fell in step behind Amrita while she led the way to her apartment, standing outside the door while she headed inside to grab the hat and sunglasses. He raised a brow as he stared at them, gaze then shifting to Amrita and back as he took them and put them on. Only then did he step inside the apartment to look at himself in a nearby mirror.
“You seriously want me to go out looking like this? I look like a joke! A-…a weirdo! Do people really walk around in public like this?” He asked, having no clue what was fashionable and what wasn’t as he never had to concern himself with clothing.
And then Amrita mentioned her plan for if he was discovered. His gaze focused on her as he listened closely while she spoke. She really had thought of everything, even ways to protect him as well as making him look good. He honestly hadn’t expected that after their first meeting the day before and how badly that had gone.
“I uh…” Homelander cleared his throat and gave a nod. “I appreciate the looking out. Hopefully it won’t come to any of that. I really don’t want to deal with fans in general, never mind looking like this. But it’s good to know you have my back. That’s…honestly quite rare these days.” He admitted as he glanced away and paused rather awkwardly for a moment before stepping outside the apartment.
The fact that he was just proving her words made her just laugh inside. He was truly clueless about his outward expressions. She wondered if that is why he gets the big suit and holds this expression of powerful. Without everything that Vought paints him to be, he just looked normal. Oblivious likely, but normal to her. Maybe, just maybe, they could get along.
For now it was teacher and student. Professional, trainer and trainee. Someone who wants to make the hero of the world be better and not swallowing every drop of the lies they feed him.
Amrita made sure that he knew the plan. That he took in everything she said. She wanted to make sure he understood that their field trip can cause chaos unintentionally. Though it seemed he understood and was willing to try it. Though the glasses and hat looked a little silly on him. She had to look serious even though her eyes looked like she was ready to burst into a big grin.
"You look fine. Remember this is not some kind of fashion show, this is just to keep you from being discovered." She replied with a big take of breath. That way she doesn't laugh at him.
Then his comment on other's not having his back. It was a bit confusing, but with their first interaction, it makes a little sense. She wasn't going to question it too much or look into it. It was none of her business.
"Well it is not uncommon to have a plan in a worse case scenario. Plus I don't think Stillwell would be too happy about you being out like this. Learning about the people you are to protect and show demonstrations of power." Amrita said casually as she paused for a moment. Her lips parted like she was going to say something, but she stopped.
Amrita closed her apartment door as he asked her to lead the way. She just nods before taking the first couple of steps towards the elevator. Her whole plan was to get him out and see what they can find to help learn the difference between fiction and reality.
Getting out of the building was easy. Just walking out with the golden boy on her heels worked surprisingly well. Even if they did get stopped, it was all part of the training. The worst that could be said was getting him changed, but with her leading it made him practically invisible. Amrita was a nobody to the worker ants in the building. So he was able to sneak out without much of an issue.
The streets weren't that crowded. It was roughly little after lunch time, but some people were either getting to work or running errands. So the normal slow congestion days in NYC. Since Amrita was still leasing ahead she made sure to slow to be at his side or almost at his side. She was just a step ahead to keep leading.
"Now take a look around. This is slow foot traffic, but pretty much a normal day. Do you notice anything? What can you see, hear, but don't smell. I will say taking a deep inhale was my mistake." Amrita cracks a joke, but was pretty serious. She wanted to dive into more of his perspective on the city around them.
Even if it looked like Amrita was just taking them for a walk, the turns and crossing was deliberate. She didn't really get to see much of NYC. She was practically limited to particular areas and was never alone. Though the pattern was taking them pass a few bakeries, ice cream shops, small markets. The places that would have average people taking a break and enjoying some time away from home. Even a coffee shop that she seemed to glance at before continuing on.
While Homelander had an idea of what their outing was about, he was still unsure. Mostly because he hadn’t done this sort of thing before. Exploring NYC wasn’t exactly on the cards for him. Of course if he was bored he’d sometimes take a flight somewhere, but it was more for alone time and space for a while. Nothing like this.
He remained silent as Amrita led the way, taking care not to try and step ahead. He was in disguise, he had to remember. He couldn’t start walking or strutting like he normally did or it would be a giveaway who he was. He kept his head down and didn’t make eye contact with anyone. He just fell in step with the woman in front of him, noticing every now and then that no one paid either of them any attention. It was…strange.
Before long they were outside and walking down the street. Homelander glanced around as if expecting something to happen, wondering what was so special about doing something so basic. His life was always about putting on a show, about being seen and noticed. About pleasing crowds. There was never a dull moment. And so this was…very much the opposite.
As Amrita broke the silence and asked him to take in his surroundings, Homelander blinked as if she’d spoken a completely different language. A hint of a smile did tug at his lips from her joke though. NYC was a pain on his senses, that was for sure. “People talking, cars driving, people walking just like us. Nothing exciting. All mundane and boring things.” He didn’t really understand the point. But then again, he wouldn’t. The simple life wasn’t one he was familiar with at all and certainly wasn’t the kind he knew personally. As he got older and Vought drilled in all the information they could into him, he ended up turning a complete blind eye to the comings and goings of human life. He simply didn’t care. There was a lot of reasons for that, however. Partly because he’d never had the experience himself and therefore couldn’t relate, part because he lived an exciting lifestyle that anything else would pale in comparison. Why take a walk when you can fly?
“It’s just noise to me. Nothing stands out. Nothing is worth remembering. It’s just static background noise.” He added. The more he looked around, the more confused he became. He was dismissive, his gaze falling to Amrita for answers. However, she seemed to be taking things in a lot more deeply than he was. As if she wanted to fully embrace the city.
“I gather you don’t get out much. Why else would you want to take a walk around here?” He raised a brow and snickered. It wasn’t meant in a cruel manner, only an observation he’d picked up on. “Wouldn’t have thought you to be the type where this is your thing.” He mused. Despite his comments, he didn’t object to the outing. He didn’t ask to stop, he didn’t drag his feet. He kept pace with Amrita while still following her lead. If anything, he was curious to see what all this was about and where there eventually end up.
Amrita was listening to him, but was soon tuning him out. It was not on purpose, she was doing what he should have done. Taken in the mondaine. It felt so...fake. Like neither of them should exist among the rest of the people. It made her feel lost and isolated at the same time. Her eyes darted from person to person. Seeking that affirmation that she too is a person who exists in their world.
Amrita nearly gasps as Homelander addresses her. She cleared her throat softly to herself. "Yes, I like long walks on the beach at sunset." She cracks a joke before changing it. "No. I don't get out as much." She wondered if she should explain.
Her thoughts traveled back to her past. It wasn't like she could have just left. Her time training under Vought's best fighting coordinators, and even some heroes, she was trapped inside. Her existence was to be erased while she became someone completely new they could use. She spent that time only being allowed fresh air when she earned it. Even then it was within the area of the building. So New York City was a whole new experience to her. She didn't make it up that she took a deep breath when coming here.
"It is really my second day in NYC. When coming here I saw these shops here and wanted to try them if possible or at least see them closer." Amrita admitted as she points to a coffee shop and an ice cream shop. "Though you should really take in the mondaine. You only get it so often when you are practically plastered everywhere."
Amrita smiles happily as she made her steps quicker so then she could turn around and walk backwards. She put her hands in her pockets as she looks him over. "Plus, I want you to not use your senses except for sight when I run." She cheekily smirks. "But no super speed either so you don't give yourself away. After a block or two more of just walking."
Homelander didn’t say much, just nodded at Amrita’s words. It made sense then why she was so keen to see the city and take it all in. Granted, he didn’t get out much to explore and do want humans did, but the city was still one he flew around every day. It wasn’t anything special to him. Course, he also wasn’t complaining about getting out of the tower for a while to walk around. It was something he never did.
“Hm. Well, the local coffee shops are always busy. Folks gotta have their caffeine, I guess. Ice cream too. Though can’t say I have much of either.” Homelander mused with a shrug. “If you were wanting a shopping buddy, you could’ve just said so rather than making it all mysterious.” He teased with a smirk. Though if Amrita did want to shop around, he wasn’t going to complain. It was another thing he never did. It wasn’t like he wore normal clothes, and everything he could ever need was provided for him by Vought. He never needed to worry about money.
However, Amrita kept walking and Homelander followed at a leisurely pace. Even as she turned to walk backwards, he tilted his head as he caught mischief behind her eyes. His brows furrowed. “When you run? Y’know, there’s better places to go for a run than down a busy New York city street.” He was unsure what the girl was getting at, though it was clear he was curious. She’d done well to capture his attention.
He laughed at her as she mentioned him running too. “You’re not really expecting me to chase you down the street. You realise how sketchy that looks?” He had absolutely no idea what she was up to or thinking, though his expression showed that this was the most amused he’d been in a long time. While he’d never admit it…he was kind of having fun.
Amrita kept walking backwards, easily avoiding people as she watched Homelander. She wanted to have some fun while letting him experience the world he is in. Which is obvious that he hasn't been among the people for an extended period of time. So this will be pretty interesting to take him around the area.
His comment on a shopping buddy was not entirely false, but it was an excuse to get out. "I'll see after today if I do make you my shopping buddy." She says joking, but she really was thinking. It would be nice to get him out more often.
Though she took his word on the shops being busy. So she wasn't going to stop there unless they needed drinks after the run. Which she could easily go in without being noticed. It was the man who was a symbol of greatness for this place. She needed to be a little careful, but not everything comes with being safe.
"Yes, running or maybe racing you could say. Though my thought is of you catching me on foot. Cause you rely too much on your powers. Once we get you to a point of relying more on instincts and not using your powers or at least not at 100%. If we train you the right way, you'll grow and put it elsewhere." Amrita said confidently. "Now I give you two options, you can either give me a head start for 5 minutes where I stay in your sight or you close your eyes and try to follow for 5 minutes before you open your eyes."
"Your choice golden boy." Amrita smirks before speeding up walking backwards.
Homelander didn’t know what to make of Amrita. He thought he had her figured out only to realise that she was…different. At first he’d loathed her existence, but now he found that he didn’t completely despise her. Of course he’d never admit such a thing. He had his pride after all.
This whole trip had been strange so far. Not simply because of its randomness, but because of its simplicity. Amrita clearly wanted him to act more human and put the Supe part of him to the side for the moment, which went against everything Vought had drilled into him from such. young age. He had to show strength, no weakness. He had to be better than the humans. A beacon of hope. Being among them like this, having folks walk by him and not pass a second glance, no cameras in his face or speeches to make…it was strange.
And yet he found himself not completely hating it.
It was like seeing the world with a fresh pair of eyes, ones that Vought hadn’t clouded over and narrowed down to points only they wanted him to see. It was freeing being out in the open and blending in. He couldn’t help but wonder if all this was really just to get him to rely on his powers less or if Amrita was perhaps feeling lonely. Granted, all this could simply be purely for her job and nothing more. However, Homelander felt there was more to it than that which intrigued him to play along even if Amrita’s requests were bizarre.
Homelander continued walking with his gaze fixed on the girl. He titled his head and couldn’t help but chuckle. “So we’re playing kids games now? I gotta say your teaching techniques are rather odd.” He said, however he made no attempt to leave. He knew he could. Just shrug it off and walk away, head back to the tower, change clothes and become Homelander once more. Except he didn’t do any of that. Part of him was curious to see what all this was for. With a sigh and roll of his eyes, he spoke. “I’ll give you the head start with my eyes open please. I don’t want to look like a weirdo to all of New York City.”
Having made his choose, he kept pace with his eyes watching Amrita closely to see what she’d do next. It was evident she had the Supe’s attention as well as his co-operation.
"We are all weirdos here." Amrita said confidently as she knows what will happen.
She turned around and with no hesitation started running away. She darts through people and surprisingly there was no one paying attention. The occasional person who was bumped into only reacted, but Amrita kept going. Her strategy was counting down the minutes as she gained distance. Mapping out every possible turn and commotion she could do. Her brain calculating out what her next move will be when it finally hits 5 minutes.
Though as much as this is training on relying on your very minimal strengths and instincts, it was also for fun. If training can be fun in any way, then it should be. Though at the same time it takes time to get to a point of fun while being safe.
Though something Amrita felt she wouldn't say to Homelander is her thoughts on him. Besides the occasional insult or dirtying of his ego. Just talking to him about how she sees someone who could really need a friend or just some fun in his life. If she could find a way to slip that in without him addressing it. She would. Amrita only wants him to feel like he is doing training even if they are goofing around. On paper she could make sure no one finds out unless someone takes a photo.
Time was up, five minutes and now it was him who started chasing. With a faint inhale she sharply turns at the next turn and runs close to the wall. Her heart rising in pace as she listens carefully behind her as she spots her next move.
Everything felt brighter, louder, heavier as Amrita felt the adrenaline kick in. Her wicked smile grew on her lips as pure excitement flashed in her eyes. She laughs to herself as she jumps onto a trashcan and then over a power box.
Of course there was a slight fall back on her head start, but it didn't matter. She was having fun jumping around and running. Only causing a little attention as she jumps out into the street. Cars move like normal and even honk at her as she avoids almost getting hit twice. Her goal was a fire escape in an alley. Just as she made it through traffic she heads for the ladder. Using the wall to jump off to grab the bottom and bring it down. She began to climb up looking towards the roof. Her heart is pounding in her ears now instead of hearing her hunter.
Homelander snickered at Amrita’s words before she vanished. He kept track of her even though he stood in place, so much so until she was out of sight. He latched onto her scent, keeping it in the front of his mind while ignoring the rest of the smells within the city. Pleasant or otherwise.
This was a new kind of training and something he hadn’t done in a long time. Way back when he was just a boy they put his senses to the test, seeing how well he could track. It was a part of him left to the past considering he never had to track his targets anymore. He never let them get that far. It was dead on the spot or nothing.
And so this…this wasn’t all that bad. No, in fact he welcomed this form of training. It couldn’t hurt to build up on them. Though, he wasn’t ready to admit such a thing to Amrita just yet. Still, her training methods - while odd - were…amusing. It gave him a break from Vought at least, even if that meant running through the streets of New York City.
He timed it five minutes and then he began his hunt. Knowing the initial direction Amrita went, he followed until he’d lost sight of her. This was when it got tricky. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath in focusing on Amrita’s scent. It was faint, but he could pick it up. A faint trail. He moved carefully, keeping focused on the trail as he pushed past people. Thankfully no one recognised him nor tried to stop him or get in his way. It left him all the freedom to focus on the task at hand.
He ended up walking too far and missed a turn, losing the trail until he backtracked and picked it up again around a corner. He moved slowly though everything in him was telling him to hurry. He was used to a quick kill, a quick takedown. He never had the patience to go slow like this. But if he was to ever find a needle in a haystack, he had to take his time. After all, Amrita didn’t say anything about him having a timer, though she was no doubt timing him regardless.
Homelander was led across a busy road and then down an alley. It was there where the scent was the strongest, along with a loud and rapid heartbeat. As he looked around and took in his surroundings, he noticed the fire escape ladder was pulled down. Curious, he headed over. While he’d have simply jumped to the roof, he followed the rules of this little game and climbed the ladder like a human would. Once he reached the roof, he couldn’t help but grin as he spotted Amrita. She looked far more alive than he’d ever seen her. She actually almost looked…happy.
“Huh. Alright, that wasn’t too bad of an exercise. I’ll give you that.” He said with a shrug. “Can’t remember the last time I’ve had to track someone.”
The roof, something she hasn't done yet in New York. Though she was glad. Her initial thought was to keep running, but her gaze was on the city. The various buildings blocking the sky while also keeping open enough to look down the street. Remarkable how much could be packed in a small area and be seen. Her heart was pounding, but her mind was at ease. There was nothing to fear, nothing to focus on, just enjoying the layout of a place she could run around.
Then she heard it. So quickly to her surprise or was it just time flew by. Her stance takes on that of waiting patiently. Hands on her hips and legs relaxed to stay in place. The feet thumped in the metal until the voice came along. So sure of that being the end.
"I am guessing you used my scent. You like it?" She teased looking at him over her shoulder. Then she turn to face him. "Apparently being your trainer means only Vought approved items."
Amrita's scent was nothing special, currently it has adrenaline, but it was mixed with a faint coconut and fern scent. Likely a shampoo and then deodorant, but not strong enough to burn his senses.
"Also this exercise isn't over. Just wanted to see if you could actually find me." Her hands dropped before she shuffled to the side before fully sprinting towards the edge and then leap...
The way the building was, it was higher than the neighboring one. A decent gap without a run, but manageable as she tumbles on the building's roof. She got up quickly and looked back before shouting.
"A criminal won't stop! They'll keep fighting or escape! What will you do!?" She smiles before turning to run off again. Not even looking back to see if he'll jump.
Her quick thinking lead her through and open window into someone's apartment. Then out their door to climb the stairs to that roof. Then from there to jump to another roof only to jump to a fire escape which she missed and fell into a pile of trash. Her lucky day, but also nothing that would stop her even. Just likely would have knocked her out.
Instead she has a couple of bones that fractured but healed quickly as she practically has to roll out of the garbage. That should help cover her scent if she lost him. Which she did look up to see if he was following her close.
“That answers the question as to why your scent is so familiar.” He mused with a snort. He knew it well from Vought’s line of hygiene products, though he was a favourite of coconut and vanilla. It was a scent he used himself. “Homelander approved, by the way.” He added with a smirk as he slowly headed over.
However Amrita had other plans. He wasn’t all that shocked to hear this was just part of the exercise. He learned quickly that the girl had plenty of tricks up her sleeve and was keen to keep him on his toes as much as possible. He didn’t know how this training would end nor where they’d end up once they were done for the day. And yet…he found that quite thrilling. Every aspect of his life was planned out. Day in, day out. It rarely allowed any opportunity for spontaneity.
“Well, scent is the best way to track I find. Unless in close quarters where I can just look through the walls.” He replied with a shrug as he watched Amrita turn, run and jump off the roof to another. Ah, of course. He expected this. After all, how else would they get down? Going back the way they came was boring and simply jumping down off a rooftop was equally so. Doing some free running was clearly the most exciting option.
Homelander headed over to where Amrita had been before she jumped, hearing her call from the rooftop opposite. He couldn’t help but chuckle. “While that’s true, not all criminals have the ability nor stamina to jump from rooftop to rooftop.” He saw her logic however and was willing to play along. It would be different to focus on jumping without simply just flying. But he was willing to try. He took a few steps back and launched forward into a run, throwing himself into the air as he leapt off his feet. The urge to fly was strong, but he pressed it down as he focused on doing this the mundane human way.
His feet landed on the opposite roof with a thud and he was back on the chase, following Amrita’s trail until she’d jumped through the window into someone’s apartment. He didn’t follow, instead jumping onto that rooftop and using his vision to look through the walls. He saw her running on stairs toward another roof and then she was out of sight. Homelander gave chase, keeping up high as his gaze focused down below when he heard a sudden heavy thud. He made his way over and peered down from above as he saw Amrita roll out of the dumpster. “Y’know, I think I’ll pass rolling around in some trash, thanks.” He quipped as he watched her take off running.
Homelander kept to the rooftops as he watched Amrita below. Having the higher ground was better after all.
Finding out that more of the company is "Homelander approved" practically made Amrita's eyes roll so far into her head she felt dizzy. Which was an over reaction, but it just proved that the company catered to their golden boy.
Well it was no surprise that she kept going and it was the best way to train in her opinion. Unexpecting, spontaneous, and over all exciting. Especially when she practically rolled in trash to mask her scent. Intentional and unintentional. Stull Amrita needed to find a way to block his sight. Some way to draw him off her trail.
"Trash isn't for you anyway, it is to stop my scent." She calls up to him as she darts out and along the streets of the busy city.
Unfortunately, that was short lived as she ran out into the road. There was a red light, but to her surprise, someone didn't see to stop and Amrita was hit. The car didn't even stop and continued driving as Amrita went over it. She hit the ground with a wet splat as her bones basically twisted and stuck out of flesh. A horrific sight for the masses.
Amrita lays there with her head snapped to the side, blood dripping down her forehead and scratches all over her body. Her clothes torn a bit and sucking up some of the blood that pools.
The city is starting to erupt into whispers and calling out for help. People getting out of their cars as Amrita's body twitches. Some calling out she is alive and she needs help.
All the while, Amrita was wondering if she should get up. If she should break her bones back into place and stand up. Or, she could let Homelander take care of this. Letting him shine in the limelight or at least watch what she does.
Amrita decided to wait, my people get worked up more and then she can fold herself back together. Let Homelander see what people will do to help. Which so far has been nothing but scream.
Homelander simply rolled his eyes at the quip about masking scent. “Good tactic, I’ll give you that. I’ll just have to adjust to this new scent then.” He wasn’t the sort to back down from a challenge, and so when Amrita took off, he followed from the rooftops. Jumping over gaps when needed, doing all he could to keep Amrita in sight.
And then the car hit her.
He frowned in disbelief. Was this part of her plan? From up here it definitely looked like an accident, yet with Amrita, it was difficult to tell. When she didn’t get up immediately and fix herself, his question was answered for him. It wasn’t planned at all. “Shit.” He said, wondering what to do. If he sprang into action he’d give himself away, however no one was doing anything to help and Amrita was just a broken mess in the middle of the road. The Homelander from the day prior would’ve just left her there and laughed, but something in him compelled him to help. He didn’t know what it was and didn’t want to focus on it too much.
He jumped down from the rooftop into an alleyway and then ran over to Amrita. He ignored the crowds, the screams, the chatter. Instead, he leaned down and carefully lifted and carried Amrita’s broken body. “I got her.” He said before he rushed off. He didn’t fly, no. He ran. He ran across the road and down another alleyway and kept going until he was a few blocks from the grizzly scene. Only then did he stop when he was sure the coast was clear and there was no one around.
“Didn’t expect there to be a rescue in the middle of my training. Part of me thinks you just wanted to be carried.” He teased as he looked at her, raising a brow. “Will you manage or do you want to head back?” It was then that he carefully lowered Amrita back down so she could fix and heal herself, his civilian clothes now stained with blood.
The seconds felt like hours, but Amrita was patient. There was something in her gut that told her to wait, even though the longer she waited, the more painful it got. Restricting the healing process was something can do for a moment, but it caused her more pain than the pain from the damage. Plus if she started healing now, she would have to deal with her bones possibly fusing with her skin.
Overall it was a bit of a mess. Amrita needed to move, needed to fix herself. She needed to move her limbs back into place to let her healing continue without issues. Even though her head felt like a jumbled mess. Getting hit always scatters the brain a little and by a car, ten times worse.
Finally she heard footsteps, quick ones which made her think it was a civilian or a paramedic. She was wrong. Amrita's body was lifted carefully and her sight caught those silly workout clothes. Then his voice only confirmed what she saw. Homelander came and got her.
He is a good person.
A statement that is general and yet felt right in that moment. Such words can be used for any twisted scenario, but it felt right for this time.
Homelander's quick running from the crowd gave Amrita the coverage to move her head as she felt her spine had been knocked out of place. Though her healing was already fixing that. The cut on her forehead already closing up and the blood stopping. Her bones that were exposed already slowly moving back into place. The faint strain in her jaw exposed the slow pain she was experiencing.
It wasn't till he stopped that Amrita looked up at him. Her eyes were trying to maintain calm, but there was a small bit of rage and pain behind them. His words fueled her anger that was building as she repaired herself.
Once he sat her down she finally couldn't handle it. Her teeth gritted as she hisses speaking. "Usually accidents are great, but that was a full blow hit and run!" Amrita practically snarled. "It was a great example for rescue, but anyone could have died there."
Amrita had to take in a deep breath as she tried to calm her anger. This was not the appropriate time, but also it pissed her. "Sorry..." She takes another breath. "I was a bit shaken up from getting hit that it wasn't till now that I processed that I got hit. We should head back since your clothes are covered in blood."
Amrita pinches her nose as the scratches on her arms heal. She started to look perfectly fine except for the bloody torn up clothes. She carefully moved her legs and even spun around before doing a flip to check her agility after the hit. Her body was back to normal and her mind was working fine.
"Alright...you did great on the rescue, but just know if you find someone like that. You are supposed to call 911 since they could have a spinal injury. Mine was knocked out of place, but I am a special case." Amrita slowly wipes her face and pulls her hair back with her own blood. Slicking it back some as she stretches her arms.
"Let's go back, change, and we'll call it there for training. Better not to push too much as you have the whole rest of the day to do things."
Homelander just watched with mild amusement as Amrita tried her best to hold back the pain while her body repaired itself. He didn’t blame her, it looked messy and gross as hell. The sounds especially were sickening. He didn’t know how she did it. Then again, with that kind of power, it wasn’t as if she had any choice.
Still, it was fascinating to watch her mend herself, her body seeming to do it all on its own. Reacting to what had happened. It was an interesting ability even if it wasn’t disgusting. Handy too. He gave her that.
“Yeah well, it happens.” Homelander said with a shrug. “Hit and runs, stabbings, robberies. It’s just one of these things, unfortunately. Happens more than folks like to admit. Even us Supes can’t save everyone. Not when humans are being idiots a lot of the time. But hey, at least it was you and not some kid, right? There’s a bright side for you.” He wasn’t trying to be an ass, more like speaking realistically. The city was dangerous, night and day. Humans were always the biggest threat to themselves.
As Amrita fully healed and stood back up, he rolled his eyes at her comment about calling 911. “If that was a human they’d have been roadkill and there would be no rush phoning anyone. But like you said, you are a special case which is why I picked you up. If it had been anyone else I’d have left it to the humans, truth be told. My concern was you’re giving away of being a Supe, which is why I wanted to get you out the picture quickly.” Homelander explained with a shrug, rolling his eyes again as Amrita did a flip to test her agility.
“Right. Well, since you’re jumping about the place again, I guess all’s well and good. We’ll stick to the alleyways so as not to look suspicious.” He said, continuing down the alley in the direction of the tower. “Also seems like I’m gonna need new gym clothes. Hm. Quite ironic actually that even doing a mundane human thing like training, I still end up covered in blood.” Though, he didn’t sound annoyed by it. Quite the opposite. He was used to it.
Just the fact that his words sounded neither sympathetic or empathetic made Amrita look calculating at him. Even though her life before this was hell and for her being different, she at least gets frustrated on humanity's behalf. He just sounded like it only mattered due to her being a Supe... A slight damper on her thoughts towards him.
"You know, it doesn't hurt to care a little bit about others who aren't Supes. It makes saving them better, even if it is standing up to a bully." Amrita said briefly as she listens to him.
He was right, to not draw attention to the shredded and blood drench clothes. It was best to take the alleyways back to the tower.
"Good point, we should stay out of sight for now. I would suggest flying, but wouldn't want anyone to spot you in the mess you are in."
His comment on the blood made Amrita lift an eyebrow. Intriguing that he didn't seem to be phased by it. Was this something that happened often? Is that why she was assigned to him so quickly?
"You don't sound upset about it." She said before getting a smirk and that look she had in her eyes when she teased him. "Sounds like you have a fetish for blood~." A complete direct turn to elsewhere.
Clearly she was causing shit, but what could happen depends on if he falls for it. Obviously Amrita won't let him go right away, probably will tick him off like she did the day before.
Homelander just sighed. “They’re of no concern to me really. All humans have done is cause pain. To me, to others, to themselves. I have my reasons for not liking them.” He said, leaving matters at that. Last thing he wanted was to trudge up the past. A past he’d put a lot of effort into keeping buried. “The ones that love and admire me, my fans? They’re not too bad though.” He said with a smirk and chuckle while they walked.
It had certainly been an eventual morning so far. Last thing he expected was to be heading back to the tower covered in blood, after rescuing his mentor. The irony wasn’t lost on him.
“Flying would complicate things, yes. I mean, there are other Supes who can fly of course. But around this area, it’s mostly me. The clothes and hat would throw them off course suspecting me, I guess. But at this rate, I’d rather stick to the alleyways. It’s quieter. And also gives you a chance to properly heal out of sight.”
He didn’t mind talking and walking. It was actually quite nice outside of Vought. Outside of having to smile and play pretend. Outside of the annoyances of the other members of the Seven - Deep in particular. He found himself not minding Amrita’s company all that much. She listened, at least. Even if she didn’t agree, she still listened. He valued that.
Homelander actually laughed at her comment about blood, shaking his head. “Oh, fuck off. It’s not like that at all and you know it.” He said with a smirk. “Blood is just attracted to me, it seems. Can’t exactly blame it.” It would certainly not be the first time he returned to the tower covered in the red stuff, that’s for sure. “Being as strong as I am, sometimes you tend to forget. Sometimes you don’t and use it deliberately. While I’m aware I normally wear gloves, I’m not against getting my hands dirty. I actually find it quite therapeutic.”
Perhaps he was saying too much, being too honest about who he really was. But he had an idea Amrita knew about that side of him already. And if she didn’t, she would eventually. So, he saw no sense in hiding nor playing pretend with her. Considering she wasn’t either.
A gentle drip of more than blood ran down Amrita's skin. His opinion on humans didn't exactly disgust her, but it showed her that she would have a harder time training his mentality. Especially since she didn't know his backstory. All she knew was he went through mental training. Practically brainwashed to be Vought's obedient pup.
"There are humans out there that are more than just the monsters that hurt you. Those who give grace and mercy." Amrita spoke as though from experience. Though she fell silent on the last sentence as she looked ahead.
Her mind was wondering what could have happened, to either of them, if Vought wasn't involved. Would she be back home in the same abusive household or would she be out on the street? Would Homelander be some actor or just a normal average guy? These were all things to consider as a theory, but not as fact.
Amrita finally broke her eye contact with the far distance to look to Homelander. He laughed? He laughed. She actually got him to laugh even though she was expecting him to get annoyed. Though the subject went from being funny to darker. Her lips just turn into a side smile as she listens to him. It was therapeutic for him to lose control. Honestly something so real that Amrita simply nodded. He probably has to hold back on a constant basis. So he finally gets to relax by releasing his strength.
"Well all that tells me is you enjoy it too much." Amrita nudges his side with her elbow. "Just don't become attracted to it as much as it is to you. Or I might have to do an intervention, set restrictions on you. Can't have you jacking one looking a bloody mess~."
Amrita tried to play off such a dark topic. Of course it was not okay to use ripping apart people or animals for therapy, but since the mood had been good. She didn't want to ruin that. Especially since she was still healing on the inside as the extra blood inside was making it difficult. She might have to drain herself just to not feel so uncomfortable.
"Currently at Vought International anyone special can live the dream of being a hero. Our biggest name around the United States is The Homelander. A rising star among the greatest powers in Vought. Progress in the making. A brighter future for the next generation."
Vought, a name commonly listed on products, newspapers, radio channels, and even spoken at the dinner table. A company that is not uncommon these days.
Vought is known for the arsenal of heroes and security. Classified information is kept under wraps. Classified personnel are kept on strict rules. No matter the situation, person, or hero, Vought keeps everything locked down. The security surrounding the company facilitates the raw power and money they hold.
Personnel chosen by Vought go under background checks, giant stacks of paperwork to get them approved for possible work, then they are reminded by strict policies and NDAs. That is for normal employees. There are a very select few who Vought owns.
In the case of a Supe is found to be put into a situation of the parents releasing parental rights. There is a system that deals with collecting the potential heroes of the future. Which brings the few chosen to be under the protection and care of Vought International. Given the highest quality of training and education provided to keep the world safe.
Tap, tap, tap, step, turn, step. The air turning from metallic and heavy with gasoline to stuffy and over used cleaning products. The smell of corporate cleanliness was disgusting and unnecessarily strong on the main floor. Entering the tower there is first a long front desk wrapped around the center wall that likely hid the main support beams of the building. The flooring led with hints of texture towards a couple of security guards and what looked to be the highest tech for metal detectors. Past that was sectioned off walls, elevators, café, and the main bustling of corporate employees.
So much was going on already, yet nothing pierced the metal and fabric of wired headphones. Chunky, heavily pressed against ruffled jet black shoulder shoulder length hair. The speakers squeak with tremble as the figure turns to the security. The first guard raised a hand which was lowered the moment the headphones were taken off.
"Empty your pockets and bag on the table before walking through." A brief exchange between the guard and the woman.
Silence from the woman's end as the headphones and a walkman. The two items stretched a good technical jump, but could easily be found locally. The woman drops her bag on the table before walking through. Nothing detected that wasn't obvious to see, but the security still does a pat down before letting her go. The woman grabbed her items and continued on. The dark hair swayed, leading the eye to a baggy black jacket, black button up slightly tucked into cargo pants, and old sneakers that saw better days. The dark eyes looked around before landing on the elevator. Stepping towards the direction there was a noticeable change as she passed others. Her express is dark, cold, and unwelcoming. She did not speak even as she got on the elevator and tapped the floor she needed to go to. Silent, uninterested.
To no one's surprise the elevator was quick. The doors open and close with each floor till the woman stepped off. Almost an instant sigh of relief from those still on the metal box.
Briefly the hallway looked white, medical almost, but after walking through a door it looked industrial. Cement, dim lighting, hues of blue. Nothing too uncommon for back walkways to a certain room. At the end of the hall there was a double door and with ease the woman opened them to find a densely padded and concrete room. Had aspects of a dojo and gym. A training room for Vought's greatest heroes.
A new face was there to welcome the woman. "I am so glad you could find your way here. I did tell the front desk to have an escort, but you are a smart girl who knows how to follow directions. Welcome to Vought Tower Amrita" Madelyn Stillwell, the current agent over Homelander and, as far as Amrita knew, the Seven.
"It was not hard." Amrita sighs out before flicking a strand of hair out of her face. "So I was told that I would be training Supes for Vought."
"You are going to be training The Seven for Vought, but I want you to take over someone's training specifically." Her lips curling into a fake smile that would be award winning.
"Homelander." Amrita interrupted shortly as to not dillydally this warm welcome.
"Exactly, our rising star has been needing some refreshers on combat and other life saving acts. Which is why after hearing we produced the perfect Supe to train other Supes, I could not resist insisting on your employment here." Madelyn's words are very particular as though she was not trying to say that their golden boy was failing at being a hero. "I do want to inform you that your quarters will be on this floor and you can leave whenever you like after you make sure all training sessions are finished."
Amrita didn't act honored or anything all she did was look off past the blonde woman. She just wanted to get this over so she didn't have to socialize with her boss. "Where is the boy wonder?" She said already taking steps to wander the training area.
Another way of teaching is by seeing. What that means is Homelander needs more real life examples to gain what he needs. As much as they focused on form for warm ups, it was best to learn other things. Not to lean on his powers and allow himself to be human for a second. Though Amrita was not going to tell him that. If anything she was going to give him that opportunity to see it before hearing it.
Though as he asked questions and joked around. Amrita just had a small smile on her lips as she watched him. It seemed that he was enjoying himself with this training. It was interesting to her since she had a feeling it would go wrong. Oddly nice, but she just waved such a feeling off as it was a matter of business.
"Field trip it is, you'll find out where we are going. Do not change, you are going like that." She takes her hair out and shakes her hair a bit. "Alright, to make sure no one recognizes that puppy face. Let's get you a hat and sunglasses, you can borrow one of mine. I just have to grab them from my place."
Amrita was practically skipping to the door to leave the gym. "Come along or you don't get to hit me later." She jokes as she opens the door and leaves already moving quickly to head to her place and grab him those items.
Not even stopping or checking on Homelander. She made her way to her apartment that Vought gave her on the same floor as the gym, just a little farther away. She just pushes her door open, since she didn't care or dare to lock it. Amrita was pretty quick to open a drawer and pull out a grey cap and some sunglasses that looked to be bought from a dollar store. She then turns on her heels and heads to Homelander to present them to him.
"Now, in the case you are discovered. Your cover story is that I am a criminal and you are following me. Then when I make a run for it, you play Hero. That way you can get away and not have too many fans looking at you without the suit on. Plus I can steal their phones in the case they try to take a photo of you. Making the story a little more truthful."
Homelander’s eyes narrowed slightly at Amrita. For once, not out of malice, but curiosity. She seemed to have it all figured out, plan after plan. An answer for everything. He was…impressed. She was taking this extremely seriously and seemed to truly want to help him, given that Madelyn nor Stan Edgar were around to also impress.
He noted her attitude seemed to change. Less talking him down and more teasing. He wasn’t going to go so far as to say Amrita wasn’t as bad as he thought she’d be…but he was learning that it wasn’t too difficult to tolerate her. If anything, it was different company outside of Ashley, the others, camera crews and photographers.
“Puppy face? What the hell does that mean?” He asked with a tilt of his head, further proving her point. He did look like a lost puppy outside of his costume. Unsure of himself without his armour to protect him. He found himself following after Amrita without question or fuss. It was like he was a completely different person without the cape and shoulder eagles. Probably because he was. He’s given up on any sense of identity outside of Homelander long ago. Now he felt…a bit lost.
He fell in step behind Amrita while she led the way to her apartment, standing outside the door while she headed inside to grab the hat and sunglasses. He raised a brow as he stared at them, gaze then shifting to Amrita and back as he took them and put them on. Only then did he step inside the apartment to look at himself in a nearby mirror.
“You seriously want me to go out looking like this? I look like a joke! A-…a weirdo! Do people really walk around in public like this?” He asked, having no clue what was fashionable and what wasn’t as he never had to concern himself with clothing.
And then Amrita mentioned her plan for if he was discovered. His gaze focused on her as he listened closely while she spoke. She really had thought of everything, even ways to protect him as well as making him look good. He honestly hadn’t expected that after their first meeting the day before and how badly that had gone.
“I uh…” Homelander cleared his throat and gave a nod. “I appreciate the looking out. Hopefully it won’t come to any of that. I really don’t want to deal with fans in general, never mind looking like this. But it’s good to know you have my back. That’s…honestly quite rare these days.” He admitted as he glanced away and paused rather awkwardly for a moment before stepping outside the apartment.
The fact that he was just proving her words made her just laugh inside. He was truly clueless about his outward expressions. She wondered if that is why he gets the big suit and holds this expression of powerful. Without everything that Vought paints him to be, he just looked normal. Oblivious likely, but normal to her. Maybe, just maybe, they could get along.
For now it was teacher and student. Professional, trainer and trainee. Someone who wants to make the hero of the world be better and not swallowing every drop of the lies they feed him.
Amrita made sure that he knew the plan. That he took in everything she said. She wanted to make sure he understood that their field trip can cause chaos unintentionally. Though it seemed he understood and was willing to try it. Though the glasses and hat looked a little silly on him. She had to look serious even though her eyes looked like she was ready to burst into a big grin.
"You look fine. Remember this is not some kind of fashion show, this is just to keep you from being discovered." She replied with a big take of breath. That way she doesn't laugh at him.
Then his comment on other's not having his back. It was a bit confusing, but with their first interaction, it makes a little sense. She wasn't going to question it too much or look into it. It was none of her business.
"Well it is not uncommon to have a plan in a worse case scenario. Plus I don't think Stillwell would be too happy about you being out like this. Learning about the people you are to protect and show demonstrations of power." Amrita said casually as she paused for a moment. Her lips parted like she was going to say something, but she stopped.
Amrita closed her apartment door as he asked her to lead the way. She just nods before taking the first couple of steps towards the elevator. Her whole plan was to get him out and see what they can find to help learn the difference between fiction and reality.
Getting out of the building was easy. Just walking out with the golden boy on her heels worked surprisingly well. Even if they did get stopped, it was all part of the training. The worst that could be said was getting him changed, but with her leading it made him practically invisible. Amrita was a nobody to the worker ants in the building. So he was able to sneak out without much of an issue.
The streets weren't that crowded. It was roughly little after lunch time, but some people were either getting to work or running errands. So the normal slow congestion days in NYC. Since Amrita was still leasing ahead she made sure to slow to be at his side or almost at his side. She was just a step ahead to keep leading.
"Now take a look around. This is slow foot traffic, but pretty much a normal day. Do you notice anything? What can you see, hear, but don't smell. I will say taking a deep inhale was my mistake." Amrita cracks a joke, but was pretty serious. She wanted to dive into more of his perspective on the city around them.
Even if it looked like Amrita was just taking them for a walk, the turns and crossing was deliberate. She didn't really get to see much of NYC. She was practically limited to particular areas and was never alone. Though the pattern was taking them pass a few bakeries, ice cream shops, small markets. The places that would have average people taking a break and enjoying some time away from home. Even a coffee shop that she seemed to glance at before continuing on.
While Homelander had an idea of what their outing was about, he was still unsure. Mostly because he hadn’t done this sort of thing before. Exploring NYC wasn’t exactly on the cards for him. Of course if he was bored he’d sometimes take a flight somewhere, but it was more for alone time and space for a while. Nothing like this.
He remained silent as Amrita led the way, taking care not to try and step ahead. He was in disguise, he had to remember. He couldn’t start walking or strutting like he normally did or it would be a giveaway who he was. He kept his head down and didn’t make eye contact with anyone. He just fell in step with the woman in front of him, noticing every now and then that no one paid either of them any attention. It was…strange.
Before long they were outside and walking down the street. Homelander glanced around as if expecting something to happen, wondering what was so special about doing something so basic. His life was always about putting on a show, about being seen and noticed. About pleasing crowds. There was never a dull moment. And so this was…very much the opposite.
As Amrita broke the silence and asked him to take in his surroundings, Homelander blinked as if she’d spoken a completely different language. A hint of a smile did tug at his lips from her joke though. NYC was a pain on his senses, that was for sure. “People talking, cars driving, people walking just like us. Nothing exciting. All mundane and boring things.” He didn’t really understand the point. But then again, he wouldn’t. The simple life wasn’t one he was familiar with at all and certainly wasn’t the kind he knew personally. As he got older and Vought drilled in all the information they could into him, he ended up turning a complete blind eye to the comings and goings of human life. He simply didn’t care. There was a lot of reasons for that, however. Partly because he’d never had the experience himself and therefore couldn’t relate, part because he lived an exciting lifestyle that anything else would pale in comparison. Why take a walk when you can fly?
“It’s just noise to me. Nothing stands out. Nothing is worth remembering. It’s just static background noise.” He added. The more he looked around, the more confused he became. He was dismissive, his gaze falling to Amrita for answers. However, she seemed to be taking things in a lot more deeply than he was. As if she wanted to fully embrace the city.
“I gather you don’t get out much. Why else would you want to take a walk around here?” He raised a brow and snickered. It wasn’t meant in a cruel manner, only an observation he’d picked up on. “Wouldn’t have thought you to be the type where this is your thing.” He mused. Despite his comments, he didn’t object to the outing. He didn’t ask to stop, he didn’t drag his feet. He kept pace with Amrita while still following her lead. If anything, he was curious to see what all this was about and where there eventually end up.
Amrita was listening to him, but was soon tuning him out. It was not on purpose, she was doing what he should have done. Taken in the mondaine. It felt so...fake. Like neither of them should exist among the rest of the people. It made her feel lost and isolated at the same time. Her eyes darted from person to person. Seeking that affirmation that she too is a person who exists in their world.
Amrita nearly gasps as Homelander addresses her. She cleared her throat softly to herself. "Yes, I like long walks on the beach at sunset." She cracks a joke before changing it. "No. I don't get out as much." She wondered if she should explain.
Her thoughts traveled back to her past. It wasn't like she could have just left. Her time training under Vought's best fighting coordinators, and even some heroes, she was trapped inside. Her existence was to be erased while she became someone completely new they could use. She spent that time only being allowed fresh air when she earned it. Even then it was within the area of the building. So New York City was a whole new experience to her. She didn't make it up that she took a deep breath when coming here.
"It is really my second day in NYC. When coming here I saw these shops here and wanted to try them if possible or at least see them closer." Amrita admitted as she points to a coffee shop and an ice cream shop. "Though you should really take in the mondaine. You only get it so often when you are practically plastered everywhere."
Amrita smiles happily as she made her steps quicker so then she could turn around and walk backwards. She put her hands in her pockets as she looks him over. "Plus, I want you to not use your senses except for sight when I run." She cheekily smirks. "But no super speed either so you don't give yourself away. After a block or two more of just walking."
Homelander didn’t say much, just nodded at Amrita’s words. It made sense then why she was so keen to see the city and take it all in. Granted, he didn’t get out much to explore and do want humans did, but the city was still one he flew around every day. It wasn’t anything special to him. Course, he also wasn’t complaining about getting out of the tower for a while to walk around. It was something he never did.
“Hm. Well, the local coffee shops are always busy. Folks gotta have their caffeine, I guess. Ice cream too. Though can’t say I have much of either.” Homelander mused with a shrug. “If you were wanting a shopping buddy, you could’ve just said so rather than making it all mysterious.” He teased with a smirk. Though if Amrita did want to shop around, he wasn’t going to complain. It was another thing he never did. It wasn’t like he wore normal clothes, and everything he could ever need was provided for him by Vought. He never needed to worry about money.
However, Amrita kept walking and Homelander followed at a leisurely pace. Even as she turned to walk backwards, he tilted his head as he caught mischief behind her eyes. His brows furrowed. “When you run? Y’know, there’s better places to go for a run than down a busy New York city street.” He was unsure what the girl was getting at, though it was clear he was curious. She’d done well to capture his attention.
He laughed at her as she mentioned him running too. “You’re not really expecting me to chase you down the street. You realise how sketchy that looks?” He had absolutely no idea what she was up to or thinking, though his expression showed that this was the most amused he’d been in a long time. While he’d never admit it…he was kind of having fun.
Amrita kept walking backwards, easily avoiding people as she watched Homelander. She wanted to have some fun while letting him experience the world he is in. Which is obvious that he hasn't been among the people for an extended period of time. So this will be pretty interesting to take him around the area.
His comment on a shopping buddy was not entirely false, but it was an excuse to get out. "I'll see after today if I do make you my shopping buddy." She says joking, but she really was thinking. It would be nice to get him out more often.
Though she took his word on the shops being busy. So she wasn't going to stop there unless they needed drinks after the run. Which she could easily go in without being noticed. It was the man who was a symbol of greatness for this place. She needed to be a little careful, but not everything comes with being safe.
"Yes, running or maybe racing you could say. Though my thought is of you catching me on foot. Cause you rely too much on your powers. Once we get you to a point of relying more on instincts and not using your powers or at least not at 100%. If we train you the right way, you'll grow and put it elsewhere." Amrita said confidently. "Now I give you two options, you can either give me a head start for 5 minutes where I stay in your sight or you close your eyes and try to follow for 5 minutes before you open your eyes."
"Your choice golden boy." Amrita smirks before speeding up walking backwards.
Homelander didn’t know what to make of Amrita. He thought he had her figured out only to realise that she was…different. At first he’d loathed her existence, but now he found that he didn’t completely despise her. Of course he’d never admit such a thing. He had his pride after all.
This whole trip had been strange so far. Not simply because of its randomness, but because of its simplicity. Amrita clearly wanted him to act more human and put the Supe part of him to the side for the moment, which went against everything Vought had drilled into him from such. young age. He had to show strength, no weakness. He had to be better than the humans. A beacon of hope. Being among them like this, having folks walk by him and not pass a second glance, no cameras in his face or speeches to make…it was strange.
And yet he found himself not completely hating it.
It was like seeing the world with a fresh pair of eyes, ones that Vought hadn’t clouded over and narrowed down to points only they wanted him to see. It was freeing being out in the open and blending in. He couldn’t help but wonder if all this was really just to get him to rely on his powers less or if Amrita was perhaps feeling lonely. Granted, all this could simply be purely for her job and nothing more. However, Homelander felt there was more to it than that which intrigued him to play along even if Amrita’s requests were bizarre.
Homelander continued walking with his gaze fixed on the girl. He titled his head and couldn’t help but chuckle. “So we’re playing kids games now? I gotta say your teaching techniques are rather odd.” He said, however he made no attempt to leave. He knew he could. Just shrug it off and walk away, head back to the tower, change clothes and become Homelander once more. Except he didn’t do any of that. Part of him was curious to see what all this was for. With a sigh and roll of his eyes, he spoke. “I’ll give you the head start with my eyes open please. I don’t want to look like a weirdo to all of New York City.”
Having made his choose, he kept pace with his eyes watching Amrita closely to see what she’d do next. It was evident she had the Supe’s attention as well as his co-operation.
"We are all weirdos here." Amrita said confidently as she knows what will happen.
She turned around and with no hesitation started running away. She darts through people and surprisingly there was no one paying attention. The occasional person who was bumped into only reacted, but Amrita kept going. Her strategy was counting down the minutes as she gained distance. Mapping out every possible turn and commotion she could do. Her brain calculating out what her next move will be when it finally hits 5 minutes.
Though as much as this is training on relying on your very minimal strengths and instincts, it was also for fun. If training can be fun in any way, then it should be. Though at the same time it takes time to get to a point of fun while being safe.
Though something Amrita felt she wouldn't say to Homelander is her thoughts on him. Besides the occasional insult or dirtying of his ego. Just talking to him about how she sees someone who could really need a friend or just some fun in his life. If she could find a way to slip that in without him addressing it. She would. Amrita only wants him to feel like he is doing training even if they are goofing around. On paper she could make sure no one finds out unless someone takes a photo.
Time was up, five minutes and now it was him who started chasing. With a faint inhale she sharply turns at the next turn and runs close to the wall. Her heart rising in pace as she listens carefully behind her as she spots her next move.
Everything felt brighter, louder, heavier as Amrita felt the adrenaline kick in. Her wicked smile grew on her lips as pure excitement flashed in her eyes. She laughs to herself as she jumps onto a trashcan and then over a power box.
Of course there was a slight fall back on her head start, but it didn't matter. She was having fun jumping around and running. Only causing a little attention as she jumps out into the street. Cars move like normal and even honk at her as she avoids almost getting hit twice. Her goal was a fire escape in an alley. Just as she made it through traffic she heads for the ladder. Using the wall to jump off to grab the bottom and bring it down. She began to climb up looking towards the roof. Her heart is pounding in her ears now instead of hearing her hunter.
Homelander snickered at Amrita’s words before she vanished. He kept track of her even though he stood in place, so much so until she was out of sight. He latched onto her scent, keeping it in the front of his mind while ignoring the rest of the smells within the city. Pleasant or otherwise.
This was a new kind of training and something he hadn’t done in a long time. Way back when he was just a boy they put his senses to the test, seeing how well he could track. It was a part of him left to the past considering he never had to track his targets anymore. He never let them get that far. It was dead on the spot or nothing.
And so this…this wasn’t all that bad. No, in fact he welcomed this form of training. It couldn’t hurt to build up on them. Though, he wasn’t ready to admit such a thing to Amrita just yet. Still, her training methods - while odd - were…amusing. It gave him a break from Vought at least, even if that meant running through the streets of New York City.
He timed it five minutes and then he began his hunt. Knowing the initial direction Amrita went, he followed until he’d lost sight of her. This was when it got tricky. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath in focusing on Amrita’s scent. It was faint, but he could pick it up. A faint trail. He moved carefully, keeping focused on the trail as he pushed past people. Thankfully no one recognised him nor tried to stop him or get in his way. It left him all the freedom to focus on the task at hand.
He ended up walking too far and missed a turn, losing the trail until he backtracked and picked it up again around a corner. He moved slowly though everything in him was telling him to hurry. He was used to a quick kill, a quick takedown. He never had the patience to go slow like this. But if he was to ever find a needle in a haystack, he had to take his time. After all, Amrita didn’t say anything about him having a timer, though she was no doubt timing him regardless.
Homelander was led across a busy road and then down an alley. It was there where the scent was the strongest, along with a loud and rapid heartbeat. As he looked around and took in his surroundings, he noticed the fire escape ladder was pulled down. Curious, he headed over. While he’d have simply jumped to the roof, he followed the rules of this little game and climbed the ladder like a human would. Once he reached the roof, he couldn’t help but grin as he spotted Amrita. She looked far more alive than he’d ever seen her. She actually almost looked…happy.
“Huh. Alright, that wasn’t too bad of an exercise. I’ll give you that.” He said with a shrug. “Can’t remember the last time I’ve had to track someone.”
The roof, something she hasn't done yet in New York. Though she was glad. Her initial thought was to keep running, but her gaze was on the city. The various buildings blocking the sky while also keeping open enough to look down the street. Remarkable how much could be packed in a small area and be seen. Her heart was pounding, but her mind was at ease. There was nothing to fear, nothing to focus on, just enjoying the layout of a place she could run around.
Then she heard it. So quickly to her surprise or was it just time flew by. Her stance takes on that of waiting patiently. Hands on her hips and legs relaxed to stay in place. The feet thumped in the metal until the voice came along. So sure of that being the end.
"I am guessing you used my scent. You like it?" She teased looking at him over her shoulder. Then she turn to face him. "Apparently being your trainer means only Vought approved items."
Amrita's scent was nothing special, currently it has adrenaline, but it was mixed with a faint coconut and fern scent. Likely a shampoo and then deodorant, but not strong enough to burn his senses.
"Also this exercise isn't over. Just wanted to see if you could actually find me." Her hands dropped before she shuffled to the side before fully sprinting towards the edge and then leap...
The way the building was, it was higher than the neighboring one. A decent gap without a run, but manageable as she tumbles on the building's roof. She got up quickly and looked back before shouting.
"A criminal won't stop! They'll keep fighting or escape! What will you do!?" She smiles before turning to run off again. Not even looking back to see if he'll jump.
Her quick thinking lead her through and open window into someone's apartment. Then out their door to climb the stairs to that roof. Then from there to jump to another roof only to jump to a fire escape which she missed and fell into a pile of trash. Her lucky day, but also nothing that would stop her even. Just likely would have knocked her out.
Instead she has a couple of bones that fractured but healed quickly as she practically has to roll out of the garbage. That should help cover her scent if she lost him. Which she did look up to see if he was following her close.
“That answers the question as to why your scent is so familiar.” He mused with a snort. He knew it well from Vought’s line of hygiene products, though he was a favourite of coconut and vanilla. It was a scent he used himself. “Homelander approved, by the way.” He added with a smirk as he slowly headed over.
However Amrita had other plans. He wasn’t all that shocked to hear this was just part of the exercise. He learned quickly that the girl had plenty of tricks up her sleeve and was keen to keep him on his toes as much as possible. He didn’t know how this training would end nor where they’d end up once they were done for the day. And yet…he found that quite thrilling. Every aspect of his life was planned out. Day in, day out. It rarely allowed any opportunity for spontaneity.
“Well, scent is the best way to track I find. Unless in close quarters where I can just look through the walls.” He replied with a shrug as he watched Amrita turn, run and jump off the roof to another. Ah, of course. He expected this. After all, how else would they get down? Going back the way they came was boring and simply jumping down off a rooftop was equally so. Doing some free running was clearly the most exciting option.
Homelander headed over to where Amrita had been before she jumped, hearing her call from the rooftop opposite. He couldn’t help but chuckle. “While that’s true, not all criminals have the ability nor stamina to jump from rooftop to rooftop.” He saw her logic however and was willing to play along. It would be different to focus on jumping without simply just flying. But he was willing to try. He took a few steps back and launched forward into a run, throwing himself into the air as he leapt off his feet. The urge to fly was strong, but he pressed it down as he focused on doing this the mundane human way.
His feet landed on the opposite roof with a thud and he was back on the chase, following Amrita’s trail until she’d jumped through the window into someone’s apartment. He didn’t follow, instead jumping onto that rooftop and using his vision to look through the walls. He saw her running on stairs toward another roof and then she was out of sight. Homelander gave chase, keeping up high as his gaze focused down below when he heard a sudden heavy thud. He made his way over and peered down from above as he saw Amrita roll out of the dumpster. “Y’know, I think I’ll pass rolling around in some trash, thanks.” He quipped as he watched her take off running.
Homelander kept to the rooftops as he watched Amrita below. Having the higher ground was better after all.
Finding out that more of the company is "Homelander approved" practically made Amrita's eyes roll so far into her head she felt dizzy. Which was an over reaction, but it just proved that the company catered to their golden boy.
Well it was no surprise that she kept going and it was the best way to train in her opinion. Unexpecting, spontaneous, and over all exciting. Especially when she practically rolled in trash to mask her scent. Intentional and unintentional. Stull Amrita needed to find a way to block his sight. Some way to draw him off her trail.
"Trash isn't for you anyway, it is to stop my scent." She calls up to him as she darts out and along the streets of the busy city.
Unfortunately, that was short lived as she ran out into the road. There was a red light, but to her surprise, someone didn't see to stop and Amrita was hit. The car didn't even stop and continued driving as Amrita went over it. She hit the ground with a wet splat as her bones basically twisted and stuck out of flesh. A horrific sight for the masses.
Amrita lays there with her head snapped to the side, blood dripping down her forehead and scratches all over her body. Her clothes torn a bit and sucking up some of the blood that pools.
The city is starting to erupt into whispers and calling out for help. People getting out of their cars as Amrita's body twitches. Some calling out she is alive and she needs help.
All the while, Amrita was wondering if she should get up. If she should break her bones back into place and stand up. Or, she could let Homelander take care of this. Letting him shine in the limelight or at least watch what she does.
Amrita decided to wait, my people get worked up more and then she can fold herself back together. Let Homelander see what people will do to help. Which so far has been nothing but scream.
Homelander simply rolled his eyes at the quip about masking scent. “Good tactic, I’ll give you that. I’ll just have to adjust to this new scent then.” He wasn’t the sort to back down from a challenge, and so when Amrita took off, he followed from the rooftops. Jumping over gaps when needed, doing all he could to keep Amrita in sight.
And then the car hit her.
He frowned in disbelief. Was this part of her plan? From up here it definitely looked like an accident, yet with Amrita, it was difficult to tell. When she didn’t get up immediately and fix herself, his question was answered for him. It wasn’t planned at all. “Shit.” He said, wondering what to do. If he sprang into action he’d give himself away, however no one was doing anything to help and Amrita was just a broken mess in the middle of the road. The Homelander from the day prior would’ve just left her there and laughed, but something in him compelled him to help. He didn’t know what it was and didn’t want to focus on it too much.
He jumped down from the rooftop into an alleyway and then ran over to Amrita. He ignored the crowds, the screams, the chatter. Instead, he leaned down and carefully lifted and carried Amrita’s broken body. “I got her.” He said before he rushed off. He didn’t fly, no. He ran. He ran across the road and down another alleyway and kept going until he was a few blocks from the grizzly scene. Only then did he stop when he was sure the coast was clear and there was no one around.
“Didn’t expect there to be a rescue in the middle of my training. Part of me thinks you just wanted to be carried.” He teased as he looked at her, raising a brow. “Will you manage or do you want to head back?” It was then that he carefully lowered Amrita back down so she could fix and heal herself, his civilian clothes now stained with blood.
The seconds felt like hours, but Amrita was patient. There was something in her gut that told her to wait, even though the longer she waited, the more painful it got. Restricting the healing process was something can do for a moment, but it caused her more pain than the pain from the damage. Plus if she started healing now, she would have to deal with her bones possibly fusing with her skin.
Overall it was a bit of a mess. Amrita needed to move, needed to fix herself. She needed to move her limbs back into place to let her healing continue without issues. Even though her head felt like a jumbled mess. Getting hit always scatters the brain a little and by a car, ten times worse.
Finally she heard footsteps, quick ones which made her think it was a civilian or a paramedic. She was wrong. Amrita's body was lifted carefully and her sight caught those silly workout clothes. Then his voice only confirmed what she saw. Homelander came and got her.
He is a good person.
A statement that is general and yet felt right in that moment. Such words can be used for any twisted scenario, but it felt right for this time.
Homelander's quick running from the crowd gave Amrita the coverage to move her head as she felt her spine had been knocked out of place. Though her healing was already fixing that. The cut on her forehead already closing up and the blood stopping. Her bones that were exposed already slowly moving back into place. The faint strain in her jaw exposed the slow pain she was experiencing.
It wasn't till he stopped that Amrita looked up at him. Her eyes were trying to maintain calm, but there was a small bit of rage and pain behind them. His words fueled her anger that was building as she repaired herself.
Once he sat her down she finally couldn't handle it. Her teeth gritted as she hisses speaking. "Usually accidents are great, but that was a full blow hit and run!" Amrita practically snarled. "It was a great example for rescue, but anyone could have died there."
Amrita had to take in a deep breath as she tried to calm her anger. This was not the appropriate time, but also it pissed her. "Sorry..." She takes another breath. "I was a bit shaken up from getting hit that it wasn't till now that I processed that I got hit. We should head back since your clothes are covered in blood."
Amrita pinches her nose as the scratches on her arms heal. She started to look perfectly fine except for the bloody torn up clothes. She carefully moved her legs and even spun around before doing a flip to check her agility after the hit. Her body was back to normal and her mind was working fine.
"Alright...you did great on the rescue, but just know if you find someone like that. You are supposed to call 911 since they could have a spinal injury. Mine was knocked out of place, but I am a special case." Amrita slowly wipes her face and pulls her hair back with her own blood. Slicking it back some as she stretches her arms.
"Let's go back, change, and we'll call it there for training. Better not to push too much as you have the whole rest of the day to do things."
Homelander just watched with mild amusement as Amrita tried her best to hold back the pain while her body repaired itself. He didn’t blame her, it looked messy and gross as hell. The sounds especially were sickening. He didn’t know how she did it. Then again, with that kind of power, it wasn’t as if she had any choice.
Still, it was fascinating to watch her mend herself, her body seeming to do it all on its own. Reacting to what had happened. It was an interesting ability even if it wasn’t disgusting. Handy too. He gave her that.
“Yeah well, it happens.” Homelander said with a shrug. “Hit and runs, stabbings, robberies. It’s just one of these things, unfortunately. Happens more than folks like to admit. Even us Supes can’t save everyone. Not when humans are being idiots a lot of the time. But hey, at least it was you and not some kid, right? There’s a bright side for you.” He wasn’t trying to be an ass, more like speaking realistically. The city was dangerous, night and day. Humans were always the biggest threat to themselves.
As Amrita fully healed and stood back up, he rolled his eyes at her comment about calling 911. “If that was a human they’d have been roadkill and there would be no rush phoning anyone. But like you said, you are a special case which is why I picked you up. If it had been anyone else I’d have left it to the humans, truth be told. My concern was you’re giving away of being a Supe, which is why I wanted to get you out the picture quickly.” Homelander explained with a shrug, rolling his eyes again as Amrita did a flip to test her agility.
“Right. Well, since you’re jumping about the place again, I guess all’s well and good. We’ll stick to the alleyways so as not to look suspicious.” He said, continuing down the alley in the direction of the tower. “Also seems like I’m gonna need new gym clothes. Hm. Quite ironic actually that even doing a mundane human thing like training, I still end up covered in blood.” Though, he didn’t sound annoyed by it. Quite the opposite. He was used to it.
Just the fact that his words sounded neither sympathetic or empathetic made Amrita look calculating at him. Even though her life before this was hell and for her being different, she at least gets frustrated on humanity's behalf. He just sounded like it only mattered due to her being a Supe... A slight damper on her thoughts towards him.
"You know, it doesn't hurt to care a little bit about others who aren't Supes. It makes saving them better, even if it is standing up to a bully." Amrita said briefly as she listens to him.
He was right, to not draw attention to the shredded and blood drench clothes. It was best to take the alleyways back to the tower.
"Good point, we should stay out of sight for now. I would suggest flying, but wouldn't want anyone to spot you in the mess you are in."
His comment on the blood made Amrita lift an eyebrow. Intriguing that he didn't seem to be phased by it. Was this something that happened often? Is that why she was assigned to him so quickly?
"You don't sound upset about it." She said before getting a smirk and that look she had in her eyes when she teased him. "Sounds like you have a fetish for blood~." A complete direct turn to elsewhere.
Clearly she was causing shit, but what could happen depends on if he falls for it. Obviously Amrita won't let him go right away, probably will tick him off like she did the day before.
