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It’s been three months. The Tower is… mostly rebuilt. They’re doing a. Ribbon-cutting? Grand Re-opening? Honestly you haven’t paid attention during most of the meetings, so you have no idea what sort of execu-speak they’re using for this.
Whatever they’re calling it, it… sure is an event. Not only is it the (unveiling?) of the new Vought Tower, they’re also announcing two new members of the Seven.
If you had your way, you’d skip the whole thing. You really don’t want to do this, but Homelander wanted you there for moral support. The request genuinely surprised you, but after the last year, you grin and bear it. For him.
Besides, it’s good that he feels safe being open with you. That he’s still open with you. And honestly, knowing everyone who will be there makes it worthwhile. You smile under your mask just thinking about it.
This is just a dry run for the actual ceremony tomorrow, so while Homelander is on stage, practicing his speech and moving around, cape swirling in the breeze, the rest of the team are standing on the sidelines. You aren’t really paying attention to what he’s saying, letting your mind wander. (Not too far though. You very pointedly avoid thinking about what happened that night.)
“Noir!”
The voice cuts through the fog in your mind, and snaps you back to reality. Under the mask, your face lights up. Homelander hears it too, and there’s a pause in his speech that would be imperceptible to anyone else.
You move from where you’re standing and walk towards him, waving. His sneakers thwack thwack thwack off the pavement as he runs toward you excitedly. And then runs into you excitedly.
You’re knocked backwards, flat on your ass, and you hear your helmet scrape the asphalt. Behind you, A-Train and Kevin try (and fail) to hold back laughter.
Ryan stands up and jumps backwards, a terrified look on his face. Apologies fall out of his mouth as he helps you up. You put a hand on his shoulder, getting his attention so he doesn’t spiral out. You point at your chest, then give an “OK” sign. Point at his. “OK.”
“Yeah,” he says, and seems to calm him a little. You gesture at his dad, at the chairs near the stage, and motion for him to follow you. You pull your phone out of one of the pockets on your suit and text him.
I’ve had worse than an enthusiastic hello, you say. You pause, then send another message. It’s not the most embarrassing thing I’ve been through either.
“Really?” asks Ryan, looking up from his phone. He wants to ask; it’s written all over his face.
Yup, LOL. One of these days, I’ll tell you about the time I nearly died because I ate a candy bar. Your dad is finishing up now.
And sure enough, just as Ryan looks up from reading the message, there’s Homelander. You both smile. (He can see you, he knows you’re happy, he thinks you’re beautiful, and you fail to suppress the flutter of warmth you feel every time you remember.)
“Hi dad,” Ryan says, giving Homelander a tight hug. His father returns it, and for a moment, it’s pure Norman Rockwell. It’s nice to see them both so happy
“Hey kiddo,” Homelander says, ruffling his son’s hair. “Was Noir talking your ear off?” You look at Ryan and roll your eyes in an exaggerated motion that uses your whole head, and point at his father.
“This guy,” you say. Ryan giggles. You love the sound of it. He doesn’t laugh or smile as much as a kid his age should. You have the depressing thought that it’s something the three of you share.
“Well, we’ve wrapped it up here,” says Homelander. “And personally, I am starving. Anyone want to get ice cream?”
“I’ll pass,” you tell him, not wanting to interrupt the father-son moment.
“Why?” Ryan asks, a concerned look on his face. “Is it because I knocked you over? Did I hurt you?”
“Yeah,” says Homelander. “Come on, Noir. It’s a family thing.”
You look from one to the other, genuinely surprised by the sincerity and the sentiment. Family? Me? You’d considered it, but hearing it stated like that…
“Alright, fine,” you say, then hold up your hands in a gesture of surrender. “Let’s go.” Ryan looks up at Homelander.
“He said he’ll come,” says Homelander. “Hasn’t he taught you anything?” He holds an arm out to you. “Come on up, big guy.”
You put your arms around him, feeling like the love interest in an old movie. He puts an arm around your waist. Have you ever felt more ridiculous or more safe?
“Here we go!” Homelander announces, and with a boom, the three of you are off.
You can’t stop smiling. You’re flying through the air with your family. Your small, strange family, but your family nonetheless. You feel truly and completely loved.
This is where you’re supposed to be.