Work Text:
They've been dating for six months when Maeve and Homelander find a baby in the rubble of a gas explosion that wiped out a family - with the exception of the tiny miracle that Homelander finds under a collapsed dresser in the nursery. It's unharmed, but wailing, and where Maeve has always been a bit uncomfortable around newborns, Homelander picks it up and instinctively bounces it in his arms to shush it.
When he looks up at her, Maeve sees a flashing image of a future she isn't sure she wants, despite Homelander's insistence. She would never say it, but she's glad for his infertility.
"It's a girl," he says. He seems in no hurry to walk back out to where the journalists are eagerly awaiting their return. This will be good press. Maeve is annoyed that her inner voice has started to sound like Madelyn.
"There's EMTs outside, they'll take care of her."
Homelander holds the baby a little closer. She's settled down, cooing softly. "There's nobody really waiting for her… We could-"
"No, John." Best to nip this in the bud.
His eyes harden. "That's easy for you to say. You can always make some." With someone else, is the implication here. "What if this is our only chance… together?"
Maeve chooses her battles and lets him play mother hen for a bit. Lets him get it out of his system. Lets him ride in the ambulance with a tiny hand wrapped around his gloved finger. She makes a call to Madelyn to tell her to come to the children's hospital while Homelander is still so distracted.
"Can't I keep her?" Homelander sounds like a little boy asking his mother for a favor.
"She's not a dog," Madelyn says, in a tone that allows no argument. Their manager crouches down next to the chair where Homelander is still protectively clutching his newest toy. "Her relatives have been notified."
Homelander seeks Maeve's eyes, imploring her to side with him. When he doesn't find any support, his resolve crumbles. He sobs, just once, before his features smooth out almost eerily and he hands over the swaddled newborn to Madelyn without a fight.
On their way home, Maeve feels sorry. "You know," she concedes, surprised that she actually means this, "I think you'd be a good dad."
Homelander looks up at the night sky, maybe wishing on a star. "I will be."