The sudden turn of events brought Ryan's smooth performance to an abrupt halt.
For a brief moment, he panicked.
Then he immediately realized what had happened and glanced at the clock on the wall.
5:21 p.m.!
Exactly twelve hours had passed since he'd activated Berserk that morning.
So...
My Super Strength and other abilities have all recovered.
Realizing this, Ryan's expression changed drastically.
He looked at Homelander, who was still stunned and embedded in the wall, and said fearfully, "I didn't mean to, Dad. I, I didn't know I was that strong. I was just really angry!"
As he hurried over, Ryan made excuses like a child who'd gotten into trouble, realized he'd done something wrong, and was trying to explain himself.
"I just wanted to grow up to be a great hero like you!"
So you'd better do a good job. Put on a show if you have to, and set a good example for your son.
"But you don't like me. You don't even want me to be like you!"
To hell with Stan Edgar's words. Let them twist your mind into knots and burn out your brain cells, then forget that nonsense.
Finally, Ryan reached Homelander and hesitantly lifted one arm halfway, looking like he wanted to help his dad up but didn't dare.
Add a little acting with the eyes, too. Hide some anxiety and unease in them. Make yourself look like a startled fawn.
"Dad, a-are you okay? Are you... still mad at me?"
When Homelander met that gaze, his anger vanished completely.
His son had never shown any sign of having Super Strength. The sudden, fierce impact hadn't hurt, but it had still knocked some sense into him.
And once he came to his senses, his first reaction was intense guilt.
Then, amid that guilt, he saw Ryan looking like this. He'd only just returned from taking revenge on the lab, and the nightmare of his past suddenly overlapped with his son's behavior.
This child... the way he looks when he's scared... he's just like me.
But Homelander, look at what you've done. You've terrified Ryan!
In that moment, Homelander understood!
"Hahaha... Son, Dad isn't mad."
He grabbed Ryan by the arm and gently pulled himself free, secretly using his flight ability to lift his body out of the wall.
The cape was dirty!
Ashley, who'd been dumbstruck by the string of events, saw Homelander back on his feet as if nothing had happened. The first thought that crossed her mind was that his cape was dirty.
Homelander cherished his cape more than almost anything.
As someone who worked closely with him, Ashley knew this well. He even carefully lifted the cape whenever he sat down, afraid it might crease.
But now, what was she seeing?
Homelander wasn't paying any attention to the cape at all?
Homelander's thoughts were focused entirely on his son. He'd forgotten about the Stars and Stripes Cape, the substitute for the blanket that had been the only thing belonging to him in the lab during his childhood, and the only thing that had ever given him warmth.
I can't lose Ryan!
What should I do?
Beg him?
Beg him not to leave me, not to take away that one precious love I have?
Or admit I was wrong?
Ryan likes it when people admit their mistakes. He's brave about it. I've admitted my own mistakes, too, even if Ashley took the fall in the end.
Homelander crouched down and deliberately placed both hands on Ryan's shoulders, his expression serious. "Son, there's something I need to tell you."
Ryan blinked, a glimmer of tears appearing at the corners of his eyes.
"What is it, Dad?"
He was eager to hear it.
Eager to hear what Homelander was about to say.
Come on, brave Homelander. Speak from the heart.
A sapling won't grow straight unless you prune it. People need a little discipline, too... I've been too good to you, always giving you everything you want. It's made you arrogant.
After what just happened, let's see if you keep imagining things.
Ryan gave him an encouraging look, his eyes shining.
Homelander nodded firmly. "You were wrong!"
"Huh?!"
This time, Ryan was absolutely not acting. He swore.
Homelander's voice was gentle. He watched his son's astonished expression, then lightly patted his young shoulder and said, "Maeve isn't my girlfriend."
"Ah!"
"Haha, I know you're surprised, son, but that's the truth!"
Is that what I'm surprised about?
Of course I know you and Maeve broke up. But was that what I was looking forward to hearing?
Are you sure?
I... why am I not sure anymore?
Homelander stood and put an arm around his son again, though this time his touch was gentle.
He half-turned to look at Maeve, who still had her fists clenched. "Son, I know you've seen some of my old interviews. I did say Maeve and I were a couple, and we were very much in love back then."
Ryan nodded blankly.
Homelander sighed wistfully. "Sigh, I still love you, Maeve. But you've fallen for someone else, and your new lover is actually a..."
"Homelander, are you... are you sure you want to say all this in front of a child?"
Maeve sounded unsure. What a lunatic!
Homelander gave a carefree laugh. "Why not? Maeve, I just found out about this, so I'm very, very angry!"
"You... dumped me for a woman!"
"I'm Homelander. You've really disappointed me!"
"Ah!!!"
This time, Queen Maeve was the one standing there with her mouth wide open, unable to close it for a long while.
"You..."
She wanted to say, You're telling me that this gigantic man-child only found out about it today?
Then those woman-on-woman films I've been shooting all this time—was I doing that of my own free will? Wasn't it because you, you petty, despicable bastard, forced me into it?
"Son, I've never been that great when it comes to relationships."
Homelander didn't spare the tool Maeve another glance. He only looked down at Ryan. "That's why I don't want you to be like me. That's why I said you were wrong."
"So... I was... wrong?"
Ryan's voice wavered. His eyes were blank and vacant.
Even after all that, you somehow dodged responsibility and turned it around on me. Classic you.
Homelander was so moved by his own words that he crouched down again and pulled Ryan into a hug. "Son, I love you."
"Oh, how touching!"
Someone nearby was still sucking up to him.
Ashley clasped her hands to her chest, beaming with joy. "Sir, once again, you've proven the greatness of your fatherly love. It's as strong as a mountain."
After laying it on thick, she gently prompted him. "Ryan, you love your father very much, too. Isn't that right?"
Ryan glanced at Ashley. He knew she meant well, but...
Forget it. At least he'd thwarted Stan Edgar's scheme. There was no need to keep getting tangled up in trivial questions of right and wrong.
And he'd gained some experience points from that stellar performance.
Worth it.
Still, I'll remember this one. We'll settle the score someday.
"Dad, I love you."
Homelander got the answer he wanted and released Ryan with a satisfied smile.
He gave Ashley an approving look, then reproached her despite himself. "You talk too much."
"Ashley, from now on, focus on your work."
Ashley beamed.
It seemed the storm had passed and everything was back to normal.
So, was this a world where Queen Maeve was the only one who got hurt?
"Ding."
A notification appeared on Ashley's work tablet.
She picked it up as if to show off and read aloud, "Article Seven of the Vought Group's Superhuman Management Regulations: When a newly awakened superhuman is added to the list of those under our supervision, their power type, strength, and usage restrictions must be registered immediately!"
"Record the information in the Superhuman Archive."
"Within 48 hours of receiving this notice, please submit Ryan's... his..."
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