"Let's go in together." She held out her hand. "Come on, take my hand."
Homelander shook his head and gave a helpless, wry smile.
Jessica wore an I knew it expression. She pointed at the enormous planetary head outside the window.
"You never intended to leave, did you?"
Homelander fell silent.
"When did you get so clever, Jessica?"
"Sometimes, it's not a good thing for a woman to be too clever..."
As he spoke, Homelander turned slightly to face Jessica's camera.
"That's right... I'm not leaving."
"I want to go home too... drink beer and eat burgers with my friends.
"But... I'm Homelander. Earth is my home, and every human being is my family."
"If someone has to stay behind and face this endless darkness..."
"Then it has to be me."
"With great power comes great responsibility!"
In the livestream chat,
billions watched the scene, already sobbing.
[No!!]
[Come back, Homelander! We don't want you to die!]
[Waaah... He really does want to protect us...]
[Now that's a hero! A real hero!]
[Please! Run! All we want is for you to live!]
[God, I sincerely ask You to protect him...]
Notification! Popularity Points +548586!
Notification! Popularity Points +667824!
Notification! Popularity Points...
Jessica looked at the man who, even with death staring him in the face, hadn't forgotten to play to the camera and find his best angle.
Tears blurred her vision.
She knew he was putting on an act. But she also knew he truly meant to stay and fight for his life.
This phony bastard was doing the greatest thing of all in the phoniest way possible.
This narcissistic, vain, irresistible man... is the man I love...
Jessica walked over to Homelander and gently took his hand.
"If you insist on being the hero..." Tears glimmered in Jessica's