"Let it out, Hope. It's okay. It's all over now."
Homelander held her around the waist with one arm and gently stroked her short hair with the other, playing the part of a perfect refuge.
It took a long while for Hope's sobs to subside.
Realizing she had lost control, she tried to pull away from Homelander.
But his arm tightened slightly, and he didn't let her go at once.
Hope looked up, her red-rimmed eyes meeting his lowered gaze.
They were incredibly close.
Close enough for Hope to feel his warm breath against the tip of her nose.
She could even make out every one of his eyelashes.
The grief in the air gradually faded, replaced by a quiet intimacy.
Hope felt her heart race and her blood surge through her veins.
Her mind was screaming warnings, but her body answered honestly.
She rose slightly onto her toes, closed her eyes, and leaned toward his lips.
Homelander watched her lips draw closer, but alarm bells went off in his head.
Shit! I almost forgot!
He was wearing the Widow's Silk Type II nano-disguise mask!
One kiss and the disguise would be blown.
Homelander made an instant decision.
In a flash, he leaned back as naturally as he could, released her waist, and took half a step away.
Hope's lips met empty air.
She opened her eyes, saw that he had pulled away, and came to her senses.
Embarrassment and shame flooded her.
What was I doing?
I'd tried to kiss a man I'd only met today!
Hope's face burned. She wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear.
"I... I'm sorry!"
She fussed with her hair and clothes, her hands hovering awkwardly as her eyes darted about. She fumbled for a way to explain herself.
"I... I got too