Hope stopped and looked at Homelander, her eyes full of guilt.
"He's still as stubborn as ever. He wouldn't let me take part in the synthesis. He still doesn't trust me. Even now, he's keeping his guard up around me."
Seeing how guilty Hope felt for coming back empty-handed, Homelander cursed Pym in his head. That stubborn old fool. That conniving old bastard.
But his face showed nothing but tenderness as he gently cupped Hope's cheeks.
"Hope, look at me."
"Pym Particles aren't that important to me."
Hope froze and looked at him in confusion.
"Really." Homelander gazed at her with such affection it could have drowned her. "The greatest thing I've gained from coming to San Francisco isn't some technology."
"It's meeting you, Hope. That's the greatest thing I've gained from this trip."
"Even without Pym Particles, as long as we're together, I believe we can create a miracle of our own. We work that well together."
His words were like a shot of adrenaline, driving the gloom from Hope's heart.
Hope looked at the man before her, so full of affection.
He wasn't after her father Pym's technology. He didn't care what he stood to gain or lose. He cared only about her.
In a world full of schemes and deals, that kind of sincerity was impossible to resist.
Hope's heart stirred. All the hurt she had carried for years because of her father seemed to melt away under Homelander's tenderness.
"Daniel..." Hope met Homelander's eyes, emotion shimmering in her own.
"I won't pretend I'm not drawn to you. It's crazy, but I really can't help myself."
She took a small step forward, closing the little distance left between them.
"I want to know you better, Daniel. Everything about you."
"Will you tell me your story?" She tilted