Ever since he had started staying by Pero's side, Homelander felt that, for the first time, he truly had a family.
His heart, controlled by the company for so many years.
Was rapidly growing young again at an incredible speed.
He was becoming childlike.
A man in his forties, like a child desperate for his father's approval.
Vought International, The Seven's conference room.
"...So, Homelander," Ashley, his agent, said cautiously, pointing at a huge electronic screen displaying the detailed plans for "Homelander's Birthday Celebration."
"At ten tomorrow morning, we'll arrange a live broadcast. You'll descend from the sky and talk a distraught woman out of jumping off a building, then receive the crowd's cheers.
This will bring your approval rating to its highest point this year!"
However, Homelander merely stared at her expressionlessly, as though looking at a dead person.
"I don't care whether tomorrow is my goddamn birthday." He slowly rose to his feet, his voice icy.
"I've had enough. I'm not participating."
"What?!" Ashley's eyes nearly popped out of her head.
"But... but Mr. Homelander, your approval rating! Your approval rating has been plummeting for two weeks straight! It's been a long time since you took part in any justice-themed shoots.
Society is... is forgetting you!"
"Let them forget." Homelander shrugged indifferently.
"I don't care about those stupid things anymore."
With that, he didn't even spare another glance at Ashley's bewildered face.
He turned and walked out of the conference room.
He now had something more important to do. He needed to track down Butcher and bring Ryan back.
Every staff member in the hall stared at the scene, dumbfounded, feeling their worldview suffer a severe blow.
Homelander, who valued his approval rating as much as his life and checked the figures eight times a day, actually...