In a single moment of distraction, Homelander thought back to that afternoon in the sea breeze.
Over those few hours, he had been tempered by anger and calm, and had shared a long, heart-to-heart conversation with Soldier Boy. For the first time, he had truly found a direction and was no longer lost.
It was also that afternoon that he had begun to truly experience life.
And Klee was an important symbol tying it all together, almost the very catalyst for his new life.
Most importantly, Ryan had appeared at almost the same time as Klee. The two children were around the same age, which made Homelander feel even closer to her, and to some extent, she had fulfilled his fantasy of having a daughter.
Homelander smiled. "Thank you, little one. I'm looking forward to it."
"You're welcome. Hurry over!" Klee lowered her voice. "I hid a little bag for you, or my mommy and daddy would eat them all up."
Even over the phone, Homelander wanted to respond with a gesture. He nodded. "Good job, Klee. I'll be right there."
After hanging up, a trace of a smile still lingered on his lips.
Soldier Boy noticed and asked curiously, "Kid, what's got you so happy?"
"Huh?" Homelander touched his face, only then realizing how unrestrained his smile had become.
He replied, "Remember Klee? The little girl from Sandusky."
Soldier Boy thought for a moment, and that sacred day of beating up haters in person surfaced in his mind.
That was the day he had run into Homelander, who had given him half a piece of chocolate and jokingly called it his "payment" for being a superhero. As he recalled it, the rich aroma of chocolate seemed to fill his mouth.
"Now I remember. She was one of the survivors