Homelander flashed his classic on-screen smile, his voice full of sunshine. "Guys, you're safe now. We'll deal with this fake Lucas."
Everyone exchanged glances, unsure what to do, with no mind to figure out what Homelander meant by a fake Lucas.
They only vaguely felt that this offered them a way out.
Homelander turned his head slightly and glanced behind him. At his earlier signal, Ashley had hidden around a corner to avoid getting caught in the crossfire. Now she was peeking out with half her head.
"Come here." Homelander beckoned with a friendly smile, then vanished on the spot.
The special forces soldier farthest from Homelander gripped his gun and tugged his helmet down, seeking a little security in its enclosure. Suddenly, the gun jerked outward in his hands. Unable to control it, he could only let go.
He was not the only one. Every soldier holding a gun had it snatched away.
"These things are a little dangerous. I'll hold on to them for you." Homelander reappeared where he had been, his hands on his hips.
A small mountain of guns and ammunition lay at his feet. Clearly, he was responsible for everyone losing their weapons.
"Does anyone have a problem with that?" Homelander surveyed the room.
Utter silence.
The less mentally resilient soldiers lowered their heads, trembling slightly, afraid to look at him.
Who the fuck could have a problem?
He moved like a ghost, disarming dozens of men in the blink of an eye. Who would dare object?
That simple display of intimidation frightened the soldiers guarding Lucas into docile little lambs.
Ashley's gaze was complicated. She had experienced all of this before.
Once upon a time, Homelander had treated her this way too. His seemingly casual actions concealed deadly intent, and the slightest thing going