Homelander and Soldier Boy flew over the city, one behind the other, and reached a stretch of woodland on the outskirts.
Along the way, Homelander, who usually loved accelerating in midair to create sonic booms, slowed down for once.
He stopped, spotting a small community deep in the woods from afar, its houses laid out in orderly rows.
Around the community's perimeter stood alloy walls over ten meters high, with layers of armed guards sealing it off.
From above, it looked exactly like a large open-air prison.
The wind lifted Homelander's cape, but it could not dispel the hesitation and unease between his brows.
He was a little afraid to approach. Although he already knew Ryan was safe there, he still worried that his son was being kept there and secretly subjected to experiments.
"Fuck." Soldier Boy glanced at him. "Why are you flying as slowly as an old man out for a stroll today?"
Homelander fell silent for a few seconds, then suddenly asked, "What should I prepare for meeting my child for the first time?"
Soldier Boy turned his head to find Homelander looking at him solemnly, his expression even holding a measure of earnestness and an appeal for help.
"What are you looking at me for?"
Soldier Boy laughed, genuinely unable to understand why Homelander would turn to him for help with this. After all, the first time Homelander met him, they had started with a fight.
In other words, his first-meeting gift to Homelander had been a thorough beating.
Homelander pressed his lips together. "I think you have more experience than I do when it comes to preparing gifts. Remember that plane you gave me? I really liked it."
"So, what do you think I should give Ryan?"
Soldier Boy did not know whether to laugh