As Homelander's voice faded, even the previously calm lake seemed to grow a little restless.
Ryan stopped what he was doing and looked up curiously. "Dad, who's coming?"
Homelander looked down at his son, the smile slowly fading from his face. He did not answer immediately. With his Super Hearing, the distant voices were growing clearer.
"Is Homelander really here?"
"Hurry, hurry! Apparently Soldier Boy's here too, along with a little boy."
"If we can get photos of them here, this will be huge news."
Homelander's brow furrowed slightly. For some reason, he actually disliked this feeling a little.
In the past, he had wanted nothing more than everyone's attention. The clicking shutters of reporters' cameras had once been his way of proving he existed.
But now, he just wanted to quietly finish skipping things across the water with Ryan and enjoy spending time with Soldier Boy.
"Someone knows we're here." Sitting beside them, Soldier Boy casually picked up a stone and tossed it into the lake. "Looks like your private time is over, John."
Seeing that Homelander was not responding to him, Ryan shrugged helplessly. Still holding a phone, he excitedly tried adjusting its angle.
After his success earlier, he had clearly taken an interest in it.
"Dad, can I try again?" Ryan asked expectantly.
Even now, he could not believe that these phones he had once dreamed of having had actually become tools for skipping across the water.
Homelander's expression instantly softened. "Of course. Once you've used up these phones, I'll have someone bring some more."
He crouched down, carefully helped Ryan adjust his stance, and said softly,
"This time, try not to rely on brute strength alone. Technique is just as important as strength. You may very well become stronger than me someday, so you have to