Victoria hardly slept that night, listening out to hear if John was going to make a move to try and see her. She hoped that he wasn't going to. She didn't want to see him after what had happened in the kitchen. He said that he would never force himself on her, but at that moment in time she hadn't been entirely certain if that was true. The way he had pinned her against the worktop had made her fear the worst, taking her back to her childhood and remembering exactly how Eddie had done something similar to her.
As the sun broke, she realised she must have fallen asleep for a few hours. Her eyes fluttered open and she groggily sat up on the bed. She was still dressed in her clothes from the night before, her hair a mess on top of her head and make up slightly smudged. Running a hand down her cheek, she forced herself from the bed, limbs stiffening and seizing in protest. Stretching her arms above her head, she moved over to the crib where Evelyn was still sleeping soundly. She peered down to her, making sure she was okay. She was still, her little hands clenched into fists, one by her cheek and the other by her side. Her lips quirked at the sight of her and she bent down, pecking her on the top of her head gently enough not to wake her.
Leaving her bedroom, she took the baby monitor with her down the hallway and saw that the main bedroom door was wide open, the sheets still pristine. It looked like Homelander hadn't bothered to sleep there. She went downstairs and headed on towards the kitchen. Everything was silent. She could hear nothing except for the hum of the fridge and the whirl of the dishwasher. Victoria saw a large bouquet of flowers on the worktop, a bow tied around the roses and tulips. There was a note sticking out too.
Victoria hesitantly moved to the flowers and picked out the note, reading it slowly. I'm sorry about last night. I would never hurt you. I love you. John x. Victoria resisted the urge to screw the note up. Did he think that flowers would make things better? Did he think she would swoon over them and go weak at the knees, willing to forgive him? Rolling her eyes, she placed the card back into the flowers and left them on the worktop.
Grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge, Victoria took it back upstairs and prepared to get ready for the day. She didn't entirely want to be in the apartment when Homelander came home from wherever he was.
…
Sitting in Stormfront's room, Homelander knew that this probably wasn't the answer. He should have apologised to Victoria in person. He should have gone after her the night before, but he had been so angry with her. The idea of her even near another man made him feel sick. She was his wife. She was supposed to love him. She had loved him. Maybe he might have handled the entire situation better if they had never fallen in love. If it had just stayed a business arrangement then it might not hurt as much as it did.
"And she thought that I would hurt her," Homelander said as Stormfront remained laid in the bed, wheezing for breath. The machines around her were beeping steadily. Homelander was sat in a chair by her bedside, looking out of the window beyond her bed. He almost found it difficult to look at her with her face burnt off.
"She doesn't know you, my love," Stormfront said to him, her breath raspy and nothing like how she'd sounded before. He wasn't entirely sure why he had bothered coming to her. He knew that she was still obsessed with him, but she was the only one who even remotely understood him and the power that he could have.
"But she does," Homelander complained. "She knows exactly who I am. She's seen every side of me and she still thought that I would hurt her…and yes…perhaps I didn't handle it very well, but I was trying to make her see that she really wanted me…to push through that veil of morality she keeps up."
"And she gave you a daughter…to rule…"
Homelander shook his head once, rolling his eyes. She still thought that he was going to be the new leader of her Nazi ideology. He was never going to do that. "No," Homelander simply said to her with a shake of his head. "We're not going back there. Evelyn is nothing like that."
"Victoria brings you down," Stormfront continued saying. "My love, you know it's true. She's never going to understand how hard it is to be you. She will never get it."
"But she did," Homelander retorted, remembering all of the times they had laid in bed and she had listened to him tell her how he felt. She remembered how he had held her and told her everything. She had always known what to say. "She just found out about things she hated. But I'd never touch her…not against her will…all I want is for her to know that she's mine."
Homelander tilted his head back and remembered what he had done to the last man who had hurt her. He remembered listening to Eddie's moans, begging to be killed as Homelander made him suffer. He enjoyed taking his time with him. He enjoyed hearing him cry as he made him recount everything that he had done to Victoria, finally admitting it. He had felt nauseous at hearing it, imagining his Victoria's pain. And he had killed Eddie. He had killed him for her. He did everything for her.
"And then there's Supersonic," Homelander said with a roll of his eyes. "As if a boy like that could ever please her. I mean…what? He's good, supposedly, but he's nothing compared to me and she knows that. I know she knows that. It's me who she wants, not him and I…I know I get jealous over her, but it's only because she's mine."
"She's a fool not to see that," Stormfront declared.
"And then that night…in the bath…was it him she was thinking of when she was touching herself? I assumed it would be me, but I…the thought of it being another man…it makes me feel sick."
He had no chance to continue the conversation as a knock on the door sounded. He stood up and moved through the large suite that had nothing but a bed and medical machines inside of it. His steps echoed over the marble floor until he opened the door. Victoria was stood in the corridor, Evelyn in her pram in front of her. She had clearly showered, the smell of her grapefruit shower gel coming from her skin and her strawberry shampoo from her hair. She'd changed into a long-sleeved white shirt tucked into black slacks with white sneakers on her feet. Her hair was dangling loose and her gaze went over his shoulder.
"Ashley told me you were here," she said and Homelander closed the door to Stormfront's room. "I just wanted to tell you that I'm taking Evelyn for a walk with Annie."
"Now?"
"She's waiting for me in the foyer," Victoria said. "So I'll see you later."
"Wait."
Victoria didn't get a chance to turn back to the pram and walk off. She remained where she was, watching over Homelander's shoulder. She struggled to look him in the eye, scared of what she might find. He stepped towards her slowly, finger moving to her chin and tilting her head in his direction until she had no other option but to look at him.
"Did you get my flowers?" he asked from her.
She managed a soft nod as he used the back of his hand to brush her hair behind her ear. "I did," she said to him.
His lips quirked for a moment and then his face scrunched up. "Is that it?" he asked from her.
"What did you think they would do, John?" she wondered from him. "You thought that you could just give me flowers and we'd be fine? You scared me last night. You…I told you to get off of me and you didn't…you called me a common whore…and you think some roses are going to make up for that?"
Homelander considered what she was saying. He was quiet, gulping loudly as he shook his head.
"I never want to scare you," he said in a whisper.
"And you never did until last night," Victoria said to him.
"I'd never hurt you or force myself on you. I just need you to say that you know that."
"I did know that, but now…I've never seen you as angry as you were last night. I don't know what more to say, John, but right now…I just think it would be for the best if you stay away from me, okay?"
"And my daughter?" Homelander asked from her. "What? You're going to keep me from her too?"
"No, because I know I can't and I want to think that you'd never hurt her," Victoria responded. "But I am taking her out for a walk. I'll see you tonight when I get back, but until then…just leave me alone."
He let her go then. He didn't bother to stop her. Victoria was thankful for that, moving down the corridor and pushing Evelyn in her pram in front of her. she came to the elevator and hit the button to go down. She let out a deep breath once she was in the enclosed space and her head bowed forwards. That had gone better than she had thought it might. She had half-expected him to continue getting angry, but he did actually look almost remorseful with what he had said. Coming to the ground floor, Victoria found Annie stood in the foyer, a denim jacket on over her yellow top tucked into dark jeans with her signature white sneakers on her feet.
"Hey," Victoria greeted her.
"Hey, you alright?" Annie asked.
"Fine," Victoria said with a nod. She wasn't going to say anything while they were in the building. "Do you want to go to the usual park? I could do with a tea."
"Perfect," Annie said with a nod.
They engaged in small talk all the way over to the park. Annie told her about filming on Dawn of the Seven while Victoria told her about how Evelyn was starting to laugh more and crawl. Once they'd gotten their drinks and found their usual bench off the beaten path, Victoria prepared to tell Annie everything. Sitting down, she folded one leg over the other and tossed her head back, letting out a deep breath.
"I ended up going to some bar yesterday and getting drunk," Victoria began.
"I thought you were looking delicate," Annie confirmed, sipping her own herbal tea.
"That's not the half of it," Victoria scoffed and shook her head slowly. "Apparently Ashley got word that I was at the bar and she sent Alex to find me. He must have been having a meeting with her or something…but he came."
"Alex?" Annie checked with her. "Supersonic Alex?"
"Very same one," Victoria said with a nod and blew on the small gap to her cup before sipping her own tea. It was still quite warm, burning her throat as she swallowed it down. "Anyway, he got there and I just told him everything that Billy had told me…how Homelander was drugging me."
"Shit, Vicky…I didn't know how to tell you that," Annie said with a shake of her head. "He's threatened Hughie and he…he's deranged…Billy…I went to him because I didn't know what to do or where to go."
"It's okay," Victoria promised her, nodding her head softly to her as she used her free hand to push Evelyn back and forth in her pram slowly. "I know what he's done and what he would do if he found out I knew…and that was why I went to the bar. I couldn't stand the thought of going home and him slipping me it…and what might happen if he did it…and so I figured that it would be best if I just drank too much that I passed out. I didn't get to that point because Alex found me and I just told him all of it. I told him everything and he had to handle my hysterics."
"Alex is a good guy. I'm sure he didn't mind."
"No," Victoria said, shaking her head as she recalled how she had felt the urge to pull him to her and kiss him. She had wanted to. She had really wanted to. But she knew what might happen if she did, especially if Homelander found out. "He was really good about it and he took me home…but Homelander saw him with me. We got into this massive argument. He thinks there's something going on between me and Alex."
"Vicky…what happened?" Annie asked her and Victoria shifted uncomfortably on the bench as people walked by them but didn't stop. They hardly recognised them. The two of them blended in quite well.
"He accused me of being a whore," Victoria whispered, looking to Annie. "I told him that Alex was just being nice and there's nothing between us. I'd be an idiot to think there ever could be…and he…he told me how he was the only one who I'd ever have…ever want…but he pinned me against the worktop. I thought he was going to…I could hardly breathe. I couldn't get him off of me."
"He forced himself on you?" Annie checked.
Victoria shook her head. "It was like he got a hold of himself before it could get that far, but for one moment I thought he was going to," she confessed. "And I think that was the first time I've been scared of him. I just went back to my bedroom in my London flat and it felt like Eddie all over again…me fighting…but powerless to do anything…"
"I'm so sorry," Annie whispered and placed her cup down before she wrapped her arms around her, embracing her tightly. Victoria held her back with one arm, her other hand still holding her drink. She laid her cheek on her shoulder and Annie ran a hand up and down her back. "He had no right to go anywhere near you…no right at all."
"I've told him that he needs to give me space and leave me alone. I don't know if it will work, but he knows I'm upset and angry…besides, Billy told me that there might have been some developments."
"Maeve is still trying to get the file, but it seems like there could be something," Annie promised her, pulling back and wiping an eyelash from Victoria's cheek. "Until then, you can spend as much time as you like with me and away from him. What if we talk to Edgar? See if he can do something about this? I threatened to go to him about whatever Homelander was giving you, but he said that Edgar knew…but if he knew that he was going to hurt you then-"
"-He'd do nothing about it," Victoria interrupted Annie. The last thing she wanted was to go to Edgar. "He needs me compliant and he has no interest in our marital bliss. Besides, I'm not surprised he gave Homelander something to make me more amenable. Ashley is always on at me…saying that we need to be seen together in public more…like some perfect happy family. It's all a big joke."
"That isn't particularly funny," Annie added on. "He's completely lost his mind."
Victoria shook her head. "He hasn't yet," she said. "But I get the feeling he's not far from that point."
…
Victoria didn't want to go to the premiere of the Dawn of the Seven, well aware of the questions she'd be asked on the red carpet. They had been the same since the entire Stormfront debacle. How has your relationship survived? How have you worked through it to be better together? How did you forgive Homelander? Sitting in the back of the car, Victoria pulled at the navy blue skirt to her dress. The dress had a square neckline and it came down to her waist and clenched in. The skirt came down in soft swathes with another slit going up her right leg. She had navy blue heels on her feet, her hair curled and makeup soft.
Homelander had looked at her in awe when he had seen her leave the bathroom ready to go. She had dropped her phone into her clutch and her heels had sunk into the plush carpet. She'd tossed a hand through her curled hair and he'd tried not to notice how the dress emphasised her chest. She had left Evelyn with her nanny, telling her that she wouldn't be back late. Homelander had embraced his daughter to his chest before handing her to Victoria who had kissed her gently on the forehead.
They'd gone down in the elevator together, the car waiting out front for them. Slipping into the backseat, Victoria sat down next to Homelander as they moved through crawling New York traffic. She pulled her compact mirror from her bag and checked her reflection, needing to do something to occupy herself. Homelander's fingers laced together on his lap. He turned to glance over to her as she tugged her phone out and scrolled through her social media account.
"You look stunning, by the way," Homelander informed his wife.
She barely looked across to him and offered a smile. "Thanks," she said.
It wasn't as if they had been on great terms since the incident in the kitchen. She did talk to him, but it wasn't relaxed. She always seemed tense in his presence and her answers were always short and to the point. There was not really anymore conversation. He had been tempted to slip her the drug for the premiere, but he hadn't had chance. She was always out and busy. He hadn't given her any in such a long time. There had been some concerns in the press about the two of them not being seen together in public as often, wondering if their marriage was already strained. He suspected that night would be the time to dispel those rumours. Giving her the serum would have made her more relaxed but he hoped that perhaps she wouldn't cause him any issues.
"It's a beautiful dress," Homelander continued, trying to make conversation. "And I'm sure you'll look amazing in all the photos. Did Ashley brief you about tonight?"
"You mean did I receive a one hour lecture while I walked Evelyn through the gardens?" Victoria questioned. "Don't worry, I know how to smile and hang off your arm looking pretty. I've had practice faking our relationship for the cameras, remember?"
Homelander exhaled sharply. "That was a long time ago," he commented.
"Yeah, but it doesn't always feel like so long ago," Victoria responded. "Anyway, no point in going back there. I can act how you want me to act."
"I don't doubt it," he replied and they lapsed into silence once more when he realised she wasn't exactly in a talkative mood. He looked out the window as Victoria did the same. They arrived at the premiere and he got out the car first. Standing by the open door, he kept his hand stretched down to her. She took hold of his fingers, feeling them grip hers tightly as he helped her up.
She was instantly blinded by the flashing of cameras and the yells of her name alongside Homelander's name. He waved with his free hand, the mega-watt smile on full show as deep laughs left his chest. Victoria was demurer, holding her own hand up and smiling hesitantly. Ashley had told her that people didn't like her when she was overly confident. They wanted the meek and mild wife when she was out at events supporting her husband. But they wanted the strong business-like woman when she was doing her own job, which she hadn't done in a long time.
"Hey guys, how are ya?" Homelander questioned as they moved down the red carpet. He stood back by the poster with the Dawn of the Seven advertised on it, his face taking centre stage on it. He moved an arm around Victoria's waist, drawing her closer to him. She placed her own arm around him as her other hand sat on her hip. He smiled into the cameras as she did the same, looking from left to right quickly as they flashed in her face and dazzled her vision.
"You alright?" Homelander asked her, peering down onto her and she glanced back, nodding her head and knowing that would be an image he liked. He looked like the caring, doting husband, checking on his wife.
"Fine," she promised him and they went back to smiling for the cameras before he took her hand and led her towards the cinema and down the red carpet, waving to the fans who waited for his autograph, screaming his name.
"You going to be okay if I do this?" he asked her.
"Sure."
She stood back on the carpet as he went over to the fans, greeting them with his usual smile and enthusiastic cheers. Victoria remained still against the backdrop of the red carpet, trying to keep her face neutral as she glanced around. Starlight and Hughie had just arrived together, Maeve in front of them, smiling widely at the cameras. She waved softly before moving on, spotting Victoria and moving towards her. She kept her smile firmly on her face as she moved towards her, standing next to her as cameras flashed in the direction of the two of them.
"Are you okay?" Maeve asked from her.
"Yeah," Victoria said as Maeve glanced to the photographers and gave them a wave. She kept her lips pulled upwards but spoke through her teeth, making sure no one could hear her.
"We'll talk soon, okay?" she said, well aware that Homelander could hear. She wasn't going to give any details about what it was she thought she might have found.
"Of course," Victoria said back to her.
Homelander finished signing autographs, his lips still tugged upwards. Moving back towards Maeve and Victoria, he chuckled at the sight of them. He knew that Maeve was no longer with him. She was completely and utterly against him after her stunt with the Flight 39 video. He didn't trust her and he wanted Victoria nowhere near her.
"Maeve, good to see you," Homelander spoke as the press pleaded for a photo of the two of them together.
"As always," Maeve said, voice cocky. She wasn't going to act scared of him.
"I think they want you guys…I'll give you a minute," Victoria said and Homelander ran a hand down her back as she walked away and into the cinema. She turned her head over her shoulder, watching as Maeve draped an arm over his shoulder, the smile wide on her face. Victoria turned back around and saw Ashley stood in the doorway, wearing a blue floral dress with her hair in soft waves to her shoulders. She was on her phone, clearly distracted.
"Hi, Ashley," Victoria greeted her, trying to be polite.
She peered up for a moment. "Victoria, where's Homelander?" she asked, forgoing all pleasantries.
"Don't worry, he's out there with Maeve doing some photos. I haven't run off," Victoria retorted, her voice almost sounding bitter. She was tired of being treated just like a commodity to Vought, but that was all she was. It was all any of them ever was.
"Okay, good," Ashley said, ignoring her tone. "After the film, you're scheduled to do some interviews for five TV stations…questions have been vetted and pre-approved so there will be no surprises. You should be fine…but before the movie I need the Seven upstairs. They're doing an exclusive for Vanity Fair."
"I think they're all here. You'll just need to round them up," Victoria said.
"Wish me luck with that," she grunted back.
Victoria stood to one side, holding her clutch bag in her hand as Ashley went and gathered everyone she could find. Homelander came inside first, finding his wife stood in the corner, looking around like she was lost. No matter how many premiers he took her too, she always struggled to look at home. He loved that about her. At the beginning, he was scared she would love the limelight, but she despised it. That sat well with him. He moved over to her, hand going to her forearm and running along it gently.
"You okay?' he asked from her.
"Yeah," she said to him. "I think Ashley wants you to go upstairs and do some Vanity Fair interview."
"She's just grabbing A-Train and then we're off," Homelander said to her. "I'll come back down and find you before we go into the screen. You going to be okay down here without me?"
"I think I can manage to get myself a glass of champagne and wait for you without any issue," she said and he chuckled, hand moving to curl under her chin.
"That's my girl," he whispered and she knew it was all for a show. She tried not to feel too ill at his comment, keeping quiet with a forced smile on her face. He went over towards the staircase in the cinema where Ashley had managed to get the cast together. Victoria stayed where she was, well aware that people were glancing in her direction but making no move to talk to her.
"Do you hate this as much as I do?"
Victoria turned her head to the side, looking to Hughie as he stood next to her. He kept his hands in his pockets, smiling to Starlight as she took the steps up with the rest of them and checked that Hughie would be okay.
"How many times have you done this?"
"This is my second," Hughie said.
Victoria scoffed. "Hughie, you really have no right to complain just yet. You're practically a virgin," she said to him. "Besides, I know it's hard and definitely not something we're comfortable with…but Annie…she makes it worth it, right?"
"Oh, I'm never going to say no to her," Hughie said with a shake of his head and Victoria smiled at how sweet he sounded. "And she makes everything worth it. I just find it all a bit awkward…the smiling and the questions…they're so intrusive."
"Just follow Annie's lead and you'll be fine. Trust me, she won't steer you wrong," Victoria assured him.
"And you?" he questioned. "How are you coping with this?"
"As well as I can," she offered him, hopeful that Homelander couldn't hear her now that he was gone and there was much more noise drowning out their talking. "I used to feel the same, you know. I'd do this for him all of the time even though I hated it…but now…things are different."
"Billy's working on it," he promised her.
"I know," Victoria said and then she spotted a woman across the room who she vaguely recognised. She was waving over in their direction, but her eyes were set on Hughie. Pointing over to her, Victoria let Hughie follow her movement. "I think someone is trying to get your attention."
"Oh, that's my boss…Victoria Neuman. Have you met her?"
"Not really. I've seen her around," Victoria said. "You should go and see what she wants."
"Do you want to come?"
"I think she's after you, not me," Victoria said to him.
"You going to be okay?"
"I'll be fine," she assured him.
"Back in a minute," he said and he took off, flattening out his tie against his chest.
Victoria remained in the corner, looking around and realising that she had no desire to socialise with anyone in that room. All she wanted was to watch the film and get out of there. She made a dash for the bathroom, moving across the room and slipping between people until she came to the corridor where the bathrooms were. She slipped into a stall and just sat on the closed toilet seat for a few minutes, tugging her phone out and aimlessly scrolling through it. After five minutes, she realised she should move. Standing up, she flushed the toilet and went to wash her hands before heading out to the corridor once more.
Returning to the foyer, she saw that there were even more people in the room than before. Hughie was still talking animatedly to his boss. Homelander was nowhere to be seen. But then she spotted him. He was stood across the room, huddled in a group of five other people. She lowered her gaze and decided to make her way up to the bar. She stood at the end of it, waiting to be served when she saw him next to her, arms folded over the shimmering golden surface as he leant forwards.
"Annie told me what he did," he said to her, voice a whisper.
No one could see what they were saying thanks to having their backs turned to the crowd. Victoria looked at him out of the corner of her eye. He was dressed in his supe suit, his hair perfectly placed on top of his head and eyes soft as they focused on the bar beneath him.
"It's fine."
He let out a frustrated breath. "It's anything but fine, Victoria," he hissed. "You told me you didn't think he'd hurt you-"
"-And I didn't," she interrupted, not wanting them to have a full-on argument in the middle of the cinema. She turned to look to him and he glanced down to her. "Until that night, I didn't…but he didn't do anything. I'm fine."
"Don't lie to me," he urged from her, voice soft and almost pleading as he looked at her, shaking his head slowly.
"It has to be fine, Alex," she whispered back.
"The idea of him…of what he could have done…" Alex said, struggling to get his words out. Victoria shook her head, wanting to hold onto his arm and promise him that she was fine. But she didn't. She just kept watching him.
"Don't," she urged from him, shaking her head softly. "Don't go there. Look…it's good to see you…but I should go and find Ashley and find out what's going on."
She had no desire to find Ashley, but she knew that she couldn't risk being seen with Alex when Homelander came back.
"Don't run away from me," he said. "I'm on your side."
"I know," she assured him. "But I'm only running away because I care about you. Have a good night, okay?"
She forgot her drink and turned to leave him there, but not before he spoke to her. His hand grabbed hold of her arm, her side almost pressed to his front as he leant down and murmured, voice low and deep.
"You look lovely," he said and her gaze met his and she felt it again. She felt that there was something between them and she didn't know what to do about it or how to ignore it. She just nodded and smiled softly to him.
"Thanks," she said and he let go of her arm, his hand slipping down her bare skin and making her shudder. She felt the hairs on her arm stand up as she moved away from him, his touch lingering and the huskiness of his words staying in her mind. She moved over towards the staircase and saw Homelander coming down towards her, Annie close behind him while Maeve spoke with A-Train. Black Noir was loitering behind them.
"Hey, sweetheart," Homelander said when he saw his wife. "You okay?"
"I just went to the bathroom and thought I heard you were finished…figured I'd wait for you," she said to him.
"Perfect. I think we're ready to go in," he told her.
"Hey, Vicky," Annie said, peering around Homelander. She moved to embrace her friend tightly. "How're you doing?"
"Good. How are you? It's your first big film, right?"
"I hate the idea of seeing myself on screen," Annie complained and Homelander's jaw remained firm set. He didn't entirely like how close the two of them were, but there was nothing he could entirely do about it. "I'll catch up with you after the film, alright?"
"Course," Victoria said and Annie gave her hand a squeeze before she left her alone.
Homelander picked her hand up and led her through towards the screen. They found their seats. They were clearly marked in the middle row. They were next to Maeve and Black Noir. Victoria sat down, Homelander next to her as Maeve took the other seat on her right. Settling down, Victoria was quiet as Homelander took hold of her hand, keeping it inside of his. She managed to fold one leg over the other, her dress parting around her lap due to the slit. His gaze moved down to the bare skin of her leg but he tried not to stare for too long.
He moved his fingers over the stone of her engagement ring, thumb running over her knuckles slowly. She listened as Edgar took the stage and introduced the film, proud that Vought Studios had been able to bring it to the screen. The director then followed him up and people clapped loudly as he introduced his film before settling into his seat and the room went dark. Victoria watched the film with mild interest.
It only held her full attention when it turned to focus on her relationship with Homelander. The actress playing her looked nothing like her. There was a sweet, romantic scene of the two of them in Paris by the Seine, Homelander telling her how sorry he was for what had happened with Stormfront. She forgave him, telling him that she had been as equally to blame as he had been and that she would still marry him. They kissed over a crescendo of music before she told him to go and do what he had to do to stop Stormfront.
Victoria wished it had gone like that, but her life had been nothing like that at all. She remained focused on the screen as the big fight scene took place. The film ended with the Seven together after having defeated Stormfront. The room filled with more applause once the movie had finished and people stood up, giving it a standing ovation. Victoria wanted to roll her eyes. It hadn't been that good, but of course she followed the crowd. She wanted nothing more to go home, but she was well aware that there were more interviews to do.
Walking with Homelander out of the screen, she let him keep his hand inside of hers. They moved back to the red carpet and posed for more photographs. Homelander looked less than impressed when Annie and Hughie came out and the attention turned to them. Victoria just wanted to laugh at it. She said nothing on the matter, lips quirking into a slim smirk before Ashley guided them towards the interviewers on the edge of the red carpet. Homelander kept an arm around Victoria's waist as they answered them with the rehearsed lines.
"Homelander, did you almost think that you'd lost your wife when you kissed Stormfront?" one interviewer asked.
"Of course," Homelander responded. "I knew that I had been a fool and made a mistake. I never loved Stormfront…the long distance of our relationship made it difficult for us to work and I know that is no excuse. We've made it work and we are more committed to each other than ever before."
"And you, Victoria, how has it been for you? A scandal and a pregnancy at the same time could not have been easy?"
"Well, we don't pretend that it's been easy," Victoria said. "But we've worked through it together and we're stronger than before. He stood by my side during the pregnancy and I forgave him. We're focused on the future now, not the past."
She had no idea how she kept reciting the same lies, but she did. She let Homelander hold her tight to his side and she smiled at him when she had to while he looked down at her adoringly. She knew that Edgar was loitering in the background, making sure the two of them towed the line. There was no room for deviating from the script. Once they were finished, Victoria looked up to Homelander who was still holding her waist, almost like he was scared to let her go.
"I just need to use the bathroom before we go…I think they want some group shots of you so I'll meet you back out here, okay?" Victoria said to him.
"Alright," he agreed with her. "I'll be here."
She headed back into the building and went towards the bathroom, needing an escape. Moving towards the women's room, she passed the men's room and swore she heard grunting. Pausing in her movements, she loitered there for a moment before listening in, eyes widening and hand covering her mouth to stifle a laugh.
"You're a shitty director and a fucking disappointment."
"Yeah, babe…yeah I am."
Victoria swore that was Ashley's voice and she walked into the women's, trying not to laugh at the absurdity of the situation. She didn't know Ashley had it in her considering she was always curtailing to Edgar and the supes. Victoria used the bathroom, thankful it was empty before she came out and washed her hands. Checking her makeup, she heard footsteps enter the bathroom. Her eyes went to the mirror and she saw the familiar sight of Billy stood there.
"What are you doing here?" she asked from her brother and moved over to him, embracing him tightly as he hugged her back.
He was wearing his black coat over his black floral shirt and dark jeans, boots unlaced on his feet. Victoria pulled back, keeping her hands on his upper arms. She shook her head slowly and he reached for her cheek, cradling it in his palm before he looked down to her chin.
"Hughie told me what he'd done," he said, noting the bruise beneath her makeup. "I need to get you away from that cunt."
"I'm fine," she promised him. "And we can't discuss this here. Tomorrow, okay? I'll talk to you tomorrow."
"You're willing to wait that long?"
"What other option is there?" she said to him. "We know what to do and we just bide our time until then."
Billy shook his head slowly, not liking it but knowing that she was right. She took his hand from her cheek and squeezed it tightly. "I'm okay," she promised, her voice soft and gentle as she tried to reassure him. "But what are you doing here anyway?"
"I needed to see you and Hughie," he said. "We're on the trail of a supe and I need to know what he's going to do about it if we turn him in, but he's out there with Starlight so I can't get to him just yet and the couple next door sound like they're having sex that even I'd consider too violent."
"I do not need to know about that," Victoria said to him. "But I did also hear them."
"Someone clearly has quite the kink," Billy said and he watched his sister laugh, his own lips turning up. He wondered if this was how it could be in the future. Could they be normal siblings? Could they have a relationship like the one he always imagined them having?
"I don't want to think about it," Victoria said with a shake of her head. "I can go and get Hughie if you want? I shouldn't take too long or Homelander will get suspicious."
"You sure?"
"Course," Victoria said to him with a nod of her head. "I'll call you tomorrow, okay? We'll talk and I'll see if I can get away long enough to visit. Are you going to be at home or in the office?"
"I'll text you," he said.
"Good," Victoria replied. "I'll see you then."
"And you're going to be okay with all of this?"
"He…I can handle him," Victoria assured her brother. "Don't worry, alright? I've got this."
"Easier said than done," he grunted and Victoria smiled to him before pecking him on the cheek, his beard scratching her skin. "Look after yourself, okay?"
"Always," she said and he gave her one final embrace before letting her leave.
Heading back towards the foyer, she was glad to find it had quietened down. There were more people on the red carpet, seemingly trying to have their five minutes of fame. Victoria stood back as she spotted Hughie with A-Train. She frowned, knowing that Hughie was uncomfortable. He left the carpet after a few moments when he spotted Victoria, urging for him to come over.
"Billy's in the bathroom," Victoria whispered to him.
"What's he doing here?"
"He says its work."
"Of course," he complained with a nod of his head. "If Annie asks, tell her I'm in the bathroom."
"Got it," Victoria said and he left her alone as she stood in the doorway, happy not to be involved out there. She knew there was an after party, but all she wanted was to go home and see Evelyn.
She remained stood where she was, people passing her by. She kept her hands behind her back, watching as Homelander smiled for the cameras still. She wondered if he was getting tired of it all. It turned out that he was. His smile fell from his face as soon as the cameras turned away from him and he left, finding Victoria and telling her that they would just go for one drink at the after party before going home. She had no other option but to agree.
The last thing she wanted to do was spend time in a nightclub, but that was where she found herself twenty minutes later. The music was loud and the room was hot, Victoria feeling her cheeks turning sweaty. There were cardboard cut-outs of the Seven dotted around everywhere, promoting the movie. Balloons lined the ceiling, coloured in red, white and blue. There was a dance floor, but no one was dancing. People were just stood, talking and laughing. Homelander picked a glass of champagne from the tray and handed it to Victoria. She held it in her free hand, keeping her clutch under her arm. She sipped on it, letting the bubbles fizz in her mouth.
"How many people do you think are going to come to this party?" Victoria asked her husband.
"The guest list is pretty exclusive," he informed her. They were stood over to the side by open patio doors, a soft breeze finally blowing into the room. "But I have been wondering something."
"What's that?" Victoria questioned, sipping her champagne again before Homelander reached up, threading his fingers through her hair and tucking it behind her ear.
"Why you smell like your brother," he said.
Victoria sighed. She should have known. "He was in the bathroom at the premier," she said to him. "He wanted to talk to Hughie about some supe business, but he also just wanted to see how I was. It was nothing more than that, don't worry."
"Hmm," Homelander hummed thoughtfully. "Alrighty then."
"Not going to argue with me?"
"I believe you. Besides, maybe it's time I talk with your brother…man to man," he declared. "I do believe that there is a lot for us to discuss."
Victoria didn't entirely like the sound of that, but she had no option to contest it as his attention was tugged away. Edgar asked to talk to him and Victoria was alone once more. She left for the balcony, looking out over the buildings of Manhattan. Her cheeks began to cool down and she let out a soft breath, holding onto the metal railing. There were a few people outside smoking, laughing and drinking together.
"We saw you come out here and figured we'd keep you company."
Victoria turned her head over her shoulder to see Annie, Hughie and Alex moving towards her. She smiled over to them, glad that she had friends. "I didn't know if you guys were coming."
"Just for one drink and then we're off," Annie said to her.
"Yeah, I don't exactly drink since going to rehab," Alex also spoke. "And it's not exactly fun being at a party when you're surrounded by drunk people and completely sober."
Victoria placed her champagne flute down onto the table next to her. She folded her arms over her chest as they stood in a tight-knit circle. Alex was next to Victoria and his arm was inches from hers, making her acutely aware of how close he was. She could smell his cologne and feel the warmth from his body.
"And this isn't exactly my scene," Hughie said, arm around Starlight's shoulders and holding her to him as she kept her arm around his waist. "But what did you think of the film anyway?"
"Oh do we have to?" Annie questioned.
"This one thinks her acting was terrible, but I thought she was the best part of it."
"You do have to say that though," Alex said pointedly.
Hughie chuckled. "So you don't think her acting was the best part of it?"
"I thought she was great," he declared.
Annie rolled her eyes. "Can you guys stop sucking up?"
"You were good though," Victoria promised her. "Trust me, I've spent over two years attending all of these events and you were better than most of the people I've seen acting in them. I mean…some of the movie was a bit cheesy and not entirely realistic, but it's not the worst Vought Studio movie I've seen."
"The actress playing you looked nothing like you either," Alex said to Victoria.
"He's right there," Annie said, glad attention was away from her. "Did you know that scene was going to be in there?"
"He'd warned me that they were going to mention us," Victoria said with a nod. "I mean, it's fine and everything. I don't care…it's just a film…not real life."
It was then when she felt it. She felt Alex's fingers skim over hers that were dangling by her side. His touch was featherlight, but it was enough to make her heart hammer against her chest. She suspected no one else noticed the movement because it was so quick and soft. But she knew it had happened. She peered up to him as he spoke.
"We all know that. They just make this stuff up because they know what sells," he said to her.
"He's not wrong," Annie confirmed.
"Well, this looks cosy."
They turned in the direction of where Homelander's voice had come from. Victoria held her bag tight in her grip as he moved towards them and conversation instantly stopped. He smiled widely, the motion fake as he glanced around at all of them. His eyes landed on Alex, the smile stuck on his face but Victoria recognised it as one of danger. She moved then, standing slightly in front of Alex so she was a buffer between them.
"We were just talking about the film while you talked with Edgar," Victoria said to him. "Are you done? I'm ready to go if you are."
Alex ground his teeth together as Homelander looked down from him and to Victoria. He nodded his head and tucked her hair behind her ear. "More than ready," he said to her.
"Alright, let's go," Victoria said and turned to the other three. "I'll see you all later."
"Bye, Victoria," Hughie said.
"I'll call you tomorrow," Annie pointedly said.
"Night, Vicky," Alex said.
"Vicky, huh?" Homelander muttered and he looked to Alex, the smile widening on his face. "I didn't know you two were so close."
"John, leave it," Victoria pleaded from him. She could see the green-eyed monster rearing its head inside of him. She didn't need this. She didn't need him getting jealous in public. He looked down to her and she kept her gaze harsh and even, not backing down.
"I'm not going to do anything, sweetheart," Homelander promised his wife with a laugh and he acted jovial. "I just didn't know that you were in cahoots. Then again, I should thank you, Supersonic…I hear you brought my wife home the other night."
"Well, just being a friend, sir," Alex said.
"A friend," Homelander echoed back. "Well, I appreciate it. This one here is pretty special to me, you know? Aren't you, darling?"
"I guess so," Victoria said back to him and he chuckled, arm moving around her shoulders and squeezing her tightly.
"No need to guess," he said to her. "Come on, honey. I'll get you home…back to our daughter."
Victoria just nodded her head and said another soft goodnight to them as Homelander led her away, not bothering to say anything to the group behind. He kept his arm around Victoria's shoulders, clearly marking his territory. Turning his head over his shoulder, he looked back to Alex, the smirk still on his face as he noted the look on the other man's face. He knew it very well. He looked away and chuckled, content that Supersonic wasn't going to be a problem. If he even tried to be one, well, Homelander knew how to handle that.
...
A/N: SEASON 3 IS HERE! Would love to know what you would want to see from the season 3 plotlines adding to the story or changing. As always, would love your reviews - not sure anyone is really still with us this far, but your thoughts are always appreciated!