Kore

Act II

"Daughter of Rhea with the beautiful hair, Queen Demeter!

You shall know the answer, for I greatly respect you and feel sorry for you as you grieve over your child, the one with the delicate ankles.

No one else among all the immortals is responsible [aitios] except the cloud-gatherer Zeus himself, who gave her to Hādēs as his beautiful wife.

So, he gave her to his own brother. And he [Hādēs], heading for the misty realms of darkness, seized her as he drove his chariot and as she screamed out loud.

But I urge you, goddess: stop your loud cry of lamentation: you should not have an anger without bounds, all in vain. It is not unseemly to have, of all the immortals, such a son-in-law as Hādēs, the one who makes many sēmata."

-Homeric Hymn to Demeter [Verses 75-80]

"Can you leave us for a moment, please… Hannah, right?" John respectfully asked with a smile as the Vought Agent looked at him before nodding back with an understanding expression. She packed her briefcase, walked away towards the doorway of the dining room, and became out of sight as he was now left with the two women in the room. The matriarch of the house, the older Mrs. January, looked at her with an expression filled with uncertainty but elation for his presence.

The younger woman, the person of the hour, however, was similarly elated but there was an underlying degree of exhaustion and doubt there. One that he was surprised to see given how most people felt when he was there in front of them.

Oh well… he shook those thoughts away as he smiled at the two of them. The awkward silence was starting to get felt as John looked at the two and re-adjusted his position on the chair. Wishing to look overall respectful, but with an additional air of authority and grace that would prove his point. He looked at the little girl's mother and adjusted his smile again, hoping for her to get the memo.

"Oh… I'm sorry Mrs. January, I was hoping for a bit of privacy when I talked with Annie." He finally said, his smile still situated as the woman perked up.

"Oh… oh! I didn't mean to sir. I was just in awe that you're here. Even though I'm at this age, I still consider myself a fan." The woman animatedly said with a chuckle as Annie found herself smiling, only to lose it when she looked directly into his eyes.

"Mom…" Annie said with a hint of embarrassment as the woman nodded.

"Right, you and him… talk. Yes… I uh, excuse me again sir. It's been an honor meeting you and hosting you in my humble home. I just hoped it was in a better circumstance." The woman hastily explained as John nodded with understanding. The woman then turned to Annie, placing a hand on her shoulder with a supportive whisper of words as the young woman squeezed her mother's hand in return. She promptly left the room in a hurry before she smiled again at the both of them before vanishing like Hannah did before.

Now the room was left to simply just him and Annie as the girl was having difficulty looking in her direction. John merely smiled, knowing that their conversation would not be heard any longer at this distance as he felt Hannah and Mrs. January resume talking outside.

Lightly slapping his legs, the most powerful man in the world now relaxed for a bit as he looked at Annie January, otherwise known as Starlight.

"I-It's an honor… meeting you sir." She started, hoping to break the awkward tension as John grinned. He was the guest after all, and it was pertinent for those who invited him into their home to know that as he already felt that the young woman had a bright and potential-filled future for her career and life. He liked it actually. He really liked it.

"I feel the same. Annie… can I call you Annie? Or is it Starlight?" he started.

The embarrassed girl started waving her hands as she tried to stop her embarrassment from showing. She was doing poorly, but he was used to it.

"I think Starlight will be fine, sir… I don't want to confuse you further anymore tonight."

He smiled as he looked at her with that small exchange. "Starlight then… you haven't actually answered my question earlier when you arrived. Were you… busy going out there being a hero?" he asked lightheartedly as the girl looked at him, her expression becoming a bit conflicted until she sighed.

"You can… kinda say that."

"I see… I commend you for that actually. For someone as busy as me, I appreciate that it's not just me out there that's doing the right thing." He then pointed at her with a finger and began laughing in a supportive manner as Annie smiled. "Few people actually have the drive to continue being a hero. You'd be surprised to know that some members of the Seven are more celebrities than heroes." Clicking his tongue John frowned before regaining some of his cheer back as he thought about someone. A certain someone. "Names after all are a powerful thing and while I have no doubt that my esteemed comrades are model citizens, they're starting to forget you know… what it means to be a hero."

A face materializes in his head as Annie shifts uncomfortably in her chair.

"Yeah… I believe that sir."

"Oh, you do? That's a surprise to hear. The others are not as popular compared to me, but people are still fans… so I'm a bit shocked to hear you, what's the word? Sullen, right… I'm surprised to hear you sullen with this entire affair. Like your heart is not entirely in it."

Annie stared at him for a few seconds before sighing once more. Heavier this time.

"I think that is the case, sir. I don't really know what the right path is for me. Given everything that's happened today, I can't really pinpoint where the direction my life is taking me, and even with the support I have from various people… I feel lost."

"Ah."

"Yeah… it… sucks." she said slowly as John huffed.

"Want my advice?"

Her entire form stood up from that offer as her initially moody exterior seemed to part for a moment. John on the other hand, felt ambivalent about the whole affair, but he was feeling generous that day and despite his frustrations for not having to catch a certain woman again to speak with her, he was happy enough to know that the girl she was speaking to had met this certain woman closely.

"Go where your heart desires… little Starlight. You are the captain of your own ship. The maestro to your own tune. The painter to your own, magnum opus. Whatever decision you take, whether it was advice from anyone, it's down to you on making that happen."

The girl looked surprised at his words as he smiled back.

The ends of her lips curled back into positivity as she genuinely nodded at her with thanks.

"You're a special girl, aren't you? No wonder your mom really cherishes you." He said, warming the heart of the little heroine as she smiled more freely this time. "You're the real deal. One that I could see little girls looking up to in the future as they see your face and say… ah, I want to be like her."

"I-I don't know about that… sir. Seems far-fetched." She said with a hint of embarrassment.

Of course, it's far-fetched. That spot is reserved for only one person. John thought as he looked at the girl who was now blushing from his praise.

"It's still a worthy dream to ponder on. Even if it stays just a dream, the best thing you can do is continue to be a real hero." John continued as he relaxed back into his seat trying to enjoy the cute interactions this little girl made.

"It's weird." She suddenly said out of the blue. It made him raise an eyebrow in question as the girl made a nostalgic, happy smile towards him.

"What's weird?" he asked.

"You and Lancer are really alike."

John froze… that simple little six-word sentence fully enraptured him deep inside as he looked at the girl. His mind was still reeling in from that proclamation as Annie's expression slowly became concerned.

"Sir? Did I say something wrong?"

"N-No… I'm just… happy that you said that." He spurted out, trying to regain his focus again as Annie's smile returned slowly. "Really now? You honestly think that?" he asked with a laugh as Annie nodded.

"Yeah. She's a little more blunt, but she's genuine. True to her word. She may have come off as a bit brash, but she encouraged me almost the same. To follow my heart."

"Well, ain't that something? I'm jealous of how lucky you are. The world will probably be jealous knowing that you got two of the best heroes in the world, giving you advice."

"T-Thank you, sir. I promise I won't let the two of you down…" she assured.

"Which is why… I'm a bit unsure as to how best I'm going to relay this to you." John said as Annie's smile slipped away again.

"Sir?"

Homelander straightened himself up as he moved his chair closer to the table, leaning forward to her as the atmosphere became a lot more serious. "Level with me, Annie. Do you feel like you're ready?"

Annie looked away before answering eventually with a lot weaker tone.

"No… far from it. I… I know I'm not there yet sir, which is why I'm not sure if this truly amazing offer is the best choice for me."

It's good that you know. John continued to look supportive as he placed a hand on top of the girl's own. She looked at him as he gave a small understanding smirk.

"Don't worry about that, I'll take care of Vought. The Seven can still function with members we still have, and I can just talk with my friends in Vought to re-evaluate."

"Thank you, really… I don't know what to say… but is it really that easy?" she asked.

"No…" he admitted. "…but for both our sakes, I do hope you do find your path Annie and I have no doubt someday you can get there. You just need to start somewhere."

"I see," Annie said as she pulled out a small card from her pocket and looked at it.

John did not mind her as his objective for this meeting was finalized. Even if Stillwell screamed at his face, he knew that Vought would always capitulate whenever decisions came from him. Regardless of what sort of "leash" they think they had on him.

"Speaking of Lancer… you did meet her back in that little incident north of Boston right?"

"Oh yes… she was very nice. Or at least nice in her own way." Annie said as John's smile widened.

"She is, isn't she?"

"She even gave me an autograph." She proudly said.

"Did she now?"

Now with that, he was actively curious.

Arriving in his favorite spot on top of the Chrysler Building, John smiled as he carefully unfolded the piece of paper that was in his hands. Annie was a good sport actually as they actively and harmlessly gushed talking about Lancer. One of her treasures actually was a pair of autographs from the woman who made the Homelander smile into the sunset. He compensated the girl by asking for one of the pairs in exchange for his own autograph. She readily gave it, thanking her for the advice and support for her future endeavors as she and Hannah left the premises.

He honestly did not expect this little nugget.

Or better yet, this little gift that he wished to add to his collection.

Given that this was something personal enough that belonged to her, he was going to make sure to make this his prized possession.

He slowly trailed his fingers on her signature, strangely Greek as it looked as he also kissed it.

Passionately…

Lovingly…

Before he folded the small gift again and placed it into one of his hidden pockets within his suit. Or at least what constituted as a pocket. The smell won't matter later.

He began imagining again of beautiful things to come, as he slowly moved his hand to the buckle of his pants. He was desperate. There was a certain heat that lingered in his body as his breathing became labored for a bit.

But he mentally stopped himself as a wonderful idea sprouted in his head.

A truly wonderful idea.

His wayward dream started creeping back into his head as the idea did not seem so far-fetched anymore. Little Ryan loved him, so much so that their relationship progressed to something genuine after these last few weeks. Little Ryan also idolized Lancer.

So much so that he promised his boy to give him that chance.

…and maybe something more permanent.

Becca would have to be dealt with, but that was no issue.

He was quite eager and excited again to visit little Ryan.

With a big smile on his face, he arrived at his office in Vought Tower. There was an upcoming meeting with the remaining Seven members soon for something important the next few days. One pertaining to a gala. One that he was making sure he would be part of as he picked up his phone from his desk and began searching for news about his favorite lady.

The moment he did, however, he froze completely.

CRACKSH!

Sparks of his phone were crushed in his hand as John's face became impassive. His entire form trembling slightly as he tried to smoothen his breathing back to normal to no avail.

His fists clenched tightly as the horrible image that he saw within his phone started invading his mind.

Wordlessly, he thought about Olympia's CEO.

Wordlessly, he hoped that the image where they were alone in a small, Asian diner, had no strings attached to it.

AN: There was supposed to be a meeting scene after this with Homelander's anger bleeding over as the Seven argued against each other over their frustrations of their current state of fame and Olympia's heroes. But I wished to save it for a chapter down the line and I think this is a good place to end it.

Butcher Chap next! And come Christmas or after, the Barghest omake.

Happy Holidays guys! And I hope you uh, tolerated this chapter lol.