Laid in bed, Victoria was doing her best to sleep, but it was proving impossible. She had sat up late, propped up against the headboard and her legs stretched out in front of her. She had been scrolling on her phone after Homelander had told her she could have it back, seeming to trust her more than he had before. She'd looked over the social media feeds and scrolled the news, slightly on edge with what she was seeing. Things had started ramping up as time passed towards Homelander's trial. There were essentially two camps now: the Starlighters against Hometeamers. Victoria had seen mass protests against her husband and a part of her was scared. She was scared for her daughter and Ryan.
Homelander had climbed into bed next to her, but had soon fallen asleep after she insisted on staying awake and reading. That had been at eleven p.m. and it was now three a.m. and she was still wide awake. The bedside light on the nightstand was glaring, but it didn't seem to bother Homelander's sleep. She occasionally glanced down to him, drinking in the way his hair was mussed up on top of his head and the steady rise and fall of his lean chest. She went back to the book she was reading as she gave up thinking about sleep.
She knew that things were happening and that scared her. Singer and Neuman were closer to the White House than ever before and the election was due to take place in just over a month. She knew that Homelander was involved with Neuman and that scared her. She knew that Singer would be the President, but with Neuman as his VP then she worried about the power she might have.
But the trial was the thing that was looming over her. Homelander, on the other hand, seemed more annoyed that it was taking place than being concerned he might be found guilty. A part of her guessed that he might get away with it, despite the evidence. She'd heard how Vought had villainised the man who had tried to hurt Ryan. They'd called him deranged, a loner and even a paedophile at one stage. Homelander had killed that man to protect his son and people were genuinely believing that. Then again, the Starlighters weren't. They wanted him to be brought to justice and Annie had even publicly stated that.
And that was why Victoria had never told him that she had seen Annie and Alex at Billy's apartment. She'd told him that she had just spent time with her brother and he had accepted that. He didn't like it and Victoria knew he didn't like it. She never mentioned Billy in front of Ryan. Homelander would never let Ryan see him. He barely let Victoria go, but her relationship with him was different. They were siblings. Ryan, if left with him, might see Butcher as a father figure and he wasn't having that.
"No…I can't…no…"
Victoria peered down onto Homelander as he rolled onto his back and she frowned for a moment. He rarely had bad dreams but this was the second in six nights. It was her who woke up from nightmares. She wasn't sure what had brought them on, but she knew that it was concerning. She remained sat up and laid her book down on the bedside table, just observing him for a couple of moments as he continued to whimper.
"John," she whispered his name, hoping that might wake him. "John."
It didn't. He continued muttering and Victoria knew that she wasn't supposed to wake someone from a nightmare. She also never knew how he would react. He might lash out and he was much stronger than she was. Kneeling on the bed, she hoped the motion might stir him. She tugged the silk camisole down her stomach and adjusted the spaghetti straps on her arm.
"John," she tried again.
And finally, he opened his eyes. He let out a short gasp and seemed disorientated. Victoria moved a hand to his forearm then. "Hey," Victoria whispered softly to him. "You okay?" she checked with him.
He nodded, taking a deep breath and swallowing hard. He moved so that he was sat up slightly, leaning on his arms, the duvet pooling in his lap. Unlike Victoria, he was a messy sleeper, constantly kicking the quilt from his legs and then tugging it back.
"You've been having more nightmares recently," Victoria observed.
"Not recently," Homelander said with a shake of his head and he finally moved to sit up fully in bed. Victoria turned around, her upper body twisting as she reached for the glass of water she kept on her bedside table. Handing it to him, she watched him take gulps of the water. "They've always been there. They went away for a while when we got together…but then you left…and they started coming back. It's always the same."
"Your childhood?" Victoria checked with him.
"Funny, isn't it?" Homelander questioned, raking his hands through his fingers and pushing his hair back from his face. "I never thought I'd have to relive what happened."
"We never forget…no matter what," Victoria said to him. "Sure you're okay?"
"Perfectly fine," Homelander promised her and noticed that she seemed wide awake. "Were you not sleeping?"
"I can't," Victoria replied to him and he watched her for a moment before she stretched back out again. He tried to ignore how the camisole seemed to ride up her stomach with the movement. She leant against the headboard next to him once more and Homelander laced his fingers together in his lap.
"Butcher?" he guessed.
"Among other things," Victoria said to him. "I don't need to ask if you've seen the news, but it's…it's scary, John. Things are getting worse out there."
"Starlighters are deranged, Vicky," Homelander said to her. "But nothing is going to happen to you or our kids, alright? The trial will go off without a hitch and we'll be fine. I've been thinking anyway…maybe it's time for Ryan to join me. He's getting so much better at using his powers and I think it might be time."
Victoria's eyes widened. "He's only twelve," she reminded him.
"But he's a supe," Homelander said.
"And still a kid," Victoria retorted. "I'm just not sure, John. I mean, I get you want him to be with you, but he is still just a kid and this is all new to him. Can you just tread carefully? Please?"
"I know how to handle my son, sweetheart," Homelander retorted and Victoria had to confess that she wasn't sure if that was the best decision. "I'll be fine and so will Ryan. You don't have anything to be nervous about."
"Easier said than done," Victoria muttered. "You're on trial. It's civil war out there. Neuman is one step closer to the White House and she's one of the most powerful supes out there. Never mind the internet trolls who still seem to want my head for being married to you."
"You haven't been scrolling again, have you?" he checked with her.
She looked away guiltily then and Homelander let out a deep sigh and shook his own head. He reached for her and brought her to him, arm going around her shoulders and holding onto her as he laid back down and she rested her head on his shoulder, hand awkwardly sitting on his chest. Closing her eyes, Victoria knew that what he was going to say would probably be correct.
"Those idiots have no idea about anything," he promised her in a gentle voice. "Whatever anyone says about you is bullshit. You know that, right?"
"You know it's hard to think that when you're giving out the message that supes are better than humans, right?" Victoria said to her husband. "And you know that I don't agree with it. That's not going to change. How can it? I'm a human, John. I'm not going to change. I just…you married a human."
"You're not like the rest of them and you know it," Homelander replied, voice slightly terser than usual. Victoria picked herself up, holding her weight on one arm and looking down to him, her hand on his chest firm.
"But I am," she replied to him. "I am exactly like them. I'm a human."
"No, you're my wife," he replied. "What have I always told you? You are the exception to every rule that I have. You always have been and you always will be."
"I just…I don't agree with it."
"And I know that, but we've disagreed on things before," he said to her. "We've had our differences and we've always been able to overcome them. Look at where we are now, Vicky. We're together. We're going to get stronger than we've ever been…I mean, a few months ago it would be unimaginable that we'd be sharing a bed again, but look at this. We're here. We're going to be fine."
"Are we?" Victoria asked from him. "Because everything that's going on is scary."
"You don't need to be scared," Homelander promised his wife and he reached a hand up to push her hair behind her ear before cupping her cheek. "I just need you to be here because you're the only one who understands me. You're the only one who has ever come close and…I need you. I need you, Victoria."
There was an honesty in his answer, but it scared Victoria. She let his thumb roam over her cheekbone, trying to keep her calm. "I just…everything feels overwhelming, John. I just want some peace, you know? I just want quiet for a little while and I don't know when that's going to happen. Everything going on just feels too much and then my brother…I know you can't stand him and I know why you want him nowhere near Ryan…but he is still my brother, no matter how much of an asshole he is."
Homelander listened to her and took in everything she was saying. He got it. He understood. He was also fed up with how everything was going in his life. Everyone around him didn't dare to challenge him. Victoria Neuman might think she had the upper hand, but her time was coming and she would be under his thumb soon enough. The trial he was facing was a complete farce. He had to admit that he too was tired. He felt like everything around him was a mess and he was tired of it.
"If you had the chance to go anywhere in the world, where would it be?" he asked her out of the blue.
She arched her brow and cocked her head. He laughed, teeth bared in a smile.
"It's not a trick question," he promised her and she shrugged at him before looking up to the ceiling and thinking about it. He continued moving his fingers through her hair softly, tucking it behind her ear numerous times. And then she nodded her head.
"A beach," she declared to him and he took his turn to arch his brow. He shook his head for a moment and Victoria moved her hand along his chest, feeling the warmth of his body. "When I was growing up, I always wanted a holiday on a beach somewhere. All of my friends would go away on these exotic summer holidays…Portugal…Spain…and say how amazing it was. I spent the summer in parks hiding from my dad. When I got out, I thought I might finally go on one of those holidays, but I never did. I was always self-conscious of these," she said and turned her arm over on his chest and he looked down to the scars that littered her pale skin. He saw her eyes move over to them and he moved his free hand to pick her arm up, thumb running along the puckered scar tissue.
"These don't define you," he told her and Victoria nodded.
"I know," she assured him. "And I'm getting better, but they're still a reminder and I…I don't want people staring at them and so I never went. But right now, the idea of laying on a beach sounds pretty idyllic."
Homelander wasn't entirely sure he agreed with that point, but the fact that she'd never been to the beach or seen the ocean up close didn't sit well with him. There had been a time when he had wanted to give her everything and a part of him still did.
"After the trial, we'll go somewhere," he said to her and she looked surprised at that. He picked her arm up and kissed one of her scars, his lips resting there. "I'll take you, Evie and Ryan somewhere remote…golden sands…clear waters…and we'll have a break. We'll get away from everything."
"Seriously?" Victoria checked and she wondered if he mistook her sound of fear for excitement.
"Seriously," he promised her. "It might be good for us to get away for a while."
"But when we come back…what will have changed?"
Homelander smiled softly to her and moved his hand in her hair to the back of her head, drawing her closer to him. "If things go to plan, everything," he said to her and kissed her for a few moments, fingers running up and down her arm gently. He pulled back and Victoria had no option but to lay down against him once more, face tucked in by his neck and shoulder.
"I'll always look after you, Victoria. I promise you that," he whispered and kissed her on her forehead. "Try and get some sleep. I'm not going anywhere."
He didn't realise that was the part that kept her awake at night.
…..
Victoria moved through the penthouse, tidying things away considering that Evelyn's toys were strewn around all over the place. Homelander had gone down to the meeting room for another meeting about the Tower's reconstruction. Victoria had finished working that morning and had picked Evelyn up from nursery. Her daughter was two and going on three and was growing so much. She was now walking around and becoming quite the escape artist when Victoria didn't keep an eye on her. She had moved from a cot to a bed and was even trying new foods at mealtimes. A part of Victoria wondered where the time had gone whenever she thought about her daughter and feeding her mushed banana when she couldn't talk. Now, she was learning to communicate with basic words, but not full sentences yet.
As Victoria knelt on the ground and picked her toys up as Evelyn napped, she heard footsteps come into the penthouse. Turning her head over her shoulder, she saw Ryan coming in, backpack slung over his shoulder.
"Hey," she greeted him. "How was school?"
"It was alright," he responded to her.
Homelander now seemed to trust her to be around his son. At the beginning, he had been apprehensive considering her close relationship with Billy and also he knew she was cautious about him using his supe powers. But, in recent weeks, he'd been more lax. She was earning his trust back because she was behaving how he wanted her to behave. It made her feel sick, but she was surviving now. She just had to survive for her daughter's sake.
"You okay?" Victoria asked, sensing something wasn't quite right.
She'd enjoyed spending time with Ryan. She knew that he felt a bit lost after losing his mom and she understood that. She also knew that her brother had pushed him away and Ryan didn't really want to see him again after that. She also knew that Ryan was a twelve-year-old boy and she didn't want him to grow up sooner than he had to. If Homelander pushed him to become a supe then she worried what that would mean. She knew all about the staged saves and she despised it. A part of her didn't want Ryan to be forced into that.
But she knew that her influence over her husband only went so far.
"Just…today…over breakfast…dad said something and I've been thinking about it, but it's fine," Ryan said and Victoria stood up, hands on her thighs as she pushed herself to her feet.
"What is it, buddy?" she wondered and Ryan looked to her with wide eyes and shook his head. "Hey," Victoria continued and folded her arms over her chest. "You can tell me, Ryan. Your dad and I are happy together. I know that things have been tough over the last few months, but we're doing better. Every marriage goes through its ups and downs."
She squeezed his shoulder and moved to sit down on the sofa. She had tidied most things away and the apartment was looking tidier. It also looked different compared to when she had moved in. She'd slowly decorated, adding in homely touches and painting walls. When she'd first stayed over, she felt as though she was living in a museum.
"Come on," Victoria urged from him. "Just tell me what's going on."
"He said that I don't really need school because I'm not like a normal kid…that humans…we're different to them and more important. He wants me to be like him and I'm not sure I can be like him," Ryan said and Victoria let out a shaky breath, knowing that she had to be careful how she approached the topic.
"Come sit, Ryan," she urged from him and he perched on the sofa next to her.
Victoria tugged at the sleeves of the green jumper she wore and adjusted the pleated skirt around her legs. Ryan sat down next to her, leaning forwards slightly and placing a hand on his back gently.
"I know that seems intense and I understand that. You were born with these powers and I think your dad just…he wants you to work with him because you're his son," Victoria said to him. "He thinks the world of you and he loves you."
"I know, but sometimes I think I'm not good enough. I'm not like him, Victoria. I don't know if I can be," Ryan confessed to her and she continued stroking his back gently, hoping that it would at least offer him some comfort. "And you're a human. My mom was a human."
"I know," Victoria said to him. "And your dad and I…he…" she trailed off, not sure what she should say.
"He said that you're the exception," Ryan told her. "He said that you're the only human who matters, but I don't think that's fair."
"Listen to me, Ryan," Victoria said and she picked his hand up. "Your dad and I don't always agree on things. In fact, we don't agree on a lot of things, but he is still your dad and he is also my husband…he just…we need to believe that he always wants the best for us. He loves us."
"I know," Ryan said to her. "I'm just scared."
Victoria wrapped her arm around his shoulders and she felt him lean into her. She hugged him tightly and closed her eyes. Resting her cheek on the top of his head, she felt him lean in closer to her, face pressing into her shoulder.
"You know I'll always look out for you, right?" Victoria checked with the boy. "I'll talk to your dad, okay? I'll talk to him and whatever happens…whatever goes on…I'll be here. I'm not sure that's a great comfort, but it's true."
Ryan nodded his head once. "It is a comfort," he promised her in a gentle whisper.
"Okay, sweetie," she whispered and kissed the top of his head.
Victoria knew that things might not work out. She just knew that she had to be there for Ryan. He might not be her biological son, but over time she'd seen him as hers too. She wanted to look out for him for Becca's sake. She'd grown fond of him.
"What's going on here?"
Victoria looked up and saw Homelander walking into the apartment. He had his hands on his hips and Victoria looked to him and shook her head once, urging for him not to push it. Victoria squeezed Ryan's shoulders and peered down to him.
"Why don't you take your bag upstairs and I'll be up in a minute. Evie's napping…but we'll have dinner soon, alright?"
"Okay," Ryan said with a sniff and he stood up, grabbing his backpack from the floor as Homelander's brows knitted together.
"You okay, son?" Homelander asked from him.
"Fine," Ryan promised, but he couldn't quite meet Homelander's eye.
He rushed on up the steps and took off to his bedroom. Homelander frowned and Victoria stood up, realising that she had to be careful. He stalked towards her, hand going to her hip and he bent down to kiss her quickly. He kept his grip on her hip slightly firmer than he needed to.
"What was that about?" he questioned her.
"We just need to talk," Victoria said to him. "Can we talk while making dinner?"
Homelander didn't get a chance to answer that as she was already heading to the kitchen. Homelander tugged his gloves from his fingers and threw them down onto the coffee table. He followed Victoria into the kitchen and turned the television on to see Annie January on his screen attending some event and promoting the Starlight House. He rolled his eyes and hit mute, letting the screen continue to flicker as his glare moved away from it.
"You know that you don't need to watch that, right?" Victoria checked with her husband.
"The audacity of her to go on TV and spew her bullshit," Homelander shook his head slowly. "It's sickening."
Victoria thought that it was best to keep silent. He knew that Annie was her friend.
"You don't agree?" Homelander asked from her, judging her silence.
"John, she's my friend," Victoria replied. "But I haven't seen her and I haven't been in touch with her in ages. I just don't want to go on television and speak out against her. That is all I ask."
He knew that she was being honest. She moved around the kitchen, pulling out peppers, courgettes and aubergines from the fridge to make stuffed peppers for dinner. Setting them down on the chopping board, she reached for a knife from the knife block and began chopping them into small cubes.
"What is it you wanted to talk about anyway?" Homelander questioned her. "And what is up with Ryan? He seemed surly. He's not even a teenager yet. Are kids supposed to be surly before they hit thirteen?"
Victoria scoffed. "I was surly years before I turned thirteen," she assured her husband. "But I think he's worried, John. He's worried about becoming a supe and what you said to him about humans…him being superior…"
"Vicky," Homelander addressed his wife. "It's true. Supes are superior and that's how it is. We should be proud of who we are and humans are trying to keep us in check. It's a joke."
"That it might be," Victoria said, not agreeing with anything he said. "But Ryan is still a kid, John. Being in front of people…in front of a crowd…becoming a supe…it's nerve-wracking. You remember what it was like when you were a kid, right? You told me yourself that you were scared."
"I was much younger than he was," Homelander retorted, moving to the fridge and grabbing the carton of milk. He took a drink straight from it, laying the lid down on the worktop and leaning back against the closed door. "And I was alone. He has me. He has no reason to be scared."
"But he is because he grew up in a fake neighbourhood away from all of this," Victoria said and she turned her head to the side so that she could look her husband in the eye. "All I'm asking is that you go easy on him, okay? He's still a boy."
Homelander rolled his eyes. "He's a supe, Vicky," he said. "And he's my son."
"I know," Victoria said and he set the milk down on the worktop. "And I get that this is hard for you too because you just want to do the best by him…and we're both new to this parenting thing. We want the best for both Ryan and Evie and we're not going to be perfect at this."
"I'm giving him everything he could ever want," Homelander retorted.
"But have you asked him what he wants?"
Homelander went quiet then and Victoria shrugged. She set the knife down on the chopping board and folded her arms over her chest. Homelander moved towards her and Victoria watched as he remained unblinking, lips slightly tugged up at the edges.
"You're soft on him," Homelander commented.
Victoria also let her lips tug upwards slightly. "Ironic, right? Step-mum's are always supposed to be evil."
"Did you watch too much Disney growing up?" Homelander questioned her.
"Trust me, I soon realised that there was no Prince Charming when I was a kid," she assured him on that point.
"You saying I'm no Prince Charming?" Homelander questioned from her, arms finally wrapping around her waist and holding her tight against him. She laughed once, trying to play this off as a normal encounter and not longing to get away from him. She moved her arms around his neck and held onto him.
"Well, Prince Charming couldn't fly," she retorted. "And you didn't exactly sweep me off my feet when we met. In fact, you were actually an asshole to me for quite some time."
"You weren't exactly the epitome of charm either," he reminded her.
"Because you threatened me to date you, remember?" she said to him.
"I seem to remember you getting six million dollars and agreeing to it."
"Not true," Victoria said, fingers moving to his neck. "I didn't want the money. You came to the library and told me Vought always get their way and I'd do well to remember that."
"That might be true," he said with a laugh. "But you still fell in love with me."
Victoria's lips fell slightly then as her gaze on him intensified and he snaked a hand up her side, brushing her hair behind her shoulder with the back of his hand. He traced his thumb over her bottom lip and searched her gaze.
"And I fell in love with you," Homelander continued talking. "And I know that you know that. I know you see it. In recent weeks, you must see it even more. We've been good together."
"I do see it," she assured him on that point, trying not to feel sick. She hated the way her front was pushed up against his, his warm breath hitting her face. "I want to be a good wife and a good mum not just for Evie but for Ryan too, just like you want to be a good dad. I know you want the best for him, but please, just be gentle on him, okay? We both had fucked up childhoods and I know that means we just want to give our kids everything we never had."
Homelander wasn't entirely sure what to say to her. Victoria knew that he was thinking and she moved on, gripping his shoulders firmly.
"Please, John," she urged from him. "I know you want to be a good father. We might not agree on everything, but we agree on our kids. We want the best for them…just be gentle with him."
"I'll talk to him," Homelander settled on saying to her and Victoria suspected that was as good as she was going to get from him.
…
"Mummy…where's daddy?" Evelyn wondered as Victoria sat with her daughter on the first morning of the trial. Victoria was apprehensive to say the least. She'd hardly slept the night before while Homelander had seemed to sleep like a log, snoring next to her. Victoria had watched him for a while, imagining a world without him. She imagined he was found guilty and was a normal person. She imagined her life without him and she longed for it. But she knew it wasn't happening anytime soon. But then she'd spotted a grey hair on top of his head and she wondered if he knew about it. He was so vain and she'd known that since she'd started dating him.
She knew that he was constantly focused on his appearance. He was in his forties and Victoria wondered if he actually could age. Would he grow weaker with age? She wasn't entirely sure and she sure as hell wasn't going to tell him that he had a grey hair.
"Daddy is just getting dressed," Victoria said to her daughter as they sat on the floor in the living room. She'd turned the television off, trying to shield both Ryan and Evelyn from the trial. Ryan knew more than he let on and Victoria wasn't shocked, but he hardly brought the trial up.
"Victoria, do you know where my homework is?" Ryan wondered from her as he came down the stairs.
"On my desk," she said and he grabbed hold of it. "You doing okay, buddy?" she asked him.
"It's today, isn't it?" Ryan checked with her, tucking the paper into his bag as Evelyn walked around the miniature play kitchen, pretending to bake a cake in the plastic oven.
"It is," Victoria confirmed for him, "but everything is going to be fine."
"Really?" he asked from her.
"Really," Victoria promised him.
"And he's not mad with me?" Ryan asked and Victoria shook her head.
"Your dad isn't mad at you," Victoria replied. "He's just under a lot of stress with the trial and everything going on. He wants the best for you and…sometimes…as parents…we're not sure what the best thing is. I spoke to him and he knows how you feel, trust me."
"I don't want him to be mad."
"And he isn't," Victoria said. "Listen, we'll talk about everything soon, I promise. But your dad isn't mad. He loves you very much."
"Of course I do."
Homelander came down the steps down, cape flowing behind him and smile on his face. He clasped Ryan on the shoulder and his son peered up at him.
"Listen, champ, I only want the best for you and becoming a supe by my side…it's all I want and we can talk about it some more, okay? We can work things out together," Homelander promised him. "But I think you need to get to school, don't you?"
"You're going to be okay, aren't you?" Ryan checked with his father.
"Buddy, of course I am," Homelander told him and embraced him before patting him on the back. Victoria remained seated on the floor by the plastic toy kitchen Evelyn was playing in. "Now, you get yourself downstairs and when we come back tonight, we'll order pizza. How does that sound?"
"Okay," Ryan relented.
"Alright," Homelander smiled widely and Ryan took off after a final goodbye.
"Daddy…I made cake…" Evelyn exclaimed and she moved towards her father, her little legs carrying her towards him as she lifted her arms up for him. He bent down and picked her up from the ground, wrapping her into his arms. "But we can't eat it now."
"And why not?" Homelander questioned from his daughter, carrying her forwards as Victoria held up the plastic chocolate cake in her hands that had been baking in the fake oven.
"Because you can't have cake for breakfast," Evelyn said as if it was obvious.
"Ah, I see," Homelander said and lifted his free hand to her, flicking her nose gently.
"Daddy can we play?" she asked from him.
"Well, not right now," Homelander said. "You need to go to nursery, but tonight we can play and we can even have some cake."
Evelyn giggled excitedly and Homelander peered down to her with nothing but love. He kissed the top of her head. She had Victoria's hair and complexion. But her eyes were Homelander's. She was even developing cheekbones like him. He didn't think it was possible for his heart to be full, but when he was with his family, he felt it. He wanted them to be safe. He wanted them to inherit a legacy that was created by him.
"Come on, Evie," Victoria said and she stood up. "Let's get your shoes on and take you down to nursery."
Homelander helped Victoria put Evelyn's shoes on, holding his daughter as Victoria pulled the Velcro tight on the shoe. The two of them took her down to the nursery and dropped her off before stepping into the elevator together and Homelander looked over his wife. Her curls fell down her back neatly and she was wearing a long-sleeved green dress with black heels. The skirt came down to her mid-thigs and she looked very professional and smart. He held his hand out towards her and Victoria looked down at it. Slipping her fingers into his, he squeezed her limbs.
"You okay?" he checked with her as they rode the elevator down to the ground floor.
"Nervous," she confessed. "You?" she wondered.
"Absolutely fine," he promised her. "You have nothing to be nervous about. This is pretty much a formality."
"That might be true, but I saw the crowds gathering outside the courthouse this morning," Victoria said to him. "I'm worried it could turn into a riot and we don't want that. I mean, it's bad enough that things are so tense right now."
"Whatever is waiting at the courthouse will be fine," Homelander assured his wife. "We'll deal with whatever it is."
Victoria just nodded her head. Stepping into the foyer, she knew that people were watching them and Homelander turned on the charm instantly. He greeted people calmly, but it was only when they left the Tower were they greeted by the media storm. Homelander's grip on her hand increased. He knew that she had never gotten used to the roar of the press.
"Homelander, are you nervous?"
"Do you think this might be the biggest waste of the taxpayers money?"
"How does it feel to know your ex-friend is involved in prosecuting your husband, Victoria?"
They ignored all of the questions and managed to climb into the car. Homelander pressed a hand to the small of her back, urging her into the backseat first. He climbed in after her, only acknowledging the crowd with a wave of his hand. Sitting down beside his wife, the car moved away and she fastened her seatbelt before exhaling a shaky breath. Glancing to Homelander, she saw that he was looking out of the window.
"You know, I never even considered that Daniella would be there today," Victoria said. "How stupid is that? I should've known. She works for the DA's office now."
"When was the last time you saw her?" Homelander questioned his wife.
"When she tried to turn me against you," Victoria replied. "I haven't seen her since then and she hasn't tried to make contact. I think she probably gave up when we decided to invoke spousal privilege."
Homelander scoffed. "It was stupid of her to try and turn you," he replied.
"I think they might be desperate," Victoria settled on saying to him. "Even I hate to admit it, but your case looks pretty strong. I think the jury might agree that it was self-defence."
Victoria had sat in meetings with Homelander and his lawyers for the past few weeks as they ran through the case. Homelander wasn't going to take the stand, but he was attending the trial. The man who had thrown the drink at Ryan had been branded so many different things that Victoria guessed they would buy. The proof was limited, but the legal team had managed to spin it into a convincing narrative, alongside most of the media. Vought owned media had obviously defended Homelander. There were some smaller outlets that dared to challenge him, but they really did feel few and far between.
"We're here."
They had both lapsed into silence until they arrived at the courthouse. Victoria could see the crowds and they looked like they were baying for blood. On one side there were Starlighters who were mainly dressed in yellow and white, holding up placards supporting Annie and denouncing Homelander as a fascist and a criminal. On the other side were the Hometeamers in blue and red carrying placards denouncing Annie as a fake and offering their support for Homelander.
"Jesus," Victoria whispered under her breath.
She couldn't make out the chants being hurled at them, but she was slightly relieved about that. Homelander climbed from the car first before holding his hand out for Victoria. Taking hold of his fingers, she climbed from the car and he instantly wrapped an arm around her waist. She took hold of his waist herself, finding herself clinging to him as they moved down the middle of the crowd. There were cameras flashing in their faces and filming their every moment. Victoria kept her head down and even Homelander remained stoic, not giving anything away.
Together, they hurried down through the crowds. Victoria looked off to the side for a few moments, eyes scanning the crowds as security tried to keep them back alongside police officers. Coming to the courtroom, Homelander ushered Victoria inside and they closed the doors, barricading them once more. Turning her head over her shoulder, Victoria looked to the scenes outside once more.
"Alright, sweetheart?" Homelander checked, giving his wife's waist a firm squeeze and bending down to kiss her on the side of the head.
"That was intense," Victoria whispered. He heard her heartbeat and her blood pressure was slightly higher than usual.
"Ah, good, you're both here."
Homelander's lawyer, a middle aged man in a designer suit with a slightly receding hairline and glittering green eyes, moved towards the pair of them. His army of junior lawyers were huddled around, but he was Homelander's lawyer. Vought had spared no expense in making sure only the best had been hired and Victoria guessed that would work in Homelander's favour. She adjusted herself to stand up straight and then she looked over to the staircase and saw her. She was stood in a gaggle with her colleagues, but Victoria could make out her side profile. She seemed different. Her hair had grown past her shoulders and her cheeks seemed thinner. She was dressed in a grey pantsuit with black heels and was holding open brown folders in her fingertips, talking animatedly.
"Victoria, can you do that?" Jeremy, Homelander's lawyer, asked her.
Victoria's head snapped back in his direction. "Sorry?" she checked with him.
"I need you to sit behind Homelander, is that alright?"
"Yeah, of course," Victoria agreed and Homelander looked into the distance and wondered what had gotten her distracted. And then he saw her too. Daniella was there and clearly had distracted his wife.
"How long is this going to go on for?" Homelander wondered.
"Well, this is just day one," Jeremy said. "We'll deliver opening statements and the DA's office will have a chance to call witnesses and so will we. It all depends on how long it takes to conduct the examination and cross-examination, but hopefully it will be over by the end of the week. Of course, the jury will then need to deliberate and we can't know for sure how long that will take…but hopefully it won't take long at all. This is a pretty clear-cut case."
"Right, let's get this shit show over with then," Homelander declared and he stepped forwards, Victoria having no choice but to fall in step with him.
The chatter echoed around the marble floored court room, the grand white staircase sitting in the middle of the building. Victoria listened to her heels click against the floor and Jeremy led the way to courtroom number one, moving past the staircase. As they approached, the prosecution team looked up and Victoria made eye contact with Daniella. The two of them glanced at each other and for a moment, Victoria swore she saw a look of pity in her friend's gaze. She felt her own gaze soften and for a moment she wanted to call out to her and tell her everything. She wanted her friend back. But she knew that wasn't an option.
"Vicky…please…talk to me," Daniella urged from her friend as she walked by.
Daniella walked on the other side of Victoria and Homelander looked down at her with distaste.
"I have nothing to say to you," Victoria said, tone perhaps colder than it had to be.
"I know that this isn't what you want," Daniella said and she grabbed Victoria's arm, stopping her from walking any further. She stumbled slightly as Homelander also stood still and watched the interaction. Daniella glared up at him. "He's got you wrapped around his little finger because I know this isn't you."
Homelander chuckled at that. "You sound delusional," he declared.
"I know Victoria." Daniella challenged him. "And I know that the only reason she is with you is because you've threatened her."
"We're married. We love each other. That might be a concept you don't understand, but you're sounding delusional," Homelander continued, his arm around Victoria's waist feeling heavy.
"I know you," Daniella addressed Victoria then, her hand around her arm tight. "I know who you are. I lived with you. I was your best friend. It was me, you and Michelle. We were a team. Don't do this…whatever it is he has over you…we can work through it. There are ways we can protect you; I promise. You and your daughter."
Victoria looked at Daniella and she wanted to take her up on her offer. She wanted to throw herself into her arms and beg for her help. But that was too dangerous. She couldn't do that because then she'd risk Daniella. She knew what she had to do. There was no escaping Homelander.
"I don't need you to save me," Victoria said to her friend, voice firm and ice cold. "I'm doing just fine without you, Daniella. I trust my husband. I love my husband. If you can't accept that then I think we're done here."
Homelander's lips turned up into a smile then, teeth bared as Daniella glared at him and Victoria urged him to walk on. She kept her arm around his waist, tearing her own arm from Daniella's grip. Homelander bent down to whisper into her ear, breath hot against her skin.
"You did well," he praised her.
"She overstepped," Victoria replied.
They entered the courtroom and moved towards the front. Victoria saw Jeremy holding the gate open for Homelander and Victoria knew that was as far as she could go. So did Homelander. He turned to her and bent down, kissing her quickly.
"Let's get this over with," he muttered against her lips.
"It'll be fine," she assured him and he pecked her on the lips once more.
He let her go from his grip and Victoria moved to take her seat directly behind him, crossing her legs and resting her hands on her lap. She spoke to no one and looked straight ahead. She focused on the back of Homelander's head, eyes raking over his blonde locks. As court was called to session, she could've sworn she saw another grey hair.
...
A/N: And we are moving into season four! What does everyone think? Any particular plot points you'd like to see play out? I might also go a bit off script at times with some extra chapters (a holiday?) and some other things. Would love to know your thoughts!