Victoria had been in a foul mood ever since Homelander's appearance in the library. He had gone after issuing her with Vought's offer, or blackmail, as she more liked to call it. She had people she cared about, of course. She had two flatmates who were the same year in their PhD studies as she was: Daniella and Michelle. As for family, she had given that up a long time ago. She had left England and made a life for herself in America, not after a quick detour in Europe first, however. She had scrimped and saved since she had turned sixteen and could first get a job, working as a waitress in the evening at the local pub and attending college during the day to gain her A-Levels. She'd worked hard to achieve scholarships that barely paid her anything, but she got by. She was luckier than others and she knew that.

As soon as Colombia had offered her a full PhD stipend with fees waived for her research project, she had jumped at the offer. She'd spent months in her small apartment in Paris finalising the details as she finished off her Masters degree. But now, with Homelander on her case, she was beginning to wonder if she shouldn't have bothered. She'd weighed up the pros and cons of taking the money and the offer.

The big con was obviously that her parents would track her down and find her, beg her for forgiveness when she had none to give them. She knew they wouldn't hurt her. Her father could try, but she wasn't a little girl anymore. She was a grown woman who would be able to handle herself. Plus, the thought of angering a supe might cause them to worry more than wanting to get back into Victoria's good graces. The money, she knew, would come in handy. Anyone who said no to six million was either rich or just naïve, in her opinion. She could help Michelle and Daniella with that amount too – no more turning off the heating in winter because they were worried they couldn't afford it.

Slamming the lid to her laptop down, Amelia checked the watch on her wrist. She had half an hour to get to Vought Towers. Packing her things away, she could feel people staring at her as she left the library, no doubt wondering just what her deal was with Homelander. She didn't know exactly why he was so keen for this to happen. She suspected there would be other ways to boost his poll numbers, but the fact was that he was fine going along with it.

Entering the cool autumn air, Victoria was glad she had put on her thick black jumper as the chill got to her. A part of her was apprehensive. She knew Homelander's powers. She'd seen him on TV. Granted, she'd never got hung up over supes, not entirely interested by them while others seemed fascinated by every move they made. But she knew that he wasn't all smiles and graces. That had been apparent when he had come to see her earlier in the stairwell. There was a part of him that clearly didn't take bullshit and Victoria worried how much of what he showed the TV was an act.

She suspected she would find out in time. Six months. She just had to do this for six months and everything would be fine. Plus, if her parents did make contact, she just might take Homelander up on his offer to laser them.

…

Homelander pulled his cape to the side before sitting down on Madelyn's couch for the second time that day. He drummed his fingers on his right thigh, his leather glove making the tapping sound louder in the room. Madelyn was perched behind her desk, her fingers typing away on her computer as she waited with patience for the clock to turn to four. It was three minutes to four.

"She's not going to show," Madelyn declared and Homelander shook his head, his lips pursed.

"She will," he said confidently.

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because she's not stupid," Homelander said. He knew that was the truth. She wasn't some foolish young woman fawning over him. She had intelligence. He'd read her file when he returned to Vought, looking over her degree history and the grades she'd achieved. She had gotten everywhere on a scholarship after changing her name when she was old enough. Anderton wasn't her surname, but the file that gave her real name was closed off.

Vought hadn't bothered to look into it, noting that they would need to gain approval from the police in the UK and Homelander had told them that he didn't think it would be anything exciting – convinced that she had done it to escape abusive parents. Plus, he didn't care enough. This was a six-month contract and then she was gone. But Madelyn was persistent, she just needed to be sure that they weren't going to hire some criminal with hidden powers. The police had reassured her of that much without disclosing anything further.

It was just when the clock struck four when Madelyn's phone began to ring. Homelander smirked knowingly to her and she arched a brow, clearly impressed with what she was seeing. She spoke in short sentences on the phone, asking for Jessica to send her in. And, a moment later, Victoria Anderton was walking into the office, clearly feeling lost as she looked around at the grand décor and the images of the Seven lining the walls.

Madelyn moved towards her first, rushing quickly over to her with a hand outstretched. "Miss Anderton, so glad you could make it."

Victoria eyed the handshake suspiciously, but she took hold of her hand in the end, shaking it. "Well, your superhero can be very persuasive," was all Victoria said and she shot Homelander a look that he reciprocated back with a smirk, clearly aware that he was the one in control of this situation and not her.

"Oh, he can be," Madelyn said. "Now sit down, please."

Madelyn offered Victoria the couch across from Homelander and she perched on it, tugging her skirt down her thighs and toying with a loose string from her woollen tights. She had a plain black jumper tucked into it and had tied her hair into a messy bobble, her curls swinging down her back.

"Now, Miss Anderton, we're thrilled that you've agreed to this and we hope you know that we take our duties very seriously here…we will care for you at every step. There are counsellors, relationship advisors…anything you need, we can provide for you," Madelyn said, pouring the young woman a glass of water and placing it in front of her on the coffee table.

Victoria looked so out of her depth that Homelander wondered if this was a mistake. Would she be able to cope in the spotlight? Would she not flounder and falter? He didn't know, but he knew that they clearly had to try something. Nonetheless, she was here and Madelyn was moving to her desk to fetch the contract that she'd had the legal team draw up earlier in the day. She carried it back to the seating area and perched down on the other end of the couch to Homelander.

"I want to know the specifics before anything," Victoria said, setting out her position. "I'm a student. I teach classes. Whatever happens, nothing can get in the way of that."

"I understand," Madelyn said and Homelander remained silent. Teaching classes? She really thought that Vought would care about that if they needed her for some publicity show? How would she cope with walking the red carpet with him? He was beginning to wonder if this was going to be a disaster and negatively impact his poll ratings. "And I understand that this is quite daunting and that is why there will be publicity training for you and Vought will be here every step of the way. We can come to arrangements concerning your schedule and Homelander's publicity appearances, but there may be times when we need you to be flexible."

"I can try my best, but my hours for teaching are fixed during the day," Victoria said. "And that's not really negotiable. Plus, I need at least some nights off because I do have a thesis to write."

"Well, usually there are publicity events four nights out of seven," Madelyn said to her. "Do you think that is doable?"

"Maybe," Victoria said, but the commitment was lacking in her voice. Homelander continued drumming his fingers against his thigh, clearly weighing up the woman sat across from them. "I just…I don't see why you need me. He's Homelander. He's already the most popular superhero in the world. I guess, I'm just confused."

Madelyn nodded while Homelander fought the urge to snap out loud. He'd explained this to her before. What more did she need?

"You are right, Miss Anderton, but Homelander…let's just say he suffers with a certain demographic. Women think that he can be chauvinistic and arrogant at times, despite him polling well with the majority of people. Whenever he has been in a relationship, his numbers have shot up and so I think that it is imperative for him to show a softer side…help him develop that and we will even see if we can add in a bonus when your contract's up," Madelyn said and Victoria felt a slight sense of apprehension. This wasn't her. She didn't do fake. She didn't do lying.

But, right then at that moment, a part of her was feeling as though it would make sense. It was six months and she would be much better off than she ever had been before. Perhaps it would be fine. Perhaps this was what she needed to do and then she would never have to worry about money again. Looking to Homelander, her gaze met his and she held eye contact.

"And you're fine with this?"she asked, addressing him head on.

He shrugged. "Whatever Vought want," he said, but there was a clip to his tone. Something about him didn't look happy about it. In fact, he looked as though he was bored by it all.

"Is there a contract?"

"Right here," Madelyn said, pushing it across the table to Victoria. "Take it home and look over it tonight. Make notes if you want and we can work something out tomorrow."

"That would be great, thanks," Victoria said, picking it up and pushing it into her battered brown satchel with the broken right hand clasp.

"We will require you to sign an NDA before you go, however," Madelyn said. "You know, just to ensure you don't tell anyone about this."

"Right," Victoria said. She'd expected that anyway.

Madelyn stood up, indicating that the meeting had come to a close and she copied her movement. Homelander remained seated. "Well, Miss Anderton, I can have Jessica get you to sign the NDA and you look over that tonight and we'll schedule a meeting for first tomorrow. How does that work?"

Homelander zoned out as they talked details, Madelyn leading Victoria from the room. Only when the door shut quietly did he tilt his head back and look to the ceiling, clearly dismayed with everything that was going on around him.

…

Victoria sat on her bed in the three-bedroom apartment, an extra jumper on considering Daniella had insisted on turning the heating down once more. She chewed the tip of her red pen and looked at the fiftieth page of the contract Vought had come up with. She had made some additions and changes, especially in the section concerning sexual activities. That was off the table straight away.

"Vic, we've got some leftover mac and cheese if you're interested?"

Michelle called her from the open spaced kitchen/living area.

"Yeah…just a minute," Victoria said, scanning to the end of the page.

"What're you doing in here anyway?" Michelle asked, poking her head through the open door.

Victoria's room wasn't big. The double bed was pushed up against the wall with a wooden chest of drawers next to it and a wardrobe on the wall by the window. A desk sat beneath the window, covered in neatly arranged papers with textbooks precariously stacked on top of each other. There were some cosy touches, like the fake vase of flowers on the windowsill and the throws draped over her bed and office chair with a blue rug covering the wooden floors. But she had never bought much. Her entire life she had spent travelling and so it was easier to pack up when you had less things.

"Nothing," Victoria said, dropping her pen onto the paper and pushing them to the side.

Michelle arched a brow. She sauntered into the room, her narrow hips swaying and her lithe body emphasised by her workout gear of leggings and a tight fitting top. She went to the gym most nights after her final teaching session, preferring to live in gym wear when she got back because it was comfortable. Her long blonde hair was tied up into a ponytail, the straight locks staying precisely in place. Michelle moved into the room and sat cross-legged on the bed, her dark green eyes inquisitive as her small nose wrinkled.

"Martins doesn't have you marking papers again, does he? I swear he never marks anything himself," she complained and Victoria shrugged.

"No…it's…well…"

"You're not still working on your lit review, are you?" Daniella's voice joined in and she entered the room, her red hair bobbing around her shoulders. She was still in her fitted grey dress, no doubt having just gotten back from her intern position she did at a corporate law firm in between finishing her thesis.

"No."

"She's being secretive," Michelle said, eyebrows waggling.

Daniella carried her bowl of mac and cheese into the bedroom and pulled out Victoria's desk chair, wheeling it to the side of the bed and collapsing into it. "Secretive, huh?" she asked. "Vic's never secretive."

"Well, she is hiding something. Note how she can't hold eye contact and her cheeks are turning red?" Michelle continued, playing with the ends of her ponytail.

"I don't mean to be," Victoria said, looking between her two friends. How would they not figure this out in the long run? They knew her far too well and would easily be able to tell when something was wrong. She sighed and looked between the two of them. "If I tell you this then you have to promise me you won't breathe a word of it to anyone. I mean it. I could get in serious trouble."

"You know we love trouble," Michelle said and Daniella snorted, taking a mouthful of pasta.

"I'm serious," Victoria said, looking between them, the look on her face enough to make their smirks drop and they nodded, exchanging worried glances between each other.

"Yeah, we promise," Michelle said.

"Course," Daniella tacked on.

Victoria steeled herself, preparing to let everything spill out. "You know how Homelander basically rescued me the other day?" she asked and they both nodded. They had spent the entire night making sure she was alright, sleeping in her room and coddling her. "Well, Vought spotted an opportunity. Apparently he went up in the polls. Women see him as slightly…arrogant."

"I get it," Daniella shrugged, reaching for the teddy Victoria kept on her bed that her brother had given her when she was a child. It was the one thing she allowed herself to hold onto.

"I just think he's hot," Michelle said with a shrug, eating another mouthful.

"Well, Vought made me an offer," Victoria said, inhaling a sharp breath. "They want me to fake date him for six months to help his polling go up."

"What?!"

"Are you serious?"

The exclamations came at the same time and Victoria leant back into her pillows, tossing the contract in the direction of Michelle at the end of the bed as Daniella threw the teddy back onto the mattress. "Yep," Victoria popped her lips and Michelle picked it up, holding it alongside her so that Daniella could peer down onto it, both of them allowing their eyes to widen.

"Holy shit," Michelle whispered.

"Fuck, Vic," Daniella added on.

"And you two can say nothing because I've signed an NDA. The fact I am even telling you this is dangerous enough, but I know that…if I do this…then you would see that something isn't right. I can't lie to you two."

"So you are seriously thinking of doing this?"

"Vic, this isn't you," Michelle said after Daniella.

"They offered me six million," Victoria responded.

"I change my mind," Michelle said and dropped the contract, causing all three of them to smirk for a moment before returning to being serious. Michelle reached for Victoria's calf, squeezing it. "Joking aside, Vic, do you really want to do this?"

"I don't know," Victoria confessed. "It's six million dollars…think about what we can do with that. We can finish our thesis' comfortably…we can heat this place…not worry about bills. We can do all of that."

"We?" Daniella asked. "No, Vic, you don't think about us making this choice. This isn't about us. We will get by however we can. We always do. This is about you and what you want to do."

"Would it be that bad? Six million…for what? Hanging off of some superhero's arm? It's not hard, is it? People would jump at an opportunity like that."

"But you don't have to," Daniella told her and Michelle nodded. "You need to do what feels comfortable and right, not about the money…even though that is a lot of money and a nice bonus."

"You know what I think?" Michelle asked and she uncurled herself from the bed and headed to Victoria's desk, picking up a notebook. "I think it's time for a pro and con list and we're not going to bed until you're happy with whatever decision you make."

"You don't have to do this. You both have work-"

"-No, we both have you," Daniella said and she moved to her feet. "And tonight, we are talking this through, eating that massive bar of chocolate we bought the other day, and drinking the rest of the vodka."

Victoria couldn't stop herself from smiling despite everything. Whatever she chose, she knew her mind was made up. She would never risk Daniella and Michelle. She'd sign the contract. There was no other option if she wanted to keep them safe.

…

Victoria had gone into Vought the next moment and hashed out her details with the Vought legal team, Madelyn nodding to some of them and challenging Victoria on others. Homelander hadn't been there, claiming he had better things to do other than listen to legal contracts. And he did. He had met them after lunch for publicity training, but he didn't know why he needed to be involved. They were both going public at the end of the following week once Victoria was up to speed with everything.

Until then, there would be a few photographs strategically leaked in the press of them out in public at the park and enjoying each other's company. Victoria wasn't sure about it, but it sounded better than attending the Golden Globes and giving interviews. She could go for a walk with Homelander and ignore photographers. She had the ability to do that.

"Just relax."

They had gone to Central Park and were wandering around together, Homelander walking alongside her with ease, hands behind his back. She walked next to him, her satchel swinging against her hip and her eyes darting around nervously.

"I'm trying," Victoria said to him. "Just wondering if this photographer is going to jump out at us or if he's going to capture my best side. Did you know that? You know I have a good side?"

"It's your right-hand side," Homelander told her and she shot him a look as he glanced down and shrugged at her. "It just is. You have a better profile from the right."

"And is this supposed to be this awkward?" Victoria questioned and she watched as Homelander waved at a passing gaggle of girls and then turned his attention back to her. He shrugged, the smile not once leaving his face. He was switched on, she could see that. This wasn't him. This wasn't the man she had seen when they had been alone.

"Just smile and keep walking."

"I don't know how they can expect us to fake this when we know nothing about each other…and we can't even act naturally around each other."

"So what do you propose?" he asked, high-fiving a boy who wandered by him.

But then Victoria detoured from the path and his brow furrowed. He watched her move onto the grass and she plopped herself down on the ground beneath a tree, away from where all the crowds were. Homelander remained stood up, hands on his hips and jaw clenching with annoyance.

"What are you doing?"

"You want a good photo-op?" she asked from him. "I can't give you that at the moment with everyone staring at us like circus animals. This is our first time out, just give me a chance to get used to this…please…that's all I am asking for today."

Sighing to himself, he settled down on the ground across from her and he saw her lips arch, a genuine smile forming on her face as she watched him. He looked to her, the fake smile still on his face as he shrugged. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing…just…you look a bit odd on the ground in that costume. Do you even have normal clothes?"

"Gave up on those a long time ago," Homelander retorted, legs curled beneath him as Victoria ensured the skirt to her plum dress covered her lap. She dropped her bag from her shoulder to the grass on the side.

"And doesn't that bother you?" Victoria wondered. "Having to be…like this all the time? Not even able to go out without being noticed? Doesn't it get tiring?"

"It's the job," he responded, not moving an inch and Victoria nodded, realising that she probably wasn't going to get anything out of him. This was a transaction to him and nothing else. Besides, did Victoria really want anything else from him? She doubted it. It was another moment before she spoke.

"And you've never wanted to do anything but this?"

"You don't quit, do you?" he asked, chuckling darkly, well aware that there could be a camera on them as they spoke.

"I'm just trying to make conversation. You don't need to be such an asshole about it," Victoria snapped at him and he looked at her, the smile not dropping but his gaze darkening. Victoria rolled her eyes, unable to stop herself from losing the façade. "What? You think I can let you talk to me how you like because I signed the contract?"

"I think exactly that."

"And I think that I won't let it stand," Victoria said. "Because you might be a superhero, but I am still a person and it seems that you need me. I mean, lasering your date in Central Park might not help those poll numbers of yours."

"You're a brave thing for someone whose heart is hammering in her chest," he retorted and Victoria had to admit that she was relieved to hear that. It took her another moment or two before she finally spoke.

"I'm not your enemy," she said to him. "So stop treating me like it."

"You really are a bold thing," Homelander continued.

"I just think if we have to have six months together then we may as well try and get on," Victoria said to him and she shrugged and Homelander wondered if she had a point. It was enough for him being the Leader of the Seven that he didn't need any other issues on top of that. "Wouldn't it be easier?"

He said nothing for a moment before he cracked. "Why law?"

"Excuse me?"

"Why law? Why did you choose to study law?"

Her brow knitted together. "You seriously want to know?"

"No," he said honestly, "but if you insist on sitting here then we may as well talk about something."

Victoria smirked. She smirked at him despite everything and then she laughed, bowing her head and tucking her hair behind her ear. "I appreciate your honesty on that, but thanks for asking," she said to him and then speaking in a soft voice. "When I was growing up, I'd always been interested in law. You know the really bad shows where actually they romanticise it, but it is never like that."

"I don't watch much TV."

"Well, that makes sense. You're probably too busy. Anyway, I used to hide in the living room…hoping my dad never saw me and I would watch them. They were escapism and the people…they made a difference to people's lives. I wanted to do that. I wanted to try and make a difference."

"Your dad…" Homelander trailed off and Victoria nodded.

"Whatever you're assuming, you're probably not wrong," Victoria said to him and he watched her as she lowered her gaze to the ground. "He was abusive and I had to get out of there, but I don't want to think about him. I don't want to think about them ever again. I just want to pretend they never existed."

"And do you?"

"No," Victoria scoffed and shook her head. "Because I think, no matter how old you are, you still long for their love even after what they've done."

Homelander startled then, keeping himself composed as he thought about what she had said. There was a part of her that was broken. There was a part of her that was damaged. And he understood it. He understood exactly what she was saying to him.

"Anyway, I got out of there…took a scholarship to study law in Durham and then a scholarship to go to Paris and continue studying for my MA before Colombia offered me funding to continue working on my research into international humanitarian law and focusing specifically on refugees."

"That all sounds impressive," Homelander said to her.

"You don't need to humour me," she said to him and he tilted his head. Did she think him incapable of sincerity? Granted, most of the time he was, but she didn't know that yet.

"Well, it isn't unimpressive," he said and she laughed, head tilting back and eyes glancing to the clouded sky. His smile picked up and Victoria nodded her head.

"God, are you ever not blunt?" she questioned from him. "It almost feels like a coping mechanism…like you're hiding who you really are. I don't think it's you, not really, anyway."

"Who knows who anyone is?" he queried and made a move to stand up. "Come on, I can hear the clicking of cameras and so we should get going."

He held his hands down to her and Victoria moved her palms into his. He helped her up, going gentler than he usually would. He picked her up from the floor and dropped her hands as she wiped grass from her tights and picked her satchel up. She let it dangle on her shoulder and before she could walk, she saw Homelander holding his hand to her. She looked to it and he smirked, his blue eyes glimmering with amusement.

"It's just a hand," he mumbled, lips hardly moving.

And so she took it. His fingers slipped into hers and she walked by his side back to the main path. He would occasionally glance down at her and she did most of the talking after he had asked her about her thesis. He wanted to pretend to listen, but for some reason he found himself actually intrigued by her work. He found himself actually intrigued by her because she spoke with such passion that she couldn't fake it. He left her at the subway entrance before flying off, a quick brush of his hand against her cheek.

"Tomorrow night…you're coming to Vought Towers, right?"

"Yeah," Victoria said as his fingers curled under her chin and she tried to ignore people watching.

"A car will pick you up from campus at six. I'll see you then."

"See you then," Victoria confirmed and he bent down to peck her on the cheek, the motion quick and almost tender for someone so strong. She smiled up to him and he winked once before flying into the sky, people gaping after him.

As people stared, Victoria descended to the subway, keeping her head down and wondering if it would always be this weird. As she passed the barriers and headed to the platform, she reached into her bag for her phone. Clicking onto the messages from the group chat, she saw that there was already an article of the two of them in the park, laughing together and looking carefree. Rolling her eyes, she waited for the approaching train and put her phone away. She wasn't going to look at the news. She knew it wouldn't do anything to help her. She was in this contract now and so she would do what she had to. She just wished she could see the future and know what was coming.

...

A/N: Thanks to those who have followed so far! Would really love to know what you think/any ideas you might have/theories - would love to read a review!