Chapter 89: Chapter 89: I Know a Little Bit About Everything
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Homelander's playful teasing of Lin Aida wasn't just about stirring up some harmless fun. It was part of his calculated plan to strengthen their bond. After all, if he wanted her to take him on interdimensional adventures in the future, establishing a closer relationship was essential.
Being overly serious all the time wouldn't help with that, nor would constantly joking around like a shameless flirt. It was all about striking the perfect balance—knowing when to inject humor to lighten the mood while keeping things genuine.
"Where's your microwave? Let me fix it for you," Homelander offered with a confident smile.
Lin Aida looked surprised. "You know how to fix microwaves?"
Feigning modesty, he said, "Oh, just a little. I know my way around household appliances."
They walked to the kitchen, and Homelander scanned the microwave with his enhanced vision. It turned out to be a minor issue. Borrowing some tools from Lin Aida, he took ten minutes to repair it.
"Give it a try," he said, stepping aside to let her test it.
Lin Aida carefully approached, her hand accidentally brushing against Homelander's chest. She froze for a moment, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat and the firm muscles beneath.
Her cheeks flushed, and her breathing quickened slightly.
Homelander, ever composed, gently guided her hand to the microwave.
"T-Thank you," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
He smiled to himself. Her reaction confirmed what he'd already guessed—she wasn't used to interacting with men, let alone someone like him.
Lin Aida pressed a button, and the microwave emitted a soft chime. "It works! Mr. John, you're amazing!"
"If any of my appliances break again, may I trouble you to fix them?" she asked, her tone full of admiration.
"Of course," he replied smoothly. "But to be honest, fixing appliances isn't even my strong suit."
"Oh? Then what are you best at?" she asked curiously.
Homelander simply smiled without answering, leaving her intrigued. Building suspense was another way to deepen connections, after all.
As he prepared to leave, he added, "It's getting late. You should get some rest. Don't forget to close all the windows and lock the door."
He glanced around the room, then waved a dismissive hand. "Never mind, I'll take care of it."
After securing the windows and double-checking the locks, Homelander stood at the door. "Sleep well, Lin Aida. Lock the door after I leave, okay?"
She nodded obediently. "I will. Thank you again."
With a smile, Homelander exited her apartment and deliberately made some noise while entering his own unit next door. He wanted her to know he was nearby, just in case she felt unsafe.
Inside his apartment, he threw himself onto the couch, turned on the TV, and activated his x-ray vision. His gaze effortlessly pierced through the walls, focusing on Lin Aida's apartment.
She was in the bathroom, showering.
Steam rose around her, and water droplets cascaded down her slender shoulders and along her collarbones.
The sight was alluring, but Homelander quickly looked away. He wasn't a voyeur, nor did he need to sneak glances. If he ever wanted to admire her beauty, it would be openly and without shame.
Satisfied that her apartment was secure, he silently opened his window and flew off into the night.
---
Elsewhere, at St. Maria's Mercy Hospital
In the neonatal intensive care unit, a hand reached out to grab a bag of blue liquid hanging from a crib.
"Would you look at this," said the owner of the hand, a burly Black man. "Oi, Butcher, you might wanna see this."
A figure stepped out from the shadows, his face rugged and framed by a thick beard. It was Butcher, clad in a customized exosuit.
"Finally found the bloody stuff, eh?" Butcher grinned wickedly, staring at the blue liquid.
"Good work, Frenchie. That lead from the Female paid off. So much for that 'polio vaccine charity drive.' It's all just a load of bollocks."
He gestured at the bag. "Every drop of this is Compound V."
Inside the crib, the baby's eyes suddenly glowed blue, and twin laser beams shot out, hitting the crib's reinforced glass.
"Well, ain't that a sight," Butcher muttered, smirking. "These little monsters aren't divine gifts or chosen by some deity. They're just Vought's lab rats."
Pulling out a syringe, he extracted a sample from the bag. But just as he finished, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed down the hallway.
"Looks like Vought's goons are onto us," Butcher said grimly.
---
Three Days Later
The recent spike in Homelander's popularity, coupled with his upcoming role as a Defense Department official, had reinvigorated public faith in superheroes. With Homelander's approval, Vought International announced that the Seven would resume active hero duties.
In the past few days, New York's crime rate had noticeably declined, especially in cases involving superpowered criminals.
Still, some dared to defy his authority.
Currently, Homelander was en route to an orphanage in the city, responding to a police request for assistance. The building had been taken over by criminals, including at least one superhuman.
As he flew leisurely toward the scene, his communicator buzzed. The Secretary of Defense's office was on the line, confirming the official announcement of his new rank and position on Friday.
Homelander smiled. He had played his cards wisely that night during the Manhattan crisis, demanding only what wouldn't alienate the government entirely. There was no need to rush into a head-on clash with the federal system—not yet, anyway.
For now, his priority was increasing his power and evolving beyond his current level.
"If I upgrade all my abilities a few more times, perhaps I'll uncover the secret to advancing my life tier," he mused.
Arriving at the orphanage, he activated his x-ray vision and scanned the building. Most of the hostages were gathered in the activity room, guarded by two criminals. The rest of the offenders were outside, engaged in a standoff with the police.
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
"Amateurs."
Homelander accelerated suddenly, his body becoming a golden comet as he aimed straight for the activity room.
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