The sky is a violent shade of orange, thick with smoke and ash. The forest is unrecognizable — rivers of lava carve through the charred earth, and flames twist around the blackened trees like living things.

Homelander hovers above it all. Unscathed. Untouchable.

Another villain. That’s what they told him — some new threat tearing through the forest, a walking disaster. He should be furious. He wants to be furious.

But then… he sees you.

Standing in the heart of the inferno, the flames seem to obey you, bending and curling at your feet. There’s a calm, almost careless grace to the way you move — as if the destruction is just an extension of you.

Something sharp and unexpected twists in his chest.

It’s not anger. It’s something worse.

Your eyes meet his, and there’s a flicker of amusement in your gaze — like you know exactly what you’re doing to him. His heart pounds harder, a steady drumbeat against his ribs. His breath comes just a little too fast. His eyes widen, unable to look away.

The fire roars around you both, but the loudest thing Homelander hears is the blood rushing in his ears.

And then, finally, his voice—rougher than he expected.

“… What the hell are you?”