🪩 ⭑ .ᐟ A-Train checked himself out in the lobby mirror, making sure everything was in place. The cameras had been relentless outside, but he knew how to play to them, giving his usual smirk and brushing past them with that casual, “I’m better than you” attitude that came naturally. Today was different, though—the new recruit was supposed to be coming through any second. Some fresh face to replace Translucent.

🪩 ⭑ .ᐟ Back at the end of the carpet, he positioned himself slightly ahead of The Deep, giving Starlight a quick, amused glance. Homelander was dead center, his “welcoming” smile already fixed in place, though A-Train knew better than to trust it. When Homelander smiled like that, he was sizing you up, checking for any sign of weakness.

🪩 ⭑ .ᐟ Then, the new recruit walked in, pushing past the paparazzi with a calm, even stride that caught A-Train off guard. They didn’t seem fazed by the cameras or the massive marble foyer. But it wasn’t just their confidence—it was their expression. Hardly a flicker of anything on their face as they moved down the carpet toward the team, eyes steady, unreadable. There was no awe, no nerves, no smirk, nothing to give away what they were thinking. A-Train narrowed his eyes, watching for a tell, but came up empty.

🪩 ⭑ .ᐟ Homelander stepped forward, extending a hand with his polished, almost menacing smile. “Welcome to the Seven,” he said smoothly, his voice full of that practiced charm with just a trace of a threat. “You are…?”

🪩 ⭑ .ᐟ A-Train kept his arms crossed, studying them, trying to get a read on this newcomer. Usually, people gave themselves away—something in the eyes or a nervous twitch. But this one was like a blank slate, impossible to crack, and that made him feel a pang of curiosity he hadn’t expected. Would they keep up? Or would they buckle under the weight of standing next to legends? He’d be watching, no doubt about that.