Countless microphones were shoved in front of Homelander, and camera flashes flickered incessantly.
Everyone was waiting for the God Among Men to speak.
Homelander slightly curled the corners of his mouth, showing his perfect smile to the camera.
"Friends from the media, as you can see, a geological disaster has just occurred in this village."
"I received an emergency distress signal from a Vought Agent and rushed to the scene immediately. Regrettably, I couldn't prevent the disaster from happening, but I couldn't stand by and watch hundreds of innocent lives fall into the abyss."
"So I did what I had to do; I brought them to safety."
"As for who they are, that doesn't matter." Homelander gave a gentle smile.
"No matter who it is, as long as they are my fellow humans in danger, I will lend a helping hand."
"Because Homelander... is always by your side!"
As his voice fell, the scene went quiet for a brief two seconds.
And then.
"Clap... clap-clap... clap-clap-clap..."
Someone started it, and the applause ignited the crowd's passion.
Whether it was the reporters, the onlookers, the heroes performing the rescue, or the rescued Inhuman villagers.
Everyone, as if by prior agreement, began to clap vigorously.
The applause thundered, echoing for a long time.
Countless ordinary citizens watching this through the live broadcast also felt a surge of emotion in their hearts.
Not a single person doubted the sincerity of those words.
Because from start to finish, this man had been using his actions to fulfill his promises.
Prompt! popularity value gained...!
With a smile, Homelander felt the influx of popularity value and frequently waved and nodded to the crowd.
"Humans truly are the most adorable creatures in the World."
He sighed sincerely from the bottom of his heart.
"Friends from the media," Homelander spoke again, "the most urgent task now is to settle the injured and the public. Vought's PR department will hold a separate press conference later to explain the situation in detail. Please do not interfere with the rescue operations on-site."
Homelander leaned down, picked Skye up in a bridal carry, and with a slight push from his feet, flew her straight toward a Vought Advanced Medical Rescue Pod parked nearby.
Seeing Homelander leave, the reporters tactfully dispersed and began pointing their cameras at the touching rescue scenes on the ground.
...
Inside the medical rescue pod.
The hatch closed slowly, shutting out all the noise from the outside.
The lighting inside was soft, and the environment was clean and spotless.
Homelander gently placed Skye on a soft medical bed.
From the moment Homelander picked her up, Skye's eyes hadn't left his face.
Homelander adjusted the backrest of the bed to make Skye more comfortable.
He noticed Skye's fixed gaze and leaned in closer, their breaths almost mingling.
"Why are you staring at me? Don't you recognize me anymore?"
Skye looked at Homelander's face so close to hers and felt the warm breath he exhaled.
Homelander's casual words seemed to flip an emotional release switch.
Skye's eyes welled up again, and she suddenly lunged forward, wrapping her arms tightly around Homelander's back and sobbing quietly.
Homelander didn't push her away, letting the girl's tears soak his suit as he gently patted her back.
"I grew up in an orphanage..." Skye sobbed, her words coming in fragments.
"They always sent me to different foster families, only to have me sent back. There was never a place where I could stay for long."
"I never used to think loneliness was that hard to bear. I told myself I could do fine on my own."
"But... but when I met them, during that time I lived with my parents... I realized how good it feels to have a family..."
Skye looked at Homelander, her face covered in tears.
"But it's all ruined! Mom wanted to kill me, and Dad killed her to save me! They're both dead!"
"I'm so scared, Anthony. I'm scared of going back to a life where I'm alone from beginning to end..."
Homelander listened quietly to Skye's lament.
After she calmed down slightly, he reached out and wiped the tear tracks from her cheeks.
"Look at me, Skye."
Skye looked at Homelander through teary eyes.
"You lost your family; it's cruel. But that doesn't mean you're alone."
Homelander's eyes were gentle, his tone sincere. He was putting his top-tier acting skills to use.
"You spent over twenty years looking for a home, thinking it was a house with a fence or some kind of blood tie."
"But you were wrong..."
Homelander's fingers gently ran through her hair.
"Home isn't a coordinate on a map. Home is the pair of hands that catches you firmly when you fall into the abyss."
"I caught you, Skye. And I don't plan on letting go..."
She could no longer suppress her instincts; she raised her hands to cup Homelander's face and kissed him passionately.
Their lips met, and their breaths mingled.
Prompt! special popularity value +30,000 gained! (From Daisy Johnson)
After a long time, the two slowly pulled apart.
Skye leaned against Homelander's chest, her breathing still a bit hurried, her cheeks flushed.
"I want to go back..." Skye said softly, "back to your side. I've found the answers I was looking for at S.H.I.E.L.D.; my mission is over."
"Of course, Vought's doors are always open to you." Homelander readily agreed, gently pinching her cheek.
"But for now, you need to lie down and recover."
"Vought's performance evaluations are very strict. Even if you plan to use your charms to get in through the back door, it depends on whether your physical strength can keep up with my high-intensity pace... Yes, work pace."
Skye was stunned for a moment, then understood the innuendo in his words.
The blush on her face spread to her ears.
She huffed, clenched her fist, and gave Homelander's firm chest a light punch.
"Why didn't I realize you were such a jerk before?"
...
On the plains outside the pod, the rescue work was nearing its end, proceeding in an orderly fashion.
With the full cooperation of the superpowered individuals and medical staff, all the trapped villagers were safely rescued.
Those with serious injuries were quickly carried onto Vought transport planes and sent directly to the Vought Advanced Medical Center for treatment.
For those with minor injuries or who were just shaken, Vought demonstrated a jaw-dropping logistical support capability.
Drones emblazoned with the V-shaped icon lined up on the nearby flat wasteland.
"Capsule deployment preparation!"
Upon command, metal capsules were dropped from the drones.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Under the stunned gazes of the Inhuman villagers, modular, fully furnished small houses rose from the ground.
In just half an hour.
On this originally barren land, a modern town capable of accommodating over a thousand people was miraculously established.
Neatly arranged solar streetlights, an automatic water purification and recycling system, and miniature generator sets—every facility was provided.
"Is this... is this still the World we know?"