Colors || Homelander

Set in Stone

Emery took an uneasy breath and turned up a second flute of cheap champagne. Office parties were a shit storm waiting to happen, but unlike last year she was not able to decline. For whatever reason, she was not sure. All she knew was that there were eyes on her; too many. The nosy fucks, as if she were that bizarre. As a civilian in a world of super-powered beings she didn't believe she warranted such attention, but alas her name seemed to be on everyone's lips. She had an idea as to why, but honestly, it was filling her with so much dread.

"You look uncomfortable," pointed out a familiar voice.

A woman in a black Chiffon dress walked over to Emery. Her blonde hair was pinned up so tight that she looked to be much older than she was.

Emery averted her eyes. Seeing her grinning face pissed her off.

"I am, but I guess seeing me like this is a real treat for you, Madelyn."

The said woman grunted.

"Don't be like that. You know damn well it isn't. I didn't invite you here to make a spectacle out of you."

Emery raised a brow, facing her.

"Then what did you invite me here for?" She asked.

"For starters, you are my sister. I hate seeing you hide in my shadow when you are just as important to this company as I am," Madelyn explained. "And lastly, you are Director of Advertising. Every fucking hero in this room is a client of yours. If not for you, then they'd have no fanbase. It wouldn't hurt you to show your face every once in a while."

To an extent she was right. Emery was just as important as her sister, albeit Madelyn was the Senior Vice President of Vought International's Hero Management. When people saw The Seven, they saw Madelyn. No one ever saw Emery hidden behind her computer, and she liked it that way. It made no sense to her for Madelyn to drag her from her office into the limelight, unless the said woman wanted something.

"What do you want?"

Madelyn grinned.

"Have you ever met Homelander?"

Why would she ask that? Emery widened her eyes. She knew the answer to that.

"I've never met any of The Seven. I just sell their shit."

"That's a shame," Madelyn stated. She gestured over her shoulder. "Come on then. I bet he'd be eager to meet you."

Emery doubted it. Though she'd be lying if she said she wasn't curious about what sort of person he was like. He always seemed polite enough on TV.

"Just pop in and say hello," Madelyn furthered. "Then you can go back to being a wallflower."

Emery grunted.

"Lead the way."

Taking her across the room to an eager group of Vought employees, Madelyn cleared her throat. Emery hadn't noticed before because of the crowd, but when they moved aside for her, Homelander stood in the center; ever the popular one. How could he stand the attention? It was like a plastic bag over the face.

Once he saw the queen bee his eyes lit up.

"Madelyn."

Her name on his tongue was nothing short of praise.

The said woman linked her arm with his and ushered him away from the group.

"I need to borrow him a moment then you can have him back."

A choir of awkward laughter followed her comment forcing Emery to snort. Her sister truly was good at playing the game.

Bringing Homelander over to her, Emery noticed just how tall he was in person. She barely came up to his shoulders. It was a bit intimidating but she faked a smile and did her best not to appear uneasy under his belittling glance. She could tell he was not at all eager to meet her as Madelyn had said.

"You two have never met before," the said woman mentioned. "But this is my sister, Emery."

Homelander widened his eyes.

"No kidding. You didn't tell me you had a sister."

He offered Emery his hand.

"Don't take it personally. Madelyn is extremely reserved," she mentioned as she took it.

"And Emery doesn't much like the spotlight," the said woman retorted with a grin.

She was right; no harm done.

Homelander hummed.

"Wow. I am ... speechless."

So was Emery. Just what was her sister thinking?

To her horror, Madelyn brought up her finger and faked a gasp.

"I almost forgot; I need to make a call."

She excused herself from their company, leaving the two alone. Emery was mortified but at least Homelander wasn't looking at her in ridicule anymore. She remained quiet watching him rock on his heels a moment before he cleared his throat.

"Do you work here too?" Homelander asked.

"I'm the Director of Advertising," Emery answered.

She felt so exposed; it was humiliating.

"So you're the one that makes me look good on posters and whatnot. I have a big fanbase," Homelander said with a laugh.

Was he compensating for something?

"Oh yeah. Your every middle-aged woman's wet dream," Emery remarked.

For a moment she thought she might have insulted him, but instead of a look of annoyance, Homelander snorted.

"You don't say."

Emery felt her face heat up. For fuck's sake. Did he think she was flirting with him? She cleared her throat.

"It was an honor to meet you, but I need to go. Madelyn pressured me into coming here tonight and I have so much work to do."

"I imagine," Homelander uttered.

Emery faked a smile and turned, hurrying through the crowd to the door. She just wanted to go home. Screw Madelyn. She forced her into a meeting with Homelander on purpose. But why? What in the hell was she trying to do?

"He's handsome, but damn is he intimidating," she uttered to herself.

Grabbing her coat from the attendant near the elevator, Emery took it to the underground garage. Once the doors opened she hurried to where her car was parked and searched for her keys. No one was around to hear her shout when she realized that she had forgotten her purse. It must have gotten misplaced.

"Fuck!"

Emery turned around, heading back to the elevator, but the sound of footsteps caught her attention. Was someone down there with her?

To her horror, someone suddenly shoved her to the ground. Emery landed on her stomach, crying out as a sharp pain struck her side. She tried to push up on her hands, but again and again, someone kicked her. Fuck it hurt so bad. She choked on her breath, angling her neck to look up at her assailant, but the moment she did, the toe of a boot struck her face knocking her head back; blood spurted from her mouth.

Then with another kick to the head, her world went dark.