Heralding Heroism

S02xE05 Protector

After having interrupted Congresswoman Neuman's speech with his own, John secretly stuck around and was listening in on an interesting conversation:

"Dad, he doesn't seem nice." A small, blond girl with green eyes told her tall father, whose eyes she inherited.

"You're absolutely right, darling", the man confirmed to his young daughter.

"So can I stab him?" The little girl asked innocently but enthusiastic.

"Sophy, you can't just go around and stab people", her father patiently explained to her, "how would you even do that? He's super durable."

As an answer, Sophy searched her bag back and produced a dagger at least the length of her arm, which her dad immediately put back in her bag back.

"From where did you take that dagger, Sophia?"

"Mommy's stash of knives. They're all so shiny after she cleans them."

"You took a knife from D.C. with you?" The man sounded incredulous.

"Yes, now can we stab the mean man? Also, why is mommy's weapons stash bigger than yours?"

"No, we won't stab Homelander and you can ask your Mom that question when we're back in D.C."

"But you and Mommy always say to stab the bad and mean things and he's mean."

"Yes, but we're talking about things like monsters. Plus, I don't need the hassle that comes with you stabbing a superhero, Sophy. So no, no stabbing him."

The girl pouted, "not even a little bit?"

"No, we're here to support Aunty Estelle's cause. You promised your sick Aunty and me you would behave, so please do so."

Homelander slowly walked towards the duo from the side, like a predator stalking prey, when he suddenly saw the man's eyes widen and heard him shouting out, "No, Sophy, no."

At first, he didn't feel anything, but suddenly there was a throbbing pain in his shoulder. He stared at the small silvery glimmering bolt in his shoulder, then back at the small girl, who held a small crossbow in her hands, while her father positioned himself protectively in front of her.

"Sophy, what did I just tell you?" The man asked calmly, not letting Homelander, who was still in shock, out of his sight.

"Not to stab him. But I didn't stab him, I shot him." The girl quite petulantly explained.

"Not, the time, darling, not the time. Where did you even get that crossbow from?"

"It was a birthday present from Aunty Thalia, but Uncle Leo made it. To use when I feel threatened."

The man sighed, "Of, course it would be those two."

"So, here's what we're going to do, Soph. You give me your first aid kit and then you run, call for Mrs O'Leary or go to your Grandfather's, whatever you reach faster. I'll find you."

The girl gave her father the kit from behind, then ran directly behind him and disappeared into the crowd that had gathered to see the injured Homelander.

The black-haired man slowly walked closer to the still dazed Homelander, but before he could reach John, the supe snapped out of his daze.

He felt his eyes heat up, and he was just about to take off in pursuit of the girl, when her father apparently noticed his intentions and rammed straight into Homelander, taking both of them down, while also pulling out the bolt of Homelander's shoulder. After a bit of a tussle, it ended with the man on top of John, the bolt hoovering over Homelander's chest, where his heart was beating.