𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐎𝐕𝐀

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 | 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐄

"You should really have a night out," A-Train said. "I know a great club."

I looked at him, caught off guard by the casual suggestion. After everything I had been through, a night out was the last thing on my mind. But A-Train's grin was infectious, and the way he leaned back in the chair, so relaxed, as if nothing in the world could faze him, made it hard to say no.

"You look like you could use a break," he added, his voice smooth, like he was selling me the idea more than offering it. "C'mon, all work and no play? You'll go crazy in this place."

He wasn't wrong. I had been wound so tightly lately, constantly on edge, navigating the minefield that was Vought and its twisted power dynamics. I had spent so much energy putting on the façade of Supernova, keeping my emotions locked down, trying to move past the horror of Homelander's lesson. Maybe a night out, a distraction, was exactly what I needed.

"Okay," I said, surprising myself as much as him. "One night."

A-Train's grin widened. "That's what I'm talking about! We'll hit up this Supe nightclub I know. It's exclusive, just the right crowd, you know? Good music, good vibes, no stress. I'll text you the details."

Before I could second-guess my decision, he was gone, the door closing behind him with a faint click, leaving me standing there, wondering what I had just agreed to.

I stood there for a moment, replaying the conversation in my head. A night out in a Supe nightclub with A-Train seemed like the last thing I needed, yet the promise of "no stress" was tempting. After everything that had happened, maybe some time away from Vought Tower—away from Homelander—would help me clear my head.

As I stared at the closed door, still unsure of my decision, the sound of heels clicking against the marble floor caught my attention. I turned to see Starlight and Queen Maeve approaching. Their presence was a welcome sight; Starlight's radiant glow and Maeve's powerful, confident stride filled the room with a sense of calm and strength that I had been desperately missing.

"Hey, we heard A-Train stopped by," Starlight said, her voice light but tinged with concern. "What's going on?"

I shrugged, trying to sound nonchalant. "He's dragging me to some Supe nightclub tonight. I don't know, maybe I just need a break."

Maeve raised an eyebrow, her sharp eyes catching the slight hesitation in my voice. "A night out with A-Train? Are you sure that's a good idea? He's not exactly known for his... stable decision-making."

I sighed, leaning back against the wall, feeling the weight of the last few days pressing down on me. "Honestly, I don't know. But after everything with Homelander... I just need to get out of here for a while. Clear my head."

Starlight exchanged a glance with Maeve before stepping closer, her expression softening. "What happened between you two?"

The memory of Homelander raping me in his office played in my head. It only happened last night and it felt like a lifetime.

The weight of Starlight's question hit me like a freight train. I hadn't spoken about it. I hadn't allowed myself to think too much about it, afraid that if I did, it would become too real. But there it was, the memory I had been trying so desperately to bury, resurfacing with a vengeance. Homelander. His cold eyes. His cruelty. The violation.

I felt my throat tighten, a familiar burning sensation creeping up, threatening to take control. My hands started to tremble, but I clenched my fists, digging my nails into my palms to stop the shaking.

"Nothing," I muttered, my voice barely audible. "It's nothing. I just... need to get out of here."

Maeve and Starlight exchanged another look, this one more serious, more knowing. They weren't buying my attempt at deflection, but they didn't press me on it either. Not yet. Instead, Maeve stepped forward, her tone gentle but firm.