Homelander: New Legacy

[168] : The Meeting

~ Support & Read 15 Advanced Chapters on My Patreon!

<><><><>

"I didn't hear you were coming back."

When Roger personally visited Butcher's home, the first thing Butcher said as he opened the door, still lying lazily on his couch watching TV, was that.

Roger gave him a polite smile and replied, "I couldn't exactly broadcast to the world that I'm back, could I? So, it's been a while, and you're not going to let me in for a chat?"

"If I had my way, I'd prefer you turn around and leave right now..."

"I'll take that as a yes."

Ignoring Butcher's protests, Roger brushed past him and entered the house.

Butcher stood at the door, glaring at Roger with his usual unfriendly expression, but in the end, he didn't throw him out. Instead, he shut the door and went back to his couch to continue watching his adult films.

Roger watched Butcher for a while and then said, "You've changed a lot, haven't you?"

"I don't feel like I've changed much at all. You're here to see Ryan, aren't you? Sorry, it's his day off. He and Becca went to the amusement park. You'll have to wait until the evening."

Butcher replied offhandedly while flipping through TV channels.

Roger pressed on, "Why aren't you at work today?"

"I already told you it's my day off. Are you having trouble understanding English?"

Butcher shot him an annoyed look, his tone sharp. His attitude toward Roger had never been friendly, even knowing he was a 'parallel world' version of Homelander.

Of course, that could be because he never truly believed Roger's story about coming from another world.

Roger, used to Butcher's hostility, wasn't offended. At least Butcher's attitude had improved somewhat—he hadn't filled the air with vulgarities and insults about Roger's family as he used to.

Roger had already noticed some significant changes in Butcher.

Firstly, his disheveled appearance was gone. His bushy beard was neatly shaved, and he wore casual home clothes—none of the gruff, edgy look that defined Butcher from The Boys.

Secondly, his language had changed.

The profanity had decreased noticeably. Since Roger had entered, Butcher hadn't dropped a single F-bomb. It was clear that Becca's return had prompted him to work on his image.

Most importantly, Roger could see something else: a change in Butcher's body. The man now seemed to possess superpowers.

"You injected Compound V?"

Roger asked.

Most of the Compound V supply had been destroyed, but the technology to produce it remained intact. Tek Knight could easily produce functional batches if he wished.

Roger wasn't curious about where it came from. He was more intrigued that Butcher, who had always despised superhumans, had willingly injected himself to become one.

"Blame that goddamn superhero association of yours. I've been honored with the title of honorary chairman. Without powers, how else do you expect me to deal with those bloody superheroes?"

Butcher looked as if he wanted to swear, but he swallowed the F-word at the last moment and snapped at Roger in annoyance.

Roger now understood that the members of The Boys, including Butcher, had found a new purpose within the superhero association that had been established.