Homelander: New Legacy

[170] : Thor's Gaming Room

~ Support & Read 15 Advanced Chapters on My Patreon!

<><><><>

"It seems you're quite clever."

Roger raised his hand to pat Ryan's head, smiling as he spoke.

Ryan looked down and said, "I've never met you before, but every time Mom or Billy mentions you, they get really upset. And Mom's attitude..."

Ryan turned back to look at Becca, who was standing quietly, avoiding his gaze.

Becca remained silent, her eyes fixed on the floor as if something fascinating was there.

Ryan turned back to Roger and asked, "So, are you really my dad?"

"Hmm, half and half," Roger replied.

"What does that mean?"

"In terms of blood, yes. But from a consciousness perspective, we're not really connected."

"...Is that because of what's said in the news?"

Ryan asked, confused.

Roger's backstory—his origins as Homelander and all the things he had done—had been made public after Roger revealed he was from a parallel universe.

His deeds, his rise and fall, and his eventual transformation were now well-known to anyone interested in gossip. Movies and animated adaptations about Homelander portrayed him as a full-fledged villain, irredeemable and reviled.

Ryan, having heard his classmates and friends discuss these details often, was quite familiar with the story. He also knew that the person standing before him, who resembled Homelander, was actually an otherworldly Superman.

Though they looked alike and had the same powers, they weren't the same person.

But if that were true, Ryan thought, then biologically, they shouldn't be related either.

Roger patiently explained:

"It's not just that. Hmm... let's put it in simple terms. Think of it as a split personality."

"A split personality?"

"Different consciousnesses within the same body... though that explanation might still be confusing for you."

Seeing Ryan's puzzled expression, Roger knew his explanation hadn't landed.

Skipping further clarification, Roger said, "Forget about that. Just think of me as an uncle you're related to—or maybe a godfather."

"Can't I call you Dad...?"

"Well, I wouldn't stop you, but maybe we should skip that. After all, your dad is over there. Why? Do you dislike him?"

Roger pointed toward Butcher, noting Ryan's downcast expression with curiosity.

Was it something Butcher had done to upset Ryan? Or was it just that Ryan didn't like the idea of a non-biological father?

That seemed unlikely. In the U.S., blood ties weren't overly emphasized. Even without blood relations, family members generally treated each other well. Otherwise, there wouldn't be so many movies emphasizing the mantra of "family comes first."

"It's not that I dislike him..." Ryan said softly. "It's just that he scares me."

"Why?"

"...I just find him scary. The way he looks at me is different from how Mom does. He doesn't like me."

Ryan's voice was barely audible.

Children are sensitive, often acutely aware of others' attention and attitudes.