James Norrington

No visitors please..

"Somehow... I highly doubt that, young lady. "

"Even if true, the fact you've not the decency to clean up your work establishment shows a starkly obvious lack of discipline or pride in ones work or suroundings"

Ashley smiles and huffs a small laugh, “I’m very lucky that I have her to filter most of it out.”

She leans back against her desk, sitting on the edge and giving him a kind look. She knows that camaraderie isn’t a very common thing for James.

“But, refreshments and a chat sounds lovely, James. I agree, I- we are probably one of the few people capable of understanding the tiring business of hearing far too much and far too little all at once.”

She gets almost a sheepish look, arms crossing a bit, “I never ever admitted to this if someone asks but no one wants to be friends with the boss so friends are… difficult to find. Someone to confide in sounds nice.”

“Then it is settled.” His hands folded lightly behind his back. “Homelander has a photoshoot tomorrow at one,” he continued. “He will be occupied in the photography studio for a few hours and due to my micromanaging when it comes to him, well, lets just say I'm no longer permitted in the room during.” A chuckle followed by a small, almost knowing glance toward her.

“We can take lunch during that window. ”

Then Ashley's confession settled between them. No one wants to be friends with the boss. And James' expression became strangely understanding.

“Ah.” The single syllable carried recognition. “Yes. I know that particular affliction rather well.”

His gaze drifted briefly toward the windows overlooking the city.

“When one occupies a position of authority, every conversation becomes suspect. Every kindness acquires an ulterior motive. Every compliment invites the question of what is being sought in return.”

A faint breath escaped him he doesn't need.

“People become very comfortable working for you. Depending upon you. Fearing you, occasionally.”

His eyes returned to hers.

“But friendship is another matter entirely.”

There was no bitterness in his voice. Only experience.

“One eventually discovers that very few people are willing to speak honestly to someone they perceive as being above them. Fewer still are willing to disagree. And those who can do both without fear or ambition are exceedingly rare.”

The corner of his mouth lifted.

“So no, Ashley. I do not find that admission embarrassing in the slightest. I find it understandable.” James sounded less like Homelander's assistant and more like a man speaking from personal experience.

“Everyone needs at least one person they needn't perform for.”

Yet he allowed James to take the reins, to talk to Ryan. Because he knew what to say, knew how to put it best that it wouldn’t come across as rude or patronising. But totally understanding.

John was honestly shocked to know Ryan cared. He hadn’t ever expected it after their history, never assumed he’d get that kind of treatment. James, perhaps. But not him. He stood there silent, processing what happened, watching as James took over to soothe the situation and to offer comfort. He always knew how to handle things best. Always knew what to say, what to do.

Eventually, John spoke. “After our history, I never assumed you’d care. Never thought you would. I’ve never expected it. If anything, I expected you to care about James and form a bond with him, but I didn’t expect that to extend to me.” He admitted honestly. “I suppose I have myself to blame for that. It’s what I deserve. Just know, I’ll always be there regardless. The fierce way I am protecting James? I’d be the exact same with you. Because I finally have this sense of family, a real family, that Vought hadn’t manipulated and twisted for their own gain. One that I found, one that grew and developed on its own. And I would give my life to protect it and every single member.”

John stayed put, wanting James to be that comfort, to get that hug. He was content stating his peace so Ryan knew where he stood when it came to John and those he cared for.

"...I do care," the voice was tiny, so quiet that if all three of them didn't possess supernatural hearing, nobody would have heard it, "I really do care,"

He tries not to sob as he holds James tighter. He didn't wanna seem weak or childish.

"I'm sorry," he whispers, "I didn't mean... just because..." he groans, "I'm terrible at this,"

When John speaks, Ryan slowly looks at him from James's embrace before reaching out and grabbing his arm, tugging.

Come here.

When John moves closer, Ryan holds on, "I'm sorry," he whispers, more to John now.

"Just because I love my fathers, or my siblings, doesn't mean I don't love you," he whispers after a few beats of silence, "Just because I love Grandpa doesn't mean I don't love you. I wish we could all be one big happy family, but I know we can't,"

He hides away a bit more, "I don't wanna hurt Grandpa, but I don't want him to hurt either of you. I wish I had solutions, I wish I had the power to stop him or calm him down...but I don't,"

Ryan sniffs, "I hate that I have to always choose! I don't wanna choose! It sucks, and someone always ends up hurt! I don't wanna hurt anyone!!"

Ryan sniffs again, "....I don't wanna hurt anyone..."

James wrapped his arms around Ryan the moment the boy stepped into them, holding him firmly as one hand moved in slow circles across his back. At the tiny, trembling admission that he did care, James pressed a gentle kiss to the top of Ryan's head and let out the faintest sigh. "Shh, it's alright, there there dear Ryan. "

Lifting his gaze briefly to John, James offered a small, understanding smile. "It seems the apple doesn't fall far from the tree after all. John assumed you could never care for him because of your history. Ryan assumed we somehow knew he cared despite doing everything possible to hide it. None of us bothered to verify what the others were actually feeling."

His attention returned fully to Ryan as he continued rubbing his back. "You needn't apologize for loving your grandfather," he said quietly. "Nor for caring about your father... or.... me for that matter. Those things are not mutually exclusive." His expression softened further. "No one is asking you to choose between your family. No one is asking you to stop loving one person in order to love another. And no one is asking you to hurt anyone... at least we're not" James had definitely tone down Homelander after being with him so long. At that, his eyes flicked deliberately toward John before returning to Ryan, making certain the point was understood by everyone present.

"You don't have to fight if you don't want to," James continued. "Nor do you have to carry responsibility for solving this alone, either. Your grandfather's choices are his own, just as ours are ours." He gave Ryan's shoulders a gentle squeeze. "What matters is that you care—and despite your best efforts to conceal it, that much is finally obvious. So stop worrying about choosing sides for a moment and simply let yourself be our son. We can face the rest together, as a family."

He wraps an arm around Homelander too now, when Ryan pulled him in to the embrace and it was a three person hug. Which if Soldier boy was there would absolutely make fun of them for. ( Maybe Mirrorlander too )

Even as an immortal, blood sucking vampire, Hughie still managed to get babied in one way or another. James smiled softly, unperturbed; in Hughie's anger and frustration, it almost came across as insultingly amused.

“Do you truly believe this is easier on me?” he asked.

There was amusement in his voice, but not mockery.

“Hughie, you have been glaring at me for the better part of ten minutes. You are not making a compelling argument for changing my mind, I'm afraid.” Another faint chuckle. “In fact, you are demonstrating precisely why someone ought to keep an eye on you.”