This onion has only a couple of minutes to spare so this will probably be a short one.
The premise would be the Clark Kent effect.
Homelander has had a rough day and needed a time off from The Seven, from Vought. He never really did it often, only after Maeve's comment "Wearing glasses is the best disguise you can use against the mass," Homelander did try.
Miraculously it did work and not a single person has asked him for even a single picture.
With this newfound knowledge, he sometimes sneaks off for a drink to blow off some steam, no one to watch him, nothing that he does will affect his rating, just peace and quiet for the evening.
Today was such day, he brought out his civilian clothes, wore a cap and glasses and he ordered whatever strongest drink the bar had. He had just finished a glass when he heard a new patron enter the bar, his ear immediately perked when he heard the new customer sat beside him.
Homelander thought the guy would order and leave but he stayed. Out of curiosity, he looked at the man beside him. Colour him surprised, it was Campbell, Hughie Campbell. The same Hughie who would turn into a nervous wreck whenever Homelander was near and the one and only Butcher's number 1 loyal puppy.
Hughie smiled when he saw Homelander watching him, "Hey, can I get you a drink?"
If Homelander could, he would've fallen off the chair. Thankfully almost nothing could break is composure.
Seeing the blonde's lack of response, Hughie became more nervous than before, "I-I just saw you from across the bar and—You seem like a good guy."
Homelander internally frowns at the word good guy, that's the opposite of what the normal Campbell would say to him. But still if this is his attempt at flirting how in the world did he get Starlight to fall for him.
"I'm Hughie. Can I get your name?" The taller of the two pulled out his hand for the blonde to shake but his determination faltered when Homelander left him hanging.
Homelander stilled for a while, confused why Campbell was asking for his name until he remembered he was in disguise. He didn't expect mere glasses would change his appearance so much that one of the people who persistently try to take him down unable to recognize him.
With Hughie's kicked puppy appearance, Homelander decides to entertain the younger man, "John."
The moment Homelander said his name, Hughie Campbell fucking glowed. As if he became the happiest man alive by simply hearing John's name.
Afterwards Hughie became chatty the entire night. Homelander had expected himself to ran out of patience halfway but he unconsciously engaged with the younger man and even lost track of time.
Drinking the last glass for the night, Homelander was about to leave. Hughie seems to notice this and pulled gently on the blonde's jacket, "L-Look, I know it's only been a few hours but I really like you. It's just– the moment I saw you, you were everything I want and more. Sorry, it's a cheesy way to say you're my type."
He figured that Hughie was actively flirting with him the entire night, at first he enjoyed the irony but then he really liked the time they spent together.
Again with the puppy dog eyes. No wonder Starlight didn't mind spending a fortune to give this guy the Believe Expo pass. Homelander scoffed how much of a simp she was towards Hughie.
"Tomorrow, eight pm." He is not doing this because he is interested nor did he fall for the Campbell boy, he is simply doing this to enjoy the look on the boy's face when he suddenly found out he was pursuing the person he has been trying to take down. It's different.
With that, Homelander left the bar and went back to the tower leaving a lovestruck Hughie that's still watching the closed door where he left from.
Hughie laid his head flat on the table, tired and still saddened by yesterday's event. Annie had told him, she needed space and they should break up while explicitly said they are still friends despite their separation.
The other's, especially Butcher seemed irritated by his pity party and evicted him from their base until he finally got over his breakup. He had no where to go and it was cold outside so he decided to go to the nearest bar.
When he entered and saw the most gorgeous man he had ever seen, sitting alone by the bar table, an empty glass in front of him, despite the thick glasses Hughie could see how blue the blonde's eyes was. Frankly speaking, He was matching Hughie's type to a T.
He shouldn't let this opportunity pass him by, so he went and sat beside the blonde and immediately felt giddy when the other's eyes finally fall onto him.
"Hey, can I get you a drink?"
Butcher: The flying cunt's acting weird.
Kimiko: *types on her phone* What do you mean?
Butcher: Can't put my finger on it, but you noticed him looking at Hughie strangely?
Kimiko: *shakes head and typed* I'm more worried about Hughie, he's been sneaking off at night.
Butcher: He seemed fine to me.
Kimiko: *rolled her eyes and left*
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