#bombsight

"This is all temporary, Ben! We're nothing more than glorified puppets, cogs in a machine we don't truly understand. Why can't you see that?"

"We didn't go through all that shit to sit pretty on our asses doing nothing. We're meant to do something with these powers. To be great. Clara gets that, why can't you get it through your thick fucking skull?"

"Shut the fuck up, don't even get me started on her, she's obviously playing with you. Tell me, how many times did she tell them to lock you in the radiation room, hmm?"

“It made me stronger—”

“It was torture—”

"You don't know shit—"

"I know enough. And I'm telling you Benjamin, these people don't truly have your back. They wouldn't even spit on you if you were on fire. Keep going down this path and it's only going to lead you towards a sad and lonely life."

"Where ya off to?"

He didn't even realize he'd sat up, forgetting where he was for a moment as he got lost in the memory before grumbling out a short response and leaving the room.

Off to find more answers, in fucking LA of all places. Great.

Surely the universe must be messing with him.

"The fuck did you just say?" He growls, holding Mister Marathon's leg in his grasp.

He groans in pain, voice strained. "I'm telling you man, only person who'd know where fucking Bombsight's at is Nova and she's even harder to track. The average person doesn't even know she exists, only the most dedicated collectors do."

Ben clenches his jaw, getting lost in his thoughts before Homelander appears, crushing Marathon's head with his foot. "What happened?"

"I took care of it." He grouses. "No lead on Bombsight, cocksucker was full of shit. Means we gotta find him on our own for the V1."

Homelander says something he tunes out, his thoughts only focused on his next move, on finding you.

the past

Ben lived on the edge of a wealthy neighborhood growing up, despite whatever lies Vought sold the public about rags to riches.

It was always riches.

Located right next to a little group of smaller houses, the closest one being yours. You'd met when you were thirteen, when he caught you climbing one of the trees in his backyard for an apple red handed, literally.

He didn't snitch though, instead helping you down and asking for your name. You weren't sure why you trusted him with it, he wasn't sure why he kept your cover, but that had been the start of an unlikely friendship.

Where he was met with coldness and dismissal at home and at school, he found warmth and solace with you.

Soft, kind, humble—you were everything he felt he couldn't be. As the time passed and the world hardened around him, he did too. But not you. You remained gentle, compassionate. It made sense you decided to become a nurse, to help as many people as you could.

Somewhere along the way in your dynamic there was a shift. Years of something unspoken between the two of you coming to light when one of his comrades asked if you were married.

An uncomfortable feeling churned in his gut, sour taste in his mouth at the thought of anyone else with you. He realized then, what he felt for you was beyond simple friendship. Not that he'd admit it first.

But lucky for him he didn't have to, seeing as you kissed him first that same night on the roof of the building, under the beautiful night sky.

It was mutual, you were happy...for about three years. The period of calm before the series of raging storms.

Because he got the call about his mom in January of 1944, and it was downhill from there—the beginning of the end.

His father grew even more resentful, more bitter, after his wife's passing. And no matter what you'd say you couldn't ward off the thoughts of doubt, hurt and shame swirling within him at his father's disappointment.

He decided to enlist in the Army, make him proud, just like his brother. There was only a slight hesitation at the sight of your tears, but it wasn't enough to deter him fully. Not even when you expressed deep concerns at the revelation of the experiment he'd be participating in.

"Ben are you sure about this? It's dangerous."

"It'll be worth it, you'll see. It's gonna work."

"M'not worried about it working, I'm worried about you. Ben these are experiments, they're going to be pumping you full of god knows what. It'll probably hurt like hell, and who knows if you'll even survive." Your voice cracks at the last word, a tear making it's way down your cheek. "It's not worth your life, baby."

He brings a hand up to your cheek, wiping the droplets with his thumb gently. "Come with me. I'm sure they're in need of nurses, I can talk to them. You can watch over me yourself, see that I'll be fine."

You bit your wobbling lip in contemplation. It's not like you had roots tying you down here anyway, nothing major keeping you to the town besides Ben.

That made your choice for you.

And he was right, they were in need of another nurse. So you followed him to Fort Harmony, a place you grew to despise fairly quick.

Clara Vought, wife of Dr. Fredrick. She made it clear she didn't like you the moment you met. Watching you move with disdain, always a snarky remark to make, indulging in your stress and slight fear. It was highlighted especially when the day came for Ben to get injected with the Compound V.

He was terrified, there was no hiding it. You've all heard the echoing screams, the wails coming from down the hallway. Quinn mocked him from the other side of the room as you fastened Ben's restraints, making sure they weren't too tight on him.

"Quinn hush, you're getting injected next, if I were you I wouldn't be laughing." The monotonousness of your voice is what actually makes him quiet down. During your time here you were never unkind to anyone, always speaking with clarity and sincerity to both staff and patients (you were also the only who who called them that, everyone else referring to them as subjects).

Your voice softens when you lean down to whisper at Ben. "You want me to get you out?"

He shook his head no. "M'fine."

You run a gentle hand through his hair, soothing him with a kiss on his forehead. "I'm right here, okay? Not going anywhere."

The moment is interrupted when Clara walks in, a few scientists trailing behind her. She scowls at the sight of you so close to him, eyeing you with disgust. "It's time." She tightens his restrains, much to your chagrin, scolding you for leaving them 'so loose'.

"Actually I don't think you even need to be in here right now, I'm administering the dose." She quips, but Dr. Vought himself intervenes. "Leave her, Clara. The calmer he is the better, needs to save his strength to get through this successfully."

She glares at you, and you hold eye contact before focusing on Ben again instead, a hand on his arm and one atop his head, resting gently to soothe him, for support. Five minutes later they pumped the blue liquid into his veins.

His screams tore right through you. Agonizing sounds ripping from his throat, painful spasming from under the straps. You kept your hands on his skin the whole time, careful not to reach for his hand despite how much you wanted to. He'd completely crush it, no doubt.

It went on for minutes, as the poison got acquainted with his system. Your gentle hands were his anchor, grounding him in a way everybody could see. In which the previous subject was already convulsing half to death by now, Ben was holding strong, leaned into your orbit as the waves of pain kept washing over him.

And when it's done, he passes out quietly, successfully. He survived, and the gears in Mr. and Mrs. Vought's heads began to turn.

Clara had her husband with her when she was getting injected, and Ben had you. They determined the key was keeping the subjects' heart calm enough to withstand what it was getting put through with the serum.

So you found yourself with a new assignment—keeping the patients calm during the injection process. Granted it wasn't the same, you and Ben loved each other and had years of history behind you. These other people you didn't even know.

But your kindness made all the difference. With each person, you were gentle, patient. You explained the process so they could brace for it, kept a soothing hand on their shoulder.

Quinn ended up wetting himself, but you didn't mock him for it.

The blonde woman started having a panic attack, and you calmed her down by talking in her ear the whole time, reassuring and comforting.

There was the guy with light brown hair and eyes blue enough to rival the liquid in the vial who managed pretty well, being the only one to muster up enough energy to thank you before passing out.

The last man was startlingly quiet, in comparison to the others. He didn't say anything as you prepped him, opting to try and contain himself during the procedure, helped massively by your arm rubbing circles on his shoulder for support, though he wouldn't admit it then.

In between it all you would look after Ben, observing his vitals, his progress and recovery. It was on you to make sure he was stable enough before they continued with any sort of test.

Clara disagreed, wanting to start immediately but her husband refused, agreeing with you about how important it was to take their time. The best food is made over time on a low simmer, my dear. He told her in their native language, and it only enraged her against you more.

She hated you and your softness, thought it made you weak, nothing more than a fucking liability. So she brought in one more subject, without Fredrick's approval.

He'd gone to an important meeting in the city, and she brought in some random civilian—enticing him with her looks and her voice, vaguely promising great things. She ordered you specifically to administer the dose, much to your confusion, parting from Ben with the promise to come back. The feeling only intensifying when you didn't see Dr. Vought in the room.

"It's not your job to wonder, it's your job to be a fucking nurse." She'd snapped when you asked, and you swallowed your remark with a glare and clenched teeth.

Clara "secured" his restraints as you prepare the needle, leaning down to whisper in his ear. "Might not be the best time to tell you, but she's about to inject you with something that's going to hurt. Really bad. Those screams you hear down the hall? It's because of this, because of her."

The man looks worried, and scared. Weary as she moves away and you approach. You ease him, same as you've been doing, but once he spots the needle inching closer to his arm he panics.

He breaks out of the loose restraint, grabbing your arm mid air. You're caught off guard, gasping in surprise and pain at his iron grip. In his fright, he takes the syringe from your hand after freeing his other one and jabs it into your chest, pushing the serum in.

It burns instantly, making you stumble back and fall over in agony. You scream so loud and so long it burns your throat, the pained sound ringing throughout the facility.

All the others look around in confusion, but Ben recognizes your voice in a second. He rushes out of his room, shoving off anyone in his way. Though everyone slowed when they realized he wasn't trying to escape, he was going straight to where you were within the facility.

Clara smirks at the sight of you before slipping the mask back on, shooting the man in the head before he can utter another word. Ben rushes in seconds later, zeroing in on your convulsing form on the floor. "Hey hey hey, it's okay, you're okay."

You thrash in his arms, tears running down your face nonstop, sweat soaking your forehead and small pained whimpers escaping your scratchy throat. He angrily looks up, "What the fuck happened?"

She feigns bewilderment, "I-I don't know, he broke out of his restraints and injected her with the serum instead, must've been crazier than we thought. And you know how careless she can be with the straps." She couldn't help but add in that last bit of snark, and he nearly growls in anger.

He holds you through it, reassuring you the same way you did for everyone else. After what feels like an eternity you slump in his arms, looking at him through bleary eyes for a moment. He knows you want to say something, he just nods and kisses your cheek gently understanding you can't get the words out. "I'm sorry." He whispers against you, before you pass out in his embrace.

There wasn't really a choice from there, seeing as you survived. You were now officially one of their test subjects.

Fredrick was furious, snapping at Clara for being so reckless, so stupid. And unfortunately her frustrations and anger with him, she took out on you.

You were held in a different sector, isolated from the others despite Ben's protests."You both need to focus, to get stronger, better. Believe me, you are the ultimate expression of what we could be, darling. You cannot grow, cannot blossom into your full potential if you're running to each other every time we need to run a test. Just be patient, it will all work out. I take care of you, don't I? I'll take care of her." She purred into his ears.

And he believed it.

He didn't know her plans for you were different. Sadistic.

She did to you things she wouldn't do to the others—beatings, other injections, radiation, various methods of torture. It was fun for her, your pain and suffering. A month in you would beg her to end it. Pleading for the sweet release of death, anything would be better than the anguish she was putting you through everyday. She'd just smile at you, condescending, mocking you at every opportunity.

"Adapt or die, sweetheart."

It was a complete 180 with Ben.

Without you the others got stuck with colder nurses. Ones who were only there for the money, or the mission. Nobody with your compassion. So Clara would use that to her advantage, manipulating who she could.

She was a wolf in sheep's clothing, sending them to the radiation chamber then feigning concern as if she wasn't the one who ordered it. Then she'd pander to their ego.

You're doing so much better than everyone.

You are meant to do great things.

All eyes will be on you.

Ben and Robbie ate it up the most, Angel gained her confidence, Quinn remained skeptical and Torpedo, well, remained quiet. Hard to get a read on that one.

But of course, she bit off more than she could fucking chew.

Months of everything she was doing to you, your abilities developed, solidified into something they could no longer control. It got to the point she couldn't hurt you anymore, couldn't kill you.

Not for a lack of trying, she got very creative.

Until you finally snapped.

She had you strapped against a diagonal platform, facing a massive ray. Laser. Powerful. Heat blast. You heard the scientists muttering.

Fredrick was in the room for once, observing. He usually focus on the others, letting his wife take the lead on your project. But he decided to stick around, being so close to the release date—the start of the next phase for Vought.

Everyone else was ready. Now it was time to see if you were too.

With her thick accent, Clara starts presenting you like cattle at an auction, a cold sadistic smile on her face. She powers up the massive ray after her spiel, after everyone's made it a safe distance, and it beams onto you.

You scream, the blast burning your chest enough for you to feel it, but not enough to penetrate your skin somehow. After a moment the air shifts—from somewhere within yourself you feel an energy pulse and release, amplified by your emotion. With a yell you snap from the restraints, focusing your power on the ray still blasting you.

Everyone watches in abject shock how you slowly turn the red hue into blue, slowing down it's effects, freezing it. Fredrick turns the machine off before it implodes, though it'll never work again.

With a purple flash you teleport directly in front of Clara, scooping her up by the neck and shoving her against the wall with a sharp crack, the concrete breaking from the force.

You begin choking her out, the guards shooting at you.

But the bullets merely roll off you. Even with her enhanced strength, she was no match for yours and your rage. She tries using her powers but can't focus with the disruption of her air supply, and she was starting to grow more and more desperate until—

"Let her go, or Benjamin dies."

From her left, Fredrick holds up a small remote. "One button and they kill him on my orders. They're not all as durable as you, we have our ways. Release my wife now."

Reluctantly you drop her, and she crumbles to the floor with a gasp.

"Y-you fuckin-g, bitch." She stutters out, and you scoff, teleporting across a safe distance from everyone in that room.

"Clearly, you can't kill me anymore. And if you do kill him, I burn down everything the two of you have built, I can promise you that. I have more than enough fucking motive." You spit, watching him help her up, a pensive look on his face. He knew you were right. They both did.

And you'd found yourselves at a stalemate, having to make a truce.

They would leave you and Ben alone, wouldn't hurt him. You'd have to play nice with Vought, be civil in return. Especially in front of the public.

You were released to a small house in a designated neighborhood, the only people on the block being the ones who survived the trials. It's for public safety, they said. But you know it's actually about control.

The second the door clicked shut, Ben was on you. Pouring months of separation, longing and love into every kiss, every touch, every press of his skin on yours. Relishing in your shared strength, in how passionately you could get reacquainted with one another, without the fear of injury.

For him, it was celebratory.

For you, much needed affection.

And for just a week, you lived in tranquility—closest thing to it before this whole mess anyway. Then he got a call from home, about his brother.

He went to war with a heart full of grief. It's like a flip in him, switched. And he focused on his power, the things he could control.

You hardly saw him as the time passed, Vought having him run around for their propaganda and whatnot with the rest of the team, the one you weren't publicly a part of. Only working in secret, behind the scenes. You were too much of a liability, they'd be fools to give you the power of positive public perception on top of everything else.

Things were strange for you, lonely. You tried calling your parents, but they never answered. So you teleported home to check on them. To your shock, you were met with nothing but pure disdain and resentment from them both.

"You chose to be a whore, followed that man without a ring on your finger into something you were never supposed to be a part of, and now look at yourself. At what you've become. You were always difficult, but now, instead of someone honorable you're a complete and utter abomination."

Your mother's words would ring in your ears for the longest time—your dad's look of disappointment and disapproval cutting deeper than anything he could've added.

It only got worse back at the house after Ben returned. He'd gone on about how they were going to honor him with a parade, the love and adoration he was getting from his coworkers, from the public. He went on about Clara, how she was mentoring him into greatness.

After everything you'd gone through over the last few years, you couldn't take it anymore.

"What if we run away? Somewhere far, somewhere peaceful. Just you and me."

He scoffs. "You can't be serious, did you even hear me? Everyone loves me, I'm at my fucking prime sweetheart. I'd be crazy to walk away from it."

"It's a cage, Ben. A massively glamorized one at that." You raise your voice in frustration. "They will suck you in and spit you out at their own convenience, their support isn't genuine. It's selfish."

He clenches his jaw. "You don't believe in me."

"I'm the only one who believes in you."

His father's cruel words from earlier echo in his mind for a split second, and ain't that the truth. He shuts the little voice in his head up, getting angrier by the minute. "Then why are you so against this? So many women would kill to be in your spot. And I haven't even laid a hand on a single one of 'em, because I choose you."

Oh yeah big thanks for not cheating you think, rolling your eyes.

"This is all temporary, Ben! We're nothing more than glorified puppets, cogs in a machine we don't truly understand. Why can't you see that?"

"We didn't go through all that shit to sit pretty on our asses doing nothing. We're meant to do something with these powers. To be great. Clara gets that, why can't you get it through your thick fucking skull?"

"Shut the fuck up, don't even get me started on her, she's obviously playing with you. Tell me, how many times did she tell them to lock you in the radiation room, hmm?"

“It made me stronger—”

“It was torture—”

"You don't know shit—"

"I know enough. And I'm telling you Benjamin, these people don't truly have your back. They wouldn't even spit on you if you were on fire. Keep going down this path and it's only going to lead you towards a sad and lonely life."

He had enough, and you saw it in his eyes.

The moment he chose it all, over you.

"Well then I guess I'll get a head start and take my lonely ass to get some company at Vought HQ, with somebody who gives a shit."

Your eyes sting. "With Clara?"

He pauses, taking one last long look at you. "It's done. Go sing to animals in the forest or whatever the fuck it is you wanna do. Fade into obscurity. Meanwhile I'll be the most powerful man in this goddamn country. A proper, supportive dame on my arm."

Your lip trembles, but you don't give him the satisfaction of watching you fall apart. "Goodbye, Ben." You manage to whisper before you teleport away, falling to your knees and crying your heart out on a quiet beach moments later, far away from it all.

Nothing but the wildlife around to hear your sobs of despair.

He never heard from you again.

the present

Everything was fucked.

Just when he'd started warming up to the insufferable twerp, he finds that damn footage. Clara reduced to nothing more than a charred cocksleeve—he couldn't believe it.

Still, it's not his main focus. There were no leads on you.

You seemed to be a complete ghost, no record of you anywhere. He doesn't even know how Marathon knew of you, collector or not. Growing more frustrated by the day, he was getting dangerously close to snapping completely.

And then he got a ping from the strange rectangle they called phones these days.

Cleo; Bombsight will be at these coordinates, right now.

He finally had a goddamn location, now all he needed were answers.

Upon arrival he sees Butcher and his crew scattered around, Goldie in a wheelchair and the jackass from his past standing in front of her. With a single punch he knocks him back, rolling him a few feet away.

"Hiya Robbie."

"Ben." He smiles.

Soldier Boy side eyes the antsy crew for a moment, before turning his attention back in front of him.

Robbie had become a nuisance to him the longer they worked together. Jealous of his status, the attention he got, from the world and especially Clara. Poor guy looked like a kicked puppy when she let him down, sneaking off with Ben instead.

There was a mutual resentment built between them both.

Because while Robbie envied everything Ben was gaining, the simple fact that the former was adored by everyone, including you (considering how he'd left things) filled him with an ache and jealousy he couldn't name, can't explain.

It's completely irrational, but it's just the way he feels.

"You know how long I've wanted to smash in that pretty face?"

Ben smirks. "Buddy the queen sat on this face, it's a national fucking treasure."

Bombsight simmers with rage, twitching to punch the shit out of the smug bastard. Until he remembers, he has the upper hand.

"What's so good about that if you're gonna use it to be an asshole? What would Nova think of you?" He pulls a small pager from his other pocket, pressing the small button.

Ben rushes him in a fit of rage at the mention of you and they start trading blows, the impenetrable skin actually hurting his hand. They kept fighting, and a few series of strong punches push Ben backwards to his extreme annoyance. He breaks a pipe off the valve in front of him, ready to beat Robbie with it, but as he brings it down it gets blocked by a sheer purple force field.

He looks over at Goldie but she's still sitting there, protected by it too.

Seconds later, a figure materializes into the compound with a purple glow, and for the first time in over eighty years, Ben lays his eyes on you once again.

You freeze at the sight of him, taking in your surroundings with caution. "What the hell Robbie—"

"I'm sorry, Goldie's in danger. I wouldn't have paged you if it wasn't serious." Those large sad puppy eyes are on full display when he talks about his love, and it softens you the smallest bit.

"Y'know I used your heart as the anchor for the bubble, it's covering her too. So freaking sweet, you absolute sap." You muse, rearranging the figures in the room with simple hand movements. Your fingertips and hair glow at the slight use of your powers.

You zap Robbie and Goldie next to each other, a good distance from the others. Standing protectively beside them, you finally acknowledge your ex in front of you as the whole room watches.

You both just, stare for a minute. Not only to think of what you wanted to say, but also to take in the features buried in memories. The good, the bad. The sight of him still makes your heart ache after all this time, his own thrumming with guilt.

He calls your name softly, and you shake your head.

"No, you don't get to do that. I don't care how much time has passed."

"I know," He starts. "I know. Just...where the hell have you been?"

Your eyebrows furrow. "Why do you need to know?"

"You just fucking disappeared. Vanished off the face of the fucking Earth with no goddamn warning. The team wondered for the longest time—"

"The team?" You click your teeth. "Or do you mean Vought? What, your precious fucking Clara wondered where her favorite punching bag went?"

"Ask Robbie, the whole team was concerned." He bites back, and you laugh in disbelief.

"Oooo shit's goin down." Sage mumbles to M.M. from the sidelines.

You step directly in front of him, and he shifts in his stance with slight uncertainty. "Ben I was ready to follow you anywhere. New, uncharted territory—I was willing to face it all because at least I had you."

He clenches his jaw.

"But it wasn't enough. You're right, I did fade into obscurity like you wanted me to." You throw his previous words back at him, and he swallows in shame, recognizing them immediately.

You continue, your voice starting to tremble the smallest bit. "I had nothing left." Your eyes shine with anger. "You choose that fucking psycho and your precious fame, my parents disdained me and I was too fucked up to fit into society anymore—"

"No supe fits into society—"

You scoff with faint tears building in your eyes, "But I never fucking asked for this! I was just a damn nurse, I only wanted to look after you. Because I loved you, because I cared. That vindictive bitch set me up. She didn't strap that asshole down, gave him everything he needed to jab me with that poison."

Everyone watches with different levels of interest—Robbie and Goldie with sadness for their friend.

"She fucking hated me; tortured me, laughed at me. I begged her to just kill me so many goddamn times, death had to be better than everything she was putting me through. But she'd just, mock me. Tell me I needed to adapt or die." You pause, looking down for a moment as you lower your voice when you say "And believe me, I've tried."

A stray tear makes it's way down your face at the admission, but you wipe it away with the back of your hand before it reaches your chin.

Kimiko can't fight the way her eyes water, even Butcher seeming a tad sympathetic for the new player in this game.

Before he could even ask, a thud lands a few feet away, and they watch as Homelander scans the room. The tension spikes, everyone suddenly nervous, and you eye the blonde man carefully, on guard.

"Well well, isn't this a fun little party?" He drawls, eyeing everyone with abhorrence, except you and Ben. He eyes you both with curiosity, before looking around the room once more.

When he tries diving to the frightened woman to the side, you shield her with a flat force field, and his eyes dart to you angrily. You simply stare him down. "All the people here, and you go for the human?" You deadpan, he bristles.

He gets ready to laser you and Ben snaps at him. "Don't you fucking touch her."

Homelander's eye twitches, a slow deranged smile slowly creeping onto his face. "Fine. Where's the V1?"

Soldier Boy clenches his jaw, but doesn't say a word.

"Alright. Don't tell me, it's okay. I'm asking the wrong guy anyway." He says, his tone a bit off. He sets his sights on Robbie, and you tense up in preparation.

"Where is it?" He asks, growing frustrated at his lack of response. He snaps, "Where the fuck is the V? I'll kill every single one of you until I find it god dammit!"

He doesn't make it two steps forward before you make your move.

You raise your hands and teleport everyone into a singular protective elongated dome to the side of the room, the sheer purple cover glowing in defense. You square up to the threat with a slight head tilt.

"You can try."

He snarls, diving to you in anger. But with a single punch to his face, you send him flying into the wall behind him. The room crackles with your energy, your hands and hair glowing softly—a bright vivid purple illuminating the compound.

Everyone watches in anticipation, Ben in worry. He never really did see you in action, never stopped long enough to ask what you could do, besides teleport. Guilt flares in his chest at the realization.

They watch as you zap to him, landing another hard punch, and again, and again, the last blow sending him back across the other side of the room.

You zap to the middle of the space between you as he dusts himself off, beyond livid. "You fucking bitch."

"Tsk, I've heard that one before. Try harder."

With a glare he lasers you with his heat vision, to his demise.

It hits you square in the chest, and Ben punches the forcefield in worried fury, but Robbie says "She's got it, trust me."

Overtime your abilities have only grown.

You're extremely durable—stronger than most, including fellow supes, you also excel in hand to hand combat because of it. You can teleport, as well as teleport others without having to touch them, and create protective shields/force fields similar to Goldie.

The irony of your greatest ability was in the words Clara would use to belittle and taunt you at your lowest. Adapt or die.

When you took yourself to space—to the moon—in your sadness after parting from Ben, and were completely fine, you realized you had the power of adaptability.

Guess your body literally took the words to heart.

A change in environment, any ability, power or force you're up against—you're able to counter it, adapt to it. The records of what they did to you were wiped by your hand a few decades ago, a stealth mission into Harmony to erase any trace of you for good from nosy minds.

So there was no explaining why your body developed to this for sure, why you manifested all this power. You destroyed them in a panicked episode before you could analyze them.

You just know the world should be grateful you're not an evil psychopath like the one's who tortured you. And the one you're fighting now, apparently. It doesn't take a genius to see something is clearly off with him, the eyes don't lie.

But they do shoot lasers sometimes, to which you counter. You hardly feel the burn on your chest, only seconds before you're lifting your hand and turning the red beams to blue from where it hits you, going back towards his eyes.

You're freezing the heat blasts (the lasers) slowly but surely.

His eyebrows furrow, confused. And he winces in pain. He tries to stop producing them, but because of your essential pull, he can't. Panic floods his system as the blue keeps bleeding into the red, getting closer and closer to his retinas.

The crew watches with baited breath and fascination; Butcher and Sage smirking deviously, the others watching in shock and awe.

"What the fuck." Ben mutters softly, and Robbie nods beside him.

"Yeahh, you do not wanna mess with that girl. Saw first hand how destructive she could get back in '99."

Ben wants to ask more but he focuses on the sight in front of him.

Homelander is on his knees, straining against his own eyes. He starts yelling and shouting in discomfort and anger, trying his best to do something but unable to overpower you. It's mere inches away from reaching his eyes when suddenly something from the side blasts you into the wall, catching you off guard.

The force field around the group stays in tact, and they watch as Homelander blinks hard, immediately flying off and away through the hole in the roof. Coward.

You groan slightly as you get up, dusting concrete chunks and powder off yourself, getting up to face a man in a white super suit with obnoxious padding.

Oh Father sizes you up, shooting a smile your way so fake you almost think it's plastic.

"Can't have you hurting our lord and savior now, can I?"

You squint in annoyance. "The fuck are you talking about."

Instead of opening his mouth to answer he just starts shouting his sonic scream at you, and you zap yourself away before it reaches. Unfortunately he simply turns his head in your direction too fast for you to teleport away again. The sound overloads your senses, you wince and cover your ears as the force field begins to flicker slightly.

Ben is beyond antsy, needing to do something to help you. But once more, Robbie assures him. "She's got it Ben, just watch."

You take a deep breath, planting your feet firmly on the ground before you start to glow. Your hair, your hands, your eyes, they shine the brightest as you capture the sound waves with your energy. And with a flick of the wrist, you shift it, so that he ends up absorbing his own scream.

Which causes him to burst instantly, chunks of him flying everywhere but you shield yourself too before any of it can hit you.

You're breathing heavily as you start to calm, the light emitting from you dimming slowly. Ben calls your name softly, and you give yourself another few seconds to try and stop your trembling before lifting the force field from around the group.

Their faces range from shocked to ecstatic to worried—Ben, Robbie and Goldie being the latter.

Fast steps lead him to you in seconds and you hold a shaking hand up. "I'm fine."

Ben still takes it into his own, holding it as he looks you over. He's getting flashbacks to that day, when he found you shaking and writhing in agony on the floor after the dosage. You know that's what he's thinking, you can see it in his eyes.

"I'm sorry." He breathes, his voice full of genuine sorrow.

"I know." You counter quietly. Not cruel just, honest.

And you know you'll have to talk, about a lot of things, but for a simple moment you both relish in the feel of familiarity and old comfort—with your hand still held gently in his.

ben masterlist ᝰ. main masterlist ⟢ series masterlist

You, who were chosen because Sage clearly remembers the day you slapped your boyfriend for saying something stupid (Accusing you of cheating, which you 100% were) and gaslit him so hard he came back within the hour with flowers and begging for your forgiveness.

You, who were chosen because Sage also recalls how at all times you always had three or more men on your roster because "if you have three, it assure you can never catch feelings for one"

You, who eventually get bored, just for the fun of it turn your sights to Homelander because you couldn't help just how easy he would be.

Homelander who never took any real notice of you other than the fact you were a pretty face, but Sage brought you on, so you had to have something. It made him suspicious of you.

Homelander, who began to understand your appeal when theories began to circle around you. He watched as people spun their own tales about you based off a few clips. One of you holding a baby, another of you back in your college days helping a girl, and the final one of you being surrounded by dogs from a pound.

Homelander, who began to pay more attention to you once you approached him. He was desired by many, but they didn't know him, you did. You were always there, so you knew him, if only a little.

Homelander, who started speaking more honestly with you around. You ignored everyone else in the Seven besides him and it's weak he knows, but he basks in that knowledge that you only pay attention to him.

Homelander, who thinks the best of you because you never mess up. (There's nothing to mess up) You never undermine him. You boost his public image whenever you appear beside him, so he stays beside you often. (Try as he might, he still needs validation)

Homelander, who preens at the little compliments you give him. Feels a shiver travel down his spine when you whisper a small "I'm proud of you."

Homelander, who grows confused when you start to pull away. Suddenly you're paying more attention to your phone than to him.

Homelander, who tries to act unaffected by the look you've just given him after trying to talk to you.

You, who a week back picked up what Sage put down. There were coordinates. Ever curious, you go, and you find someone delicious.

You who finds Bombsight and figure out who's better than him to add to your super roster.

Bombsight, who is adamant he's the one in control in this little tango between the two of you.

Bombsight, who says you're not getting a relationship out of him. All you say is "I'll change your mind."

Bombsight is sure you won't, until you both start doing things people would do in a relationship. You call him every night. You fall asleep on the phone with him. You call him baby, love, and all the other sweet names that come with being in a relationship.

Bombsight, who is beginning to enjoy the perks of having a relationship without ever being in one, and he is sure he's got you.

Bombsight knows he has you when you start telling him things like "I've never opened up to anyone like this before" and "I feel like I've known you forever."

You who's got Bombsight right where you want him, so you turn your attention back to Homelander. You've only gotten caught twice in your entire career of playing men. Once, it was a rookie mistake; he got hold of your phone. Second time? You didn't lay the groundwork well enough to be able to gaslight him into thinking you were never cheating.

You, who, at this point, have gotten so used to cheating, you don't even think it's taboo. It's a normal, and expected even, that you're bound to cheat. Your heart rate doesn't speed up because you know your little weirdo (Homelander) can hear it.

You who make sure none of your males ever align unless they're best friends who know how to keep their mouths shut and don't want to lose their friendship.

You who never keeps your phone out in the open for anyone to grab or take, and your cute pink iPad hidden somewhere no one would care to look.

You who makes sure all tangible proof can be misconstrued.

Homelander, who is starting to have withdrawals from your lack of affection. He's getting more snappy. Having more fantasies of lasering someone from the press in half.

Homelander, who, in his desperation and lack of you, lets his father, Soldier Boy, out of cryo, doesn't know he's just given you your third bitch on the roster.

You, who jumps for joy when you see Soldier Boy, and YOU KNOW it's free eats, because he screams that he's easy as hell.

Homelander, who would never assume you'd do anything with anyone else because you told him that if you ever caught him with someone else, you'd be quick to leave the Seven. Safe to say he dropped Firecracker pretty fast.

Homelander, who still gets worried when Soldier Boy goes sniffing around you, and you entertain it. But no! You'd never cheat on him, how could you when you said you'd leave him and everything else if you ever found out. He doesn't want you to leave.

Soldier Boy, who yearns to take you from his weird ass son when you tell him that he's forced you into this faux relationship, and your life and family are on the line.

Soldier Boy, who kisses you any time he can. Behind a door, in your room, in the room of the Seven when he knows Homelander is gone.

Soldier Boy, who relaxes because you give him everything he could ever want. You shower him in compliments that he doesn't think deep enough, because if he did, he'd realize they're all backhanded. But he's too busy coming to you for all the things Clara and Crimson Countess ever did for him.

Soldier Boy, who knows you chose him because you always tell him so. Over and over you whisper that it's him. That you think he's the one, that you've never been more sure about anyone other than him.

Soldier Boy, who think's stupid at first but then grows to crave your words.

Soldier Boy, who doesn't even realize you begin to just barely giving him anything, and yet he can't understand why he gets this rush of you giving him something he's not supposed to have. Maybe it's because his son is obsessed with you and had you first.

Soldier Boy, who says you want to leave it all and go off with him somewhere. He lets the idea warm him.

You, who can't help but smile at it all.

Bombsight, who still answers your call because he loves what you tell him. You call him, telling him you missed his voice. You text him, calling him your handsome boy.

You, who had mastered the art of ★Love Bombing★ and have made sure to integrate yourself into Bombsight's routine.

You, who makes sure you're the first person he wakes up to, and the last voice he goes to sleep hearing, and always making sure to sprinkle in a good dose of telling him "Baby, I just think you're the one." All the while in the next room, Soldier Boy is fucking his hand because you left him all hot and bothered, not even five minutes before you called Bombsight.

Bombsight, who thinks you might be perfect for him with your little phrases that delight him when you tell him, "We're so alike it's scary because I feel the exact same way!"

Bombsight, who starts thinking about giving you the V1 to keep you around forever. You're already a supe; some V1 just makes sure you stay forever.

Bombsight, who starts imagining a life with you when you start using "us" and "our" consistently so much so he would think it abnormal for it to be any other way.

Bombsight, who takes everything you give him and keeps it close to his heart. You told him, "I'd never leave you," after he told you about Golden Geisha.

Bombsight, who mourned in your arms Goldie and you let him without ever telling him anything and he knows you'll stay.

You, who has to suppress a smile every time you see any of your hoes.

You, who starts to hang around more with Soldier Boy, but you never do anything with him. Never letting it go beyond kissing and heavy petting.

Homelander, who is starting to get insecure with how much time you spend with Soldier Boy, so he starts changing anything and everything about himself for any small comment you make. You told him you liked his blonde hair, and that warm feeling tingled down his spine. You then told him that his roots are showing. He's damn near in the hair salon every day, making sure his roots are never visible.

Soldier Boy, who starts to get annoyed when he has to deal with seeing more and more public outings of you and Homelander.

Soldier Boy, who hates seeing Homelander having his hand on some part of you at all times.

Soldier Boy, who has to hold himself back whenever Homelander presses a kiss to your temple and you make those pleading eyes to Soldier Boy to save you. He just hasn't figured out a way to do so yet.

Soldier Boy, that casually mentions kids as a way to distract you from his weird-ass son. He tells you he wants three kids, you agree, and say you'd want them to be raised in the country. He couldn't agree more.

Soldier Boy, who tells you he wants all boys, but you warm him up to the idea of having a couple of girls, and from then on can't stop thinking about having little girls who look just like you.

You, who all the while keeps Homelander with the facade that you're a virgin and he thrives off of that, seeing as the damn fool thinks he's god now, and now you fit perfectly in his little story.

You, who knows it won't be long till Soldier Boy breaks, and his only 'relationship' is gone. And you, for one, can't wait to see that day happen.

Homelander, who agrees to wait, never knowing his father has only just earned the right to eat you out and nothing more.

Soldier Boy, who is training himself to get off from just eating you out, because it's all you're giving him. But he can't bring himself to care all that much because no one else is getting you this way.

Bombsight, who laughs at both of them because he knows he's the one for you. (He's not) Why? Because he's the one that gets to fuck you.

Robbie is good at hiding. He's always been good at the sort of thing. So when he starts wanting you in more ways than one, he's also pretty good at hiding that.

Robbie can't have a relationship with you, but maybe something a little more than what you both have now —A situationship is what they call it nowadays no?

Maybe it wouldn't hurt. Shit, every time he sees you, cooking for him, waking up across the room from him, in his clothes, using his products to shower, his cock twitches and thickens in his pants. He can only just barely hide his need for you. Just barely, with teasing and making small comments that if you ever needed to, you can always sleep with him.

You took his offer. He was dead asleep when he felt you hugging him. Well after that, it wasn't long till Robbie was snapping his hips up into you with ferocity trying to hide the fact that he's bee lonely for so long.

And your sweet words in such a short time are getting him to rethink everything.

Sweet woman.

He's looking up at you as he sinks his cock into your soaked cunt as your straddling him. His mouth is agape as he looking at you as you give him shaky moans and needy whimpers from your pouty, swollen lips. Swollen because he's kissed you too hard. But you never seem to mind, every time he kisses you he feels your walls twitch around his cock.

He wants better lighting, he needs better lighting to see what he's sure is an ethereal sight of you above him.

Robbie thinks this is lust. This is just pure pure lustful sex, but fuck! You're just so good for him.

He's special to you. You can trust him. You've given yourself to him. Maybe he's an awful guy for taking advantage of you like this, but after all your sweet words of making him feel like he's the only one for you. Robbie just can't help himself.

Even now, he can't help himself because you're close enough that he can make out your starry eyes looking down on him all sweet and he knows that he's not gonna be able to let you go like he should.

"Please Robbie!" It's all you can manage to say. It sounds so good to him. Sounds so good the way his name sound rolls off your tongue and Robbie has to remind himself to not grip you too hard lest you break.

You told him you don't do this and yet you're on top of his whining that you wanna cum, and Robbie is thoroughly enjoying every single bit of it. Pleasure that only he can give you. “Yeah? Go ahead. Fuck, don’t let me stop you, pretty girl.” And the sight that follows, well, he can live in the moment for eternity. Your eyes squeeze shut before you’re creaming around his cock, his hands moving up your sides before cupping your face and pulling you into a sloppy, wet, bruising kiss.

Theres a bliss that blooms in Robbie whenever he feels your heartbeat race around him. It flushes every part of him when he can feel and hear your heartbeat, desperately trying to keep up. Even more so as he's kissing you, filling you up with his load while you moan and breathe your sighs across his lips in a tone he's sure his next wet dream will be about.

Robbie his holding on to you as he comes down from his orgasm and still lost in his hormone-drunken haze when he suddenly flips you and has you under him all the while he presses soft slow kisses over your face. He bathes in the sweet sounds of your whimpers at the over stimulation. He pulls back, looking down at you, and you have this dreamy look on his face that punches him in the gut when he recalls that he told you he can't ever be with you.

You give him a sweet smile and his cock twitches awake inside of your tight walls once more.

Maybe it doesn't sound like all that bad of an idea.

Soldier Boy, who tells you about the supe killing virus.

You, who starts to panic, because no one ever said your life would really be in danger. Males, you can handle. A virus? You're not so sure.

Soldier Boy, who comforts you by saying that both of you need to find Bombsight because he has the V1 and that it's the cure.

You, who gives a smile and a small laugh before agreeing. Your dumbass man, who says he's gonna work with Homelander to find it and then give it to you.

You, who knows you're gonna get in about a week, tops.

Bombsight, who can't get a clear reading on you. One moment you text him back within ten minutes, other times you don't respond after 10. But he knows you're online because you post on your social media. Small pictures every now and then.

Bombsight, who calls you out about not responding to him, but somehow always ends up taking the blame for you. "You said you didn't want a relationship, and I thought I was coming on too strong. I was giving you space."

Bombsight, who kicks himself over the fact that it is what he said, and it was stupid to say.

Bombsight, who panics when you start alluding to breaking up. He tells you that you told him you'd never leave him. So how could you!?

You, who only said, "But we're not together in a relationship, remember?" It took a week for him to come back begging for you.

Bombsight, who comes back with the V1, says he wants to spend eternity with you. He's on one knee, opening the box and giving it to you like it's a wedding ring.

You, who only look down at him as he looks up to you with such pleading eyes, it takes everything in you to not burst out laughing at him.

Bombsight, who stays still. You've given him heaven, and now you're giving him limbo.

You, who finally accepts and Bombsight gives you the V1.

Sage, who couldn't be happier with your work because it's only a matter of time before you grow bored and leave, or let them all know about one another.

You, who acts the pious one ever, tells Bombsight to go save Goldie, all the while Soldier Boy calls you to come get the V1 he'll take from Robbie before Homelander ever gets his hands on it.

Homelander, who will still take the V1, but before he does, he'll have his best workers make another one by reverse engineering the one he'll take and then give that second dose to you.

Homelander, who proposes to you, and you say yes, and so he's secured his virgin wife.

"Look, all we're after is the V1. You hand that over, we go home happy." MM spoke and Robbie looked over to him.

He looked back over to Goldie. Robbie is fast, but not fast enough to stop the bullet. "I can't."

"Robbie." Goldie called out and Robbie sighed.

"I can't because I don't have it. Haven't had it for weeks." He looked over to Goldie. "You said you weren't gonna change your mind. It took time for me to accept that, and I did."

"What the fuck do you mean you don't have it?" Butcher pressed the gun into her head.

Robbie is long over Goldie, but it doesn't mean he doesn't care about her. He wants her to have a good life. That's all. "Stop!"

"Where is the V?" Butcher asked once more.

"I already administered it to someone else." No point in hiding it. He just needs to save Goldie and then go back to you. That's it, that's all.

"Who?" Hughie stepped forward. It's not Homelander. That's a win, right?

Sage spoke your name, and Robbie's head snapped towards her. How would she know that? "She works fast. For weeks, you said? Soldier Boy must've told her, and what? You cracked within a week when she told you?"

"What are you talking about?"

"What are you talking about?"

Both MM and Robbie spoke. Sage only shrugged. "What? Back up for the back up. If this didn't work, then she would."

Was Robbie played? No. You wouldn't. Not after everything. You wouldn't.

"And that I did." You appeared behind Sage. MM jumped back, and Sage froze as your arms wrapped around her. Your head rested atop hers. "To be fair, I had no idea about the V1 until Soldier Boy told me about y'all's virus."

You smiled over to Robbie, offering him a smile. So then he wasn't played? Things just lined up. Yeah, that's what happened. That's what he decides happens. Before he can say anything more he's charged by Ben.

"Where's the V1 Robbie?" Ben hissed in his ear, and Robbie threw him off.

"Gone." Robbie knew you had to put on an act for Soldier Boy and Homelander, but he was different. He was your boy. You hadn't even bothered to tell Ben that you already had the V1.

Ben looked over to Goldie, who only looked at you.

You looked over to MM and muttered, "This is always my favorite part."

Robbie scoffed and walked over to you, calling your name. He held out his hand. You stood still. Ben called your name, asking what fuck this was.

You stood there trying to hold in your laughter, but looking at both of them, gosh, you just couldn't. You began laughing. "I'm sorry." Was all you could manage between small little laughs. Suddenly, life was filled with sunshine and rainbows. You lived for this shit. The look of realization they've both been cheated, or even better, when they don't care, and they still want you.

Now to find out which is which. Your primary concern was Soldier Boy, seeing as he could fry the V out of you. Bombsight was a hard hitter, and Homelander, you're sure is to be due any minute.

Your plan was simple: you could keep Robbie as a side piece; you had laid the groundwork for him for over a year. He was solid. Ben wasn't. You need Ben back in that box so that one day, when you get tired of all of this, you unfreeze him and, in anger, he fries the V out of you. Simple. Homelander, well, he had to go.

So your laughing turned into crying. Tears of joy, but not that they would know that.

"Hey! Hey, hey, hey!" Robbie ran up to you, wiping your tears whilst everyone watched, and Ben stood there trying to understand what the fuck was happening. How the fuck did you know Robbie? How did Robbie know you!? And why the fuck is he wiping your tears like he knows you!?

"I'm scared." You muttered wiping your tears.

"Of what?"

"Homelander." You looked behind Robbie and to Ben, whose brows were still furrowed in utter confusion.

"Why?" Robbie's hand tilted your gaze back to him.

Ben made a face.

"He said he wanted me to ascend with him. Something about being the virgin or something. He-"

"What the fuck?" Robbie looked down. Virgin where? He's been making love to you for the past year. You weren't a virgin then. Robbie knew you had to play it for the cameras, but to know you had to go this far. His heart ached seeing you cry. His poor girl.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Ben walked over to you, and you stepped away from Robbie. Was this another act? But why? For what? You wouldn't do this to him. Not after everything you've said. You wanted kids with him. So then what the fuck was this?

"He wants some kind of marriage and kids. I don't know!" Your lips trembled as you forced more tears out. Maybe they were real tears because holy fuck when Homelander told you about that, that was the fucking scariest shit you've ever heard in your entire life!

Robbie cupped your face, and Ben had just about had enough of this. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"And why the fuck would she-" You cut Soldier Boy off before things could turn on you.

"Because I thought I could handle it! I was wrong. I'm sorry, I just-"

Robbie shushed you before kissing your forehead. "It won't come to that. I swear it."

And with that, he flew off. Your eyes looked back at Ben. "Ben-"

"What the fuck was that!?"

You walked over to him, and before he could start cussing, you kissed him. You felt him tense before relaxing. You pulled back. "Ben, listen to me." He did. "I've been in the Seven for a while. I didn't even know who you were, but I knew I needed someone, anyone, who could protect me. That's all Bombsight is to me." Your hands cradled his face. "I love you, Ben. No one else. I meant every word I said. I do want children with you. I still want to leave, but I can't do that if Homelander is after us. I want our children to grow without any fear." You pulled his hand against your chest, your heart beat was fast. You always got a thrill out of these things. "Please, Ben."

He gave a sigh, and you pushed down a smile. He looked up towards the hole made by Bombsight and shook his head. He gave you one final kiss before running out.

You watched him with a smile and then "Pfft!" You turned around with a small laugh. "How was I?"

"Oscar worthy." Sage smiled and clapped.

"Right? Fuck I almost fumbled when I laughed." You shook your head. "Y'know, I wondered what it was you wanted with me, but I'm assuming it was this?"

"I knew you wouldn't be able to help yourself."

You only smiled and shrugged.

"Oi!"

You turned and caught the flask thrown at you. You smiled, giving a small cheer before drinking. You walked back over to him, handing him the flask. "I have you to thank." You bent down, looking at Goldie. "Had you not dumped Bombsight, this would've taken a whole lot longer." You smiled, going to put a hand on her lap. "So thank you for not choosing Robbie."

She created a force field, knocking you back. You rolled your eyes, standing up, dusting yourself off.

"You don't deserve him." She hissed out and only shrugged.

"Debatable. He's just a man, you know? All men are dogs, that includes golden retrievers like him." You pursed your lips, giving her a slow nod before laughing. You turned around, motioning to go. "I secured front row seats. I'd hate to see it go to waste."

You, who in the end got everything you wanted.

Homelander, who looked up to you, was heartbroken and angry when it was revealed that Soldier Boy had access to you in a way that you always denied him, and that Bombsight had been fucking you for a year, and you looked him in the face and lied like it was second nature.

Your face was the last thing he saw before Butcher ripped him in half.

Soldier Boy, who gasped for air as Bombsight choked him out, all the while you smiled as you waved goodbye.

Your face was the last thing he saw before he was put back into that damn box.

Bombsight, who still didn't get that you couldn't give two shits about him.

In the end, your face was constantly shoved down his throat as you went back and took over the Seven, reforming it, seeing as you had no prior offenses.

Still though. You laid down the groundwork for Bombsight exceptionally well, so even after everything, he still can't help but want you. And after all, you have all of eternity with him.

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Guess who's my favorite out of the three 🤭

How I imagine the boys seeing how reader was playing SB and BS🥱

The announcement is on. The president recites his speech as if his life depends on it. But how couldn’t he after the greatest battle America's heroes just won?

Roars come from the crowd as the greatest supes get on stage to receive their honors. Men whistle and compliment Liberty and Private Angel, the two female companions of Payback. And when Torpedo, Bombsight and Soldier Boy appear, ladies swoon and scream so loud one could swear their panties dropped.

Soldier Boy, as the great leader of Payback he is, gives a short speech on stage, putting on a handsome smile, giving details of their last mission. Once again, we are safe from comunism and trusting up on our moral institutions, we must respect American values and the new big corporations are not definitely making any profit from it, hooray! People clap, and you follow.

Standing on the other side of the stage, you beam, with proud. Proud of your soldier - the real soldier - finally getting recognition. Robbie catches a glimpse of your loving eyes from the side. He smiles back and winks at you before standing straight, looking at the crowd. You feel a heat scattering your cheeks. Ah, yes it still feels like the day you met when you were just two kids foling around. Now, look where you are.

When the pictures, speeches and patronizing are done, the team leaves through the other side of the stage. The staff claps and celebrates backstage as the supes make their parade through the aisle. Robbie finally finds its way to you and you jump right there, hugging him and never, ever letting go, sparking that laugh of his you love so much.

"I'm so proud of you!" a grin so wide on your lips, arms around his neck, his hands rest on your sides so slightly. "You are a hero, honey!"

"Well, ain't a sweet surprise having you here, my love?" he adds with a playful voice, and then gives a gentle kiss to your cheek.

You chuckle. "I have something for you, c'me here."

You walk a few steps to the corner of the backstage, where people already dissipated, except for just a few. There's a beautiful bucket of flowers resting on a chair that you take and place in front of your fiancé with a teeth showing beam and shinny eyes. Robbie takes them happily.

"For you," you say, his eyes go soft.

"Doll, you didn’t have to..."

"But I wanted to. It's been a long time since I saw you."

Robbie leans to you and finally kisses your lips. You savour the moment, as much as you can with a pair of eyes you have felt even before you encountered Robbie. A hard pair of green eyes, looking at both of you from afar.

When you break the kiss for air, you fix the collar of Robbie's jacket. You touch his cheek and nose affectionaly, with a gentleness Soldier Boy could sense. And he observes throughly the way you speak so naturally with Bombsight. How he takes your hand and intertwines his fingers of his free hand with yours, playing with the ring he proposed you with, pulling your frame even closer.

Soldier Boy has watched you before. The receptionist at Vought. The first smile he sees every damn day he gets to that hideous building in the middle of the city. He's had all the ladies he's ever wanted, but you. You kindly always said no, and when he found out Bombsight was the reason, Soldier Boy fumed with rage.

How could he get a woman like you?

Bombsight wasn’t number one at Vought's experiments.

He wasn’t leading the audience.

He wasn’t the strongest.

He wasn’t the handsomest.

He wasn’t an imposing leader.

He wasn’t Soldier Boy.

That was what attracted you to Robbie. His idealism, his romantic side, his soft-spoken voice... None of those things is Soldier Boy.

Robbie never saw you as a game, or a new girl to get his hands on and then toss away. You were very aware of Soldier Boy's reputation with the ladies. And you, you weren’t interested in becoming one more of them. That's why you kindly declined his charm.

And he thought someday you'd just give in. He snorts to himself as you walk together his way.

Robbie, on the other side always wanted to be chosen. Corresponded. Taken care of. Loved.

And that's what Ben can't handle.

The stupidest of all feelings. The most basic of all the needs of a human being. But he's not human anymore. He is not just another man. He is the greatest supe in America, the most perfect model of masculinity, heroism and patriotism of the century.

He doesn’t have time for pettiness. And love - he confess to himself - is a trivial thing. He doesn’t need that.

You smile, kind and cute as always, when you pass his side, clinging to your man. Bombsight salutes to his leader, smile vanishing away. Soldier Boy nods his head as both pass by, and notices the idiot saves the soft side and true beams for you.

What a bunch of fucking malarkey.

Soldier Boy is anything, but a wimpy little boy who craves for a woman's soft touch.

He spends the rest of the day - and probably the rest of his life - convincing himself he is not one made for feelings.