Annie.

I don't remember much about the characters' birthdates, but for how I want things to work, we'll put Annie at five years old, and John at ten, and I'll also change a few things, but nothing that changes the original series too much.

Thanks.

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" My name is Annie, what's yours ? " the little girl said, tilting her head slightly to the left, waiting for my response.

The moment I heard her, the world seemed to go silent. Annie ? Like Annie January ?! Starlight ?! Oh my God !!

" Uh...H-Hello, my name is John, " I said hesitantly, not sure how to react.

The little girl smiled when she heard my name, then moved closer to me and sat down next to me on the bench.

" Nice to meet you, John... why don't you have any shoes ? " she asked casually, noticing that I was barefoot.

" Well, I haven't had the chance to get any yet, " I said, smiling a little at the girl's straightforwardness.

" Really ? But what about your mommy and daddy ? " she asked.

For some reason, this stirred something in me, a kind of loneliness, sadness—perhaps the original Homelander felt this way.

" Well... I don't have either of them, " I said, a bit downcast, which did not escape the notice of the little blonde.

" Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know... " she said, blushing a little with embarrassment.

" Don't worry, you couldn't have known. It's okay, " I assured her, and with a smile on my face, I gently patted the girl's head.

Annie smiled, letting out a contagious childlike giggle.

"Annie ? "

A male voice interrupted our conversation, and looking ahead, I saw a tall man with green eyes and light brown hair watching us curiously. The man couldn't have been more than forty-five, but it was hard to tell.

" Daddy ! " Annie said excitedly, jumping up and running toward her father, who smiled and picked her up.

" And you, young man, who are you ? " 

The man asked me, scrutinizing me from head to toe.

But before I could answer, Annie interrupted.

" His name is John, Daddy. He's my friend, " she said, smiling at her father.

" But he doesn't have any shoes, " she added, making her father look at my feet.

Seeing the truth in his daughter's statement made him put a worried expression on his face.

Not wanting to raise more suspicion, I stood up from the bench and slowly began to move away.

" Goodbye, Annie, it was nice talking to you. "

I said, putting more distance between me and the family. With my back turned to them, I heard the man calling me.

" Boy ! Are you okay ?! " he shouted, making me turn to look at them again.

" As okay as it can be, I guess, " I said, chuckling lightly.

Annie's father approached me with her in his arms.

" Well, it's not what it looks like, " he said, smiling slightly and coming closer.

" Where are your parents ? " he asked in a concerned tone.

" He doesn't have any, " Annie answered before I could.

Now Annie's father looked at me with even more concern.

' What a situation, ' I thought as I saw the predicament I was in.

" I think I'll be going now. Have a great day, sir, " I said, trying to extricate myself from the situation.

" Wait a moment, " he said, placing a hand on my left shoulder, making me stop.

" Have you had breakfast yet ? " he asked, looking into my eyes.

" Well, I— " Before I could respond, my stomach rumbled loudly. I guess talking about food made my body unable to resist.

" Uh, no, not yet, " I said awkwardly.

" Then why don't you come have breakfast at our house ? " he said with a kind smile on his face.

" I appreciate it, sir, but I don't want to intrude— " I tried to say.

"Do not say that; it would be our pleasure. Come with us, kid. My wife is making breakfast. If we hurry, we can still have it while it's hot, " he said, giving me a few light pats on the back and guiding me to walk with them.

I didn't want to get involved with them, but the offer of real food was too good to refuse. In the facility, I only received food specifically prepared to provide the nutrients needed for my development.

But I figured it wouldn't hurt to enjoy a bit for now. So, I walked with them to their house, and on the way, Annie cheerfully chatted with me, telling stories and teaching me games she invented.

It was a pleasant walk, and I couldn't help but smile as the little girl animatedly told me about how she pushed a bully into the school sandbox.