Chapter 11
Starlight looks at me uncertainly while I gaze back with anticipation.
She sighs softly and opens her palms with a golden light that begins to glow slowly.
Gradually, the light grows stronger, causing nearby electrical devices to react to the energy drain.
However, the light abruptly extinguishes, and she looks at me with doubt.
"John... will I really be able to do it?"
Starlight finally asks, unsure why she stopped.
"Are you doubting yourself?"
"A little."
"Annie, I understand your doubts, but you need to understand that I know more about this than you do."
I said it with an encouraging smile while blatantly lying to her.
"And if things are as I suspect, you can do it. Just give it a try, and we'll see."
'I'm trying to unlock the potential of someone who can easily claim the second spot in "The Seven.'
I might not be a superpower expert, but I know a bit about physics. Based on my knowledge, she should definitely be able to fly.
"Alright. You can do this, Annie."
Starlight exhaled while positioning her palms downward like Iron Man.
She then shot upward and backward in a bright flash that would have blinded any normal person.
This would likely have ended in bruises from a collision with the wall.
However, it wasn't for nothing that yours truly was nearby.
It wasn't difficult for me to catch her mid-flight, and if my hand happened to squeeze her firm butt in the process, well... that was an accident.
"Overdid it,"
I stated with a smirk when I saw her frightened face.
"Yeah,"
She replied, mistaking my comment for a question, and nodded, still bewildered.
I slowly descended to the ground and reluctantly released her while chuckling.
She awkwardly adjusted the skirt of her costume and glanced at me.
That look told me she had figured me out, but I wouldn't have been shocked if she hadn't.
"I can fly!"
She suddenly squealed with childlike excitement, wrapping her arms around my neck and lifting her legs off the ground.
I didn't try to withdraw her; I simply patted her back in support.
She stepped back a couple of paces while maintaining eye contact.
The uncertainty in her eyes had now been replaced by a conviction that she could indeed succeed.
"Will you spot me?"
She asked with a smile.
"With pleasure."
I replied and nodded.
My hands rested on her waist while keeping her from an uncontrolled flight in any direction.
Starlight didn't resist or object, and I took it as a green light to proceed.
After about thirty minutes, I finally pressed against her back and slowly closed the distance between us.
"Ha..."
She exhaled softly, maintaining her balance in the air with light streaming from her hands.
The lights in the training room flickered continuously, indicating the energy being expended for the flight.
Surprisingly, it only took her a short time to get the hang of her new skill.
It wasn't possible to fly outside of the city or very high up for now, but it was a start.
"I'm letting go,"
I warned her before stepping back slightly.
"What?"
Starlight asked, realizing what had happened a moment too late.
"Oh crap!"
She exclaimed as she regained her balance and turned to face me.
She had to lean forward to keep her body weight balanced in flight. I knew exactly how to make her pose more aesthetic.
"You did great, Annie."
I said, smiling openly as I gently landed on the floor.
"Thanks,"
She replied, nodding as she followed my lead and clumsily touched down, almost falling to her knees.
I didn't catch her to let her fall even though I could have prevented it.
After all, she could easily withstand gunshots without so much as a bruise.
This was like learning to ride a bike, and she needed to feel independent to really get the hang of it.
She was already making progress at a normal pace, and providing her with continuous help would just slow it down.
"It looks like we need to work on your landing."
I said, smiling as I helped her stand up.
"Yeah."
She agreed, biting her lip unintentionally.
I looked into her brown eyes to meet her gaze.
Annie looked back expectantly, not breaking eye contact.
I leaned in slowly with a smile and kissed her on the lips, and she kissed me back.
That was a soft and sweet kiss.
I wanted to go further and let my hands roam, but I restrained myself, continuing to hold her by the waist and savor the taste of her lips and the playful duel of our tongues.
We didn't go any further.
Starlight needed more practice with flying, and I didn't want to deprive her of that.
We also talked, sharing bits of our personal histories and occasionally pausing to refresh each other's memories of our tastes.
It was surprisingly nice and pleasant.
However, I was left alone again when Ashley came to take the heroine to another event.
...
The warm sun gently touched my skin, a light breeze provided a cool reprieve, and the scent of fresh grass filled my lungs.
This place was definitely livable if anyone didn't consider that it was essentially a prison.
"Good afternoon."
I smiled while adjusting the collar of my new shirt.
"A pink shirt?"
Rebecca's eyes widened as she opened the door.
She thought it was strange that he was wearing a pink shirt.
It could be because her husband always wore dark colors or because Homelander's image showed an ideal man.
However, I had a different take on it.
"What's the big deal? I wear a blue suit every day and drape the American flag as a cape, and you are judging me for a pink shirt?
I pretended to be angry, making her laugh.
"That's double standards, dear, and our society actively condemns those."
"Sorry... haha... sorry,"
She said this, trying to catch her breath.
"It's just so unusual. Men are usually quite strict about the colors in their clothing."
"Come on, pink won't overshadow my masculinity; it'll emphasize it."
I smiled and adjusted my glasses.
"Well, come in, hehe."
Becca stepped aside to let me in and noticed the black bag in my hand.
"Did you bring something?"
"It's not Gone with the Wind, but it's a worthy piece."
I smirked, pulling out a Blu-ray disc box with the Star Wars: Episode IV cover.
"Is that a new movie?"
Ryan asked who had come down the stairs without Rebecca's notice.
"A legendary film that once shaped the future of cinema,"
I handed him the box.
"Interested?"
"Why Episode IV?"
Ryan asked with genuine confusion when noticing the strange detail in the title.
"Because Lucas decided so,"
I declared it with inspiration and then laughed at my own words.
"Actually, the creator of these films envisioned the story in a different chronological order but didn't have the means to film the prequels. So yes, the story starts in the middle."
"Wow,"
Ryan expressed his amazement.
"At least, that's how he justified having a 'four' in the first movie's title."
I chuckled while ruffling his hair.
"Interested?"
"Of course!"
Ryan was slightly indignant as he looked at the cover, then turned his pleading eyes to his mother.
"Can we watch it?"
"Can we, Rebecca?"
I tried to mimic the boy's pleading look, but it came off as more funny than intense.
"Alright, alright, you can watch it."
She gave in while smiling at the lighthearted atmosphere.
"But only after your homework!"
"But mo-om!"
"After homework, Ryan. No discussion."
She stated it firmly.
"Fine,"
Ryan sighed, then brightened up.
"I only have math left!"
It only took Ryan a few seconds to get to his room after she finished talking.
Becca looked at me disapprovingly, and I could only offer a guilty smile, handing her a bag with six more boxes.
"He won't be able to sleep now,"
Becca sighed, taking the bag.
"Just the first film,"
I smiled.
"The rest can wait until tomorrow."
"Are you staying for the viewing?"
She asked, walking into the living room and placing the bag on the table.
"If you don't mind... but I don't insist."
I reassured her.
"You can stay,"
She resigned herself to his presence.
"Just behave."
"Of course,"
I nodded when the phone rang suddenly.
I picked up the receiver before she could, and...
"Hello?"
Suddenly, my normally calm face became very stressed as I listened to the almost-yelling voice on the other end.
"Calm down,"
The man spoke on the phone in a steady tone while hearing the hysterical voice on the other side.
"Where are you? I'm already on my way."
"Is it something serious?"
Becca asked with a voice full of concern.
"No need to worry; it's work-related."
I smiled, but this time it was clearly a fake one.
"Watch without me, but I'll try to sort it out as quickly as possible."
"Alright,"
Becca nodded when seeing me off.
As soon as I took a few steps away from the porch, I soared into the sky.
I was visible for only a few seconds before I vanished from her sight while she watched him go, frowning with concern.
The situation must have been very bad if Homelander himself seemed worried.
It couldn't be anything else.