Chapter Text
She knew superheroes existed. They were everywhere: on TV, in magazines, on ads for everything you could possibly think of. They were just a part of a normal life. Growing up, she even had merchandise of the girl superheroes in her bedroom, posters of women in skin tight costumes with capes and armour covering her bedroom walls. Less so now. It didn’t occur to her though that she’d ever meet one. You only really met them at events or if you were being saved.
Rose had never thought herself as somebody who’d ever need saving. She didn’t think many people thought about getting into situations where they could die only for a superhero to swoop in and save them. Maybe when she was younger, before too many broken hearts, poor judgements and bottles of tequila had been thrown her way. Perhaps when she was drunk, watching some superhero movie on her shitty TV she thought about it. What would it be like to be one of those people carried bridal style by some hunk in a tight leather bodysuit, or woman depending on your persuasion?
Now she thought better of it. This whole thing only started because she needed saving.
It happened on an ordinary day as these things usually do. Wake up a little late, feed the cat, then rush to work in the coffee shop to serve sixteen different kinds of coffee to a hundred different people. Except this morning there was an armoured van heading straight for her as she crossed the street.
In an instant, she was pushed out of the way onto the pavement. She looked behind to see the van come to a stop as it bounced off the steel-like wall of a supe standing in front of it. She knew which one instantly. That blue suit with the American flag that she’d always found so garish, and the blonde hair, all led up to one superhero: Homelander.
“Are you alright, little lady?” he beamed as he bounded over to her.
“Do I look like I’m ok?” she grumbled as she stumbled to her feet. She dusted the debris off her jeans and scowled up at him.
Over Homelander’s shoulder, she saw Queen Maeve grabbing the robbers and tossing them over her shoulders. ‘Now that is impressive’, she thought with a wry grin before facing Homelander again.
“Do you want something?”
“Aren’t you going to say thank you?” he asked with a tight smile.
“Fine. Thank you for making me late for work,” she murmured and picked up her bag from the sidewalk.
“My apologies,” he grinned. “Would you like me to give you a lift?”
“No,” she sighed as she fixed her hair and scowled at the scrape on her hands from where she’d fallen. “It’s only around the corner.”
Homelander blinked. “What’s your name?”
Rose had no idea why he was asking, maybe he was just being polite but she felt a little flustered all the same. “Rose. Rose Baker.”
Homelander appraised her slowly, and she instantly felt as though he was sizing her up. “Lovely to meet you, Rose Baker.”
Rose huffed and moved away from the scene, uninterested in seeing the police arrive and Homelander soak in his glory. She didn’t realise though, that as she walked away that Homelander was watching her the whole time.
------
The bell jangled as Rose finished serving a little girl and her grandmother. Rose was very proud of the little coffee shop she worked at. It was the kind that played French music instead of the radio to be classy, at least that’s what they told people. Not because Beverly was learning French and it helped her remember. They wore personalised aprons and had regulars from sweet old ladies to hipsters. She smiled as she turned back to the register.
Then Beverly grabbed her arm tightly. “Oh my God!” Beverly squealed. “It’s him!”
“Who?”
Beverly forced her to turn around to find Homelander standing in the middle of the coffee shop, all of the patrons’ eyes on him. Phones were out taking photographs of him from strange angles as he walked up to the counter.
“Are you stalking me or something?” she muttered as his eyes met hers.
“You said your job was only around the corner.”
Rose frowned, “Don’t remember telling you what I did.”
Homelander laughed softly, “X-ray vision, my dear. Besides, I have ears like a bat. I could hear your grumbling a mile away.”
Blushing furiously, she muttered, “What would you like then?”
“Surprise me.”
Rose nodded before heading into the back as if on autopilot, Beverly scurrying after her. “What the hell was that?” she hissed once the door was shut.
“I told you, I was running late and this van nearly crashed into me.”
“You neglected to mention Homelander was the one who saved you.”
“Why does it matter?” Rose huffed as she picked up the beans she needed. “He saves a lot of people, Bev.”
“I don’t think he turns up to their work though. Oh my God! What if he fancies you or something?”
“Please, supes like Homelander only go for other supes,” she shrugged and hurried out to the front of the shop again. She could tell just by glancing at him, that he had indeed heard every word.
-----
With bated breath, she placed a coffee in front of Homelander who had sat himself at the table closest to the counter. His eyes had watched her closely as she had made her his coffee, trying his best not to offend the other patrons who had asked for photographs and autographs from him. Rose shifted on her feet nervously as he sipped the brew and sighed in content.
“There’s chicory in this,” he murmured.
Rose blinked. “You know your coffee.”
“I know New Orleans,” he replied. “A truly beautiful place. Have you been?”
“No, I haven’t.”
“You really should. The culture, the cuisine, it’s quite something.” He assessed her once again, taking in her hands that smelt like coffee beans and the small speck of flour from the Victoria Sponge laid out on the counter. He smiled warmly, “You’re not impressed by me, are you?”
Rose smirked, “You know you’re impressive. You don’t need me to remind you of that.”
Homelander laughed, “Perhaps. Though I do like the challenge once in a while.” He sipped the last of his coffee and stood to leave. He moved closer to her and handed her a fifty dollar bill. “Keep the change.”
He walked away grinning before turning back to call, “I’ll see you soon, Rose.”
Rose blushed profusely as Beverly squealed in delight behind her, watching him leave. ‘What the hell just happened?’ she thought as Homelander shot off into the air.