Chapter Text
The interview came to an end without a word from Lucy. She thankfully only nodded and played up the act of another Black Noir. For the viewers who saw her as Homelander's leash, it was all more apparent. The pretty fabric and look of Water Lily just encompasses the imaginary hold Vought has showcased. Everyone knows the choke hold they have in Supes in general, but now they are showing that the most powerful Supe is restrained.
Lucy exits the small stage that was the host area. Quickly behind her was Homelander who seemed tick and was already shoving pass her. He was on a straight back to Ashley who was already on the phone and rudely interrupted as Homelander glares her down. Lucy let this happen as she finally made her way out the backstage doors. She had to hurry down a hallway that seemed to curve around the building and have no doors. Though there was that glowing green exit sign that was more reliable than anyone here.
Following the curve of the building she saw the double door exit, the kind you see for emergencies. Lucy got a little excited as she jogs to the door. As her hands reached out there came a call from down the hallway. It was almost a desperate call which likely was from Ashley. Shaking her head she pushed the doors open feeling the air already flow into her lungs and the sunlight flashing her. Sadly that wasn't truly flashing her, outside was already a crowd of paparazzi using the flash on their cameras. Lucy quickly put her arm up to protect her eyes. Just as fast as they started pictures, they started to cut her from escaping. Their questions pertaining to Homelander and where he is. Though Lucy did not care as she pushes pass them as best as she could. Many of them now trying to get her to answer before one tried to pull her mask off. Doing that made her shove the person into the group making almost a domino effect. She stood there looking around as it seemed to distract them all.
Lucy makes a dash for it not looking back. She wasn't ballistic fast, but she used her ability to push her off the ground with each step. It was quick movements similar to walking on water, but she used it as launch pads. This gain her more speed and air time. Which for any normal person was pretty fast, but comparing to other Supes, she was slow.
There was a split second that she felt free, almost like she finally was running from her life stuck locked up. There was a smiling growing before the sound barrier was broken overhead. A flash of red and blue landing directly in the direction of Lucy's escape. Standing straight with that big white pointed smile, arms spread out side to catch her was Homelander. He was so fast and her reaction was just as fast as she forces herself to collect water around to make an ice like ramp before him. She heard his chuckle before the ramp shattered. A red glove coming straight through as she had just reached the ramp. There was no way around him. He could smash through anything, grab her in the air, or even catch up to her wherever she tried to hide.
"You think running is going to save you. No matter what you do, I will be able to find you." His voice threatening even with a simple statement. Lucy was leash to this maniac until someone cuts the thread.
In that moment Lucy knew not to fight or continue running. She needed a better plan than this. So as she took a step, into the evaporating ice that was practically thrown outwards, she landed straight into Homelander's hold. His arm curling around her waist before the other fell down to his side. Of course at Lucy's speed it was like running into a cushion wall full force. So her head whipped back for a moment before she let our a faint groan. Her face was more in pain and she was a little winded. Though that only lasted for a moment as he blasted up into the air with a right grip on Lucy. Her legs flailing, as he took her straight back to the building where a black car was waiting. Without even stopping to drop her off, he just let's go of her waist letting her fall. Her reaction priceless behind the mask, but she quickly took the fall as a way to collect some water below that would reach up like a hand to take the force of her fall.
Let's say it did not end well. Similar to a belly flop, Lucy landed on the water with a similar impact on her back. Thankfully she was able to have the water allow her a safe landing on her feet as the stinging on her backside was radiating heat.
Once on her feet the water went back into the ground as though nothing happened. She acted like she did in the interview, but her face was contorting from the blistering pain. Not even a second to catch her breath someone in a suit pulled her arm to the car and opened the back door. The press on her back made her jump in to get away. Though it all stung as she sat on the cushion seats.
"Your stunt is not going to happen again." Ashley practically yelled at Lucy from the passenger seat. "God, running out after an interview and then pushing paparazzi over is the worse introduction. Ms. Stillwell is going to have my head."
Lucy was practically ignoring her as the pain of sitting was making her lean forward on her toes. Her butt just barely sitting on the seat. Though she could tell that Ashely was freaking out. She seemed more pissed off then the scared expression she had with Homelander. It didn't matter because Lucy would have more than just words with Stillwell.
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After getting carted back to the tower, Lucy was being guarded by escorts. She practically tried to make a run for it, they were going to stop her from getting a head start again. Especially as Ashley was still fuming as she listed off the next items. Basically meeting with marketing and even visiting wardrobe. Though Lucy only stopped in her tracks. One of the guards tried to touch her, but she moved away.
"Don't touch me or I will cut that hand off." Her voice full of anger. "I want to speak with Stillwell first. I never agreed to any of this and want to look over my contract."
Ashley finally turns and approaches Lucy with the biggest fake smile on. "After what you pulled, she will certainly want to speak with you. You don't own your self anymore, Vought does. So after we finish your schedule we will have a meeting with Stillwell. Mhm. Great. Now get your ass moving." Not even an ounce of fear or hesitation in her voice. It really was like she only was scared of Homelander and loosing her job.
Lucy was a bit started by this and was even growing concern for her well being. Though she did not express that, instead she followed order. Lucy walked with Ashley as they headed to marketing first. There they ran post ideas by Lucy acting as though it was gold. Lucy just stood there practically ignoring them and not giving any feedback which worked in their favor. They were going with the silent fairy approach with her marketing. Beauty and magic. Finishing up there she is rushed wardrobe and presented with a new suit. She shook her head not wanting to wear practically a bathing suit. Ashley only glared at her before offering a deal.
"You wear the suit and get to keep that stupid mask or you wear the suit and you don't get a say." Her approach demanding and made Lucy roll her eyes.
"Zip up the chest and I will wear the suit and keep my mask." Lucy said coldly as there was no way she was turning into a sex doll.
The designer offended, but began to work on getting a cover up version. Which looked more in her style and seemed to get nodding heads. The suit instead of being open in the front, there was an opening on her back. The shape looked like a leaf as the green and blues mixed on the fabric. It was a one piece swimsuit still, but showed off her legs and arms. Her boots being similar to Homelander's but white and flower emblem at the top. They even suggested a different kind of mask. Which Lucy was not too against. It covered evey inch of her face except her mouth and chin. It was a baby pink and black fabric behind the eye holes. Lucy actually check off on this making Ashley happy.
Little did Lucy know that two people grabbed her arms and dragged her behind some curtains to get changed right there. Her surprise was rich to them all. Though within seconds her suit was torn off and then her mask. Which one of the girls that was undressing her gasped. Lucy quickly picked up the new mask and put it on. Her hair being pulled out to drape around her shoulders. It was pretty good length and even have a resemblance between Stillwell and Starlight. She made sure she was set before leaving the curtains without her boots on. Already the crew were looking in aw at how beautiful Lucy was and they were proud of their work. While they watch Lucy puts her boots on and noticed they were far more comfortable than her other shoes. Maybe she could get used to this.
Since that was done Ashley moved Lucy along to each next thing. Photoshoots in the new look, more marketing, and then debriefing of what she is allowed to say. After that she was finally put into the elevator and was told that it was time to meet Stillwell. Lucy felt tired, and for a moment she wasn't angry or annoyed. It was like she had become accustomed already so quickly, but then that name made her anger come back. She straightened up as Ashley was quietly marking things off. As the doors open she followed Ashley to the door that was Stillwell's office. Ashley opened it after knocking.
Entering the room Lucy was greeted by a smiling blonde woman with almost kiss tan skin, just still on the lighter side. Must be the lighting in the room. Though her eyes made her Lucy look towards the sofa in the room. There standing up was Homelander. Already knew this was a set up so she started to back up, but it was too late.
"Lucy Stillwater, it is great to meet you." FUCK. Her full name was exposed, but it didn't matter since it was likely everyone knew her name anyway. "I heard from Homelander you tried to run away. But such a great hero brought you back to us." Her words almost patronizing as she gestured with a grateful smile to Homelander.
Obviously Homelander was taking in the praise as he had his eyes locked on Lucy. He was looking her over as he verbally admits. "She cleans up well." His words almost as though he wished to indulge in a taste of her.
Stillwell gave a side glance to Homelander before slowly stepping towards Lucy with her hips swaying. It was like she was trying to show off to grab her puppy's attention. She stopped a foot before Lucy and shifts her wait to pop her hip out. "Now I heard you wish to address your contract, but legally it is binding. So there is no way of getting our of it unless you want to be refrained from ever showing your face in the public." Her words professional and gentle, but there was that underlying threat.
"I-I..." Lucy was left almost speechless and uncomfortable near these two. Even Ashley was having her head down and not interfering. "Well I at least want to look at it." Her voice admitting defeat so then she could get the fuck out of there.
"Alright, that will be sent to your email, but for now. You are to stay by Homelander's side. You are to stay in the suite next to his and to follow his every wish and command within limits. Those limits will be written out in your contract. Also you are to attend your own meets which are in between Homelander's. You are his partner for the next while till your contract says." Stillwell's words being vague and yet as though Lucy should know all this information.
She was not going to agree to this verbally. "I will look at my contract. Thank you for your time." Lucy took the gamble and turned away as she exited the office alone.
Lucy didn't have to. Look to know they were all likely laughing at her. Though she knew one thing for sure, she needed to get the hell away from here and look at her contract. She hurried to the elevator and pressed the bottom to go down. She already was going to pull her phone out, but then she realized she didn't have it. It was probably left behind with her other suit. So that was her first stop. The elevator dinged and she stepped in. She hit the panel for the floor that wardrobe was on. The doors starting to close, but we're stopped as a hand with Navy blue sleeve stuck in between. The doors opened and Homelander entered.
"Trying to run away again. Seems like you didn't learn your lesson." He said proudly as he entered and let the doors close behind him. Lucy was stuck with him now and he seemed more interested in her suit now than before.