…
Facing the sun was blinding. Thor raised a hand to shield his eyes. Once his vision adjusted and he saw the man's attire—and the hammer in his hand—
His expression twisted as if someone had stolen his wife.
"No!"
"Impossible!"
"That's my hammer!"
"Why is it in your hand?!"
"Oh~"
"That's a long story, my friend," Leon said with a smile.
Right in front of Thor, he casually stroked Mjolnir twice, like some bold repeat offender. Strangely enough, it really did feel satisfying.
It reminded Leon of that time in The Boys universe when he was "training" Starlight in how to use her powers—only to get caught red-handed by Hughie.
No.
The more he thought about it, the more vivid it became.
Leon decided that when he had the time, he should pay another visit to The Boys world—erect a proper cenotaph for Hughie, then have a friendly little "sparring session" with Starlight in front of it.
There were still areas left undeveloped.
He meant her superpowers, of course.
"If it's your hammer," Leon said, "why is it in my hand?"
"And can you lift it now?"
With that, Leon tossed Mjolnir to the ground in front of Thor.
"Ahhh—!"
Still dressed in blue-and-white hospital scrubs, Thor got to his feet and grabbed the handle. His face turned red as a baboon's backside from the strain.
Mjolnir didn't budge an inch.
Thud!
Thor collapsed back onto the ground in despair, muttering:
"Impossible…"
"How can this be…"
"It's my hammer…"
"Father… you cannot do this to me…"
"See?"
"I told you."
"Even if I believe it's yours, it clearly doesn't care about you."
"I only managed to lift it because of… certain circumstances."
Leon crooked a finger.
The hammer that Thor couldn't move no matter how hard he tried immediately flew back into Leon's hand as obediently as a house pet—clearly accustomed to the grip of Leon's palm.
Of course, Leon knew the truth.
The moment he ran out of stamina… the moment he lost this bugged, borrowed fragment of Thor's power… Mjolnir would turn its back on him without hesitation.
But at least for now—
It was his.
There was an old saying: love begins with the chime of the bell; when the bell stops, the love lingers unresolved.
Though that second half didn't really apply to Leon.
Most of the time, he was the type to walk away without looking back once it was over.
"Oh my God!"
"Homelander! I'm your biggest fan!"
Overcome with excitement, Darcy Lewis had barely taken two steps after getting out of the car before the weight of her impressive future left her slightly out of breath.
The moment she saw Leon, her eyes practically turned into hearts. She launched herself at him like an overenthusiastic octopus, bold and unrestrained.
"Oh, sweetheart, you nearly scared me."
Leon immediately tossed Mjolnir aside and activated both hands in what could only be described as the "Leon Grip," barely managing to catch Darcy's spectacular embrace.
Behind her, Jane Foster and Dr. Erik Selvig stepped out of the car. Seeing Darcy practically offering herself up like that, the two could only facepalm in silence.
…
Inside a restaurant.
Thor stared at Mjolnir on the table, utterly defeated that he still couldn't lift it. He converted his grief into appetite and began devouring the food in front of him.
When he finished his drink, he smashed the cup on the floor and boomed for another.
Jane Foster seriously wondered whether he was some Viking who had accidentally wandered into modern society.
That said, the man was undeniably handsome—broad-shouldered and powerful. Even standing next to the world-famous Homelander, Leon Stark, he wasn't overshadowed.
"This drink is excellent! Another!"
Smash!
Another glass shattered on the floor.
"Can you please stop smashing them?" Jane said, exasperated. "All you have to do is raise your hand and call Iggy. She'll come over. This is such a waste."
"It's fine," Leon waved generously.
"I bought this restaurant. And the entire town. You can smash every building here if you like—as long as nobody gets hurt."
Sitting back in his chair while Darcy gave him a very hands-on shoulder massage and hand-fed him food, Leon looked perfectly at ease.
Fame had its perks. Wherever he went, someone was eager to take care of him.
"Uh…"
"Well… in that case, do whatever you want," Jane said after hearing about Leon's financial superpower.
Thor, however, seemed to have taken her earlier complaint to heart and stopped smashing glasses.
"So," Leon said, pointing at Thor, who was still inhaling food, "you found him at the center of last night's electromagnetic storm?"
"That's right," Jane nodded.
"He claims he's Thor from Norse mythology, that he came here via the Bifrost."
"But in reality, he's just a slightly hot-tempered man with unusual strength. The Bifrost has never been proven to exist."
"What puzzles me is that our photos from the center of the storm show a silhouette. And the only person we found there was him."
"If Stark Industries could support our research, I'm sure we could make a breakthrough."
Somehow, Jane had smoothly pivoted into a sponsorship pitch. After all, Leon Stark was sitting right in front of her—an opportunity like this was rare.
"The Bifrost does exist," Thor cut in.
"My father banished me to this realm through it. I must reclaim Mjolnir, return to Asgard, and demand justice from him. And there is still the threat of the Frost Giants from Jotunheim."
"You're delusional," Jane said. "That's a medical condition. You should get it treated."
She was about to insist on taking Thor to a proper hospital when Leon raised a hand.
"He's telling the truth."
"Norse mythology on Earth is based on real events. Thor and Odin the Allfather are real. And they have visited Earth before."
"There are even records of it in the library of Kamar-Taj."
The moment Leon finished speaking, Thor slammed the table excitedly.
"So Midgard still has men of wisdom! Warrior of Midgard who can wield Mjolnir—state your name!"
"Since you insist," Leon cleared his throat dramatically, the corners of his mouth curling upward.
"I am the Supreme Guardian of Midgard, the strongest direct disciple of the Sorcerer Supreme at Kamar-Taj, protector of humanity, leader of the Avengers, true master of Midgard's greatest fortune, twin brother of Iron Man Tony Stark, chosen champion of Bast, the Panther Goddess, and the most beloved superhero among the people—Homelander, Leon Stark!"
"…"
"…"
"…"
The three others fell into stunned silence.
Their jaws hung open, forgetting to close.
That title was probably longer than most villains' lifespans.
"Your turn," Leon said to Thor.
"Ah?"
Thor blinked, pointing at himself.
Brother… after that, what am I even supposed to say?
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