Dane grabbed the pack of cigarettes in his pocket, quickly placing an unlit one between his lips. Everyone had their vices, including supes.

Ezekiel's choir-boy-Coachella was in full swing and he was sure he wouldn't be able to get in another cigarette unless he wanted to be crucified by the masses.

He stared at the tent ceiling, grabbing blindly at his pockets to find a lighter.

"Grab Madelyn. I need to talk to her about these fucking talking points." He heard Homelander's voice from the other section of the large tent. He eyed the divider, seeing a few inches of space where he could spot a set of heels and combat boots.

"Oh, um—uh. Ms. Stillwell isn't here today. I thought that you knew that. But I'm here to help you with anything. I'll go through the talk—" Ashley's voice began.

"Tst," Homelander stopped her. "Get me Shadow. Bring him in here."

"He's... he's not here either. But Starlight—" She spoke just above a whisper, cutting herself off as the man moved threateningly close to her.

"Ashley..." His voice dropped an octave. "Where is he?"

Dane stood abruptly. He eyed the space between the pair of feet below the divider, instantly appearing between the two with a small cloud of black smoke dispersing behind him.

Ashley shouted out in surprise, backing away, but Homelander didn't flinch even though their faces were mere inches away from each other. The blond's eyes were completely replaced with red, which caused Dane to stiffen, even though he knew it was directed at Ashley.

"But—but, you..." Ashley trailed off, walking around to fully face The Shadow.

"Deep couldn't make it. I was supposed to fill in." Dane mumbled around his cigarette in a quiet voice, attempting to calm the man in front of him.

Homelander didn't say anything, though his eyes returned to normal. He lifted a hand to remove the cigarette from Dane's mouth, glaring lightly at the item as he placed it on a nearby table.

"I, uh, I still need to get ready." Dane murmured, a nervous edge in his tone.

Homelander eyed the man's form before moving to grab at the displayed ribbons that matched his own from the table.

"Looks like this is all you need." The taller man spoke up, beginning to pin the black accessory on Dane's chest.

A sharp pain from the prick of the safety pin caused Dane to hiss quietly. He began to pull away reflexively before the other man's hand shot out to grab at his shoulder, keeping him there. Homelander
pulled the ribbon away before attempting to pin it properly.

"There." The blond reeled back to look at his work, placing both his hands atop Dane's shoulders. "Ready to go?"

Dane meagerly nodded, eyeing Ashley as the woman stood off to the side, typing rapidly on her phone. He could tell she was pretending.

-

They moved to yet another large tent. Though this one had mimosa's and rich people.

Dane never drank much. Especially if there was the chance to be inebriated anywhere near Homelander.

He eyed the happy, tipsy people with a blank expression, looking anywhere but at the person who stood beside him. Homelander was especially clingy today, he wasn't entirely sure why, which made for a dangerous game with anyone in his general vicinity.

He noticed one man who stuck out like a sore thumb. He was young compared to the other guests and rather awkward looking. This must be Hughie. Starlight told him about the man a few times. They never had a chance to talk much without Homelander looming nearby, but he knew very well of Starlight's newfound friend.

"Hughie," Homelander spoke up with an amused voice, offering a glass.

The man looked like a deer caught in headlights, eyeing the tall man before looking to Dane.

"Right? You're Starlight's friend. She got you in here." Homelander's voice was surprisingly welcoming.

"Yeah." Hughie answered, gently taking the glass.

"There you go." Homelander chuckled out, gesturing to the glass. "Good to meet you, pal." He held out a hand.

Hughie took it with a nervous chuckle. "Good to meet you." He then looked to The Shadow expectantly.

Dane didn't try to speak, knowing that Homelander would probably just cut him off, and command his attention. He opted instead for a small wave and a smile to which Hughie instantly returned.

Homelander moved to hold his hands behind his back for just a moment before wrapping an arm around Dane's shoulders protectively.
"How do you know Starlight?" He asked with a kind smile. Dane already knew this answer.

"Uh, you know, we met, um, like a few weeks ago, actually." Hughie spoke up, shifting around on his feet.

"Really?" Homelander nodded.

"Yeah."

"And she got you in here?" Homelander tilted his head.

"Yeah." Hughie laughed. "I guess she did."

"We'll, this is a pricey ticket Hughie. Isn't it, Shadow." The blond smiled, nudging the man beside him.

Hughie's expression turned to somewhat of a frown as his eyes looked to Dane before reverting back to Homelander.

"Yeah." Dane murmured. "Do you—"

"You must be a special guy." Homelander interrupted with a grin.

"I—no. No, I'm not. I just feel lucky to be here. Really." Hughie answered with a smile to which Homelander let out a small chuckle.

"Um, ladies and gentleman!" Dane turned to see Ezekiel call out. "Uh, I would like to welcome you one and all. And I would very much like to welcome Homelander and The Shadow, our special guests." He pointed to the two.

The small group of people clapped as Homelander let go of Dane's shoulders to wave in greeting.

"So without further ado, if you would follow me." He led the group to another room, a pool in the very middle of it.

"Now, as many of you may already know, Homelander is an ordained minister in Samaritan's Embrace." Dane stood by Hughie as the Homelander and Ezekiel moved to stand on a platform.
"Together, we will be rebaptizing you, my most loyal followers."

Dane watched the beginning of the event with half-interest before he turned to Hughie with a smile.

"Starlight's a good friend of mine. I'm glad she's got you." He spoke up, Hughie startled slightly.

"Sorry, I just, uh—" Hughie began.

"It's alright. I know, I don't get to, uh, talk very much." He murmured with a shrug. "Just stick with her, alright? God knows she needs somebody."

"Um, uh, yeah. Yeah, of course." Hughie slowly nodded with a nervous smile.

Dane turned to face the front again, seeing a narrowed expression on Homelander's face as he continued the baptisms.

When it was Hughie's turn, Homelander placed his hands atop the man's shoulders. There was a lot of hushed conversation between the two that Shadow couldn't hear. He grew to be on edge as he watched Homelander hold Hughie underwater for what seemed to be a few moments too long. He almost made a move to step in before the lanky man was pulled upright with coughing breaths.

"Thank you all once again for allowing me to be a part of this joyous occasion." Homelander smiled after the baptism wrapped up. He shook Ezekiel's hand, giving the man a hug. "See you, friend." He murmured before turning to face Dane.

"Let's go." He ordered.

"I think I'll go back to my place. I'm tired." The Shadow explained, rubbing at his eyes.

"My speech is in twenty minutes." Homelander explained as they left the tent, boots thumping against the ground as they walked.

"Yes, but I could w-" He began before noticing the other man's expression. "Yeah, okay... I'll stay for it."

Homelander only nodded his head in approval before leading the way.