War
Hughie got sent on a mission, he was sent to a war zone, Hughie hissed as he entered the battle field, blood staining the ground as he met with the commanding officer, he was only sent because he was the only one without compound V in his system, he's also let slip that people with powers like him, had seen combat, entering war zones to give them the edge up. Hughie was in his rider form and, some of the men did try to give him a bullet proof vest, and helmet, he opted out of it as he was alright without it, when the night fell, he became a ghost on the battle field, slipping over enemy lines and, quickly taking out the larger groups.
He ripped their throats clean out, ripping the spines out of some of them, ether through their backs or their stomachs, painting the sand beneath them a deep crimson. Strom Rider was in charge, even though it was just Hughie, Storm Rider was his own being within the timid man, one that only came out in times of need or just when in moments of violence, Storm Rider might as well as drink the blood of the guilty by the gallon.
The military was grateful for Vought sending in one of their own to the battle field, while the minister of defense wasn't too happy about it, but with Stillwell sweetly explaining that Storm Rider didn't have compound V in his system and, according to him, others like him took part in wars when ever they came about. The minister of defense wasn't too keen on keeping them on the battle field as it might start a new campaign that supers should be on the battle field fighting in their wars, dealing with terrorist groups and other hostile groups and people.
John sat in his room, curled up on his bed, hands over his ears trying to drown out the ringing, when Hughie left he promised to be back as soon as possible, John had promised to be good for him, waiting like a good boy till his return, he didn't think it would be that bad, he was wrong. Hughie had been his distraction for the ringing, the sex didn't really mean much to him, yes he enjoyed it, the feel of the heat, the burn, but really it was all just to distract him, dull the ringing, make him focus on the heartbeat and panting groans. Now without it he was alone with the man in the mirror, the ringing now was always there surrounding him, in that moment John would take the sound of Storm Rider's flame, the crackling and popping of the hellfire.
John ended up using his fireplace, something he's only ever used maybe twice, it still worked like a proper fireplace, he had someone bring fire wood for him to use, he had lit the fire in there and curled up by it, focusing on the sound of the crackling fire and pretending Storm Rider was back from his mission, he didn't touch himself to it, he wasn't that crazy, he just listened to it and felt its comforting warmth.
Johnny hissed as he was knocked down by another demon, Danny ripped his chain through the demon that knocked Johnny down, Robbie had showed up taking down the few remaining demons and, burning their remains till nothing but ash remained, hissing in annoyance at the demons from another area of hell, he knew what was coming now that he was on earth with the two other rider, and he was right as Johnny marched over to him.
"Brat, see your way doesn't work, fuck 'showing demons respect' they don't respect you or listen to you!" Johnny hissed, his flames spiking.
"They aren't from my area of hell, you are forgetting that Mephisto only controlled a small part of hell, not all of it!" Robbie snapped back.
"Guys can we not do this? Their dead and gone, can we go to a bar for a drink or something?" Danny sighed, hoping he could distract Johnny from picking another fight with Robbie.
"....Fine." Johnny grumbled.
The three went to a bar for a drink, though Robbie didn't get any alcohol, just getting soda, they sat in a corner booth with Johnny glaring at Robbie as he drank his cheap beer, Robbie didn't pay him any mind as he sipped at his soda.
"Noble noticed that your not wearing that bracelet anymore." Danny said keeping his voice low.
"Yeah....I....may have....looost it?" Robbie looked away, as he took a longer sip of his drink.
"You what?" Johnny growled low, as he started at Robbie.
"Well I didn't really loose it, I know where it is and who has it." Robbie quickly said.
"Where and who has it?" Danny asked, leaned forward slightly.
"Well it may be in another universe and, in the hands of someone who has been wronged with a very strong desire to help, and keep people safe, so in away he's perfect for it." Robbie stated.
"What do you mean its in another universe?" Johnny asked through clenched teeth.
"Its just that, its in another universe, one that needs a rider...M-maybe more then one, I can tell by the way he's talked about it, explaining how his universe works.....The so called 'heroes' aren't heroes, they are villains that don't care who they hurt, he can now make a difference one that helps people.....And Johnny, Danny, don't act like I did this, it just happened one day and, I looked for that bracelet for like three hours, just in my room, I don't even want to know how long it took for me to look through the rest of the mountain." Robbie stated, as he looked at the two older men.
"Oh fuck, really?" Danny asked, as he looked at Robbie with worry.
"Yes, and worse it seems like its stuck on him, if he comes here I might be able to remove it for him, but I doubt he will be able to come here, other then astral projecting...Which he has done that already, we had a little chat." Robbie leaned back, against the warn pleather booth.
"Well....Shit at least he's putting it to good use I guess? And using it properly?" Johnny groaned before finishing his beer, he got up and went to get another one.
"Your paying for this Danny, I'm not paying for that man's beer." Robbie said once Johnny was gone.
"I will, I will also pay for your drinks too, you look like you need it, look also look like shit." Danny chuckled a bit.
"Oh Danny, we both know even dead tried and, just about to pass out I'm still cute as fuck~" Robbie giggled a bit, showing those sharp teeth.
"Whatever...How's Doom?" Danny asked, brow raised slightly.
"He hasn't tried to take over the world again yet, soooo he's doing very good." Robbie smiled softly.
Storm Rider floated above the crater he's created, the group that had been there was gone now, he made sure of it. He spent the next five weeks destroying enemy groups, while also giving the poor locals clean fresh water wells and, fruit trees as well as making their crops flourish along with making sure they were also heartier and more resistant. Hughie healed the sick and injured, making sure they were all alright, they were innocent people that didn't ask for this war, this battle on their door steps, he made sure they were alright and had what they needed, while keeping the crews he was with safe and healthy as well, he was going to make sure those teams got home safe, sound and whole.
Homelander found Ryan and Becca Butcher, he killed Stillwell for her lies, moving Ashly into that new position, John was glad to have a child, he could play happy family with Hughie that way, Ryan could be their child, he didn't take the young boy to his penthouse, no not yet, he needed to know Hughie wanted this, wanted to have a family with John. He had already found Butcher himself and, like a cat with a mouse played on Butcher's emotions, showing off his find to Butcher before dropping him off else where.
They had a funeral for Translucent, and not long after Stormfront joined the team, now they had two members with 'Storm' in their names, Homelander wasn't too pleased about it, Storm Rider was the only person that should have 'Storm' in his name. Homelander put up with it as he waited for his Storm Rider to return, he felt like a women form one of those romance movies, where a wife was waiting for her husband to return form war.
When Hughie returned, he showered and dressed nicely, getting some flowers for John as he wanted to be nice and, do a nice show for him, he knew John was suffering without him, give someone like him attention and, he will starve without it. Hughie entered John's penthouse seeing him curled up, wearing a hoodie that he clearly took from Hughie's room, he rolled his eyes seeing the blond by the lit fireplace.
"John?~ I'm back~" Hughie said sweetly, his tired eyes looked down at John who popped up and, rushed over to him.
He didn't say anything just hugged him tightly, not too tight as he didn't want to crush Hughie but tight enough, Hughie just smiled softly, hissing the top of his head and, running his finger's through John's hair, just holding the older man, letting him listen to his breathing and, his heartbeat as he knew John needed this at that moment, as he had been gone for a little too long for John's liking clearly.