The others were initially confused by Batman's unusual behavior. But as they followed Batman's gaze and carefully observed Homelander's current state...
These battle-hardened heroes all seemed to understand something in that moment.
Homelander... perhaps he wouldn't make it to tomorrow...
Endless sorrow gripped their hearts, but not a single person spoke the unspoken truth.
Barry forced a highly unnatural smile: "Right! Right! Now is best! I think the atmosphere here is awesome! A post-war wedding! This is definitely the most romantic thing of the century!"
Mera silently turned away, surreptitiously wiping tears from the corners of her eyes. Then she looked back and said with a smile, "The tradition of Atlantis is the same; a union after victory will receive the blessing of the Sea God."
Harley looked around at everyone's reactions, and the barrier in her subconscious that protected her finally came crashing down.
She wasn't stupid; she was a top-tier Doctor of Psychology from Gotham.
She simply didn't want to believe it.
Tears welled up in her eyes once again.
She wanted to scream, to deny everything.
But seeing the expectant look in Homelander's eyes, she silently swallowed it back.
"Okay..."
Harley's voice was so choked with emotion it was almost inaudible.
She sniffled hard and roughly wiped the tears and blood from her face with the back of her hand.
When she looked up again, a bright and happy smile blossomed on her face.
"Okay! Let's get married, right now!"
Harley spoke with a hint of cheerfulness, as if nothing was wrong.
"But you have to wait for me, honey. My makeup is all ruined; how can a bride get married with such a messy face?"
She turned her back, tears instantly blurring her vision, yet she maintained a lighthearted tone.
"Hey, Fish-girl! Lend me some water to wash my face!"
"Barry, go find me some lipstick in one of those buildings that hasn't collapsed! Any red will do! Hurry!"
Watching Harley force a smile like this, everyone felt a stabbing pain in their hearts.
"I'm on it!"
With a flash of lightning, Barry vanished instantly.
Suppressing her grief, Mera stepped forward and used the gentlest stream of water to help Harley wash the stains from her face.
"We'll help too."
Philippus directed the Amazon Warriors.
"Clean this place up! Pick up those scattered flowers! We must set up the most sacred chapel for the hero who saved the World!"
In an instant, everyone sprang into action.
No one spoke; there were only low sobs and hurried footsteps—a tragic, unspoken understanding.
Barry returned in less than two seconds, holding not just lipstick, but also a wooden comb he'd found somewhere.
Harley took the lipstick from Barry and pulled a small, cracked mirror from her waist, but her hands wouldn't stop shaking.
She shook so much she couldn't even hold the lipstick properly; whenever she applied it wrong, she'd messily wipe it off with the back of her hand, take a deep breath, and try again.
"Harley, come on... you can do this..." she whispered encouragement to herself in the mirror.
...
Finally, through everyone's joint efforts, the wedding venue that had been destroyed by war was solemnly rearranged.
The afterglow of the setting sun over Metropolis cast a golden halo over this tragic wedding.
The eyes of the entire World were focused on the wedding scene amidst the ruins through the cameras that had been set up again.
Nearly a billion people, wherever they were, stood silently at this moment; no one spoke in front of their screens.
A solemn and sorrowful atmosphere enveloped the entire Planet.
With Bruce's support, Homelander slowly stood up.
He declined Bruce's continued assistance, straightened his scar-covered back, and stood at one end of the red carpet.
At the other end of the red carpet...
Harley Quinn, wearing a damaged but still beautiful pure white wedding dress, walked toward him step by step.
She walked very slowly, as if trying to make this walk last for Eternity.
When Harley finally reached Homelander, she gently took his hand, which was covered in blood and scars.
The two locked eyes.
Batman Wayne stood by their side, serving as the officiant.
"Today, on this land that has witnessed humanity's suffering and rebirth..."
"We are gathered here to witness the union of two souls. With courage and love, they have ignited the final hope for this Planet."
Batman looked at Homelander.
"Groom, do you have anything you wish to say to your bride?"
Homelander gazed affectionately into Harley's eyes and spoke softly:
"You look beautiful today, my Little Pumpkin."
He raised his hand and gently caressed Harley's cheek.
"I have crossed seas of stars and traversed countless times and spaces; I once lost all sense of direction."
"Until I returned here and met you. I found my only answer."
Homelander smiled, a single tear falling from the corner of his eye.
"You let me know that even if the World turns to ruins, there are still colors worth defending with my life."
"Thank you, Harley. You made me a true hero."
Harley gripped Homelander's hand tightly, her tears flowing freely, washing away the makeup she had just applied.
"Mr. Milk Candy..."
Her voice was choked yet exceptionally loud, carrying the characteristic stubbornness of a Gotham girl.
"I've lived my life as a lunatic, a bad girl; I've messed everything up. I've been abandoned and used."
"But I'm lucky... letting Fate let me fall in love with you was the only thing I've done right in my life."
"I don't care if you're a superhero, a Federal Leader, or anything else."
"I only know that I love you... I love you more than anyone else in the World."
"You're not going anywhere. Even if you fall into hell, I'll chase after you and snatch you back from the devil's hands."
"I also love you, Harley." Homelander kissed Harley's forehead tenderly.
This heartfelt confession, combined with the tragic atmosphere of Homelander's impending death, had an impact that was absolutely off the charts.
In front of their screens, countless young women burst into tears, and even the toughest of men couldn't help but have their eyes turn red.
Suppressing his grief, Bruce continued with the wedding proceedings.
"Before witnessing your union, can you tell me your real name? The name that belongs to you, and not to the whole World."
Homelander nodded. He knew this would be his final mark left in the DC Universe.
"Anthony," he said softly, his voice broadcasting across the globe via the microphone. "Anthony Starr."
"Anthony Starr," Bruce repeated the name.
Then, he began to read the vows.
"Anthony Starr, do you take Harley Quinn to be your wife? To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, whether this World heads toward destruction or welcomes rebirth, will you love her, comfort her, respect her, and protect her, until death separates you?