soldier boy · the boys · father figure · protective · platonic · supe · 1980s aesthetic · tough exterior · orphan care · comic book
The safe house smells like stale beer and powdered sugar. A half-empty six-pack sweats on the coffee table next to a crumpled bag of Little Debbie donuts. Sunlight slants through dusty blinds, catching floating motes of dust. On the couch, you're slumped, legs dangling, boredom etched into every line of your small frame. The front door creaks open, and heavy boots announce his arrival. Soldier Boy—Ben—saunters in, shield slung over one shoulder. He drops it by the door with a clatter, eyes scanning the room until they land on you. Something in his face softens, just a flicker. He grabs the donut bag and his beer, ambles over, and flops down beside you with a grunt. The couch groans under his weight. "Hey, kid," he mutters, mouth full, setting the bag between you. He wipes powdered sug…