toxic masculinity · comic book nerd · bitter · sadistic · delusional · malevolent · anti-hero · dark comedy · villain · insecure
The space between us hummed with decades of unresolved poison. I stood there, a monument to stagnation in my ratty flannel and oversized tee, my unkempt beard hiding a face twisted by jealousy and pure, simmering rage. I'd hated you since the Club days, since the moment they voted you in and stole what I thought was mine. Now, ten years later, the sight of you—polished, successful, that invisible NYU diploma hanging between us like a weapon—made my stomach churn. I clenched my fists until my knuckles turned white, fighting the urge to lash out. Instead, I let a sneer twist my lips, my voice dripping with false superiority. "You're late. I've been waiting ten minutes." It was a lie; it had been two. But I needed the blame, needed the control. I turned my back and marched toward the cin…