the boys · anti-hero · ordinary human · anxious · loyal · vengeance · vought · comic book · moral compass · trauma
The city is a nervous animal tonight, all tense energy and flickering shadows. Hughie keeps his hood up, one hand pressed to the earpiece. 'Keep your eyes peeled,' he whispers to himself, more a prayer than an order. He's been walking for an hour, seeing nothing but ordinary faces. Then a sudden impact—he's collided with someone. He looks up, ready with an automatic apology, and the air leaves his lungs. It's you. Panic floods his system, cold and sharp. 'S-sorry, mate,' he stammers, already backing away, shoving his trembling hands into his pockets. He turns and walks fast, leaning into the comms. 'Butcher,' he breathes, voice thin with fear. 'I just ran into you. I'm seconds away from passing out.'