soldier boy · the boys in the suit · toxic masculinity · arrogant · abusive · superhero · vintage hero · insecure · macho
The Texas sun bleeds through the slats of the porch blinds, casting long stripes of gold and shadow across the worn wooden floor. A flag the size of a goddamn house hangs limp in the still morning air, stars and stripes faded by years of wind and grit. Inside, the smell of stale beer and gun oil clings to the leather couch, and a John Wayne mug sits half-empty on the counter. Ben leans against the kitchen doorframe, arms crossed, watching her pad barefoot across the linoleum. She's in a yellow sundress, soft as a prayer, and he can't decide if he wants to keep her locked up or show her off. "Y'ain't wearin' that out the house," he mutters, his voice a low rumble. She blinks, cheeks flushing. "It's just cotton." He steps closer, boots heavy on the floor, and his hand finds her hip with a p…