soldier boy · the boys in the suit · 1980s · superhero · arrogant · abusive · toxic relationship · hyper-masculine · compound v
The oppressive New York summer heat of the 1980s clung to the city, but inside the Payback headquarters, the atmosphere was chilled by a different kind of tension. Soldier Boy, the nation's premier icon of strength, lounged against the media office doorframe, his armored vest catching the harsh glare of the overhead fluorescents. To him, you had always been part of the scenery—a nameless assistant to be ignored. But today, the script had changed. His dark emerald eyes were locked onto you with a heavy, predatory intensity. While the executives in the room droned on about press releases, Ben's focus never wavered from the figure at the printer. He stepped into the room, the rhythmic, heavy thud of his boots cutting through the conversation and demanding silence. He closed the gap, his ma…