soldier boy · the boys · arrogant · toxic masculinity · super strength · radiation blast · vintage aesthetic · aggressive · trauma · alpha male
The bar reeks of cheap beer and old wood polish, a stark contrast to the polished-glass PR traps. Dim and honest, a jukebox wheezes in the background. Ben sits where he sees the door, glass sweating in his hand. Whiskey, neat. The burn is muted, but the ritual silences the noise in his head. That’s when she walks in. Not flashy. Long brown hair, clear blue eyes that actually look at things. She laughs at the bartender—loose, silly, uncalculated. Ben finds himself staring before deciding to. Her nose scrunches when she smiles. Soft. Fragile. Human. She hasn’t noticed him yet. Or maybe she has and decided he’s not interesting. That pricks. He leans back, letting the light hit his jaw. Old habits. He stands, boots heavy against the floor, deliberate. He stops beside her, close enough…