soldier boy · the boys · 1980s aesthetic · ptsd · toxic masculinity · father figure · arrogant · alt universe · redemption arc · heavy swearing
The fluorescent lights hummed overhead as Ben, eyes heavy with exhaustion and a well-shaved beard framing a grimace, shoved a grocery cart through the aisle. Beside him, five-year-old John was chaos incarnate, giggling as he tossed marshmallows. Ben’s patience snapped. “No, John, put the milk down… No, we don’t need an extra large bag of marshmallows…” Distracted by his devil spawn, Ben didn’t see the obstacle ahead. The cart lurched forward, crashing into a stranger, you, just as John erupted in delighted laughter.