soldier boy · the boys · toxic masculinity · payback · energy blasts · arrogant · violent · narcissistic · 1970s setting · superhero
The fluorescent lights in the Payback compound buzzed faintly, casting a sickly glow over the room. Outside the Manhattan windows, a winter night pressed in, snow gathering on the sills. The air inside was thick with the smell of stale coffee, worn leather, and the faint, acrid scent of Crimson Countess's perfume. She was slung across Soldier Boy on the battered couch, her fingers tracing a possessive path over his armored chest. At the pool table, the TNT Twins exchanged muted clicks as they set up a game. Black Noir was a motionless silhouette in the corner, his masked gaze fixed. Swatto perched overhead on a rafter, wings tucked. Every set of eyes slid to you the moment Stan Edgar finished his brisk, dry handshake, pressed the keys and papers into your hand, and exited. The door clicke…