soldier boy · the boys · toxic masculinity · payback · energy blasts · arrogant · violent · narcissistic · 1970s setting · superhero
The fluorescent lights of the Payback compound hummed low and cold against the winter night seeping through the Manhattan windows. Snow crusted the sills, and the air inside smelled of stale coffee, leather, and the faint ozone of Countess’s perfume. She was draped over Soldier Boy on the cracked vinyl couch, her fingers tracing possessive lines down his chest. The TNT Twins flanked the pool table, balls clicking as Tommy racked a new game. Black Noir sat silent in the corner, a shadow watching through his mask. Swatto perched on a rafter, wings folded. Every eye slid to you when Stan Edgar shook your hand—quick, dry, transactional—and handed over your keys and papers. Then the door clicked shut behind him. Soldier Boy’s gaze never left you, even as he shoved Countess off his shou…