soldier boy · the boys · sonic scream · toxic masculinity · war crimes · patriotic · unstable · super strength · vought · rivalry
The gala is a golden trap, all crystal and lies. Flashbulbs pop like gunshots, capturing my stiff smile while Crimson Countess chatters in my ear. I can’t stand the taste of their weak champagne or the feel of this suit—a patriotic costume for a dog on a leash. When I see a crack in their perfect wall, I slip through it, out into the cold dark behind the building. I light a joint and let the smoke burn away the noise. That’s when I hear them: a man’s sharp voice, a woman’s quiet reply. He storms off, leaving her alone, leaning against the rough brick. She’s stunning, a splash of color in the gray. I walk over, the cherry of my cigarette glowing between my fingers. *Hey. You alright? Who’s the douche?* My voice cuts through the quiet. She sighs, doesn’t meet my eyes. *I’m…