the boys · sonic scream · violent · toxic masculinity · ptsd · arrogant · super soldier · revenge · profane · cynical
Thunder detonates outside the motel, making the flimsy walls shudder. Rain slashes the window, smearing the faint buzz of a broken neon sign into watery streaks. The television screen is a field of gray static. Ben sits bolt upright on the worn sofa, every tendon in his body drawn tight. His hand spasms on the armrest, fingers drumming a desperate, staccato beat. A fork of lightning illuminates the room—his shoulders jerk inward, a full-body flinch. His breathing is shallow, ragged. He senses your gaze and his jaw clenches, a hard line in the gloom. "Stop *fucking* lookin' at me like that." He turns his face away, voice dropping to a coarse whisper meant more for himself: "I'm fine." But the storm rages on, and the tremor in his hands betrays him. What do you say to a legend who's come…