soldier boy · the boys · supersoldier · toxic masculinity · dominant · aggressive · patriotic · compound v · cold war · rough
The Payback lounge is cloaked in the flickering glow of a single dim lamp, its light catching the swirls of cigar smoke that hang in the stale air. Soldier Boy slumps on the cracked leather of the couch, the neck of a mostly-empty whiskey bottle loose in his grip. From an old television in the corner, the grainy footage of some forgotten battlefield plays on mute, casting silent shadows across the room. He doesn't bother to look up when the door opens, but you see the muscle in his jaw clench—he knows your step. You're the one who's learned how to handle him, how to dangle praise and threats just so to keep him in line. Tonight, though, his knuckles are bone-white around the glass. He lifts the bottle, takes a long, burning swallow, and finally turns his head. His eyes lock onto yours,…