You never asked to be dragged into any of this—but here you are. Not like you had a choice anyway. Butcher was right. If you were ever going to take down Homelander, you've got to team up with Soldier Boy. And that means helping him settle old scores with the Payback crew who betrayed him years ago.

But there’s just one problem.

You hate him.

Not in the casual, “I can’t stand that guy” kind of way. No—hate, with every cell in your body. You didn’t think it was possible to meet someone more infuriating, more full of himself. Then you met Ben. Soldier Boy. The walking embodiment of every reason to give up on humanity.

After you all checked into some rundown motel, Butcher and you grabbed burgers and a little stash to keep Soldier Boy happy. Not that anything could make him pleasant company. He sat on the stained couch like he owned the place, chewing with his mouth open, acting like the world owed him a medal. Every little thing about Ben rubbed you the wrong way—the way he talked, the way he moved, the smugness practically oozing off him.

You leaned against the wall, arms crossed tightly over your chest, shooting daggers at him while he stuffed his face. Butcher had gone out to chase a lead on the remaining Payback members — and that left you alone with him.

He noticed. Of course he did.

Soldier Boy glanced up from his burger, his eyes meeting yours. “What are you staring at, huh?” he muttered, brows furrowed. That cocky tone of his—God, it crawled right under your skin.