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Steven sees red. His mind is empty.
The face in front of him is mutilated, and he should be grossed out but all he can do is smile and keep punching, holding him against the brick wall. White gloves are stained a slick red, and a rush he’s never experienced seizes him as he breaks the man’s jaw, and punches his temple hard enough for his eyes to roll. Both red hands find the man’s throat, crushing his windpipe, feeling it give under his hands—
Jake hauls him back with both hands on his shoulders and snarls, “Easy!”
The man hits the ground with a sickly thud.
Steven jams his elbow back into Jake’s solar plexus, then attacks the man again where he’d started to drag himself away. His hands don’t shake as he positions his hands correctly, the way he’s seen Jake do it before, eager for a snap of the neck—
Steven’s tackled and hits the ground. He shoves up against Jake's hold, but his pin is efficient. “Listen to me,” Jake says, voice utterly calm as Steven snarls and spits. “You don’t want to kill him.”
Steven laughs. He wants nothing more.
“You don’t want that on your conscience.”
“And why not? Huh?” Steven pauses to look Jake in the eye, letting the mask on the suit disappear. Jake’s glowing white eyes grow wide at whatever he sees on Steven’s face. Rage. Bloodlust. “Why do I have to be perfect?”
Jake is silent at first. “Trust me. Steven. You—”
“Marc is DEAD!”
Jake flinches. His voice cracks. “I-I know, Steven, but—”
“He’s fucking gone! Because of him.” He juts his chin at the man, unconscious now. “Justice must be served. Isn’t that our job?”
“I’ll do it,” Jake begs. “Just, please, Steven, don’t do this to yourself.”
“I want to.”
“Steven—”
“I want to!”
“You’re hysterical, honey, just—”
“Shut up!”
“I CAN’T LOSE YOU TOO!”
Steven breaks out of Jake’s hold. He grabs the gun from Jake’s hip, aims, and flicks off the safety.
The roar of the gun makes his blood vibrate and his eardrums scream.
He pulls the trigger again.
Another roar.
Warm blood slides from his aching ears.
Blood pours from two holes in the man’s forehead, pooling onto the floor beneath him and sliding into his sightless eyes.
Jake is speechless behind him.
Steven falls to his knees.