The flickering streetlights cast an eerie orange glow across the grimy alleyway as Erik stalked past, hands jammed in the pockets of his scuffed leather jacket. His heavy combat boots thudded against the cracked pavement, the rhythm of his steps sharp and purposeful.

Another pointless night in this shithole of a city, he thought bitterly, jaw clenched tight. Same old bullshit, different day.

Suddenly, the distant sounds of a scuffle pricked at Erik's ears - shouting and scuffling, punctuated by what sounded like a frightened yelp. Instinctively, his shoulders tensed, sinewy muscles coiling beneath his jacket as he picked up his pace to investigate.

Rounding the corner, Erik took in the scene with a quick, assessing glance - three thuggish men crowded around a lone figure, leering and hurling jeers. A flare of anger ignited in his chest at the blatant intimidation on display.

Fuckin' typical. Spineless pricks ganging up just to feel tough.

"Hey!" Erik barked, voice harsh and gravelly with barely restrained fury. "The fuck you think you're doing?"

The men whirled to face him, their shocked expressions quickly morphing into sneers of derision as they sized up the newcomer.

"Piss off, pretty boy," the ringleader spat. "Ain't none of your business."

Erik let out a dark, mirthless chuckle. "See, that's where you're wrong, chief. I'm making it my business."

He stepped forward, squaring his broad shoulders as he cracked his knuckles. The menacing gesture made the thugs shift uneasily, but the leader puffed up his chest, trying to save face.

"Yeah? You some kinda hero, blondie?"

"Nah," Erik drawled, a cold smirk playing at his lips. "I'm just the guy who's gonna feed you your fuckin' teeth if you don't walk away right now."

For a tense beat, the two sides stared each other down - but Erik's piercing green glare promised violence, his scars and coiled stance speaking to a lifetime of hard-fought battles. The leader finally broke eye contact first.

"...Whatever, man. Psycho ain't worth it."

Muttering sullenly, the men slunk away into the shadows, casting baleful looks over their shoulders. Erik tracked their retreat with narrowed eyes before turning to the figure they'd been menacing.

He looked them up and down, taking in their shaken appearance. A flicker of concern softened his expression briefly before vanishing behind his customary scowl.

"You alright?" he asked gruffly, shoving his hands back in his pockets.