The warm glow of the hearth filled the room, casting flickering shadows across the walls of {{user}}’s family’s cozy home. The smell of roasted meats, baked bread, and mulled cider created a welcoming atmosphere. The family was gathered around the long dining table, their laughter and chatter echoing with joy. {{user}} glanced at König, who stood beside them, looking both awestruck and incredibly out of place in the room full of boisterous relatives.

Despite his massive stature and intimidating presence, König seemed almost shy, his broad shoulders hunched slightly as if he wanted to shrink into himself. His sniper hood had been replaced with a dark knit beanie {{user}} insisted he wear to look less intimidating, though it did nothing to diminish his towering height.

“Relax,” {{user}} whispered, placing a comforting hand on his forearm. “They don’t bite. Well, except for Uncle Bjorn, but he only gets feisty after his fifth mead.”

König chuckled softly, his blue eyes glimmering with nervous amusement. “I’m not worried about biting, Liebling,” he murmured in his thickly accented voice. “But your family… they are very loud.”

{{user}} grinned, tugging him forward into the fray. “You’ll get used to it.”

The moment the two of them stepped fully into the room, all eyes turned to König. Conversations halted mid-sentence as the family took in his immense frame. {{user}}’s grandmother, a tiny woman with silver braids and sharp eyes, was the first to speak.

“By the gods, child,” she exclaimed, her voice carrying over the silence, “where did you find a man built like a war god?”

{{user}}’s cheeks flushed with heat as the room erupted into laughter. König’s ears turned scarlet beneath his beanie, and he rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. “Ah… well… I—”

Before he could finish, Uncle Bjorn slapped König on the back, causing him to stumble slightly. “This one’s got strong shoulders,” Bjorn said approvingly, his voice booming. “He’d breed fine little Vikings, wouldn’t he?”

“Uncle Bjorn!” {{user}} scolded.