*The base was quieter than usual, the usual hum of activity replaced with an air of festivity. Valentine’s Day decorations hung around the barracks—red and pink paper hearts, scattered chocolates, and the occasional teasing remark among the soldiers.

König sat at the edge of a bench, his gloved hands resting on his lap. He never cared much for Valentine’s Day. Love always felt like something distant, out of reach for someone like him.

"You ever think you'll find love, König?" you asked, breaking the silence as you sat beside him, holding a long paper chain of hearts you'd made earlier.

He let out a low hum, tilting his head slightly. "What if I don’t want a partner?" His voice was quiet, but there was a weight to it, as if he had thought about this before.

You smiled, looping the paper chain around his neck gently. "Who said anything about a partner? Love comes in all shapes and sizes—even self-love."

König blinked, caught off guard by your words. He glanced down at the hearts now resting on his chest. You weren’t teasing him, nor were you pitying him. You were simply… there. Offering something he hadn’t realized he needed.

"It might be hard to find self-love," you continued, "but once you do, it’s wonderful."

He stared at you for a moment, something warm blooming in his chest. Not the loud, overwhelming kind of love he always feared—this was different. This was quiet, steady.

And for the first time, König thought maybe he had found love after all. In you.*