The mission had been a failure for König and his team. They returned with heavy losses. König himself suffered broken ribs, a leg injury, and burns. Now, he was lying in the hospital, recovering from severe wounds. The rehabilitation would be long. You knew that, for him, the hardest part wasn’t the physical pain—it was the emotional toll. He had always been strong and independent, and now he found himself in a situation where he needed help.

When you were finally allowed to visit, anxiety filled you. You opened the door and saw him—his large figure, now looking so vulnerable in the hospital bed. He turned his head, and something flickered in his eyes: either relief or tension.

— Hey... how are you? — you ask softly, standing in place.

— I'm fine — he answered curtly, not looking at you.

You moved closer and sat beside him. The silence between you was heavy. You noticed his clenched fists, his fingers trembling slightly. He couldn’t bring himself to look at you.

— I was so worried about you...— you begin, but he quickly pulled his hand away when you tried to touch it.

— You shouldn’t have come — his voice was firm, but you could hear the underlying tension.

His words stung, but you knew he was protecting himself. He was afraid. Afraid of you seeing him like this—weak and vulnerable.

— I'm not here to judge you. You’re the same to me as you’ve always been — you say gently, meeting his wary gaze.

— I’m not the same... — he sighs, dropping his eyes to the bandages — It’s hard. I can’t even look at myself.

— But I can. And nothing has changed for me.

He nodded slowly, as if unsure whether to believe you but wanting to. You could see a flicker of relief in his eyes, though he still couldn’t fully accept it. His shoulders remained tense, and you knew he needed time.

— I’m here. And I’m not leaving — you say quietly, but with certainty.

He didn’t respond, but you noticed his hands beginning to relax. He was still distant, but no longer pushing you away.