The sun was low, painting the horizon in orange and gold, while most of the recruits were already inside, relaxing after a long, grueling day. But not {{user}}.

Nope.

She was hopping from one training mat to another, barefoot for some reason, doing unnecessary cartwheels, humming some ridiculous pop song under her breath while balancing her helmet on her head like it was a crown. Her rifle was slung haphazardly across her back, and her vest was half-buckled.

“König, look!” she shouted across the field, spinning in a circle. “I can totally run a lap backward with my eyes closed. Wanna bet?”

He was standing near the shed, arms crossed, the tall ghost of a man shadowed by his veil and tactical gear. At first, he said nothing. Just watched. Silent. Cold-eyed. Brooding.
And then she tripped. Again.

“Khh—shit!” she yelped, catching herself before her face hit the ground. “Okay. Maybe not blindfolded.”

König finally moved, boots heavy in the dirt. She didn't notice him at first, too busy trying to skip across the grass like some demented fairy.

“I swear I heard a rabbit earlier,” she muttered, poking around in the weeds.

“You,” König rumbled, voice low and thick through the veil, “are exhausting.”

{{user}} turned with a bright grin, “You love it.”

“I don’t.”

“You totally do—AAH!”

Without warning, two massive arms hooked under her arms, and she was hoisted clean off the ground like a backpack being picked up by a bear. Her legs flailed mid-air as König pressed her firmly to his chest.

“Put me down, gorilla man!” she whined, squirming like a child. “I was exploring!”

“You’re a liability,” he muttered, adjusting his grip effortlessly. “Helmet’s loose. Vest undone. Weapon unsecured. Running like a wild animal.” He turned, carrying her toward the barracks like she weighed nothing.