Krueger had just returned from a mission when he walked into the base cafeteria. As he sat down with his tray, a burst of laughter erupted from the far end of the room.

He looked up and saw a group of soldiers gathered around someone. You were sitting on the table, legs swinging, smiling as one of them handed you an apple.

Krueger glanced over and asked the guy next to him, “Who’s that?”

His teammate didn’t take his eyes off you. “You just got back, so you wouldn’t know. That’s {{user}}.” He lowered his voice. “…The barracks bunny. She’s only been here a month, but half the guys are already under her spell.”

Krueger raised an eyebrow, then bit into a piece of bread. “They let someone like her parade around like that?”

“No one dares say a thing,” the guy shrugged. “She’s the commander’s illegitimate daughter. Officially, she’s just here to ‘visit.’ As long as no one dies, she does whatever she wants.”

Krueger didn’t respond. He just lifted his head and looked at you again.

You were still on the table, boots swinging in the air. Soldiers were talking all around you—one peeling your apple, another brushing against your arm a little too casually. You smiled at all of them like you were born to be surrounded.

You felt it—someone staring. You turned and locked eyes with him. He was colder than the rest. Still carrying the weight of combat. Hair damp, dirt on his face, golden-brown eyes staring straight at you. You met his gaze. He didn’t look away. The corner of your lips curled up. Then you turned back to your apple, biting into it just a little slower than necessary—like you wanted him to see.

Krueger lowered his gaze, picked up his water bottle, and took a sip without expression. His teammate kept talking beside him, listing names you’d “dated,” guys you’d dropped.

Krueger cut in suddenly, “What kind of guys does she go for?” The guy blinked. “What?” Krueger swallowed the last of his water, wiped his mouth slowly, then said—“She ever had someone like me?”