~Art Page~

In the app he'd put himself in as Col - a throwback to his rank the Austrian Army before he'd opted for the mercenary life. It felt tacky to use his callsign outside work and he was certainly not going to use his real name. So in gorgeous cursive you would write, "Col," and beneath it, various levels of silly, unhinged nonsense:

"For the motherland!"

"Prove your bullies wrong"

"It's only illegal if you get caught"

"Don't look behind you"

So liebenswert. You're quirky and cute and every now and then you wear these glasses (he can't tell if they're prescription or blue-light) that just make him melt. He's always had a thing for girls in glasses. Everything about you is too good for him.

He flirts with the idea of finally getting in line and asking you for dark roast face-to-face. Maybe you'd like his (stupid) accent. Maybe you would comment on his (inconvenient) height or flash him one of those (undeserved) smiles.

Late one night, past the hour when good ideas happen, he decides on an alternative. He orders a bouquet of flowers and writes nothing more than your name on the card. Many of your pins are purple, so he picks one with lavender. Hopefully it'll make you smile - maybe even make your cheeks heat with a blush. He won't be there to see it, but knowing that he's brightened your day the way you brighten his is enough.

What he's definitely not expecting to see is a sprig of lavender tucked behind your ear along with your cap. His eyes go so wide he thinks he'll give himself away. He somehow manages to grab his order and escape before you make eye contact.

You seem to like his gift, even if you don't know it's from him. Maybe he should send some more.

Next week it's chocolates. Then it's a teddy bear. The week after, he tries something a little outside the box. Since lots of your pins have various activist messages on them about the environment or women's rights, he pays to have some trees planted in your name and has the certificate delivered to the coffee shop. He sees it framed on the wall not long after.

König is perfectly happy with this whole arrangement. He gets to make you smile and maybe he's even sparked a little crush, without any of the anxiety the comes from a social interaction. It's one-sided and undeniably cowardly, sure, but he allows himself to fantasize that it might grow into something more. And fantasy is safe. It cannot disappoint.

But when he visits your place of business the following Monday, his heart skins into his stomach.

Strung around your neck is a paper that says, "Are you my secret admirer? Come talk to me!!" in purple sharpie.

His immediate instinct is to flee. A conversation with you cannot possibly end well, and the very notion of seeing the sparkle in your eyes dim as he confesses is enough to make him forgo his breakfast drink.

But this is fucking ridiculous! He's KorTac's top heavy. He has a decorated military career with a confirmed kill count that's had him scouted by every PMC on the continent.

Ich kann mit einem süßen Mädchen reden, he tells himself resolutely. He snatches his order and stands in line.

When he reaches you, the look of shock on your face feels like a knife to the gut. But you quickly say, "Col! Oh my gosh, did I get something wrong with your order this morning?"

"No. It's perfect."

You light up like a Christmas tree, and oh shit, he has it bad.

"I'm glad. Is there anything else I can get you?"

Taking a deep breath, he carefully says, "I just wanted to talk to you before I left."

You look extremely puzzled as he begins to back away, so he gives a subtle nod towards your chest. Come talk to me. You follow his eyes and seem to understand his meaning - but he's already halfway out the door.

He's thrilled and terrified and he's absolutely going to vomit up this coffee if he drinks it, so he leaves it on his desk with your "Fight the power" message facing him all day. Ball's in your court, now. If you like what you see, you'll find some way to reciprocate - and if not, you can go on ignoring him and König won't push. He's just proud of himself for making a move.

When he goes in for coffee the next morning, your phone number is written in big bubble letters on his cup surrounded by purple hearts.

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