#colonel

Thank you all for the great reception!

I shall use this vigor to recruit me some lovely hounds.

Feeling like I should call myself Colonel in the future~

Ah, market day. Your favrioute day… most of the time.

Snow drifted lazily from the sky, the afternoon painted in shades of greys and white. Yet, the chill in the air - nor the snow on the ground - had seemed to put a damper on the Christmas market you were currently vending at. Fairy lights stretching between the gazebos, providing a brief shelter from the falling snowflakes while people browsed and moseyed their way down the lines of stalls. The scent of mulled wine, roasted chestnuts and baked goods wrapping itself around the market. Specifically strongest near your stall - an adorable display of crocheted plushies. All of which were your handiwork, as well as your pride and joy.

It had been a steady day, you'd found. Busy enough to keep you warm. Yet quiet enough so that it was pleasant, meaning you weren't rushed off your feet and able to continue crocheting away between chatting to those who came for a nosey.

A couple of self-proclaimed experts had stopped by earlier, insisting they could 'totally make it for cheaper at home', despite clearly not knowing a slip knot from a magic ring. But, overall, it had been peaceful. And you had long since learned to block out the disheartening comments.

You sat behind your table, working in rounds for what would be a snowman when it was finished, when the sound of heavy footfall crunching snow just before your stall made you perk up. Hastily putting in your stitch marker to save your place as you rose to greet whoever had come to look, a large shadow falling over you in the process.

Looking up, your mind simply… blanked.

The man standing before you towered over, well, everyone. Absolutely loomed.

A black sniper's hood covering his face, the intimidating sight shattered only by his bright blue eyes flickering over your plushies like a child his pile of presents on Christmas. The blue of his eyes made to pop more by the striking orange bleach marks streaking downwards on the fabric of the hood like stylized tears. His broad shoulders wrapped in a puffy winter coat, also dampening his daunting display; ill-equipped to hide how solid he was built.

You froze for barely a second, to your credit, before your brain kicked back into high gear.

"G-Good afternoon!" You greeted, the sound coming out squeaker then you would have perhaps liked, heat crawling up the back of your neck and onto your cheeks. "Feel free to pick things up and have a squish. I make everything myself so please don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions."

The towering man blinked once, slowly. His eyes flickering up from the plushies as if only just noticing there was a person behind the stall. Then dipped his head in a polite, almost shy nod.

"I did not mean to startle you," he apologised, voice deep, accented - Austrian perhaps? "I am… quite used to this reaction."

"O-Oh no, I-I wasn't-" you try to protest, feeling your face heat up more at his apology. Before the Austrian chuckled, finding your flustered state seemingly amusing, making you close your mouth in your own embarrassment.

He glanced down at the crocheted bears, dragons, cats and just about every other animal there was out there that were neatly displayed on your stall. His gloved hands hovered above them for a moment, careful and almost reverent, before picking up a small reindeer. Then squeezing it experimentally - oddly gentle for someone his size, you thought.

"It is soft" he hummed, sounding almost surprised as he inspected the toy.

"That's the idea," you replied, smiling at his reaction. You'd always enjoyed watching peoples reactions to the cute plushies you'd made. "Makes them more, well, squishable… and people like to squish them."

"I like to squish them" the Austrian nodded thoughtfully, obviously finding understanding in the explanation you'd given him.

Your nervous laughed slipped out before you could stop it. Quickly smothered by your mittened hand. However, his eyes - the only part of his visible - crinkled faintly with what might have been a smile beneath the hood at the sound.

"I am König," König introduced himself, setting the reindeer down back where it had sat on one of the stands. His introduction surprising you a little. It wasn't very often that a customer introduced themselves, after all. Though, this man did seem a little awkward. "I work at the private military group just out of town, Kortac… though, today I am just shopping."

"Oh… well, welcome," you gestured to your humble gazebo, equally as awkward in your flustered state. "I hope you find something to your liking."

"These," he nodded down to the plushies, seemingly having to think about his words before speaking. Probably translating what he wished to say in his head before doing so, if you had to guess. "They are… very good. You must have much patience."

"Think its more coffee then patience, honestly."

A low chuckle escaped him, warm in a way that felt like a compliment. Like he was laughing with you rather then at you.

His eyes then landed on a fluffy crocheted fox, the only one you'd made for this particular market. Complete with a Santa hat and little scarf wrapped around his neck. Picking him up, König's gaze seemed to soften.

"This one," he said. "It is… how do you say it… charming."

"I'm glad you think so" you beam, happy for the compliment on your hard work.

König lingered - far longer then most customers would. Sometimes squishing something again, still marvelling at the softness and plushness of the toys you'd made. Sometimes asking quiet questions about stitches, yarn types or how long something took to make.

Eventually, however, he straightened. The fox from before in hand, seemingly capturing the giant's heart.

"I will take this one" he said with a kind of determination that you couldn't help but find endearing. Sweet, in a way.

Taking payment and wrapping your plushies - now his - up, you find yourself blushing as you both continue to make conversation. A pleasant warmth fluttering inside your chest as you promptly take payment before handing him his change, as well as his new bagged friend.

"Danke" König thanked, taking the bag gratefully. However, didn't make a move to turn and leave just yet.

Instead, the Colonel shifted his weight between his feet. Clearing his throat - a surprisingly bashful gesture for someone built like a fortress.

"Forgive me if this is… forward," he began, eyes flickering away before returning to you. "But, I find you very pleasant to speak with. I like… how you say… flustering you, I find. It is endearing."

Your breath caught in your throat, eyes widening.

"May I perhaps ask," König continued. "If you might allow me your number?"

You pause for a moment, taken aback by his - as he said - forwardness. You had been doing markets for a while now but this definitely had to be a first.

"I-I'm sorry but I don't hand out my number to strangers" you decline, heart sinking as you watched the towering man seem to shrink in on himself at the rejection.

"I understand, it was a long shot-"

"But, the market finishes in an hour," you cut him off with a shy smile. "If your maybe willing to help me pack up and get everything loaded in my car, then maybe we could go for coffee after? I know this place down the road… we wouldn't be strangers after having coffee together, right?"

"No, no we wouldn't," König nodded eagerly, perking at your offer. "I shall be back in an hour then… until then, Schatz."

Hi, all! Beanie here!

Incase you didn't know, I actually run a discord server named 'Beanie's Tea Room' ❤️ we host movie nights, gaming lobbies, art competitions and have so many fun people from all walks of life within the server.

I also post sneak peaks of my writings ahead of time 🤭