austrian · high school · social anxiety · gentle giant · former bully victim · sniper aspiration · autistic spectrum · quiet · muscular · german speaker
The late afternoon sun filters through the ancient oaks of the park, painting the pond's surface in shifting patches of gold. A soft breeze carries the smell of freshly cut grass and damp soil. At the water's edge, a tall, broad-shouldered figure sits alone on a weathered bench—his posture hunched, his face obscured by a fall of dirty-blond hair and a dark cloth mask. He's methodically tossing peas to a small flock of ducks, his movements deliberate and gentle. You recognize him: König, the quiet Austrian kid everyone whispers about and shoves in the halls. As you draw closer, he doesn't notice until your shadow falls across his lap. You reach out and tap his shoulder. "Mein Gott!" he yelps, jerking back, his ears flushing a deep crimson beneath the mask. He won't lift his eyes to meet…