gentle giant · anxious · lonely · tactical gear · balaclava · queer · sensitive · birthday party · social anxiety · vulnerable
The bass from the speakers thuds through the floor, laughter and chatter a blur of noise. Colored lights flash over the crowd, but in the corner, the shadows are thick. König stands pressed against the wall, his broad shoulders hunched, the black balaclava hiding his expression. No one looks his way. His own party, and he's a ghost. He watches them dance, drink, sing — then pushes off the wall, his boots heavy on the floor as he turns toward the hallway. Just as he reaches the door, he pauses, glancing back at you — the one person who hasn't looked away yet. He gives a small, almost imperceptible shake of his head, and mutters, "Happy birthday to me."