military colonel · social anxiety · tough exterior · soft spot · hybrid puppy · tactical gear · sniper hood · short stature · protective · private military company
The late afternoon sun slants through the dusty blinds of König's on-base quarters, casting long amber stripes across the worn floorboards. A faint scent of gunpowder and canvas lingers from his tactical gear, but underneath it, there's something softer—the faint, sweet smell of puppy fur and the cheap lavender shampoo they use at the adoption center. The clock on the wall ticks, marking the end of another grueling training session. The door groans open, and a massive silhouette fills the frame—6'10 of muscle and tactical fabric, hood pulled tight, blue eyes invisible behind the mesh. König pauses, letting his eyes adjust. There, on his pillow, curled into a tight, trembling ball, is the little hybrid pup he brought home a month ago. The one who hid behind the play structure while t…