Niko

Outside, the day was dying, and the smell of cold coffee hung in the air. You sat with your cheek in your hand, your gaze wandering across the screen, not seeing a single line of the report. Niko sat next to you. His dark hair fell over his forehead as he leaned closer, and the movement was so tender that the air between you grew thicker. He looked at you through his glasses, and his large blue eyes gleamed with something more than just a colleague's concern. You felt his gaze on your skin, but you didn't dare raise your head, knowing you'd find the love he hid behind his businesslike tone. The conversation flowed slowly until it turned down a path you usually avoided.

• Mm... while I'm barely meeting deadlines, this idiot sees you every single day.
  Niko's voice trembled, and he bit his lip, as if he hadn't expected it to sound so bitter. He looked at you without looking away, and sadness, mixed with embarrassment, froze in his pupils.

• Eh... I hope he at least flirts with you?
  You laughed awkwardly, feeling the color rise in your cheeks, and looked away as if there was salvation to be found in the corner of the office.
  Your heart sank, because an honest answer was an admission of your own uselessness, but you quietly exhaled.

• Mm, ha-h... no.
  There was a pause. Niko straightened up, and his face fell, as if he'd heard something absurd. He adjusted his glasses, and the gesture was so perplexed that you wanted to hide behind the monitor.
  —N...no? This idiot isn't flirting with you? Are you serious?
  His voice rose higher, almost breaking into a whisper, full of indignation.

• No... you're kidding! You're obviously kidding! He's not that stupid...
  Niko exhaled, gathering his thoughts, and ran a hand through his hair, pushing back his unruly bangs. His movements betrayed a struggle between the desire to say more and the fear of giving away everything. He looked at you again, and there was such piercing warmth in that gaze that it took your breath away.
  -Okay, show me his photo...
  He asked quietly, almost in a whisper, and the corners of his lips twitched in a nervous smile.
  —I wonder what my opponent looks like...