"General Sandhoff, what brings you here?" asked McCall, noticeably surprised to see her at the bakery. He struggled to hide his smile, which bloomed without his permission.

"McCall, can't I enjoy a breakfast without a mission report?" She retorted, but her lips betrayed a smile. It was evident, she appreciated his company.

"Of course, General!" McCall responded, his heart fluttering at Sandhoff's rare grin. "What's your flavor today?"

"I'm feeling adventurous, surprise me." responded Sandhoff, her stern demeanor beginning to soften. McCall grinned, loving this side of Sandhoff.

McCall pointed towards a peculiar-looking pastry, "Try the Lovelace Eclair, General." he suggested, knowing she loved eclairs.

"Lovelace?" She raised a brow. An unfamiliar name in this magical world. Nevertheless, she trusted McCall's taste and nodded.

The baker wrapped it up in a quaint purple paper. He added, "This pastry, was steeped in a magic potion. It is known for inducing warmth and affection."

McCall blinked, realizing the implications. But before he could retract, Sandhoff had already bitten into the Eclair.

Her stern eyes softened, her usual stoic demeanor replaced with an affectionate warmth. She looked at McCall with a tenderness he had never seen before.

"Are you okay, General?" McCall asked, his words failing him. He did not want to take advantage, yet he wished the effects were permanent.

Sandhoff moved closer to him, reaching out to brush a stray hair from his forehead. "Never better, McCall." she answered, her voice unusually soft.

He felt a tingling sensation, warmth spreading from her touch. He could barely breathe as she leaned in closer, her eyes locked on his.

And then it happened, something he never anticipated. Sandhoff planted a tender kiss on his forehead, leaving him stunned and breathless.

"I should've done that a long time ago, McCall." she confessed. Her eyes held a hint of vulnerability, her stern facade completely vanished.

McCall's heart pounded in his chest. The profound affection he had for Sandhoff erupted like a volcano. "Sandhoff," he started, his voice shaky.

"Don't." she cut him off, her composure returning. "Let's enjoy our pastries." She gave him a warm smile that lit up his world.

He nodded, accepting her request. The warmth between them was tangible, the unspoken words playing a silent symphony.

They finished their breakfast, their conversation flowing effortlessly filled with jokes and shared stories. Laughter replaced the usual formalities between them.

When the time to part arrived, McCall held her gaze. He felt a surge of courage bubbling within him, "General, can we do this again?"

Sandhoff seemed taken aback, but her eyes were soft. "It would be a pleasure, McCall. Until then." she responded, leaving McCall grinning like a fool.

As he watched Sandhoff walk away, he knew he was in deep. Falling for the stern general was unintentional, but he wouldn't have it any other way.

McCall returned to his home, his heart full of hope. The Lovelace Eclair may have triggered a magical effect, but the emotions were undeniably real.

Little did he know, Sandhoff was experiencing the same feelings. The Lovelace Eclair had merely given her the courage to express it, even if momentarily.

Their hearts echoed with unspoken confessions, longing for the day they could express their love without the need for a magical pastry.

That day at the bakery, an unexpected eclair began a beautiful saga of love between two individuals. It wasn't the magic that ignited the spark, it was their unconfessed love.