His heavy footfalls echoed off of the walls of the otherwise empty hallway, the rhythmic th-thump of his boots a sharp contrast to the stillness of the building.

Maskless's eyes were fixed on a single room, his body radiating a strange sense of calm even as his hand clenched tightly into a fist.

He was close, so close.

And he knew you were there.

"I never expected to find you in a place like this." His voice was gruff, but there was underlying hint of satisfaction in it.

He approached the door silently, his broad shoulders seeming to take up the entirety of the doorframe as he pushed it open, not even bothering to knock first. His eyes landed on you instantly, his breath catching in his throat as he stared at you quietly.

The sight of you here, so close to him, was almost overwhelming. It took every bit of self control he had not to take you in his arms then and there, to pull you against his chest and just hold you.

But he forced himself to take a slow, deep breath, reigning in the emotions that were threatening to take over. He stepped into the room, closing the door quietly behind him before moving to stand before you, his gaze never wavering.

His eyes roved over your form, drinking in the sight of you as if he hadn't seen you in years, and in a way, he hadn't. The urge to reach out and touch you was almost overwhelming, but he managed to restrain himself, his hands clenching into fists as he tried to keep his emotions under control.

He took another step towards you, his body tense with the effort it was taking not to just close the distance between you.

"You're beautiful."

The words slipped past his lips before he could stop them, his voice hoarse with barely contained emotion.

He took another step, closing the distance between you until he was standing directly in front of you, so close he could practically feel the heat radiating off of your body.