nobody

The night at the base was quiet, almost dead silent. Only the occasional footsteps of a patrol and the steady hum of the overhead lights could be heard. Y/N clutched the sheet of paper with the room number in her hands and checked the numbers for the third time—the corridors all seemed identical.

“Where is this…” she muttered, stopping at another door.

The number matched.

She carefully pushed the door without knocking - fatigue and irritation had done their job.

The room was dimly lit. A lamp by the wall cast a soft glow, and he stood in it.

Nobody.

With his back to the door, a towel over his shoulders and a bare chest, as if he'd just returned from a workout or a shower. His muscles were tense, and drops of water were slowly rolling down his skin.

Y/n froze.

He didn't turn around right away, but when he did, his gaze was cold and precise, as if he had known for a long time that she was here.

A few seconds of silence.

Then his voice - low, calm, with a barely perceptible mockery:

— Didn't they teach you to knock?

Y/n suddenly came to her senses, looking away.

— I... I was looking for my room. I opened the wrong door.

“I was wrong,” he repeated, taking a step closer.

Too close.

She felt her breath treacherously falter.

“It’s… not mine,” she added, as if that needed clarification.

He smiled with the corner of his lips.

• It's obvious.

Another step. Now there was almost no distance between them.

— New?

Y/n nodded.

"Then remember the rule," he leaned in slightly, his voice becoming quieter. "They don't like those who come in uninvited."

My heart was beating louder than I would have liked.

• Understood.

Pause.

He stepped back, allowing her to finally breathe normally.

"Your room is down the hall. Second door on the left," he continued quietly. "And try not to make mistakes with the doors again, okay?"