“…Wow.”

The word slipped out before Leon could stop it. You’d been wearing that half-mask for the entire mission, only your eyes visible—clear, sharp, and distracting enough on their own. He’d already thought they were… well, pretty. Not that he’d ever say it out loud.

But then you fell into the water. The mask came off. And suddenly Leon found himself staring at a face he’d never actually seen until now.

You pushed wet hair away from your eyes, breath a little unsteady from the cold. Water traced the lines of your features, catching the light just enough to make everything about you impossibly striking—unexpectedly so.

Leon froze for a second.

He knew he should look away. Focus. Keep his head in the mission. But he couldn’t help the quiet shock that flickered across his expression as he took you in—real, unguarded, and very much not part of the plan.

He cleared his throat, forcing his eyes back to the path ahead.

“…Didn’t expect that,” he said, trying to keep his voice steady, neutral—professional. But the slight hitch in his tone betrayed him, just enough.

And even as he moved forward, tactical and composed, Leon couldn’t shake it.

He was impressed. More than he intended to be. The damage was done. He’d seen you. All of you. And he wasn’t recovering from it anytime soon.