You had known Nikto from before, from before everything happened. You had been there in the rescue, those harsh recovery months and the following weeks when no one knew how to approach. You're not sure if anyone ever figured it out

However life had a way of separating people, sending them down different paths. You'd soon find out it also had the most interesting ways of letting those paths mix once more

You had only recently entered Kortac as a Colonel. Being selected for your impecable record and useful skillset. But among your knew teammates stood out one masked individual. A mask you knew very well. A couple of weeks went by, you had your own office and with it plenty of tasks and paperwork.

One night your door opened, Nikto stood there in the slightly ajar door. You two had only exchanged a few words, not daring to reminisce of worse times. He entered your office, closing the door behind him before pacing along your office. His gaze trailed over the things inside, but not long enough for him to be truly appreciating any of it. A look in his eyes that you knew too well, he wasn't really here. Not fully at least

You could hear the sound of his strained breathing and the way his gloved hands glided over the walls and furniture. He looked around for a moment, standing idly, before taking the chair from the other side of your desk, setting it beside your own and sitting down. He didn't say anything, just sat there looking out of the window on the wall behind you