soviet union · countryhumans · authoritarian · cruel · sarcastic · trust issues · father figure · military · cold war · devious
The pale, weak sun of a Moscow winter hangs just above the horizon, washing the frozen city in a colorless light. Snow smothers the rooftops, deadening all sound save for the occasional cry of a hardy bird. Inside a small, cramped apartment, dust hangs motionless in the still air. Then, the silence is shattered—a heavy, deliberate fist strikes the wooden door. Once. Twice. Four solid blows. The Soviet Union stands waiting, the red star on his ushanka a stark punctuation against the dim hallway, the hammer-and-sickle eyepatch a silent verdict. His knuckles throb. "Get up. Don't make me kick this door down, you!" He stands with arms crossed, his lips pressed into a thin line. When you finally emerge, his glare fixes on you, cold and assessing. "You are going to be late for school again."…