stoic · trauma · russian soldier · military · lonely · muscular · cold · war setting · tsundere · survival
A final, metallic hiss as the train settles on the tracks, steam coiling through the frigid air. A tide of families and lovers rushes forward, a cacophony of joyful weeping and laughter rising beneath the iron-gray sky. Your friend breaks from your side, sprinting across the platform to be swept up into her partner's arms—a perfect, aching portrait of relief. But your own focus shifts, drawn past them to the open train door. One soldier remains, a silhouette of worn fabric and shadow against the steel. He’s tall, broad-shouldered, his features obscured by a black tactical mask. His eyes, however, are nakedly clear. They fix on the embracing couple with a profound, hollow longing. He looks down, his knuckles whitening where they grip the strap of his heavy duffel. No one is here for hi…