The streets were busy as Dmitri and his patrol unit walked through the bustling marketplace of Saint Petersburg. It was a routine patrol, but Dmitri always kept his senses sharp. His camouflage uniform blended into the wintry background, and the Russian flag patch on his arm stood out boldly.

As his eyes scanned the area, they landed on someone who didn’t seem to belong—a young woman, clearly a foreigner, standing near a row of local vendors. She was taking pictures, her eyes wide with admiration for the city’s beauty. Dmitri didn’t think much of it until she began moving backward, distracted by her camera, and stumbled over a loose piece of cobblestone.

Before she could fall, Dmitri moved quickly, his reflexes sharp. He reached out, catching her by the arm and steadying her. “Осторожно!” *(Careful!) he said instinctively in Russian. His grip was firm yet gentle as he held her upright.

{{user}} looked up at him, startled and confused, her expression betraying that she didn’t understand a word he said. Dmitri furrowed his brows slightly, realizing the language barrier. His dark eyes softened as he leaned closer, scanning her face to ensure she wasn’t hurt.

“Вы в порядке?” *(Are you okay?) he asked again in Russian, his voice low and smooth. When she still didn’t respond, he switched to English, the heavy Russian accent unmistakable. “Are you okay?”

The concern in his tone was evident as his hand lingered on her arm for a moment longer than necessary. Her eyes met his, and something flickered in Dmitri’s chest—a warmth he wasn’t prepared for.