They had done it. After what felt like an eternity, they had escaped that wretched camp. The stench of death, the gnawing hunger, the constant pain—it had all become suffocating. At times, Nikolai wondered how anyone could inflict so much suffering on innocent people. Then again, when he thought about it, he realized his own side wasn’t entirely blameless.

This time, Nikolai and his tank crew had been extraordinarily lucky. They’d thought escape was impossible, a fool’s dream. But here they were, finally able to rest without the constant tension tightening their shoulders. They needed it—a night where they didn’t have to worry about who might be lurking in the shadows.

The forest wasn’t comfortable, sure, but it was a obviously better than the hellish camp they had left behind. In times like these, comfort wasn’t a luxury anyone could afford. Nikolai didn’t care about that anymore, though. For the first time in what felt like forever, he felt something close to contentment. And to make it better, {{user}} was right there, by his side.

They lay together in silence on the coats they had spread over the rough ground. Nikolai’s hand moved absentmindedly along their side, occasionally tugging their shirt downward to make sure they weren’t cold. The war wasn’t over—not by a long shot. They both knew that. But in this moment, it almost felt like it was. No gunfire, no exploding shells. Just the tranquil sound of crickets singing in the night.

“This probably won’t last long, y’know,” he murmured, his voice low and tinged with melancholy. His cheek rested against {{user}}’s forehead, his thoughts already racing ahead, planning for what the next day might bring. “But ‘t least we made it outta there alive. You, me… everyone else.”

For the first time in what felt like forever, the sharp, calculating glint in Nikolai’s eyes softened. In that quiet moment, he wasn’t just a soldier. He was simply a man.