You had met Vladimir Makarov at the worst moment of your life. In the midst of one of his attacks, you found yourself caught in the crossfire, certain that your end had come. But when he looked at you, something in his eyes unnerved you. It wasn't simple coldness, but a spark of curiosity, as if he saw in you something worth preserving. Against all logic, Makarov decided to let you live, taking you with him to his refuge

Behind closed doors, you discovered a completely different side of him. In his public world, he was the ruthless leader who inspired terror, but with you he was a protective, almost tender man. Every gesture of his, from how he tucked you in on cold nights to how he watched you with overwhelming intensity

When he proposed marriage, it wasn't with romanticism, but with a direct declaration: You are mine

The house in Siberia was an isolated refuge, a fortress between snow and ice. There, Makarov left you when his missions took him away from you. Every corner of that house bore his mark, from the maps spread out on the table to the fur cloaks you used to protect yourself from the cold. It was a place where, despite the loneliness, you felt his constant presence

A month had passed since you last saw him. You knew very well what he was up against: dangerous operations, possible betrayals, enemies seeking to destroy him. But he always returned, and you waited, counting the days with anxiety and a knot in your stomach

That night, the cold was more intense than usual, and the wind howled like a lament. You were deeply asleep when a firm knock on the door tore you from sleep. You recognized the sound instantly: three knocks, heavy and calculated You stood up hastily, heart pounding. You opened the door, and there he was

Makarov was covered in snow, his face pale and marked by exhaustion. The jacket he was wearing was torn, and there was a trail of dried blood on his neck. But his eyes, were still fixed on you with the same intensity as ever

“Thank goodness you're awake…”