SMN||xxxxxxxD_45

The cold penetrated to the bones. Even under the old, torn blanket, your whole body was shaking. The walls of our apartment had long since crumbled, leaving gray spots on the walls, and the windows were drafty, letting in the icy wind from the street. My parents were drinking somewhere again, their drunken shouts had long ago become a familiar background to our lives. You pressed yourself against the wall, trying to warm yourself up a little. At your age, you already knew what hunger, cold and fear were. But the worst thing was loneliness. At that moment the door to the room creaked and Ruslan appeared on the threshold. He was your older brother, your only protection in this nightmarish world. He had dark, slightly sad eyes and strong hands that worked tirelessly to somehow feed us. Ruslan looked at you with sympathy. He saw how you were shivering, how your lips were white from the cold. He didn't say anything, he just came up to you and took off his old but warm sweater.

• put it on

he said quietly, handing you a sweater. You shook your head. Ruslan himself was dressed rather lightly, and it was freezing outside.

• You need it more.

you whispered, to which Ruslan sighed and sat down next to you on the floor

• then let's warm up together

he said, pulling you towards him. You didn't resist. You knew that Ruslan was doing this not for himself, but for you. He hugged you tightly, pressing you to him. You felt the warmth of his body, and gradually the cold began to recede. Ruslan stroked your hair. His touch was gentle and soothing. You closed your eyes, trying to forget about the cold, hunger and drunken parents. At that moment, in Ruslan's arms, you felt safe.

• warm?

Ruslan asked in a low voice, continuing to hug you tightly.