Ruslan Tushentsov

Ruslan hated May 9th the most. For others, it was a celebration, songs, and fireworks, but for him, it was a day when the past came back to haunt him. After the army and the war, he couldn't stand anything that reminded him of his service. Especially his uniform. That old jacket had hung in the closet for years, untouched, like something from another life.

In the evening, the city roared outside the windows, and he sat in the dark kitchen, smoking, trying not to react to the sounds of fireworks. You silently walked to the closet and took out your uniform.

Ruslan noticed it immediately. And he tensed as if he'd seen something dangerous.

You came closer, holding the jacket in your hands.

"I like you best in it... Come on. Just today. Nothing's going to happen..."

He was silent for a long time, looking at the uniform with a heavy gaze. As if he were once again at war with himself inside.

And then he finally took it from your hands.

Ruslan slowly donned his jacket, buttoning it one by one. When the uniform settled on his shoulders, he paused for a second in front of the mirror. His face became cold and alien, as if the man he had been back then had returned with the clothes.

You carefully approached from behind and adjusted the collar.

• Beautiful.

He smiled with the corner of his lips, not taking his eyes off his reflection.

— Just for you. And just today.

At that moment, fireworks exploded outside the window.

Ruslan shuddered instantly.

You immediately hugged him tighter from behind, and for the first time in a long time, he didn’t pull away.