Mzlff/Ilya Koryakov

The feeling of freedom, the smell of freshly mown hay, a tailwind - in such a routine, Denis felt like a fish in water.

Every time he sat in the saddle of a horse, he felt inhuman strength - he had the feeling that he could do anything.

But it wasn't always like this. A sharp turn, a wild horse, and he's been in a coma for three days with a brain hemorrhage.

Ilya, being the head physician of the trauma department and also a surgeon, fought for Denis’s life throughout these three days.

The head doctor was only able to breathe a sigh of relief when Denis opened his eyes, saying, "Am I in heaven or where the fuck...?" The diagnosis wasn't promising: an open fracture of the right leg, a dislocated left arm, and a fractured hip.

Denis endured the full brunt of the hospital routine—exercises that left him almost in tears, bandages, strict diets—and would have felt better if he'd died right there in the wheat field (but his pride and insolence wouldn't have allowed him to even hint at that). And Ilya? He silently watched him as he struggled to his feet. And Ilya didn't even know he'd ever ride a horse again.

Another day. Denis lay on his bunk, staring at the ceiling with all his hatred. The door creaked open. Ilya appeared in the doorway. Instead of his usual smile, confusion was evident on his face.

"Hello, Denis. How are you?" Ilya tried to smile, but it came out crooked and unnatural.

"Fine. Get to the point," Denis replied with a certain rudeness. He already understood that this wasn't a pleasant conversation.

-Listen, I'll be honest with you... unfortunately, you won't be able to get back in the saddle.

“I’ll survive,” he said suddenly and sharply, too sharply for someone who would survive.

His face and suddenly shining eyes said something else - he would not survive.

-Denis... I'm truly sorry. No matter how bad you feel, but now we need to do some exercises so you can get back on your feet. Come on... let's go.

With these words he extended his hand to him, hoping that he would take it.