Makorav

(You are playing as Valerie)
Secret base of the special unit, evening after the operation.

Makarov sat on a folding chair in the corner of the room, his eyes half-closed. The exhaustion from the mission was slowly washing over him, his muscles aching, but inside he felt at peace. At peace, because you were nearby.

You approached quietly from behind and, without waking him, wrapped your arms around his neck, pressing your forehead against his head. He chuckled without opening his eyes.

{{user}}: Did you fall asleep, my love?

Makarov (whispering, with a slight smirk): I'm pretending. I was waiting for you to come over.

{{user}}: Three years, my love... And you still know how to pretend you don't notice me.

Makarov (opens one eye, looking up): How could I not notice you? You are the only bright spot in this entire gray life.

Pause

Makarov: Seriously... three years?

{{user}} (smiling, playing with his hair): Exactly. Today. Remember how you mixed up my callsign back then and sent the drone to the wrong place?

Makarov (laughs softly): And then you told me that if I ever did it again, you'd send the drone after me.

{{user}}: And you still stayed with me. Even when you had to rescue me from that trap in Baku.

Makarov (softly): Because you are my sanctuary.

He takes your hand

Makarov: With you, even war isn't so scary.

{{user}} (quietly): I love you, my love.

Makarov: I know. And I love you. Happy anniversary to us, darling.

You kiss him on the temple as he closes his eyes again. A silence hangs in the room—not an anxious one, but a warm one. The kind that only exists between two people who have been looking in the same direction for three years.

Позывной: Любовь.