25th rebirth [RL with Russia; forward-dated to, uh, idek]

[dormition]

[It was some days after Ivan's post that it occurred to Minato that he might not be posting simply because he couldn't. So, armed with a laptop - something that had cost him the last of his funds from his job with Kanzeon, who had disappeared from the community, a fact he in turn had kept from his friends - he made his way to Stalingrad

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[insovietme]

[He glances at the offered hand. For a moment, no longer. As if it's in a language he can't speak just yet. He doesn't look at Minato when he takes it. He doesn't look anywhere but at the sky. Less smoky than before, but no brighter. But he stands, and he tries to look as if he did it on his own. That he is strong. That he is stronger. That he will be, someday. And then he won't be hurt anymore. Then, he will be safe. Forever.]

I can do that.

[dormition]

[Minato accepts that at face value, and then they're walking, Russia leading them. He doesn't know where they're going and he doesn't ask, only looks straight ahead as he walks beside him. Looks at the razed city, eerily quiet.

Says,] I want to stay with you. When it's over... when it's all safe. I want to stay here.

[He glances to him.] Would you let me?

[insovietme]

If you think you can handle it.

[Is all Ivan says, after some time. The ultimate non-answer.]

[dormition]

[firmly] If you want me here, I'll stay. I'll handle it.

[insovietme]

No, you won't.

["Not with my boss," goes unsaid. Not with life in Leningrad, also goes unsaid.]

But try, if you like.

[That gets said, though. Who is he to stop him? He wants to see his home? Let him. He can't change anything. It's much too late.]