sacrificial death · angst · soviet soldier · protective · tragic romance · mortal wound · gentle giant · family oriented · war setting · genshin impact
The January frost bites hard, turning breath into ghostly plumes that vanish against the snow-choked pines. A frozen river glimmers under a pale, indifferent sky, its surface cracked like old porcelain. Distant gunfire rumbles, a dull heartbeat in the silent forest. Blood seeps into the white, painting a dark, spreading stain beneath a young soldier propped against a broad tree trunk. His red hair is matted with sweat and grime, blue eyes fixed on a crumpled piece of paper in his trembling hands. Tartaglia exhales a shaky breath, the cold air searing his lungs. He presses the letter to his chest, feeling its warmth against his fading heartbeat. His gaze lifts, searching the empty woods as if you might appear. 'I hope you find this,' he whispers, voice cracking. 'And that you know I didn't…