Chapter Text
Siberia, Russia 1940
Another fight has happened, ruthless people raided a small house in the mountains of Siberia again.
But no matter how many men they send, they will never win. No matter how much they hurt him.
"Misha, you are still hurt, you can't go out like this." A woman begged her son in her native language as she held onto him tightly, cleaning his still fresh wounds and he still insisted on going out once again.
The older woman frowned as she pressed the wet rag into his arm, still had a gash on it.
He got into a fight defending his home..
Those pigs used a knife on him, thank God it only hit his arm.
Those pigs are now currently in 6ft under of snow.
"Mama, we have nothing to eat.. Let me go so I can find something." A deep hiss came from the oldest son, feeling the sting of the warm water cleaning his fresh and frozen wounds.
"We still have a little more.." She said.
"Only enough for me and sisters.. Not for you. You need to eat too, mama." Misha frowned, remembering those days where his mother will go through days without eating just so her children can have their meals.
"I don't need it." Her body said so otherwise. She had lost weight, too much for Misha's liking. Misha felt guilty that he gets to eat while his own mother starve.
"Mama.. Please.. I will only be gone for short time. I promise." Misha slowly moved his arm away, his mother froze into place as she felt his sons hands against hers.
"I can't lose you too Misha.. " She couldn't even look up at her son, she just kept her head low and gripped his hands.
Misha could tell she was crying by how much her hands was shaking.
"You won't mama.. I will never leave you.. But I don't want to lose you too, so let me go out and find food. For you." Misha held her hands with one hand as the other to wipe her tears. He can't stand to see his mother cry.
His Mother let out a sigh, it took her a minute to say something.
"Be back soon, please.. You are still hurt, be very careful."
Misha smiled softly and nodded. "Of course.. And I will. Thank you, Mama." Misha pulled her into a quick hug before quickly hurrying to gather his things and weapons he needs.
Despite the pain he was still in and the wounds still bleeding on his body.
He had to stay strong.
For his sisters.
For his Mama.
_____________________________
There was not much to find out here in the snow.
This deep into the winter, even bears are nowhere to be found they're hibernating for the season.
Well luckily for Misha, one bear decided to wake up early. Could be enough for a few days.
Put up a good fight too, it did.
The bear was lucky Misha was still injured, he didn't give the bear the quick kill he hoped for.
If he had little wounds earlier from the fight with the men, he definitely had way much more now. But no bear was going to kill him today.
He groaned as he dragged the bear with all his might, he just wanted to get back home to his family now.
On his way back, he took a route that was different than he knows. With that, he saw something different.
A cabin.
Normally he ignored those, they were mostly abandoned anyway and probably some animal was taking shelter in it so who was he to intrude?
But this cabin..
He saw a dim light coming from inside and smoke leaking through the wooden roof.
Signs of red flags already.
Someone was inside that.
His blood boiled thinking it was one of the men that came earlier to hurt them and is now camping nearby, dangerously close to his home.
He didn't hesitate to drop the bear he was holding and didn't waste time to go near, it wasn't a small cabin nor a big one either.
But one can never be too sure, who knows, maybe there are more of them inside.
Either way, he will make sure their screams die on their lips.
He came barreling to the door, surely enough it was barricaded.
That did not stop Misha. In fact, it made him angrier, enough to start ramming his shoulders to the door, breaking the wood with ease.
With just the third slam, the barricaded door gave out, he stepped inside to see that his theory was right.
There was a small fire in the middle of the cabin, but no one was in sight.
There could have been no way for anyone to go through.
Misha growled under his breath and looked around, finding his target. No matter how many they are, he didn't care. He can't have someone dangerous living this close to his home.
"Arrrghhh!!"
Misha's eyes widened, he heard a yell as a sudden hit came from behind him, someone came out from behind the door.
"Lass mich gehen! Zeig mir den Weg nach Hause, sonst bringe ich dich um!" A voice screamed bloody terror.
Misha groaned in pain as he glared back, the hit hurt. But not as much.
He turned back to see a man, he looked different. He looked just as furious too.
He held a wooden plank that was used to hit him, and he looked like he was ready to do it again.
"Sprechen!" The man yelled again as he raised the plank, not swinging it yet and seemingly not scared of the man twice as big as him.
Misha could've easily squished this man's skull if he wanted. And he would've but something made him not do it.
What was the man saying?
Instead Misha's angry face turned to confusion. He did not look like the men that were after them too. He looked way too different, even his clothes, he looked more like those doctors he sees in the village. At least he assumes he is one judging by the clothes.
That was just the tip of the iceberg.
He noticed one of his sleeves was gone, instead the cloth was used as a bandage and he did have some.
And he had bruises on his face too.
The man growled and swung his wooden plank. "Ich sagte, rede, verdammt noch mal-"
Misha grabbed it before it could hit him, easily yanking it away from the man and threw it away.
The man's face paled as his eyes widened and looked up.
He slowly backed up and held up his shaking hands. "D-Du bist keiner von ihnen? Bitte, ich will einfach nur nach Hause." His voice was hoarse, sounded like this wasn't the only time he screamed.
Misha only got closer but instead of killing him.
"Кто ты?" Misha spoke, finally.
The man looked at him, still the same, clearly not understanding it.
Misha hummed, thinking of a way to communicate with him. Misha does not know a lot of ways but he knows one.
And he may not be good at it. But it was his only option.
"You are not from here?" Misha spoke in english, his thick accent almost made it sound like its not english but he could only hope the other man understood.
The man's eyes widened.
"Nein!- I-I mean.. No!" He perked up, struggled to switch languages but managed.
Misha knew so little english but he picked up a thing or two from school and from his mother, who used to be a teacher before all of this happened.
"Why you here?" Misha asked again.
The man stood there silent, as if he was thinking of how to answer him.
"Taken.. M-Men take me from home.. Not told me vhere." The man said.
Misha nodded once again. "You are in mountains of siberia." He hoped the man can say where he's from maybe he can send him to a village if he lives there or at least someone else can help him.
The man's face turned mortified. "Siberia.. In Russia?!" He yelled again. As if he was just finding out where he was.
Misha was shocked that he sounded so shocked. Did he not know he's in Russia?
"Yes, you are in mountain in Russia, go and find way out of here. Is dangerous, very many predators." Misha just groaned as he warned him. At least he knows he's not a threat anymore.
He was about to leave and get back to work on bringing food back to his home and leave this man to his own devices.
"B-Bitte- I-.. V-Vait! Please.. Help me.. I from Germany.. Vas taken here because men told me I vas going to be in uni." The man spoke, begged even.
Misha raised a brow at him. Uni? As in University?
"Men told you you go to Uni?" Misha repeated.
The man nodded, he quickly ran to a different corner. He seemed to retrieved his things.
"Zhey told me zhey give school for no money.. Zhen they.. Zhen.. I'm here.." The man's voice trembled as he showed off his things.
He had medical items with him.
Misha's face fell. He understood what happened.
This poor man was scammed into thinking he can go to school for free and was offered to him instead he got trafficked and got sent here to be their medic by force.
Literally got dragged into this war thinking he was getting the education he wanted.
"Bitte.. Please.. I need to go home.." He softly begged again.
Misha can easily say no and leave him. He already has a lot on his plate, he can't be taking this man back home.
Lile he said, men took him here. What if he took this man home with him then the other bad men will only track him down. Leading to his own family's doom.
He can't risk that.
"Nyet, cannot help you." Misha growled as he went back out where he came and got back to where he dropped his bear.
The man followed him regardless. "Please! Vill do anything! Help vounds, cure sick, surgeries! Can help!" The man begged again, offering his services in return.
Misha just groaned again as he picked up the bear and started walking. Hoping that ignoring the man might get him to leave him alone.
But instead he still followed.
"I said nyet."
"Bitte! I-I have to go home! My mozher needs me!" He yelled.
Misha stopped in his tracks. He didn't care for the man, not him and his story.
But the mention of his mother. That broke something in him.
"My mozher has me.. Me only.. She is old and not vell.. I need to go back.." The man begged again, if it wasn't so cold. You could see he was crying.
Something about that triggered something inside Misha. A mother is relying on their child and that child is taken from them without their knowledge.
That hits like home..
He looked back to the man. He could be lying... Only to get into Misha's head for all he knows.
But his face..
The man's face told everything.
Misha sighed, cold air leaving his mouth as he caved in. Couldn't stand the think that if he's saying is true, then he can't leave him like this.
"Come.. House is near. We talk more there." Misha started walking again, the man nodded and followed closely.
The two men walked in silence as they battled through thick snow until a small cabin came to view and got closer and closer to it.
Misha came in and opened the door but stayed there, not letting the man inside yet.
"Mama!" Misha called out as he groaned and dropped the bear at the floor of his house. He came in, dusting his coat.
"Misha! You are home!" Misha's mother came and immediately hugged her son, happy that he was home and in her arms again.
Misha smiled and hugged her back, enjoying the warm feeling she gave her. But seconds later he pulled her away with a serious face.
"Mama, have to tell you something. I have brought someone.. Not enemy, but someone in need of help." Misha spoke softly in Russian.
The older woman's face fell into confusion as Misha stepped out of the way to show their quest by the door way.
Standing there, nervous.
"Misha, who is this?" His mother looked terrified. She wasn't used to strangers, especially not at her home.
Misha rubbed her back, hoping to calm her down when he felt her tense up.
"He is not from here, can speak english a little, he was taken here. Men take him from his home and family, don't think he is not from this country." Misha explained.
The older woman's eyes fell from terrified to sadness hearing the story. "Animals... They are pathetic pigs for doing that to young man." His mother warmed up immediately as she slowly approached the man.
"Come in, will make dinner soon." She waved him in, using her small knowledge of the english language to welcome him.
The man gave a small smile as he stepped in deeper.
"Danke.. Thank you.."
Misha nodded as he started to carry his bear again. "Can help me with bear." He said to the man and pointed to the bear still on the floor.
The man nodded and immediately started helping and carried the bear with him along to the kitchen.
As they both set it down, the man felt a tight grip around his arm. Both alone in the kitchen away from the big man's Mother to give him a warning. He looked up to see Misha glaring at him.
"I welcome you to home now. But if you hurt my family. . . I will make sure your mother vill have her son back in small piece." He growled deeply.
The man's face turned mortified again, but he can understand the message. He tried to remain calm and stoic as he nodded.
"Vould never do such thing.."
"Good."
He let go of his arm and started doing his own thing.
Ludwig gulped and rubbed the aching feeling of his arm. He certainly did not want to mess with this family.
___________________
The family ate silently at the dinner table, the man had to reintroduce himself once two little girls came in, surprised to see a guest.
Like her brother, they was also angry at him at first. Cautious of the dangers of strangers. But they eventually calmed down and eventually just stared glares or curious looks on him every now and then.
"So.. Misha has told me you are not from here?" Misha's mother asked.
The man nodded. "Am from Germany.. Brought here by men.. Tricked me.."
"And what is name?" She asked, she had a calming voice but he can tell shes being cautious. All of them were as they sat around him.
The man looked up at them, contemplating if he should come up with a fake name or use his real one. He was still in an unknown and potentially dangerous teritory.
But they also helped him and welcomed him to their home.
"Ludwig.." He decided to use his real one. Hoping to get their trust if he is staying in their home.
The mother nodded. "My son.. Mikhail found you.. " She gently patted her sons shoulders as she introduced him.
So that's his name. Mikhail..
"Danke.. For help.. Vill make sure to help back before I go." Ludwig took another sip of the bear stew Mikhail's mother made.
It wasn't bad nor good. But it's food. Something he hasn't had the priveledge for a while now.
"What did men took you look like?" Misha asked, serious.
"They wear black uniforms.. Headvear that covered their face, did not see much of them. All looked the same but.. There were a lot." Ludwig sighed at the memory.
Misha's eyebrows furrowed as he recognized those descriptions. He turned to his mother and sister, who looked down, also recognizing who they were.
Those men..
Where the same men who attacked them just before finding Ludwig.
No wonder Ludwig was nearby, they were probably camping there before leaving Ludwig alone.
"Why did they take you?" Misha asked again, he wanted to get as much information as possible.
Ludwig looked down at his stew, he had slowly stopped eating as he was now just stirring his soup. "Zhey vanted a Medic vithout paying for one.. I vanted to be a doctor. Zhey told me I get to go school. Now i'm here."
Mikhail's mother frowned at hearing the story. "Am sorry Ludwig, we may not do much. But maybe ve can get you home someway." She could at least give him hope, after the hell he went through.
The silence was back again.. Everyone continued eating and no one asked anymore questions.
Until.
A harsh cough came from a different room.
Ludwig turned surprised to hear it, he didn't expect there were more of them. The cough was loud, raspy and almost sounded painful. Yet also, it sounded so small and fragile, like a child.
Mikhail's Mother's face fell as she immediately stood up to see.
"Is bronislava getting worse?" Mikhail asked, his voice filled with worry.
"She's still very weak." That was all the answer she can give as she rushed to take care of her youngest.
Ludwig's eyes fixated on the direction she went and then turned to Mikhail.
"Vhat vas that?" He asked, worried for them after hearing a cough like that.
"Is nothing." Mikhail tried to dismiss him as he stood up and started cleaning the table.
"Cough sounded bad." Ludwig mentioned.
Mikhail only glared at him. "I said, it is nothing. Not your business." He growled under his breath.
"If someone is sick, I can help.. I promised I vould." Ludwig immediately started rummaging through his bag beside him. Showing the equipment and remedies he had.
Mikhail's eyes fixated on it for a moment, he thought about it. Medicine was scarce the past few months.. Even herbs were all gone because of the blizzard.
His family hasn't had any medicine in months and they will get sick without it.
But can he trust this man?
What if he poisons them all?
Use bad medicine on purpose to use them.
Maybe he was a spy undercover and was just like the men that were after him.
So many thoughts came through his head all at once.
"How can I know you are not going to kill us with those." Mikhail growled.
Ludwig seemed lost, he hummed thinking of a way to prove himself. "I'm afraid.. I can't do much to prove.." He sighed in defeat.
Mikhail just scoffed. "Then we don't need your help." He grabbed all of the plates, excused his sisters as he continued to clean. Leaving Ludwig by the table alone.
Ludwig hummed, he was slightly offended that his offer was declined. But thank God, he was a stubborn man.
While Mikhail was cleaning, Ludwig took his chance to slowly get off his seat. He knows that this can possibly kill him if he gets caught.
But how can he really be a doctor if he didn't follow his instincts that he was needed?
He hurried along and went in the same direction he saw Mikhail's mother turn.
The house was not big, it can't be hard to find them.
To his luck, it was not hard at all. He saw one of the room's doors open, and a clear harsh cough and soothing words came from inside.
Ludwig slowly went to the door and peaked, he saw Mikhail's mother hovering over a bed. Soothing what seems to be a child, looked younger than the other two he saw.
"Тсс, я знаю, детка, я знаю, что тебе больно, Миша скоро что-нибудь для тебя найдёт." The mother soothed her daughter, despite the child crying and whimpering in pain.
That was all she could do. With no medicine, no remedies, herbs, anything. All she can do is sooth and pray for the pain.
Ludwig eyes fell, he can help. This was his chance to prove himself.
"gnädige Frau?" Ludwig tried to not intrude by calling her first.
The mother was startled for a second before turning around to see who it was. At first she was still cautious but calmed down, knowing this man can be trusted.
"Its you.. Sorry.." The mother sighed.
"Ach, nein. I should be apologizing.. Sorry for zhe scare." He stepped in a little closer, close enough to see the child and the child to see him but also not to make them feel like he's intruding.
At first it startled the little one, being sick , scared and suddenly seeing someone different must be new to her.
She whimpered and clutched into her mother.
"Ах, любовь моя, не волнуйся. Он наш гость." She comforted her, wiping her tears and snot and fixing her blanket.
The little girl calmed down a little at her mother's soothing comfort, knowing this man is a guest now. Her calm state was instantly interrupted as she began to cough up a storm again.
Ludwig frowned at the sound of her coughs. They sounded painful, raspy and raw for a child. "May I ask.. What is wrong?"
The mother's face fell as she rubbed her baby's back, attempting to ease her pain. "She is sick.. For while now.. Nothing helped."
Ludwig nodded and stepped closer once again, now standing a few inches away from them. "Maybe I can help.. Have something for sickness."
The mother's eyes looked up at him, both with hope and terrified. Hope that maybe he can help, but terrified to let anything and anyone give her daughter anything.
Ludwig frowned once again at her face, seeing the same face Mikhail made. He can understand that they are cautious.
"Madam.. Please.. I vas their Medic, I vant to help.." He can only beg this time. Hoping only their trust can prove that he can really help them.
Mikhail maybe stubborn.
But his mother was not. She believed good things can still be out there. She believed in miracles.
Maybe this was one of it. . .
After a few moment of silence, Mikhail's mother gave in, desperate for anything to ease her daughter's pain. She nodded and agreed to take his offer. "Please.. Help her."
Ludwig's heart skipped a beat, smiled as he finally got their trust. He immediately got to work. He went closer, kneeled down to be in the same level as the child.
He took off his gloves for a moment to put his palm on her head. The child seemed too dazed to care. Ludwig frowned feeling the heat coming from her head. It was too hot, even in this temperature.
"How much has she been coughing?" Ludwig asked.
"Almost weeks now.." Mikhail's mother asked.
Ludwig nodded and took out his stethosscope from his bag, carefully putting the buds in his ears and the other head by the child's chest.
Silence came as he listened to her heartbeat.
"Slow heart.. Has she been hurting if she moves?"
Mikhail's mother nodded "She used to play a lot.. Now she can't get out of bed. She always sleep and I worry because it makes her not eat as well."
Ludwig hummed. Raging cough, sore throat, fatigue, runny nose, high temperature..
The doctor took a second to think of a diagnosis. He figured it out.
"I believe she has the flu, fraulein.."
"A-.. A flu?" Mikhail's mother asked, her voice trembling.
"Ach, it is fine! Flus are moderately common, even in children. Vait.." He looked down and started rummaging through his bag again.
"Aha! Zhere you are.." He brought out a bottle, opened it up and popped out a pill. Showing it to them.
"Zhis is oseltamivir, can help with Flu and make her recover."
Mikhail's mother's eyes widened. Her heart rate became faster. Her heart said to take it and give it to her baby to make her stop suffering, but her mind yelled red flags into her. What if he was just pretending all this time?
Got this far and this was a plan to put her children in danger. How can she really trust anyone when people she sees are always out for blood?
Ludwig's eyes fell seeing her hesitate to take it. He knows what she is thinking, it was too obvious. And he can understand why they all would think that of him.
"Madam.. Please take it. I promise you, this vill help your child.. You may kill me if something were to happen to her but I assure you.. I just vant to help."
A few more seconds of silence came between them. Until eventually, the mother slowly reached her hand out and took the medicine.
"Give this to her, it will make her better." He reassured again. She slowly nodded, hoping he was right.
"Thank you.." She turned to her daughter and gave her the medicine.
Ludwig stood up, he had done his job. He smiled knowing he somewhat gained her trust and to help.
While she was busy helping her child take her medicine, he slowly walked out of the room, wanting to give them their privacy back.
The moment he stepped out of the door, a hand was suddenly at his throat.
"HNGK-" Ludwig squeaked as he struggled to breathe, his head turned a little to see who was it.
He didn't need to turn his head fully to know who it was. His eyes was met with a sharp murderous glare from the bigger man in front of him as he squeezed harder each second.
"What were you doing in room?" He asked, of course, Ludwig couldn't answer. All he could do was struggle without saying anything.
Ludwig still tried his best to get off and explain. But nothing can best this man's raging grip on him.
This was it. He was gonna die now.
He could feel his vision slowly loosing and himself going numb.
Until.
"Misha!" A sharp yell from a woman came from the room. In an instant, Mikhail let go, letting the doctor fell to the ground gasping for air.
Mikhail turned to the door, now he was terrified to see his mother now standing there. Looking at them, mostly at him with a face that was not happy.
"Mama! He could've hurt you!" Mikhail tried to defend himself.
"We talk inside. No more hurting guest." She gestured him to come in, Mikhail's tensed shoulders dropped as he obeyed. Leaving one more glare at the man he could've killed on the floor still gasping for air as he followed his mother inside, shutting the door behind him.
Leaving Ludwig on his own again. He eventually regained his breath as he sat up, leaning on the wall. He rubbed his neck, still feeling the phantom grip he had on him.
Thank God his mother came. He could've easily died for that just for wanting to help.
Ludwig sighed and stood up, dusting off his clothes as he walked back out to the living room. He assumed he was still welcome here judging by how Mikhail's mother just saved him.
He was tired too, and didn't have much sleep ever since he was forced to work as their medic.
He looked around in the room, not much was around. Not a spare blanket, or anything to lay on other than the floor.
He guessed he can stay here. Well, at least they kept the fireplace going. He can appreciate that.
He then went near the fireplace, sitting in front of it for warmth. He pulled his knees into his chest and arms out to take in the warmth of the fire.
He sighed and looked into the flames in front of him. He couldn't help but rethink his life and to what got him here. He could've been back home, helping his mother, be the best doctor there is.
Yet here he is. Stuck in some country he didn't even know he was in and possibly might not ever come home.
He bit his lip, angry at himself that he let himself get trapped into this war he never wanted to go. Pulled his arm back to cover his face, he was almost ashamed.
He could cry, seeing Mikhail's mother and her daughter. The way she was kind and soft, it reminded him too much of his mother.
He already misses her.
He hoped she's alright. God, she must've been worried sick by now.
Ludwig sighed, no use to crying of it now. He must be getting home, not crying about it. He remained strong and eventually layed himself down on the floor by the fire.
At least it was warmer here compared to where he was staying at.
He pulled his knees closer to his chest again and arms around himself for extra warmth. It wasn't long for exhaustion to take him, as he slowly closed his eyes and succumbed to his sleep.
Hours into the night later, there was a pitter patter that can be heard.
"Вот он!"
"Тсс! Не разбуди его!"
"Где одеяло?"
There were three littke voices whispering.
Ludwig's eyes opened a little, he heard voices whispering in a language he still couldn't understand and small footsteps around him.
Before he can wake up, he suddenly felt more warmth around him. He felt something soft and light around him, he couldn't help but also lean into it, hugging himself tighter with the new found warmth.
He didn't even have the chance to fully wake up, he just heard more tiny voices whispering until their little footsteps ran away.
Ludwig eventually regained a littke conciousness as he looked down, there was suddenly a blanket on him.
That's where the extra warmth came from.
There were three of them too, were they the sisters?
Probably, but he only met two of them officially while the other one was too sick to even remember him by now.
Was the third one already back on her feet?
Ludwig can't even focus on his own confusion and questions he has as he was too tired and just continued to go back to sleep, now with a warm comfortable blacket hugging him