I want you to survive this war

That night Makita arranges to keep watch with Dushka. There are still Reds out there, and since the disastrous birthday incident the squad has been especially vigilant, determined that they won't be surprised again. She's sat watches with Dushka before, and usually they are spent in silence, both of them lost in the same memories. Tonight is different.

She sits down beside him with a sigh, her voice is quiet, "Hey, Dushka." He slowly turns to look at her, his eyes watering at the memories that haunt them both. She reaches into her pocket, "I've got something for you. A birthday present."

He has lost so much, but he's still only thirteen. A hopeful look slips in behind the tears. "Birthday candles?" She had promised after all.

A slight grin settles onto her face, "Not yet, but I got you something for while you wait." Her hand comes out of her pocket and she holds out a block tightly wrapped in wax paper.

"What is it?" He looks at the wax paper curiously.

The grin widens just a bit, "A surprise. Go ahead and open it."

Curiosity clear on his face, Dushka takes the wax paper-wrapped package and tears into it. He examines the dark block revealed. "What is it? Some sort of ration bar or something?"

"Well, it's something like that. It's called 'chocolate'. It tastes a bit different from our regular ration bars. Try a piece."

He obediently breaks off a corner and bites into it. A sudden look of wonder fills his eyes, "This is... amazing. Delicious. I bet Katya--." He stops as sudden tears fills his eyes and his throat begins to close. The joy of something as sweet as chocolate and imagining the way Katya's face would have mirrored his own combine to make him cry. Joy and loss mingle in the tears running down his cheeks.

Makita just reaches out and hugs him close, her own tears answering his. "I know, Dushka. I know. I still miss her too..."