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When Alexander walked into his quarters, Di on?" said Alexander tiredly

"You tell oing to sleep I have to wake up at five toet to the point, then," Di off the bunk "I want you to end the charade you’re playing withabout?"

"Can’t I just have this one thing for ood life, don’t you? Think about all the things you have that you want You’re a lieutenant in the Red Ar your every order I’m not in your company--"

"No, but you’re inoff the bunk next to Alexander’s "It’s late, and we all have long days ahead of us You shouldn’t be here raising your voice You’re here by privilege"

Dimitri saluted him Alexander stood by quietly

"At attention, Private," Marazov said, coht when you ca for your friend"

"It’s just a small matter between me and the lieutenant, sir," said Dimitri

"It’s only a small matter, Private, when I’m not woken up out of a much-needed sleep As soon as I’ else entirely Now, at ease" Marazov, as in his long johns, walked around Dimitri, as fully unifor?"

Alexander stepped in "Lieutenant, can you give us a fewnot to smile, Marazov bowed his head "As you wish, Lieutenant"

"We will take it out in the hall"

They stepped out into the corridor; Alexander closed the door behind hiet yourself into trouble with your coh for you?" Re at a distance froirl in the world Why do you want th not to ask Di about She was getting hurt I helped her"

Dirunt I have to follow everybody’s orders and eat everybody’s shit She is the only one who treats "

She can’t help it She treats everybody like that "But, Dima," Alexander said, "you also have your life Think of all the things you don’t have that you don’t want You have not been sent down south, where rinder Marazov’s unit is staying here until the front corad I’ve taken care of that To help you" He paused "Because I’m your friend" He took a step toward Diood to you over the years What has happened to our friendship?"

"Love happened," snapped Dimitri "She iswar -- for her"

"Oh, Dimitri," said Alexander and fell silent "So survive -- for her Who’s stopping you?"

Diht have, it’s not real How could it be? She doesn’t knoho you are" Dimitri paused "Or does she?"

Alexander’s heart skipped erratically before he answered The lightbulb next to them was broken The one down the hall flickered on and off Sounds ofAnd still they stood silently across fro to His indiscreet past? Alared at Dimitri "Of course she doesn’t," he said at last "She knows absolutely nothing"

"Because if she did, Alexander, it would erous, don’t you think? For us"

Alexander took a step toward Dimitri, who put out his palms and backed into the wall "Dimitri," said Alexander, "don’t fck with "

"I don’t want to hurt anyone," Dimitri said in a small voice, his hands up "I just want my chance with Tania"

His teeth clenched, Alexander turned away and went back to his quarters