Today had been a long day.

Maybe it was just the severe number of injuries she'd had to deal with or her low mood in general, but Kaleena felt like a frustrated scowl was permanently etched on her face. She glanced at herself in the tiny mirror in the nurses' bathroom, water dripping from her face where she had washed it for the fifth time that day. She'd only got blood on it the once, but the cool splash was refreshing.

Her brow was still drawn together in perpetual frustration, her mouth turned down at the corners in a sulky pout.

She looked like Natalya.

That thought alone finally made her chuckle. Natalya had more than once referred to Kaleena as her own personal ray of sunshine. Did that make Natalya Kaleena's little rain cloud? She liked that. Rain brought life and made things grow, but it would make you miserable whilst it did so. That was definitely Natalya.

With a heavy sigh, Kaleena gathered herself and ventured back out onto the ward.

She wouldn't get to see much of Natalya this evening. She was supposed to meet Dima after work. Not that she didn't enjoy her time with him; Dima's company always gave her an opportunity to release frustration in a cathartic way. But she was already so tired, and it was only mid-afternoon. Sex was the furthest thing from her mind. She just wanted to be back in her bunkhouse, listening to the flirting lessons Monja bestowed on Natalya.

Kaleena truly enjoyed her evenings curled up in bed with medvezhonok. Having someone her own age in the bunkhouse really seemed to make a difference. She adored the others, she really did. But they didn't understand her in quite the right way. Natalya had been a tricky one to crack, and if she was entirely honest with herself, Kaleena was still unsure how far she had managed to pull Natalya out of her shell. She didn't know much about her other than that she had a husband called Sasha, and she was a seamstress. Then again, Natalya didn't know Kaleena's past either. It didn't matter to either of them. The two women could concentrate on looking to the future rather than wallowing in self-pity and doubt.

She'd never had a friend like her, and not simply because Natalya was one of a kind. Growing up as an only child, there had never been that kinship with anyone. Busy parents made for an entirely lonely childhood, and adolescence brought only superficial friends. And men. God knows the men in her life had only been a disappointment. Its why she was able to tolerate Dima's shortcomings; she never got her hopes up.

The ward had grown quiet again, most of the patients drugged well enough that they had fallen into steady sleep. Weary with the weight of her busy morning, Kaleena went about checking everyone's vitals, letting her mind wander to this evening when she got back from Dima's. Hopefully, Natalya would stay up to wait for her. She usually did. Although their  chats were always brief when she scurried through the door at past midnight, Kaleena appreciated them, nevertheless. Natalya's sardonic tongue always cheered her up.

'Krasotka,' hailed a nurse from the door.

God how she hated that name. 'Beautiful girl.' It seemed so forced and false. As though being beautiful was the greatest compliment. Until, of course, it was no longer useful.

You're broken, pretty girl. Happens to the best of them.

Shaking them memory away, Kaleena looked up from her patient's pulse. 'Everything all right?'

'That Andros is here to see you, in reception. Says he's got something urgent he needs to talk to you about.'

A ball of air trapped itself in Kaleena's throat, her heart thrumming wildly. This could only mean that someone was in trouble; and that someone was likely Natalya.

Kaleena managed a quick nod of thanks before she hurried down the back stairs and along the corridor to the entrance. As she burst through the doors, she was met with Andros leaning idly on the desk, chatting with the nurse on duty. When he saw her, he beamed at her. Well, as much as any man could beam.

For just a moment, her heart seemed to disregard that he was here to deliver bad news. It was so refreshing to be greeted by genuine smiles. She'd almost forgotten them in the vile place. Or the one before that.

Dispelling the memory, Kaleena hurried over to him. 'What's happened? Is it Natalya?'

Andros looked confused. 'Medvezhonok? No. Why, is she all right?'

'Is she not why you're here?' asked Kaleena, her pulse throbbing.

As he realised what she was imagining, Andros shook his head a little, his eyes wide. 'Oh Kaleena, no. I'm sorry. I'm not here to bring bad news. I should have told the other nurse that.'

She let out her long held breath. 'You're not?'

'No, I-' He paused, looking at the nosy nurse behind the desk. 'Come outside with me.' He held out his arm to her to beckon her out.

Allowing herself to be tucked closer to him, Kaleena let him lead her outside. 'You nearly gave me a damn heart attack!'

'I'm so sorry,' he said again as the front door swung shut behind them. 'I should have known how it came across. But as far as I'm aware, the little brick is just fine.'

'Thank god,' said Kaleena, leaning against the outer wall of the hospital.

Andros copied her, both of them letting the moment settle back into some form of quiet contentment. The camp was so quiet at the time of day. Everyone on the early shifts was still out at work, and those on later shifts had also just gone. This was the closest to silence it ever got. Perhaps it should be eery with such a lack of life. Kaleena couldn't help but just be thankful for the peace.

'So,' she began. 'Other than trying to send me to an early grave, how can I help?' She looked up at Andros, a small smile catching her mouth off guard.

The poor man still looked terribly frustrated with himself. She could almost see the internal war he waged on his subconscious, the mental tongue lashing he was giving himself so evident in his eyes. They were really beautiful eyes; she couldn't help but think it every time she saw him. In the sunlight, the irises were a golden brown, like spun sugar. Flecks and traces of that colour clung to them in the shadows when they darkened, but she liked that they were always visible. Even if he always had deep purple circles under his eyes, and one was a little bigger than the other, just like Natalya drunkenly pointed out, they were still entirely striking.

He rubbed the back of his neck, a huffy laugh bursting out of his mouth. 'I really need to work on relaying messages.'

'You do just fine,' she assured him with a smile. 'I also shouldn't assume the worst.'

'Hard not to here,' he said. 'Especially with Natalya for a best friend.'

'She'd keeping out of trouble,' said Kaleena. 'At least, she tells me she is.'

Andros just smiled at her, his fuller bottom lip jutting out slightly under his moustache. He dug into his jacket pocket, pulling out a brown paper parcel. 'I brought you something.'

A present? Why had he got her a present?

Well, she knew why. No matter what she told the girls, Kaleena had always understood the way he looked at her. 'For me?'

He looked down at it, seemingly embarrassed that he had bothered. 'Yeah. It's nothing too exciting, but I just... I thought of you when I got it.'

A moment passed where time just stopped, both of them staring at the package. His hands gripped it tight, his fingers digging into the almost spongey texture of the mysterious contents.

Reaching out, Kaleena brushed her fingers over his, coaxing the package into her hands.

'It's not much,' he said again.

Carefully, Kaleena unwrapped it, unravelling the layers of parcel paper. When she reached baking parchment, a long forgotten smell drifted up to her. Her entire face brightened, her fingers trembling as she brought it up to her nose. 'Is this what I think it is?'

Andros seemed equally gleeful as she inhaled deeply, watching her with sheer delight. 'Do you like it?'

'I love it,' she said, eagerly unfurling the final layers so she could see it for herself. Makowiec; polish poppy seed cake. Growing up, her next door neighbour made the best she had ever tasted. It had always been her favourite part of Christmas by a long way. 'How did you get it?'

'I often get little care packages from my family,' said Andros, stepping a little closer to her so he might smell it too. 'This is the first time I've had this though, and as it's Polish, I just thought you might appreciate it.'

'I do,' she said, nearly dancing foot to foot with excitement. 'I haven't had it for about ten years.'

'Me neither. Raiya never really makes Polish food any more. She must be feeling sentimental for some reason.'

Kaleena's heart dipped. She didn't know he had a wife.

'Sentimental?' Kaleena asked, trying to keep her voice level. 'Does she speak Polish too? I always assumed that was from the war-'

'Actually, our mother was Polish,' he said, his voice lowered.

Oh. Raiya was his sister. Why was that such a relief?

His gaze found hers, both of them latching on as hushed truths passed between them. 'My father met her whilst he was travelling and brought her to live in Russia. She brought her mother too, but my babcia only ever spoke Polish. So, Raiya and I had to speak it if we wanted to talk to her.'

'I had no idea,' Kaleena whispered.

'Not many people do. My mother died when I was ten and babcia died before that. I didn't use my Polish again at all until the war.' He smiled. 'Or to talk to you of course.'

'No wonder your accent is so terrible, then,' she mumbled.

His cheeks lifted as he chuckled, both of them relenting to the devilish sound. Then they were quiet again for a moment. Andros cleared his throat. 'I'm glad you like it.'

'This is so special,' she said.

'I'm glad,' he repeated. 'Well, I'll leave you to it.'

'Wait,' she said, catching his arm. 'Aren't we going to share it?'

He looked down at her fingers grasping his sleeve, his jaw tensed as he swallowed. 'Don't be daft. I gave it to you.'

'I won't enjoy it as much on my own,' she insisted. Breaking off a small piece for each of them, she held it up to him. 'For your babcia.'

His hand enclosed around hers, holding on a touch longer than necessary before he took the piece from her. His hand felt nice around hers. Large, rough and warm.

As Kaleena placed the morsel in her mouth, she let out a low, involuntary hum. Memories unfurled before her; of twelve dishes spread across the dining room table; of her father breaking the first opłatek; of midnight mass where everyone crammed into the tiny church, rich and poor alike. Decadent, indulgent flavour burst across her tongue, the slight zing of orange zest cutting through the rich savoury chew of the dough.

Kaleena's hand clapped to her mouth, her eyes closing to savour every keen note of the taste. 'Andros,' she managed through her mouthful. 'This is so wonderful. I love this so much.' She opened her eyes to find tears brimming the rims. What had life come to that a sweet treat brought her to tears?

'Don't cry,' he said quickly, instinctively reaching out to brush one from her cheek with his thumb. When he realised what he'd done, he stuffed his hands into his pockets and took a step back. 'Sorry.'

Shaking her head, Kaleena rushed forward and threw her arms around his neck. 'Thank you,' she murmured into his shoulder, the words muffled by her sobs and his coat. She wanted to squeeze him so tight he could no longer breathe. She wanted him to hold her in return and run his fingers through her hair. She wanted so many things and all of them were too much.

She'd never minded Andros' looks of longing. They held a different weight to other men's. Where everyone was licentious, his adoration was seemingly pure. It might be ardent, but there was no threat to it. For the first time in her life, she had received a gift from a man that didn't come with a price. He just wanted to bring her a little glimpse at a life they had both lost to war and the agony of time. Clinging to him, felt like she was clinging to a part of herself she had neglected all of these years.

Tentatively, he wrapped his arms around her, pressing her against his chest. His fingers gripped her clothes, his cheek pressed into hers. Even against the strong smell of the Makowiec, Kaleena could make out the feint notes of his cologne. It was woody and aromatic and had a deliciously sweet warmth to it that somehow complimented the tang of cigarette smoke on his jacket. She'd never noticed he wore any before. Perhaps it's just that she'd never got this close to him.

She should let go. She knew she should. This had gone on long enough and to stand here wrapped in his embrace would surely ruin the only relationship with a man that didn't need to end in sex for him to feel like a safe haven.

Why did that thought alone make her hold on tighter?

Clearing his throat, Andros stepped back from her, making sure to press the cake further into her grasp. 'I'm glad you like it. And I'm sorry I made you cry.'

Chuckling, Kaleena held the treat tight against her. 'It was worth it.'

'Don't share it with anyone though,' he said quickly. 'That's just for you.'

'Not even Natalya?'

He shook his head. 'It doesn't mean the same to her.'

'But-'

'Be selfish,' he implored. 'Just this once.'

Kaleena sighed heavily. 'All right. Just because you asked.'

Smiling, he began to walk away. 'I'll see you later, I suppose. On your way back with medvezhonok.'

Again, her heart dipped. She hadn't realised how it had soared in his presence. 'Actually, I'm busy tonight.' She didn't like telling him. The way his brow drew together and his smile switched to a frown always made her chest ache.

'Ah well, I'm sure you'll still see me later,' he said, then turned and hurried away, his boots slapping through the damp dirt of the ground.

Frozen, Kaleena simply watched him go. She made sure to smile at him each time he dared to steal a glance of her over his shoulder. She was certain she would see him tonight. Somehow, he was always there to walk her back to the bunkhouse. No matter the time.

Strange how small things like that made all the difference.

Bundling her precious parcel back into its wrappings, Kaleena hurried back into the hospital and the clutches of her current life.