So let’s talk about Volgin’s feelings towards Raikov
I’ve noticed a lot of people seem to think that Volgin is forcing himself on Raikov, or taking advantage of him and such. I don’t really know where it started, but it’s pretty widespread. I believe the wiki even implies it a bit.
I get that Volgin is a sadist, he doesn’t really empathize, and he hurts people for his own amusement and sexual pleasure. But he doesn’t treat Raikov this way. It’s weird to think that Volgin has feelings, but Raikov seems to be the only person he actually cares for.
Let’s start with Raikov’s rank. He’s a Major, but to quote Eva, “Raikov is treated as an officer of equal rank with Colonel Volgin.“
Volgin sees Raikov as his EQUAL. Not someone he can just push around or use for sex. Raikov is given the same power that Volgin has around the base. All the soldiers are terrified of him. You can walk around hitting people and no one will fight back. Raikov hits people and he’s allowed to do that. Normally he’d be in a lot of trouble for his abusive behavior (and he is when Volgin’s out of the picture) but Volgin just lets him do whatever he wants. Hell, the soldiers are probably afraid that Volgin will kill them for standing up to Raikov.
After seeing the way he treats Eva while she is disguised as Tatyana, we can see that he cuts people up for sexual pleasure. (Not that we couldn’t already tell.) But when we get a look at Raikov’s naked body, he’s lacking scars of any kind. Despite being sexually involved with the Colonel, he does not sustain any injuries. For someone who enjoys hurting others and doesn’t really feel empathy, this is pretty odd. The only reason I can come up with for him not hurting Raikov is that he cares about him and his feelings.
On the subject of hurting him, Volgin beats the everloving shit out of you “for hurting Ivan” (first name basis, aww). Not for snooping into his base, not for trying to steal the Philosopher’s Legacy (even though you really weren’t), not for killing his men and trying to take back Sokolov, that all comes later. He takes the time to beat you to a pulp for hurting someone he cares about. Not just because they’re having sex, either. Ocelot messes with Tatyana in front of Volgin a few times and he doesn’t seem to care at all! He even seems to think it’s kind of amusing.
And then there’s the fight with Volgin. He’s ready to tear your sorry ass apart and he’ll stop what he’s doing and go weak in the knees if he sees you in the Raikov mask. He starts walking over and asks “Ivan? Is it really you?” Be still my heart. Of course, when he realizes it’s not Ivan, he attacks much faster and harder than before, and will either yell “I’ll make you pay for making a mockery of Ivan” or “I will avenge Ivan”. Don’t mess with his boyfriend, man.
TL;DR think what you want about how Raikov feels towards Volgin but Raikov is very important to Volgin.
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