Man, I have too many ideas on my brain so one at a time now
Makarov and Andrei.
First of all, let's get the fucking fact that Andrei is fucking AUSTRALIAN and nowhere near russian and ends up joining a fucking RUSSIAN terrorist group out of the way first cause it's way too fucking funny.
And secondly, Andrei wishing for any scraps of attention from Makarov. Because he might be a damn good loyal dog, but even dogs need attention from their owners sometimes you know.
Mornings spent alone in bed because Makarov stayed long enough for his musk to linger, but never long enough for it to stick permanently.
The one time Andrei does wake up in Makarov's room (a silent invitation for him to stay, a little test to try the waters), he instinctively gets up and walks back into the common bathroom, making sure to get rid of any evidence of his stay.
He spends the morning tactfully applying concealer to the scars that mark his neck, passing by his commander as though nothing happened between them.
Business as usual.
It takes at least 5 parties (where alcohol was involved) and several 'meetings' later for both of them to finally realise what they wanted.
A business transaction, with the added benefits of a trusted companion (and weapon), and for Andrei, a glimpse of the life that might have been.
They both stay quiet about it, only meeting each other under the guise of a meeting, or when Makarov deems Andrei's behaviour unsatisfactory. Maybe tells him to not disobey orders so much as the man pathetically grinds against his shoe.
And anyways, Makarov gains a new ally, someone he would actually think twice before betraying (a rarity), and Andrei gets the validation he never got from his family (because why the fuck else would an Australian dude even end up here??? What??? I really need someone to explain it to me please)
