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Chapter Text

Mikhail "Heavy" Ivanovich had always loved family dinners.
He swore, the food tasted better when it was served by the warmth of a household's fireplace and the sound of dear people's laughter. Be it with his father back when he was still around, or when it was just him, his mother and his sisters, or even, more recently, dinners with his team.

This was the first time the two worlds met under non-pressing conditions, though. Time with family was great, time with team was great, but would they combine well?

Well, it wasn't the whole team joining. In a way, it was still only family. Just expanded by new members. He supposed he wasn't used to it, given the lack of change in its makeup since his father's passing.

The first new guest was his own lover, Ludwig "Medic" Humboldt. They had their flirtations and affairs during the Gravel Wars, but it was only after their face-off with the Team Classic that their relationship became more... emotional. This was his first time meeting Mikhail's family, and, while he knew his mother would not cast her son out for his... unusual object of attraction, accepting Ludwig was an entirely different beast.

And then there was the second new guest, Jane "Soldier" Doe, his little sister's boyfriend, about whom he was worried for an entirely different reason. Soldier was... eccentric, to say the least. Strong, brave and loyal, yes, but also... not exactly sane. The man was quick to anger and expressed any and all emotions with a loud passion. He rarely thought things through, and that was only amplified by his gut instinct ideas not being the most logical either. And that's not even getting into whatever scientific jargon Medic was using to describe what's going on in his head. Long story short, a mostly well-meaning hot-head, but a hot-head nonetheless. More or less balanced out when paired with himself, or Ludwig, or Engie, or someone of that sort. But could he be stable with Zhanna long-term...? Well, he supposed they had time to figure things out. It's only been a month, there's no need to rush these things.

Mikhail was leading the two men towards his house, after getting them at the airport. It's a good thing they thought to wear proper winter coats this time around, at least they will be able to get to introductions and chatting right away, without having to deal with treating hypothermia first.

It might still feel cold though, for those unused to the climate.

"Ah, I can't believe you grew up in these conditions, Misha," Ludwig said before letting out a warming breath. "I thought Stuttgard in winter was cold, but this is really something else!"

"Da," Mikhail simply nodded, an amused smile making its way onto his face. "You get used to it."

"Real American warriors should not fear something as puny as a bit of snow!" Soldier cut in, and the other mercs' expressions deflated.

"Soldier, we've talked about this, you're the only American here," Ludwig pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm German. Misha is Russian. Jane, your girlfriend is Russian."

"I know that!" the man said with a confused frown, as if glorifying his country didn't conflict with his very international social circle. "Zhanna is the best thing to ever come out of Russia!" he exclaimed with a fist over his heart and, for once, Heavy could agree with the sentiment. He sighed and a small smile tentatively returned to his lips.

They reached the cabin his family called home soon after that. The familiar, comforting smell of cooked bear meat greeted his nostrils as soon as he opened the doors and helped him relax a bit more, despite everything.

Soldier entered right after, practically shoving himself past the bigger man and shouting "Zhanna!" in lieu of a polite greeting.

"Jane!" his sister exclaimed right back, practically throwing herself from upstairs and at her lover, kissing him with such force it looked like she might just break his spine.

Their mother observed the scene from the kitchen corner and chuckled, shaking her head as if reminiscening about her own times of silly young love. She then turned towards the door and stepped towards her son, giving him a quick hug in greeting. "Hello, Misha," she said, before glancing around. "Zhanna's man has wasted no time showing himself. And where is...?"

That's the moment Ludwig peeked out from behind him, right on cue. "Ah, Frau Ivanovich, it is a pleasure to finally meet you."

She eyed the guest up and down. Whatever she was looking for, she seemed to find him at least satisfactory, as she insisted "Please, just call me Olena." They shook hands as everyone finally stepped fully inside and Mikhail was free to close the door behind them. "You must be the Ludwig my son's been talking about?'

"Ja, that's me," he confirmed. He didn't add anything else, he probably knew there were no good things to add. Their relationship was pretty much an open secret in his family. Something everyone suspected, but was not spoken about - at least not where Misha could hear.

"Well, my son likes you, so there's no reason I shouldn't," she said after a moment. "And you made it all the way here in the cold, unused to the Siberian weather. It would be dangerous to chase you back out..."

"Frau Olena, this is already more than my own family would grant me." The smile on his face grew just a tinge sadder. "Truly, I'm grateful to be let into your home."

Now, if there was a fast way to inspire anger on your behalf in his mother, it was by having your family willingly abandon you. She would never stand for that, no matter what reason they may have had to leave you behind. "Well, now I have to at least let you have a home cooked meal."

"Hello, Mrs. mother-in-law!" Soldier finally pulled away from Zhanna long enough to greet.

"Hello, Jane," she greeted the other guest in turn. A bit wary here too, albeit for different reasons. "I hope you did not forget to bring warm clothes this time?"

"No, ma'am!" the man exclaimed with his usual vigor. "I am all prepared to brave the evil Russian climate!"

That's when his other two sisters finally joined the conversation. "Oh, is it warmer in America?" Yana asked excitedly. She was the youngest, least experianced with the outside world, and always the most eager to learn about it.

"It depends!" Soldier sprung right on the occasion to tell someone about America. "In Virginia, where I hail from, it does not snow very much, even in the winter! But in Alaska, the average temperature is below freezing! Meanwhile in states like Florida it does not snow at all!"

"I am... surprised he actually got that mostly right," Ludwig whispered from beside him, and Misha huffed a laugh.

"Heavy not very surprised, given the topic."

Things were going fairly well so far.

They got to the table soon after. Their mother sat on the head of the table, with Bronislava, Mikhail and Ludwig on one side, and Yana, Zhanna and Jane on the other. Bear meat stew was served, and the entire family got to eating.

"It tastes wunderbar, Frau Olena," Ludwig complimented with a big smile.

She definitely knew what he was doing - trying to get her to like him - but didn't acknowledge it out loud. Instead, she only replied "Thank you, dear."

"Question!" Soldier suddenly proclaimed.

"...What's your question, Soldier?" Medic asked, and Misha felt like he was having deja vu. He just hoped this instance didn't spell disaster.

"Who's killed the bear for this dish?" the man asked, looking between the four women at the table.

A smirk grew on Zhanna's face at that. She crossed her arms, cocked her head, and said smugly "I did."

Jane's eyes were wide, set straight on his girlfriend, before a huge grin split his face and he shouted "I could not ask for a better girlfriend!" He pulled her in for a fierce hug, continuing. "Very few men are lucky enough to have a woman who'd willingly fight a bear to the death!"

Zhanna snorted out a laugh, before shifting in her boyfriend's grasp in such a way that she could grab his jaw and kiss him. Right in front of the stew, by the dinner table, in full view of the whole family, but she evidently did not care. No surprise - she's always been a brave girl.

Everyone was looking at them with different mixtures of fondness and amusement anyway, though. Even Misha, as much as he may not entirely like the idea of Soldier dating his little sister, had to admit that it was nice seeing Zhanna so happy.

Jane pulled away then, hands firmly but gently on her shoulders, and his expression became more serious and unusually... sharp, as he spoke. "Zhanna. You are the best thing to ever come out of Russia, and the best thing that came into my life in a long while. You are a woman stronger, braver, and also more beautiful than any other. I have missed you dearly for the two weeks we've been apart."

Everyone's jaws dropped then, when the man shot up from his seat and dropped to one knee, presenting a shiny silver ring to his girlfriend and asking The Big Question.

"Will you be my wife?"

There was absolutely no hesitation on Zhanna's part as she immediately replied "Yes!" She put the ring on before picking her now-fiancé up from the floor for another crushing hug and passionate kiss.

The rest of the family were still in a deep shock on the other hand, unable to do anything but stare as a borderline insane man proposes to a woman he's known for a month and she enthusiastically accepts, and now they're making out over the dinner table.

Yana was the first to recover, exclaiming "Congratulations, Zhan!" and opening her arms wide, for her big sister to leave the hug of her man and enter her sibling's. Bronislava joined the embrace soon after and the girls excited together about Zhanna getting married.

Soldier, grinning widely and practically trembling with energy, turned to his teammates as his fiancée briefly had her attention turned away. He grinned at them and proclaimed excitedly "I'm getting married!"

Ludwig managed to break through his stupor and quickly smiled for his teammate, clapping his hand on the man's back. "Congratulations, Soldier!"

Jane, almost like he himself was still processing what he just did, put both of his hands on Ludwig's shoulders and shook the other man manically, repeating "I'm getting married!"

As Zhanna continued being distracted by her sisters and Soldier continued being distracted by Medic, Mikhail's mother approached him. She looked at her ecstatic daughter, and the girl's ecstatic husband-to-be, but she didn't seem as joyous as they were.

She leaned against his ear and whispered in Russian "Are you sure that this is a good idea?"

He mulled over what to say, glancing between his sister bouncing on her heels from happiness like she hasn't in years, and his... friend looking just about ready to punch a hole in the wall as a form of celebration. Honestly, he himself wasn't sure what to think about this. He knew both of them as individuals very well, but as a couple... it felt entirely too soon to tell.

"Jane is a brave and loyal man," he settled on answering truthfully, also in Russian so that the man in question won't overhear them. "I have repeatedly trusted him with my life and would do so again."

"With your life, yes, I have no doubt," his mother nodded. "But with your sister's heart?"

Mikhail could only sigh. He hated the feeling, it felt like he was betraying his teammate by saying it, but it was the truth.

"I don't know."

Chapter Text

Zhanna couldn't help but gaze at the ring she received. It was a simple, thin, silver band with a small red stone. It wasn't anything fancy, as far as she was aware - but she didn't mind in the slightest. It was from her boyfriend - her husband-to-be! - and that was the important part. Be it the cheapest ring on the market, or a necklace of ears, or whatever else, as long as it was a gift and a reminder of someone, it was precious.

She didn't receive many gifts most of her life. In a cabin in the Siberian mountains, much of one's day revolved around survival, around the neccessary things, rather than just nice to have ones. She didn't blame her family, of course, they all did their best. It just... made her sad sometimes, when she thought too much, she supposed.

Jane already gave her two gifts in a month. And it probably shouldn't mean much to someone so used to living on bare necessities, but... it felt nice. Special. Like she was special to him.

It also meant that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.

"Oh, oh, Zhan needs maid of honor! And you need best man!" Yana pointed out, looking over Jane's shoulder as he wrote down their wedding plans. So far, they decided they want to hold the ceremony in the US, and tried to write down the guest list - which mostly consisted of her family and his Team Fortress.

"Correct!" the man agrees. He turns to her and repeats "Zhanna, you need to pick one!"

"Hmm," she leaned back in her chair and hummed. "Bronka can be maid of honor."

"Aww, come on," Yana complained half-jokingly. "Not me?"

"No," Zhanna said firmly. "Youngest person is flower girl."

"Oh!" the younger woman grinned. "Sure!"

"Hmm," Jane hummed, tapping the table with the tip of his pencil. "I thought Pyro will be the flower girl."

"What?" Yana questioned. "The guy who stared at the fireplace the whole time you were here, burning up paper? Dealing with flammable flowers?"

"They carry a flowery purse, I bet they'd like it!" Soldier defended his pick.

Yana only stared at him increduously, processing the idea of a crazed pyromaniac mercenary carrying a cute purse.

Bronislava, being the reasonable older sister as always, proposed easily "We can have two flower girls."

Jane grinned, happy to have the conflict resolved. "You deserve a medal, sister."

Zhanna smiled too. It was hard to put into words, but seeing all of this happen around her made her feel energized, happy, excited. While she liked her daily tasks like cooking, sewing, bear hunting, chopping down trees for the fireplace... Look at her! She was planning a real, big party, with a man she loves romantically, for which they would fly to a whole different continent! She felt more alive in the last month than in the past 20 years. She couldn't help but feel like giggling like a little girl at the thought!

She was suddenly snapped out of her musings with a warm, gentle hand on her shoulder. "Rybka," her mother called her sweetly. "Can we talk, just you and me?"

"Of course," she smiled and got up from the living room chair. She wasn't sure what they were going to talk about, but it was shaping up to be quite emotionally loaded, given that mom was leading them to her own bedroom.

They walked into the modest room and, as the older woman closed the door behind them, she started speaking to her in Russian. "Zhanna, you know I love you, right?"

"Yes?" she replied, unsure of where this was going.

"And that I want you to be safe and happy?" her mother continued.

"Of course," Zhanna nodded firmly, even though she was confused on why ask this at all. Obviously she wanted her happy and safe above all, that's what families are for.

"Then I'm sure you understand why I have mixed feelings about your marriage?" she asked, not quite meeting her gaze, hands worried together.

"Mama," the daughter gave an amused smile, a small shake of her head. "I am way past the age where little girls are supposed to move out of their parents' houses. I'm sure I can handle living on my own. Especially that I won't be living alone, I'm gonna be with a husband." She showed off the ring as she said it, still so excited about having it.

"I'm not worried about you living away from me in general, rybka, you're a strong girl, I'm sure you can handle it," her mother assured, stepping closer, smiling at her fondly, placing a gentle hand on her bicep. "It's just... are you sure you're not going too quickly? I understand he is the first man you've had the chance to get to know since you were little, that first crushes always feel so much more intoxicating, but--"

"Mama," Zhanna interrupted again, this time way more firmly. More irritated about what's been said. "Jane is more than lust towards a first come first serve man. He..." she trailed off a little bit, something softening inside her as she remembered her lover grinning at her wildly, letting- nay, expecting her to fight side-by-side with him as his equal, offering passionate proclamations of loyalty, kissing her like she was the most desirable woman in the world.

"He makes me feel loved," she finally stated, with conviction. "And I love him back. I know we haven't known eachother for very long, but he treats me well, makes me feel more alive, and I want nothing more than to be with him."

Her mother's eyes seemed to water as they locked gazes. Zhanna almost felt guilty for making her sad. But then, she was surprised with a "I can see in your eyes you mean it. I used to speak similiarly of your father, back when we were new." The older woman wiped a tear from the corner of her eye as she smiled fondly.

She then turned away, towards a dusty chest tucked into the corner of the room. Zhanna looked on, relieved, but still confused about what's her mother doing now. She got her explanation in the form of a piece of garment being pulled out from the very bottom.

A long, faded white dress, with a classy, plain skirt and a short-sleeved top adorned with intricate floral embroidery around the body and plain, puffy sleeves.

It was the daughter's turn to feel moved, as she asked "Is that...?"

"I wore it the day I married your father," her mother nodded. "I thought that, if I ever get to pass it onto one of you, it would be for Bronislava, since she's the eldest, but it seems fate had a different idea," she explained as she approached her third child with it, almost showing the garment off. "I would love for you to wear it on your wedding day."

Zhanna, in lieu of words, simply pulled her mother close, fiercely. She may not be a tiny little girl anymore - in fact, she was currently decidedly taller and stronger than the older woman - but she still tried her darnest to bury her face safely in the crook of her mother's neck.

"Thanks," she eventually muttered, refering both to the dress and the acceptance.

---

Mikhail's bed had never been particularly roomy. Really, he barely had enough space for himself. So, of course, if he wanted to lie down with Ludwig, the only option was for them to remain pretty much cuddled up to eachother. Not that either would complain.

The doctor was currently occupying himself with reading some book in German that he had brought over with him, the title of which Mikhail did not understand, but it seemed to be a novel, not a science journal. He probably should've followed his example and pulled one out from his own collection - he hasn't seen many of these books in years, and revisiting them ever since he had returned home has been great.

But he couldn't bring himself to immerse his thoughts in fiction, not when there was something eating at his mind out here in the real world so strongly.

"Ludwig?" he decided to bite the bullet and say it.

"Ja?" his lover prompted, not yet looking up from his lecture.

"What do you think of Jane and Zhanna?" the bigger man asked, not meeting his partner's eyes, staring down the wooden ceiling instead.

"I think they are grown adults, and if they want to be together, that's their choice," the doctor gave the very clinical, impersonal anwser.

Mikhail knitted his eyebrows. Sure, it sounded like the right anwser. It's how he had felt about Scout and Miss Pauling back when the former would try to hit on the latter - it's none of his business. But... this was his little sister they were talking about. He couldn't just... not care. He cared about Zhanna being safe and happy, and whom she dated played a huge role in both. And Soldier was, well...

"What doctor think about Soldier's head?" he tried asking instead.

Medic gave him a look, but, after a moment of hesitation, he answered anyway. "Soldier has an obvious case of adult lead poisoning. Such a condition damages the nerves and can lead to cognitive impairment. I had prescribed him chelation treatment, and he seems to be taking it well, although the damage his brain already sustained may prove irreversible," he explained, putting down his book and pinching the bridge of his nose as he thought about the case. Probably frustrated that there is something he may not be able to fully heal. "In addition," he went on, "he seems to have some sort of personality disorder involving impulsive behaviour and poor emotional management, but that is not my area of expertise."

"So he is insane," Mikhail simplified the scientific jargon he's just heard.

"That's an imprecise and usually unhelpful term," Ludwig commented. "I wouldn't put him in a straightjacket, but we both also know that he sometimes, ah, cannot conduct himself up to societal standards."

"So he can't handle relationship?" he tried to insist. It sure sounded like it'd be an issue.

"I wouldn't say that," his partner shook his head and pushed his glasses up his nose. "With adequate support, I think he could do just fine." He then turned towards the bigger man and added in no uncertain terms "We were all mercenaries, Misha. It's unlikely any one of us are entirely... within the norm for mental health, I bet you can imagine. Jane maybe a bit moreso than you or me, but you know first-hand he is not malicious."

Mikhail only hummed in response, vaguely - intellectually - agreeing with the statement, yet not feeling it was entirely right. Like protecting his sister took priority to what he theoretically knew. Ludwig didn't have such hang-ups, because it was not his little sibling at stake here. Of course he wouldn't fully relate.

Maybe there was no other way but just talk to Zhanna herself. Warn her. Possibly try to change her mind.