Crimson snow

“I’m flattered you are concerned for my well-being”, Nikolai flashed a cynical smile and pressed over the wound. Flickering street light was the only source of illumination, nevertheless enough for Fyodor to make out blood running down sleeve and dripping onto the snow. “But I assure you I’m perfectly fine”Sure he is. If circumstances were any less dire, if Nikolai wasn’t bleeding out on his knees in a deserted alley and heaviness in chest didn’t insinuate things he’d rather stay blind to – Fyodor would have ridiculed doltish lies. This way only one worth ridicule is himself; not merely for a foolishly stupid mistake.“Did I ask for excuses?”, Fyodor crouched in front of Nikolai and glared. “You are coming with me. That’s a final”

Fyodor miscalculates and Nikolai gets shot while protecting him. He insists he’s fine but Fyodor insists on tending his wound.