My mental health and my view of people. I've been dealing with depression ever since, and it's still with me today, got more and more present with every year that passed. At some point it was joined by paralysing anxiety disorders and a social phobia that cause stagnation.

I was bullied almost constantly from primary school, and it carried on into high school. Whether it was 'cause I looked "different", acted differently, was quieter, and when I did say something, didn't hold back (still the same today)... I even got bullied in primary school for developing breasts faster than the other girls.

I've become extremely cautious, reserved and mistrustful of people. It's hard to get through to me. But if someone makes the effort to understand me, they can see why I am the way I am.

I'm an incredibly tolerant person, but I don't extend tolerance to intolerance. Humanity's currently moving in a direction that's harmful to every minority.

Depends very strongly on the context. But let's assume the following things...

• We're both in a hideout
• We might not be completely alone 'cause his people would be there, but there are rooms that can be locked
• I'm in his quarters, sitting at his desk, eating a few ginger biscuits and helping myself to a cup of warm/hot cocoa
• I don't hear him come in, he suddenly says my name while standing behind me, like that's completely normal

I'd have to pull myself together real hard to not flinch and not choke on my cocoa. He'd bend down close enough to me (in my headcanon) that I can feel his breath. From behind he reaches under my chin and tilts my head back so I have to look at him. His lips real close to mine, my cheeks bright red like anything.

"K-Know the Japanese expression 'nani'? That fits pretty well here," would be my words, completely flustered. His smirk would drive me crazy, make me melt. And then the kiss would happen on his initiative. I'd kiss him back, at least after a few seconds of figuring out what's even going on. 😅

The problem with Makarov is, he already grew up in difficult circumstances (as far as I can remember, in the rebooted timeline too) and the environment around him wasn't exactly conducive. Which isn't an excuse, when you look at Simon, 'cause he wasn't doing any better back then.

Is there more to Vladimir than meets the eye? When I think about the original Makarov, I'd say absolutely not. But the rebooted version of him has way more facets, visible just in the way he carries himself. How he presents himself. How he acts.

If he'd had a more stable environment, someone who'd have kept him in check and set him straight? I reckon he'd be living a normal life today. Whether he could still be saved at this point? Yeah, I think so.

But Infinity Ward ain't gonna give us that, 'cause the game needs a villain and I reckon they wanna milk Makarov for as long as possible.