Either he had misjudged Nicholai terribly and he was far more sentimental than HUNK had originally thought, or times were very desperate indeed when he noticed the Russian was bedecked in his former Soviet gear.
Or perhaps for the scare factor. He did like that effect.
As they move up the path, back toward the base, he can hear the stiffness in his former comrade's movements, probably the product of the long flight. He briefly entertains a disturbingly Ginovaef-esque thought for a moment, wondering whether or not he should spin and launch a presumably unexpected attack upon the unsuspecting man to judge his reaction time and efficiency.
He discards it. He'll have time to do that later.
He had been so enrapt in contemplation that he almost didn't answer. He throws a brief glance over his shoulder, blank eyes flicking up the Russian's bulky form before he turns back to the path strewn with forest debris. And despite himself, he feels an unfamiliar twinge of... regret? guilt? remorse? Ginovaef was right.
He truly abandoned his team in the middle of the worst situation ever in any tac situation he'd been in. He hears their voices every night. Not even Death could come away with such havoc without taint.
"Do you sleep well at night, Ginovaef?" It's as much of reproach as he'll ever summon.
He wonders distantly, with as much interest as he observes the chopper heading off back to the hangar, that he's left his back to the Russian, as they walk. He wonders what that says: that he trusts the Russian, or that he doesn't think he's a threat.
Or worse, that he's left his own guard down. The thought is quickly quelled. The cords in the sides of his jaw flex.
[Dude, I am so disappointed. This automatic spellcheck on Firefox doesn't think enrapt is a real word. DD:]