Moving Objects

Chapter 24

I shook my head of the memory as Vika launched herself towards Dimitri. I let go of his hand in time for Dimitri to catch her rigidly, letting her hug him but keeping her at somewhat arms length. She pulled away as she enthused in Russian excitedly as Karo and Sonya came closer, Yeva close behind with the kids. I moved aside a little, but Dimitri's hand came down on mine on the couch.

His eyes begged me to stay.

I settled back into the couch as Vika pulled away so Karo could hug her brother. Dimitri stood up and hugged Karolina, speaking to her quietly as Sonya cut in too, hugging her brother. I stood and stepped to the side, giving Dimitri a look that said I wasn't going anywhere and hugged Olena.

"Thank you for being here," Olena whispered hugging me gently. She pulled away and discreetly examined my neck, aware that Dimitri was the one who caused the bruising. "You're healing perfectly. There should be no lasting damage."

I nodded and pulled away as I heard Sonya hissing at her brother. "What is she doing here!?"

I saw Dimitri tense up and his eyes harden so I stepped closer to him, placing my hand on his arm. He tensed for a minute before relaxing under my hand. Sonya glared at me as I stepped closer to Dimitri, slipping my hand into his.

"She's here because I asked her to be," Dimitri said firmly, almost asking his sister to argue with him. Karo tried to intervene but it was clear that the two were caught in a starring match.

"Why don't we sit down so that we can talk," Vika interjected, trying to calm the tension between her siblings.

"I will if she leaves," Sonya spat, eyes sliding to me.

Dimitri stiffened and gripped my hand tighter. "If she leaves, I leave. End of discussion."

Sonya glared at me and her brother before sitting down with a huff. I touched Dimitri's arm with my other hand and we both sat down, Olena on his other side. Dimitri looked to me and I nodded my head, giving him a small smile.

"You can do this," I whispered.

Dimitri nodded and took a deep breath, unwinding his hand only to place it on my knee. A more intimate gesture than anything else in the last few days, and I willingly took it. Dimitri started off by telling them what happened, sometimes he would stop midsentence and squeeze my knee, his other hand tight in a fist. I leaned into him and ran my hand over his back, hoping that it was enough to calm him. It was enough and he would continue again. I could tell that is revelation of the last few months hurt his sisters, but I knew that it was even harder on Dimitri to recount it again, and again.

"If it wasn't for Roza and the Princess, I doubt I'd be back," he said, looking to me giving me a fond look. I returned it but frowned when a voice spoke, "You wouldn't be in this position if it wasn't for her."

"Sonya!" Dimitri snapped as he stood up, "I have had enough of your mouth. I am fully aware of the rude and disgusting things you've said to both Roza and the Princess. To be clear, I asked for reallocation because of my relationship with Rose. We wanted to be able to have one and I made the choice to reallocate. It was just by chance that it was denied. If I hear you utter one more thing about Rose, I'm gone!"

I looked between Dimitri and Sonya, the latter looked a little scared while Dimitri's chest rose and fell with his heavy breathing. Dimitri towered over Sonya; he was practically vibrating with anger. I wasn't sure whether or not to reach out to him, but he made the decision when he muttered that he needed a minute and left the room, going into our bedroom. I flinched at the slam it made against the frame and sighed, looking to Olena before getting up. I went to the door and rested my hand against it, unsure of entering.

I slowly opened the door and slipped in finding Dimitri standing across the room at the dresser, his hands braced against it. I took a step closer and stopped behind him, reaching out for him but stopped myself.

"Comrade?" I asked quietly and I jumped when he whirled around so fast that it was almost like he hadn't moved at all. He noticed my flinch and I watched his face fall. Today had been a hell of a day already. I took a step forward, resting my hand on his arm softly, stoking the taut skin affectionately. I didn't want him to think I was scared of him, but it seemed that some of his speed as Strigoi lingered in his body. Dimitri stepped forward, slipping his arms around my waist, resting his head against my forehead.

"I'm sorry," he whispered and I shook my head, reaching up with my other hand to cup his neck.

"You don't need to apologize to me. I understand that you have a lot going on," I promised. He swallowed heavily and pulled me a little closer. I welcomed it and let him wrap his other arm around me, his breath fanning over my face. He dipped his head a little lower, his lips brushing over my cheekbone and I closed my eyes with a small sigh. Dimitri's breathing was starting to come down as his lips brushed downward, coming to rest just before my lips.

"I'm sorry," he said again pulling away. I opened my eyes and shook my head. "It's ok, really."

"It's not. I feel like I keep bringing you closer and then pushing you away again. It's not fair to you," he said sullenly, but I shook my head, wrapping my arms around his neck and stretched up on my toes.

"It's ok. You're healing. I can wait."

He met my eyes and tried to muster a smile, but it fell flat. He rested his chin on top of my head and groaned. "I need to go apologize to my sister."

I rolled my eyes. "Wait until you are calm. Besides, she needed a bit of a dressing down. She's been out of line with you all morning."

A small chuckle vibrated in his throat before he sighed again. "I know. I think she's taking the whole thing the hardest. But she's wrong for saying what she did. None of this is yours or Lissa's fault," Dimitri replied. I nodded my head and let him hold me while I held him before he pulled back.

"Ready?" I asked softly to which he nodded and walked back towards the door.

This was going to be such a long day.

________________________________

Happy update day!

Has it really only been a week? Mine has gone so slow it feels like two!!

I know that this chapter was pretty heavy, but I hope that I did it well enough that you all still enjoy it.

Also, happy first day of Spring!!!!

Let me know what you think!:)