Rose
I woke up feeling a pair of arms around me.I snapped my eyes opened,suddenly alert.
"Ow!" I heard Dimitri groaned.Dimitri?
"So it wasn't a dream? You'- you're really here?" I cupped his cheeks."But it all feels like a dream.."
"It's not.." He whispers."I'm here.."
I hug him tightly,not wanting to let him go.It's been 2 days but it all still feels like somekind of a dream.
"Sorry,i elbowed your stomach." I said after awhile.
"No,it's okay.I wasn't really having a good dream either.." There it is again.The sorrow look in his eyes.
I know the memories of him being Strigoi still fresh in his mind.I know that its haunting him.He's tormenting himself for something he couldn't control.But unfortunately he doesn't see it that way.
"All those people..." He started."They did nothing wrong.They had families,friends,a life.And i took that from them,thinking of it as somekind of a sick game.."
"No." I whispered softly."You know,deep inside,that that monster with red ringe eyes was not you." He sighed,shaking his head,and i said,enunciating each word clearly."That wasn't you." I placed my hand on his cheek softly."You wouldn't have done that.Never would you ever do that to anyone." His face hardens.
"But- "
"But nothing,Dimitri.You were trapped inside your own body.You were taken over by something else.I know who you are.You are Dimitri Belikov.A dhampir,a guardian,a lover,a son.You're smart,kind,brave.You're willing to risk your life to protect the others.That's who you are.You are a protector.A guardian.A dhampir."
"You always know what to say Rose." Our foreheads touched and a small smile crept over his face."I love you."
"I love you too." Then our lips met.It was a soft,gentle kiss that its really sweet.Then i realized that i haven't brushed my teeth."Sorry that i have a bad morning breath."
He chuckled softly."Don't even notice that."
We got up and got dressed.Ready for the day.I'm pretty sure most of the people in Court already knew about Dimitri and maybe most of them even believes that he's really changed back into a dhampir since the "testament".When we got out of the room,two guardians are already on each side of the door,acting like a bodyguard of someone who's really famous.Well practically- Dimitri is famous but you get what i mean.
"Okay,why are you guys here?" I asked,sighing.
"We've been assigned to watch Dimitri." Said the guardian on the right,Mikhail."Don't worry,it's only til' tomorrow." He said,addresing to Dimitri.Dimitri nodded his head respectfully.
"So you're just gonna follow him everywhere he goes?"
"Of course we are." Said the guardian on the left whom i don't recognized.
"This is useless.." I muttered to myself under my breath."And annoying.."
But apparently Dimitri heard."Rose,they're just doing their jobs.Nothing wrong with that."
"I know but aren't you like annoyed or mad or something? Because if i were you I'd probably go mad."
"That's because you have a really short temper."
"Well i can't really help it,it's in the Hathaway's blood." He grins then looped his arm around my waist then kissed my head.
"Oh Rose,you've never failed to amuse me."
I smiled back at him.This reminds me of the morning after the night i gave up my virginity to him.Minus the cave scene and all.I remembered feeling like i could go through anything with him beside me.I feel the same now.
We went into our favourite café in Court.We sat at our usual table which is by the window.
"It's been awhile.." I sighed,looking at him,admiring his features.
He chuckles."Could you stop doing that Rose.." He said with a half grin.
"Do what?"
"Looking at me like that.Like I'm a miracle or something."
"But you are." I said truthfully."Dimitri no one,no one ever turned back from being a Strigoi.Ever."
"I didn't do anything Rose.You and Lissa did.You and Lissa are a miracle.You're a miracle,you know that?" He shook his head sighing."Deep in my heart,i feel like you should've just killed me because that would be easier and it'd be good for everyone."
"Everyone?" I shot back.We stared at each other."Dimitri how could you say that? What about your family? You think they're better off with you being dead? And what about me?"
"You'd move on." He placed his hand on top of mine."And i know you already have with Adrian." I was about to say something when he cuts me off."No.It's okay because you'd have to move on sooner or later."
"No.Me and Adrian were never really a thing.." i bit my lower lip."I uh..i love him,i do but I'm not in love with him like i am with you.Okay? And the past is the past,you're back and I'm with you.That's what matters...right?"
He nods,squeezing my hand."My family.."
"We'll deal with that soon."
Someone familiar caught my eyes by the entrance of the café.Adrian.And he was leaving.Guilt washed all over me.
I got up and followed him out.
"Adrian!" I called out but he didn't turn around."Adrian!" I caught him by his arm."You're smoking again." I said looking at the cigarette in between his fingers.
"Yeah well i can't really help it." He flicked the cigarette.
"What's wrong?"
"What's wrong? Is that really what you want to ask?!" I look around and noticed a few people are looking.
I pulled him to the back of café.
"I'm sor- "
"Don't even bother Rose.I heard what you said to him in there."
I sighed and was about to hold his hand but he pulled back.
"Adrian I'm so sorry,i didn't realize you were there."
"I was worried about you Rose.Every minute you were gone,every minute i didn't know what had happened to you...it was agony." I saw a flesh of pain in his eyes."I guess i should've known that this would happen if he came back.I didn't actually expect for any of this to work.But it did."
"Do you believe he's no longer Strigoi?"
"Yeah.Lissa said he's not and i believe her but I'm not sure if it's a good idea for you to see him just yet."
"Why? It's not like he's dangerous."
"Maybe.Can't you see I'm jealous?" Never would i have ever thought that Adrian would admit to being jealous."You said him coming back wouldn't affect things between us.But saying one thing before it happens and then actually having that happen are two things."
"Where are you getting at Adrian?"
"I want you Rose." He grabbed my hand and squeezed it."I love you and i want to be with you.I've always wanted you."
"Adrian- "
"Just listen.It'd be stupid for me to think that your old boyfriend coming back isn't going to have any effect on you.And no i don't like seeing you with him.But there's more to it.I do believe he's a dhampir again." He came closer to me until we're only an inch apart."But his aura..there's still some darkness left in him like yours but lesser.I'm not saying he's evil or something.But what he went through..it's huge.We really don't know much about the changing process.There might be violent parts of him that might lash out.That's what I'm worried about Rose.I just care about you Rose.I don't want you to get hurt."
"He won't hurt me Adrian and i know i hurt you and I'm really sorry for getting together with you in the first place.I love you but not in the way i love Dimitri."
"Be careful,little dhampir and know that I'd never give up on you.I love you."
Then without me realizing it,he brushed his lips against mine.Then he pulls away and walked away.
It's like I'm paralyzed or something.I couldn't move.I heard footsteps coming from behind me.Dimitri.
"You- you saw that."He nods."Are you mad?" I asked hesitantly.
"No.Not really." He shook his head."He really do love you Rose."
"Yeah i know." I said,looking at the ground."How much did you heard?"
"Just that he loves you and that little kiss.You love him don't you?"
He stared at me in the eyes.
"I do but i love you more.So much more."
"You're not gonna leave me are you? But i understand if you want to.With the things that i did- "
"No.Never ever would i ever leave you.I love you too much to do that."
He kissed me right after i finished talking.
"Good.That's the only thing i want to hear."