Rose tugged at Dimitri's hand impatiently. "Come on, Dimitri. You're so slow." Dimitri laughed and said, "Only when I have a blindfold on." Rose huffed and said, "You should be able to sense where we're going, at least. Psh. The great guardian Belikov, my ass." Dimitri made a noise in the back of his throat that sounded like barely contained laughter. "Would you be excessively mad if I told you this is on purpose?" Rose swatted his arm in dismay. "You aren't! We could've been there by now." Dimitri cleared his throat. "This might be easier if I could see…" Rose grunted and pulled him along in silence. Dimitri sighed. "Rose, where are we-" "We're here," Rose said suddenly. She raised her hands to Dimitri's face and accidentally brushed her fingers on his face when she tried to get the blindfold off. Dimitri stiffened and Rose flushed. She quickly got the blindfold off and waved an arm at the arrangement. "Tadaaa!" She said. Dimitri scanned the assortment of foods laid out on a blanket. "It's a picnic," he said. Rose wavered and said, "Um… I thought, with all the activity, we could… you know, enjoy a quiet…meal," she finished lamely. "Look, we could go back-" "It's perfect." Rose looked at Dimitri in surprise. "You… like it?" Dimitri smiled at Rose. "Yeah. It's perfect." He sat on the blanket and starting eying the food. "What'd you bring?" Rose sat next to him and said, "The usual. Sandwiches, fruits, tons of desserts…" Dimitri laughed, and Rose closed her eyes. Dimitri laughing was a thing to savor, she decided.
Dimitri grabbed a ham sandwich and a handful of grapes, then searched some more. "No drinks?" Rose looked around, then said, "Oh, the drinks are in here-." She trailed off abruptly and blushed. She and Dimitri went reaching for the same container, and their hands met in the middle. She pulled her hand back slowly and said suddenly, "I hate this." Dimitri looked at her sideways and said carefully, "Hate what?" Rose sighed in frustration and snapped, "You know what. This whole… pretending to not know each other." Then it was Dimitri's turn to sigh. "Rose-" "No! That's your if only you would understand voice. Give me the we are equals and I will talk freely voice." Dimitri made an annoyed noise. "You are very hard to talk to, you know that?" Rose crossed her arms and said, "Then talk to me how I want to be talked to, and this can go much easier." Dimitri sighed in defeat. "Rose. Let me- God. Okay. You know what?" And with that he leaned in and kissed Rose.
Rose was caught off guard and stood still even when he pulled away. "Rose? Ah, I'm sorry-" But before he could finish, Rose wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. Dimitri cupped her face in his hands and pulled away for a second to murmur, "I love you, Roza. I'm sorry if I don't seem like it." Rose buried her face in the crook of Dimitri's neck and whispered, "It's okay. I love you, too." Then their lips met again and it was a storm, a storm that blew around them and consumed them, and pushed them together like two pieces of a puzzle that fit perfectly. Rose let her fingers brush through the rebellious strays of Dimitri's hair that didn't stay in the rubber band he kept his hair up with. She felt a fire grow inside of her, tendrils of flame running through her bloodstream. It seemed they went into her and Dimitri, another way they connected. Dimitri rubbed his thumbs across Rose's cheekbones as if he could memorize her face. Dimitri pulled away and lowered his head, kissing a trail up Rose's neck until he was back where he started. Rose felt the fire intensify and she rested her head on his chest, feeling relaxed by the rise and fall of it. She felt so warm and relaxed, her body refused to recognize an unwelcome feeling. The strange feeling gnawed at her stomach, and caused a crease to form on her brow. Dimitri noticed the change and said concernedly, "Rose? Are you okay?" Rose shook off her sleepy stupor and tried to recognize the intruding feeling. "I don't - oh." That and the widening of her eyes were the only warning of what happened next. A jagged spear came out of nowhere, and flew directly towards the two.
Dimitri was confused for just a second, but a second's hesitation means life or death on the battlefield. Rose flew into him and forced him on the ground. Dimitri gained his breath back and got Rose off him as quickly as possible. He ran at the area where the spear came from, but in a jerky, erratic pattern in case the perpetrator had more spears. A Strigoi most likely, based on Rose's sense, he thought. He was very close to the shadowy woods so he gave up with his zig-zag pattern and barreled straight into the woods. He heard an oof and had a moment's satisfaction before he was shoved off brusquely. He leaped back and sized up his opponent. The Strigoi was obviously very young, because he looked skittery and not at all in control like more experienced Strigoi. That didn't mean he let down his guard; young Strigoi were still very powerful. He remembered Natalie and shuddered at how Rose almost died that night. The Strigoi he was facing sneered and said, "I'll have a feast tonight." Dimitri noted that the Strigoi kept his distance and was wary of Dimitri. He should be. Dimitri made the first move and darted in. He had his stake out and swiped at the Strigoi, aiming for a glancing blow that would disorient him. The Strigoi wasn't fast enough and shrieked as the life-infused stake drew a line of blood across his face. Dimitri realized this could be over fast and feinted right. The Strigoi apparently wasn't completely incompetent, because he went left and kicked out viciously. Dimitri dodged it and went in for the kill. The Strigoi swatted at Dimitri's arm, which still felt like a bar of steel hitting Dimitri, but Dimitri gritted his teeth, got in, and jabbed the stake deep. The Strigoi wailed in pain and slumped down. He focused on Dimitri a look of intense hate, then fell over completely. Dimitri let out a breath and after a quick survey of the area determined that the Strigoi was traveling solo. He went back to the picnic and said jokingly, "I could've used some-" He stopped. All the air was forcefully knocked from his chest, but not from an enemy's blow. Rose was lying on the ground, looking very pale, and gripping the spear buried in her chest.
Dimitri let out a strangled cry and ran to Rose. "No!" He half shouted. When he got to her side he got to his knees and took Rose's hands away from the spear. He felt his heart tear in half when Rose croaked, "Hey, comrade. I don't feel so great." Dimitri felt tears stain his cheeks, but he didn't care. There were way, way more pressing matters to attend to. "You'll be okay, Rose. Lissa-" "Is too far away, Dimitri," Rose feebly interrupted. Dimitri choked back a sob and picked Rose's weak body off the ground. "Stay with me, Rose." Rose closed her eyes and murmured sadly, "I'll try." Dimitri brushed strands of hair away from her face and started sprinting as gently as he could towards the Academy. As he ran, he almost threw up after a realization. He said to Rose, "That was meant for me. You took the spear instead." Rose's eyelids fluttered, but her eyes stayed closed. "That's what love'll do to you. Gets you speared in the chest." Dimitri half laughed and half sobbed, and continued to run.
When he reached the academy, he didn't bother with subtleties. "LISSA!" He yelled. "VASILISSA!" He looked desperately around for a few seconds and then remembered there were two spirit users on campus. "ADRIAN! VASILISSA!" He ran towards the medical wing and continued to shout, ignoring the stares people were giving him. He screamed at them, "WHERE ARE VASILISSA AND ADRIAN!? VASILISSA DRAGOMIR AND ADRIAN IVASHKOV!" He carried Rose and ran to the medical wing with more urgency. They continued to receive stares from various students until someone realized the situation. "Is that a…" "There's something in her chest!" "Get Lissa and Adrian for them! I heard they can heal people!" "It's true! I've seen it!" As Dimitri got closer to the medical wing, more and more people were shouting for Lissa and Adrian. When he arrived, Lissa was next to a bed with a wide eyed, frightened gaze. "What's wrong? Half the people were shouting for me, and I couldn't hear-" She froze when she saw Rose and screamed. She backed away and seemed to remember what she could do, then ran towards them. "Put her on a bed!" She cried. Dimitri placed Rose on her side on a bed and gripped her hands desperately. "Rose! Stay awake, please!" Lissa paled when she saw the spear more closely and said, voice trembling, "We need to get it out before I can heal her." Dimitri nodded shortly and, as gently as he could, pushed the spear out. Rose cried out in pain and Dimitri felt as if it was he who had the spear in him, and not Rose. He got the spear out and threw it on the ground, disgusted. "Okay." Lissa placed her hands on Rose and flinched at the hole in Rose's body. "Okay, here we go." The air seemed more full of life suddenly, and a sweet aroma filled Dimitri's nose. He didn't pay any mind to it, though. All his attention was on Rose. He looked to Lissa for reassurance and was stricken at her face. Her brow was scrunched up in concentration, and sweat drops hung at the edge of her face. He looked around and said to Lissa, "I'm going to get Adrian." She didn't respond, and though it killed him to leave Rose, Dimitri ran out. He looked around and was relieved to see none other than Adrian Ivashkov walking towards the medical wing. "Adrian!" He gasped. Adrian walked quicker and said, "What's wrong? Half the schoolyard is shouting for either me or Lissa, and- Where's Rose?" He paled at Dimitri's face and looked at his hands. "I can't do much, but I'll try to help." Dimitri nodded his thanks and sprinted back to the medical wing.
When he arrived, Lissa was near unconsciousness. "I-can't do this much longer," she gasped. "It's taking a long time to heal." "Probably because she has a hold in herself and not a scratch," came a voice behind them. "Help her, Adrian," Dimitri growled. Adrian shot him a look and said, "I'd be a little nicer to the man who could save your girlfriend." Nonetheless, he kneeled opposite Lissa and put his hands on Rose. He concentrated, and the air became even sweeter. Dimitri watched Rose and clasped her hand in his. To his dismay, she felt cold. Not corpse-cold, but fatal injury-cold. He murmured pleadingly, "Come on Rose. Stay awake." Rose stirred and sighed softly. "I'm so tired. Why am I so… tired?" Her fingers wiggled faintly in Dimitri's hand and he brought them to his lips. "Don't go to sleep." A tear leaked out of Rose's left eye, and with that she became still.
Dimitri looked at Adrian and Lissa. "Why is she asleep?" Lissa answered truthfully. "I don't know, Dimitri." Dimitri half shouted at her, "Why isn't it working? You can heal, so heal her-" "You don't think this is hard for me, too?!" Lissa screamed. Dimitri was taken aback, and Lissa continued. "Rose was-is my best friend. She stayed with me and helped me through everything. You aren't the only person who cares about her, Dimitri!" Dimitri bowed his head and sighed. "I'm sorry, Lissa." He nodded at Adrian. "You too, Adrian." Adrian sighed and said, "I accept your apology, but don't expect me to hug you and make you feel better." Dimitri buried his face in his hands and took deep breaths. Lissa spoke up. "How did this happen?" Without looking up, Dimitri said, "She took me into the woods for a picnic. A few minutes pass, she barely has time to have her sense and widen her eyes when a spear comes flying out of nowhere. It was meant for me, but she took it instead. I killed the solo Strigoi who threw it and realized what had happened to her, so I brought her here. I yelled up half the school, and you know the rest." Adrian had been quiet through the story, but he mumbled in a weak attempt at a joke, "I hope the picnic was worth it." They sat in silence until, suddenly, a voice said weakly, "What'd I miss?"
Dimitri spun towards the bed. Rose was sitting up with one arm supporting her, and her face looked haggard but healthy. "That's twice you've cheated death, Rose. Always a rebel," he said shakily. Rose smiled faintly and addressed Lissa. "So am I doubly shadow-kissed?" Lissa punched Rose on the leg and cried, "Don't do that!" But a smile was underlying her words. Adrian ran a hand through his hair and sighed. "I seriously need a smoke. And little dhampir, try not to die again." He left, and Lissa smiled at Rose. After only a moment's hesitation, she rushed to Rose and gave her a big hug. When she pulled away, she smiled at Dimitri. "I'll give you some time alone." She walked after Adrian, leaving Dimitri and Rose alone.
Dimitri and Rose stared at each other. Rose rubbed at her eyes and Dimitri realized she was crying. "Rose…" He started. He broke off, and then pulled Rose into his arms. Rose smiled and said in a small voice, "Hey, go easy on me. I've just been impaled, you know." She buried her face in the crook of his neck and started sobbing. Dimitri almost broke down then and there but he stayed silent. After a few moments, Rose pulled back and opened her arms. "Okay, now you. I could tell you were about to cry yourself." Dimitri shook his head and grimaced when a few rebellious tears leaked out. He swatted at them angrily and Rose laughed. "Crying is a fact of life, Dimitri. Come here. Even the great guardian Belikov has his crybaby moments." Dimitri tried to look indignant but failed with his tears. "I'm not a crybaby, I just-" He was cut off when Rose drew him into her arms. He sighed and his voice cracked. He wept silently into her shoulder sleeve, and relaxed as she drew circles on his back. "I'm sorry for sucking at not-dying," Rose whispered. Dimitri's chest heaved and he half sobbed, "Oh god, Rose-" He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her desperately, as if to make sure she really was there. Rose responded gratefully and brought up her hands to wipe away Dimitri's tears. She pulled away and raised an eyebrow. "Now I can cross 'getting impaled' off my bucket list." Dimitri smiled and touched foreheads with Rose. "Only you, Roza. Only you."