Notes: Written for Bloody-Lucky on tumblr, who gave me the prompts Dimitri/Bill and "Didn't you see what I did!". Set sometime during the flashback period of Lost Future, with probable spoilers for that game.


Bill's face was one of total bemusement. He stared across at Dimitri as if he couldn't believe the other man was bothering him with such trivial matters.

"You are slightly blowing this out of proportion," he flatly commented.

"Didn't you see what I did!" Dimitri cried, "How could I have been so stupid? I should have moved Claire's coat off the back of that chair before beginning the experiment. But no! I was too busy being wrapped up in getting the mechanics of this to work right; too busy being selfishly focused on my own experiments! A-and now her jacket is covered in oil! It's cream coloured as well, so that'll never wash out! Not from this material..."

"Dimitri..." Bill tried to cut in, but his co-worker was still rambling.

"Then again, it wouldn't have been right to move it without asking, would it? I should have found her before starting and asked if it was all right to move it. Or does that seem like a bit much...?"

Pulling himself off his chair, Bill walked over and put a hand on top of Dimitri's.

"This whole thing seems like a bit much, if you ask me," he murmured.

"Easy for you to say," Dimitri sighed, "You're not the one who has to explain to Claire that I ruined her coat..."

"I can do, if you want me to," Bill offered, shrugging indifferently.

"You'd do that? Wait, no! That makes it seem like I'm passing the blame..." whimpered Dimitri, lowering his head to rest on top of Bill's.

"I'm sure I'd make a better job of explaining than you would in the stammering mess you're in now," Bill assured, glancing up at him, "You just pick your feet up, go buy Claire a new coat, and I'll deal with the mess you've made here. Again."

"Thanks, Bill... I do appreciate it," whispered Dimitri.

"Off with you, before I decide I've got better things to do with my time," Bill grumbled.

There was an odd snort from Dimitri and, before he pulled away, Bill could have sworn that he kissed the top of his head, but he might have been mistaken.

"You'll make sure to tell her it was an accident...?" he checked.

"Yeah, because she was definitely going to think you'd throw oil on her jacket on purpose," Bill growled, sarcastically, "Now off!"

Not needing to be told twice, Dimitri hurried out of the door, leaving Bill shaking his head after him. He certainly did despair for Dimitri sometimes, but it was affectionate despair, Bill supposed.