Chapter 4 - Flirt

The next morning when I left my room ready to go for my run Dimitri was at my door dressed in his training gear. I smiled and we silently left the building together. I pushed myself hard around the track, until I could barely stand. Dimitri kept pace with me but by the time we finished he was struggling himself. I felt quiet proud. "Come on, we're sparring today." I told him.

"No Rose, I'm not going to fight you." When we entered the gym I walked straight to the mats.

"Please, Dimitri." He shook his head. "Please! How about you teach me to fight then that way you don't actually have to fight me?" He sighed. "If you don't I might just have to pick some fights with the novices." I gave him my best pout.

He groaned. "Fine Rose. I'll teach you. But not today, we need to shower."

"Ehh fine, you go first." I muttered waving him off. At least he agreed.

Dimitri didn't argue this time and went straight to the showers. When I heard the water start, I smiled and walked towards the noise, bag in hand. I choose a cubicle and closed the door behind me. "Rose?"

"Mmmm?"

"What are you doing?" His accent seemed more pronounced than before.

"Getting naked, what are you doing Dimitri?"

"Rose" He said sternly.

I chuckled and turned the water on. I was a flirt, hey I'd admit it. I'd had my fair share of hot make out sessions with some of the Moroi and Dhampir at school but nothing more. Although I'm sure that's not what they guys say. They wanted the honour of telling everyone they had slept with the Mazur Princess. I didn't contradict the rumours, figuring it just added to my badass attitude.

I hummed a song while washing my hair. The shower beside mine shut off and I heard the sounds of Dimitri getting dressed. "So were shopping tonight?" I called over the tiled wall separating us both.

"Yes, were going with two other Guardians. Leaving at 6 AM."

I nodded even though he couldn't see me. "How about we skip last period and get some rest before we leave?"

"That's probably a good idea Rose." Classes went by slowly and I spent lunch getting my ear talked off by Lissa who was excited for our trip. It wasn't often that we got out of the academy grounds.

When my last class of the day finished Dimitri walked me back to my room. "I'm going to take a nap until dinner. Why don't you go and get some sleep?"

"I'll be fine Rose." He said sitting down in a chair outside my room.

I frowned until an idea struck. Walking into my room I closed the door but left it unlocked. I pulled the spare mattress I had out from under the bed, that Lissa usually used when we had secret sleepovers. I pulled out a pillow and some blankets from the cupboard and laid them down on the mattress. When that was done I pulled on one of my oversized t-shirts I slept in and sat on the bed. "Dimitri!" I yelled. As expected he raced into my room and stood in an attack position, searching the room with his eyes for any threat.

"Rose?" He asked when he noticed no one else was in here with me.

I grinned and pointed to the mattress. "I made you a bed. Close the door will you?" I pulled the covers of the blanket over me and laid down. I rolled my eyes at Dimitri's bewildered expression. "Lay down. You can be my Guardian while you sleep, I'll be right next to you."

"Rose, that's not how this works. I'm on duty, I don't go to sleep."

I sat back up and glared at him. "Dimitri who is your charge?"

"You"

"Do you think you won't be able to protect me if I'm asleep next to you?"

"No, but"

"No" I cut him off. "I don't see what the problem is then."

He still didn't move making me growl under my breath. "Shit Dimitri, just do as I say. I don't want to have to order you all princess-like." His eyes narrowed at my curse. He sighed and took his duster off. I grinned happy that I had won. He kicked off his army boots and pulled his hair out of its usual pony tail. I hadn't seen him with his hair out before and from what I was seeing now, I wanted it out a lot more.

After Dimitri laid down and got comfortable I laughed. "What's so funny?"

"You barely even fit." I pointed to his legs that reached over the edge of the mattress because of his long length. Dimitri frowned and rolled his eyes at me. This was the Dimitri I liked. The one that relaxed when it was just me and him. I followed suit and laid back down getting comfy again. "Goodnight Comrade." I said cheekily.

"Goodnight Princess." He mocked my tone.

"Hey!" I yelled throwing a pillow at his head. Making him chuckle. I rolled my eyes turning over so he couldn't see the huge smile on my face. After a few minutes sleep came.

I woke up and rolled over to look at my alarm clock, telling me it was 4 AM 'dinner time'. I peered down at Dimitri's sleeping form beside me. He looked more relaxed than I had ever seen him. He had a small smile on his lips and his arms were folded securely over his chest. I leaned over the edge of the bed and poked him gently in the middle of his chest. A strong hand grabbed my wrist quickly and Dimitri's eyes shot open. "Wakey wakey, we've got to have some dinner before we leave." Dimitri's hand let go of mine. I won't admit out loud how much I missed his touch after he let go. Dimitri got straight up and pulled his boots back on.

I grabbed an outfit out of the closet and walked into my bathroom to change. I chose my favourite black skinny jeans that had cuts all up the legs and a plain black satin top with small straps. I rolled up the bottom of my jeans twice and slipped on my black ankle boots. I quickly washed my face and run my hands through my curls. I left the bathroom to find the mattress Dimitri used was back under my bed and the blankets folded sitting at the bottom of my made bed. "You didn't have to do that" I told him pointing to the clothes.

"And you didn't have to let me sleep in here." He countered.

"Touché" I grabbed my red cardigan that went down to the back of my knees and pulled it on over my top.

Lissa was already at the cafeteria with Christian when we arrived at dinner. I chose a few slices of pizza and a soda and took a seat across from the lovebirds. "I'm jealous you guys!" Mia whined. "I want to go shopping."

"I'm going Friday with Daddy" Natalie told her. "Why don't you see if Kirova will let you come with us?"

"I didn't know your father was here" I told her. Natalie was a daddy's girl. Her father was Prince Viktor Dashkov, he always had a soft spot for Lissa and I growing up. Viktor unfortunately had a disease that was slowly killing him. So he spent a lot of time here on campus to be near his precious Natalie. Last I heard though he was at Court.

"He fly's in tomorrow."

I nodded. "Come on Lis, it's time to go"

She gave Christian a few kisses until I dragged her away. "Bitch" I heard Christian mutter under his breath.

"Fire crotch!" I yelled back at him, ignoring the surprised glances of the people around us.

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-Skye (FeminineHeroes)