Welllllll… It's been a while. Life takes over and you forget about the little things. I'm not sure how many people are still even reading/following this, but here's a short update. Thanks!

RPOV

The door swung open followed by a soft whoosh of air. Dimitri stopped it with his arm before it could begin to close, and gestured for me to enter with a slight nod of his head. As I walked in, I focused on being as nonchalant as possible while subtly scanning the dorm. It was what I imagined to be pretty standard for a guardian dorm. A small kitchen consisting of a table with four chairs, a fridge, a microwave, and what could barely pass for a potted plant. The kitchen was connected to a poor excuse for a living room, which included a chair, a ratty old love seat, a coffee table, and a small and ancient TV set, and two doors that I assumed lead to a bathroom and a bedroom.

Due to the lack of space I thought it would be awkward if I just stood in the middle of the doorway, so I strode over and swung one of the kitchen chairs around so I was straddling it, my arms wrapping around the back of the chair. He hung up his duster on a coat-rack near the door after softly shutting the door behind him… And locking it. I raised my eyebrow at that, but he just acted as if nothing had happened. He paused before turning and approaching me with an unsure stride, his eyes filled with an intensity that made my breath catch in my throat. As the space between us rapidly decreased, I actually thought he was going to do something. But then he kept walking, his arm brushing mine, as he went for the fridge.

I turned around in my chair so I was facing him, legs crossed. He was setting various ingredients on the counter and was now reaching for something up in a high cupboard. It turned out to be a pot. What a disappointment. After a while I figured out he was making spaghetti, but the silence was getting to the point of uncomfortable, so I asked him anyways.

"Whatch'ya makin' Comrade?" I questioned, trying to make it sound like I was genuinely interested.

"Spaghetti," he answered tightly. Whoa. Something was up. I cleared my throat uncomfortably before finally deciding it would be better to just rip off the bandaid.

"Look. I know better than anyone how awkward things have been. This whole 'story time' thing that we're being forced into is straining our already difficult relationship. So I'm sorry that I can't control what people write or that we have to read it or that you kissed me or how I feel about-" I cut myself short, breathless, and shrunk back into my chair before remembering I'm Rose-Effing-Hathaway and sticking my chin out defiantly. His back was all I could see as his entire figure stilled. I heard a deep breath before he slowly turned around, leaning against the too-short counter. He pinched the bridge of his nose and scrunched his eyes shut. Finally he spoke.

"None of this is your fault, Roza. You're fierce, you're so fierce… but there will always be things you cannot control, and that's not your fault." I shifted uncomfortably in my chair. Things weren't usually this serious between Dimitri and I. Well, that's not true. But we never acted like they were. As I sat there looking at him, I suddenly felt completely drained. I had no will left to keep up the snarky remarks and sarcasm that hid how much I really felt towards him. How much I loved him.

"Dimitri… I can't do this anymore. I can't sit in a little room with you and pretend that I don't want you, pretend that the fact that you won't have me doesn't tear me apart. I can't read about things I wish I could have with you and then watch you push me away even further. So we're going to go in tomorrow, skim through a hell of a lot of those stories, and we're going to find one that describes a relationship Kirova would approve of, rather than the toxic bullshit we have going on now. Understand?" His mouth hung slightly ajar, and his eyes had widened considerably. In them I saw guilt and… Pity. Oh hell no. No one pities Rose Hathaway.

"Alright, Roza. We'll do our best to get it all finished tomorrow. I promise." I let out a sigh and nodded gratefully. Dimitri turned back to the stove, strained the pasta, and then loaded up two plates. We sat across from each other in awkward silence, and despite the fact that I could feel his eyes on me the entire time, I refused to look back at him. Finishing my plate in record time, I quickly stood and loaded it into the dish-washer before turning around to make a brief and awkward goodbye. Dimitri stood as well, and for a moment we said nothing.

"Thanks for dinner… I guess I'll see you tomorrow." I stood awkwardly for a moment longer before making my way towards the door. Dimitri's elegant stride beat me to it, and he unlocked and opened the door before looking back at me. I gave what I'm sure was a pitiful attempt at a small smile before giving up and just heading for the door. Just as I was leaving, he gently grabbed my arm and leaned in towards me. I felt his lips quickly brush my cheek before he moved sot his lips brushed my ear as he spoke in a drawn out low whisper.

"For the record, I would do anything to have you."

And then he left me standing in the hallway with nothing but the feeling of his lips on my cheek and a door closed shut behind me.