Disclaimer: I don't own VA, but I do own Xavier(:
So why are you so eager to betray?
Pick the pieces up, pick the pieces up.
So why are you the one that walks away?
Pick the pieces up, pick the pieces up, pick the pieces up.
Just take a breath and softly say goodbye.
- Here We Are, Breaking Benjamin
DPOV:
(the day before Rose comes to Court)
I watched, confused, as Guardian Croft told Guardian Salsky that he was no longer guarding the Princess. That left her guardianless.
"Sir," I began, frowning.
Guardian Croft lifted his hand and I shut my mouth. "I understand your concern, Guardian Belikov. However, there is no need for it. Princess Dragomir will be guarded by Court guardians until the replacements arrive tomorrow. As of now, you are officially Lord Ozera's guardian," Guardian Croft explained.
"And Guardian Belikova?" I asked, my sister's formal name sounding odd on my lips.
"She will be guarding Lord Ozera along side you," Guardian Croft replied. He lifted an eyebrow. "Unless there is an issue...?"
I shook my head. "No, sir. I was merely...surprised." Far be it for me to protest the assignments, but Christian Ozera receiving two guardians was a shock.
"Well, as we have observed that Lord Ozera and Princess Dragomir are very close, so we have decided that an extra layer of protection for the Princess wouldn't be unneeded. Lehigh is highly guarded; however, now the Princess will have a guardian with her within the classes themselves," Guardian Croft explained.
I gave a single nod. "I see. Thank you sir. Am I needed for anything more?"
Guardian Croft shook his head. "No. I believe the Princess's new guardians will be arriving within the next day or so."
I nodded once more. I opened my mouth to ask who were her new guardians, but decided against it. I didn't want to know, didn't dare to hope that it was my Roza. Instead, I bid him farewell, and walked out.
Seeing as it wasn't my shift just yet, I had several hours to myself. I contemplated what to do as I made my way to my apartment. I knew my sister wasn't guarding right now either, so I changed direction and walked to her apartment.
"Hey, Vika," I said cheerfully as she opened her door. She allowed me in, and we settled on her couch.
"Would you like a drink?" she asked.
I shook my head. "No, thank you." I paused. "Do you know who the replacements for Guardian Salsky and me are?"
Viktoria tense slightly at the mention of Guardian Salsky. It was such a commonplace action that I hardly noticed it any more. However, now it seemed...too obvious.
"Guardian Salsky is gone?" Viktoria asked hopefully.
I frowned. "Yes. Viktoria, you shouldn't make enemies with fellow guardians," I said sternly.
Viktoria snorted. "If you knew..." she trailed off, shaking her head. "Do you know who the replacements – oh, right." She chuckled at her mistake.
"No, that's what I'm asking you," I teased. "Get the cotton out of your ears."
Viktoria rolled her eyes. "Dimka, no one uses that expression any more," she said, mock disgusted. "I see what Roza means now, you always living in your cowboy books."
A smile spread across my lips as the familiar pang hit my heart. "I miss her," I said sadly. "Every day. Why did she leave?" I looked at my sister pleading. It was an age old argument and nothing so far had gotten her to budge on her answer.
Viktoria turned her eyes away from me. "Dimka, it's not my place," Viktoria murmured.
"If – if Roza comes here, will she bring Xavier?" I prayed she would say yes.
However, the instant I caught sight of her apologetic face, I knew the answer.
"I'm sorry, Dimka. I'm pretty sure that Xavier is going to stay with the family."
I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. "I just..." I trailed off, sighing. "I want to meet him. I want to hold him, hear him call me Papa. I want to see him with my own eyes." I blinked back tears.
When I fell in love with Rose and turned down Tasha's offer, I'd resigned to never having children, as Roza and I couldn't have them together. To know that we could have children and did, well, it added a whole new level of hurt. I wanted to meet him, meet my little boy so badly, it was like acid in my heart, a yearning so deep it was slowly poisoning me.
Viktoria's hand on my arm pulled me back form my thoughts. "You will, Dimka. It's like Roza is always telling Xavier – you two will meet, and that's a promise." She gave me a sympathetic smile.
I nodded. "Thank you, sister."
Viktoria squeezed my hand, then pulled away. "I have to go to my shift now. Take care." We walked out of the apartment together, then parted ways. While she went to guard, I went to the gym, hoping to get rid of this pain.
I fell into bed that night, completely and utterly exhausted from working out. I was asleep for what seemed like only a few minutes when the cabin, our cabin, formed around me.
Adrian appeared in front of me. He glanced around, curiously. "Hm. I don't know if I'm going to let you choose the destination next time. It's a bit awkward appearing in your little love nest. Especially since it seems as though you just evacuated the bed."
I glanced at it, and saw Adrian was right. The blankets were rumple and twisted around, a pillow laying on the floor. I could see something that looked like Roza's shirt halfway under the bed. I flushed. "You can change it any time, you know."
Adrian nodded and the room shifted to the church. I raised an eyebrow. "So you leave my love nest and go to Christian's? Is there something you're not telling me?"
Adrian gave a short laugh. "My bad. Here, how about this?" The room shifted once more and we were in his room. "There you go."
Silence settled between us. Though Adrian and I had overcome our differences over the last three years, there was still awkwardness between us.
"So," he started conversationally. "Rumor has it that our feisty Rose is coming back."
I bit back an aggravated growl. "I don't know. That's what Vika thinks."
Adrian didn't say anything for a moment. "What will she be like?" he wonder out loud suddenly.
I sighed. "She seemed happy in the pictures and videos," I said softly. As peculiar as it was, Adrian had become the only person I could truly confide in. Maybe it was because he alone, out of everyone in the group, knew about Roza and I. After I'd come back from visiting my family, it was he who had found me in a rare moment of weakness in the gym, thereby finding out about Xavier. I now understood why Roza was such good friends with him. He was easy to talk to and didn't judge.
"Yeah, but I'm sure she wasn't nearly as happy as she appeared," Adrian pointed out.
I sighed again. "I know. She was sad, actually. I could see that too."
"I hope she comes back," Adrian said quietly. "Not for me, but for you and your son."
I swallowed tears. "I hope so," I said faintly. I turned away. "Can I go back? Please?"
"Yeah, sure." The spirit dream dissolved around me, plunging me into the blankness of a dreamless sleep.
The next morning, I awoke to darkness. I lay in bed for several moments before gathering the strength to get up. My body felt worn down and tired already, and the day hadn't even begun.
I ran my hands over my face, trying to rub away the mood. It stayed.
I went through my morning routine in a stupor, dread dragging my body down. I trudged to Vasilisa's room, knowing as soon as I started my shift, there would be no escape.
It was only a couple of hours into my shift when the knock sounded. My shifts were generally easy, as Vasilisa found it unfair for guardians to stand still and invisible, and usually invited us inside the room. The shifts were mostly nothing more than a gathering of friends.
Viktoria perked up and hurriedly opened the door. Whatever she saw on the other side forced to go out, closing the door firmly behind her. I frowned, wondering if there was danger. Surely if there was she would have indicated so?
Everyone turned to stare at the as whispers could be vaguely discerned.
"Anyone hear what's being said?" Christian finally spoke up.
Vasilisa and Adrian shook their heads. After a couple of minutes, Viktoria popped back in, followed by a tall Guardian.
The man introduced himself as Guardian Pavel with a deep bow to Vasilisa. I was surprised but not really; Pavel seemed like an experienced guardian. And then from behind him, she stepped out. Roza.
She looked unchanged, but as I scrutinized her, I could see a difference. As Lissa jumped on her, I could see her whole body stiffen and tense. I knew part of it was to keep from falling back, but as she didn't lift a single finger to return Lissa's hug, I knew it was something deeper.
When Lissa stepped back and I caught sight of her face, it took everything within me to not gasp in horror.
She looked so broken and empty, as if someone had torn her heart and soul out. There was a gaunt expression on her face, one that I don't think anyone else noticed. The coldness in her voice was the result of dislike but a complete lack of emotion.
As her eyes swept the room, I noticed the lean appearance to her body. She had clearly been working out. Not a single ounce of baby fat remained. In fact, she seemed even more built and gorgeous than the last time I saw her.
Her hair was still long, from what I could tell, as it was up in a harsh bun. Then her eyes met mine.
All the breath was sucked out of me as I stared into her dark brown eyes. I could help the love that flooded through me, followed by pain.
The agony in her eyes, the absolute hopelessness tore at my heart. I wanted nothing more than to wrap my arms around her, hold her tight and never let her go. I felt my body lean toward her and had to physically restrain myself from running to her. Hope burst in my chest; she was here. She was here, right here, in front of me. There was a chance that I hadn't lost her forever. In that moment, I didn't care for the reasons behind her leaving; all I cared about was the fact that she was here now. I could see her leaning towards me too, and thought for a brief second that she was going to come to me. The thought shatter as Pavel touched her arm and pulled her attention away from me.
A rushing sound in my ears blocked off all words she spoke before leaving. My heart pounded in my chest as if I had just run for ten miles. I felt light headed and thought I was going to pass out.
Shock crashed in waves upon me. Shock that I saw her, shock at the changes in her. And happiness - she was here now, and everything would be alright.
"Dimitri?" Adrian's voice broke through my thoughts.
I blinked hazily. "Huh?"
"Are you okay?" Adrian's brow furrowed with concern.
I gave a jerky nodded. "Fine." I knew around me, everyone was discussing Rose's appearance, but I could focus on nothing but my own mind. I knew it was terrible for a guardian to be so distracted, but I couldn't help it. My Roza was here, just feet away. She was no longer a full half of a world away, in a different country, on a different continent. She was close by, within reach. I vowed in that moment that I would get my Roza back, the consequences be damned.
A/N: Wow! Not as long as the previous chapter, but I figured everyone would be interested in seeing Dimitri's view on all of this. I know I was. What do you think of his friendship with Adrian? His vow to himself? Review, review, review!
Thank you for reviewing to the following people: Dragons-Twilight1992, J (Seneca. Well...you'll see :D), Natyc, Kay1a (thank you! :D), Bookworm695, RozaRocks (I know :'( I teared up writing Xavier leave too :/ She will...eventually :D), Do'B (well, technically speaking, someone else is forcing Rose to leave. Seneca is simply the executioner. Rose being back...she's under Abe's protection, as is shown by her being with his guardian. It's kind of a declaration of war, in a way. Sorry I didn't make that clear :P It's in hopes that they will stay away and lessen the chance of them being hurt. Like, if she shows she's "staying away" in her own way, then Seneca won't do anything. Tehe, you'll see soon(;) Dimka's chick (mmhmm :'(), and bboop12.