The Break Up
Set sometime after Last Sacrifice. Rose and Dimitri keep awkwardly bumping into each other after a messy break up.
It was Rose's weekend off and she was using it to spend quality time with Eddie. The two hadn't spent much time together since Eddie was assigned as Jill's guardian. Eddie's visit to court was the perfect opportunity to catch up. And wreak havoc.
They started by playing a prank on a moroi they knew from school and continued to the local dhampir pub. They drank the day away talking about everything from a play by play of what they were up to nowadays, to St. Vlad's and Mason and old friends, to their current relationships or lack there of.
"I still can't believe you and Belikov broke up!" Eddie finished the last of his 5th beer and slammed his mug on the table.
"I don't want to talk about this anymore", Rose gulped her beer. She absolutely couldn't cry anymore.
A bell rang loudly in the bar; it signaled closing time. It was the wee hours of the moroi morning and the bar tender was just about to kick out his last customers - Rose and Eddie. The bartender even said "You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here".
"Come on, Edison", Rose said. "Let's blow this joint".
Out on the street Rose told Eddie his shoelace was untied. Despite wearing boots, Eddie leaned forward to look. That was the opportune moment when Rose jumped on his back.
Eddie caught the backs of Rose's knees and held her in place. "I can't believe I fell for that!" he chastised himself.
Rose laughed wildly. It was something they used to do as kids back at the academy. More often that not, it was either Mason or Eddie carrying Rose around.
"Alright", Eddie accepted his fate as the noble steed, "where to milady?" Drunk as he was, it was still not problem for him to carry Rose around on piggy back.
With no place in mind, they walked around the dhampir district, window shopping since it was too early for anything to be open.
Meanwhile Dimitri was on shift and training Christian. Christian had asked Dimitri to teach him hand to hand combat. Dimitri didn't need much convincing. Since they both wanted their training to be private and away from leering eyes of moroi, there was no choice but to train at one of the smaller gyms in the dhampir district.
They were on their way to the closest cafe for their post-training coffee when Dimitri spotted Rose down the street. He froze.
Christian picked up on it pretty quickly and followed Dimtiri's gaze. It wasn't hard to spot Rose piggy back riding on Eddie. Had there been more people out and about, they would have been quite the spectacle.
"They're just goofing around", Chris assured Dimitri, not knowing whether Dimitri was really looking for assurances.
In answer, Dimitri raised his eyebrow at Christian.
"Remind me again why you too broke up, cuz I'm a little fuzzy on that", Chris said.
Dimitri grumble, "I don't know anymore. I thought I did but really don't. We were together and now we're not", he slumped.
"Do you still love her?" Christian asked.
"Of course", Dimitri answered without pause. "I'm crazy about her".
"Have you talked since the break up? I mean really talked?"
Dimitri shook his head. "I was trying to give her space".
"How's that been working out for you?" Chris asked sarcastically."Let's go say hi", he suggested and scurried off.
Dimitri pinched the bridge of his nose. He didn't need this right now. He was having a hard enough time being professional while they were both on duty. He wasn't sure how professional Roza would be off duty, tipsy and with her legs wrapped around another man's waist. He knew she and Eddie were like family and there was nothing going on. That didn't make the sight sting any less. Especially with how he was missing her.
Dimitri followed his charge wordlessly and joined him just as Christian made dinner plans with both Rose and Eddie. Thankfully, when she spotted Chris, Rose slid of Eddie's back. She caught sight of the hulking Russian and it was like taking a punch in the gut. She wasn't planning on him seeing her like this.
"Look! It's Belikov!" Eddie said way too loudly when Dimitri joined them. Eddie was clearly drunk. Far more than Rose. What made it painfully obvious was the hug the young guardian pulled Dimitri into. Dimitri patted his back with a slight chuckle. Eddie and Rose weren't on duty, Dimitri couldn't fault them having a little fun.
"I love you, man", Eddie suddenly declared.
"How much did you let him drink, Rose?" Dimitri chastised Rose.
"Clearly more than I should have", she laughed it off.
"I'm only a little drunk", Eddie pouted.
"Come on, Castile. Let's get you to bed". As soon as Rose said it she saw Dimitri mask slip for a split second, she could clearly make out the anguish in his features. Rose took pity on him and quickly added, "I'll drop you off at your room on my way back".
The four parted ways. "See you guys tonight", Rose called back, referring to their dinner plans.
As soon as there was some distance between he and Dimitri, Rose let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. She hoped at least her hair looked good.
"Dimitri, you have to come to dinner", Christian said at the end of Dimitri's shift.
Dimitri wasn't planning on attending dinner with Rose and Eddie. He sighed.
So Christian continued. "You have to be here because A) you're my best friend and B) you can't let Rose win the break up!".
Dimitri rolled his eyes. There was no winner in their break up. But he was touched by the sentiment. "You had me at best friend", Dimitri agreed to come to dinner.
"Good! Now go home, shower, shave, change and come back", he ordered while clapping Dimitri on the back.
Christian couldn't be more please with himself. He'd hatched a plan to get Rose and Dimitri back together, or at least get them talking.
There were 2 steps to this plan. Step 1, throw them together tonight. Step 2, throw them together tomorrow night. So what if it wasn't a complex and thought out plan. He was no Rose. But he was sure it'd would work.
Dimitri's room in guardian housing was down the hall from Rose's. Since they both preferred not rooming in the palace, each was allocated a room in guardian housing. As primary guardians to the queen and her boyfriend, they were allocated the best rooms. But for obvious reasons, Rose's room was bigger and the couple spent most of their free time together there.
Now that they were broken up, after every shift he'd walk by her door on the way to his room, thinking about all the time they spent there together. He'd always slow his pace when he walked, even when he knew she wasn't there.
Today, as he passed by her door, he heard the distinct sound of vomiting. His worry got the better of him, though he was sure it was just a hangover from drinking all day with Eddie. So Dimitri let himself in with the key he still had. He walked straight to her bathroom and found Rose with her head still in the toilet dry heaving.
In a blink of an eye, Dimitri was kneeling beside Rose, holding back her hair and supporting her.
Rose was delighted and devastated at the same time. Delighted that he was here and taking care of her. Devastated that he was here taking care of her and seeing her like this. She scolded herself mentally for putting herself in a situation that she needed to rely on him again.
When Rose was done heaving, Dimitri carried her to bed despite her insistence that she was fine. He got her a glass of water and two Tylenol. He sat beside her making sure she drank the water and took the tablets.
"You don't have to worry, I'll be fine in a little bit", Rose lied.
Dimitri nodded, not showing how much that lie hurt. They never used to lied to each other. "How long have you been vomiting, Roza?"
She glanced at the clock on her beside table. "Fifteen minutes?" she guessed.
"I'm calling Christian and canceling dinner", Dimitri declared.
"Shit. I forgot about that". Rose placed her hand on Dimitri's phone. "Don't cancel. Just tell him I'm running late".
Dimitri looked skeptic.
"With the pills, some rest and a shower, I'll be fine. I can be ready in an hour. I'll be at Chris and Lissa's in an hour and a half. Tops". Rose was going all out in order to save face in front of Dimitri. Though she wasn't sure there was much left to save after he watched her barf and cleaned chunks out of her hair.
"Alright", Dimitri conceded. "I tell Chris we're running late".
"You don't have to be late because of me, comrade".
"Roza, I'm not leaving you alone like this and I'm not letting you go by yourself in the state you're in to the palace".
Rose crossed her arms over her chest like a child. She knew Dimitri well enough to know that he wasn't going to budge. "Fine", she huffed.
"I'm going to get ready. Go to sleep. I'll be back in a half hour to check on you and help you get ready".
For a fraction of a second Dimitri could see the panic in her. She didn't really want him to go. He leaned in and kissed her forehead. "I'll be back, Roza", he promised, just above a whisper.
Rose was instantly pacified. She nodded, closed her eyes and willed sleep to come to her.
An hour and half later Rose and Dimitri knocked on the door to Lissa and Christian's suite in the palace. Eddie had already arrived a while ago. He and Christian were in the kitchen cooking up a storm, while Lissa was finishing up some work related calls in her study.
"How are you alive?" Rose asked Eddie, referring to the fact that he drank way more than she did and she felt like dying. Granted she was much better now than she was when Dimitri found her, but still.
"Lissa wants to see you", Christian informed Rose.
Rose nodded and excused herself. She wondered what Lissa wanted that couldn't wait. She quietly let herself into Lissa's study. She was greeted by a smiling queen who waved her in and put a finger to her lips asking for silence. She motioned for Rose to come stand by her side, never deterring from her call. She held her hand out to Rose.
An unsuspecting Rose placed her hand in her best friend's palm and almost immediately felt the healing power of spirit course thru her. Rose was so disappointed in herself for not seeing that coming. It was only a little spirit but it went a long way. Within seconds Lissa was finished and quietly dismissed Rose. Rose left the study with a final reproachful look at her savior, asking without words if she needed anything.
Back in the kitchen Rose punched Christian in the arm. Hard. Now she knew why Eddie was so chipper.
"Ow!"
"You could've told me what she was planning!" Rose yelled at Christian.
Dimitri read the situation precisely. Rose wasn't pale anymore and see seems to have found her footing, not stumbling anymore. Lissa healed Rose's hangover with her element. He scolded himself for being grateful that the two were no longer bonded and that Rose was no longer affected by the darkness.
"She made me do it", Christian insisted. Besides, this too worked well with his plan.
When Lissa was finally done with work, they sat down to the delicious dinner Chris and his sous chef Eddie had prepared. Dimitri helped too.
They ate, they laughed, they conversed, they drank but not too much. No one brought up the fact that Rose and Dimitri sat at opposite ends of the table, not facing each other, hardly exchanging 2 words. Which Christian found so weird since he knew Dimitri had to take care of Rose mere hours ago while she was hung over. He wondered how they managed that without talking. Then again, those two did a lot of things without talking. Which was why they were perfect for each other.
With dinner over, Lissa had opted for an early night, stating she wasn't feeling well. Rose felt guilty. She knew it was exhaustion from healing her.
"I'll be fine", Lissa insisted. "Rose can you please make me my favorite tea?"
"Of course", Rose headed straight to the kitchen while Chris helped Lissa to bed.
After about 20 seconds, Chris came back to the dining room. "I just remembered that the tea is finished and there's a new box but it's on the top shelf and there's no way Rose will be able to reach. Do you mind giving her a hand, Dimitri?"
Dimitri nodded and did as he was asked. He found Rose in the kitchen reaching on her tiptoes, arms streched way over her head, muttering to herself.
"Stupid tea on the stupid top self, stupid moroi height, stupid short legs".
In all fairness she was on missing half an inch to get to the coveted tea box. Rose didn't hear Dimitri approaching. But she smelled him. His aftershave and natural Dimitri scent still did things to her. When he placed his warm large hand on her back, Rose froze. Dimitri reached his hand passed hers and grabbed the box, his body just barely pressing up against her own.
"Here", Dimitri handed her the box. His hand was still on the small of Rose's back.
Rose didn't pull away. She didn't push Dimitri back. Everything about him invited her in. His warmth, his scent, the intensity with which he was staring into her eyes.
Rose took the box from Dimitri's hand with a slight nod of the head. When she took the box their fingers touched. At the contact, they felt the familiar electric current that always seemed to hum between them. And just like that, his lips were on hers. Her arms wrapped around his neck. He pulled her impossibly close, his hand digging into her hair. They kissed fiercely. The entire length of their bodies were touching, there was no space between them, yet they needed to get closer.
Dimitri lifted Rose by the back of her thighs on to the counter. Rose wrapped her legs around Dimitri's waist and pulled their pelvises together. They broke apart for air, yet Dimitri's lips never left Rose's body. When he reached the sweet spot behind her ear, Rose's eyes rolled back and she let out a loud moan. Dimitri smirked against her skin.
Rose lost all control and tugged on Dimitri's belt buckle. She nimbly undid his belt, popped the button on his jeans and started working the zipper. Dimitri reached under Rose's skirt. His fingers grazed her thighs as his hand made his way to the promised land.
Rose gasped at his touch. "We can't do this here", she said.
It was like a bucket of ice water splashed in their face that left them breathless. Dimitri took a step back. Rose immediately felt cold. He redid his pant though they were uncomfortably tight. Rose jumped off the counter and straightened her skirt.
And the moment was over. "Roza, I - "
But Dimitri didn't know what to say. He could've apologized, but he wasn't sorry. He could've told her he loved her and missed her, but she knew that. He could've said he wanted her back, but he wasn't sure where she stood. So he kept is mouth shut.
Rose cleared her throat. "I should make Lissa's tea".
Dimitri nodded silently and left Rose in the kitchen. He grabbed his duster, said good night to Eddie and Christian who were playing some game on the playstation in the living room. "Tell Rose I said good night", and he was gone. The night was over. He desperately needed to put distance between Rose and himself.
Rose spent the night in Lissa's guest room. She was sure if she went back to guardian housing, she wouldn't be strong enough to stay away from Dimitri's room.
Christian knew something had gone on in the kitchen. He just wasn't sure whether it was the push Rose and Dimitri needed or not.
The following night was Eddie's last night in town. Which was why Dimitri found it odd that he'd invite him for a pint. Dimitri figured Eddie would rather spend his time with Rose and Christian. But in spite of that logic he agreed.
Dimitri got to the bar early so he was already a pint in when Rose strode over to the vacant seat beside him. She was surprised to see him there since he was so anti-social, but figured she might as well say hello so the rest of her plans for the night weren't ruined.
"This seat taken?" Rose asked.
Dimitri swallowed hard and pushed the chair back with his foot indicating she could join him. For a moment he was stunned by her beauty.
Rose order a beer. "How are you?" she asked, trying to make small talk.
Dimitri shrugged in answer.
Rose couldn't help but wonder what Dimitri was even doing there, he wasn't much of a drinker. "What are you up to?"
"Eddie asked me to meet him here". Taking in the stunned expression on Rose's face, Dimitri asked, "What?"
"Eddie asked me to meet him here too".
Dimitri started laughing. Rose looked at him puzzled. "Don't you get it?" he asked. "Eddie and Christian are up to no good", he gulped his beer. "And Lissa is in on it too. 'Make me some tea'", he huffed, "As if".
Rose did notice that Lissa really wasn't all that pale or weak last night.
"What the fuck are they playing at?" Rose asked.
"Matchmaker", Dimitri said almost bitterly.
"This is ridiculous. Why can't they mind their own business?!"
"Because they can tell we're miserable without each other? Because we were so good together? Because they can't figure out why the hell we broke up? Pick one".
Rose sipped her beer.
"And they'd be right", Dimitri declared and turned to face Rose completely. "I am miserable without you. And I don't even know why we broke up". He grabbed Rose's hand and laced their fingers together. "We haven't talked about it since it happened".
"There was nothing left to say", Rose answered, but didn't pull her hand back.
"I refuse to believe that, Roza", he said adamantly. "I love you. So much it hurts me sometimes. This can't just be over. Not because of a stupid fight we had".
Rose's eyes became misty. "I love you too Dimitri. But it wasn't the stupid fight. That fight about nothing was just the last straw. We'd been fighting for months".
"I know", Dimitri answered defeated. "But that doesn't change how much I miss you", his eyes were misty now too. "I miss your hands", he brought both her hand that he was holding to his lips. His hand trailed up her arms. "I miss these arms". He ran his hand through her hair. "I miss these locks". He pulled her close to him. So close she could feel his breath on her face. "I miss your lips". He kissed her chastely.
Rose sniffled. "You think this is easy for me?" she asked. "I miss you too but we can't just go back because this feels too hard. That's not a good enough reason".
"We're are not better off apart than we are together, Roza. My reasons for being with you are because you're the most amazing, caring, loyal, beautiful woman I know. I love you and I want to share my life with you. Nothing's changed that".
Dimitri could see Rose's resolve faltering. So he kissed her again. This time with so much passion it made Rose's head spin. She wasn't used to the PDA. Not that she objected.
"You can't tell me you don't want me", Dimitri murmured against her lips, getting Rose all hot and bothered. He knew exactly what he was doing.
Then again, so did she. Which was why she pulled back, she removed his hands from her and placed them in his lap. "I can't do this again, Dimitri. Not like this. Every time something's wrong we have sex and ignore the problem. Like fucking is going to make everything okay". She stood from her bar stool. "If you're serious about getting back together", she crossed her arms over her chest, "Then I think we need to see a councilor". Rose bit her lip nervously.
Dimitri was shocked. He knew Rose hated shrinks. "Like a couple's therapist?"
Rose nodded. "I'm willing to try, if you are".
Dimitri knew how much it cost Rose to ask this of him; even more of herself. He stood from his bar stool as well, wrapped his hands around her upper arms and stared deep into her eyes. "Roza, I would do anything to get you back", he answered sincerely.
Rose smiled brightly and leaned into Dimitri. She wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned her head against his broad chest. He embraced her and pressed his cheek to the crown of her head.
"Milaya, I promise you we'll make this work", Dimitri kissed her temple.
Rose sighed contently. Despite knowing in her gut that they should take things slow she said, "Let's go home". They could take it slow tomorrow.
A/N:
Hello lovelies!
I told you I'd be back soon.
This idea popped into my head and I had to get it out ASAP. I think this is the fastest I've ever written LOL
Hope you liked! Let me know what you thought!
Cheers,
K
...Kooki will return soon with a new story…