Black Eye

I sighed against the door praying that he would just go away but after the second knock, I knew it was unlikely.

"Rose, please just open the door," Dimitri pleaded, voice slightly muffled by the door.

Already regretting my decision, I turned the lock on the deadbolt and slid out the chain, a second later Dimitri was pushing open the door and marching in. His fists were clenched at his sides, tense shoulders noticeable even through the leather duster he wore.

"Where is he!"

I ducked my head, letting my hair fall across my face. "He's gone. I kicked him out an hour ago."

Despite my words, Dimitri still searched the open space of my apartment. "He better be gone for good this time."

"It's fine, Dimitri," I replied in a dark tone, crossing my arms over my chest. My already low mood soured at the thought of Jesse, after a couple of months of a strained relationship I gained the courage to kick him out of my apartment and life. But then a month later I let him back and now I was paying for that moment of weakness.

I had called Viktoria crying because I didn't know what else to do, especially if Jesse came back. Of course, Dimitri just happened to be at her place and picked up the phone. I had already started explaining parts of the story before I knew it was him.

Of all people to see me like this, Dimitri was the last I wanted.

When I had first started dating Jesse, Dimitri warned me off. I had just flipped him off and told him where to shove it. When I gave in and took Jesse back, I went out of my way to avoid Dimitri, knowing what he would say. And now, there was no avoiding it.

I could already picture the look of disappointment he was going to give me, the tones of I told you so as he tells me I should have known better.

And I wouldn't be able to say he was wrong. I should have known. I never should have become one of those girls, I was meant to be better.

"What happened? I couldn't understand everything you were saying on the phone," Dimitri had relaxed a little, eyes now focused on me. His eyebrow raised as he took me in.

I pulled at the sleeves of my sweater, hiding the trembling of my hands in the pooled material. I turned away from him, walking to the kitchen, "It's nothing. We just argued and I got overwhelmed. You didn't have to come all the way here."

My throat felt dry, a combination of screaming, crying and then anxiety. I picked up a glass and filled it with water, willing my hand to stop shaking.

"Rose-"

Dimitri's hand landed on my shoulder, my body panicked, flinching back from him. The glass slipped from my fingers and shattered in the sink. I involuntarily ducked my head, squeezing my eyes closed as I waited for the yelling to start.

After a moment I remembered Jesse wasn't here anymore, the tension left my body enough that it wasn't frozen in place. I quickly started picking the pieces of glass out of the sink. "Fuck. Sorry, I'm just tired and-Oww." I pulled my hand back, blood beading up from the small cut on my palm.

"Roza," Dimitri took my hand, cursing softly in Russian. I always loved when he would call me that, not that I would admit it out loud. He held my palm up to look at it, ripping off a piece of paper towel and pressing it to the cut.

I refused to lift my eyes to his, especially with him this close. As the seconds passed, I knew he was waiting for me to look up. When I refused to do so, his fingers curled under my chin, his touch so gentle compared to Jesse's and yet I couldn't stop my flinch.

"What happened?" He asked again in a soft voice.

"Nothing," I mumbled.

He sighed, "Show me, Roza." With a little pressure, he tilted my head back until my hair fell away. He inhaled sharply as his eyes pinched in the corners.

I pulled away from him, "Go on, say it."

"Say what?"

I gestured to my face, no longer trying to hide the discoloured skin around my eye. "It's my fault for taking him back. You warned me but I didn't listen and this is what I get!"

"This isn't your fault. The only one to blame here is him." His expression became fierce, "I'm going to kill him."

His tone was serious enough that I believed he would. I reached for his wrist, not wanting him to leave. "Don't. Just leave it, okay. I already kicked him out and I'm never talking to him again."

Dimitri's hands cupped my face, being careful to not touch the tender skin, his eyes softening. "You deserve so much better, Roza."

I snorted, dropping my eyes from him, "I should have known better."

"Stop," He told me firmly. "He never should have touched you."

My lip trembled, "What if he comes back?"

"I'm not going anywhere. As long as you need me, I'll be here. Whatever you need."

I nodded, not trusting my voice. I wanted to be strong, everyone else always expected me to be. My mother always warned me to be smart and never let a man hurt me like this, but when it actually happens, I fall apart. But in front of Dimitri, I felt safe enough to do so.

Slowly the tears I had been holding fell until I was gasping for breath from the sobs. Dimitri pulled me in close, eyes watching my reaction carefully. "It's okay, Roza. Everything will be okay."