Can't Go Home

I checked my watch again, glancing over at the boarding gate, the group before ours was almost on, others already joining the next line. I hated being cramped in the small plane surrounded by so many people. I can only imagine that Dimitri had it worse with his large frame.

I looked at him in the corner of my eye, he had been quiet since we got here. Last night he was excited, talking about places in Baia that he wanted to show me, telling stories of his sisters and wondering what Sonya's baby was like.

Now he was silent, withdrawn in his own mind, staring at his hands that were clutching his passport and ticket.

I looked over at the line again. "We should go join. It's our group now."

His eyes flicked up to the gate and then back down. "Not yet."

I sighed inwardly, reaching to place my hand over his, "What's wrong?" I dipped my head to catch his eyes, pleading him to speak to me.

Healthy communication between each other was one of the things we agreed to work on in the relationship. After everything calmed down, we had sat down and spoken about everything, and that was one of the requirements. No more secrets, no more trying to protect the other by pushing them away.

His lips pressed into a thin line. "I just need a moment."

I kept the disappointment off my face, squeezing his hand and sitting back in my chair. If that's what he needed, I would give it.

The line was now dwindling, I gathered my bag as I stood up. "It's time." Dimitri nodded silently, standing and draping his duster over his arm. I turned to the gate, making it a few steps.

"Roza."

I looked back at him, his face was pale, panic in his eyes. I walked back to him, taking his hands in mine again.

"I can't go home."

I shushed him gently, cupping his face, "Yes, you can. Your family will be so happy to see you."

He shook his head, "Not after what I did. Once they learn–"

"That wasn't you," I told him firmly, "They will know that."

"What if they don't trust me? What if they are scared of me?" His voice was small, not that of the confident guardian but of a man that was still haunted by his past.

I moved both hands to cup his face, catching his eyes. "They love you, Dimitri, no matter what. After a second of being around you, they will know it's you. Sure, they will probably freak out at first, but once they calm down they will all be so happy to have you back."

His eyes searched mine, slowly I could see some of the fear recede, his hands wrapping around mine. "You'll stay close?"

"I'll be there the whole time," I promised, going up on my toes as his head angled down to mine. The kiss was short, just a pressing of lips, but when he pulled back he looked more confident. "You can do this, comrade."

He nodded, lips twitching in a ghost of a smile. "Thank you, Roza."

I stepped back from him with a smile, holding his hand in mine still as I led us towards the gate, "Always."

A short but sweet one for Valentine's Day.
I am sorry if you read Be Kind, Rewind, I won't be posting a chapter today, I haven't been able to finish it in time.