Chapter Six - First Meetings
Sheremetyevo Airport had been simply stunning, and it was unfortunate we were only there for two hours until we were to board our final flight. Believe it or not, I was rather enjoying seeing the different airports, each being utterly unique. Even in the time I had spent away from the Academy with Lissa, we never traveled very far, so it was nice to see some different places across the countries even if it was for just a few short hours each time.
The three hour flight from Moscow to Omsk had to easily of been the roughest flight of them all, the harsh winter winds outside creating turbulence for most of the flight. I ended up burying myself into the side of Dimitri as he held me close, whispering soothing words of Russian to get me through the flight. As much as I had enjoyed the traveling, I had thus decided that I hate turbulence.
By the time we'd exited the plane, gone through security and gotten our bags, it was 5.30 in the morning, and I knew we had a short drive to St Basil's before we could completely rest. I had just turned to Dimitri as we were exiting into the car park to ask how we would be getting to the school, when an older man - maybe mid forties - approached us.
"Guardian Belikov? Novice Hathaway?" He asked in a thick Russian accent, even thicker than Dimitri's. "I'm Guardian Abram Mashir, but you may call me Abram. I've been sent to collect you for St Basil's by Head Guardian Mikailov. I trust you had a good journey?" He was very polite as he offered to take one of the suitcases Dimitri was pulling - his, and one of mine - before guiding us to a black nondescript van similar to the ones they had back at St Vladimir's. He and Dimitri small talked while we loaded the bags into the back, minimal effort put in on my part due to being so tired and jetlagged from all the flying and timezone changes.
"Rose, I'll sit up front with Abram while you rest in the back." Dimitri told me formally, and I knew it was because we were in the presence of a school Guardian. I nodded before climbing into the back, relaxing almost instantly into the plush leather seats.
I must have fallen asleep almost instantly, because I couldn't even remember exiting the airport car park. I stirred slightly as I felt arms wrap around me and lift me up from the car, though I was still too asleep to acknowledge much more. I snuggled into the body that was holding me, letting myself fall back into dreamland.
When I eventually woke up, I was in an unfamiliar small double bed, still in the clothes I had traveled in. I squinted my eyes curiously as I looked around the room for any sign of a time, though the curtains on the right side of me were pulled shut. No light seem to of been coming through, so I assumed it must still be dark inside. I pulled myself up into a sitting position and yawned, stretching my arms out with a glorious sigh. All the sitting down had caused most of my muscles to seize up, and I couldn't wait until I got back to lessons so I could work the tension out of them. I used this opportunity to glance around the room that I presumed to be 'my' room at St Basil's.
The walls on my right - where the window was - and my left - where the door was - were painted white, while the other two had a beige marble-effect wallpaper covering it. It was pretty, though dull, which I guess was to be expected for spare Guardian dorms. There was a long brown desk attached to the beige wall on the opposite side of the bed, a mirror on the wall above it and a desk sat in the corner. It was partnered with a modern mustard yellow chair and a similarly coloured stool to the left of it. On the left side of the bed was a plain white chest of four drawers, and in the far right corner was a floor-to-ceiling wardrobe. My two suitcases had been placed next to it, I saw. It was a smallish room, but the colours and the decoration made it feel homely.
As I climbed out of the bed, having been placed on top of the covers, I silently wondered where Dimitri was. I assumed he had been the one to move me from the van to the bedroom, not being able to imagine him trusting somebody else with my wellbeing. Exiting the door lead to a small hallway, another door directly opposite mine with another one on either end. I peered into the one directly in front of me first, glimpsing in to see the bathroom. I shut the door quietly with the intent to inspect it more thoroughly later, before walking to the door on my right.
There was an open-planned kitchen and living room once I opened it, the kitchen being directly to my right with the sitting room a little in front. There was a long, black island in the kitchen with four high stools on one side looking into the cooking area, where there was a decent sized oven, fridge-freezer, microwave, and several cupboards.
The living area had a navy blue three seater sofa sat with its back against the off-yellow wall on the same side as the kitchen, a small glass table in front of it with two basket-woven seats on the other side each adorned with a matching blue pillow. There was a lamp in the corner alongside a basket-woven table, though this one held a pretty vase of daffodils. There was a decent sized TV sat on a brown oak coffee table with a shelf in the middle on the opposite side of the sitting room, and the door for presumably the outside sat directly opposite where I was stood.
I was about to investigate further when that very door opened up, and in strode the man I was looking for carrying a large crate "Hi," I smiled, hugging my arms around myself comfortingly.
Dimitri looked up with arched eyebrows, clearly both happy and surprised to see me awake. "Hey, Rose. I'm surprised you're up, you've already been sleeping for almost ten hours." He laughed.
"Ten hours? What time is it?" I furrowed my brows as he walked towards the kitchen before seating himself on one of the stools, placing the box onto the island. I walked to the other side and peered inside as he spoke, seeing a bunch of picnic-typed food that I guessed he'd made or gotten from the cafeteria.
"A little before six in the evening. You were pretty out of it when we arrived, and I knew you were exhausted." He explained. "Guardian Mashir was here bringing in the bags while I carried you, so I put you in 'your' room." He motioned out air quotes just as I had mentally done earlier, and I smiled at that detail. "I rested for a little bit myself before I had to go fill out some last bits of paperwork before we start on Monday. I imagine you're pretty hungry, and we're meeting Guardian Mikhailov at 7 so we've got time to eat before we meet him. There's time to shower and change as well, if you'd like? You must be dying to get out of those clothes."
I grinned devilishly up at him, shifting on my tiptoes to be able to reach completely across to him. I trailed a finger up his chest and fingered his collar suggestively. "I'd like it even better if you joined me." I bit my lower lip as I ducked my head down to his.
"Oh yeah?" He pretended to act innocent as I pressed my lips to his in a scorching kiss, feeling him cup the back of my head desperately to pull us as close together as possible despite the table in the way. He bit my lower lip lightly and pulled away, making me moan lightly, putty in his hands. He grinned wickedly as he let it go, before giving me a softer kiss. "Maybe later, Malýshka. I've got to finish unpacking."
I pouted dramatically at him with a scowl, though he just smiled sweetly at me. "Fine," I whined childishly, picking out a plastic container full of pasta before digging into it with a delightful hum. Dimitri had been right - I was starving after sleeping for so long and not having eaten for even longer. I had eaten the whole tub as well as an apple before I was finally contented, deciding to take up his offer on a solo shower.
Dimitri had been flittering around the kitchen himself as he emptied some of the food from the crate into the fridge for later feedings, and so I made a point of noisily announcing my departure to shower before walking towards the bathroom, making sure to add an extra swing in my hips since I knew he'd be watching me.
The bathroom was decently sized, though no bath. It didn't faze me too much since I never typically took baths, however I had imagined that taking a bath with Dimitri would change my mind. The room itself was of a cream coloured walls and white tiled flooring. There was a basket-like sink and above it on the wall was a large, square mirror cabinet. The wall between the two was lined with small, black mosaic tiles - the same tiles that lined the two walls the shower sat on. The shower itself was pretty big, a rectangular shape that could easily accommodate two people I was happy to note. The toilet sat besides it with two generic square photo frames on the wall above it of a dandelion close up.
I turned on the shower before shedding my clothes, kicking the scrunched up material to the side before climbing in. The water felt different somehow to back home - softer, more pleasant, if that was possible. I noticed that Dimitri had already found the Victoria's Secret shampoo and conditioner I always used and put it on the shelf. Lissa had gotten me it years ago as a birthday present as a way to 'always smell sexy', though fifteen year old me hadn't had the need to smell sexy. Once Dimitri came along, however, that was a different matter.
I washed and rinsed my hair before cleaning the rest of my body, the sweat of sitting on multiple airplanes for a total of almost 24 hours finally edging away. I turned the taps off and climbed out of the shower, taking two of the towels that had been hung up on the side and using one to wrap my hair and the second to wrap around my body.
"Shower's free if you need it," I called out as I walked the short distance into the room where my suitcases sat, assuming Dimitri would let me unpack my clothes the way I wanted to. I decided I'd do it after our meeting with the Head Guardian, for now just grabbing the one outfit. She picked out some flattering black lace matching underwear, the bra having a fancy square backing at the centre. I partnered it with a pair of black skinny jeans and a sheer black blouse with a sheer black blouse with an attached black strappy undershirt. I changed into all of it, leaving the towel on my head as I grabbed a pair of black boots and carried them into the living room with me.
Dimitri was still there, though he had shifted to sit on the sofa and was now casually scanning the TV channels. I pretended not to notice as his eyes hungrily looked my body up and down as I took a seat on one of the stools, tilting my head forwards to begin towel drying my hair.
"You look nice." He commented with an attempt at nonchalance, though I could sense the underlying desire.
"You should see what's underneath." I tilted my head to look at him through the gaps in my hair with a small laugh, seeing his gaze was still fixated on me. As I turned back to the task at hand, I silently wondered if tonight would be the first night we'd sleep together both literally and intimately. There was a definite sexual undercurrent that had flowed between us for months on end, now, and I'd be a fool to deny the fact that I hadn't dreamed of it ever happening.
But it was our first night together, alone, and I knew he wasn't the type of person to pressure me into anything. I wasn't sure if he'd want to wait until we had been properly 'dating' for a couple of weeks until we took that step, or if he was just as eager as I was. I guess whatever the answer was, I'd find out sooner or later.
By the time 7 o'clock neared, I had dried my hair to a point that it was passable to go out in. It wasn't the perfect voluptuous bounce it usually was, but it was close enough in the short time frame. I put on my shoes as well as well as the white, form-fitting coat that Dimitri had bought me in Paris - it was utterly beautiful, flaring at the waist and going down to my thighs - before heading out the door with Dimitri, getting a glimpse of the campus for the first time ever.
Much like St Vladimir's, the Guardian's dorm was in a long and tall building of it's own. There seemed to be two on our floor, though perhaps some floors held several smaller rooms to accommodate for more. It was almost pitch black outside if it wasn't for the lights illuminating the pathways on either side, which meant I couldn't see very far beyond the radius of light they produced.
Dimitri guided me towards the Head Guardian's office, keeping a respectable distance between us as we walked. He stopped us in front of a simple black door with red intricate markings within the woodwork, knocking twice. "Come in!" A deep voice from inside called us, and Dimitri headed inside first.
"Ah, Guardian Belikov! Novice Hathaway." A relatively tall yet lean man greeted us as we entered, standing up from behind his desk. He had shaggy black hair and piercing blue eyes, with a hint of stubble around his chin. "Pleasure to see you both. I'm Guardian Alexei Mikhailov, Head Guardian here at St Basil's." He shook my hand first with a smile before doing the same with Dimitri, then gesturing for us to both to take a seat on the long black sofa in front of his desk.
"It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Guardian Mikhailov." Dimitri flattered him as he walked to his own side of the desk, taking a seat and folding his hands on the desk in front of him. I shrugged off my coat, being uncomfortably warm inside, while he spoke. "Before anybody says anything, I'd like to officially thank you for allowing me to take up a position here at St Basil's, and for giving Novice Hathaway here a safe haven for the time being."
"Please, Dimitri, call me Alexei. You too, Rose." He nodded with a kind smile in my direction. "And as for the thanks, it is not necessary. When one of our own is threatened then we must band together to help where we can. We are so few that as Guardians we must protect one another, no matter what the cost."
I smiled genuinely at him, not having expected him to be so warm and welcoming to both of us due to our surprise and last-minute transfers. "Thank you, Alexei. Your kindness may well have saved my life."
"As I said, we must protect one another." He nodded. "Now, I expect you will both begin to attend lessons on the Monday? Good. Here are both of your class schedules - Rose, as I understand it Guardian Belikov here has been personally tutoring you in combat lessons due to missed curriculum over the past few years."
"Yes. I wasn't in attendance at St Vladimir's for near to two years, so to catch me up with my Guardian training I have been having a two hour session each morning and evening as well as some longer on the weekends."
"Well, I have ensured that your timetable does not clash with those sessions. Although you may not be a fully fledged student here at St Basil's, for all intents and purposes you are still a representative of this school, and we like to produce Guardians of the highest standards." I nodded solemnly, respecting that their specialty was clearly in training the best protectors in the business - exhibit Dimitri.
"Now, I understand that Guardian Petrov back at St Vladimir's has given you strict instructions to watch over Rose." He directed the comment towards Dimitri, who nodded in confirmation. "If you would like, I can station an extra Guardian in each of her classes as her unofficial protector while you're not there. Nobody has to know about Rose's situation unless you disclose it to them - I understand that discretion may be of utmost importance in this time."
"Thank you, Alexei, that will be much appreciated." Dimitri thanked him with a formal bow of his head.
"You both must be exhausted from so much traveling, so I will let you go." Alexei smiled as he rose from his seat, Dimitri following soon after. I figured that was our cue to leave, so I hastily stood as well, pulling on my coat once again as he guided us both to the door. "I hope you enjoy your time here at St Basil's, and I look forward to getting to know you both better over the forthcoming months."
"Thank you so much for this opportunity." I thanked with genuine gratitude, realising how much he and the other superiors at St Basil's had done to help her escape the troubles back home. "I promise you won't regret it."
"I'm sure I won't." He said with a knowing look in his eye as Dimitri and I turned to head back to our room.
I had a smile on my lips as I stepped inside the room, not entirely knowing what I was so happy about. Perhaps it was because I was with Dimitri, or perhaps it was the sense of new adventure brimming on the horizon. A new country, a new start.
"What are you so chipper about?" Dimitri wrapped his arms around my waist once the door was close, bringing his forehead down to rest against mine. I placed my hands on his chest and fingered his black shirt absentmindedly.
"Just being here." I murmured truthfully, closing my eyes contentedly. "I didn't expect to feel so... at home so soon here. I thought I'd be anxious to meet new people, or wanting to go home already. But I kind of like it here." I could feel Dimitri tighten his grip around me, pulling me closer. I knew he agreed with me, and I knew he was happy just to be back where he grew up.
"Me too, Malýshka. I'm glad you're liking it here." He pressed a kiss to the side of my temple. "Now, let's head to bed. We do need to be back on human timetable by Monday."
I nodded, letting him press a closed-mouth kiss to my lips before taking one of my hands and guiding me to the far bedroom - our, bedroom.
The room itself was simple yet pretty, definitely being the larger of the two bedrooms. On the left wall was a king sized bed in the centre, a brown cabinet holding an ornate lamp on either side. On the opposing wall was a dark brown desk with a plush white armchair in front of it, the window being next to it. There was a built in wardrobe to the other side of it, and I happily noted it was big enough for two people's clothes.
I stepped inside and idly wandered to the desk, skimming a finger across the edge. There was not a trace of dust, showing somebody must have cleaned everything up before our arrival. I could sense Dimitri was lulling behind me, wanting to take me into his arms but being hesitant. I turned around to see just that, his hands awkwardly poised near his side as if he was about to reach out for me but stopped.
Taking matters into my own hands, I shifted to wrap my arms around the back of his neck and went on my tiptoes to give him a smoldering kiss. I could feel the desperation within him as he clutched my hips tightly, pulling our hips together as he bent down so that I didn't have to stretch up as far. He ran a hand along the small of my back to press us even closer together, and I let out a wanting sigh against his lips.
"Roza," he murmured against my lips, trying his best to fight the desires inside. He pulled away slightly, though kept the rest of our bodies pinned tightly together. "I don't want to push you into anything you don't want to do, okay? We can take things slow."
"I don't want to take things slow." I clarified definitely, gripping his collar with both hands and yanking his lips to mine once again. What once was a hesitant start had now turned into a frantic want, a need, as he begun pushing me gently back until I felt the backs of my knees against the bed. He'd already removed my coat and tossed it somewhere in the room, and I could feel his hands working at the bottom of my blouse as he gently lowered me to the bed.
Without ever breaking our kiss, I shifted myself up the bed to lie nearer the top, Dimitri following my every move as he ran his hands down my body deliciously. He ground his hips against me, causing me to pull away from his lips and gasp. He took the opportunity to move to my neck, kissing a line down from my jaw, across my neck, and to the sensitive part halfway between there and my shoulder. I ran my hands through his hair at the blissful feeling, closing my eyes and tilting my head further to give him access.
"You are so beautiful, Roza." He lovingly whispered as his fingers gripped the hem of my shirt, and I lifted my back up slightly to allow him to remove it up over my head. He deftly tossed it aside before taking in my now shirtless appearance, clearly admiring the underwear I had donned. "I have a feeling you planned this," he commented conspiratorially with a wry smile, leaning down to kiss the soft curve of my breasts.
I giggled at the thought, biting my lower lip coyly though he couldn't see. "Think of it more as preemptive wishing." I skirted my hands down from where they were clasped at the nape of his neck to his jaw, bringing him up so I could kiss him hungrily again. It was my turn to begin undressing him, and I quickly took charge as I rolled us both over so I was straddling his hips.
He seemed both pleasantly surprised and annoyed at this change of style as I ran my hands down his chest before yanking his shirt off him, rougher than he had done mine. He leaned up and wrapped a hand around the back of my neck to kiss me, though I cut it short as I pushed him back down to the bed. He growled playfully, and I knew he wanted the control and yet I wasn't giving him it.
"Down, Comrade." I teased, moving to unclasp my bra from behind. "I thought you'd might enjoy this view a little more." I held in a sigh of relief as my breasts were released from their wired cage, tossing the material to the side. I could see the hunger in Dimitri's eyes as this time I let him sit up, watching as he wrapped his arms tightly around my waist before pressing a soft kiss between the valley of my breasts. I wrapped my own arms around the back of his shoulders, tilting my head back as I ran my hands through his hair once again.
"I think," Dimitri murmured against my skin, his breath tickling me delightfully. "We're wearing too much clothing." I grinned at his sentiment as he looked up at me, swiftly rolling us back over so he was on top. I squealed playfully as I looked up at him, my arms still wrapped around his back.
"Don't do that to me!" I swatted his shoulder playfully, though the grin on my face told a different story. He chuckled as he ducked his head down to kiss the base of my neck, slowly making his way southwards. He kneaded my breasts gently as he kissed down between them both, and I arched into his touch with a soft moan.
He continued his slow, torturous journey as he kissed down my stomach, my naval, halting just above my jeans. I automatically raised my hips up, though he firmly planted my butt on the bed before unbuttoning my jeans. I let my body relax into the bed with my hands above my head, closing my eyes as Dimitri raised my hips up to pull my jeans down. I felt him remove my shoes before he got as far as my knees, before slipping it the rest of the way off and tossing it somewhere. He hummed in approval, no doubt taking in my matching black underwear.
Suddenly I was oh-so-aware that I was almost completely exposed to him, feeling slightly self conscious for the first time in many years. Usually I was so proud of my body, strutting around like I owned the place. But naked, in front of the man whom I loved, I couldn't help but feel utterly vulnerable. "Roza, look at me." Dimitri's strained voice forced me to open my eyes and look down at him, and I bit my lip at the sight.
He had removed his own jeans and was kneeling between my legs, his eyes running up and down my body none too subtly. I took in a breath of surprise at the sight, seeing his excitement from within his plain grey boxers. I sat myself up, legs still either side of him, to run my hands down his perfectly sculpted chest, taking in every single inch of him as best I could. "God, you're stunning." I spoke without meaning to, looking up at him with adoration.
He smiled back down at me, pressing another steamy kiss to my lips. "I believe that's my line, Malýshka." He carefully lowered me once again so I was on my back and took his time to trail back down my body, his fingers grazing dangerously close to my most private parts.
While a part of me originally was desperate to be with Dimitri in the most intimate of ways, in the moment I was even happier to take things slow as we were. Dimitri was worshipping every part of me, as I was him, and we were allowing ourselves time to explore each other's bodies before we became one.
He hooked a finger on either side of my underwear before slowly pulling it down my legs, kissing my thigh on one side as he went. I looked down at him with my head still against the pillow, watching as he trailed kisses up my inner leg and stopping just beside my slit. He hooked a hand on both of my knees and placed them over his shoulder, blowing gently against my core resulting in a desperate whine coming from me as I tilted myself towards him.
He had to push me back down to the bed as I felt his tongue skirt my outer folds, and I tilted my head back with my eyes closed as I soaked in every feeling he was giving me. He licked a broad from top to bottom and I let out an erotic moan, scrunching the sheets up besides me with my fists as he worked me.
"You taste delightful, Roza," his warm breath tickled in all the right places as he licked at my clit, pleasuring me in every way he knew how to. I felt him slip a finger into my core to loosen me up, and his arm forced my hips down as I automatically bucked up against his mouth with another moan. He pumped his finger in and out as I mewled quietly for him, not anticipating the second finger he added as he loosened me up. "So wet for me." He cooed, working me quicker.
I could feel the tension building in my stomach and I couldn't help myself as I arched off the bed, whining desperately for him. "Fuck, Dimitri, please." I begged almost incoherently through my pleads, wanting nothing more than to feel him inside me.
"What is it, Roza?" He stilled his fingers inside me though didn't remove them, and his lips were still against my intimate area. "Tell me what you want."
"I want you," I breathed desperately, looking down to see his gaze was on mine. "Please, Dimitri."
He placed a soft kiss on my slit as he pulled his fingers away, smiling as he begun to slowly crawl up my body. "How can I resist when you ask so nicely?" He whispered, kissing me sweetly. I could taste myself against his tongue, yet somehow I wasn't revolted by it, instead the taste fueling my desire for him even further. I felt himself adjust as he slid down his boxers finally, leaving no inch of fabric between us.
"You're sure?" He looked lovingly into my eyes as he positioned himself above me, holding himself up by his forearms on either side of my head. "It's not too late to say no. You're in control here, remember."
I cupped his face and kissed him passionately, pouring every inch of emotion I felt into that single kiss. "I'm sure, Dimitri. This is what I want." I confirmed, feeling the smile on his lips against my own.
He pressed the head of his member inside me and I groaned out at the sensation, him slowly easing himself into me. There was a sensation of simultaneous pleasure and pain, and I couldn't help the near-strangled whine that escaped me as I arched myself against me. He stilled within me, dropping his lips to my neck as he murmured his apologies for hurting me.
"You're fine, Dimitri." I gasped, pressing a hand to his lower back to urge him on. He seemed to take that in his stride, slowly pressing further until he was completely buried within me. It was an unfamiliar yet not completely uncomfortable sensation, and I felt myself grip him tightly as I bared the pain.
"Are you okay?" Ever the gentleman, I silently laughed, always looking after my well being even if it wasn't needed. I nodded, kissing him desperately as I urged him to move. The moment he began to slowly thrust into me, the pain began to fade, and all I could feel was pleasure.
I skirted my hands up across his chest before burying them into his hair, tugging lightly as he thrust particularly deep. I moaned out in pleasure. "Fuck, Dimitri." He moaned against where his lips were placed at my neck, clearly enjoying himself as much as I was as he began to quicken his pace.
I could feel the sensation building low in my stomach as he murmured words of praise to me, saying how good I felt and how much he had longed to feel me around him. I clutched him desperately close as I threw my head back and cried out his name, feeling myself edge closer. "Dimitri, I'm close." I mewled, and he shifted to lift one of my legs around his hips to get better access. I cried out at the new sensation, feeling him hit a particularly marvelous spot with every single thrust. "Yes, Dimitri! Yes!"
He pressed his lips tightly to mine, cutting off my moans of joy as he himself let out a comforting noise against my lips. "Cum with me, Roza. My perfect, beautiful Roza."
His grip was getting sloppy against my hips as I felt myself peak, crying out desperately as I let myself go. I felt my entire body clamp around him as simultaneously he relieved himself within me, gasping my name in delight as he rode out both of our orgasms.
Dimitri began to slow his thrusts until he came to a complete halt, and I let out a small sigh at the emptiness I felt as he slipped himself out of me and collapsed on the bed besides me. Almost automatically I felt myself roll into his touch, desperate for the connection despite the most intimate of moments we just shared. I knew I was sticky and sweaty, but I didn't care as he wrapped his arms loosely around me, both of our breathing erratic.
We were quiet for a few minutes as we reveled in the aftermath of our first time together, and I turned to press a soft kiss to his chest. "I love you, Dimitri." I murmured just loud enough for him to hear, knowing it was the first time I'd ever vocalised my feelings to him.
I felt his grip tighten around me as he buried his face into my hair, seeming to let out a laugh. "I love you too, Roza. So much."