She wasn't exactly a Valentine's Day kinda girl. Wasn't really into the hearts, wasn't into the cards, and really wasn't into the roses. In fact, she downright hated those and just how many she had received over the years from would-be dates trying to win her affection. Little did they know that her namesake flower was the wrong way to go. The only thing Rose did like about Valentine's Day was the chocolate. Mason had always remembered that little tidbit over the years, as did Liss, but other than that, February 14th was just another day of training and school.

This year was supposed to be different, though. This year, Rose actually had a boyfriend. Not just some unattainable, horribly fated crush. Not a boyfriend separated by nearly an entire continent. No. She had an actual, bona fide, loving boyfriend. She could have the romantic date. She could have the sweet gestures. She could even have the scorching hot, candle-lit, romance-novel-style sex that every woman seemed to desire on this special day.

Until Croft got in the way.

Rose and Dimitri had both scheduled their time off with Liss and Christian, but they still had to put in a certain amount of hours with the Court guard. She didn't know if he was just bitter about his own single status (most likely) or just completely clueless, but he scheduled them on alternating shifts that day. Dimitri would be working the morning, and Rose would be taking the afternoon into the evening. They overlapped just enough that the two wouldn't even get a kiss between their shifts. And nothing could be done about it without causing a last-minute upset to the entire schedule for the week.

So with a promise to "rain check" their own plans for the good of their fellow Guardians, they went to bed with the idea that February 14th would be just another day...just like every other February 14th before it.

Dimitri was gone by the time she woke, leaving an empty space on the bed beside her. Despite all their promises to let the day be like any other, it was hard to keep from letting a disappointed sigh break through. Tossing aside the blanket, she got up to let her morning routine guide her. Teeth, face, clothes, and food. There would probably be some errands that needed to be done today, and anything that was time sensitive would be written on a list on the counter, courtesy of Dimitri. If she were lucky, he might have left her some leftover breakfast too. The only thing better than bacon was bacon she didn't have to make.

She was halfway through putting her hair in a high ponytail when she spotted the tube of bright red lipstick she had planned on wearing to dinner that night. It wasn't anything super expensive, especially since she wasn't keen on wearing expressive makeup most days and the stuff she did wear or invest in was limited to a few well-loved items that she depended on over the years. Nothing beat out her favorite lip gloss and mascara. Still, the sight of the trendy red she had hoped to surprise him with sent a pang of longing through her.

They hadn't even planned on a place to go out to eat. Never had the chance to. She had only been vaguely hoping that maybe they would get a proper Valentine's date, so she shouldn't be upset. Really. It wasn't a big deal.

Still, she reached for it, twisting the tube to admire the color. It would be just silly to wear the lipstick for no reason, right? Of course it would be. When else would she wear it, though? So on it went.

It seemed ludicrous once on, completely in contrast to her otherwise casual clothing, and it would be even worse against her uniform later. Still, it did provide her the first smile all day. It also gave her an idea.

Quickly, she hopped up on the counter, kneeling over the sink, and placed a pouty kiss on the mirror. Reapplying, she left three more around the mirror before taking the tube directly to the smooth surface itself.

Missed my morning kiss, so I left a few for you to enjoy when you get home. - Rose

To top it all off, she drew a big heart around the entire message. The lipstick was ruined to any other use now, but she was utterly thrilled with how she destroyed it. It was certainly a worthy cause. A smirk appeared as she wiped the last of the color off her lips with a cotton round. It wasn't much, but it was a start.

Her mood didn't last forever, though. The noticeable absence of bacon from the kitchen seemed like a slight today, even if unintentional. A sheet of paper left on the counter promised a few chores for her later, but for now, she needed sustenance. Apparently, oatmeal would have to do. Oatmeal and TV. If there was one benefit of spending the morning alone, it was that she could rewatch episodes of The Office without Dimitri asking why she needed to see the series again for the tenth time. She would always just ask him how often he reread the same book and he would stop asking questions.

Two episodes of Jim and Pam with a side order of Michael, and Rose decided she couldn't put off the day any longer. Her bowl clanked into the sink (to soak) and she picked up the list.

Dear Rose,

I hope you slept in for a few hours. I tried to slip out before you woke, but I couldn't leave without reminding you that I love you. You are everything to me, and I hope you enjoy your day. I know it wasn't what we planned, but I promise you that we will make the most of it. You're in my thoughts and in my heart.

– Love, Dimitri.

She knew that deep down, very deep down, Dimitri was a hopeless romantic. However, he tended to show his love through actions, not words. Love notes and sonnets weren't his thing, making every moment—every letter—that much more special. She folded it up, slipping it into her pocket for safekeeping.

Her errand list wasn't long, and because she had been planning on spending most of the day with Dimitri, she had them done in record time. Rather than going home and binging on Netflix and junk food by herself, she made her way towards the gym. If she couldn't spend the day with her man, she could at least enjoy something they liked doing together. She always had a spare set of clothing in one of the lockers that they shared, so it saved her a trip back home. Still, she wasn't expecting something other than her spare leggings to drop out when she opened the squeaky metal door.

"What's this, Hathaway?" Mark picked up the red item that slid across the floor. He was a fellow Guardian that she had gotten to know pretty well over the past little while, and it looked like he had just finished off one of his own workouts. Too bad. She could really use a sparring partner right about now. "You got a new secret admirer? Belikov's gonna be pissed you're stepping out on him."

She stalked over to him, snatching the heart-shaped box from his hands. "Shut it." His grin was teasing, but the idea that she would ever mess around with anyone else was practically insane. Most people knew better than to get on her bad side. "I don't know who it's from, but I have an idea."

Opening the box confirmed her hunch. Eight pieces of chocolate, all encased in paper cups and labeled with secret marks to hide their confection centers, were nestled along a small note.

20 laps then enjoy. You deserve it. -Dimitri.

PS My time yesterday was 5:42. Special prize if you can beat it.

"Special prize, eh?" He wiggled his brows as she rolled her eyes. "Sounds like fun."

"Too bad you'll never know."

"Yeah," He lamented with a sigh before snatching a chocolate and popping it into his mouth before she could swipe it back. "Too bad."

"Asshole!" She cried, smacking him on the shoulder and sneering when it only made him laugh harder. She aimed a kick to the shin, connecting and making him cry out with a little bit of shock. There were only a few people who could steal chocolate from her, and he wasn't one of them. However, considering that his own Valentine's day would probably be even less eventful than hers this year, the least she could do is let him enjoy a stolen piece of candy. Mark had been single as long as she had known him. Even longer if the stories were true.

"Don't get too worked up, Hun. It was coconut."

She wrinkled her nose and then smiled. "Serves you right. Any plans this evening?"

"Actually, got a date! Met her a couple of weeks ago and thought it would be fun to go to that food truck park and market near the Guardian quarter. I heard that they are doing something special this evening. You and Dimitri should come."

"Maybe we would if I wasn't working this evening." The bitterness was hard to hide, but she tried to swallow it, remembering Dimitri's calm promise. "We're on opposite shifts, so I won't see him until he's already asleep. It sucks, but it's no different than any other year up till now." She shook her own lousy luck off to enjoy his good fortune. "Seriously, though, I'm glad you have a date. However, a food truck on Valentine's Day? That's hardly romantic."

He gave a single boisterous laugh. "I'm not going for super romantic. This is our first date, and I hardly know her. I think sweeping her off her feet and confessing undying love is a little much for today. Honestly, I wouldn't think about asking her for a date today except it's the only day off I have for the next week."

Her face drew blank, and on barely a breath, she whispered, "You gotta be kidding me."

"Excuse me?"

"Nothing. It's no big deal. I have some laps to run." She held up the note as proof. "Enjoy your date."

Rose made her way towards the locker rooms, switching her chocolates and notes for leggings and a tee before leaving her friend in a dust of confusion.

Her run was therapeutic, allowing her to release the tension of the day and prepare her for her shift ahead. If she focused on her steps, she could almost imagine it was just any other day at the track. Her footfalls were swift and regular, creating a beat that became rhythm for her thoughts, pulse, and movement. She passed the start marker for the 18th time and pushed herself for the final two laps. With the endpoint in view, her heart was practically in her ears, and her breathing was much less smooth than she'd admit to anyone. She knew it was extreme, even for her, but she also knew that today, this was what she needed to get through.

The only pause she made to her routine was a small push to her wrist tracker, one of the pair of twin gifts that Lissa had given both her and Dimitri for Christmas last year. She didn't bother to look at it right now, though. She just slowed herself to a walk and took another lap or two, calming her mind and allowing herself to return to the here and now. By the time she could breathe normally and feel her heart at a regular pace, it had been a few minutes and she was much more relaxed. She knew that her shift would be coming up soon, but before she could use her tracker to check what time it was, she saw her time.

5:38

She beat him.

She didn't know what special surprise he had in store for her, but the fact that she had beaten him was almost enough to call it good. She practically skipped the last few feet to her phone so she could text him the picture proving his defeat. He would be nearing the end of his shift soon, and maybe it would be a bit of a bright spot for him.

He didn't reply, though. Rose didn't take it personally. It was rare for them to reply back while on the clock. He wasn't ignoring her...just working. He'd probably send something later. She'd keep her phone on her and check later.

She had check-in in less than an hour, though, so she needed to get going. A quick shower before changing into her work clothes, and she was on her way. Check-in was simple enough. She signed in, figured out which patrol or section she was assigned to, picked up her radio gear and final safety equipment from her locker at the headquarters, and was off.

Her first surprise was seeing where she was assigned and who had that patrol before her. His name and handwriting were familiar. In fact, she had seen it several times already today.

Dimitri.

Just seeing it written again drew her back to the two other notes she had already pocketed and brought another smile to her face. She wouldn't be able to see him today, but he was working his way into her day nonetheless.

She signed her name next to his and ran over to her HQ locker to pick up the last of her supplies. Next to her radio and her new Kevlar vest that they were beginning to roll out (thanks to somewhat recent events) there was a small vase with a single orange gerbera daisy. She was much more partial to these rather than her namesake, and the little purple, heart-shaped note tied to the vase bore another little piece of encouragement.

Halfway through the day. I hope the rest of it is bright and beautiful, just like you. I'll be there when you get home. – Dimitri.

She wasn't sure when or how he had found the time to do all this for her, but somehow he had made this Valentine's Day better than she could have imagined. Already, without even seeing her once, he had made it so much more memorable than a fancy dinner would have been.

She slipped on her vest, attached her radio to her hip, and double-checked both her stake and gun. With a few minutes to spare before she was officially on duty, she grabbed an old advertisement from the community bulletin board in the locker room and a pen to jot down a note of her own.

I don't know what I did to deserve you, but thank you for being mine. – Rose

It wasn't as romantic and well thought out as all of the little surprises that he had left for her, but he had always been the methodical planner. She was the one who worked spontaneously off the cuff. A note that she meant, even if it was written in lipstick or on the back of a pizza advertisement, would always be more her style than a Hallmark card. He understood that because he understood her better than anyone else in the world.

She slipped the folded note through the vents of his closed locker and stepped into the dawning sunrise. The light was just beginning to crest over the hills, and it would be hours before the true day would be upon them, but it was still beautiful.

"Rose Hathaway, checking in for Patrol Route 6."

"Dimitri Belikov," a deep voice replied, making her shiver somewhat inappropriately considering she was supposed to focus on work and not play. "Checking out for Patrol Route 6."

"Any issues to report, Belikov?" It was standard to report any disturbances, but he typically would have been upfront with them if needed. She just wanted to hear his voice a little longer.

"No issues. Keep watch on the South Greenspace, though. I'm sure it's just some rabbits, but I heard some rustling there earlier."

Rose's brows furrowed together. Dimitri wasn't one to spook easily on a routine route, especially for something as minor as some forest animals. It was true that he hadn't been patrolling in a while and perhaps he was just being overly cautious, but if he genuinely thought there was any danger, he would have called it in for backup. She tried not to make much of it, especially since he didn't seem too concerned, and started her patrol. He'd be finishing up on the South Greenspace and she'd be starting over from the South Lake, bypassing each other completely as they started and finished their respective shifts, so with a final 'over and out,' she returned to the quiet of her work day.

The walk around the perimeter was a slow and lonely one, with each pass taking nearly a half hour to complete correctly. One hour per full cycle and just over eight cycles total. It seemed long, but the key was a determined eye for anything out of the ordinary. An out-of-place stake had once signaled one of the worst series of massacres in recent history. Something as small as a broken branch, irregular footprints, or unusual calls could do the same.

Three hours and more than three passes in, all was well. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. She had even rationed her snacks well, so she had an extra granola bar and water left in her pack. She had made the mistake of consuming all her treats within the first hour before, and it wasn't one she wanted to make again. She was just coming up on the South Greenspace again when she decided to take a look at whatever it might have been that had caught Dimitri's attention.

Nothing had come up on the previous passes, not even the sound of random small animals, but he wasn't the type of guardian to make false claims, so there had to be something here. A few inches of snow were on the ground, and she could see a set of large footprints heading slightly into the trees. She would bet anything that Guardian issue boot prints were a men's size 12.5 and belonged to the man who patrolled this area before her.

Following that hunch, she tracked the trail that he had made and tried to see what might have made him deviate from his typical course. Nothing stood out to her until the bootprints came to a stop sharply at a large white pine. She looked around the base but the snow was completely undisturbed. It was a bed of snow and fragrant pine needles. It wasn't until she looked up that she found something quite unordinary.

A heart. And in the middle of the heart were two letters: R + D.

It was clear that he had carved the letters recently, as the sap was still oozing slightly from the fresh wood. She reached above her head, almost balancing on her toes to touch the top of the curve of the heart. He must have used his pocket knife because he would never have dulled his stake, even for something like this. Her hopeless romantic was just too practical, especially when it came to safety. Still, this was something that would be permanent along this route, something that she could come to visit while working long hours, a little secret that they shared.

The last hour of her shift seemed to drag as she counted the minutes it would take to return home. As soon as she heard the next person check-in, she was off like a bullet. She wanted to head straight to their place but turned left towards the HQ for one reason only: her flower. She probably should drop off her gear too, but she didn't care about that nearly as much as she did about that single flower he had left her.

She walked a bit slower in the sun to protect it. The color looked a bit brighter in the light of day than it had under the harsh florescent bulbs, and she spun it gently to admire the orange glow. She almost laughed at herself for acting like the young, love-sick girl she had never really been in school but stopped herself before she could cross the line of giggling over a boy.

She enjoyed the daylight a moment longer before stepping into guardian housing. It was late, and she knew Dimitri would be asleep by now. It had been a long day for him, especially with him planning all those little extra surprises over the day. So the last thing she expected was one more surprise when she unlocked the door.

Dimitri had set the table with two plates, a few candles, and he was just placing the last glass on the table when she saw him.

"You made dinner?"

He smiled, opening his arms and allowing her to step into them quickly. She thankfully had the state of mind to place her keys and the flower vase on the side table before hugging him tightly because her crushing grip didn't let up for several moments.

"I figured I owed you something since I left without breakfast." His voice was smooth and tender, almost apologetic in a way.

"You don't owe me anything, Comrade. You've made this day amazing. This," She gestured to the table, "This is just more than I could imagine. Thank you."

He pulled out one of the chairs for her, allowing her to sit before pushing her closer to her place. That was the first time she caught sight of what he actually made: pancakes.

Chocolate chip banana pancakes with peanut butter syrup. Oh, and a big side of bacon. It was a treat that Mrs. Dragomir used to make for her family when Rose was young, and she confided once that it was one of those things that she missed most about being a part of a family. The Academy always pushed out generic, nearly tasteless dishes, and she had never had a special meal for her special occasions. If she could have chosen a special meal, this would have been high on the list, especially since it brought back many good memories.

"How did you find this recipe? Even Lissa doesn't know how to make them!" Banana pancakes weren't that difficult, nor was adding chocolate chips to said pancakes, but the peanut butter syrup wasn't exactly something you could pick up at the local grocery store.

"It took me a bit of trial and error, but I think I got something at least passable."

She took her first bite before he could even get himself seated, and instantly she was taken back to her childhood. "Yeah, you got it all right." Her smile was hiding the way she was choked up and the tears that were barely being held back. She had told him about the pancakes months ago, and the fact that he remembered such a small detail just to make for her now was mind-boggling.

"I'm glad you like them." He cut into his own stack, still admiring her joy as she dug in vigorously.

She was practically moaning as she started in on the bacon. It was now an unwritten rule that Dimitri was the only one who cooked bacon in the house. The last time she tried, all they ended up with was crispy black sticks of burnt pork and a lingering smell that stayed on their clothing for several days. However, Dimitri could somehow make it perfect every single time. This was no different.

"I'm seriously in love," she whispered, her eyes half-closed and a grin on her lips.

He smirked. "Talking to me or the bacon?"

"Bacon. But you come in a close second."

"I love you too. Thank you for your note in my locker and in the bathroom. They were both wonderful surprises." There was no sarcasm in his voice, even though it was such a minor thing compared to what he had done for her. He still looked genuinely touched.

"Speaking of surprises," she smirked knowingly, "I was thinking we should take a walk along Patrol Route 6 sometime. I found something...unusual out there today. I was wondering if you could help me explore it a little more."

He returned her playful game. "I'd be delighted to. Also, I believe you beat me fair and square today, so I owe you—"

"And oh, how I plan to collect." She winked to make her innuendo clear.

He took several quick bites in eager succession.

Their dinner and conversation flowed, each of them helping themselves to a few more pancakes and Rose taking another rasher or two of bacon in honor of the special occasion. When she thought the night was over, Dimitri insisted on cleaning up, despite the fact that he had cooked everything. When he returned, it was with a plate of chocolate-covered strawberries.

"Bedroom?"

His one-word question didn't need any words in reply. Her look was enough as he followed her close behind.

She hopped up on the bed, taking the plate from him as he crawled behind her. She had gotten so many things that she hadn't expected today, and enjoying sexy treats in bed was pretty high on the list. Actually, anything in bed (at least today) was. She almost wished she had something special to wear for the occasion. Instead, she was still sporting her black and white uniform from work.

"Maybe I should get changed," she remarked with uncharacteristic shyness.

He held out a strawberry for her. "You look fine, Roza."

Bites of sweet fruit were chased by kisses, kisses were chased by touches, and touches eventually left the strawberries forgotten on the nightstand as they held one another in loving embraces. Nothing had been shed but their shirts yet, but she could already see his eyes closing as exhaustion started to overcome him in the comfort of the bed.

"You falling asleep on me, Comrade?"

He yawned, tucking his head into her hair to hide the evidence. "Never."

Rose giggled silently, trying to still her shaking body as he tightened his hold on her.

"I've been trained to up for 72 hours straight. I'm more than capable of staying up to make love to my beautiful girlfriend in any way she desires."

"Yes, I do believe I have earned that fair and square."

He pulled her up so she was straddling his waist, her arms caging his face as she leaned down for a searing kiss.

"And what do you desire?"

She thought for a moment, considering all the options. They had explored many things over the months, and almost everything had been utterly satisfying. Choosing something to enjoy with him from a long list of enjoyable activities was like choosing a favorite ice cream.

She brushed his hair back, watching as his eyes fluttered close again with a sigh. Suddenly, it became clear what she wanted tonight.

"Nothing."

His eyes opened with shock. "Nothing?"

"Well, nothing X-rated. At least not tonight."

"Is it because I'm exhausted?"

Rose fell beside him, pulling herself under his arm and close to his body. "Only a little bit," she admitted. "Mostly, it's about getting what I wanted for so long and could never have before."

He glanced at her, brow raised.

"Remember back at the Academy when we would do almost anything just for a moment together? We would fight it, but there was that pull too. I would find reasons to be near you. I would find reasons to touch you. I would wonder what it would be like just to be held by you." It seemed embarrassing to admit, but it was true. Just the chance to be with him, to talk freely with him, to imagine a life where they could be together without fear or worry...that was almost better than anything else she could imagine.

"I remember, Roza. I used to think about the same things. And as much as I didn't want to admit it then, I would seek you out and find reasons to talk or touch you too." He reached out and brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. "I cherished those moments as well. I couldn't imagine anything more back then, and now that we have it..."

"I know." And she did. If there was anyone who understood him, it was her; because he understood her too. "So...will you just hold me tonight? For all those nights we couldn't back then?"

He kissed her on the forehead, the temple, the nose, her cheek, and then her lips. Each one was gentle and barely a whisper. The fact that someone so powerful could produce something so light and tender was almost inconceivable. But they had both proven that impossible things could happen.

So they held one another into the night, him falling asleep first and her falling asleep quickly after. No expectations of elaborate romantic gestures, just simple promises to be together and a gratefulness for the fact that they could do something that was once thought beyond their reach.

And that Valentine's day, their very first together, would always and forever be considered their favorite. Even to this day.

This story was originally part of the VA Valentines Day One-Shot Compilation organized by VA10thanniversaryproject.