Beep! Beep! Beep!
Rose groaned loudly, rubbing her face with her hands. She felt very... 'blah'. Emotionally drained. After finding Adrian in the nick of time, and giving him the kiss of her life, and socializing with Nicholai and Ana for a little awhile, she and Adrian had parted ways without another touch. At least they had made plans to have breakfast together. She assumed it was to talk.
Forcing herself to get up, she showered, determined to dress casual. Once she had finished preparing for the day, she slipped out into the cold hallway, walking towards the courtyard. She was tempted to go look for her shoes, to see if they were salvageable - but Adrian was already there, sitting inside to shelter against the cold, in a window seat for two. She walked into the hall, and detoured to grab a fruit bowl before she sat silently across from Adrian. He was staring outside, lost in though, and when she sat he snapped out of it, looking over with a smile. It lit up his whole face, and Rose couldn't help but smile widely back.
"Is this what we're reduced to? A couple of smiling idiots?" She joked, a little unsure of herself. She hated feeling this way. He just looked at her for a second longer, and finally said, "How was your holidays?"
"Could have been better," she said loftily, toying with her fruit but not eating any, "I kept waiting for you to dream walk with me. Or, you know, answer my calls."
"I'm sorry," he replied honestly, "But I didn't feel like you were leaving me much of a choice." Sighing, she ran a hand through her hair, "Just, promise you won't ever leave me behind again, okay? I'm still your guardian, Adrian. I can't go through that again." He nodded, and reached across the table, taking her hand and rubbing it gently, "Promise." She met his eyes, and he glanced around as the hall began to fill up, "Do you have time for a walk, before training?" She nodded, and they got up, walking towards the pond again.
"I missed you," Rose said softly, staring straight ahead. His lips quirked up, and he said, "I missed you too, Little Dhampir. You can't imagine how hard it was to continually turn down the pretty New York girls by telling them my heart belonged to a Dhampir back home." They stopped, reaching their destination, and Rose turned to him, "I'm an idiot."
"You were," Adrian agreed casually, touching her cheek with one hand and her hip with the other. He drew her gently closer, and his lips brushed hers very softly, "Explain to me what last night was, because I'd hate to go ahead and make another advance just to be shot down."
"You being gone made me realize how big a part of my life you are," Rose said, their lips brushing as hers formed words, "I barely made it through the week. Christian gave me a hug." She stated the last fact as if it explained everything. Laughing, Adrian squeezed her tighter once more, and let her go as they started back towards the training center, "I hate that you were hurt, but I'm glad you missed me." Rose grinned, rolling her eyes, and said, "Can we do something tonight?"
"Sure, why don't you come to my place for dinner?" He asked, as they reached the training center. She cocked her eyebrows, and said, "Your going to cook for me?" He flashed a wicked grin, and said, "You've never given me good enough incentive to before." She matched his grin, and leaned over, giving him a fleeting kiss on the lips, "Later, then." She stood up, biting her lip as she walked away. That felt good.
She reached the training center in high spirits. After a week of very un-Rose Hathaway-like behavior, she was eager to get back to normal - that included kicking some serious Dhampir ass in training. She had avoided sparring all week - minus her training with Dimitri - because she knew she wouldn't be a match for anyone in her glum mood, and it was time to remedy that. Just her luck, she spied Eddie kicking a punching bag vigorously.
"Hey Castile, it's easy when the target isn't moving, hey." She watched him pause, shooting her a look over his shoulder, "What's got your spirits up, Hathaway? And I'll have you know, I could take on twice the amount of strigoi you could." She grinned - this was the reaction she wanted. Male pride was easily poked at. Crouching into an offensive position, she shot him a killer smile, and said, "Wanna test that theory?" With a roll of his eyes, he made as if to turn away, but within a split second he had turned back, launching himself the few feet to where she stood, ready and waiting. She let him take her to the ground, and sprang into action, fighting him off.
"Give up, Hathaway," Eddie ground out through his teeth, a knee strategically positioned on one of her wrists. Shit. She yanked hard, but had to resort to using her left hand to parry his blows. A fist grazed the side of her jaw, knocking her head back into the mat. For a moment, Eddie relieved the slightest bit of pressure on her wrist, but it was enough for Rose to yank her arm back, swinging a leg high around to lock around his waist. She yanked to the side, rolling with him until she was on top, pinning both wrists effectively with a sweet little move Dimitri had taught her back at St. Vlad's. Eddie swore loudly, letting his head fall back onto the mat, "Give." Laughing, she rolled off him, leaning back on her arms, "I needed that."
"Yeah, whatever, you egged me," Eddie grumbled in good-nature. He leaned back, copying her position, and gave her a wry smile, "Last I saw of you, you were dirty, half-dressed and wildly running barefoot around Court. How'd that work out for you?" She couldn't keep the smile from reaching her lips, and Eddie hopped up, laughing, "It's about time."
"Shut up," Rose shot back, just as good-natured. Towelling their damp skin off, Eddie gave her another grin, "I'm serious. That guy's been in love with you since he met you. About time you figured that out. Who knew your thick head-" He was cut off by a snap of Rose's towel in a very sensitive area. She patted his shoulder in mock sympathy, and said, "You were saying?" He grimaced, but his eyes were still laughing, and he tossed his bag over his shoulder, slightly limping as he walked away, "Good to have you back."
Deciding to stay awhile longer, Rose turned towards the weight machines. She hadn't heard much of Lara in the past week, but she knew she could be training harder in lieu of any news. Adrian would need all the protection he could get, especially now that her emotions could potentially come into play. Time to get to work.
Adrian never mentioned what time to come for dinner, so Rose waited until later in the afternoon before heading over. She was surprisingly nervous - how many countless nights had she spent with Adrian in his rooms? Then again, they had never before been.. whatever they are, now. She had decided to dress casual - her favorite jeans and a black sweater. The jeans were old, but almost every time she wore them Adrian complimented her backside, so they were a safe bet. Steeling herself, she knocked on the familiar door.
When Adrian opened it, she gave him a quick once over. He was wearing a white, button up shirt left undone at the collar, and black pants. His hair was its usual styled mess, and his green eyes sparkled mischievously at her, "Fancy seeing you here, Little Dhampir." She raised her eyebrows at him, and he bowed deeply, "Excuse me, I meant to say 'Hello, beautiful goddess'." Laughing, she stepped inside, "Much better." He closed the door, and before she could enter the house further, he snagged her by the hips, pulling her back around, up against him. She always marveled at how hard his chest felt, considering most Moroi's weren't built to, well, build muscle like that. His hands slid to hold her lower back, and he rested his forehead against hers.
"What are you doing?" She mumbled, gazing up at him. He smiled softly and replied, "I'm taking the time to do every single thing I ever wanted to with you."
"You wanted to stand in a doorway resting foreheads together?" She asked skeptically. He rolled his eyes, leaning back again, "Do you remember when you got in that huge fight with Lissa, over them leaving again for Tasha's that one Christmas?" Rose nodded, remembering the truly terrible things they'd said to each other. That was before Roes could accept Dimitri being a part of Lissa and Christian's live still. Back when she still hurt from it.
"When you came to see me, right afterwards, all I wanted to do is pull you close, and rest my forehead against yours until you felt happy again," Adrian said, walking towards the open kitchen/living room without looking at her, "But I couldn't. Now I can." He didn't turn, and Rose took a moment to take a deep breath. How odd that a simple statement like that could wrench her heart so much.
"Wine?" He asked, turning back finally. He was back to his happy self, but Rose could sense stress by the way he was holding himself. She had watched him like a hawk for three years now - she knew when her Moroi was tense. She gave him a big smile, trying to reassure him as she took the glass, sitting on the couch in her usual spot. She kicked her shoes off, and put her feet up in his lap when he sat as well, flicking on the television. Just like normal. So far, so good.
They sat in silence for awhile, enjoying the peace, and Rose's thoughts drifted around the handsome Moroi next to her. She didn't want things to change - she knew they would, but she didn't want to lose the relationship they already had. His hand was carelessly rubbing her leg, and she leaned her head against the back of the couch, mulling things over. Suddenly, something started to smell amazing in the apartment. Almost - tomato-y?
"What's for dinner?" She finally asked, setting her wine glass down on a side table.
"Lasagna a la Adrian," he replied proudly, and Rose snorted, "Okay, master chef. We'll see if it tastes as good as it smells. I've never seen you do more in a kitchen then heat up a can of soup." He winked at her, moving to the kitchen to pull a dish from the oven, "Prepare to be amazed, you skeptic. Now, sit down and shut up." Rose grinned, doing as told, trying not to laugh at his bright yellow oven mitts. He set the steaming dish in the center of the small, circular table, and lifted the lid. Rose's eyebrows shot to her forehead.
"God, Adrian. Are you sure you didn't get Ana to make it, then heated it up?" She leaned forwards, inhaling deeply. Her stomach growled in response. Adrian studiously ignored her comments, and they dished up.
It tasted as amazing as it smelled, and Rose had a second helping. When she was finished, she gave Adrian an incredulous look.
"What?" He asked, defensively. She laughed, "Why did I not know you could cook like that?" He shot her a wicked grin, and said, "Like I said, you'd never given me any incentive to cook before." She laughed, rolling her eyes, "Well, it was amazing. And you WILL be doing that more then once every four years, just for the record." He stood, and said, "Leave the plates, lets go outside. It's warm." She followed him outside, to the chairs and table they used regularly in the summer months. She made a move for one, but Adrian snagged her hand, "Oh, no you don't." He dragged her over to a outdoor couch, which must have been a new purchase. He sat down, and put one leg up on the cushion, making her sit between his legs with her back to his chest. He leaned her back slowly, and softly said, "Relax, Rosemarie."
"That is not the way to go about it," she shot back, leaning into his warmth. It was a little chilly, but she felt very warm with Adrian right behind her. His arm rested lazily around her waist, and his chin on her head. After awhile, she whispered, "Was this one of those things you wanted to do, too?" She felt, rather then heard his laugh, and he confirmed, "Yeah. I think you'll find there'll be lots of those coming. I've had three years worth of wanting things to happen. Of course, some of them we can't do in public." She laughed, shifting to turn her head so she could kiss him dead on the lips, "Can't wait, Ivashkov."
Authors Note: I just wanted to say thank you to all of the reviews once more - you guys keep me going :) A special thanks to LillyCarter for the most inspiring review I have ever recieved. :)