Hello everyone! I'm back again with another chapter. As promised, this chapter will reveal Dimitri's element. I had a nice time going through your guesses. Thank you so much for the amazing response!
And also, you may find Dimitri a little OOC in this chapter. Forgive him! We all do stupid things around our crushes!
DISCLAIMER: - I do not own VA and its characters.
ENJOY!
"Hello Roz – Rose. I'm sorry for yesterday."
"Uh-huh."
"Hey Rose. I'm sorry for what I did yesterday. Please forgive me!"
"Huh – huh."
"Привет, Роза. Ты так красива! Могу ли я поцеловать тебя?"
"Mitya!" Christian yelled.
"OK! This is not going to work!" Dimitri said for the hundredth time.
"It is going to work. Don't worry!" Christian tried to calm his freaked out friend. "And I still can't believe you called Ivan for help!" Christian tried to make a joke to lighten his mood but it had the opposite effect.
"Was calling Ivan a bad thing?" he said alarmed.
"No Mitya, It was not bad. Just plain hilarious!" Christian laughed.
"Stop laughing! You are saying this, because you don't have to do this!" Dimitri accused him. Yup he was that nervous!
"Dimitri, I'm in a 'committed' relationship. I say sorry every day, be it my fault or not! Hell, sometimes I say sorry without even knowing the situation!" Christian said incredulously.
"How do you do that?" Dimitri asked curiously. Maybe, last minute pointers could help?
"It is very simple," Christian started in a tutor tone. "I'm very very very sorry baby. It was my fault! And then I give her a sweet kiss and BOOM! Situation forgotten!" he finished proudly.
"That's it?" Dimitri asked.
"Yup!" Christian said popping the 'p'. "See, it's not that complicated!"
Dimitri thought about it. The way Christian said it made it so easy, so much so, that he believed he could do it. Just one problem though…
"What about the chocolate and the flowers?" Dimitri asked. Christian stiffened a little. He had strict orders from Lissa not to help Dimitri by telling him anything about Rose's likes and dislikes. Her exact words were 'let him play his own battles'.
Christian knew that Rose hated her namesake. Chocolates, she would readily accept, but the flowers could be enough to back – fire his plans. But being the loyal boyfriend he was, couldn't break his promise, so he said,
"You give it while you are saying sorry, you know as a peace offering?" he said dubiously while giving him a nervous smile.
"Alright!" Dimitri smiled. "I can do this!"
"Yes, and remember Rose has a second period free today. Usually she spends it with Lissa in the Library studying calculus – It's more like Lissa tutoring – but anyways, today Lissa will excuse herself, so that you can have a little time. She understands your trouble for speaking in the public," Christian explained.
Dimitri was grateful to Lissa from the bottom of his heart. He was mostly nervous about apologizing in public. While, he would have done it anyway but he didn't fancy being slapped in front of everyone – in the case his plan back fired.
"Okay, tell her I said thanks!" and with that he ran to the campus, shoving his gifts in his bag pack for his first class for the day – POLITICAL SCIENCE.
Unlike all the other classes, Rose wasn't with him in this one. He entered and walked to his seat in the last row benches. He saw Lissa enter a few moments later, having caught their eyes, they both exchanged a less awkward friendly smile.
There were still few minutes left for the professor, Ms. Meissener to come, so he slumped a little in his seat, thinking he could kill time by indulging in his favorite past – time and NO – It wasn't reading western novels.
He scanned the room to ensure he was purely concealed in the back and no one was watching, and took out a brown manila folder. He checked once again to ensure his privacy and finding none intruders, he opened the file.
This was one thing which nobody knew of him. Not even Christian and Ivan or his mother for that case. He was an artist! He loved to sketch and paint and usually did it when no one was around. It wasn't that he was embarrassed of his creations, no. It was just because, he considered it to be the most private thing in his life.
The first paper held a painting of his mother – Princess Olena Belikova. He smiled seeing the regal yet motherly expression he had oiled out on the canvas. She looked so beautiful – her brown eyes shining. He felt a tug at his heart – he missed her!
Smiling once more, he kept the slideshow going. The next picture was a sketch of his pet – a Siberian husky – Bruno. He remembered he made it when he was fifteen.
The next picture was the most special one. It was a portrait of Rose. He didn't know what possessed him to do this, but once he started, he couldn't stop. After that, there were a dozen of her pictures. If he was proud of any of his work, this one would stand first.
He had made her hair flowing down in waves, all the way down her waist, peeking a little from the back, her heart shaped face was perfectly drew out as were her doe – shaped eyes. He had added a little shine to them – to signify her mischievous nature. Everything looked perfect, as if he was holding her and not just a sketch. It was like; even her picture brought him peace.
The silence around him signified the arrival of the professor and he hurriedly put all his belongings in the security of his bag pack.
The class continued to be more boring than usual. It wasn't that Dimitri didn't like the subject, because he did and preparing to join his family politics after graduation, he liked it pretty well. But today, he just wanted the class to get over soon so that he could run to Rose. The nerves had returned making him fidget and squirm in his seat.
The bell rang and his heart started beating faster. He started collecting his books, ready to dash out any moment now. He saw Lissa give him an encouraging look and mouthed a 'thank you.'
Leaving the class, his feet took nervous steps to the Library building. Once he was near the entrance, he stopped and took a deep breath. This is it, he thought and entered. Only to find himself alone. There was no one in there, not even the librarian!
He sighed and sat down on the seat! Maybe she was just late! He mused picking up a book, some Pablo Neruda classic, and started reading. Halfway through the second page, he heard a sound – a voice to be exact.
His eyes flew to the door, but there was no one there. He concentrated a little and heard a voice again – a male voice. Pfft, he thought.
He returned to his book when another voice broke his concentration. He froze. He knew this voice too well. He got up, following the sound, with his gifts in his hands.
Nothing could have prepared him for the scene playing out in front of him at that moment, when he turned the corner to the aisle.
Sitting in the floor, surrounded by books, was Rose. That was not the only thing that caught his attention. A red head boy was sting beside her – way too close for Dimitri's liking. He was almost leaning on her whispering something into her ears. Whatever he said made Rose laugh. She chuckled quietly, careful not the break the silent decorum of the library.
Dimitri's heart almost broke seeing her so happy with someone else, while she was uncomfortable around him the other day. He knew the boy as Mason Ashford, a dhampir novice. It wasn't the only thing he saw though; he saw the awe and adoration clearly etched in his face. All directed to the girl in front of him. The thought made his blood boil. She was his Roza!
Not yet. His mind gave him the same answer he had given to Lissa earlier. Somehow, being on the receiving end of the word didn't please him.
It was as if Rose sensed his presence, she looked up to see him standing in front of her. She smiled as her heart fluttered at the sight of him. Having acknowledged her feelings to herself, she was looking forward to see him today. But something….. didn't seem right.
She looked into his eyes to see hurt and anger clouding them. But why would he be angry on seeing her? A quick flicker of his eyes towards Mason had her understanding the situation.
She at once moved away from him. She wanted to explain Dimitri that there was nothing going on between them. She was sitting there alone when he had come. She didn't invite him and never had intended to.
But she thought better of it and kept her mouth shut. His eyes had moved away from hers and were now throwing daggers at Mason. Mason too was glaring at him. Both of them seemed to convey the same message 'back off. She's mine', but none was ready to back down.
After a few minutes of silence, Mason got up from the floor, still staring.
"I need to go Rose. I'll see you later," and he – in a pure caveman act- bent down and kissed her cheeks, not once removing his eyes from Belikov's. Rose was too shocked at the sudden turn of events to respond to anything – like punch Mason. Dimitri clenched his jaw to control himself.
With Mason gone, Dimitri channelized all the good memories and thoughts to turn his mind positive.
Rose too was focused on Dimitri. She was still sitting on the floor, staring at him.
"Hey Roz – Rose," Dimitri stammered, all the earlier anger replaced by the previous nerves seeing his dream girl sitting on the floor looking at him.
Rose got the hang of the unusual height difference and stood up taking a cautious pose, folding her arms in front of her. She definitely hadn't expected him to come and say 'hi' after what transpired between them yesterday. She raised both her eyebrows (on the account of her inability to raise one). The presence of a bunch of yellow roses and chocolate didn't make any sense either. Something told her that those were for her. Her heart was beating three times faster in nervous anticipation.
She gave him an acknowledging nod, wanting to continue further. He too was consumed by his nerves, sweating profusely, goose bumps on the skin and heart beating faster. Fuck! Christian had told him, it would be easy!
He extended the chocolates and flowers toward her. She looked at them dubiously. Inside, her mind was screaming with giddiness. Never, in her whole life someone had presented her flowers, let alone gifts (Lissa doesn't count).
Earlier she used to laugh at girls who went all gooey over some petty flowers, but being in the receiving end today, her heart skipped few beats.
She hated roses, she really did. It was so cliché. But somehow, coming from him, they didn't look that bad. Hell! They seemed as the best flowers in the world! Next was the box of chocolates. No explanations there!
"For me?" she asked tentatively, confirming he wasn't making any mistakes.
"Yes', as a peace offering," he said dabbing his forehead with his handkerchief to remove the evidence of his sweat.
"Peace offering?" she asked amused. And then she remembered that she was supposed to be angry at him for yesterday.
"Yes. Roza…I'm..I…I..," he stammered over his words unable to get it out.
She kept staring at him.
Fuck! Stop looking at me with those eyes. I'm getting turned on, he screamed in his mind.
With one deep breath, "Roza. I'm sorry!" he said.
Rose had the anticipation that this was coming if the peace offering was any indication, but that didn't surprise her less.
"I acted like an ass yesterday. I didn't mean to do it, I swear. Please forgive me!" he said.
Rose didn't know what to say. Her anger had subsided the moment, she accepted her feelings, but a quick reminder that this could still be a game, she said cautiously.
"You're not playing me, are you?" she asked.
"NO," he said fiercely. "I would never!"
"But you did yesterday!" she said.
"I didn't mean to!" he said apologetically.
She sighed. "See Dimitri. If you are doing this just to brag about on your friends, and then please…"
"It's not that Roza. I swear. I'm actually sorry!" Dimitri said with utmost sincerity.
Rose looked at him searching his eyes. Having found what she was looking for, she said, "its okay!"
"No, I'm really sorr…wait what?" Dimitri asked shocked. Did she just say, what he thought she said?
She stifled a smile. "I said its okay. As long as you don't do it again, that is," she said.
"I promise. Never!" and his face broke out in a huge – panty dropping- smile and this time, she did swoon a little.
"So does that mean we could be friends?" he asked hopefully.
"Slow down, Dimitri. We've just met. Friendship is a long road to take!" she teased.
His face fell a little, but he didn't show it. "I'll take what I get!" he said optimistically.
"By the way, I don't like rose stuff, it's too cliché. Next time I get angry, get me peonies." she said cheekily.
"So there's gonna be a 'next time'" he asked in the same tone.
"Depends on how you handle me!" she joked.
They walked to their next class together. It was - Animal Behavior and Physiology.
Apart from Guardian studies, this was Rose's favorite subject. Dimitri being an ace student, held his fair amount of liking too. They talked about it, Animal behavior. Chatting on simple, innocent topic of studies, asking questions on the other's like or dislike regarding a particular topic. Rose knew that Dimitri was majorly interested in histology – why? She couldn't understand. Dimitri knew Rose's interest staggered to lighter but intriguing topics – population interaction and adaptive features.
They entered the class together causing many heads to turn, but neither of them minded. They were too interested and engrossed in their own conversation. Instinctively, they both moved to the back seat and settled themselves down – together.
"So Dimitri, why did you leave Russia?" Rose asked as an attempt to make conversation outside lizards and frogs.
Dimitri stiffened. Though seeming innocent enough, this question was the one he dreaded the most. He knew the answer, but also knew the consequences of answering. He cannot break a royal decree. Also, he didn't want Rose to start hating him. It was too soon.
Saved by the bell, the Professor Russell entered and the class started and Rose momentarily forgot about her question.
They started working side by side. Today's objective was to study some basic Poriferans.
"You know, this one is called Hyalonema and it is commonly called Glass – rope sponge as per its appearance and this one is Euplectella commonly referred to as 'Venus Flower Basket'" he explained.
"Why so?" she asked curiously studying the animal placed before her in the small water tank.
"On account of their appearance, I guess. We have it in dry state here. Deep down in the ocean, they show bioluminescence. They are mostly found in the pacific oceans and are a very expensive marriage gifts in countries like Japan. They signify 'till death do us apart' on account of shrimp – one male and one female living inside it for their entire life cycle." he said taking some notes.
"You know so much about them," she said wistfully.
He chuckled a little. "I pay attention in the class, I guess," he said.
"Very funny, Mr. Smartas.."
"Oh Rose, how are you feeling? Not too sore I hope?" Rose was cut off by Jesse's voice. Both she and Dimitri stiffened. She wasn't afraid of Jesse per say, she could take him out any day.
But being in the presence of Dimitri, she felt a little conscious. She wasn't a fool to think that Dimitri wouldn't have heard about those rumors, seeing as he was friends with the one who started that. But she didn't want him to believe in those stupid rumors. She didn't want him to think of her as a lowly blood whore, Jesse and Ralph made her out to be.
Dimitri stiffened for another reason. He knew from Lissa's outburst earlier, that those stupid rumors and whatever shit, he was going to say now were false. He was distressed about the fact that his presence with Rose at that moment, could certainly cause Jesse to comment.
Rose taking the hang of the not – so – unusual situation, turned completely and ignored him. The best way to eradicate the problem – ignore it.
"Aww, Rose don't be shy. You certainly weren't shy last night riding me," Ralf snickered.
Dimitri clenched his fists, following Rose's principle – ignoring them, but it was being hard with them speaking like this.
By mow, they had the attention of few students, who were looking at the exchange excitedly. Rose felt anger rise within her, "What the hell are you talking about?" she snarled.
"Ah! Don't pretend you don't know about it!" Jesse said, in a teasing tone. They were either had not noticed yet or were clearly ignoring Dimitri right now as Ralf moved closer to her.
"This" Rose said showing the gap between her index finger and thumb. "I've this much patience left with you. So you better leave now. I can easily take on both of you!"
"Obviously, you can. Seeing as how you took both of us together…"Ralph said bringing his hand to slap her ass.
That's it. The damn broke. Both literally and figuratively.
The water tank placed on the counter broke into shards, splashing water all over them.
Rose was standing close, but didn't even receive a drop of it, as Both Jesse and Ralph started choking as the water filled their nostrils and throats. They started gasping for air. The remaining of the water got converted into spikes of all sort and started attacking them.
The whole classroom was a mess as students shrieked in horror of what was happening and the professor was busy yelling them to shut up so he could assess the situation. Rose was too shocked to respond – and that was her second time that day. She looked up to see Dimitri with his fists clenched and eyes narrowed directing the water.
She snapped out of whatever shock had filled her and jumped to Dimitri.
"Dimitri, you need to stop okay? That's enough!" she said tugging at his hand.
He barely acknowledged her. "Dimitri…" she pleaded.
"No. It's not enough. This will teach him a lesson to keep his mouth shut an hands to himself!" he said without removing his eyes. His voice almost held a sinister edge.
"Dimitri, please…" she said cupping his cheeks. It worked as he leaned a bit into her touch.
She didn't remove her hand continuing to stare into his beautiful brown eyes.
"Lord Belikov. Kindly report to Headmistress Kirova's office on account of your undisciplined behavior in the class." the professor said. Rose noticed the commotion around her had died. God! She didn't want Dimitri to be punished while helping her. Though she thoroughly believed she didn't need any help and using offensive magic in the class was strictly not allowed, she didn't wanted Dimitri to get in trouble either.
Dimitri looked into Rose's eyes silently answering her that he'll be fine.
"Hey Dimitri.." Jesse gasped weakly. Apparently Dimitri's lesson hadn't been enough to make his mouth shut. "Deceiving old friends for new whore?"
This time it was Rose who lost control. She jumped at him and punched him, essentially knocking him unconscious.
"I. am. not. a. whore!" she yelled over his limp form.
"Ms. Hathaway. Kindly report to Headmistress Kirova's office…."
There you go.
About Dimitri's element, most of you guessed it was fire as it would help him to fight Strigois, it was pretty reasonable actually but when I imagine Dimitri, fire is not the thing that strikes my mind. It seems more like Rose's forte. And I wanted to give the hindsight that Dimitri is actively participating in combat, not because he has a strong (kind of violent) element, but because he does not have one he could use his element in fighting, kind of what Mia did in the series? (Banding with guardians and all that!).
And what? Do I smell Dimitri hiding something? I wonder what it could be!
Hope you don't find this too revolting as he doesn't specializes in a powerful element?
Liked the chapter? Loved it? Hated it?
Leave me Reviews, tell me everything!
Love,
Lara.