Drabble:71
POV:Third Person

He fell to the floor-collapsed, really-gasping for breath.

Even though he was down on his knees on the cold linoleum floor, his eyes followed the steadily retreating group of guardians, and the 'fugitive' they were escorting. The dhampir in the middle of the group was short in stature, far shorter than her companions, but every eye was on her. If not for the heinous crime she was supposed to have committed (and he knew that she was no more capable of that than he), all eyes would still be on her.

She had this way of just being…..so full of life-that commanded attention. She was someone who could fill up an entire room with her mere presence, assuage all doubts with one smile, and be adored by everyone in spite of the reputation she had gathered.

But that didn't matter now, none of it did, because there she was, being led away for a crime she didn't commit and here he was, unable to help her anyhow. He took a deep, shuddering breath and forced himself to stand up on shaking legs (even that simple movement caused his muscles to scream in protest). Like any guardian worth his salt, he surveyed his surroundings, the other customers in the cafeteria-both moroi and dhampir-stared at him with blatant shock and fear; and his own person guards, watched him with shock, not fear….and something else, something akin to awe. Not awe-amazement. That someone like him, a mere school guardian (as he'd been before) had taken on Royal Guards-multiple, at that-and not lost. That he'd fought an entire entourage of the most elite guardians, and not even in his own defense.

Then, one of them came forward-a Guardian Richards-and helped him stand up straighter.

"Its okay, son. She's wild, but not mercenary. They'll clear this up soon", he murmured, brushing dust off Dimitri's T-shirt. The other guardians also came closer then, albeit cautiously, and helped upright the chairs and tables that Dimitri had shoved during the fight.

"Well, then come along. I suppose we'll be paying a visit to the Princess", Richards said more audibly, once the furniture was rearranged. "See if you can manage it without incapacitating us", he quipped before turning around and walking out of the cafeteria full of wide-eyed customers.

Dimitri followed after him dutifully, still trying to regain his breath. His muscles and bruises were making their aches known, but Dimitri could hardly pay them any attention, especially when his mind was otherwise occupied….

The scene kept playing through his mind over and over again- Rose and him verbally-fighting…the sudden arrival of the Royal Guards. The moment one of them grabbed her, something inside him had snapped. Rose was in danger, his Roza was in trouble. He'd fought for her, and he'd have gone on fighting till her enemies were annihilated or he perished, and Rose had known that. Only she could have ended his assault, and she'd done exactly that, telling him everything she wanted to say with her eyes, and he'd returned the favor, trying to convey everything he couldn't say…..yet.

She'd hugged him fleetingly, trying to draw his warmth, and cupped his face and pressed a lingering kiss against his jaw before murmuring be careful, and being led away. But she'd continued looking back at him till she couldn't anymore, and Dimitri had stayed stock-still, trying to be her one constant in the chaos.

Only after she'd stopped looking had he allowed himself to collapse, his head filled with jumbled, racing thoughts and a hurt, worse than any physical pain, ripping his heart into bits. Even now, as he followed his guardians mindlessly, not knowing where he was being led, but hoping against hope, it was to her, his heart was breaking. One tear slipped down his cheek as he realized he'd never asked for her forgiveness, or even said how much he loved-no, cared for her…and now, there was a chance she'd never know…..

His whole body ached, his head hurt from errant thoughts and he was so exhausted by the morning's encounter….but that sole spot against his jawline where her lips had placed one-far-too-brief-kiss…..that tingled. The phantom heat from where her hands had touched him seeped into his very soul, awakening what he'd been sure had died within him…

He was pulled from his reverie as Guardian Richards knocked at an ornate door, and Dimitri realized he'd been brought to guest housing. The door opened and a smiling platinum blonde greeted him….Lissa…

Dimitri steeled himself, suppressing his emotions. Rose needed him now, and no way in hell was he gonna fail her now….not again.

Okay, so who could identify this scene?

Thanks for reading, and your comments/suggestions/thoughts are always appreciated. Cheers!