THE OTHER WAY ROUND
Chapter 17
(DICLAIMER- I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THESE CHARACTERS. THE AMAZINGLY TALENTED RICHELLE MEAD DOES)
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previously on The Other Way Round…
Rose: "why is everyone looking at Dimitri like that?"
Mason: "well… there are rumors that- that Dimitri let ivan drink from him… from past 2 years…"
Lissa: "but who did this?"
Rose: "natasha"
…
Viktoria: "I THOUGHT THAT YOU COULD NEVER HURT DIMKA! YOU HAD HURT ME DEEPLY, THE DAY YOU LEFT! BUT I NEVER THOUGHT THAT YOU WOULD HURT MY BROTHER!"
Ivan: "please vika… it was intention to hurt dimka, he's my brother too. Im also devastated with this news coming out… trust me"
Ivan: "I- I love you viktoria…"
Viktoria: "y- you wha- what?"
Ivan: "I- I- nothing…"
…
Rose: "she is the one spreading all these nonsense rumours! The students are talking about ivan and Dimitri behind there backs! Tell natasha to stop this immediately or else I will! And you know ill not stop her by using my words"
Christian: "tell me rose. Its about your feelings for Dimitri, isnt it? Look at you rose! You are talking about hitting a royal moroi- my niece for Dimitri? for a student?"
Rose: "jus- just shut up! Shut up!"
…
Ivan: "Dimitri! its me. ivan! open up"
Dimitri: "ivan I said go! Its past curfew! You shouldn't be here."
At this moment I didn't cared what kind of feelings they both had for each other… but I knew she would help me…
I have to tell rose…
X
RPOV-
It was 10:17 am when I stepped inside my apartment after a long day from work. I switched on the lights of my living room, and it was neat and clean as expected.
Trust me, im not a clean person, my living room is always proper because I don't even sit there, anymore. Being a "blood master level 7" and a "top notch" guardian means no alone time, or free time perhaps…
The only thing I use in this apartment is my bed, my dresser, my wardrobe and the coffee maker.
I got out of my guardian outfit and changed into my black satin shorts and spaghetti strap top.
I went to my kitchenette to make some warm tea…
There was no doubt that I was hella tired today. After sending Dimitri to his room I didn't saw him all day which means that he spent his whole day in his room. Which is good for now.
After guarding in a few of novice lectures, eddie informed me that alberta was looking for me.
When I went in her office she told me that we got a letter from the royal court about the attack.
Those moroi fools still don't believe that the strigois attack the academy during daytime but they said that they will look into the whole 'magical-weather-changing' issue.
And now that all the moroi's know that strigois' can attack during the day time, they are calling their children back to court. The academy isnt as safe as it used to be…
A lot of students will be leaving the academy tomorrow, as the Christmas holiday are also around the corner, Kirova also thinks that its better that the kids stay safe at the royal court.
Its also a plus point for Dimitri… the less the moroi's the lesser the blood whore gossip.
I still cant believe that natasha outed him! I feel like punching that girl…
I know exactly how it feels when you are the called a blood whore/stud.
Natasha is no different that Jesse…
Andre is coming tomorrow…
Im so not ready to see him! why does he have to come here?!
After my meeting with alberta was over I was kinda relieved thinking that maybe andre wont come after all these issues in the academy. But lissa told me that he is very much coming… lissa told me to be at her apartment at 12 pm (am for the human world) and then we'll go pick up andre. Sounds so much fun!
After finishing my tea I climbed up on my bed and pulled up the duvet. Dimitri's scent was still lingering in my sheets. A very light coffee and honey smell… and his mint aftershave…
Though the smell was very light, it still made me smile.
I inhaled the scent deeply and closed my eyes, drifting off to slumber land…
.
I woke up with a start.
Someone was banging his head on my door.
HUHHHH!
I hate when people wake me up from my sleep.
I reached out to my phone on the nightstand and turned it on. It was 11:40.
Past curfew! Almost midnight!
Who the hell is knocking?
I got up grumpily and stomped to my living room.
This person better has a good reason cuz he just called his/her (s) death!
I swing opened the door and saw ivan standing infront of it.
Ivan?
What is he doing here?
At this hour?
He looked at me with fear, probably cuz I was pissed.
He seemed worried.
And then it struck me… Dimitri…
Something's wrong with Dimitri!
"ivan" I spoke "what are you doing here at this hour?"
I tried my best not to show my anger.
"I didn't mean to disturb you at this hour rose but… its about Dimitri…" he trailed off.
He had guilt and worry on his face.
My heart sunk…
"wha- what happened t- to him?" I managed to say
"I was just in my room and suddenly had the urge to talk to dimka so I sneaked out and went to his building. His door was locked my I could hear sobbing from inside. dimka is crying! And he's not letting me in! I tried so many times but he wouldn't open. Please help me rose!"
"don't worry! Ill help you. Lemme get the master key." I said and rushed inside my bedroom and opened my cupboard and started throwing clothes out of it looking for the master key.
Every main guardian has one. I got mine when I returned back to the academy with lissa. We are only allowed to use it in emergencies. The key can open any of the student dorm rooms.
I cant believe im going to break in dimitri's room but I have to!
Dimitri doesn't seem like a guy who cries… but he's crying and ivan should be there to comfort him.
I should be there…
I finally found the key and rushed out of my bedroom and saw ivan still waiting at the doorstep.
I quickly shut my door and we started walking towards dimitri's room.
I know I should've changed in some appropriate clothes or atleast grabbed a jacket but my mind was on Dimitri… just on Dimitri.
We reached the novice building, thankfully not being caught by any guardian.
I gestured ivan to climb up the stairs and I followed him.
As we neared dimitri's dorm room, I could hear faint crying sounds.
It broke me…
I hated those sounds… I hated listening Dimitri cry…
"dimitri open up" I said softly, thinking that I should give him a chance to open the door on his own before I open it myself.
"rose?" dimitri's voice asked from inside. his voice was heavy and cracking because of all the crying.
"yes Dimitri" I answered "its me. please open up! Let ivan talk to you"
"no rose- you please go! I don't want anyone!" he yelled from inside.
"what do you mean you don't need anyone, huh?!" ivan shouted "you're my bestfriend! Im not gonna leave you alone dimka! Open up!"
I tried calming him down but he's just like lissa. Once lissa is angry, no one can calm her, she becomes a raging madwoman.
"IVAN. LEAVE!" Dimitri shouted
"I wont! You forgot our promise to each other? Our brocode dimka! Bros' for life! Open up!" ivan yelled
They are seriously a carbon copy of me a lissa.
"Dimitri if you don't open up right now I'll open your door with the master key" I shouted "and im not kidding!"
Dimitri didn't said anything.
We waited for a few moments… as I was about to insert the key in the keyhole the door clicked open.
I gestured ivan to go in first.
I followed him inside.
That scene ill never forget my whole life…
Books were scattered on the floor… his bed was messed up… a broken vase was lying on the floor… there were patches of blood on the wall…
My gaze fell on Dimitri…
He sat on the floor, his back against the bed.
His shoulder length hair were open and all messed up, his white tshirt had droplets of blood on them. His fists were covered with blood. Tears were running down his cheeks.
He looked broken.
He looked so broken…
I looked up at ivan. he was also shocked to see all this.
Dimitri didn't utter a word.
He just sat there, with his head fallen down.
I wanted to rushed to his side and hug him tightly… comfort him…
But ivan was there… and it's the best that he talks to him right now.
"just 10 minutes" I told ivan and walked out of the room and closed the door behind me and sat on the steps of the building.
Dimitri was hurt and I couldn't do anything…
I desperately wanted to talk to him, but maybe he doesn't want to talk to me…
I sat there for a long time. I tried napping for a while but I couldn't.
Suddenly I felt a hand tap my shoulder.
I looked up and saw ivan giving me a smile sad smile.
I sprang up immediately.
"how is he? Is he okay? What happened?" I fired him with my questions
"he stopped crying. He's okay for now." Ivan answered
Thank god!
"he's asking for you"
My gaze snapped at ivan.
He's asking for me… what should I do?
Should I go in?
What will I even say to him?
Ask him if he's okay, even though he's not?
"I think you should go talk to him rose" ivan said slowly
I nodded a little.
"you should go back to your room ivan. if someone sees you-"
"I know. I was just going" he replied
I offered to drop him but he said no, saying that Dimitri wants to talk right now and walked away.
I picked up all my fallen courage and went towards his dorm and slowly opened the door.
Dimitri looked at me. his eyes had pain in them.
I stepped inside and quietly closed the door behind me.
"hey" I mumbled softly
"hi" he replied in a heavy voice
I went over to him and gently pushed the books lying besides him and sat slipped down next to him.
Dimitri looked at me, his lips twitched in a small sad smile.
I smiled back.
"im sorry" he blurted
"don't be."
"im sorry you had to see me like this… its just- I- I don't know what to do- and I-" he started tearing up while saying his words.
I didn't let him say anything more and pulled him in my arms.
His face was buried in the crook of my neck, my arm was wrapped around his neck and the other one was placed on his back, going up and down, trying my best to comfort him.
Our legs were entangled. I slowly brought my hands up hand on to his hair.
Tears were slowly flowing down his eyes. He was breathing very lightly.
His arms wrapped tightly around my waist.
I could feel his muscles through my thin satin nightware. Now I really regret not changing my clothes, Im pretty sure Dimitri would be feeling the same…
DPOV-
I found comfort in rose's arms.
I let warm stinging tears roll down my eyes. I always hated anyone seeing me like this… seeing me so vulnerable.
I hardly ever cried…
All these rumors and insults are piercing through my skin more and more. Every one hates me in the academy right now… I think my chance of being ivan's guardian is also gone now…
Im useless…
I hate myself. I hate rose seeing me like this.
But she and ivan are the only people who understand me.
I needed her right now…
I wrapped my hands tightly around her waist and pulled her lightly towards me. she gently ran her fingers along my hair.
I didn't notice it before but she was wearing her night dress; black satin shorts and top.
I didn't even have to look at her and tell this… but she obviously looked gorgeous as always…
"im sorry" I blurted. My voice was still heavy and cracking from all the crying.
"im sorry… I disappointed you and I also disappointed ivan… im useless"
Rose hugged me tighter and ran her hand on my back "don't be. You didn't disappoint anyone Dimitri. and don't you dare say that you're useless! You are an amazing guy. A very nice student. And a great friend, and I know that you'll be a wonderful guardian."
Rose's soft voice soothed me… she is honestly too good for a damaged guy like me…
"its all my fault! I- I should've stopped tasha!" I mumbled
"its not you fault… or ivan's. natasha is stupid! She's a stupid bitch. What you did was not wrong. You didn't had any wrong intentions comrade, I know had to do it for ivan."
"but I ruined ivan's life now. And mine. And vika's."
She pulled back a little, only to cup my face in her hands
"I know how it feels… I've been through the same thing when I was your age.." she said, her voice was low than a whisper
Rose went through the same thing?
What does that mean?
"what do you mean?" I croaked
She gave me a small sad smile.
"when I was a novice… I made a mistake… a big mistake." Rose said in a low voice. Whatever that story was, It still hurt her to this day "some stupid kids played a prank on her… And then lissa and I had this big fight. I was tired of trying to be lissa's guardian. So I decided to just forget her for a while and have fun. Like other teenagers. There was a guy, jesse- jesse zeklos. He always liked me- in a very wrong way… I knew that I shouldn't appreciate this kind of attention if I wanted to be lissa's guardian but… that day I just didn't care. He and I… we made out. He took the wrong sign so then he tried to bite me…"
I let out a small gasp.
Rose continued "I shoved him off me… said a few things. He ran away. I thought it was over. I swore to never do anything like this ever… always keep my focus on lissa. But the next day… there were rumors all around the school."
My eyes widened.
A top guardian like rose went through something like this? It was unbelievable…
"what rumors?" I asked her even though I knew the answer, but I didn't wanted to admit them.
"that I let jesse drink from me.. and stuff" she mumbled, clearly uncomfortable and upset.
"im sorry." I said genuinely "but you are a top level guardian… and you have absolutely no bad quality. People say that you never did anything bad or got into anything like this … how did you get past that phase?"
"well… im not even gonna lie. I cried. I cried my eyes out. But after a couple of days I understood that this was my life. I have only one chance left. Eighter I could make it or marrs my life. So I got out of my bed, and stood in front of my mirror. I saw a me… a rose Hathaway who was a novice and had no one… the one who was on the edge of the cliff. I didn't wanted to be that rose. I wanted to be a guardian… protect my best friend. I wanted to achieve everything- every dream that I ever had. So I convinced alberta to give me personal training. Since that day… I only studied and did my training. And in a blink of an eye, I was the best novice in the academy. The rumors never completely died but I didn't give a damn shit about it. I wanted to be a guardian and I learnt from my mistake, and here I am!"
I listened to her words very carefully.
"so I should do the same thing?" I asked her
"Im not gonna make any decisions for you Dimitri. you have to do that yourself. But I say, move on. People are going to hate- they will say things… but don't let it bother you! Your only focus should be ivan and your studies. One day it'll all be worth it- one day you'll need no one to accomplish your dreams. I promise"
I smiled at her
"but I'll have you right?" I suddenly asked "I need you…"
I didn't even knew why I said that to her…
It was true that I needed her… but I shouldn't have said that.
She smiled at me which made my heart flutter.
"always" she whispered "as your mentor… and as your friend."
I wanted to hug her again but she got up from the floor and stood above me.
She looked beautiful… her hair was messy… she had no makeup… her shorts very short which looked sexy as hell on her but my gaze was glued on her face.
She stretched her hand out infront of me "cmon. Lets get you in bed."
I slowly placed my hand in her. She pulled me up in one go.
I stood tall just infront of her.
She looked up at me meanwhile my face was bent, looking at her.
God has definitely taken out time for her… she was perfect in every way.
Just one look at her, and all my worries and tension poofs away.
Her eyes were a big chocolate pool…
Her hair is soft as silk… she was truly mesmerising. A living Turkish goddess.
She gently stepped back and went over to my bed, trying to flatten out my bedsheets. I tried to help her my my fists were covered in blood, earlier while playing boxing with my wall.
"sit" she instructed.
I sat down my bed.
She sat down next to me with a first aid kit in her hand and slowly started cleaning the wound.
I tried not to flinch or scream.
After that brutal 5 minutes torture, she was finally done.
My fists were wrapped nicely with bandage.
"we will not train tomorrow." She informed me
"what why?" I asked. I didn't want to miss any training session with rose.
"for starters, your fists are bruised and also… cuz I think you should take rest. So no school tomorrow." She instructed, just like how mama used to.
I stifled a laugh and nodded.
"sleep now." She said shifting away from me pulled up the duvet.
I slipped down and breathed a sigh.
I wanted rose to stay with me until I sleep. But obviously Im not gonna say that to her.
She got up and turned off the lights.
I could still see her figure walking towards the bed because the sunlight creeping from my window.
"I'll be here until you sleep… don't worry." She said in a soft voice.
I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep… with a small smile on my face.
Rose is going to stay… everything will be okay…
RPOV-
As soon as I said that ill stay with him until he sleeps, he started snoring.
He looked so cute and peaceful while sleeping.
I still cant believe I shared my 'regret story' with him…
But if that made Dimitri feel better… then I have no regrets.
He had to know that it wasn't his fault… he is truly an amazing guy…
After sitting for a few minutes I got up from the bed and picked up his books from the floor and set them on his study table.
As I was about to leave I felt him stirring in the bed.
I quietly went over to him. he looked uneasy.
He's probably having a nightmare.
I held his hand and started drawing patterns on his palm.
After a while the uneasy look on his face was replaced with a peaceful look.
Before I could even think, I bent down and kissed the corner of his mouth.
"sweet dreams comrade… everything will be okay."
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author's note-
so hey! How are my creatures of the night doing?
So…I know this is a short chapter compared to the others but I desperately wanted to give ya'll some romitri fluff.
Now if some of you people think that its very a very impractical story… with rose and Dimitri being so close and getting hot and heavy unlike in the books so lemme tell you. I never said that I will write this plot just how it was written in the book.
in the OG book Dimitri is the older one. He is shown as a responsible guardian, who doesn't even know the proper meaning of fun.
But rose isnt like that. Even in this story, she is a very carefree girl. Sure, she loves lissa and will do anything to protect her, but she is the girl who also lives for herself. So im gonna alert you before only, that rose and dimitri's relationship will go a little faster than the OG book.
Thank you to all my loyal readers! I love you guys to the sun and back! I just had to make a few things clear so pls don't take this in the wrong way. And plssssssss leave reviews! I really wanna see what you guys think of my story!
I hope you are enjoying my story. And in the next chapter we will be seeing Andre Dragomir and hopefully Janine Hathaway and her new moroi charge.
It will be very much filled with mysteries and twists. But also with romitri and ivantoria fluff…. Maybe rolatoria (rolan and viktoria) fluff too. Cuz I honestly don't wanna potray rolan as a bad guy. Maybe he and vika will end up together… maybe not.
So, if you wanna know you gotta keep reading…
Until next time…
~K