Chapter 7
Dimitri
It was clear that Lissa had gone out of her way to welcome us, I thought. Glimpsing the full extent of her hospitality as Eddie sat the plater of grilled rib-eyes at the center of the table with Christian organizing the rack of grilled corn and potatoes on either side only to return a moment later with a serving bowl of green salad. This was nothing short of a feast.
It felt like a welcome home, warmth spread through my chest at the thought. How strange that a place I had never been before could feel like more of a home than anywhere that I've stayed in the past year.
As Darren distributed three bottles of wine along the table, he insisted that Tasha and I take our seats. The long dark oak table with its matching high back wooden chairs stood out in the modern styled home, but not distastefully. The set was regal, if not medieval, in appearance. The antique must have once belonged to the Dragomir's, I mused running my hand over the smooth yet visible wood markings tracing a thumb over painstakingly carved initials "A.D.". Someone had obviously gone to lengths to go over the engravings in efforts to smooth over the indentions, but it was to no avail. Grooves and other small markings that came with years of frequent usage littered the dark surface giving the furniture a sense of fondness.
Each place setting was marked with a surprisingly intricately folded napkin placed atop a cream colored ceramic plate complemented by a water glass and matching wine goblet. Adrain, conveniently seated directly across from me, drew me from my décor musings.
Mentally steeling myself for act two scene two of the drama I found myself starring in, I fleetingly studied his expression. His eyes locked in on my gaze immediately as if he'd be waiting for me to acknowledge his presence. Christ, here we go... His relaxed body language did not match the hard set of his mouth. The hatred that lingered in his gaze did not go unnoticed either.
Feeling my age, not for the first time since we arrived, I resisted pinching the bridge of my nose. Love triangles were not an anticipated part of my life as I approached 30.
"Lord Ivashkov." I greeted mildly, keeping my voice neutral but not impolite. The heavy silence that followed my greeting coiled awkwardly. A lifetime of being a Guardian kept me from shifting in my seat.
"Cousin." He returned coolly several moments later, smirking as a nerve jumped in my jaw. Knowing well that reminding me of his 'relation' to my family was not well received nor welcomed. Gritting my teeth, I could feel my blood pressure rising
"Wine?" Tasha blurted out nearly knocking over her wine glass as she reached for it, distracting me from my irritation. Her voice compressed by tension. Had it been under different circumstance I might have laughed as her eyes darted quickly between Adrian and myself.
Unclenching my jaw slightly, I reached for the bottle moments before Adrian's hand closed around the Rosé. Smiling softly to myself at the small victory, I poured Tasha a glass then one for myself before meeting Adrian's glare and placing the bottle down just out of his reach, raising an eyebrow as if to ask if there was anything that he needed. Childish? Probably. Satisfying? Most definitely. I could nearly hear Tasha rolling her eyes at me. Regardless, I remained focused on Adrian as I sipped my wine.
It was better to draw him out now, I knew, rather than continuing the tired back and forth for the duration of our stay. I wanted the little bastard to say what he needed to and get it out of the way before this blew up further.
I was not one for drinking, especially while on duty, but if there was ever a time that called for a drink, this was it. Tasha was known for coaxing me into sharing a glass or two during meals over the past several months. Many things had indeed changed, I reflected. I was no more the same person that I was ten months ago than Rose was.
Tipping his head back slightly Adrian let out a low chuckle. Try as he may, I knew he was not wholly unfazed, the bulging vein in his neck said otherwise. He did not like me re-entering his territory and sensed alterative motives. He was not wrong. I was not here to make an ass out of myself. However, I wasn't one for hiding my intentions. Not this time. And infuriating Adrian Ivashkov was a decidedly comical byproduct.
Lifting himself from his chair he had to reach across the entire table to reach the wine bottle in front of me. Just as he was about to grab the bottle I once again reached the wine before he could, I lifted the bottle rising immediately. "Allow me, Lord Ivashkov."
All humor vanished from his features. Hands pressed flat against the table, he studied me for a long moment. His smirk was cold and his eyes hard as he finally met my gaze with an open look of hostility, dropping all pretenses. He was not going anywhere without a fight either. I smiled in return, waiting.
Sitting once more, he pushed his glass towards me. "Yes, please do." The disdain was hidden from his voice as he leaned back lazily in his chair. He was making a point to diminish the role that I had to play here, in his life. Serve. It was a nod to the politics of the Moroi. Dhamphris served the Moroi. He had believed that I expected him to reject my offer.
My passiveness aside, I wanted him to know. Whatever inconvenience that was Adrian Ivashkov was insignificant in comparison to what I was after. I wanted him to see that I would fight, do my job, and do it all effortlessly. I would do what it took for Rose, and had no problem being both a gentleman and playing the game. I was not so old as not to know how this particular game was played. I took his glass, bringing myself to full height as if I were his waiter to pour his wine before placing the drink directly into his waiting hands. My gaze never wavering, steady and sure. Your turn.
I felt no hated for the man I faced, only determination. I would not let anyone stand in my way twice.
Our little exchange did not go completely unnoticed. Eddie cut Adrian a sharp look as he took his seat next to him. A look that Adrian promptly ignored, apparently, preferring to continue to study me over the brim of his glass. Eddie avoided looking in my direction entirely. Tasha, meanwhile, was halfway through her drink. I shared a smile with her as I retook my seat. Grateful for her company, regardless. One that she returned tentatively not quite hiding the unease she felt. We were in for a long ride.
Rose and Lissa entered the room then, laughing quietly with one another, a smile retook my face immediately. Lissa took her place at the head of the table with Tasha to her left and Christian to her right, Rose sat across from Tasha and in between Christian and Adrian, Darren sat in the open spot to my left once everyone had taken their seats.
It was clear how the three Guardians worked in tandem. This time they had factored me into their set up. Darren and Eddie sat closest to the front door and in the event of an attack would be the front line as Rose, and I guided the Moroi to safety. It would work in reversal if an attack happened from the sliding patio doors with Rose and myself taking the front. All points of entry were appropriately covered. I expected there to be a meeting tonight to discuss operations for the upcoming vacation and our short stay here.
Rose's eyes drifted around the table as she passed the wine bottle onto Christian, foregoing a drink of her own. A bemused expression lingering as she discovered me with a full glass of my own. We hadn't had the chance to experience each other outside of a school setting. We knew each other in some of the most intimate ways possible, but this was different. To be able to both interact with others and each other was new. We would be seeing each other in a new light during the upcoming weeks. Somehow more intimate. More personal. Our need to hide was gone. The need for secrets was no more. We, for the first time, were on even playing fields. I found myself smiling playfully and winking in her direction as I took a sip. No one more surprised by this than me, but it felt… good. It felt good to allow myself to be this way with Rose. For Rose.
She ducked her head in an effort to suppress her laughter. Her giggle, though quiet, was one of shock and thrill. Her eyes alight with joy. I felt alive for the first time in nearly a year.
Captivated as I was, I did not miss Lissa's indulgent smile as she looked to me. There was a time where I might have felt embarrassed by such a display or thought it to be improper, but something had shifted within me. A year without Rose changed me. As my ridged standards faded, I found that I was not ashamed in the least - I knew that it was Rose. She moved me. The impossible became possible. I liked who I was when I was with Rose. Like I was finally the person who I was meant to be.
Clearing her throat Lissa waited for the table to quiet down before raising her glass in a toast, "I propose a toast in honor of this reunion. May good friends always find their way back to each other! Cheers." We all followed suit, raising our glasses to one another clinking them lightly together. Rose's eyes locking with mine.
"Cheers!"
"Let's eat!" Lissa laughed lifting the plater and passing it onto to Tasha. The food made its rounds around the table until everyone's plates were full.
Rose hardly batted an eye as Adrain threw a possessive arm over the arm of her chair, effortlessly continuing her conversation with Lissa. Their relationship, whatever it may be, oozed of comfort. I found that I was not as hungry as the entire day's emotion settled into the center of my chest.
There were moments when I felt entirely right being here like a puzzle had finally been solved, but I knew that it was only because a piece had been forced. I had exactly what I wanted, but it threatened everything that they had put together. When everything finally settled they would be bound to notice. The strain would dissolve the entire thing. I was a stranger here, not the missing piece. It was arrogant to think otherwise. It was just like I had intended when I left ten months earlier, her life had carried on.
I knew with sounding clarity that I would care for Rose as long as I breathed, but I also realized how impossible it would be to forcibly reenter her life. How senseless that it would be to destroy what she has accomplished. The day's events had caught me by surprise. I knew I would see her again today, had known it for almost a week, but it wasn't until I sat on the edge of her bed with my book in my hands that I realized how badly I wanted to stay. As tenuous as that sounds, I had believed entirely, until that moment, that I would be able to walk again as if nothing had transpired. To go back to the life I had created with Tasha, and continue to exist as if my world wasn't hanging together by threads. But now… to leave... to leave would be as unimaginable as being turned. There was really no going back. For me, at the very least. I couldn't pretend that this trip never happened. That this day had never occurred. That my façade had crumbled within an hour of being here. Changes were happening, and I'd been in Pennsylvania for less than five hours. I couldn't ignore what has already begun unraveling.
I promised to be her friend, and I needed to check myself. Friends did not sabotage their friend's progress. My arms were open, should she want it, but I would not interfere with any of the progress she has made. If it were Adrian that she desired, I would be there for her. I would learn to be the best friend that she has ever known. I felt even heavier with this acknowledgment. I couldn't help but see the ironic parallel of when I had first realized I had feelings for Rose. I felt just as helpless.
I thought all of this as I absently cut my steak into cubes. Tasha bumped my arm clumsily as she attempted to cut her own stake, breaking me from my musings. I laughed as she grumbled under her breath in frustration. Taking pity on her, I gently pushed my plate to her, giving her my already cut stake and taking her plate for myself. "Here you go, lefty." I ribbed. She had been trying to cut her food with her right hand in efforts to avoid bumping Lissa.
"Your pity is much appreciated." Tasha accepted gracefully. "Had to bruise you to make my point." She laughed, elbowing me once more for emphasis.
I noticed Rose watching us then, and I expected to be faced with her resentment. I waited for it. I could almost hear her comment before she spoke it 'how nice' she'd say snidely, but instead, as Rose usually did, she surprised me. Rose offered Tasha a small smile before turning back to her conversation, making my heart swell and break simultaneously. She had grown, and it broke me all over again. She was exactly who she always trained to be. A Guardian. Trained to put her emotions behind her. I knew I was behind her then. She matured. Had right under my very eyes- something that had only continued in the year that followed the battle. How could it not? How could anyone escape such an inevitable change? Much less Rose, who had endured more loss and pain than most people did in their entire lifetime…
My thoughts continued to plummet. Much like Tasha had often accused me of over the past serval months, like a switch had been switched. I was finding it increasingly difficult to remain unaffected by my inner thoughts. I wanted nothing more than to push back from the table and find something to do. Run, cook, patrol, anything besides sitting. My knees twitched with my effort to stay seated.
Dinner passed in this manner. Me ruminating on my increasingly souring mood and conversation happily flittering around me. The background had always suited me. The same was seemingly true for Rose. She spoke little and observed quietly. Opposite of the center of attention I once knew. I too found I had little reason to speak, for which I was grateful. Taking part in the silence that Guardians typically shared- the oddity being this group. They operated more similarly to a family unit with their teasing and genuine interest in what each other had to say. There was no notable divide between the Guardians and their charges.
Tasha held up our end of the conversation effortlessly. Entertaining the group with animated tales of our travels over the past year. The defense classes we had taught, our road trip to the south, and the European tour- most of which was a complete blur to me. Even the couple of weeks spent in Russia. The details blurred together as if there was nothing truly significant about the memories. Christian, and, much to my surprise, Adrian, were both particularly interested in Moroi defense. I had managed to escape putting in input up until Lissa asked about my family.
I blinked slowly, surprised. Even though I had heard every word of the conversation, I thought I'd be able to remain the silent figure in the room. "They are well, thank you for asking," I responded automatically. I smiled halfheartedly, knowing that I was not yet out of the spotlight. "It is always nice to return home." I offered, hoping that that would suffice. I bent my head back to the food as if I had found renewed interest in my nearly empty plate.
"Didn't you enjoy traveling?" Lissa persisted, determined to pull me into the conversation. I sighed internally defeated, lifting my eyes it was Rose who caught my gaze first, and I couldn't help but offer a smile. This time genuine.
"Traveling… was interesting," I admitted. "But being away is always difficult, I think," I answered Lissa, keeping my eyes on Rose. Rose smiled softly in return but held her gaze elsewhere.
"Well, I am sure your family was happy to have you home. I know Aunt Tasha has always been fond of Russia. She's always bragged about it being her favorite." Christian pointed out, interjecting himself into conversation smiling at his Aunt and unknowingly saving Rose from my attention.
Tasha laughed and reached for the bottle of wine. Pouring herself a glass, her third I noted, she nodded and rested her arm heavily on my chair leaning towards me conspiratorially.
"Dimitri's a great tour guide." She said continuing to nod enthusiastically before dropping her voice down to a stage whisper to add, "He knows all of the best bars."
I shook my head laughing slightly, not missing the shock of my former students.
"Yes, the nightlife seemed to suit you well." I agreed to my friend politely, redirecting the attention from myself, much to the delight to our present company who laughed loudly in response. Tasha's ability to hold her liquor was nearly nonexistent as far as I could tell and she rather enjoyed dancing after a third drink, I remembered eyeing her now half-empty glass. I couldn't exactly feign complete ignorance to Tasha's interest in me, and before Rose, I admit, I too had entertained the possibility, but I can say with total honesty that any advances of hers had gone unnoticed since graduation, save for the occasions when Tasha found herself deep within her drink which wasn't all too often- thankfully. I leaned away slightly, ensuring a modest distance separated us.
"I've heard that Russian Vodka is a real ass-kicker." Rose quipped up, smirking and sharing looks with Lissa and Eddie who both laughed louder in response. The bottle that Christian and Lissa had been sharing, I noticed, was also nearly empty. Lissa's cheeks flushed merrily with warmth and wine, and she covered her mouth as a snort escaped, only furthering everyone's hilarity.
"Yeah, you would know, wouldn't you, Rose?" Eddie hedged. Smiling widely as he craned his neck around Adrian to meet Rose's smirk with one of his own.
Flushing slightly herself, Rose met my gaze laughing in return to Eddie's comment. I rose an eyebrow in response, curiously amused unable to help from smiling widely myself.
"Let's just say Rose had no problem with borrowing from certain faculty members back in the day and didn't exactly make it to class the morning after either," Lissa said, filling the rest of the table in on the joke. Everyone laughing once again.
"God," Rose groaned in mock agony, remembering "Alberta found me puking in the bushes and still made run laps for missing class."
"You reeked," Eddie added, barely containing himself enough to speak "I mean, all of us were hungover as hell, but I felt so bad for daring you to go shot for shot."
"It was raining, and all that was on was Jeopardy. We got pretty bored about thirty minutes in," Lissa added in between wheezing breaths of laughter "So Rose, Eddie, and I all picked one of the contestants…We had to take a shot every time our contestant got one wrong and…, and Rose's person got them all wrong." Lissa managed to get out before collapsing against Christian in laughter.
"She was drunk ten minutes in!" Eddie finished dissolving into laughter at the memory.
"I made it through the whole show though, no thanks to that incompetent dill-hole!" Rose exclaimed in defense of herself, not able to hide her smile completely.
The laughter seemed to fill home, and my cheeks ached from smiling. Rose's eyes twinkled in mirth as she too gave into the laughter.
"Yes, Russian Vodka is … potent." I surmised as the laughter began to die down. The understatement of all understatements. Puts hair on your chest, as my mother would say.
"We brought some back with us, a gift for having us," I commented offhandedly, I smiled to Rose just as she was sipping her water. She choked. Sputtering a bit, Christian helpfully swatted her on the back a few times until she regained her breath.
"That's going to be dangerous." Rose deadpanned, slightly wide-eyed and completely serious. Despite her amusement, the room re-dissolved into laughter.
"Thankfully you guys are going to be off duty," Lissa said, wiping tears from her eyes still chuckling. I felt my own eyes widened slightly in response, knowing that I wasn't included in that number.
"I love college," Tasha admitted seemingly random, sighing as she settled deeper into her chair and wrapping an arm around my bicep leaning into me, much to everyone's amusement. Everyone but Rose… I could feel as her amusement drained away and the light-hearted atmosphere with it. She turned her gaze from mine abruptly unreadable.
"Here, here!" Adrian cheered, refilling Tasha's glass then his own. I narrowed my eyes at him unable to glare openly, knowing what he was doing, and he met my gaze smirking.
Completely obliviously, Tasha sipped the wine happily before setting her glass back down. I took the opportunity to edge her water glass towards her fingers, and she smiled up gratefully to me picking up the water and drinking.
I shifted my arm from her grasp as if to stretch and laid my arm on the table instead to hold my own half-full wine glass as an excuse.
"What do you mean off duty, Lissa?" I asked redirecting the conversation. I exchanged looks with each of the Guardians present, and they too sat at attention, moving into business mode. I had prepared for these next two weeks expecting to watch Rose as she enjoyed herself with her friends, but the way the Princess had spoken, it was as if everyone was going to be off duty which was infeasible.
"Yeah," Lissa answered nodding, if perhaps for a moment too long. "The Queen has replacements for everyone." She finished as if this was the most reasonable all-inclusive answer ever rendered.
"The Queen?" Rose and I both intoned at the same time, only briefly looking to each other before back to Lissa.
"Everyone except for Darren…" She continued, frowning slightly as she looked to Darren who only offered a shrug and a smile as an apology. "He refused more than two days off, the party pooper." She pouted slightly. Christian rubbed her shoulders comfortingly.
"Liss… back up a minute," Rose interrupted slightly exasperated. "What does the Queen have to do with our trip or any of this?"
Lissa giggled turning her face into Christian's shoulder. I smiled as Rose rolled her eyes and poured Lissa a full glass of water before handing it to her. "Drink." She ordered. Waiting until she had taken a few sips before prompting her again, "Liss…"
Giggling again Lissa finally answered, "I forgot that you don't know any of this!" She bounced slightly in her seat in excitement. It was at Rose's impatient glare that she tisked in response and gave in. "Fine, fine." She smiled, "So impatient, you already know that you and Eddie have off for the trip. I've been organizing this for a few months because of course," she continued with an exaggerated eye-roll, "This all had to go through court. We are hiring three Guardians from court to accompany us so you guys can have time off."
"Three? Why three?" Rose questioned. I had been wondering the same.
Tasha snorted, indicating that the answer should be obvious, "For you, Dimitri. I didn't tell you because I wanted it to be a surprise. Had to do some last minute finagling, but Guardian Petrova has agreed to accompany us so that you can finally use your vacation time." And surprised I was. My mind was blank. "You can, of course, take this time however you choose, but Lissa has assured me there are ample rooms in the beach house for us both to have a room."
"Beach house?"
"Time off?"
Rose and I questioned at the same time incredulously. Lissa and Tasha laughed exchanging looks to see who should take this one.
"Yes, time off, Dimitri." Tasha explained slowly, "You know, time allotted for working year 'round. I know this is a foreign concept to you, but for the next two weeks, you will not be working. You will be a regular citizen of society. No duty." She finished with an eye roll exchanging looks of sympathy with Christian and Lissa who laughed at my expense.
I shook my head, irritated, pinching the bridge of my nose, "I know what it means, Natasha." I countered, "But you shouldn't have hired someone just so that I can take time off, which, by the way, is not something you can force me to take."
Tasha's eyes flashed dangerously at me, and I met her ire with my own annoyance. She had manipulated this situation far passed what she had admitted to, and I did not appreciate being deceived.
"She isn't," Lissa stated simply, interrupting our standoff. "I am. The Queen did not like me leaving the state, much less would allow it without protection. I compromised. I agreed to take three Guardians, but at the time did not know that Darren would be so stubborn." Lissa explained, her irritation on the matter clear. "With Darren still guarding me, one of the court Guardians will cover Christian for Eddie and the other for Rose, leaving one Guardian surplus." Lissa finished matter-of-factly. Crossing her arms over her chest daring to be challenged.
"This does not account for Lord Ivashkov," I stated not letting my gaze stray from Lissa, ignoring Adrian's snort of disgust. The facts needed to be laid out. Too much had been hidden with these "surprises" and I knew if I looked to Rose, I'd be met with agreement. The risks were too high to take chances.
"Adrian has repeatedly refused his family's Guardians, but it is a fruitless argument, Guardian Belikov. However, for the sake of sharing information, Mia Rinaldi is also joining, but she too has refused services. She wants to train with Tasha." Lissa added as an afterthought.
I considered this new information… that made four Guardians including Darren, an unheard of notion for one group of Moroi. Not to mention three off duty Guardians. The Dhampir's outnumbered the Moroi 8 to 5. The last Dragomir was precious cargo, and it was clear that the Queen was going to great lengths to keep Lissa under her thumb… I looked to Darren, Eddie, and Rose each of us considering the possibilities. Four on-duty Guardians for five Moroi… I frowned.
Lissa held up her hand deflecting my argument before I could make it. "I cannot make you take leave, any of you, but I have gone to great lengths to ensure that this trip could happen. And I would like for you all to hear me out before making any decisions." She pleaded, jade eyes blazing she met each of our eyes until we nodded in agreement. We would listen before making tactical plans as a group.
"Necessary precautions have been taken and accounted for, we are keeping to a day and evening schedule. The house is on a private section of the beach. We, the eight of us, are traveling as a group… I rented a van so you guys won't technically be off duty until we get to the beach early Monday morning. The three Court Guardians and Mia are flying out to meet us there and will get there Sunday night. We are leaving tomorrow, Saturday night. It's a 16-hour drive, excluding stops for food and gas, and, I've covered this with Darren and Eddie, between the four Guardians we can make it in one trip getting there sometime early on Monday morning…" Lissa trailed off then suddenly unsure. She bit her lip in apprehension, looking to Rose then back to me. "Why not just fly?" I asked seriously.
Rose let out a sigh, smiling at Lissa, "That'd be because Lissa is checking of a road trip from our bucket list."
I nodded absently, I wanted this- despite how wrong it was. Conflicted though I was in the face of taking a leave from duty. I looked to Tasha then, she smiled elbowing me… she lived her life without a Guardian and only had one now for the sake of our relationship. She couldn't make me take the time, but I knew well that she could make me miserable for not taking the time…
"Okay," I stated, breaking the tension.
"Okay? Meaning you'll take the time off?" Tasha asked excitedly. Lissa leaned forward in her chair.
"Okay, with one exception," I amended catching Darren's eye, "Whichever two days you want off I'll cover for you." I waved off Lissa's sound of protest, "No, it is the least I can do for getting a free vacation."
"So you'll join us?" Lissa nearly vibrated with energy, forgetting any qualms about my offer to Darren.
I chuckled and nodded before looking back to Rose, not forgetting the situation at hand. "Only if it is okay with Rose."
Rose regarded me from across the table before her gaze flickered to Tasha before looking away entirely. "Of course you should come. Tasha shouldn't have to be stranded with just us college kids for two weeks- besides you owe Darren a rematch." She agreed courteously deflecting any seriousness of her words before pushing up from the table and going to give Lissa a hug of gratitude.
Everyone went into motion then, gathering up the dishes and glassware to clear the table while conversing excitedly about the trip. Adrian smugly pushed passed my chair while making his way to the kitchen. I remained seated for a moment longer, feeling as if I were made out of cement.
She had made the separation between us clear. There was a chasm, and I was on the other side… with Tasha apparently. I was doing her no favors by being a part of this trip. I could feel my pulse beating in my ears. My chest felt hollow.
Sighing, I got up from the table gathering Tasha's and my plates as if nothing had transpired, "Thank you, Lissa. You are very generous." I said sincerely, smiling warmly reverting naturally to autopilot.
"You're always welcomed with us, Dimitri." Lissa returned just as sincerely. Her eyes holding an unspoken apology. I only smiled in return before turning to assist in the kitchen.
Two weeks was no time at all, and surely not enough time to mend old wounds, I considered as I began rinsing the dishes piled in the sink, passing them along to Darren to load in the dishwasher. Keeping my hands busy allowed me the first semblance of privacy to think I'd been granted all day. If ten months had so little effect, I was beginning to believe that no amount of time could fix what had been done.
Rose could hardly look at me for any length of time, and I doubted greatly that would change so substantially that she'd feel comfortable enough to talk openly … She was conflicted if her hot then cold quips were anything to judge by. And, soon, she'd be trapped with me in close quarters for two weeks. I had my doubts that forcing this situation upon her would do a damned bit of good. I'd bounced between shame, guilt, anger, and affection for most of the day myself and was beginning to feel nauseated with it all. Twice we talked and each step forward had come with four steps back. There were far too many players involved- just as there always had been. I slammed a dish down more forcefully than I meant into the basin, feeling angry about the entire day and situation. Bowing my head slightly, I knew I needed to reign myself in. Getting overwhelmed so early in wouldn't do. I needed to stay focused. This was happening much too quickly for either of us, and I had to acknowledge that my return meant something far more than just seeing an ex for Rose… Our talk in the park confirmed that she was still suffering the after-effects of the battle, and I wasn't so sure if anyone else knew that. It wasn't fair to be upset with her for a situation that we'd both been thrust into.
I knew Lissa was right, if I kept throwing Rose off her guard, we would get nowhere. I would only succeed in making her more suspicious of me. I needed her to see that I was same, and, regardless of our history, I needed her to remember that we had a connection that went beyond the romance we once shared.
Thinking back to our conversation in the park I realized how calmly she had spoken with me. A shiver ran up my spine, she never once raised her voice or even came close to yelling. Now that I thought about it, she tried to comfort me.
The dish nearly slipped from my grasp.
In all of our exchanges I never once saw her become angry and that worried me… like Lissa had hinted, I hadn't even given her the chance to get angry with me... or, I thought, my stomach sinking, she no longer cared enough to be angry with me. This brought me up short, but I knew she felt something for me at the very least… I had pushed her every time … She hadn't healed, and that was twice now that I interrupted her when she began putting herself back together…
Once when I left after graduation, only two months after the battle, and then again now… showing up after promising to stay away….although the thought had only just occurred to me I knew it was true and I wanted to beat myself bloody at the thought. Rose was still grieving, and so far I had only succeeded in playing on her sympathies, draining her. Fucking bastard, I cursed myself throwing the sliver wear I had been holding down into the basin. I had rushed in with no plan, again.
"These will need to be hand washed. I'll take it from here. Thanks, Dimitri." Christian said nodding in thanks and moving so that he could slide the grill rack and grill utensils under the running water.
Moving aside I nodded mutely, drying my hands on the towel that Darren threw to me. Casting a glance around, I saw that the kitchen and dining room were empty save for Christian, Darren, and myself. The table had been cleared, and I could hear laughter and muffled voices coming from the den.
"I have the first patrol," Darren stated catching up to me as I was leaving the kitchen. "Until Midnight." He added. "You can take the second shift, and Rose will relieve you at four."
I nodded, looking at my watch. It was already 8 p.m. the night shifts were broken into four-hour increments. We hadn't gotten around to discussing the finer points but with this many Guardians sharing the same house, one would stay posted outside and would rotate during the night hours while the others slept. "Sounds good."
Passing me a wireless earpiece and clapping me on the back he went to leave, exiting through the patio doors gesturing that I should lock them behind him.
After locking up and slipping on the earpiece connecting to Darren's I left Christian to tend to rest of the cleaning and made my way to find the others. "10-4" I repeated to Darren through the earpiece. All was in order. I wanted to shower and change before my shift, but I was hard-pressed to resist what was unfolding as I stepped in view of the den.
Foregoing entering, I settled for leaning against the door frame contented with observing. Rose and Lissa lounged in the corner of the large velvety dark blue sectional. Their knees bent in towards each other and sock-clad feet curled under them, their heads were thrown back in laughter as they watched Adrian take his turn in charades. I couldn't help but smile at the sight myself as he hopped from foot to foot waving his hands wildly over his head trying to convey meaning to the group. Eddie sat perched on the opposite end of the long couch watching on in amusement. Tasha sat in a large recliner that completed a semi-circle around the entertainment center, although her face was hidden from my vantage point I could still hear the tinkling sounds of her laughter as Adrain switched tactics and began jumping even more frantically and scribbling on his hand as if he were writing frantically.
"Burning Hula Girl!" Eddie called out furthering everyone's hilarity.
"Alone on an island!" Lissa shouted, adding to the chaos.
Throwing his hands forward in frustration Adrian grunted in annoyance, "No! Trying to catch up with the mailman!" He burst out, red-faced and breathing hard. Hand on his hips he shook his head in annoyance at the continued hilarity. "I need a smoke."
Startled he looked up at me as if he knew I was there the entire time and hadn't spent the last five minutes bouncing to the delight of his audience, he met my eyes. "Come with me, Belikov."
I stood still, assessing him. I wasn't interested in a drunken fight with Adrian, much less a shouting match. There was a certain sense of resignation in his voice, sober and troubling. Nodding once, I turned walking to the patio doors. The sudden silence of the room seemed to echo behind me as Adrian stepped around me to grab his coat before following me out into breezy night.
Looking back to shut the doors behind me I was met with Rose. My heart seemed to sink deeper, she stepped forward as if to join. Sighing, I only shook my head unable to meet her eyes. Adrian obviously had something to say to me and, though I loathed to admit it, I owed it to him to hear him out.
I was sure I'd regret it, but I slid the shade closed blocking Rose from sight before closing the sliding doors with a soft click. One step forward, four back indeed. I was apparently to be paraded around Rose's friends until they all got their say in. Might as well as get it over with then. I deserved no less
Adrian's back was turned to me by the time I finally turned. A thick smoke cloud drifted lazily around him.
"I'm listening, Ivashkov."
"You've got some fucking nerve, you know that?" Adrian said flicking his ashes into the night. Stone cold sober, his eyes haunted as he looked back to me. It was a look I was well familiar with.
A/N: I'm back ; ) This felt good. It has always been so much easier to write this story when the weather is warmer. Feeling some serious summer vibes. Have the 8th instalment already started. Enjoy!
Always love to hear your thoughts.
-Blue