DIMITRI

I woke before Rose. It wasn't that unusual, I guess. What was unusual was that I let her sleep in rather than forcing her out of bed for early morning practice. I typically had her in the gym long before the rest of the population even stirred from their beds.

I guess those days were over.

I held her in my arms a little longer, not quite ready to start the day. It was a difficult night for us both, and I had allowed us to rest longer than I probably should have. I could already hear a few students and staff moving around campus. It would be long before the school grounds were in full swing. I knew we couldn't hide away forever, as much as I wanted to. Reality would eventually find us, and it would be better for us to meet it head-on.

I pulled away from Rose and shifted as gently as possible from beneath the covers. She turned and scooted into the warmth I had left behind but otherwise didn't stir. She looked so peaceful with the blankets tucked up under her chin and her hair fanned out across the pillows. There was even a little smile playing on her lips, and I wondered if she was still dreaming.

I decided to let her sleep, at least for a little while longer. Once she woke, her life would be irrevocably changed. She'd no doubt face questions, accusations, difficult choices, and more. If I could save her from that fate for even one more hour, then I would. It was the least I could do.

The guest accommodations at the Academy resembled a collection of hotel rooms. Beyond the bed and private bathroom, there was a small sitting area and a desk. I opened one of the desk drawers and found a pen and pad of stationary with the school's logo across the top.

Pulling the pen's cap with my teeth, I wrote Rose a short note.

"Went to get some supplies. Stay here and rest. I'll be back soon."

It was just a quick little message, but I couldn't help but add one last thing.

"I love you."

Just seeing those three words written down made me smile like a fool. After warring over my emotions and denying things day in and day out, it felt good to finally accept it. To just give in to the inevitable.

Why did it take me so long?

Why did it take me almost losing her to embrace it?

And why was fate so cruel as to rip us apart so quickly?

No. It wasn't fate tearing us apart, but ignorant people and unthinkable circumstances. Things beyond my control. I felt my earlier lightness give way to the new weight on my shoulders. I couldn't fix this, not completely, but I'd do everything in my power to make Rose's burden easier.

Rose mumbled something from between the sheets.

"Hmm?" I asked over my shoulder, wondering if she was waking up.

When she didn't reply, I decided to leave and let her sleep.

I started towards my apartment, pulling out my phone when I was outside and dialing Alberta's office number. She picked up on the second ring.

"How is she?" Alberta bypassed the pleasantries in favor of maternal concern.

"Alright, for now." I wanted to be mad at Alberta over this whole situation, even though I knew she had no more say in this than I did. Sure, she had more power to fight it, and I had no doubt she had done everything possible to try and save Rose, but even she couldn't sway the powers that be. "She's sleeping. I think that the last twelve hours have been hard on her."

"I know. They haven't been easy on any of us." She sighed, and I could hear the fatigue in her voice. For a moment, I wondered if she'd managed any sleep last night. Something told me that she hadn't.

"I'm sorry," she continued. "I'm still trying to fight it, but so far, I haven't been able to convince anyone to even consider letting Rose stay. They're determined. If it was just Kirova, I might be able to make some headway, but the school board is adamant, too."

"Kirova's been gunning for her since the beginning," I noted, remembering how she tried to kick Rose out of school the day we brought Rose and Lissa back. The headmistress had almost looked gleeful at the opportunity. Who knows what would have happened if I hadn't been there to step in and offer my services? I was there for Rose then, and I was here for her now.

"Rose and Kirova have always butted heads," she replied. "As I'm sure you know, Rose isn't the type to bend to authority figures."

That was an understatement. However, I think there was a little more to it. "Rose believes respect is earned, not given blindly."

"Yes," Alberta agreed. "And Kirova hasn't taken kindly to that mentality. Rose was always a troublemaker. I think she earned her first detention in kindergarten..."

What could she have possibly done to be punished like that at five years old?

"...But things got significantly worse after Vasilisa's parents passed. Kirova was suddenly responsible for the last surviving Dragomir. That alone was a difficult task, but having to account for Vasilisa's tenacious best friend? Let's just say Rose didn't make her job any easier."

"That's still not an excuse to destroy Rose's life." I've been on the receiving end of Rose's antagonism, especially early on. She might have actively hated me at one point. Lord knows I wasn't her biggest fan initially. Still, I never once considered throwing her out into the world without the means to survive. It would have been cruel.

"You're right. It's not." Alberta was silent for a moment, long enough for me to double-check and see if the call had been dropped. Eventually, I heard her admit what neither of us wanted to acknowledge. "I'm not sure I can save her this time, Dimitri. I haven't given up yet, but we might have to accept that there may be no other option."

"What then? She's never been prepared for life on her own." It was a sad truth. Dhampirs were expected to serve the Moroi. Their entire education revolved around that expectation. Yes, novices took math and other basic courses, but there was an unspoken understanding that those classes didn't matter as much for them. If they were acing their combat courses but failing biology, then the school would turn a blind eye. Unfortunately, I was complicit in that. Just last semester, she struggled with both Alto's theory class and her literature course. I had...heavily edited...her book report so that she could focus on her guardian studies. I knew it wasn't right, but how could a paper on a Jane Austin novel be more important than bodyguard theory? At the time, it was easy to justify. Now? I wondered how many life lessons we had denied her in favor of combat skills. "We can't let them toss her out without some sort of support system."

"We won't. I promise." Alberta seemed firm in that. "I've already notified Janine, and she's on her way. She should arrive a few hours after lunch. I was hoping we could all meet around four-thirty to devise an action plan."

"We'll be there."

My phone conversation had kept others from approaching me as I walked through the quad, but it was getting harder and harder to ignore the stares. People may not know the specifics of what happened yesterday, but the fact that I was both Rose's mentor and the last one seen with her after the attack was more than enough to make me a target for their rumors. It was only a matter of time before their curiosity demanded answers.

Alberta's voice pulled me back to the conversation at hand. "I didn't mention it last night, but Kirova did make some stipulations for Rose being able to stay through the weekend."

Of course. Alberta probably had to fight and negotiate just so Rose could get her affairs in order. "Such as?"

"First, she's not allowed to attend classes or interact with the other students. She's not confined to the guest room yet, but if she needs to move around the campus, try to do so while the others are in class. Kirova wants to keep this as quiet as possible, so let's try to avoid any big scenes."

It seemed like an understandable request, but I wasn't sure it was reasonable to expect this to all pass unnoticed. "I'll do my best, but eventually, people will have questions. Vasilisa, specifically."

"I know." Alberta let out a sympathetic sigh. "I'm trying to work something out so those two have a chance to say goodbye, but I can't promise anything yet."

I didn't need a promise or permission. I wasn't going to tear the two girls apart without one last chance to console one another. I didn't tell Alberta, though. I'd at least offer her some plausible deniability. Sometimes it was better to beg forgiveness rather than ask permission.

"Anything else?"

"Yes. To avoid any liability issues, Kirova wants Rose to be supervised at all times, especially if she leaves guest housing." Her voice softened a little as she continued. "I hope I didn't overstep, but I've given that responsibility to you. I've already updated the work schedule, so don't worry about any previously assigned patrols or other duties. Just watch after Rose. Let me know if you need some respite, and I can take over for a bit."

"That won't be necessary, but thank you." It was probably for the best that Alberta had already adjusted my shift schedule. It saved me the trouble of trying to find coverage.

"Also, since you will be working what is essentially 24-hour shifts for the next few days, I've already approved some leave for you. You'll have Monday and Tuesday to...recover."

Recover. It was a good word to put on all the necessary paperwork, but we both knew what that time was actually for. Alberta was giving me time to grieve. I knew she wasn't ignorant about the nature of mine and Rose's relationship and how it had shifted past the acceptable roles of either friendship or mentorship. I doubted she knew the extent of it, but if she did, she was apparently past judgment or condemnation.

"Again, thank you."

"It's the least I can do for you." Her sympathy was evident. Not just for Rose, but for me too. "You did your best to help her. Rose has thrived in more ways than I could have imagined in the past year. A lot of it is thanks to you. I hope you know that none of this is your fault. We're only now seeing how unpredictable Spirit is. None of us could imagine what it would do to Rose. Even if we had been aware, I doubt there was anything you could have done to stop this from happening."

Despite her gracious attempt to lift my burden, I wasn't sure I believed Alberta. I had watched while the darkness slowly consumed Rose. I didn't ignore the signs, but I couldn't make sense of them either. Maybe if I had, I could have prevented this.

Before I could descend into my pit of self-doubt and loathing, I tried to get back on track and offer some of the same kindness she showed me. "None of this is your fault either, Alberta. Something tells me that you have been her strongest advocate for many years; without you, I'm sure she wouldn't have made it this far. Even now, you are the only one saving her from being tossed aside without any consideration for her future. This won't be easy on any of us."

She huffed humorlessly. "That's an understatement, but I appreciate the thought."

"Are there any other stipulations from Kirova?" Now at my apartment, I tucked my phone between my ear and shoulder as I pulled my key ring from my pocket and unlocked the door.

"Nothing that wouldn't already be obvious. Rose needs to be on her best behavior. Any arguments, and she might be evicted immediately. It would be better if we do the negotiating on her behalf, so if she has any concerns, she needs to talk to either of us so we can take care of them. She'll also need to return all school property and clean out her room as soon as possible. I already have someone dropping by her dorm with some boxes.

"I'll tell her." I pulled out a duffel from under my bed and threw a few sets of clothing in, plus my laptop and a few other essentials. I had no plans to return until this whole issue was sorted out, so I tried to remember what else I might need. When I couldn't think of anything, I zipped the bag close.

"I have to get going, but let me know when you hear back from Janine. The sooner we can all meet together, the better." In the meantime, I'd try to brainstorm a few things with Rose. I wanted to give Rose as much control over her future as possible, and she could only do that if she knew what her options were.

I heard a knock, but it sounded like it was from Alberta's side of the call, not mine. "I'll call you later. If I have any other updates, I'll let you know."

Before I could answer or say goodbye, the call ended.

My next stop was Rose's room, but I wanted to do one more thing before heading that way.

I checked the time to ensure I wouldn't be waking anyone up, and then I dialed a phone number starting with 011-7.

The phone rang several times, to the point where I was worried they wouldn't pick up and I'd be forced to leave a message. Thankfully, right before the call went to voicemail, the line connected.

"Dimitri! It's been too long. You've been neglecting your poor Mama."

Despite the somber feeling hanging over me this morning, I couldn't help but chuckle. Mama was right. It had been at least a month, probably more, since I had last heard her voice. I wanted to blame it on time zones or something technical like that, but the truth was that I was just busy. My chastisement was well deserved, but I was grateful that she seemed more jovial than upset.

"I'm sorry. Are the others with you?" I was pretty sure they weren't. My sisters weren't known to be the quiet sort, and I'd certainly hear them in the background. Not to mention, Vika should be in school, so it would only be Sonya and Karo hanging about. I knew Yeva was there somewhere, but she only spoke when she had something to say. And if she did, you better listen.

For now, all I needed was to speak to my mother.

"No, no. Just me today. I'm just doing some chores around the house, and then I'll head to the grocer later. Did I tell you about Anya? Yulia's girl? Apparently, she's marrying Alexi next month."

My mother's gossip update could easily last half an hour if I let it, and on another day, maybe I would. Sometimes it was entertaining to hear about the small-town antics that seemed so ordinary compared to the stress and politics that wove their way through Moroi society, even in the academies. Unfortunately, I had no time to spare and needed to get down to business. I cut her off as soon as she finished telling me about Natalya's new baby boy.

"Mama. I need your help. I have a…." How could I describe Rose? A student? A Friend? She was more than either, but how do I explain that I'd fallen for a girl seven years younger than me? A girl I was training to be my guardian partner? Worse, how could I explain that I had failed her and she now needed help? My mother wasn't judgmental, firmly believing that everything happens for a reason. If anyone could accept Rose and me, it would be her. "There's a girl."

"A girl?" Despite her attempt to sound nonchalant about the situation, the barely concealed delight in her voice made me laugh. I'd told Mama a dozen and a half times that love, marriage, and family would never be in the cards for me. As a guardian, it just wasn't realistic. That never stopped her from hoping, though. Mama was a romantic and a life without love? Well, to her, it was hardly a life worth living. Even though 'love' had been cruel to her, she still believed in it with every beat of her heart.

"Yes, Mama. A girl."

She waited a moment, obviously eager for more information. "Does this girl have a name?"

"Her name is Rose." How could just saying her name make me feel better? "Rose Hathaway."

"Rose," she hummed. "She sounds pretty."

'Pretty' didn't do Rose justice. It was like weighing a pebble against a diamond. The was no comparison. Other girls may be pretty, but Rose? "She's beautiful."

"It sounds like my son might be in love." I heard her soft laugh through the line, along with the sounds of dishes and silverware in the background. I imagined her at the sink, elbow deep in bubbles as she chatted. It was a memory from my childhood. One that made me feel safe and warm when I was young. It was home.

And for some reason, I could imagine Rose right there too. Maybe not at the sink or stove, but at least smiling at our family table.

"There is no 'might be' about it, Mama. I love her. Completely." It had taken me so long to admit it, even longer to accept it, but now? I had to wonder why I spent so long fighting it. Loving her was unavoidable.

"What's wrong then, Mitya?" Before I could explain the situation, she gasped. "Is she…Is she with child?"

"No! No, no, no. She's not pregnant. She's dhampir."

"Oh." I'd expect many mothers would be relieved to her that there wasn't a surprise baby on the way. Instead, my mother almost sounded disappointed. The whole thing would have made me roll my eyes if I hadn't felt a little spark of 'what if' within me at the thought of Rose pregnant with my child. I shut it down quickly. That line of thinking was insane. Beyond Rose being entirely too young to even consider something like that, it was absurd. It was obviously never going to happen – a biological impossibility – but for a brief moment, the idea seemed wondrous.

I couldn't get lost in fantasy, though. Right now, I had to focus on reality.

"She needs a place to stay. A safe place." I didn't even get a chance to explain before my mother sprung into action. She never served as a guardian, but she was just as dedicated to protecting those she cared about. And though she had never met Roza, it was already clear that she had accepted her as one of her own.

"She's in trouble?" my mother pressed, jumping immediately into battle mode. "Is she in danger?"

"Not in danger, but she is in trouble." I steeled myself, ready to bare my sins to the woman who raised me. All I could hope was that she'd understand. "She's a student here. Or was until yesterday. She was expelled. The reason doesn't really matter, but I personally don't believe it was justified. Ultimately, all that matters is that she could be homeless if we don't figure something out before Monday. I can't let that happen."

"You said she's a student?" For the first time since the start of the conversation, I could hear some motherly concern. "Are you okay, Dimitri? Are you in trouble too?"

"I'm fine, Mama. Don't worry about me." I understood why she was worried. 'Student' often meant underage. And while Rose was technically still underage, she was less than a week and a half away from her 18th birthday. Was it still inappropriate? Perhaps. But I decided to give myself some grace in the matter. "Do you remember earlier this year? When I told you that I had agreed to mentor a senior? That was Rose."

"She's the one who ran away with the Dragomir Princess, right?" I appreciated the calm, unprejudiced question. It would be all too easy to condemn me. Many people would have already, but my mother was open-minded, looking at the bigger picture rather than getting caught up in details. That didn't mean she would overlook nefarious intentions, but she knew me and knew that I'd never take advantage of a woman, especially one who was innocent and vulnerable.

"Yes, that's her. Part of the agreement for Rose to return and graduate from the Academy was that she worked with me daily until she caught up to her peers. It didn't take long for her to do that, but we decided to continue training together. I was already the Princess's sanctioned guardian. Because of a unique bond with Vasilisa, Rose was slated to serve her as well. We expected to be partners, so it seemed natural for us to train with one another." It all seemed so practical, really. And had this situation been with any other person, it would have been a logical arrangement.

The problem was that this whole thing didn't happen with any other person. It happed with Rose. It happened with the one person who had ever managed to slip past the walls I had built around me. I don't think either of us intended this to happen. I certainly hadn't. And while Rose had always been more confident and open about the way things had shifted between us, I don't think she ever set out to ensnare me either. It just happened.

"One thing led to another and…."

"You fell in love." Even though I couldn't see her soft, sympathetic smile, I could hear it.

"I did. We both did."

A small lull filled the call before Mama returned to our previous topic. "So what happened? Why was she expelled?"

I sighed, rubbing at my brow. Everything surrounding Spirit and the darkness that accompanied it was too complex and convoluted to explain fully. It would take hours, and I still wouldn't be able to offer up the whole picture. So I decided to strip things down to the bare essentials.

"She was sick. Very sick." What else would you call the darker effects of Spirit? "She was trying to protect Vasilisa, and there was an accident. She ended up hurting someone. It was beyond her control and probably justified to an extent, but the school had no choice except to let her go."

"The poor girl. She must be so scared."

While Rose hadn't admitted it, she probably was scared. Or, at the very least, uncertain. She was being thrust from the only home she had ever truly known into a world she had never been prepared for. I'd be scared in her position.

"She needs help, Mama. More help than I'm able to give at the moment." Lord knows that if I could, I would. The reality was that she had to go, and I had to stay. At least for the time being. "Would it be okay if…"

"Of course, Mitya." My mother didn't hesitate, not even long enough for me to finish my question. "Your Rose is welcomed here. She can stay with us as long as needed."

Even though I knew my mother wouldn't reject someone in need, especially someone I cared about, it was still a huge relief to hear those words. Knowing that Rose wouldn't be alone in three days, and knowing that she would be protected by the woman I loved and respected more than almost anyone else in the world, was a massive weight off my shoulders.

"Thank you." I felt like I could finally breathe again. "I haven't discussed all this with her yet. I wanted to make sure you were okay with it first. I'm sure she'll have a few other options, but if this is what she decides to do, I'll let you know so we can arrange things. Thank you again."

She scoffed, audibly waving off my words. "No thanks needed. If you love Rose, then we do too. And if she needs a safe place to call home, then she has one here. Just make sure you come to visit her more than you've visited your Mama. Okay."

As playful as the last comment was, I felt the truth sting. It has been years since I set foot in Baia, always prioritizing my career over my relationships. Now though, I had new priorities. Not having Rose with me every day would be excruciating, especially since I had taken it for granted for so long. Sending her so far away would make seeing her difficult, but I knew it would be for the best. I'd rather Rose be safe and cared for, even if that meant we were sometimes separated.

And the distance wasn't a death sentence for us. It wasn't goodbye. We'd just have to cross that expanse and come together again.

Author's Note

Thank you to everyone for all the kind words last week. It looks like many of you are excited to see how this story develops and I'm thrilled to share it.

I just wanted to let you know that the fanfiction site has been struggling recently (something other author friends have noticed too) especially when it comes to reviews/comments, so if I didn't reply to one of your messages, I may not have gotten a notification. There were even a few days last week where it looked like comments weren't being submitted at all. It's frustrating for me, and I'm sure it has been for you too, especially since one of my favorite parts of writing is being able to connect with you guys! I would like to take the time to recommend switching to Ao3 (archive of our own) which is another fanfiction site that many of your favorite VA authors are already using. It's easier for us to post and edit, has a better format for reading, AND you can download your favorite stories to keep them on your e-reader or other devices. The only downside is that it doesn't have an app, though I believe there are third-party apps out there. Also, I plan to have a few more mature stories coming out in the next couple of weeks/months, and I may not post them here because it will put me at risk of being banned. Ao3 has fewer restrictions, so I'm not as concerned about sharing on that platform. I haven't transferred all of my one-shots to Ao3 yet, but I will be working on that in the coming weeks.

You can find me on Ao3 under the same username that I have here: Gigi256

Question of the Week: Do you want me to do the "question of the week" segment like I used to on the DPOVs?