A friend on my discord sent a list of prompts for reverse tropes, and with my absolutely terrible writer's block lately, I decided to give them a go to try to break through that.

I think there are around 15, give or take if I decide to skip one or not. I have a word limit of 2k, so none of them will go over that. Still writing them, so I'll add a note on each chapter if there are any triggers. The plan is to post one a day.

I'm trying to keep them all in world, and without too much AU, but we will see lol

First prompt - Too Many Beds

Set after the attack on the academy - Dimitri survives

The training exercise was exhausting; more so for the Moroi who had to trudge with us than for the novices. Rather than physically exhausted, I was mentally drained after listening to their complaints.

It was their choice to join us, an outdoor class that offered some physical education to the Moroi, and guardian training for novices. I hadn't planned to take it, but Lissa was eager, and Dimitri was slated as the guardian teacher. I didn't need a lot of convincing after learning that.

Our forbidden relationship was still hidden, even Lissa was in the dark about it. It was for the best in the end but it came with its own issues; mainly I had to stop myself from paying him too much attention.

I'd admit, it was easier dating Mason, no one questioned if I would stare at him or constantly want to talk to him. I could get away with a certain amount of socialising with Dimitri only because he was my mentor, but it was limited. No one would bat an eye at me annoying a teacher, but Dimitri could only interact with me so much before raising questions from others.

At least the training exercise offered more alone time than we had gained since the attack on the school. The increase in guardian presence meant someone was always training at the gym. Goodbye alone time, instead our flirting could only show in the form of punches, and sweet words masked by constructive feedback.

I heard stories of the previous year's trip; novices were encouraged to work as guardian partners, and because of the lack of budget, the sleeping arrangement was limited, leaving the dhampir sleeping in close quarters. What better excuse to get close to Dimitri than under the guise of it being unavoidable?

But, of course, it never went as planned.

The extra protection at the school meant there were enough guardians that novices were allowed to relax, a treat after all the stress of the attack. Even the guardians with us wore rare smiles since getting away from the school. The area we hiked had a ward around the aches that housed a royal Moroi family, kind enough to offer it to the school for such trips. It was like the ski lodge, gaining a lot of visitors during the warmer months.

Rather than a training exercise, it felt more like a vacation. It made the Moroi's complaints even more annoying to listen to.

Lissa had taken to it easily, her enthusiasm for exploring overroad her exhaustion. Christain struggled more—entertainment for me. Eddie signed up as well, appearing lighter the longer we were away from the school.

The one thing I truly enjoyed about the trip was being out during the day. Since almost losing myself to the darkness, I took more joy in being in the light. I paused now and then to wait for the others, standing in the patches of sun that slipped through the trees. I would always feel his gaze on me, finding Dimitri's eyes from where he brought up the back of the group with Alberta and another guardian.

He had sent in for his reassignment as promised, only Alberta knew of it. She was more aware than she let on; a single warning said in passing about being careful while at the academy. When I noticed Alberta glance in the same direction as Dimitri, I would look away and again remind myself to ignore Dimitri.

Ignore him for now—it would be easier to get some alone time at night.

I was very wrong.

The family who owned the land did some upgrades. Their two teens were at the school during the attack and heard how the novices and guardians protected them. In thanks, they rebuilt the sleeping quarters—a big upgrade.

Rather than limited beds, there were more than enough—way too many beds.

There went my excuses of taking the bunk beside Dimitri's. Even the unlikely hope of us needing to lay close together to share sleep mats was long gone. Any fun that could have been had on this trip crumbled away.

"Well, this is unexpected," Alberta breathed, hands on her hips as she looked around the large room that held twice as many beds as there were people. Another room connected to the quarters, a common room and a fully stocked kitchen—it really was like a vacation.

My mood soured. "Yeah. It fucking sucks," I muttered and adjusted the strap of my bag on my shoulder. No one heard me other than Dimitri, who stood beside me without me noticing until his elbow grazed mine.

"Over here, Rose!" Lissa called; a set of beds picked for us in the back corner of the room. The furthest from where the guardians would be sleeping.

I forced a smile and swallowed my disappointment. "Don't you dare put me anywhere near pyro!"

Lissa had an extra bounce in her step and a bright smile on her face; it was just like when we shared a room while on the run. The next two nights would be the best thing since sliced bread for her. She successfully convinced me to allow her to braid my hair while we snacked on the treats she brought with her. There was more junk food than clothes in her bag.

Slowly, the Moroi were turning in, staying up during the day wore them down as the sun set. Lissa yawned beside me again, the fifth time in ten minutes. I rolled my eyes and nudged her with my elbow, "Go sleep."

"No," she shook her head, another yawn escaping, "I can wait until you're ready to go to bed."

I smiled, and nudged her again, "I'm not tired. Go before you fall asleep on the couch and I draw on your face." The threat was empty, but enough to make up Lissa's mind. She pulled a face, then stood from the couch, a tired wave given as she shuffled out of the common room to the sleeping quarters.

Other than a few guardians who patrolled the cabin in shifts, everyone else had gone to bed. The common room had a collection of couches angled at the large fireplace; the days had warmed up, but the nights still held a chill. I wouldn't be surprised if we woke to a light dusting of snow outside. I curled up on the couch, my knees pulled up as I stared at the fire, watching the flames dance.

It reminded me of the attack. Christian's flame was the only reason we killed as many as we did.

"Still up?"

I jumped, twisting around to find Dimitri behind me; he wore his duster, hair tied back. He was studying me. "Your turn to patrol?" I questioned. My hands itched to reach for him, he was so close I could touch his hand without others seeing.

Dimitri nodded, then tilted his head, "Can't sleep?" His tone was full of concern; only Dimitri knew I struggled to sleep since the attack. I turned back to the fire rather than reply. Dimitri clicked his tongue and then draped something heavy over my shoulders. "Come on."

I pulled at the material—my leather jacket. "Where?"

"Patrolling."

I was right about snow falling through the night; small flakes drifted down as we walked. Dimitri had his stake in hand, just as I did; the same one I used the night of the attack. After the caves, it had become mine.

I'd killed so many Strigoi with it that night, they joked it was a good luck charm.

"Have you spoken to Alberta?" Dimitri questioned, breaking the silence. He glanced around us before stepping closer and taking my hand in his. I felt like I could breathe easily again.

"No." I wrapped my fingers around his but didn't meet his eyes. "It's fine. It'll go away on its own."

"It's normal to have nightmares, Rose. I do."

"Are yours about a Strigoi killing you? Mine are," I muttered. I halted, pulling Dimitri to a stop. "You could have died. He was close–"

"But I didn't," Dimitri assured, cupping my face with a chilled hand. The cold was enough to shock me from my memories. "You can't dwell on it."

I looked at him, taking in his features lit by the light of the moon. "Easier said than done."

His thumb stroked my cheek, his lips pressed together as he thought of a response. It was the closest we had been in days, with fewer eyes in the woods to see us compared to the academy. The biggest risk we had taken was the first night I woke from nightmares and climbed into his room through the window. I don't know if he was more shocked at seeing my face outside his third-floor window, or that I was crying.

Since that night, we had been extra careful—no more trips to the cabin for us.

"If you have any nightmares tonight, I'll be in the same room," he offered, a soft smile on his lips. It wasn't much, but it helped.

"Would have been better if our beds were next to each other," I pouted, then grumbled, "I thought this whole trip would have been better."

Dimitri chuckled. "Me too, but at least we can still patrol."

I caught my lip between my teeth, eyes flicking side to side before returning to his. "How long can we patrol?" His answering grin was enough to make my stomach flip in anticipation.

"I'm sure no one would question it if we were gone for another half an hour."

It wasn't as long as I had hoped, but I would take it. I stepped closer, angling my head up, smirking at him, "Better not waste any time, comrade."

Dimitri lowered his head, lips barely brushing mine. "I'll make use of each minute, Roza."