Protection - d. belikov

Chapter 17

Kat was sitting reading, while Dimitri was busy training. He was doing pull ups, and Kat had to actively focus on her book.

"I can feel you looking at me Printsessa," Dimitri said as he pulled himself up, then dropped down to the floor.

"How can you even feel that?"

"We're connected, remember?" He smirked, sitting down next to her. "What are you reading?" Kat was about to answer when a cough interrupted them. They looked up from where they were sitting on the grass, their eyes meeting those of Tatiana Vogel. She was a Moroi, with her heart set on the crown. She was competing with Victor Dashkov, for who would succeed the queen on the throne. Kat had heart set on Victor, knowing that he was the best candidate for the job.

"Can I speak to Dimitri for a second?" Tatiana asked. Dimitri nodded his head and stood up. He held his out, pulling her up after him. "I'll see you later?"

"Library?" He nodded and gave her a kiss on the forehead. "Be careful. I don't like her."

"I will Darling."

"What can I help you with?"

"I don't know if you know this, but I'm in the running for Queen. We've had a few challenges and our next one is a trial by proxy. Will you fight on my side?"

"No. I don't agree with what you stand for, so you'll have to find someone else. If you'll excuse me, I have somewhere to be." He turned to leave, but she grabbed his hand to stop him. She ran her finger up his arm, "Are you sure? I'll make it worth your while." She leaned in to kiss him, but he pulled away.

He pulled his arm away, "No thank you. I have an amazing woman waiting for me in the library. Why would I give that up for some stuck-up bitch." He turned and left, tuning out what else she had to say.

As he walked to the library, he was hit with flashbacks from his past. Yelling entered his thoughts, making it difficult for him to think. He stumbled up the steps of the library and in through the door.

"What's wrong?" Kat asked the second she saw him. He was pale and his eyes weren't focused on her.

"Can we go?" Kat took his hand, leading him out of the library to his room. When they got to his room, he sagged onto the bed, holding hid head in his hands.

"What can I do?" Kat asked kind of panicked. She had never seen him this way.

"Can I just hold you?" He asked, his voice cracking. He had never been so vulnerable with someone, letting them see him cry. She stepped closer to him, and his hands settled around her waist and his head on her chest. She rubbed his back, trying to be as comforting as what she could be. After a minute or two, he pulled back looking her in the eye.

"Do you want to talk about it?" He pulled her down next to him on the bed.

"When I was about fourteen, someone tried to take advantage of me," he said, to which Kat let out a gasp. "She was one of my mom's friends. When I sent my father packing, she took a liking in me, saying that I was 'So mature for my age.'"

"We don't have to talk about it if you don't want to."

"It's okay. You need to know," he took a pause and took her hand in his. Then he continued his story, "She started coming over all the time. At first her attention was small touches, then it advanced. It got so bad, that I avoided my house. When I was coming home from school, she cornered me in an alleyway. All my training didn't work," his voice faltered.

"I'm so sorry Cowboy. That never should have happened to you. How old were you?"

"I was fifteen," he said softly. She pulled him into her, just holding him closer to her. He sought her comfort, basically melting into her. He pulled her into his lap, and there they stayed until their eyes grew tired and they were about to turn in for the night.

"Wait! You didn't eat yet," Dimitri said as he stood up with her still in his arms.

"Dimitri, that can wait."

"I've got a plan; we're not even going to leave my room." Dimitri put Kat down, and moved towards a mini fridge that he had put in his room shortly after he met Kat. He reached in and pulled out a blood bag.

"This is for you," he said as he handed her the blood bag.

"O negative, my favorite. How did you know?"

"I know you Printsessa. I know that you don't like any B blood because it tastes more metallic. And when it comes to people food, you really don't like any warm puddings, but love warm chocolate cake, which in all honesty is weird."

"That's the nicest thing that you've ever said to me. I really love you," she exclaimed. "Thank you for this," she said as she shook the blood bag. "No one has ever done anything like this for me."

"That in itself is a crime," he said as he laid down next to her. She threw the bag in the trash can by the door.

"Great shot."

"Thank you. Let's get some shut eye." She turned towards him.

"Goodnight Cowboy," she said as he pulled her against him

...........

Kat woke up the next morning with Dimitri's head on her chest, her arms around him. This had been the most vulnerable that Dimitri had been with her. She had felt more connected to him than ever before.

"Good morning," he grumbled.

"Did you know that your morning voice is incredibly sexy?"

"Really?" She nodded. "I'll try and do it more often," he joked.

"How are you going to do that?" She laughed.

"I'll find a way," he spoke quietly, nudging back into her chest. She ran her fingers through his hair, "How are you feeling after last night?"

"I know this is going to sound cliché, but I feel lighter. I really needed to get that off of my chest. Thank you for listening."

"I'll listen to you any day."

"What are we doing today? Do you wanna research some more?"

"Let's do something else today. Chill day?"

"I'm down for some chill, but first you have to eat. You went to bed last night without eating a proper meal. Let's go!" He said as he got out of bed. Her heart melted when she looked up at him. He had been in a really vulnerable state, and still found time to think of her needs. The two of them got ready in tandem, making their way to the feeders. He waited outside and was pleasantly reminded of the day of their first kiss.

"Are you ready to go?" Kat asked him as she joined their hands.

"We just have to stop somewhere," he replied and led them to the training grounds. It was early in the morning, so the training area was filled with dhampirs, Novices and Guardians alike. Dimitri led her over to Casey, and took the basket that he held out for him to take.

"What's that?" Kat questioned.

"It's a surprise. But you'll like it," he said and placed a kiss on her head. They walked for a while, and they stopped at a meadow. Dimitri gave Kat the basket, to hold, and reached in and pulled out a blanket. He threw it down on the ground, and motioned for Kat to sit, taking the basket back before she could.

"It's a picnic?"

"Yes, it is. I read your bucket list once and I've been trying to tick off items for you. This was third on your list." He sat down next to her. He reached into the basket again and this time pulled out containers full of food.

"You're right out of romane novel. Thank you Cowboy." They settled in and talked for hours. They were interrupted with the alarm going off, indicating that the trial by poxy was over, indicating that Viktor had won.

"Now there is only one trial left. I hope Viktor wins."

"Me too Printsessa. Me too."