Reality Bites - Wattys 2018 Shortlist

Chapter 95 - Time to Come Play

"Wake up baby," Dimitri whispered in my ear. "Time to come play."

"Uggh – what time do you call this?" I groaned softly.

"It's 5.30 pm - time for your last training session as a Novice," my Russian God laughed, giving me a quick kiss before tossing some training gear onto the bed next to me and heading into the kitchenette to have his morning coffee. I opened my eyes with a smile. Today was the day! Training with Dimitri, breakfast, then the Graduation ceremony, a short break for refreshments, and then the Promise ceremony. We'd have the rest of the afternoon off to get ready and then the Graduation dance! I bounced out of bed, quickly pulling on my sweats. Racing over to Dimitri where he stood in the kitchenette I launched myself at him.

"Today's the last day we have to hide! I know you want to keep it quiet until we're off campus – and I will – but come 2 am we're safe!" I said looking deep into the chocolate colored eyes I adored. "Now come on – you owe me a training session Comrade" I said, drinking half his cup of his coffee.

Even though we kept up the pretense I didn't drink coffee, since Santa Monica I'd had the second half of his first cup of strong black coffee every morning. Of course, at the same time, he'd increased his usual one cup each morning to two. I think it had something to do with the commencement of our frequent bedtime activities around the same time period...

If that were the case, he'd definitely be needing his second coffee this morning. After packing, watching Eddie's combat final, having dinner with Eddie and the rest of the crew, finally explaining to Eddie about what had happened at Court and why I wasn't doing my combat finals, and then eventually coming back to the unit where Dimitri had made good on his promise of carrying me to bed in a fireman's hold (much to Kirk's amusement) we'd spent the evening in bed cherishing one another. And we'd talked for hours – sharing little hopes for the future and fond memories as we got ready for tomorrow. The last day of our old lives, and the start of our future as two Guardians in love.

Now the day was here, and we started it with a run. It had been a few days, and it felt good to burn off the irritation and stress a lack of training had caused. We ran side by side, opting for a run around campus since the running track had not yet been restored after combat finals. As we ran, Dimitri or I would point out places of significance as we passed them. Some of his comments were surprising.

"I used to stand there when I was on outside lunchtime guarding duty," he mentioned passing a spot that overlooked the commons. "When the windows were open with the lights on, I could watch unseen into the cafeteria and across to the table where you sat with your friends."

"You watched me?" I asked, surprised.

"Any chance I had" Dimitri confessed. "Looking back now, I was gone so long before I even knew it," he admitted.

"Oh, Comrade," I said, wanting to draw him into my arms but knowing we were way too exposed out here to do so. Too many windows where someone could be watching us, even if at 6 pm it was unlikely. "I did the same. I used to love it when you'd guard a classroom I was in and stand near the front. I'd watch you from the corner of my eye."

"I thought you did" he laughed, "but I was never sure whether it was my imagination or if you really were?"

"Oh, I was. BIG time, Comrade! I'd check you out all the time!"

We both smiled, speeding up as we ran at a sprint towards the gym. As anticipated, now combat trials were over, and it was graduation morning, the place was abandoned. We did our usual workout, and then after a wordless look, we sparred. It was slow and casual and I know he was being very careful not to mark or hurt me. I had Graduation, today, after all! Half an hour before we'd usually finish, Dimitri called it quits.