Reality Bites - Wattys 2018 Shortlist

Chapter 101 - Something to Say

Dimitri knew some of his soon to be former colleagues were starting to wonder about him and the dark haired, dark eyed beauty standing beside him. There'd been one too many times he'd stepped forward to defend her, too many close calls where they'd stepped away from one another only just in time but still with telling expressions. But, really, Dimitri knew it was the way they looked at each other. He couldn't help opening up to Rose – giving her access to his heart and thoughts in ways no one ever had before, and it showed on his face every time his eyes met hers. It was such a stark contrast to his former closed-off demeanor. Her looks to him were no better - so loaded with trust, love, and adoration that it's not surprising people were becoming suspicious.

As if reading his thoughts, Rose turned to him, her look telling him she knew he was still feeling out of sorts about the men shamelessly eye-fucking her tonight. She knew he was proud of her, that he loved the way she looked so beautiful for him. But she also knew seeing men ogling her like they had some sort of right to brought out his protective and jealous sides. The idea of someone else touching his Roza was enough to make his fists clench in fury. Feeling the tension rise in him again, Rose absentmindedly turned and stroked one of his arms. It was enough to soothe him immediately.

Approaching her arch-nemesis Stan Alto, Rose had a wicked glint in her eye. If Dimitri was honest with himself, he enjoyed the way Rose toyed with Stan. The guy was a dickhead, and he'd crossed the line more than once with Rose. Now they were only hours away from being 'out' Dimitri swore to himself next time Stan did it, he'd be answering to six foot seven inches of angry boyfriend. Because even though Rose didn't need a man to look after her, as her man, Dimitri still wanted to.

"Hey, Stan – I can call you that now can't I? Given we're both Guardians?" she said saucily to him.

"Rose" he acknowledged in an almost friendly tone which she could see right through. "Of course you can call me Stan now. Congratulations on actually managing to graduate" he said with just a hint of his former rancor.

"Well I guess my perfect training score must have helped with that," Rose said to him smugly. "Did you hear I've been made a Queen's Guardian?"

"Yes, I did hear," Stan said. "I hope you'll find it stimulating – although it looks like a lot of standing around, pretending not to hear or see anything and not doing a hell of a lot..." he said, looking towards where Tatiana sat surrounded by her guard. He had a point.

"Yeah, but isn't that being a Guardian? You're the one who told me it was all about standing around and not really about killing Strigoi. Of course, you'd know about that ..." she said with mock innocence. Stan only had a couple of molnija - which Dimitri thought at his age would have to be a sore a point for him. "That's why I'm glad Dimitri and I were given special projects. We're leaving for Europe in a couple of days. We'll be traveling for at least a year."

She'd finally caught Stan by surprise. "Travelling? Together?"

"Yeah – we're starting in Baia, Russia. We'll be there this time next week."

"Baia. Isn't that where your family is from?" Stan asked, turning to look at Dimitri curiously.

"Yes it is," he said, taking Rose's hand carefully within his. "Excuse me, Stan, the dancing will be starting soon, and there are a few other people I know Rose would like to say to say goodbye to." He knew it wasn't as much rubbing in as she'd have liked, but it was enough. For now at least. Knowing Rose, as he did, he knew this wasn't over.

He was right – as he led her towards another group of Guardians, his arm still lightly draped around her, she was already plotting a more exacting revenge on Stan. Specifically, whether a visit back to St. Vlad's might be in order in a year or so. Tatiana had been fairly vague about their 'special assignments.' Rose was wondering if she could convince Dimitri to join her for a quick visit to see Stan's class to administer a dose of public humiliation. Either that or if she could somehow manage a spar with him in front of his students. She knew she'd wipe the floor with him, and that she'd relish every second!