Work Text:
Dimitri
It was colder than it had any right to be in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania that September night. As was typical on Sundays in recent memory, Dimitri Belikov and Rose Hathaway found themselves racing toward a particular sign in Sand Island Park. Their favorite trail began only a mile from Lehigh University, which was the perfect distance to get some quick exercise in while her best friend and bonded Moroi Lissa went to church with her boyfriend Christian. The scenery and privacy always helped the guardians clear their head from whatever had transpired throughout the week, but getting there was another event entirely. A few months ago, Rose added the stakes that whoever was slowest had to make dinner that night, so they’d become even more competitive than usual to avoid that task.
“HA! I think that’s three weeks in a row, Belikov,” Rose gloated triumphantly as she reached their destination several paces ahead of Dimitri.
“I need to stop getting distracted by the view,” He smirked, thinking of how free she looked when she ran. He felt whole in this moment, grateful for all they’d fought through to earn a life like this. Overcome with affection, he pulled her into him in an enveloping hug. They both had a light layer of sweat covering them, but it still felt good to be close in light of the cool breeze.
Moments like this felt like the only pockets in their life in which he could keep her completely safe. Safe from the gaze of disapproving Moroi, safe from try-hard Dhampirs, safe from discovery from humans, and safe from herself because as much as she loved him, it seemed she loved trouble more some days. She certainly didn’t need his protection in a fight or standing up for what she believed in, she could hold her own if not completely overpower everyone she’d gone up against in those regards. But she’d confessed in bed one night that for someone who had devoted herself to protecting her best friend at such a young age, it felt nice to have someone want to do the same for her. Rose sighed happily in his embrace which lasted for several moments until a car flew down the road nearby blasting music. The two used the interruption to peel away from one another and began their walk.
They caught up on things they’d forgotten to tell each other during the week as they enjoyed the trail. Rose told Dimitri about an awkward interaction she witnessed Christian have, while Dimitri told her a bit more, but admittedly not all, about the phone call he had with his mother a couple nights prior. As Rose made a joke that had the rare accomplishment of doubling over his large frame in laughter, he wiped his eyes and looked at her. Truly looked at her.
She was beautiful, that was clear to anyone who looked at her. But he particularly loved how her hair looked in this moment, the short pigtails containing her newly-cut bob providing a contrast to the tough image she generally projected. It allowed her to show off her molnija tattoos though, which Dimitri kissed wordlessly. She inhaled sharply and coiled her fingers through his hair, but he guided her hand to release and he pulled himself back. He found himself lost in her features, especially the caramel swirls that brought brightness and dimension to her brown eyes, just as she did to his life.
As transfixing as he found her physically, the things that he loved most were locked behind her eyes. Her heart, grit, humor, instincts, loyalty, determination, stubbornness, and wit just to name a few. They’d spoken about the future in depth- how they were dedicated to spending the rest of their lives together, paper or not. Dimitri was grateful that Christian let slip Rose and Lissa’s conversation a couple of months ago about their mutual desire to marry. Dimitri had so few opportunities to surprise her, so he had been trying to plan something grand for his Roza. However, his affection felt like an unsupervised pot of boiling water spilling out right then, as he had a couple times in the past.
The first was at a gas station on the way back from their road trip during Lissa’s Spring Break. She laughed as she held up the Funyuns in her hand and replied “yeah okay, I think Dr Pepper can officiate.” It stung for a moment that she brushed it off, but he understood it probably didn’t seem like the real thing under the circumstances. The second time was at the grocery store when she was doing an uncomfortable jig waiting for the bathroom to open up. She was disproportionately angry in comparison to the silly dance she was doing, which Dimitri found to be a perfect reflection of her dichotomy. She simply yelled “Fuck you, I have to pee,” as she barreled her way past the restroom’s exiting occupant. By the time she came back out, she was on to another subject and Dimitri felt the moment pass. She hadn’t taken him seriously yet, but that caused no hesitation as he blurted out- “Damn it Roza, will you marry me already?”
Rose shifted her feet and looked up at him mischievously, “ I don’t know maybe… if you can catch me!”
Dimitri let out a humored sigh of defeat, he’d meant it every time but it was clear he couldn’t do this subtly if he wanted a real answer. He chased after Rose, something he knew he’d do forever- wed or not.
2 weeks later...
Rose
A groan escaped Rose’s lips as the sounds of construction roused her from what had already been a fitful night sleep. She turned her head and looked at her partner Dimitri who appeared dead to the world for how deeply he slept beside her. She moved a stray piece of hair from in front of his face, but it fell back almost immediately as she sat up. He looked so peaceful and vulnerable now, appearing in such a stark contrast from the impossibly built and moderately intimidating guardian she’d met three years ago. Now, she knew him completely and understood the space each of his facets occupied within him and loved them equally. She smiled to herself as she thought about why she had such trouble sleeping- she was going to ask him to marry her today.
He had been joking about it for months so she knew it was on his mind as well, but she’d crafted the perfect plan. They would spend the early hours of the afternoon on a slew of mini adventures that would pay homage to some of her favorite moments shared between the two of them. Her chest filled with warmth as she thought about every detail she’d considered and the significance of each moment. Those would all culminate back here to the first home they’ve shared, after Lissa and Christian used that time they were out to decorate. It was easy deciding what moments to recreate and she’d been happy to delegate the decorations to Lissa, but even with the ring tucked inside her dresser, she was still struggling with what to say. She’d grown better at communication since she and Dimitri were able to date openly, but it felt impossibly frustrating coming up with the proper words to describe how much he meant to her.
She could focus on how they empower each other’s strength as much as they provide comfort for one another. She could mention all of the times he’d helped her remain patient when all she wanted was to jump into action. She could recall when he’d taken her to meet his family and how instantly she felt at home with them. She could tell him that every single kiss they’d shared felt like she was floating; while every time they made love made her feel one with her body in a way that nothing else ever had. She could tell him how she loved how he said “syrup” and how serious of a Plant Dad he was. She could tell him how cute he looked when he read his western books or how she’d marry him just for the perfect way he prepares his famous stew which he makes in large batches and freezes so she can eat them whenever she likes. Rose could tell him all of that, but she was feeling hesitant that she’d make it through without crying and didn’t want it to devolve into that.
Rose looked over at Dimitri, still sleeping carelessly as if this wasn’t about to be the biggest day of their lives thus far. “Babe… Dimitri, can you hear me?” she asked softly. When she was met with a snore in response, she braced herself and practiced saying everything she wanted. She knew it would be different once his eyes were open and he was listening, but it felt less scary saying them out loud beforehand. She scratched a couple ideas along the way but by the end, she knew exactly what she wanted to say. She pictured herself on one knee, pulling out the ring box as she muttered the last words, “Dimitri Belikov, will you marry me?”
“Yes,” Dimitri whispered with a sleepy smile, much to Rose’s surprise and horror. She felt herself blanche as his eyes opened and he reached for her hand. “If I had a thousand lifetimes, I would choose you every time, Roza.”
Rose could feel tears begin spilling over her cheeks, unsure whether it was joy in his response or anger that she’d just ruined all of her plans.
Seeing her shock, Dimitri sat up and pulled her into a hug, “it’s okay love, come here.” He rolled so she was straddled on top of him, but they remained chest-to-chest as he wrapped his arms around her waist. She wiped her eyes on his shirt, “I can’t believe you just heard that, I had a whole thing planned!” She sat up and looked down at him as he grinned from ear to ear.
“I’d be happy to hear it as many times as you want to ask, I assure you,” He sat up and she shifted so she rested between his legs in front of him. “I have more I’d like to respond with as well though, next time. Look in the drawer of my bedside table, please.”
She sniffled and leaned on her elbow, using her other hand to open the drawer. There were some miscellaneous items that could usually be found there, but additionally was a bubble mailer from Russia. Curious, she grabbed it and returned to her upright position before pouring the contents onto the bed. A loose ring dropped out, along with a note in Russian that she didn’t understand with the exception of the signature ‘Love you both, Mom.’ She picked up the ring and her frustration lightened as she recognized the garnet and unique antique setting from when she saw it on his grandmother's hand, “Is this Yeva’s?”
Dimitri gently grabbed it from her, “It is, I know she’s hard to read sometimes but she loves you. She said I better not fuck this up because I’ll never find someone better suited for me. I’m inclined to agree, “ he kissed her hand as the ring found its new finger. It rolled down, at least two sizes larger than Rose would require. He laughed, “it just arrived yesterday. I clearly haven’t had a chance to get it re-sized yet, but what do you think?”
Rose barely let him get those words out before she kissed him, holding him there until everything but joy slipped away from her body. Drunk on this feeling, she smiled and nodded vigorously, “Okay, I can’t wait any longer then!” She released him and darted to the dresser, where a small bag with a ribbon tying it closed was hidden. She brought it over onto the bed and handed it to him, watching his large hands delicately untie the bow. Inside was a ring box, which he opened up to reveal a Tungsten band. There were a few colorless stones flatly laid into the setting, and once he picked it up, the interior inscription read “ All My Love -Your Roza.” He returned her kiss and looked back down as he slid it on his ring finger. It reached the knuckle before giving up, in direct contrast to Rose’s loose ring.
“At least we can take them both to get resized at once. I love it, Roza. More than you know,” Dimitri comforted.
Rose was unfazed as she got up again to grab the pocket knife that lived on her dresser. She walked back over and took the ribbon that previously tied the bag of his ring closed, slicing through it halfway down its length. She grabbed his hand and took off the ring, placing it in his other palm. As he sat patiently, she wrapped one of the ribbon halves around his ring finger and tied a knot, before turning the excess to face his palm. “I used to wear fabric friendship bracelets for months, what do you say about using these placeholders until we can get the real things back?”
“I love that idea, and you,” Dimitri smiled as he reciprocated the action on her hand. They placed the metal rings in Dimitri’s ring box and set everything on his nightstand. Rose felt the happiest that she ever had when she looked at him now. She would have been happier than she ever thought possible without getting married if she got to be with Dimitri. But now soon, she’d be able to call him her husband, and she his wife. Nothing had ever sounded so sweet as she straddled him again, this time with a fire in her stomach and a ring on her finger.
“I love you too,” Rose whispered before the two of them enjoyed a beautiful morning in bed ahead of the afternoon’s lovely adventures.
The End :)