Chapter Text
Tension radiated down Dimitri’s body as soon as he saw Rose following behind Alberta. It only increased when they approached where he and Commander Croft were sitting. This couldn’t be good. It was different when it was just him, but with Rose involved he feared he wouldn’t be able to get a grip on his feelings.
“Thank you Guardian Petrov for brining in Ms. Hathaway. Have a seat, Rose.”
She looked at Dimitri apprehensively, but he made no motions. Only stared at her with pleading eyes.
“Guardian Belikov mentions in his briefing that you were one of the volunteers to accompany him to Caroni.”
“I was, sir.” As much as she wanted to call him some other choice words, she had to remain cordial and professional. She’d call him an asshole, dickhead in private later.
“So, you’re aware that Guardian Belikov was tasked with bringing Guardian Tanner in for her tribunal.”
Rose stiffened slightly, but her face remained impassive. “I didn’t know it at the time, but yes I am aware now.”
“Guardian Belikov deemed Guardian Tanner to be dead, but we have reason to believe he was either given false information, or he lied.” Croft crossed his arms over his chest, doubling down on his efforts to make Rose squirm. “Now, with his spotless, impeccable record, it seems unlikely for him to make a mistake.”
Rose shrugged, “he’s human. We all make mistakes.”
“Any mistakes you’ve made that you’d like to share, Rose?”
Rose just shook her head, “none that I can think of at the moment, sir.” She chewed her words before spitting them out. Being professional sucked.
“Might I remind you, that the severity of the punishment for this crime is treason.”
Color seeped from Rose’s pores, leaving her shades paler than her usual. She only swallowed a few times, hands at her side flexing.
Dimitri stiffened, wanting so badly to speak up, but one lethal look from Alberta made him bite his tongue until he could drown in the blood.
“I understand the punishment.” It wasn’t as though he was even insinuating anything, but the guilt ate away at her. She could say nothing and be safe, it wasn’t her they were even looking in to.
Croft nodded, “then you’re free to go. Guardian Belikov, you may remain seated for further questioning.” Croft went back to scribbling away, no doubt making notes to bring up later.
Dimitri inwardly let out a breath, at least Rose was safe. She was free to go. So why wasn’t she going? He kept glancing towards Rose, stoic, stony mask in place. But every time he looked at her, Alberta shook her head slightly with a thin-lipped frown. It was hard to fight the desire to want to protect her, to shield her from the accusations. He wanted her to get as far away from this shit show as possible.
She sat still, slow, shallow breaths making her chest rise and fall. She could say nothing, but that wasn’t in her nature.
Every second she sat there built up a sandcastle of tension, until it collapsed under the gravity of her voice, “Dim-Guardian Belikov was given false information.”
Croft stopped writing to kink an eyebrow, inquisitively. “How do you know that Ms. Hathaway?”
“Rose,” Dimitri’s voice came out as a low growl, a warning. He couldn’t look at Alberta. He knew she would be livid at his direct disobeying, but nothing could stop the floodgates. His control was only so good, and he feared she was about to do something very Rose-like. “Don’t.”
She swore she could hear the grating of his teeth as his jaw clenched, but she wasn’t even looking at him though, she couldn’t. She knew what she was about to do, but she couldn’t let him take the fall for her choices. “I gave him the information. I allowed Guardian Tanner to flee.”
All Dimitri could hear was ringing eclipsing his whole mind. He didn’t even register standing up, but Alberta was by his side instantaneously, dragging him out of the room.
“You can’t do anything for her if you cause a scene, Belikov.” Alberta was right, Dimitri knew that, but seeing her left behind shattered his heart. “Let it go…for now. We’ll come up with an actual plan to help Rose.” Alberta cares for Rose, no matter how steadfast she was in her duty.
Rose was the epitome of poised, confident, brave. He had never doubted her capabilities, nor would he ever bet against her. She was lethal, but when her eyes met his all he saw was fear.
He would stop at nothing to get her cleared, he would rip the clouds from the sky and blanket the whole world with darkness if it meant saving her. Saints be damned.