Russian Sleep Arrangements

Travelling to Russia was an odd experience for Dimitri. The concept of being so far away from where he had lived forever was strange to him. But when Dominika had asked him how he would feel about attending her family reunion with her, he hadn't once questioned if he was willing. He wanted to be there for her. He never wanted her to have to face home again alone. He wasn't sure how to feel about her mother, she seemed like somewhere she had a good heart, but he couldn't forgive that she allowed the monster to remain in the house. He knew, he truly and utterly hated Dominika's step father. He wasn't sure how he would sleep under the same roof as him, but he wouldn't dare leave Dominika under the same roof with him. He knew she could take care of herself, but it didn't mean she had to.

The country was strange. The culture was different, and so was the language. Dimitri had heard intensely little English, and most of it had been from Dominika. Listening to her speak in Russian was so interesting, she spoke without a flaw, though, it was to be expected as it was her first language. When they had reached her house, Dimitri could sense how hard this was for her. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze, he was glad their hands were together. He knew she was softer around him, he just wasn't sure if that would help her or hurt her today. Either way, he would make sure she was taken care of. She would make sure the same for him. "It's gonna be okay." Dimitri whispered to her, though the door opened a moment after.

The woman who appeared was, unmistakably, Dominika's mother. Her features were so identical, Dimitri wondered if anyone had mistaken them for sisters. Though, Dominika would be the more beautiful of the two. Her head-strong personality was welcome, in a way, it made him feel more welcome in their home. He wondered why she had heckled Dominika over her hair, after all, hers was up. Dimitri agreed though, Dominika had a beautiful head of hair. He'd never ask her to change how she wanted to wear it, but he certainly wouldn't mind seeing it down all the time.

He hugged her mother back when she hugged him, it would be rude to deny a welcome tradition. He could feel the pink rise to his cheeks while she complimented him. Normally it wouldn't be anything he would pay special attention to, however, the approval was important to him in this case. Her hair was still vibrant, it reminded him of his own mom's hair rather than Dominika's hair. It was bittersweet, but Dominika's hand in his kept him reassured. He was still happy to be alive. "Thank you for welcomin' me into your home, Mrs. Orlov. It's great to meet'ya, Dominika has told me so much about you." Dimitri replied. He'd been tempted to call her Anya, but he'd always treated parents and adults otherwise with strict respect.

Dimitri gave Dominika a welcoming smile when she mouthed sorry. There was nothing for her to be sorry over. It hurt him a sting when Viktoria wasn't welcoming of him. He wanted Dominika's family to like him, but he shrugged it off, she was still a child. He gave her a smile. He was going to greet her, though, before he was able to speak, Anya spoke again. "My dad always said coffee after 6'in the mornin' would only serve to build up unneeded tolerance." Dimitri said, his tone light. He wanted to build up a steady foundation with Dominika's mother. "It's very kind've you to offer, I'd love some water." Dimitri looked to Dominika, he could see her cheeks were red. "Y'know, y'look cute when you're blushin' right?" He whispered.

He'd taken the water from Dominika's mother, it was absolutely rude to turn down something from a host, and he'd basically asked for it anyway. "Thank you very much, Mrs. Orlov." Dimitri displayed his gratitude, though he wasn't so sure if customs were the same in Russia as they would have been back home. He took a sip of the water, and somehow, even the water tasted different. A tiny little swirl momentarily appeared in the bottom, just to reassure him. Water was still water.

He'd lost himself for the moment, eyeing Dominika look at the pictures while sipping on a juice box. A frown formed on his face in the moment, it wasn't very hard to tell what she was thinking about. He did the same thing before with his parent's old photo album. Still, he couldn't help but consider what she was feeling in the moment. He'd gone back and forth in the past with his relationship with Dominika. Even now, he wasn't sure if it was such a good thing for him to be softening her up. He had these thoughts, but they weren't doubts, as the only thing he was certain of was that he would never be a just a caretaker or just a friend with Dominika again. There was a lot of things he'd seen and faced, but he couldn't face the daughter of Jupiter without hearts in his eyes. It simply wasn't a possibility.

That's when, in his peripherals, he caught sight of him for the first time. Dimitri knew the second he saw him, that was him. His manners flew out the door immediately. His gaze changed, his head tilted and his stare became deadly. He hadn't had any bloodthirsty since the night at the hotel. Their cool skin snuggled together under warm blankets while they slept, it was like Dominika had remedied an infection within him. Looking at this monster now though, Dimitri had the same instinct he did with the other monster. As with the other monsters in the world, he didn't get to live after what he did.

Only moments passed, and Dimitri was lead away by Dominika. He followed her, with hesitation. Until he was fully out of the room, he glared at the man, his eyes fueled by intense heat and fire. He slowly began to resurface once they'd left the room, Dominika's hug and kiss made it a lot easier. He paused and simply looked at her. In the moment he noticed all of the fine detail in her features. He leaned in and kissed her slowly one more time after her. "I want to go back too." Dimitri admitted. The world was so vile and ugly. All he wanted was a small room for him and Dominika to share. He put his hands on her shoulders and made eye contact with her. "You know I love you. If you want him gone, say the word. And you won't see him again after tonight."

Seeing Dominika the way she was hurt him. There was a lot he could do to protect her. He could shield her from impacts, he could beat cyclopes to death, and he could shield her from the storms when Jupiter called for them. But, when it came to what happened to her as a child, he was absolutely powerless to help her. It tore his heart out to know that no matter what he did, he could never fix this. He could never ever take back what he had done to her.

He could just kill that thing, there was nothing that could stop him if he went for it. He knew he was stronger than that monster, and even if he wouldn't turn into golden dust, Dimitri knew he would be doing the world a favor. It didn't break his heart knowing he'd be taking someone's husband from them. He could handle Anya hating him if that's what it took. But, he knew a little girl would grow up without a father. Even still, maybe it was for the best. Heaven forbid he passed on his vile lifestyle to his daughter. He didn't contribute to his people. He didn't contribute to his family. Nobody would miss him for any real reason.

He had a true fear for the first time since they had gotten back together. He imagined her pushing him away if he touched her, and the thought made his heart sink. It wouldn't be her fault, though, and Dimitri took a deep breath. He couldn't not do something because it was scary. He slowly approached her, and sat next to her, and then wrapped his arms around her in a hug. "I'm sorry. I love you. I'm sorry. I love you." Dimitri gently whispered. He repeated those two phrases over and over, in gentle tones. Unless she told him to stop or pushed him away.