Madi awoke with a smile on her face, Dimitri's body still atop hers. A content sigh pushed past her lips before she pressed them to the top of his head, fingertips lazily moving along his spine.
And then, an explosion of sound as the door flew open. Madi watched in horror as an enraged Karl walked through the door, his eyes glued to the scene before him. She tried to scream, but her vocal chords seemed frozen by her fear. She tried to shake Dimitri awake, but she couldn't move.
He walked over slowly, looking over her, she could see him turning over what he viewed in his head.
"Look at you, whore. Pressed underneath some boy whose prettier than you are," He laughed that condescending laugh she knew so well, the one that pre-empted an outburst. "I don't know what's worse, the fact you're dumb enough to believe he wants you, or the fact that you thought I wouldn't find out."
She wanted to run, or scream. She wanted to be brave and pummel him, but she was frozen to the spot. Tears streamed down her cheeks as Karl revealed the revolver, cocking it, and then the sound of the bullet being freed ripped through her ear drums. She screamed, struggling to move, but something held her in place.
Dimitri woke to a scream and Madi's thrashing. He sat up quickly, freeing her movement before shaking her awake. Eyes went wide, falling on him before she burst into tears, arms flying wildly around his waist.
He wished he had been surprised. A strange thought, wishing that something had been surprising. His arms encircled her readily, rocking her softly. Too many times had Madi's nightmares woken them both, causing perfectly beautiful situations to spiral into chaos. "Shhhh... you're okay, baby." He always tried his best to be soothing, though he was beginning to wonder if he was capable of helping her by himself. She needed more, but what?
"No... no.. Dimitri....he, he...he..." Her hands were searching his torso, and then her head lifted to look into his face, "you're..you're okay." There was an odd mix of relief and surprise in her eyes.
He chuckled, he couldn't help it. His lips fell to kiss her forehead, "Of course I'm okay. In fact, I'm wonderful, except having the most perfect nap of my life disturbed."
He caught the guilt in her eyes as her face fell. She was wearing thin on him, or maybe she had finally given him what he wanted. The thought bounced around in her head, echoing inbetween her ears. SHe could feel the tears forming as strong fingers lifted her chin.
"Whatever you're thinking, stop it. Now." His eyes were fixed on hers, his voice demanding. "You are wonderful, and beautiful, and that was a bad joke." She nodded, letting him kiss her softly before she lay down with her head on his thigh. He sighed, stroking her hair softly and leaning back against the headboard and shutting his eyes. His patience was beginning to wear. Not so much in terms of the nightmares, more in terms of her insecurity. He couldn't understand why she couldn't believe him. Even with everything she'd been through, didn't his endless tolerance, all his attempts at being as perfect as possible, didn't they have any effect at all?
"Dimitri?" The tiniest of her voice barely pushed its way through the sea of thoughts that had overtaken his mind.
"Yes?" He sighed, still petting her head, twisting her curls.