Did you miss me? Sorry for disappearing for so long. I got sick, and then college started, so I had to focus on my acads. But I'll still try to update once per week. Now, please enjoy the company of our beloved Dimitri.

As an assassin, Dimitri must maintain good health and an excellent constitution. So despite his multitude of activities, he wakes up early and trains several hours a day to improve his strength and fitness. He would run several laps on a set course, test his strength and flexibility in the gym, and hone his combat skills with several coaches to train him. He wanted to do all of that but with his girlfriend who was half willing to go with him due to her excessive love for her sleep.

Dimitri asked her to accompany him to his mourning route and she agreed for some strange reason still unknown to her. She instantly regretted her decision as she gasped for breath, trying (and failing) to catch up to Dimitri, who was running a few meters ahead of her. She knew that even then he was holding back to allow her to follow.

Despite being ahead, he always ensures that she's safe; he monitors their surroundings and identifies possible hazards that could potentially harm her. He's protective in the best way possible.

(Y/n) stopped to catch her breath and

"Dimitri, you go ahead and do your thing. I'm just gonna sleep here on the park bench and make a note to myself never to run with you again." (Y/n) finally collapsed on a bench, tiredness and sleepiness weakening her resolve. "I should have stayed in bed. I'll never let you trick me again into working out. Improve my health my ass. All this exercising is going to kill me."

Dimitri immediately stopped and went beside her, encouraging her to continue. "Come on, darling. Just three more laps. It's good for you."

(Y/n) glared at him like a child about to throw a tantrum. "I don't wanna. We should be drinking tea on our counter instead of running in frigid weather."

"It's not that cold."

"Let's be honest Dimitri, you're Russian. Winter is in your blood; a snowman would shiver if it met you. I'm a sweet summer child meant for bikini parties and lazying indoors."

"Okay, princess, just one more lap and then let's head back."

"I can't wait for you to go to Sweden... I feel like I'm being punished for being straight. If I became a fully pledged lesbian, this wouldn't be happening to me. I would be back at home cuddling with my lesbian GF. You're losing me to my hypothetical girlfriend, Dimitri. You're losing me." she repeated adding emphasis to prove her point.

"Must you really say that to me? You know it breaks my heart when you say things like that." Dimitri feigned sadness which she rolled her eyes at.

"Your heart is made of ice. I doubt simple insults could break it."

"Fine, if you'll be like that I will have no choice but to do this to you." Dimitri's face turned blank as he approached her ominously. (Y/n)'s eyes widened, fear gripping her heart.

"Dimitri, what are you planning?"

Dimitri continued with five more laps while he carried (Y/n) behind his back who was more than happy to rest over his shoulders. She had so much fun giving him commands in High Valerian as if he was a dragon and she was his noble rider.

"Dohaeris, Dimitri! Dracarys!"

"Rawr!" he roared, playing along, making her giggle. People gave them odd looks but they simply brushed them off and enjoyed their little jog.

🌹

Once Dimitri had finished his course, they headed straight to the state-of-the-art indoor gym at Paragon. It was a sprawling complex designed to cater to every possible need of elite assassins. While Dimitri gravitated toward the bench press to work on his strength, (Y/n) made her way to the archery range, a personal request she had made when the gym was renovated.

The range was connected to the combat training area, where multiple assassins were sparring. (Y/n) casually observed as they displayed their deadly skills. Each assassin had a distinct fighting style, their martial preferences reflecting years of disciplined training. There was a certain artistry in their movements—each strike calculated for maximum impact with minimum exertion, a deadly dance that held her in awe.

She focused on one particular pair: a dainty woman skillfully locking her much larger opponent in a painful coil. It was impressive how she managed to hold such a massive man at bay using sheer technique. (Y/n) felt a flicker of envy, wishing she could master such moves, though she knew she was far from that level of combat expertise.

Her eyes then wandered to another duel—this one more intense. A tall, muscular man with raven-black hair and dark, almost soulless eyes was engaged in hand-to-hand combat. His movements were a stark contrast to the earlier pair—brutal and filled with a controlled bloodlust that made every strike sharp and precise. His opponent was forced onto the defensive, barely able to mount any offense. The man’s attacks were relentless, each one aimed at vital points, though he carefully measured his strength to avoid a fatal blow. Finally, with a swift and decisive kick, he knocked his opponent to the ground, ending the bout.

(Y/n) knew this man. Thanatos, the most ruthless assassin within Frost Bringer. His strength and brutality were legendary.

Their eyes met briefly, and Thanatos smirked, sending her a cocky wink. (Y/n)’s face remained impassive as she returned her focus to her bow and arrow.

“Don’t let Dimitri catch you watching someone else. He might just start a crusade against everyone here,” a familiar voice quipped from behind, startling (Y/n). Her arrow missed the target entirely. She frowned at the miss but turned to the source of the voice, finding herself facing two striking women.

“Hello, (Y/n),” Nyx greeted with an amicable smile, approaching with her girlfriend, Hecate, who wore her usual poker face.

“Hi, how are you?” (Y/n) replied, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

“Good.”

Standing together, Nyx and Hecate looked like the embodiment of day and night. Nyx’s golden blonde hair and lightly tanned skin contrasted sharply with Hecate’s dark plum hair and pale, moonlit complexion.

“Could we join you? LR 936 already showed us the basics, but we’d love to learn more,” Nyx asked.

“Of course, I’d be happy to teach you,” (Y/n) responded warmly.

She began by orienting them on the dos and don’ts of archery, guiding them through the nuances of maintaining ideal tension on the bow, properly nocking an arrow, aiming, and releasing with the precision of Artemis herself. Despite their initial awkwardness, Nyx and Hecate gradually improved, their shots becoming more accurate with each attempt.

“You’re good at this, Nyx. With a bit more practice, you might even surpass me,” (Y/n) praised, smiling at her.

“Thanks, but it’s because you’re such a good teacher,” Nyx responded with a grin.

“You might not know this, but Nyx is Frost Bringer’s best marksman. Her shot is unmatched, whether at long or short range. Maybe even better than Aidoneus, but don’t tell him I said that,” Hecate added with a rare hint of mischief.

“Too late. Now you’ve given me blackmail material,” (Y/n) teased, eliciting laughter from the trio. She then turned back to her target, releasing an arrow that struck the bull’s-eye, earning applause from Nyx and Hecate.

“So, mind telling me the real reason you approached me? I doubt you’re here just for archery lessons,” (Y/n) asked, her tone light but curious.

Nyx and Hecate exchanged a glance before Hecate spoke up. “We know you’re attending the Morozov banquet soon, and we’re concerned. We’ve met Dimitri’s family... and the way they treat women is concerning, especially those who aren’t Morozovs by blood.”

“Malcolm, in particular, is very old-fashioned. He sees women as nothing more than objects of desire and tools for reproduction. A woman like you, who has ambitions beyond motherhood and being a devoted wife to Dimitri, might face some hostility,” Nyx added, her expression serious.

“I see. Thank you for the warning. I’ll try not to take offense, but I trust Dimitri will handle things if it comes to that. And I won’t let anyone walk all over me,” (Y/n) assured them, though a shadow of concern flickered in her eyes.

“We know you’re strong, (Y/n), but his world is dangerous, especially for women like us. The Morozov men are used to getting whatever they want. And with Dimitri being the favorite son, they might try to provoke him by targeting you,” Nyx explained, her voice tinged with worry.

“That’s possible. Do you have any suggestions?” (Y/n) asked, genuinely curious.

“Never leave Dimitri’s side, and avoid talking to any man,” Nyx advised.

“And maybe carry a gun strapped to your leg,” Hecate added nonchalantly, earning a sharp glare from Nyx.

“Hecate!” Nyx scolded.

“It’s a sensible precaution. If she has to kill a Morozov, Dimitri can help hide the body,” Hecate replied with a smirk.

“I don’t think I’d go that far,” (Y/n) said with a small laugh.

“Oh, chéri, it’s better to be the criminal than the victim,” Hecate retorted, her tone half-joking, half-serious.

"Okay, fine. That's actually quite sensible." admitted (Y/n).

"Hello, my love. What are you talking about with my friends?" Dimitri asked as he hugged her from behind.

"Nothing," Nyx answered.

"Murder." was (Y/n)'s response.

"Shooting your relatives," answered Hecate.

They all looked at each other when they realized they answered in unison making Dimitri look at them with suspicion. Despite that, he didn't push any further.

"Sounds fun. But I'll have to steal my girlfriend for a bit."

"You're hungry aren't you?"

"Very much. Yes. Let's go get some breakfast."

(Y/n) thanked Nyx and Hecate for their companion and they bid their farewell to the couple. Dimitri guided her back to his penthouse but not before claiming her lips in the elevator on the way up.

🌹

"These are for me?"

Dimitri's eyes widened in surprise as he gazed at the stunning bouquet of white gladiolus and lilies of the valley that (Y/n) held out to him. After returning home from their workout, she had presented him with this beautifully arranged bouquet, each flower meticulously cultivated and arranged by her own hands. The sight left him speechless; it was something he never expected.

As a man, Dimitri had always been the one to give flowers, never to receive them. But now, standing before (Y/n) with this delicate, hand-crafted bouquet, he felt a mixture of disbelief and delight.

"Yup, boys don’t get flowers as often as girls do. So I thought, why not? Besides, Dimitri is a basic bitch; he’ll love anything I do." (Y/n) teased, a playful grin lighting up her face.

Dimitri chuckled at her remark, his heart swelling with affection. He took the flowers from her hands and opened his arms, pulling her into a warm embrace. (Y/n) melted into his hold, and he buried his face in her hair, inhaling the sweet, familiar scent that always brought him comfort.

"You're perfect, darling. I love you so much," he whispered, his voice laced with sincerity and deep devotion.

"I'll get breakfast ready. You should go ahead and take a bath. You’re the one who actually worked out between the two of us," (Y/n) suggested, gently pulling away.

"But I want to help you. Besides, we can take a bath together after we’re done cooking," Dimitri grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

He carefully placed the bouquet in a vase, setting it on the central table where he could admire it every time he passed by. Then, he followed (Y/n) to the kitchen, where they began preparing a simple breakfast of waffles, hot chocolate, and black coffee—Dimitri’s favorite, as dark as his heart, he liked to joke.

As they washed their hands and gathered the ingredients, (Y/n) broke the comfortable silence. "So, Dimitri, while you're off to Sweden, who will lead Frost Bringer?" she asked casually, stirring the batter with practiced ease.

Dimitri smirked, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Why do you ask? Do you want to take my place?"

"Nope. I’m just curious," she replied with a sly smile. "But there’s always the possibility of me usurping you. You never know once I feel like it."

(Y/n) dipped two fingers into the batter and held them up for Dimitri to taste. He caught her wrist and, with deliberate slowness, licked her fingers clean, savoring the taste while keeping his eyes locked on hers. A thrill shot through her as she licked her lips, enticing him even more.

"Delicious, it’s perfect," he murmured, releasing her hand before turning to preheat the waffle maker.

"And to answer your question," Dimitri continued, "Hecate and Nyx will take charge in my absence. They’re both incredibly skilled and capable leaders. I trust them to manage everything while I’m handling business abroad. As for you, I’ve assigned Cerberus to protect you. He’ll also be your driver."

"Dimitri, I don’t need a bodyguard. I’m perfectly fine on my own," (Y/n) protested, frowning as she poured the batter into the waffle maker.

"It’s just a precaution, darling," Dimitri replied gently. "After the Stravage incident, we can’t be too careful. It’s best to have someone watching your back while I’m not around."

"Well, I don’t want a guardian, Dimitri. I want my privacy. I don’t feel comfortable with someone constantly shadowing me like you did for the last two years."

"Privacy? You’ve never brought this up before. Why now?" Dimitri’s tone shifted, a hint of suspicion creeping in.

"It’s not a demand, Dimitri. It’s my right," (Y/n) said firmly, meeting his gaze.

"Why are you being so difficult, (Y/n)? What are you hiding? Are you planning to meet someone while I’m away?" Dimitri’s voice was sharp, the warmth from earlier moments gone.

"This is ridiculous. How could you even suggest that?" (Y/n) snapped, her patience wearing thin.

"Who is Chalk, and what order do they await?" Dimitri asked, his tone dangerously calm.

(Y/n) hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "They await my command to strike, to deliver death. That’s all."

"To whom?"

"I don’t recall asking you about the people you kill," (Y/n) retorted, her voice icy.

"You’re deflecting, which means it’s someone I know," Dimitri said, his eyes narrowing. "Is it someone who works for me? Or perhaps a member of my family?"

(Y/n) remained silent, her expression unreadable. Dimitri ran a hand through his silver hair, a dark chuckle escaping his lips. The sound sent a shiver down (Y/n)’s spine, like venom coursing through her veins.

"If that’s the case, I’ll leave you to your devices," Dimitri said, his voice laced with a cold edge. "Order the death of whoever you like. But Zolotse, you shouldn’t have provoked me."

"I am not the person you think I am, Dimitri," (Y/n) said quietly. "Sometimes I wonder if you truly love me, or just the version of me you’ve created in your head."

"Foolish (Y/n)," Dimitri said with a dark smile. "Of course, I love you as you are."

"Then I’ll tell you this. They're a Black Dahlia—the one I’m going to kill. They have been betraying me from the start. They knew the source of the evil yet did nothing. That’s all I will tell you."

"Now you speak the truth," Dimitri said, his tone softening slightly. "Very well, I’ll turn a blind eye this time. Now, let’s finish making breakfast."

The tension between them lingered as they continued their morning routine in silence, each lost in their thoughts. Yet, by the time they sat down to eat, the atmosphere lightened, and they spoke of random things, falling back into the easy rhythm of their relationship. Everything seemed perfect again.