chapter 7 : the confession

Dimitri awoke to the warmth of Anya beside him. The morning light streamed through the window, illuminating the peaceful scene. After a moment of comfortable silence, Dimitri spoke, his voice soft yet filled with a newfound confidence. "Anya," he began, "I love you. I know this isn't the most romantic setting, or the most eloquent way to say it, but I can't keep it bottled up anymore. I've liked you for a while now." He paused, a hint of nervousness in his eyes. "It's okay if you don't feel the same way. We can go back to normal. But I needed to tell you."

Anya, her cheeks flushed, met his gaze. Her response was hesitant, a soft murmur rather than a confident declaration. "I… I like you too, Dimitri," she admitted, a shy smile playing on her lips. The admission was heartfelt, even if it lacked the same bold confidence as Dimitri's confession.

Their eyes locked, the unspoken emotions between them palpable. Leaning in, they shared a tender kiss, a confirmation of the feelings that had simmered beneath the surface for so long. Pulling back slightly, Anya smiled, a hint of breathlessness in her voice. "You're a good kisser," she whispered, her cheeks flushed a deeper crimson.A few days later, Dimitri approached Anya with a mix of excitement and a healthy dose of nervousness in his eyes. "My next match is against Real Madrid," he announced, his voice a blend of awe and apprehension. "It's my first ever European match—a massive, seriously huge deal. And...I was wondering… would you come with me to Spain?"

Anya smiled, a warmth spreading through her chest. "Of course, I'll be there," she replied, her voice filled with unwavering support and affection. The prospect of watching him play against such a legendary team, and sharing the experience with him, filled her with a mix of excitement and pride.

Later, they packed their bags, the air buzzing with a mixture of excitement and anticipation. The journey to Spain was punctuated by stolen glances and shared smiles, a comfortable silence that underscored the depth of their growing connection. The trip itself almost faded into the background, overshadowed by the shared anticipation and the strengthening bond between them.Dimitri arrived at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, the atmosphere electric with anticipation. The match against Real Madrid was a whirlwind. Dimitri, playing with both skill and passion, scored a hat-trick, putting his team ahead. However, the joy was short-lived. A reckless tackle by Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos left Dimitri with a serious injury, forcing him to leave the pitch. The stadium fell silent, the sudden shift in momentum palpable. Liverpool, despite Dimitri's early heroics, eventually lost the match 5-3, conceding five goals after Dimitri's departure. The defeat was a bitter pill to swallow, especially given the circumstances. Dimitri was heartbroken, the weight of the loss and his injury heavy on his shoulders.

Anya, ever supportive, offered comfort and reassurance. She knew how much this match meant to him, and she did her best to ease his disappointment. The next match, a rematch scheduled for a few months later, loomed large, casting a shadow over Dimitri. The pressure was immense; a poor performance would result in significant backlash from fans and critics alike. Seeing his distress, Anya gently took his hand. "It won't happen, Dimitri," she reassured him, her voice calm and steady. "You're a great player, a great leader. You'll come back stronger. I have faith in you."Following the injury, Anya became Dimitri's unwavering caregiver. Each day, she brought an abundance of nourishing food to the hospital, carefully chosen to aid his recovery. She also brought him flowers, small gestures that brightened his spirits and eased the monotony of his confinement. Dimitri found immense comfort in her unwavering presence, the simple acts of kindness bringing him genuine joy.

One afternoon, as Anya sat beside his bed, a comfortable silence settling between them, she spoke, her voice filled with a deep affection that left no room for doubt. "Dimitri," she began, her tone sincere and heartfelt, "do you know how much I love you? But… I know our relationship isn't conventional. It's not the typical boy-meets-girl story."

Dimitri, his gaze soft and loving, reached for her hand. "Sometimes," he said, his voice gentle, "you have to defy convention. Norms are just guidelines, not rules. We're not doing anything wrong; we're just… us."Gathering his courage, Dimitri finally voiced the question that had been weighing on his mind. "Anya," he began, his voice hushed yet firm, "you… you resent me, don't you? For everything that's happened?"

Anya hesitated, the question stirring up a complex mix of emotions within her. The path they'd taken had been unconventional, fraught with challenges, and filled with both joy and sorrow. "I… I don't know," she admitted, her voice barely a whisper. The uncertainty in her tone hinted at the depth of her conflicting feelings.

Dimitri reached for her hand, his touch gentle yet reassuring. "Everything you've lost," he said, his gaze unwavering, "I'll give back tenfold. All the happiness you've missed, all the joy you deserve—I'll make sure you have it. Anya, I want to be with you. I want to be your haven, your refuge, your forgiveness for all the hurt you've experienced in your life.Anya replied, her voice laced with sadness, "That's a lot to ask, Dimitri. It really is. But… I believe in you. I truly do. I think… I think you might be the one I've been waiting for." She hesitated, her eyes downcast. "But… I'm married. I can't just… leave. It's not that simple. You deserve better than that."

Dimitri's response was immediate, his tone serious and laced with a touch of anger. "How dare you say that? I don't deserve better than this. You are infinitely better than anything I could ever hope for, and I will prove it to you every day."

Anya's heart was touched, her cheeks flushing crimson. Tears welled in her eyes—tears not of sadness, but of overwhelming joy and relief. "Then," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion, "I'll be with you, Dimitri. I'll be your biggest supporter in the world."

Dimitri smiled, his eyes softening. "That's a lot," he admitted, his voice gentler now. "But honestly, Anya… I don't need you to be my biggest supporter in the world. I just need you to be my supporter. Just… be with me."