"You can't just never tell them." I told him sternly. I understood he was hurting, but so was his family. "They're grieving you."

He looked down, shoulders hunched. This was an almost too familiar arguments as the holidays approached. I saw what not having his family around him did to Dimitri.

His tortured expression brought a couple of notes from an almost-forgotten melody floating through my head. The song Denis had composed with much of my help while I was hunting with him.

Though I never met you

And we spoke not a word

"Roza." He sighed softly, closing his eyes – whether in pain or from the onslaught of memories, I wasn't sure.

"You know, Cradle Robber, she's right." The smell of booze and clover cigarettes wafted into the room before the green-eyed moroi made his appearance, walking right into the apartment using the spare key.

I will never forget you

Through stories I have heard

"What are you doing here, Adrian?" Dimitri asked coldly, slamming his guardian mask back in place.

"Showing you what you need to go back to." He said, lunging forward and grasping both of our hands.

For you unknown brother

For you

And then, much like a spirit dream we found ourselves in the Belikovs' living room, one year ago. The scene was all too familiar to me – it was moments after I'd told them their son and brother was dead, and Adrian was nowhere in sight.

"Roza?" Dimitri asked, confused, fists still clenched at a now-departed Adrian. "What's going on?"

"I'm not sure. Feels like a spirit dream. This actually happened, though." I said, with a light shudder.

Surprise rose in his eyes as he realized what we were watching as he turned to survey the room.

We looked at everyone's shocked and grief-filled faces, and I grabbed his hand, squeezing it tightly as I felt a tremble run through him. We simply stood there in shocked silence until the room blurred slightly. When it came back into focus we found a different scene in front of us.

For you unknown brother

I bear this mother's pain

Because your soul is in heaven

But your memory remains

Denis and I sat in a hotel room – him playing riffs on the guitar while I crossed out lyric after not-quite-right lyric. Dimitri and I watched as Denis and my past self looked up at each other with sorrow-filled eyes, and Denis opened his arms to old-me.

In the present, Dimitri wrapped his arms around my waist, drawing comfort just as much as he was giving it.

Unknown, unknown brother

I will meet you someday

Unknown, unknown brother

We will walk through fields where children play

"Roza!" Shrieked Paul, running through the backyard to tackle me in a hug. I saw the yearning in Dimitri's eyes as he bit his lower lip.

In the memory, I caught Paul, swinging him around while Zoya giggled with wild abandon. I remembered that day – pushing down my own grief for a brief moment of reckless abandon with the children.

Your eyes shined bright

When you were a kid

Vikka and I sat, huddled on a couch in the dead of winter, as she told story after story of their childhood. Smiling through her tears, she closed her eyes as I reached out to her.

Your sisters loved you

And all that you did

Karo and Sonja joined us, Karolina wrapping an arm around my shoulders. All of us took solace in one another for a moment. Remembering Dimitri.

Big brother, big brother

Viktoria looked up, and when Dimitri saw the tears streaking down his face his arms tightened around my waist. Looking away, his face appeared almost ashamed.

Do not worry a bit

Your flame has not faded

Since the day it was lit

But the next moment, Viktoria looked up and laughed as Karolina recounted the time they dressed Dimitri up as a bride. The tears on all of our faces remained, but we were laughing.

Your life

Was joy

Your mama's

Only boy

Olena was sat, silent tears dripping down her face, her face composed into such grief I felt I was intruding on a private moment. Her hands were trembling as she lowered her head into her hands, and her shoulders began shaking with sobs soon after.

Dimitri, tortured, reached out toward her, as if to comfort her, but his hands went right through her – as if she was not truly there.

In her hands she gripped a worn duster – it was apparent whoever had owned it had used it well for many years.

And when the skies

Are blue

Big brother

They are blue for you

Dimitri's funeral came into focus, the masses of his village gathered, listening to me recounting his life. Dimitri simply looked on in awe at the tens of people milling in his yard, and I saw recognition and longing spark in his eyes at the sight of some.

We will smile like pictures

Of you as a boy

After a few moments it proved too much for Dimitri. He turned and embraced me, burying his face in my neck.

"Let's go to Baia."

Long before you retired

To heavenly joy

To heavenly joy

A/N: Sorry I have been on hiatus so long! If you liked this one-shot please favorite and review. :)