Chapter Text
After hearing Dimitri’s stomach rumble for the fourth or fifth time, Maria reluctantly allows him to ring for a servant to bring them a tray of cakes and sweets, and a steaming chocolate pot.
Neither one of them has deigned to leave Dimitri’s bed, so Uliana places the tray on a table near Maria. She quits the room at Maria’s impatient gesture of dismissal.
“Stupid girl thought she could catch a glimpse of you,” Maria says, landing an affectionate smack on his bottom.
Dimitri blushes to the roots of his curly hair.
Maria sits up and occupies herself with examining the tray, while Dimitri settles his head comfortably in her lap.
Maria pinches off a bit of cake and holds it to his mouth. “Eat, Dimitri.”
He opens his mouth like a baby bird and lets Maria feed him. Her slim fingers are cool in his warm mouth, and he licks the sticky, sweet crumbs from her fingers.
Maria smiles down at him. “You’re like a little puppy.”
Dimitri snuggles closer to her. It’s nice being treated like Maria’s pet.
Maria runs her other hand through his curls. “My sweet boy.”
Dimitri sighs happily and opens his mouth again.
Maria giggles. “You’re going to get spoiled.”
“It was your idea,” he reminds her, frowning.
She strokes his cheek. “Don’t pout, puppy. You’ll get wrinkles.” Maria’s stomach rumbles loudly.
“You’re hungry,” he accuses.
“Ladies aren’t supposed to get hungry,” Maria says crossly.
Dimitri rolls his eyes. “So you’re just going to die because that’s the one rule being a proper aristocrat that you’re going to follow?”
Maria sticks out her tongue at him. “You’re horrid, Dimitri Sanin.”
“We’d better eat, Maria,” he says. “After today we won’t be able to get sweets for weeks.”
Maria sighs, resigned, and picks up a little cake dusted with sugar. She takes a huge bite. “Happy?” she mutters, spraying crumbs everywhere.
“Ugh, Maria!” Dimitri groans.
Maria chews and swallows her cake, smiling merrily at him.
He reaches out for the tray, but Maria bats his hand away.
“Let me feed you.”
Dimitri’s cheeks flush.
Maria bends over him, her golden curls falling like a curtain. “Please Dimitri?” she wheedles, her breath warm on his face. She presses her index finger against his mouth.
Dimitri’s lips part. “Maria,” he murmurs.
“Be a good boy,” she orders, but gently.
He opens his mouth wider and Maria slips one finger inside.
“Suck,” she orders.
He closes his lips, tasting sugar and cake crumbs.
Maria strokes his cheek. “Good boy.” She smiles beatifically. “Do you want some more?”
He nods and then opens his mouth. “Please.”
Maria breaks off another piece of cake and holds it out to him.
He takes the pastry from her fingers with his mouth like a tamed animal.