Wrote this because I just finished The Golden Lily and I need something to tide me over until I get the rest of the series.

Disclaimer: I don't own Vampire Academy, Bloodlines, or their characters.

"Your aura is so bright today, Sydney," Sonya says. "What's going on?"

I shrug. "Nothing, really."

"Well, it almost matches the walls," she remarks casually.

I freeze, and slowly turn to look at the wall behind me. Adrian said he painted them that color because it was his favorite. His car is the same color. So is my aura, apparently.

How could I have not noticed this?

"Adrian?" I ask nervously, abruptly standing up from my spot on his plaid couch. "Can I talk to you alone for a second?"

He glances at me slowly, a haunted look in his eyes. Ever since I freaked out after he kissed me and the screamed at him that we couldn't be together, he always has that look on his face when he talked to me. It was horrible. It's not that I wouldn't want to be with him. Alchemists and vampires do not mix, and I'm dedicated to my work. If, God forbid, I was a vampire, I'd totally go for him. "sure," he says dully, following me into the kitchen.

"Why are your walls yellow?"

He frowns. "Spirit is dark sometimes. Yellow's cheery. It makes me feel better."

"When I ask for the reason, Adrian, I mean the real reason."

He sets his jaw. "That is the real reason, Melrose."

I frown. "Look," I say quietly. "I'm not condemning you or anything. I won't judge your reasons. I just want to know why. And please, don't call me that."

"Yellow makes me feel better. It's pretty."

"Please, Adrian," I say, trying not to sound like I'm begging. "The real reason."

He groans and rolls his eyes, leaning against the kitchen counter. "Back before you… you know." His gaze turns to the floor. "If you stood up, your aura was the same color as the walls, so it blended in."

"So?"

"So that way, if I was sober, I could only see your face, instead of your face being surrounded by yellow light."

I scoff. "Why would you only want to see my face?"

"Why wouldn't I?" he asks quietly. "You're beautiful."

This time, it's me who looks down at the ground. "Look, I'm not-"

"Stop," he says forcefully. The boldness in his voice makes me look back up at him in surprise. "Stop degrading yourself. You don't deserve that."

I say nothing, only stare at him.

And all of a sudden, I'm kissing him. He stiffens when my arms go around his neck, obviously surprised, but he doesn't push me back. He relaxes and loops his arms around my waist, pulling me closer.

It's just like last time. Sort of like fire and ice fighting within my body. I stop thinking about everything for a few seconds. And it feels great.

Until my brain starts working again.

What the hell am I doing?

I quickly step back. "Right," I say, collecting myself and trying not to blush but failing epically. "Sorry."

He grins lazily. "Don't be." He looks at me. "You're glowing. Your aura is really bright."

I cough. "I'm just going to…" I can feel myself turning red. "Bye."

After about ten seconds, Adrian follows me back into the living room. Sonya looks up at us as we walk in.

She looks back down at her book, but then does a double take. "Sydney, where's your aura?" she asks, looking stricken.

"It's not there?" I ask, confused.

"Wait…" she squints. "Nevermind, it's there."

"What happened?" I ask, frowning.

"Nothing. I couldn't see it at first because it blended in with the wall so well. They're the exact same color."

I smile weakly and glance at Adrian, who smirks slightly. His eyes meet mine for five seconds, before he winks and looks back down at the floor.