Ch. 4

Hey guys! My midterms are finally done! Yay! I didn't do as hot on them as I'd have wanted, but I know I'll do better next time… But, now I have time to update my story! I hope you're all enjoying it!

Onto to the chapter! (I don't own Vampire Academy… *sobbing*)

"So, tell me, what stupid romance move are you going to show me today?"

Dimitri cast a sideways glance at the moroi, "And, did you or did you not have fun with Vasilisa last night after dinner?"

"We made out, but nothing sexy happened because she needed to be up early yesterday," The two were making their way through the shopping district near the southern part of Court. Christian decided that he was going to find Lissa the perfect necklace for the Winter Ball. Since Lissa didn't have nearly enough hours in the day to find a gown, let alone any accessories. So Christian, being the loving and sexually deprived boyfriend he is, decided to go out, in the middle of winter, to find her a necklace.

Dimitri scrunched his forehead, "You two just need to plan a weekend to yourselves. There's no need to go out of your way to get something as simple as a necklace. Why drag me into this again?"

"Because… You and Rose have mind-blowing sex," A woman with a young boy scowled at Christian, but he didn't seem to notice, "…and I want something like that too." Dimitri nodded in apology at the young woman. She huffed, placing her hands over the boy's ears, and ushered him off down to another booth.

"Chris, please don't say that out loud. It's bad enough that you know. I don't want all of Court to know it as well." Christian muttered under his breath and stopped at one of the booths on the corner of the street, right near a bustling café where you could smell coffee and fresh bread wafting through the streets. Dimitri's stomach growled.

Christian laughed at Dimitri's red face, "Go on, I'll be fine here by myself for ten minutes."

Dimitri gave him a small smile and quickly passed through the doorway into the coffee shop. He imagined how much Rose would love this place. The soft lights highlighted the wooden decorations. Plush floor rugs covered the slippery hardwood floors. A strange smell of peppermint mixed in with the smell of coffee.

A jolly man at the counter welcomed Dimitri in. His nose was as red as fresh cherries and deep brown eyes lit up as Dimitri came closer to order his coffee.

Dimitri rubbed his chilled hands together, "Could I please get a small coffee and a roll, please? To go, if you can. I have to get back to my moroi."

Booming laughter escaped the man's lips, "O' course, o' course! Please sit down while I get ye' your steaming cup o' joe." Dimitri thanked him and sat down on the rickety stool, freezing as the stool moaned in discomfort.

A few minutes later, the man came back with a hot coffee in a small Styrofoam cup, "Here you go, young man." He handed Dimitri his coffee and a warm, doughy bread roll. As Dimitri dug into his pockets to pay, he man shook his head, "It's on the house. Any man willin' to risk his life for others don't need to hassle with payin' in my shop, Guardian Belikov."

Dimitri gave the man a warm smile, "I try my best. Thank you for the meal, but the next time I stop by I'm paying."

Christian was waiting outside when Dimitri left the shop, "Finally! C'mon Belikov, I've got a necklace to find."

They walked around for the next hour before Dimitri pulled him aside. The snow was beginning to chill their bones from constantly walking around the venders. When Christian's teeth began to chatter, Dimitri decided that they needed to stop for the day, "You'll find it tomorrow."

At the palace steps, Dimitri motioned for Christian to get inside. They sat across from each other from to adjacent armchairs by one of the palace's many fire places. Any wet snow-covered clothes hung up near the doorway. The fire was the only source of light, and heat.

"So," Dimitri said, "I've decided what you should do for Lissa tonight."

Christian blinked. He thought that the dhampir was done giving advice, not that it was any good. He thought that he would have to beg Dimitri to give up his love life secrets, but no, the man was willingly going to give him advice. Christian sat up straighter in his seat, "Yes, go on."

Dimitri smirked at him, "I can see you're eager." He stood up from his warm armchair to take a seat closer to Christian, "Compliment her."

"I do," Christian crossed his arms, "Thanks for the advice."

"Maybe you do once in a while, but I'm thinking at least five times a day. Something small like, 'Your hair looks nice' or, more simply, 'You're beautiful,' but you have to mean it. I thought about it when I went into the coffee shop and how nice the owner was, how special he made me feel to be a Guardian."

"Wow, that's kind of girly and Belikov's B&B moves aren't exactly what I'd hope they'd be." Christian said.

"My 'B and B' moves?"

"Boobs and Booty moves. That's what I've dubbed this 'advice' you've been giving me. B&B so that Rose and Lissa don't catch on. It makes it seem like it's a bed and breakfast." Christian's fingers laced behind his head.

Dimitri's head was spinning, "Oh god, Chris," He was doomed, "You can't just say shit like that! If anyone finds out that I've been neglecting duties to help you with this B&B shit, then Hans is going to kill me and no one would take me seriously! My reputation relies on my diligence and ability to protect people… Not to teach you that."

"Well, I guess you better start using the code words, Belikov. Don't want Rose to find out about all this, let alone anyone else. I'll try out your compliment trick and update you tomorrow." Christian winked at him, "If you start upping the advice, then this will be over so much sooner."

Okay so next chapter you'll get to see more of Christian and Lissa on their own! Christian has to try out this "compliment" thing that Dimitri told him to do…

But, I hoped you liked it! Wrote it just now since I haven't updated since before midterms.

Hope you all had a great weekend!

-Holly