YA Love Triangle Week: Team Adrian vs. Team Dimitri

Team Adrian vs. Team Dimitri

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Team Adrian

Team Adrian is being represented by Kari from A Good Addiction who is now taking over this post!

Adrian Ivashkov. The name alone screams sexy (and might I add it rolls of the tongue far more smoothly than Dimitri Belakov?) What’s even better? The boy behind the name? Even sexier. With Adrian, what you see is what you get. He doesn’t hide behind some overly controlled façade, where half the sexual tension that fills the room is just because the jerk won't crack. Nope. If Adrian likes what he sees, you know. And it will feel damn good when those intense green eyes rove over your body. Who wouldn’t want a hottie like this checking you out?

Sure, Dimitri may have a Russian accent… but he has to talk for you to hear it. Who do you want, ladies, a guy who hides in silence or the sardonic playboy with the lazy grin who can banter with the best of them? Banter? I thought so. Sure, he’s sarcastic and biting, but there is truth in every word Adrian speaks, it simply is with a much more amusing delivery- and every relationship needs humor. Not to mention, only Adrian can pull off saying something cheesy and corny and making it sound dead sexy.

And let’s not forget our very first introduction to Adrian. Forget the guy capturing you and dragging you back against your will to some school you don't want to go to while you strive to protect your best and only friend (I mean really, can we say creeper?). Nope. When Adrian makes his first appearance, it is with his classic wit and that sexy smirk.

“Hey Little Dhampir.” –Richelle Mead (Frostbite)

Those words were all it took for me to shove Dimitri out the door of my heart. But if that’s not enough for you, what about the fact that Adrian can visit you in your dreams? No, he isn’t just starring in them. He’s there. You can have all the sexy dreams of Dimitri you want, but when you wake in the morning, you're left just feeling frustrated and let down. But Adrian? He’ll deliver—in the dream and outside.

Okay, I know that some of Dimitri’s supposed sex appeal comes from that fact that he knows that if he were to be with her, he couldn’t do his Guardian duties well. But really, how romantic is that? The guy can't do both? You're stuck out in the cold because he can't multitask? Lame. Dimitri is all business, all the time. But Adrian? Oh, sweet, sardonic playboy Adrian. He will defy his family for you, parade you in public and not care that no one else approves because he really doesn’t care, and he’ll sit outside your bedroom door all night waiting, because you had plans but something came up and you forgot. He’ll be upset, and he’ll look like a kicked puppy with a broken leg, but he’ll forgive you. He’ll come back, and he’ll still love you.

Adrian has an addictive personality. Maybe this seems like a bad thing, but that leaves plenty of room for faults on your behalf. Admit it, we all have faults, even Adrian. But he won't hold them against you. He won't make you feel needlessly horrible about it. He won't turn his back on you. Maybe he’ll drink a little more, but face it- his drinking ways can be a bit of a turn on when he gets even mushier and sweeter than normal, not to mention it appeals to that bit of every woman who wants to fix the broken boy.

On top of that, maybe our first introductions to Adrian included a lot of alcohol, but as things progress… he lays off, until he is incredibly stressed. He self medicates with alcohol, Rose punches the crap out of things, and Dimitri… well he just walks off. Do you want the guy still there, or the guy who’s left you angry and annoyed? Besides, with Adrian, if it’s what you really want, he’ll give the vices up. For you. Because that’s how he is. And a guy that can live for you? Admit it. Totally hot. And did I mention his clove cigarettes? Think about that smell. Just the right mix of sensual and distinctive. Go anywhere, and smell that, and you’ll think of Adrian.

In addition to all that awesomeness? When you think you are really meant to be with your first love, and you have to make some crazy mission across the world to save him… Adrian will fund it. He’ll support you. He won't ask questions. He’ll just do what he can for you. Why? Because underneath the biting remarks, vices and penchant for women, Adrian is sensitive and sweet, faithful and endlessly caring. And sure, Dimitri moves to Russia after he goes all crazy evil soulless Strigoi, and there's hints that he can still love Rose… but after she saves him, what does he do? Ignore her. Maybe it could be seen as placing her first, above all… but when she falls hard, who is there to pick up the pieces? Adrian. Sure, he could be seen as a slacker, but if you’re a girl like Rose, or even me, who isn’t the kind to sit back and let some guy take care of her, then why not take a guy like Adrian, who will love you fiercely and intently, giving you control and freedom.

So what do you want? The guy drugging you with his bites and trying to bend you to his will, or the guy trying to visit you in your dreams to find where you are and help you? If you need a little more convincing, try these direct quotes on for size- the ones that speak everything that needs to be said about Adrian.

"Sweat isn't a bad thing. Some of the best things in life happen while sweating. Yeah, if you gettoo much of it and it gets old and stale, it turns pretty gross. But on a beautiful woman? Intoxicating. If you could smell things like a vampire does, you'd know what I'm talking about. Most people mess it all up and drown themselves in perfume. Perfume can be good…especially if you get one that goes with your chemistry. But you only need a hint. Mix about 20 percent of that with 80 percent of your own perspiration…mmm. Dead sexy." – Richelle Mead (Frostbite)

Adrian: "Don't worry. I told you, I'm not interested in her in that way. She doesn't look as good in a bathing suit. Probably not as good out of one either."

Rose: "Well, you'll never find out."

Adrian: "It's okay. I have a good imagination." - Richelle Mead (Frostbite)

"I'm always crazy around you Rose. Here, I'm going to write an impromptu poem for you." 

He tipped his head back and shouted to the sky: 

"Rose is in red 

But never in blue 

Sharp as a thron 

Fights like one too." - Richelle Mead (Shadow Kiss)

"Don't worry, little dhampir. You might be surrounded by clouds, but you'll always be like sunshine to me." - Richelle Mead (Shadow Kiss)

“I’m like a fine wine. I get better with age. The best is yet to come.” - Richelle Mead (Blood Promise)

"If only it were that easy. You forget: I have an addictive personality. I'm addicted to you. Somehow I think you could do all sorts of bad things to me, and I'd still come back to you." - Richelle Mead (Spirit Bound)

Adrian: "Rose, nothing in this world could make me hate you."

Rose: "Not even trying to bring my ex-boyfriend back from the dead?" - Richelle Mead (Spirit Bound)

"If only it were that easy. You forget: I have an addictive personality. I'm addicted to you. Somehow I think you could do all sorts of bad things to me, and I'd still come back to you." - Richelle Mead (Spirit Bound)

What more proof do you need? Adrian doesn’t hide who he is or what he wants. He’s soft and gentle in the best ways, carrying an aloof front that any girl can see right through. He knows his faults, he doesn’t hide his vices, and he is endearing in the simplest of ways. Adrian is a mess of his own making without being so muddled it’s a downer, and he calls like a siren to that part of every girl that wants to fix the broken boy. Adrian is sweet and sexy, loyal and tender. Not to mention, even not-sex with Adrian is still amazing.


Kari

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Team Dimitri

Team Dimitri is being represented by Ashley of A & C Book Junkies who is now taking over this post!

Introduction

Let me just began by saying that Dimitri is my all time favourite male in a novel. That includes all genres and age categories.  Now I understand that Kari is going to tell you how sexy Adrian’s name sounds. Okay, we get it! But they are both Russian and Dimitri has a more exotic purr to it. Screaming Adrian just isn’t as sexy. Anyways… So why do you ask is Dimitri my ultimate? Well let me tell you! When Rose -- our heroine in the Vampire Academy Series -- meets Dimitri, it wasn’t exactly love at first sight. Actually, Rose hated the tall, dark, and gorgeous stranger who cam storming into her life. I bet you are wondering now what Dimitri Belikov looks like! Ask and you shall receive.

He is a well-respected 24 Dhampir of Russian origin, from Siberia, assigned to be Lissa's Guardian along with Rose. Dimitri has a slight Russian accent, and likes old western novels. He is 6'5", has brown eyes, shoulder length hair a few shades lighter than Rose's dark brown hair, and tanned skin. He is sometimes described as a 'god', referring to his reputation as one of the most 'badass' guardians around. He is also Rose's mentor and love interest. He returns Rose's feelings but attempts to stay out of a relationship with her for most of the series, since it would interfere with his guardian duties.

Oh and can we talk about his accent? He’s a russian God who has the ability to make girls swoon when he speaks. Can’t you just picture him rolling his r’s? Just picture him saying “Roza.” Doesn’t it make your go weak at your knees and melt?

Now, a description and accent is great, right? But it doesn’t paint the whole picture. You know what does paint a whole picture? A deliciously gorgeous image of what Dimitri would look like.

Please ladies, pick your jaws up off of the floor. This is what you Team Adrian girls are missing. Not only is he gorgeous, he’s an amazing guy. Even when he is turned from Dhampir to Strigoi, he does everything in his power to protect Rose - even if that means picking up and moving back to Russia. Then to solidify my case, even when Strigoi, Dimitri couldn’t bring himself to kill Rose. He still loved her; he still wanted to be with her.

In response to some of Kari’s statements about Adrian: No, Adrian doesn’t hide behind any façade. Oh wait a minute! How could I forget his constant substance abuse problem? I understand his “needs” but what girl wants to date a guy who is always drunk? I want a guy who is sensible and caring but with a hint of bad boy in him. Dimitri may hide in silence, but he has a lot more to lose if he doesn’t. Adrian does whatever he wants, whenever he wants. He’s the proverbial mamma’s boy. Let us not forget that he has no responsibility and takes his playboy nickname to heart. Dimitri has to worry about his job, protecting Lissa, the fact that Rose is still in school, and Adrian just swoops in and pecks at the girl who is already falling a part. Dimitri has shown us that he CAN in fact do both – protect and love. He chooses Rose above everything else. Dimitri has a job. He has integrity, responsibility, and above all loves with every inch of his fiber. Adrian is a slacker. He does have his humour and his witty charm but who would you prefer? The guy who doesn’t work? The relationship that could never actually work? Think about it, but I know you’ll make the right choice ;)

Here are so amazingly qutoable moments that had me swooning and praying that a guy like Dimitri will stumble into my life one of these days:

"Rose: "Do you think I'm pretty?"

Dimitri: "I think your beautiful"

Rose: "Beautiful?"

Dimitri: You are so beautiful, it hurts sometimes" (Vampire Academy)

"No," Dimitri interrupted gently. He moved his face toward mine, our foreheads nearly touching. "It won't happen to you. You're too strong. You'll fight it, just like you did this time."

I only did because you were here." He wrapped his arms around me, and I buried my face in his chest. "I can't do it by myself," I whispered. You can," he said. There was a tremulous note in his voice. "You're strong-you're so, so strong. It's why I love you."

~Dimitri~"  (Shadow Kiss)

"Did you mean it... that if Victor did tell...that you'd..." I couldn't finish. I couldn't bring myself to say the words have him killed.

I don't have much influence in the upper levels of Moroi royalty, but I have plenty among the guardians who handle the dirty work in our world."

You didn't answer the question. If you'd really do it."

I'd do a lot of things to protect you, Roza."

~Dimitri~" (Shadow Kiss)

"You know what would help?" I asked, not meeting his eyes.

"Hmm?"

"If you turned off this crap music and put on something that came out after the Berlin Wall went down."

Dimitri laughted. "Your worst class is history, yet somehow, you know everything about Eastern Europe."

"Hey, gotta have material for my jokes, Comrade." Still smiling, he turned the radio dail. To a country station.

"Hey! This isn't what I had in mind," I exclaimed. I could tell he was on the verge of laughing again.

"Pick. It's one or the other."

I sighed. "Go back to the 1980s stuff."

He flipped the dial, and I crossed my arms over my chest as some vaguely European-sounding band sang about how video had killed the radio star. I wished someone would kill this radio." (Frostbite)

Dimitri is the kind of guy you want in your life. He’s intelligent, strong, caring, and loves until his heart stops beating. He brings to the table the kind of love every girl craves. A non-sensical, throw caution to the wind, journey to the ends of earth kind of love. Even at the end of Spirit Bound, you know that he is willing to do whatever he can to save and protect Rose, even if he’s lying to himself about how he feels. He always places Rose first. I for one would love to find a guy who loved me enough to do that. And although Adrian is great and I love his character, he just doesn’t compare to Dimitri. 

Ashley

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So there you have it! Please vote who you would choose based on these two arguments and stick around for more guest posts and the final round of voting!