aj prasad

illusions professor at acadia academy

[aj-prasad]

—— TASK OO2. ❥

AJ’s apartment was painted gray before he began renting. At first he hated it, but repainting fell to the bottom of his to-do list quickly. instead, he decided to embrace the gray, filling the space with complementary tones and too many picture frames. it’s a true bachelor pad, but it’s comfortable. 

... and maybe he’ll ask Cydele to move in and she can add some much needed touches.

[aj-prasad]

brynxconnor​:

Bryn chuckled and glanced over, offering AJ a nod. “I think that might be a good idea.” They shrugged. “Maybe even have everyone take the combat classes. I swear, maybe if I knew how to fight, I could’ve at least done something. Maybe helped more people.” They sighed. “I just… I wish no one died.” 

The brunette glanced around. “Maybe we could do something?” He asked. “Like a nice memory or something?” Bryn asked. “Give some of the students something good to remember?” They shrugged. “I don’t really know if we’re allowed but it would be nice to ask or even try.” 

~

AJ listened to Bryn’s suggestion with a soft smile. They may appear quieter than the other students, but they had a deep sense of understanding and tenderness that some lacked. He nodded along at her suggestion. “I think that’s a great idea, we can bring it to the Headmistress for approval.” He glanced around the courtyard at the grim affair. “We can’t forget about those who protected us at their expense, and we can’t let something like this happen again.” He smiled at Bryn. “Would you like to come with me to suggest it to the Headmistress this week? I’m sure she’d be appreciative of a student’s perspective.” He looked down at his hands with a wry smile. “And I was thinking maybe we jump ahead to more protective spells in class this week. You know, just to make sure you all are prepared. The world can be a scary place outside of Acadia’s gates.”

[aj-prasad]

lonclyhcartsclub​:

Shit, Cydele, I love you too.

The second he said those words, it was as if everyone else on that field faded away. There had been no other person alive who made Cydele feel so completely, make her feel like all of the soulmates mumbo-jumbo actually had some sort of crazy merit to it. She remembered on their first date how she had referenced twenty-two year old Cydele, who had arrived at Acadia with one focus and one focus at all — to be the best dhampir she could be. She would have laughed in her face before running back to the training facilities. The woman wished she could go back and tell that same version of herself how much more there was to life than that. How she’d meet someone that makes her entire universe better by simply existing within it.

“Really?” Cydele eventually responded with a gentle grin. Feeling his forehead against hers, having him so close had been something that had happened what felt like a million times before, but this time felt a bit different. At first his words left her speechless, but eventually she was able to speak once more. “O-Of course I said yes..” The smile that came letting the world know how happy she was. Happy the man she loved, hell, her entire world was safe. Happy that they’d be able to keep building the life they wanted for themselves. “I was so scared of allowing myself to open my heart up.. but you just walked right in and took it. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Tonight had been something that had begun so perfectly, but had turned into something so dark and twisted that it was the only way the town would remember it. She had almost lost him, lost the one person in the world that made her feel alive. The woman had lost sight of her ward, as many dhampirs and dragons seemed to have done. It hadn’t quite yet hit that both of them were safe and both of them would make it out of this.

We’re not going to loose each other, okay?

Not if Cydele was around. She wasn’t exactly one to back down easily. “I’ll make damn sure of that..” She murmured, giving one of his hands a gentle squeeze.

“Am I now?” Cydele raised an eyebrow at the mention of teaching him to punch. Maybe it would be beneficial to give him some kind of combat training. It would put her mind at ease, even if it was only slightly. It didn’t take long for them to reach the door, the three little words causing her to turn and face him again. “I love you too..” The dhampir wrapped her arms around his waist for a moment before resting her head against his chest. “I don’t want to remember a time when I hadn’t. Never again. I just couldn’t live with myself if.. God forbid..” Her eyes filled with tears again. “….I-I had lost you and you didn’t know.”

~

AJ wished he could create a perfect oasis for he and Cydele to escape to. Well, he could, he was an illusions magician, but he knew it was nothing more than a projection, than a facade. But as he held her close as they walked slowly down the path back to their apartment, he felt himself wishing he could do more - more to make sure they were safe forever.

When they reached his apartment, AJ opened to door wide, his body braced for another fight. This dreaded anticipation would take a while to disappear. For some time, he’d find himself tensing as he turned corners, find himself looking towards the perimeter more often. Perhaps it was a good thing, being cautious. But the apartment looked as it normally did, a little messy from papers scattered across the dining table, some dirty clothes piling up in the corner, and the couch covered with mismatched pillows. AJ led Cydele to the couch, and sat down next to her with a groan, his body sore and grateful to be sinking into the cushions. 

“Let’s never move again,” he sighed, his fingers lacing through Cydele’s and gently pulling her closer to him. “I propose we never leave this couch. We can teach our lessons via Zoom, that’s what all the humans do, right?” The events from the day seemed to float away when he was safe on the couch, with Cydele. AJ was surprised by how comfortable he felt with her confession earlier, with his response back. Maybe because of how natural it felt? He loved her, and he hated that it had taken a dreadful attack to say it, but that was how the world worked. “So...” he paused, a small smile on his face. “We love each other, glad that’s out there now. And we’re home safe. What was next on our list, then? Movies until we fall asleep?” He pushed the remote and snuggled closer to her, taking comfort in the softness of her skin and the brush of her hair against his shoulder. “You choose.”

[aj-prasad]

devonhale​:

Devon noticed that look in his eyes, frowning as she realized what it must have meant. AJ felt guilty; he blamed himself, maybe thinking he could’ve done more. But honestly? If Devon had been in that same situation, she would have felt the same way. She could tell him not to blame himself all she wanted, but AJ believing it was up to him and yes, it was easier said than done. Her heart tightened at his words. “I know,” she murmured. “And I wish… no one had gotten hurt.” If only.

She smiled at his next remarks. “Yes… perhaps he would have,” she joked in return and then hummed thoughtfully when Garrick was mentioned again. “I’m sure we can convince him,” she smirked. “And I can understood that. Perhaps we’re both a little rusty in regards to close combat.”

~

As AJ spoke with his coworkers, he realized how lucky he was to be apart of such a strong-willed, capable group who cared for each other deeply. He smiled at Devon and stood up, holding out his arm for her to take. “Want to get some fresh air with me?” He’d been in the hospital for most of the day, visiting staff and students alike, and was starting to feel antsy from the sterile environment. “We should get as much air as we can before we begin classes again,” he continued. “It feels like ages since I’ve taught a lesson, even though it’s only been a couple days. You ready to start up again?”

[aj-prasad]

lonclyhcartsclub​:

It hadn’t quite set in for her that he was okay, especially considering how hard she had fought. The pain she had seen. Clinging to his shirt, she truly never wanted to never let him go. “I-I did.” The woman nodded, looking up at him for a moment. “That’s… that’s how I got injured. I jumped in…” The dhampir trailed off. Some of her fellow dhampir were dead, whom she considered to be family. No matter if she knew them were not. They were her brothers and sisters, all fighting for the same goal.

Cydele could see that he was thinking about what had happened. Then came the words that practically undid her: It should have been me. What could she say to that? It was as if he didn’t want her to hear it, but that hadn’t stopped her from doing so. “AJ..” She murmured, running her fingers along his cheeks. “….She’s going to be okay.” That’s all she could say without sounding a bit selfish. Cyd would have done the same thing, in a fucking heartbeat.

“They did… I’m clear to go home.” The dhampir had found Alistair and found AJ. There were a couple others she had seen as she ran, just searching for any signs of him. “I can’t even begin to tell you how amazing that sounds..” Just time alone with him. All she needed was for him to hold her, so she could have forgotten how alone she felt. How helpless. All her life, she had been so used to possessing the ability to fight back. Then? She had nothing. “…You know something?” The woman asked, a soft smile tugging at her lips. “I… I kept going because of you. In a way, I kept reminding myself that we’d be right here and it allowed me to keep fighting. I was so scared of allowing myself to feel like this at first… but you keep me strong. My whole life I’ve been training to protect someone else and I was terrified that giving my heart to someone could interfere with that… and after my dumpster fire of a past relationship it might not be hard to see why.” She laughed. Ah, Leo. “I know this isn’t the situation talking, but I know in my heart that I can’t let another moment pass by without you knowing what kind of hold you have on me. You have given me something I can’t bare to lose, something that makes me whole. I just wanted you to know that..”

It was as if the words caught at her throat before finally breaking through.

“I love you.”

~

The world stopped moving - at least, that’s how it felt to AJ, so completely focused on what Cydele was saying. The words traveled through him, settling in his heart until he felt like it would burst from the emotion. “Cyd,” AJ whispered, fingers gently caressing her face as he listened to her confession. “Shit, Cydele, I love you too.” 

He couldn’t contain his smile, it seemed unnatural amidst all the chaos and destruction, but AJ couldn’t help it. “Maybe even since that first night,” he continued, forehead pressed against hers as he murmured his words. “When I asked if you wanted to get another drink and you said yes. God, I took a shot in the dark, prepared myself for rejection, and then you said yes. And I’m so grateful for that. Because that led to this.” 

He pulled back a little from her, holding her gingerly to avoid from messing with their wounds. “We’re not going to lose each other, okay?” he said assuredly, and started leading them slowly down the path towards their apartment building. “We’re going to make sure this never happens again. I’m not going to let one more damn strigoi or crazy ass magician try to ruin our lives.” AJ smiled at Cydele, glad to have her safe in his arms. “And you’re going to have to teach me how to throw a punch, babe, because I’m pretty awful at it.” Though it hadn’t stopped him from trying. “I love you,” he repeated again, feeling the weight of the words on his tongue, the importance of the statement said so casually. He wanted to get used to it, wanted to say it every day.

[aj-prasad]

lonclyhcartsclub​:

The woman had been laying on her side, staring out the window after having sent Milo to take a breather. The dragon was glued to her side and she knew the fresh air would do him some amount of good. When she heard footsteps, she thought it was him coming back, but someone else. It was no surprise that when AJ turned the corner, Josie felt even more tension dissipate from her shoulders and gentle tears of relief fill her eyes once again. He was okay. The woman’s decision had kept them both alive, even if she had been able to fight her way out with what little magic she had. “AJ..” The woman murmured. “I am.. slowly but surely..” Little did he know what was going on in her mind. “I’m just glad you’re safe. How’s Cyd? Is she holding up okay?”

The flowers were beautiful and she couldn’t help but gently admire them with a smile on her face. There was no guilt in her eyes for the choice she had made. Not for a second. The Strigoi had gotten too close and if both of them had tried to run, neither of them would be standing here. “There’s no need to.” Even from a hospital bed, she believed that without question. “If we both had run, neither of us would be here.. I did what I had to do. Look at us.. I’m alright. I will be, at least. You’re alive. I would have done the same for Emery, Devon, Savana.. any of them. There isn’t a world when I wouldn’t.” As much as Milo was not a fan of the mentality, the magician would always protect her friends. “You know I can’t do that.”

AJ looked down at his hands, letting Josie’s words wash over him. He was lucky to be here, a Professor at Acadia, where the friendships he’d made were worth more than the lifetime of memories he had as a child. He’d make sure that Josie never ended up on a hospital bed again on his behalf, or any of his friends for that matter - not if he could help it. “Well,” he said with conviction, though he was smiling at Josie. “You’re never going to be in that position again. Didn’t anyone tell you, we are going to have a protective circle around you at all times moving forward?” AJ joked, sitting back into his seat and letting the guilt slowly wash away, now that he knew Josie would be alright.

“Cydele is doing good,” he stated, answering her first question. “She brushed off injuries that would’ve had me bawling, it was incredible. She’s incredible.” He shook his head with a small chuckle. “There’s nothing like a near-death experience to make you think about how much you care about a person.” He glanced back at Josie, realizing he had once again started unloading all his romantic thoughts on his friend. “Josie, I swear you were a siren or something in your previous life, because you pull all these deep thoughts from me. I’m not usually this sappy. I wasn’t like this with Emery, he was the sappy one,” AJ laughed.

[aj-prasad]

devonhale​:

“I know,” Devon replied gently, nodding in understanding. Unfortunately, not everyone was truly okay. They lost many. But they had to focus on the fact that not everyone was lost. “Yes, whatever that power dampener was from… it was quite a shock.” She paused at the boxing suggestion before laughing softly. “Oh, my. Yes, I’m quite sure Garrick would be thrilled for me to suggest that,” she said playfully. She imagined Garrick was still a little stressed and frustrated over the fact that she actually fought and put herself in danger back at the restaurant.

Of course, to be fair, they all had to fight during the carnival. That wasn’t really a choice. Perhaps teaching the magicians more combat skills… wasn’t that far-fetched of an idea.

“AJ, I…” Devon stopped at first, letting out a quiet sigh. “I wanted to thank you,” she told him, furrowing her brow as she thought over the situation. “For getting her away… from there.” If Josie had been left laying there, she would not have survived. AJ saved her by dragging her away from the fray, to a shelter. 

~

AJ felt a little helpless - people kept thanking him for saving Josie, but it felt like it was his fault she was hurt. If she hadn’t told him to run, if he hadn’t listened... maybe the two of them could’ve defeated the enemies? Or maybe they both would’ve died, and everyone’s sorrow would’ve been tenfold. AJ sighed, running his fingers through his hair. “It was - she shouldn’t have gotten hurt,” he breathed out, but turned to look at Devon with a sad smile. “I’m glad I got her out of there too, I’m glad she’s okay.” 

As he looked out in the distance, his smile grew a tad wider as he joked, “I really think Milo would’ve killed me if I left her, so while I’m not saying it was done in self-preservation, I’m very grateful she’s okay for multiple reasons.” AJ turned back to Devon. “So, Garrick available for lessons? I don’t think I’d punched anyone since I was maybe early-twenties, so I think I hurt myself more than the damn strigoi.”

[aj-prasad]

@brynxconnor

The aftermath of the attack lingered through the school, and AJ had no doubt the effects would be felt for weeks to come. But it was most evident the day after the attack, when the Headmistress held the funeral. His heart was heavy as he and Cydele stood amongst the remaining students and professors. The once densely populated crowd seemed sparse - those who hadn’t died were in the hospital, and their missing presence left pockets of space in the crowd. AJ spotted one of his students sitting nearby, and he felt the sudden urge to comfort someone - make one small positive change. 

He approached Bryn with a sad smile, and sat down next to them. “Hey Bryn, how are you holding up?” AJ asked, grateful to see her in the crowd and not in the hospital. “I am glad you’re safe, I was worried about you.” He looked down at his hands, then back to Bryn with a halfhearted smile. “Magic is wonderful until it’s gone, right? Perhaps when classes start up again, we should integrate some karate into our magic curriculum.”

[aj-prasad]

@lonclyhcartsclub - Josie

AJ paused in front of Josie’s hospital door, fingers clasped tight around a bouquet of flowers and breath a little shaky with nervousness. He hadn’t seen Josie since she’d woken up, giving her space for her son, and Milo, and her close friends. But now it was time, and AJ pushed the door open with a smile. “Hey Josie,” he murmured with a smile. “Glad you are doing better, we were all holding our breath until you woke up.” 

AJ put the flowers down on her side table, and took a seat. “I - I just wanted to say thank you,” he said quietly, unable to look her in her eyes. “You shouldn’t have - you should’ve ran with me.” AJ looked up at her with guilt. “I shouldn’t have left you there, I should’ve grabbed your hand and we could’ve made it farther.” He sighed, unsure how to continue. “I’m just - I’m just glad you’re okay.” AJ smiled softly at her. “Just promise me that next time this happens, you’ll run first?”

[aj-prasad]

lonclyhcartsclub​:

The second she heard his laugh, it was if she felt something release from her body. She had felt something she most certainly hadn’t experienced in a very long time: the overwhelming fear that she’d have to go on without him, long before she could even tell him how she really felt. The kiss to her temple just made her sink deeper into him, the exhaustion she had felt thought the entire event beginning to present itself. “I heard what happened with Josephine.. I-” She paused. “I thought they got you too. I thought..” Her mind was running a million miles a minute and she was well aware that some of the words that were falling from her lips were making absolutely no sense. 

Then, he noticed the cut. The look on his face was enough to make the tears come again. “No no no, AJ. It’s okay, they checked me out. I’m okay.” The woman put her hands to his cheeks, forehead resting against his for a moment, just taking him in as she always did. Reminding herself that he was alive and they had both seen the other side. 

When they broke apart, she gestured to her leg. The bandage was red with blood, but they had treated it very well and she knew it would heal soon. Nothing for him to worry about. “That one was a bit worse, but they took care of me, okay?” The woman made an attempt at reassuring him, hoping it would work. After what he had just seen, the last thing he needed was to worry even more. “Did they hurt you?” She repeated his same question, a look of sheer terror falling over her face. “Someone told me.. she.. Josephine.. pushed you out of the way of an attack.”

~

AJ tried to find comfort in her reassurances that she was fine - she was a dhampir, she was used to cuts and bruises, he told himself. But the stained bandage around her leg made him queasy with fear. “Cyd, were your powers gone too?” he whispered into her hair, holding her close still, as if he could prop her up forever. “It was terrifying, my magic was gone, as if someone had shut the door in my brain. Josie too, we were like sitting ducks.” He shivered at the memory. 

Josie, pushing him to the side as strigoi ran towards them, his feet hitting the pavement, thinking she was only steps behind him, turning on the spot to find her injured, the strigoi closing in on their prey. AJ, turning back with a battle cry, managing to hit only one before the werewolves made their presence known. It was all the time he needed, and he pulled his friend to safety, whispering choked apologies as she went in and out of consciousness. Watching as the werewolves tore through the fairgrounds, too far to help Josie but hopefully they could save Cydele, and Emery, and the students. Finally hearing joyful cries, and wandering as far as he could until he found a medic, pulling them back to Josie with wretched fear. 

“It should’ve been me,” AJ mumbled, but he didn’t want to mean it. Not while Cydele was here. Josie should’ve never risked her life for his, and if she didn’t wake up... well, AJ didn’t know what he’d do. For now, he stood with Cydele, her wounds the only problem he’d be able to fix now. “Did the doctors give you clearance to go home?” he asked her. “You can be my patient,” AJ smiled softly. “I’ll make you soup, and tea, and redo your bandages, and we can watch movies until we fall asleep.”

[aj-prasad]

devonhale​:

@aj-prasad

The waiting could have been much longer, but thankfully their friend opened her eyes within a few days. Devon was so relieved, but found she was still trying to process everything that had happened. She decided to visit another friend, the person who had been there when it all happened. “AJ,” Devon greeted with a smile, though one that held that mutual sense of sadness. Josie was okay, but she may not have been. They had all been on edge, but she couldn’t imagine what AJ must have been thinking since he saw it all.

The blonde gave him a hug. But when she pulled away, she opened her mouth but nothing came out at first. Then she sighed. “I’m sorry, I suppose I… I’m not sure what to say,” Devon admitted, clearing her throat. “I don’t believe the shock has yet left my system. Are… are you alright?”

AJ glanced up at the sound of his name, and smiled weakly at Devon. He returned the hug, feeling a sense of relief tinged with remorse overcome him. Devon was okay, thankfully - and she, like everyone else in their friend and co-worker group, were worried sick for Josie. The agonizing days of waiting for her to wake up were over, but AJ still felt the guilt hanging over him like a cloud of smoke.

“I feel the same,” AJ admitted, as he’d spent most of the last few days with a loss for words. “I’m so glad you’re okay, Dev - damn, I’m so glad we’re all okay.” He brushed his hands through his hair, making the curls stand even wilder. “I can’t believe they were able to take our magic,” AJ continued, and then chuckled with a hollow laugh. “Maybe we ought to take some dhampir boxing lessons, in case this happens again.”

[aj-prasad]

lonclyhcartsclub​:

@aj-prasad

After the werewolves came and Cydele was bandaged, she had began to run as fast as her legs could carry her. She had sustained injuries to her right leg and to her face after learning the hard way that the town now longer possessed their supernatural abilities, but none of that mattered to her right now. All of that would heal in time. What she needed to do now was find AJ. She had been with Chino throughout the whole thing, the last person that she had expected to fight beside. Especially after how she had initially acted towards him.

Now, all she wanted to do was find AJ. She wanted to go back to her apartment and hold him close and remind herself that he was still there. It all depended on finding him, of course. The longer that went by, the more worried she got.

Cydele had to tell him how much she loved him.

When she saw him across the crowd of people, she practically hurtled into his arms, her face buried deep into his chest and tears streaming down her cheeks. It had hit her at that very moment that he had never seen her cry before, not many people had but she no longer had the energy to care about that.

“I thought.. I thought…” Cydele stammered, trying to speak. She could barely say the words: I thought you were dead. Especially after it had become known to her that they had found Josephine, another magician with him who was in critical condition.

All she could do was cry, clinging to him like her very life depended on it.

AJ hadn’t expected redemption, he hadn’t expected salvation, and he definitely hadn’t expected werewolves. But damn, was he grateful. His fingers were shaking as he found the medics, rushing them to Josie’s side. They had promised she’d be okay, but AJ couldn’t stop the feeling of dread that cascaded over him. He should’ve been the one hurt, should’ve stood before Josie to protect her against the strigoi. ‘She’ll be okay,’ he thought with desperation. ‘She has to be.’

The woods were chaos, filled with reunions between family and friends, between guardians and their wards. He looked wildly for the familiar dark hair, for the graceful stride he’d memorized, for the beautiful eyes that bore into his soul. “Have you seen Cydele?” he asked a medic, but they just pointed him in a general direction, waving him off to attend to the sick. If she was hurt, he’d never forgive himself. ‘I should’ve never gotten that damn fruit,’ AJ thought desperately, and in that moment, she appeared.

Cydele hurtled into his arms, and AJ wrapped his arms around her like a chain, holding her impossibly close. “You’re okay,” he laughed crazily. “Oh my god, Cydele, you’re okay.” He pressed kisses against her temple, the relieved laughter still bubbling inside him. “You’re not hurt at all?” he asked, pulling away from her momentarily to check her for cuts and bruises. “Do you need a medic? If they hurt you, I swear -” He noticed the gash on her face, and his heart stopped. “Cyd - you’re hurt!” His fingers brushed the skin near the cut, careful not to touch the wound. “Medic - we need a medic!” he called out urgently.

[lonclyhcartsclub]

“Love does not appear with any warning signs. You fall into it as if being pushed from a high diving board. No time to think about what’s happening. It’s inevitable. An event you just can’t control. A crazy, heart-stopping, roller-coaster ride that just has to take it’s course.” — JACKIE COLLINS.

AJ PRASAD AND CYDELE KWAN: INFINITY.

I love you for infinity.

@aj-prasad

@acadiahqsinspo

[aj-prasad]

lonclyhcartsclub​:

The dhampir couldn’t avoid the flush that colored her cheeks, how could she? She hadn’t felt this way about anyone for a very long time and here was AJ, just making her heart absolutely sing. There was a time where Cydele had avoided the prospect of dating again, especially after her breakup with Leo but she was most certainly glad now that she hadn’t completely avoided the thought. At the mention of her abilities she let out a laugh, rolling her eyes with a smile on her face. “Oh hush.” She couldn’t help but wonder how that would work, knocking someone over with your pinky finger. She knew he didn’t mean it literally, but still. “But you –” She grinned, walking along beside him. “Don’t give yourself enough credit. Not since I’ve known you.”

As he gestured to the guards she nodded in approval, running her fingers along his knuckle as her gaze scanned the perimeter. They had to meet her approval, of course. While the woman didn’t actually teach any of the combat classes, she was still rather technical and could point out a mistake when she saw one. “The whole ordeal looks quite well organized if I do say so myself.” As he mentioned the stuffed animal, she turned to face him before allowing her hands to rest on the back of his neck. “Hmmmm, neither have I but I have heard that, yes.” Her fingers toyed with his hair for a moment, trying her very hardest to take a mental photograph of the whole thing. “And they’re all usually obnoxiously large.”

AJ stared down at her lovely, smiling face - a smile meant just for him, a moment that he could be stuck in forever. Cydele’s fingers toying with his hair sent a delicious shiver down his spine, and he had the sudden urge to kiss her, out in the open in front of all his peers and students, strangers and friends. And so he did, pressing his lips against hers with a smile that he was sure she could feel. When he pulled away, he left one more swift kiss on her forehead before breaking their hug, and grabbing her hand to lead her in the direction of the games. “One obnoxiously large stuffed animal coming up,” he practically shouted, giddy from the anticipation of the rest of their evening. 

They found the closest game booth, AJ handing over cash in exchange for two rounds of bags, so they could each play the bag toss game. He handed the extra to Cydele with a wink. “I’ve got very good aim, but I’ve never been up against a dhampir, especially one who makes me so damn distracted. So don’t laugh if I fail miserably at this.” He turned back to the game and tossed his first bag, which miraculously landed in the closest hole. AJ whooped and threw his hands in the air, excited by his first victory. “Let’s see you next,” he said to Cydele with a smile.

[aj-prasad]

lonclyhcartsclub​:

“People tend to find me intimidating.. never really understood why.” The brunette laughed, the end of her sentence being complete sarcasm. Cydele knew exactly why she was seen as intimidating by others: her look, the way she spoke and oh yeah, the fact that she had been given the supernatural ability to basically break someone in half. Of course she understood, but her relationship wasn’t anyone’s buisness but their own. “Impressed by who, little ol’ me?” She asked the question rather genuinely, as joking as it might have sounded. Cydele considered herself to be unbelievably lucky, something she wasn’t really sure if AJ understood quite yet. He was the first person in a really long time that didn’t make her feel as if she had to be someone. All she had to be was herself and he accepted and cared for every single part of her.

The scenery around her was astounding of course, she hadn’t expected anything less from Lennox. In the years she had been in this town, it was as if the board had poured part themselves each into it. The smiles on the faces around them were certainly priceless, something the dhampir wanted to capture in her mind’s eye for as long as she could. “Where do we even begin — certainly not up there.” She pointed up at what must have been one of the tallest ferris wheels she had ever laid eyes on. The thing was massive. Giving his hand a squeeze, there was certainly a glimmer of excitement in her eye. The possibilities were endless. “My goodness.. maybe we can get our bearings first? Explore the place. There’s so much here!” And there was no one else she would rather do it all with. Would she finally get the courage to tell him how much he meant to her? Maybe tonight. For now, she was going to put those worries out of her mind and just enjoy herself.

~

“Of course, impressed by you!” AJ pulled her closer, his confidence rising as she smiled up at him. “And not just because of the dhampir thing - though the fact that you could knock someone down with probably just your pinky finger is pretty remarkable - but because you’re incredible. So yeah, they’re impressed, and probably extremely jealous of me,” he chuckled. 

AJ agreed, looking around at the fair with an awestruck expression. “Yeah, let’s walk around first,” he agreed, holding her hand as they moved through the crowds. “Look,” he said, pointing at the dhampir guards stationed around the perimeter. “They’re really taking the safety thing seriously,” AJ mused. It felt excessive, but he was grateful for their presence anyways. “No one would dare attack with all of them stationed there,” he said, waving off the uneasy feeling they spurred inside him. He smiled at Cydele, his mind focused on enjoying the evening with her and their friends. “Now, I haven’t been to too many fairs, but I really think it’s customary for me to win you a stuffed animal.”

[aj-prasad]

lonclyhcartsclub​:

“Why thank you, kind sir.” The brunette grinned, accepting the treat. It had been so wonderful, reconnecting with AJ recently. She was happy that Emery and AJ had happened to find some sort of common ground, that there was no bad blood running between the two of them. “Believe me, he’s sad he’s not here — my parents have certainly been missing him and considering my workload lately, I thought I’d let him have some fun with them down in Florida.”

The moment the same chill ripped through the air again, Jo was instantly on guard. Then came the new faces, the eyes instantly familiar to her. Strigoi. Why were they here, or all places? What happened to the security? Perhaps the most important question weighing on her mind soon followed: where had their friends gone?

In addition, where the hell was her guardian?

Milo never was very far, so it was a surprise to her that it was AJ’s hand around her wrist instead of his as the words washed over the fearful crowd. Instantly, Jo began to think of every defensive magic spell she had ever taught or had been taught like an anthology.

“O-Oh my god..” She was eventually able to stammer out. She knew he’d be looking for Cydele, but a memory soon came that Ginny, another dhampir had stolen her away for a couple games. The rest of the group wasn’t anywhere to be found either. “AJ…. our friends.. Cydele.. they could be anywhere.”

As they wove through the crowd, she clung to the pendent, hoping that it would send a sign to Milo that she wasn’t okay. Something was very, very wrong and she needed him now more than ever. She needed him near, she needed to hear the sound of his voice. Not only that, but she needed to know that he was okay. The woman didn’t know what she do with herself if something happened to him.

“AJ!” She said again, pointing to the woods. “Maybe we can get a higher vantage point. See things better. See where they are.”

Panic was spreading through him, as AJ frantically searched the crowd for Cydele. His fingers never left Josie’s wrist, an anchor against the chaos and his one partner who could help in defense. He followed her fingers towards the woods and nodded instantly, and the pair set off for the densely packed trees. “Josie,” he whispered, in case the enemy was near. “Josie, is your magic working?” AJ felt like a piece of him was missing, his chest hollow somehow where the magical energy used to sit. 

AJ stopped moving and dropped her wrist, instead focusing his energy on creating an illusion that could shroud them in invisibility. But he felt weak and powerless, and where the illusion should’ve been spreading from his fingertips, there were only weak glimpses of the magic trying to work. “Josie, my magic isn’t working,” he whispered with fear. “How is this possible?” They had reached a clearing in the woods, high enough to catch glimpses of the fairgrounds. But without magic, how would they be able to defend themselves? If they found Cydele, if they found Milo... “I can’t see them,” AJ said breathlessly, eyes searching the panicked crowd below. “They’ll be OK,” he said, trying to reassure Josie, and also himself. Cydele could defend herself, she was the strongest woman AJ had ever known... but if she got hurt in any way... 

[aj-prasad]

emerywoods​:

Emery nearly didn’t hear his friend, stopping to turn around to let him catch up. “Oh hey. Uh, yeah. Funnel cake and cars. That’d be great,” he said, as if he was waking up from some kind of daydream. He was trying to return the smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. Letting out a sigh, the magician ran a hand through his hair. “Sorry. I’m just…it’s Alex,” he said. He felt bad that it seemed like every time he was talking to AJ lately, it was always about him and Alexander. “It’s nothing. I mean–it’s not nothing…He told me he loved me, but I, uh, didn’t believe him since we were…uhm, drunk. You know, the usual messiness with me.” 

“Wow,” AJ said simply, speechless at Alexander’s confession to Emery - and Emery’s reaction to the words he’d been dying to hear. “Oh man, Em, I’m sorry. But you’ve got to talk with him about it, if he said that to you...” AJ sighed and put his hand on the other’s shoulder, patting him gently. “Drunk you can be pretty brutal,” he laughed humorlessly. “But Alexander knows you, and he’ll understand if you just go talk to him... Make it right, Em. You both deserve to be happy.” 

AJ smiled reassuringly at his friend, trying to bring him back from the precipice of sadness. “Let’s get some sugar into you, you look like you’re about to keel over and drown in sorrows. Then you can practice what you’re going to say to Alexander. Or really, all you’ll need to do is go plant a big, fat kiss on your guardian.” AJ laughed and shrugged his shoulders. “That’ll clear up a fight right away, I promise you that.”