Chapter 8 #2
The man turns around, a steaming dish of chicken and potatoes freshly pulled from the oven in his hands. The two men really did look identical, the only noticeable difference Hakeem could see was the blue pocket square in Jean-Paul’s suit jacket pocket, in contrast to Jean-Claude’s yellow square.
Jackson, wearing a black tee and shorts, turns around on the stool where he sits and waves Hakeem over. “You made it. You gotta try Jean-Paul’s cooking, we only have him on loan for the night. We can sort the cabinet room for groceries and stuff in the morning after a good night’s sleep.”
The thought of sleep makes Hakeem realize one fatal flaw moving in so fast entailed, his bed.
Charlie had a spare box spring and mattress he had used for the past six and half years.
The room wasn’t furnished aside from a couple bookshelves, a dresser and a bedside table.
In all the excitement of perfect matches and portal magic, he forgot.
Even when Jean-Claude asked him if he had bed to move he had been too entranced by his spell to respond.
Hakeem didn’t want to impose on the butler or ask Charlie to give up their spare.
It looked like the floor and some blankets would have to do until he could figure something out.
Perhaps there were still some holiday sales going, there was bound to be a mattress and boxspring he could afford with his savings.
Hakeem sighs in defeat before fixing his face as he settles on the stool next to Jackson and thanks Jean-Paul for the food.
* * *
Jackson notices the worry flash on Hakeem’s face and turns his head to Jean-Claude, who gives a knowing nod before disappearing in a flash of yellow magic.
Jackson wipes his mouth with a napkin before standing.
“Hakeem, I noticed Jean-Claude didn’t move a bed into the apartment when he brought the rest of your stuff.
Would I be correct to assume you will be requiring one? ”
Hakeem swallows the bite of the delicious meal he had taken before turning to face Jackson with bewilderment across his face.
“Yes- I mean no! I mean- technically, but I’m fine till I can get a new one.
Please, Jackson, you’ve done too much already.
Helping me move, the food, I wouldn’t feel right accepting anything else from you. ”
Jackson looks Hakeem up and down once, eyebrow arched and a hand on his hip, before turning on his heels and making his way up the stairs. “I think I have a solution that will satisfy us both. Do you mind following me to your room?” He gestures with a finger.
* * *
Hakeem obliges and follows Jackson to the open door of his room, where he stands just at the threshold. Peeking inside, he finds a king size bed on a wooden bed frame, new sheets and pillows in satin cases laid carefully down, surrounded by the boxes of his belongings.
“Jackson,” Hakeem sucks in a breathe, “this is very kind of you but i can’t accept -”
Before he could finish, Hakeem finds his back to the door frame as Jackson leans over him, one hand placed firmly on the frame above his head.
Jackson has a blank expression on his face, holding Hakeem’s gaze with unwavering green eyes.
“Then consider this an advance payment, a bed for something I suspect only you can help me with.”
Jackson is close, too close. Hakeem’s face is turning red at the proximity.
He smells like an evergreen forest on a clear night, eyes glowing even in the shadow of his face.
The light of the next room encases him in a soft glow, making him look gorgeous.
Hakeem swallows around the lump that has formed in his throat, something that seems far too common around the elven man, and tries to control the tremble in his voice.
“Wh-wh-what did you, uuuh, have in mind?”
Jackson offers a kind smile. Hakeem didn’t notice his dimples before, really wishes he wasn’t noticing them now.
“During your free time, could I be so rude as to ask for your help in controlling my magic? It responds to you, Hakeem. It sought you out this afternoon like a lost pup calling out to its mother. I believe with your help I can make use of this troublesome power of mine. So, what do you say, lessons for a bed?”
Hakeem could scream right now. This is an amazing deal, he was more excited about exploring Jackson’s magic with him than the new bed. “Yes! I mean, yeah sure.”
Hakeem tries to hide his excitement which only earns another chuckle from Jackson, he definitely wasn’t getting hooked on that sound.
“If you’ll have me, I’ll get my material from the labs Monday and we can start then.
I don’t have a lot of my texts on the basics and there is no better place to start. Is…is that ok, Jackson?”
Jackson leans back, Hakeem releases a breath he didn’t know he was holding in.
“That sounds fantastic, shall we shake on it?” Jackson extends his hand to the bashful mage, who shakes it with a firm grasp.
“Come on. let’s finish eating, we wouldn’t want to waste Jean-Paul’s food now would we?
” Jackson nods his head in the direction of the kitchen.
Hakeem offers a smile that fills his cheeks and makes his eyes shine, Jackson most definitely wasn’t getting used to that look. “No, we would not.”
* * *
Later that night, after the Jeans have taken their leave, Hakeem lets his body fully relax into his new bed, happy at the trade.
* * *
In Jackson’s room, he eases into bed and stares at the ceiling.
He’s found an interesting roommate, and is one step closer to fulfilling the requirements of the will.
Hakeem fascinates him, and might be essential in taming his magic.
A sliver of shadows curls around his finger.
For once, he looks at the magic in curiosity instead of frustration, imagining silver eyes shining in the dark, before shaking his hand, dispelling the mist.
Jackson tosses and turns, pushing unwelcome thoughts from his head. Hakeem is a means to end, for the sake of controlling his wayward powers.
Nothing more.