Chapter 11 #3
Is it easier to push them away? Knowing that one day you’ll leave them, or they’ll leave you.
Jackson’s head is on a swivel, searching for the voice. It’s quiet, just him in the room. He’s clearly tired and the caffeine isn’t helping.
Time to head out.
* * *
The sun had set hours ago, the night air sharp and chilly.
Hakeem had finished his shift at ‘Shape of Brew’ then headed to the research labs on Solomon University grounds.
He finishes work on an experiment for the night; tandem activation of multiple complex rune-based spell systems in an attempt to recreate for field use.
Hakeem locks up with Dr. Arianna Widows, the researcher in charge of his team.
Dr. Arianna is a tall woman with a slender frame, dark skin and an oval face framed by white hair that usually cascades down her back.
She wore it in a tight bun while in the lab.
“We got out late, Hakeem, are you sure I can’t offer you a ride? ”
Hakeem and Dr. Arianna walk out of the lab buildings side by side. He shakes his head at the offer. “Thank you, doctor, but my roommate texted me and said he was on his way himself. He’ll take me home but I feel bad since we were here longer than anticipated.”
As they reach the curb, headlights light up in the distance. The sound of a motorcycle engine fills the night as Eddie pulls up in front of the lab building. Eddie takes his helmet off and offers the duo watching him a charming smile. “I hope I’m not late.”
Hakeem can’t help but stare in awe. Eddie looks really good on that bike and in that leather jacket, dark locks mussed just right by the helmet. “Uh, no. We just finished locking up. Right, doctor?”
Arianna tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, amused by the young mage’s obvious fluster. “Indeed. Thank you for getting Hakeem home safe.”
Eddie shakes his head and waves off her concern. “Not at all, I had a late shift anyway. Just got off myself.”
Eddie takes a helmet charm off his keyring and tosses it to Hakeem. “Catch.” Mid air the charm grows into a full size helmet and Hakeem manages to catch it. Barely, but a catch nonetheless.
Hakeem’s eyes widen as he examines the helmet in his hand.
“Size altering transmutation magic. A charm on the helmet that activates based on distance from the keyring? I always wanted to look into how these worked, but that involved taking apart a lot of expensive things with no way to put them back together.”
Hakeem couldn’t help but be curious about all the magic he came across in the realms. His desire to know how things worked is what made him an amazing student in the field of theoretical thaumaturgy.
Eddie and Dr. Arianna chuckle as Hakeem keeps turning the helmet in his hands, looking for runes or a spell circle; anything to tell him more.
Eddie and Hakeem say their goodbyes to Dr. Arianna and start the drive home.
“Hold on tight, it’s chilly tonight. Wouldn’t want you to catch a cold.”
Hakeem wraps his arms around Eddie’s torso, trying hard not to hold on too closely.
As they drive the air grows colder, slicing through Hakeem’s Jacket down to his bones.
Eddie calls back to him. “Hold on tighter if you need to, the air cuts deep at this speed.” Hakeem obliges, needing a reprieve from the chill.
He scoots in closer when they hit a stoplight, chest pressed to Eddie’s back, arms wrapping around his thick torso tighter.
Eddie is warm, he mentioned he ran hot. Hakeem can hear Eddie’s heartbeat, is it because he just got off work before coming by?
Hakeem can feel the hard muscles of Eddie’s back press into his chest, the rise and fall of Eddie’s stomach under his arms as they ride, head resting between Eddie’s shoulders.
Eddie can feel Hakeem’s chest on his back, and the grip of his arms around his torso.
Hakeem has a stronger grip than he assumed from looking at the guy.
His arms are more toned than Eddie had expected, yet his chest feels soft pressed into his back.
He feels Hakeem’s breath on his back as they ride through the streets of Solomon City.
Hakeem’s face is buried into the leather of Eddie’s jacket, hidden from the harsh winds.
Eddie liked being relied on like this, having always been coddled as a child.
The runt of the litter, no wolf and little magic.
He liked the idea of someone looking to him for security, even if it was just for a ride home.
They arrive home, dismounting the bike just at the curb outside the Alexandria Building.
Eddie shrinks the helmet back and attaches it onto the keyring.
He presses the rune on his keyring and the bike shrinks next.
He chuckles when he notices Hakeem staring in wonder at the magic of the keyring.
He admires how in a world of magic Hakeem could still find fascination all around. Hakeem snaps himself out of his trance.
“Sorry if I held on too tight. Not used to traveling by motorbike.”
Eddie walks in stride with him into the building. “It was nice to have company on a ride. Maybe I’ll pick you up more often.”
Hakeem shrinks into his jacket, hiding his blush. “I’d like that.”
The boys head up to the apartment, casually closing the distance between them without realizing.