Chapter 26 #2
“So,” Eddie’s mother steps towards Hakeem, arm looped through her husband’s elbow, “this must be Hakeem. It’s so lovely to meet you.
Eddie has been going on and on about you and Jackson.
” Her smile is genuine, a slight teasing tone in her voice assures Hakeem he hadn’t immediately made a fool of himself.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you all. You all look amazing.” Hakeem falls into an easy rhythm as the conversation moves forward. It’s all idle chit chat really, small talk and introductions. Hakeem goes into the usual pattern he uses whilst at work, it helps keep his nerves in check.
Eddie’s siblings eye him curiously, knowing smirks creep up from their lips at how their youngest brother looks at his date.
The music shifts to something more modern. The band begins playing what seems to be an orchestral version of ‘A Million Dreams’, from a musical the boys watched together in the apartment. The songs were stuck in their head for a week.
The group splits up in their pairs, Sarah being asked to dance by a gentleman who had approached her as the music began. Eddie takes the opportunity to extend his hand towards Hakeem.
“May I have this dance?” His eyes don’t meet Hakeem’s. His offered hand is shaking slightly and a lump forms in his throat. All the tension drains from Eddie’s shoulders and he feels Hakeem’s hand in his; eyes darting up to meet ones as nervous as his.
“I’d love to, Eddie.”
Eddie leads them to a space on the dance floor, he takes one of Hakeem’s hands in his own as they face each other. Eddie places a hand on Hakeem’s waist, who in turn places a hand gently on Eddie’s shoulder.
They sway in place awkwardly for a moment, till they find the rhythm of the music and begin to take careful steps to the beat.
Eddie has danced several times before at these events.
Now it seems all prior experience amounted to nothing when it comes to dancing with someone he truly wanted to.
Hakeem is grateful he got whatever lessons he could from Charlie and Jackson, though this seems a bit different from a standard waltz.
They soon lose themselves to the music, their gaze lingering on each other. They dance away in their small little world, chest bumping together every so often. They focus less on the music and more on each other’s warmth.
Hakeem’s hand wanders around the length of Eddie’s arm, admiring the firm muscle that lay under the tailored suit.
He can feel Eddie’s pulse where their hands connect as Eddie leads them through the dance.
He peers through his mask to find ocean eyes staring back down at him, desire pouring out of them.
Hakeem’s throat goes dry as he lets himself be pulled closer.
He feels safe in Eddie’s arms, he knows he always would.
Eddie can’t help himself, he wants to take all of Hakeem in.
The curve of his hips where he holds him close, the quickening pulse he feels from Hakeem’s wrist. He loses himself in the silver eyes gazing up at him, longingly.
From this angle Hakeem seems so small and fragile, despite the power he could command with such elegance and grace.
As the song comes to an end, both men linger in each other’s arms for a moment longer. Eddie releases Hakeem’s hand from his own, taking the smaller man’s chin between his thumb and forefinger, tilting it up towards him, running his thumb along Hakeem’s lower lip.
Hakeem lips part in a shuddering gasp. He slowly wraps his arms behind Eddie’s neck as he rises up on his toes. They are soon nose to nose, warm breath tickling against parted lips.
Eddie leans forward, closing his eyes as Hakeem shuts his own.
Lips parted, soon a new warmth brushed against their mouths.
They seal this moment in their minds forever more, with a kiss.
It’s sweet, gentle, and lingers for a few beats of their hearts.
Eddie’s grip tightens on Hakeem’s waist as he deepens the kiss, swallowing a surprised yelp.
Hakeem pulls Eddie in closer as the passion sparked between them says all he could never speak aloud.
Something literally sparks between the two of them, both too enthralled in each other’s hold to notice.
Silver and blue static travel across their intertwined bodies, deepening the sensation of the kiss further.
The world falls away as their unspoken affection for one another is finally allowed out into the world.
They exhale as their lips come apart, stepping away slightly to let the emotions running rampant in their minds and hearts settle.
Hakeem’s hands find themselves pressed to Eddie’s chest. Eddie’s arms wrap lightly around Hakeem’s waist, barely a step of space between, both their cheeks gaining a rosy glow.
Eddie chuckles as he smiles down at Hakeem, “All that practice paid off.”
“I had a great dance partner,” replies Hakeem, sweetly, as they move to the side of the dance floor.
Eddie’s expression turns serious, gaze hardening. “One of the things I’ve admired about you, Hakeem, is the passion which guides you through life. You find wonder in the smallest things. You’ve awakened something in me I thought I lost long ago.”
Eddie cups Hakeem’s cheek in one hand, thumb stroking along his soft cheek. “I want there to be a future between us. I’ve reached a point where I can no longer imagine my life without you in it.” He opens his heart and lets all the emotions he had been scared to bear into the light.
Hakeem can hardly believe his ears, though his heart sings with joy.
“Eddie, these past few months have been more wonderful than I ever dared dream. I didn’t just find new roommates, I’ve found dear friends to share my life with.
I want a future with you too. It’s just,” He turns his face away, unable to risk seeing pain on Eddie’s face if this goes wrong, “I can’t honestly say my heart is yours alone right now. ”
Eddie leans in, hand guiding Hakeem’s face up towards him. The second kiss they share on the dance floor is just as electric as the first, lasting for only the briefest moment. Their eyes lock, understanding spoken not with words. “I know. I think I feel the same way.”
Hakeem’s eyebrows knit together in worry, “So, where do we go from here?”
Eddie presses their foreheads together, a deep sigh drawing from his core, “I’m not sure. I think we have to have a serious talk when we get home.”
“Those are the scariest kind. Though I think this one will be worth it,” whispers Hakeem.
Eddie’s eyes flicker from Hakeem’s as a familiar presence catches his attention. Shadows quiver in the few unlit corners of the ballroom. He straightens up and looks outward towards the crowd, Hakeem scanning the room in confusion in response.
Eddie’s heart soars, a wide grin enveloping his face as he spots forest green eyes hiding behind a mask of silver and blue.
He turns Hakeem in his hold towards the man slowly approaching them, hands firmly on Hakeem’s shoulders.
He hears the small gasp of surprise escape the man in his arms and chuckles in amusement.
“I think we might get the chance to talk sooner than expected.”
* * *
Jackson lingers at the edge of the ballroom.
Just far enough away that he doesn’t get swept into a sea of bodies swaying and twirling to the music, but close enough that Wendy would leave him to find a dance partner of her own.
He’s glad she’s enjoying herself, and relieved she was no longer pushing him towards the dance floor.
As the song comes to a close he walks the border of the room, eyes scanning for a certain pair of gentlemen.
He makes himself scarce, willing his presence to recede as though he is a shadow banished by morning light.
His parents haven’t stumbled upon him, they’re sure to be closer to the masters of the estate, Ladies Sasha and Marina Primavera.
The royals always tend to stick closer to each other at these things.
The spring realm is overseen by Mistress Sasha Primavera and her mate, Lady Marina Primavera.
The two were powerful fairies, their gossamer wings captured the light of eternal dawn of their realm, enveloping them in a halo of pinks, blues and purples.
Jackson had met them a few times prior to today, they were as graceful and beautiful as the fairies that filled the pages of storybooks.
But they were not whom he came here to find, though he should pay his respects before he departs.
His gaze lands on two men on the dance floor, lost to the world in each other’s embrace. Eddie and Hakeem share a passionate kiss, hidden by swarms of opulent gowns and tailored suits. They look picturesque, as though they belong in each other’s arms.
They don’t need him here.
They’ll come home at the end of the ball, he can wait for them there. He doesn’t need to interrupt their intimate moment. He should pay his respects to the rulers of the castle, make sure Wendy has a way home and head back to the apartment.
Before his nerves get the better of him, before he could turn on his heels and make his way away from the dance floor, his legs snag on something beneath his feet. Shadows wrap Jackson’s ankles, cementing him in place. “You have got to be kidding me. Now? Really?” He hisses through clenched teeth.
Before his exasperation at his magic can devolve into a scene in the middle of the castle, his feet begin to make their way towards the dance floor, towards the men who have stitched his heart together.
Jackson is a puppet on strings being led towards his heart’s desire, while his mind is melting down with anxiety.
He struggles to not make a scene as shadows maneuver his body deeper into the ballroom.
Hey!
“So sorry.”
Watch it!
“Excuse me.”
My word!
“Apologies.”