Chapter 28
Hakeem had made his way to the gardens; he knew not how, his legs simply took him there.
The eternal light of dawn that bathes the Spring Realm coats every flower in a soft glow, making delicate petals appear more fragile and beautiful than ever before.
He finds a stone bench on which to rest, he hadn’t realized the speed at which he departed from the library.
Nothing Lady Eloise told him was necessarily bad, in fact it seemed their future held significantly less turmoil than it was supposed to.
His mind is just racing from all the new knowledge it had learned, for once unsure what to do with it.
A new spell had a place in his mind, a function to serve in one way or another.
Something as grand as knowing fate was changed by the circumstances of your birth, and further by the emotions held for you by two men you’ve come to adore, makes one’s head spin.
Hakeem just needs a moment to think, to sort through his thoughts. He just needs-
“Hakeem?”
“Jackson,” Hakeem sighs with relief as he looks up to see Jackson making his way towards the bench in the garden, tucking his mask into a jacket pocket. “What are you doing out here?”
“I just needed some air. Weren’t you with my grandmother?
Eddie went over to the library to see if you were alright.
I’ll shoot him a text to let him know.” Hakeem chuckles dryly to himself, patting the seat next to him, gesturing for Jackson to join him.
He does as he puts his phone away after messaging Eddie, and Hakeem promptly leans in closer, resting his head on Jackson’s shoulder.
“Hey,” Jackson brushes some curls from Hakeem’s forehead, “are you alright? I hope my grandmother didn’t say anything weird.”
Hakeem looks up at Jackson, an awkward smile emerging on his lips, “I just needed some air too. Your grandmother was lovely, we had a very informative talk.”
Jackson rolls his eyes as he pulls in Hakeem closer by looping an arm around his shoulder. “Do I even want to know?”
“Maybe later, if that’s okay?”
Jackson looks down at Hakeem’s pleading eyes, the exhaustion in them apparent but his amused smile shows he had a good time regardless. He takes a risk and plants a tender kiss on the top of Hakeem’s head, who nuzzles closer. “You can tell me all about it at your own pace.”
“Thank you, Jackson.”
The music from within the castle carries through the air that it even reaches the garden.
An orchestral version of ‘Rewrite the Stars’ begins to play, another song from that same musical Hakeem and Eddie danced to earlier.
Hakeem sits up straight, his head turned towards the music.
“For such a beautiful song, it has such a sad ending.”
Jackson gets up to stretch, “There is a beauty in it though. Against all odds and tragedy they do end up together in the musical, even with the song’s somber ending. Just because it seems the world is against you, doesn’t mean your story is doomed to end in sorrow.”
Hakeem chuckles at that, if only Jackson knew. “I suppose it doesn’t. Fate truly is fickle that way.”
Jackson turns towards the music, face grimacing at the mention of fate. “If karma is a bitch, fate is a petty bastard. It always seems to pull the rug out from under you just before a happy ending.”
“At times like that we must simply pull ourselves up and get there ourselves.”
Hakeem stands and taps Jackson thrice on his shoulder. When he turns around he finds Hakeem bowing at a slight angle, hand extended with his palm facing upwards. Before he can react Hakeem takes his chance, “Jackson Nocturne, may I have this dance?”
Jackson smirks, delighted to oblige, as he takes Hakeem’s hand in his. Hakeem giggles as he pulls him close, hand on Jackson’s hip. “Unlike with lessons, this time I’ll lead.”
Jackson throws his head back in a stark laugh.
“Oh really? Well then, Mr. Al-Najim” the name is sweet, rolling off Jackson’s tongue, “I leave myself in your capable hands.” Jackson’s places a hand on Hakeem’s shoulder.
They both share a loving look as they begin to dance to the music, just like they have all week.
They let their bodies be guided by the sound of strings and woodwinds flowing out from the castle into the lush garden plaza. Jackson leans in close, his breath tickling against Hakeem’s ear, “I told you I’d never get sick of dancing with you.”
The words against his ear make Hakeem giggle as rosiness fills his cheeks, “I could get used to dancing with you forever, Jackson.” Hakeem looks up to the elven man in his arms, who is smiling down his nose at him.
They pause where they stand in the center of a stone walkway, leaning in closer to one another.
Their eyes flutter, heads tilting ever so slightly as they come together, for a kiss.
This one isn’t spurred by mana drunk lack of inhibition.
It is not a sweet dream during a winter storm.
It’s real, laced with intent and affection.
Their lips lock together, tender and warm.
Hakeem pulls Jackson in closer by his waist, who in turn wraps his arms around Hakeem’s shoulders.
They breathe in each other’s scents and bask in each other’s warmth.
Hakeem can feel the firm muscles in Jackson’s lower back.
Jackson hands wander to the firmness of Hakeem’s broad shoulders.
Silver and green mana flare around their intertwined bodies, forcing them apart, flushed and breathless. Their lips still shining from where they locked together, chests heaving as they gaze into each other’s glazed eyes.
“What was that?” Hakeem asks in a breathy exhale.
Jackson chuckles, tongue tracing his lower lip. “The same thing happened when me and Eddie kissed. He thinks he felt a similar, let’s say tingle, with you. Perhaps you were both too, justifiably, distracted to notice.”
Hakeem chuckles, burying his face into Jackson’s chest to hide his flushed cheeks and giddy grin, fingers clutching at the material of Jackson’s vest. “The bonds between people can change the magic within them. Our mana match is much more susceptible to our emotions, and whatever is pulling us towards Eddie, besides ever growing fondness, must be too.”
Jackson pulls Hakeem’s out of his chest, guiding his face upwards with a gentle hand, leaning down for another kiss.
Their eyes flutter close as their tongues brush together.
Hakeem nibbles at Jackson’s lower lip as they pull apart, a devious grin on his face.
“Do you wish to know more, Mr. Nocturne?” The name escapes Hakeem in a giggle.
Jackson sways in place, holding the genius who has found a way into his heart in his arms, humming contemplatively. “Hmm, no. Not this time. I think I’m okay with this mystery staying a mystery for a while longer. Something just for us, you know?”
Hakeem sighs into Jackson’s chest, “Just for us,” and lets himself be pulled in closer, swaying to the phantom music.
Hakeem’s brows furrow as vision goes blurry. “Dang it. My spell is wearing off.”
Jackson guides them down to the bench. “The spell for your eyes? So you could wear the mask more comfortably?”
“That’s the one. I’ll be fine, just need my-” Hakeem feels around in his jacket pockets: mask, phone, but no glasses. “Shit, I must have dropped them somewhere.” He drops his face into his hands, shoulders deflating.
Jackson rubs his back and scoots in closer. “Do you need me to wish to find them?”
Hakeem sighs into his hands, “No. Since I was a kid I learned a spell to locate them and bring them back to me. It’s draining, but does the trick.” He looks up at Jackson, eyes squinting to try and focus through the slight blurriness of his vision.
Jackson cups Hakeem’s soft cheek in his hand, who melts into the touch, “My magic, our magic, is here if you need it. I always will be from now on.”
They kiss once more. Hakeem smiles against his lips, filling his cheeks, “I know you will be.”
“Maybe I can save you both some trouble.” A familiar voice catches both their attention. Before Hakeem can ask, someone places his glasses back on his face.
Eddie smiles down at him affectionately. “You dropped these. I figured you’d want them back.” Eddie leans in closer to kiss his forehead, then turns to Jackson to grant him one on the cheek. Both men accept the gesture wholeheartedly.
Hakeem adjusts his glasses as he looks up at his hero, his Eddie. “What would we do without you?” Jackson and Hakeem scoot apart to let Eddie sit between them as he finishes putting his own mask away.
Eddie sits and pulls them both in by wrapping an arm around their shoulders. They lean into Eddie, he feels so safe and warm. “If it’s up to me, you’ll never have to worry about finding out.”
Jackson takes the opportunity to lay all his cards out on the table.
He takes a steadying breath, “You guys said you had something you wanted to talk about.” Both men turn towards him.
“Is it safe to say we might already be on the same page?” Eddie and Hakeem exchange a look and an eager smile, they are pretty sure they are.
Jackson continues, “I haven’t been in a serious relationship in decades.
I was scared for so long to let someone in, nonetheless two people.
I want to try-genuinely try-to make it work with you two. ”
Eddie inhales, steeling his resolve, “I’ve had a couple of boyfriends and girlfriends, the longest relationship lasting a month. We ended on amicable terms but the spark was never there for long.”
Hakeem cringes at the memory of his last so called relationship.
“The last guy I kinda dated, well, we never really were official. We had some fun times but we never became boyfriends I guess. Funny enough I introduced him to his now husband, they got married last year. Lovely ceremony, beautiful couple. Me and Charlie got them matching throw blankets.”