Chapter 29
Jackson is awoken by the sound of chittering at the foot of the bed.
He cracks an eye open to find a fuzzy silhouette waiting for him.
“Good morning, Princess,” he says, voice thick from sleep, “is it time for breakfast?” The small raccoon scampers across the bed to stare down at him from beside his head.
“I’ll take that as a yes. Hold on, I’ll get up and feed you. ”
As Jackson tries to push himself up, he realizes a warm and muscular arm is keeping him pinned to a broad chest by his waist. As memories of last night begin to trickle in, a content smile emerges from his lips as he looks out across the bed to see Hakeem; glasses put aside before they called it a night, sleeping blissfully whilst also using Eddie as the realm’s best pillow.
A fact proven the first time Jackson fell asleep atop the man.
“Okay then, this might be the hardest time I have getting out of bed in decades,” Jackson whispers to himself whilst a certain spoiled raccoon grows impatient. He contemplates his next course of action. Wake his new boyfriends to feed Princess Bandit? Or, try his hand at controlling his shadows?
He has come to understand his shadows react strongest to his deepest desires.
Be it to protect, to draw people closer, or even act out in revenge (not currently relevant but it’s important to learn from history.) He’s given in to his greatest desire, so perhaps the shadows will be willing to cooperate this morning.
Jackson follows Hakeem’s instructions from the many days they spent training his magic. Intention. Visualization. Execution.
Jackson’s eyes glow, a shining forest green, as he breathes in and out.
Slow, controlled breaths as he pours his mana into the corners of the apartment untouched by the morning light of a new spring.
He can see the apartment through them, almost as if he were looking through someone else’s eyes.
It’s an odd sensation, one he had experienced once before when tracking the cultist. The apartment is certainly smaller than all of Solomon City, and much easier to maneuver around.
His shadows comply, tendrils reaching into cupboards and the fridge.
Fresh fruit and some chicken are laid in a fancy two compartment bowl along with fresh water in Princess’s water dish.
The tendrils move as though they were household staff at their master’s beck and call.
Clean, organized and precise as they finish serving up Princess’s breakfast, a fact the small raccoon soon notices as she scurries out of the room.
Satisfied with his handiwork, Jackson nuzzles into Eddie’s hold, hands held to his chest as he lets the rise and fall of Eddie’s chest rock him back to sleep.
Before he can doze back off, however, a small squeak catches his ear.
He looks over to see Hakeem, who is now most definitely awake, holding back a squeal.
“Jackson, did you just…”
Jackson chuckles softly, “Use my shadow tendrils to feed our raccoon to avoid having to get up and leave you two for even a moment? Yes. Yes, my dear Hakeem, I did.”
Hakeem reaches out a hand, which Jackson gladly laces his own through, “I knew you were improving, that level of precision is a result of your hard work.”
Jackson pulls his hand closer, planting a small kiss on the back, “I have the most wonderful teacher.”
Hakeem giggles bashfully, “And you, ya qalbi, are the most wondrous student.”
Qalbi. Jackson isn’t sure what the word meant, only that it was a term of endearment.
Once before had Hakeem said that to him, in that very detailed dream on the night Eddie moved in.
He hadn’t spent long in the middle east during his time in the human realm, so the Arabic languages were not ones he’s familiar with.
“What does that mean?” He asks Hakeem in a low whisper, hands still locked together across Eddie’s torso.
Hakeem’s cheeks flush with heat, gaze breaking away from Jackson’s. “Uh, well. It means-that’s to say-uh.”
Jackson can’t help but smirk coyly at the sight of Hakeem fumbling over his words so early in the day.
“Would I be correct to assume it’s something good?
” Hakeem simply nods, words too bundled in his mind to answer.
Jackson gives his hand a squeeze. “Then I’ll graciously accept the moniker. I only hope I can live up to it.”
Hakeem’s voice squeaks when his eyes return to meet Jackson’s, “You already have.”
While those two idly chat, Eddie begins to stir.
“Huh? Did I miss something? Does Princess need breakfast?” He subconsciously pulls his boyfriends in closer, earning a startled yelp out of both of them.
Now, lying on top of Eddie’s broad frame, the boys share a laugh as Eddie continues to rise from sleep.
Jackson leans up first, granting Eddie a quick peck on the lips, “Good morning, darling. Princess has been taken care of, sorry to wake you.”
“It’s fine, I should be getting up anyway.” Replies Eddie, sleepily.
“Well it seems some part of you already is,” says Hakeem with raised eyebrows. Something hard pressed against his side when Eddie pulled them in closer. Jackson risks a peek down south, a tent had indeed formed itself in Eddie’s sweatpants. One of impressive size.
“Oh, sorry you two,” apologizes Eddie.
Jackson shakes his head as he pats Eddie’s chest, “Oh don’t be.
You are a healthy young man, that’s just nature.
In fact, we should take it as a compliment.
” Hakeem snickers in approval as he plants a kiss on Eddie’s cheek.
A devious smile emerges on Hakeem’s lips that catches Jackson’s attention.
“Did you have something in mind, Hakeem?”
Hakeem draws small circles on Eddie’s chest while contemplating his reply.
“Hm, well I was just thinking. As nice as it would be to just stay here and thoroughly enjoy our first morning as boyfriends together,” the comment sends both Eddie’s and Jackson’s eyebrows flying upwards, “we might benefit from a quick shower. Just to lean towards the side of caution.” Jackson instantly understands Hakeem’s point.
These things do need some degree of preparation (especially with morning breath), he is just shocked it came from Hakeem. Viva la romance books.
A low growl emerges from Eddie, his hands digging into their shoulders. “Mr. Al-Najim,” Eddie’s tone is sultry and dark, “are you trying to seduce us?”
Hakeem replies with a lingering kiss, drawing away slowly, “Is it working?” Hakeem’s fingers clutch at more of the fabric of Eddie’s sleep shirt, as though it offends him by keeping any sort of distance between him and his boyfriend.
Eddie’s grip loosens as he goes to sit up on the bed, both his partners giving him wry smiles, “Oh, most definitely.”
Jackson and Hakeem scurry out of bed in a yelp as Eddie playfully snaps his jaws at them, a beast nipping at his prey.
Jackson leads Hakeem out towards his room by the hand, insisting the master bedroom’s shower would more adeptly serve their needs.
Eddie’s eyes darken as he rises out of bed in pursuit, a toothy grin plastered on his face as he chases after the men he has grown to care for so deeply.
Eddie and Hakeem stop by their own bathrooms first for a quick brushing, before making their way to join Jackson.
Jackson’s ensuite is definitely larger, a grand standing shower with a rain panel shower attachment draws Hakeem’s attention when the mage wanders in.
It most certainly looks as though it could comfortably fit three adult men.
What should be an unnecessary extravagance is instead a fortuitous installment.
Jackson is buzzing with excitement, the idea of physical intimacy hadn’t excited him like this in so long.
Now he could hardly strip out of his clothes fast enough.
He turns as his shirt hits the floor to see Hakeem, moments ago as excited as he was, now bashfully staring at him whilst his own shirt is being pulled down by nervous hands.
“Hey,” Jackson crosses over to cup Hakeem’s face, “you okay?” Jackson’s brows furrow in concern as Hakeem refuses to meet his gaze.
“I may have been over confident. You and Eddie, you guys spent years training your bodies. Mine is softer and squishier. I’m just a bit embarrassed when compared to you two.”
Eddie had made his way into the bathroom by now, just in time to hear Hakeem’s concerns.
He steps in behind him, hands planting gently on Hakeem’s shoulders, firmer and stronger than Hakeem gives himself credit for.
Eddie plants a trail of kisses along Hakeem’s neck, warming his tan skin wherever lips touched down.
“You have nothing to be embarrassed about. Just because your muscles aren’t as defined or as firm doesn’t mean you aren’t beautiful, Hakeem. ”
Jackson lets his hands fall from Hakeem’s face to the curve of his hips, the touch drawing out a shudder that travels up the mages spine.
“And not to mention,” Jackson’s hand traces Hakeem’s frame until they find a plump ass, which he grabs with a firm grip.
Hakeem yelps in surprise. “All that work on your stamina you’ve been doing with Eddie has shown some promising results.
” Jackson’s voice is low, his gaze hungry.
Hakeem’s anxieties about his body are silenced for the time being by the attention his two boyfriends are showering him in.
Soon all three of them were shimmying out of their sleep pants and underwear, eyes trailing over each other’s bodies, shower water already running to allow it to preheat.
Hakeem’s tan skin, broad shoulders that led to arms stronger than they appeared. The slight curve of Hakeem’s belly and hips that draw down to toned legs and a plump derriere. He has a trail of dark curly hair scattered across his chest that trailed down to his crotch.