Chapter 26 #3
Jackson’s eyes lock with Eddie behind their masks, the first emotion spreading across his face being surprise.
It’s soon followed by relief and joy, his lips quirking up sweetly.
Hakeem is turned around in Eddie’s hold, lips parting in a gasp Jackson can feel in his soul.
They both seem excited to see him. The shadows release his legs, they now move by his own will towards them.
He rolls his shoulders back, holds himself tall, a soft smile replacing his nervous grimace.
“Well well well, fancy meeting you two here.” Jackson tries to be nonchalant.
“How are you gentlemen on this fine day?” He is quickly pulled into a tight hug by Hakeem, he lets himself be squeezed with affection.
“You made it!” Hakeem lets him go, only for him to be scooped up into Eddie’s arms with nary a beat missed.
“We’re glad to see you here.”
No further questions, no accusations of wasting time. They both just welcome him with literal open arms. “Sorry it took so long to make up my mind.”
They both have one of his hands in theirs, their grasp a grounding presence against the storm of his mind.
They share a look, a thousand words unspoken but all understood.
Eddie speaks up first, “There was actually something we both wanted to talk to you about. We were going to wait till tomorrow, but this might be a sign to bring it up now.”
They are interrupted by the clearing of a throat.
“I do apologize for the interruption. Master Al-Najim, Lady Eloise has requested an audience with you in the castle library.” Jean-Pierre, set apart from the other Jeans by his mint green pocket square, stands before the group, hands clasped behind his back.
“Jean-Claude? Paul? I’m sorry I still have a little trouble telling you two apart sometimes.” Hakeem is apologetic, albeit confused, as he replies.
Jackson leans in, “That’s Jean-Pierre, head of staff back home.”
Hakeem whispers back, “They’re triplets?”
“There’s actually one more, Jean-Luc. His color is rose red.”
“Oh, okay.” Hakeem is more confused by the answers provided.
Jackson steps in front of Hakeem defensively, whom Eddie pulls closer to him. “Why does my grandmother want an audience with Hakeem?”
Jean-Pierre offers a small, apologetic bow of his head, “I cannot say. Only that she wishes to meet with Master Al-Najim. In private.”
“If my grandmother wants a word she can speak with all of us.” Replies Jackson defensively.
Hakeem pulls away from Eddie and pats Jackson on the shoulder affectionately, “It’s okay, you two. I don’t mind meeting with Lady Nocturne. I’m sure it’s nothing sinister.”
Jackson grimaces, his eyebrows furrowed, “You don’t know my grandmother.”
Hakeem turns Jackson to face him, a warm hand placed on Jackson’s cheek to guide him, “I doubt even your grandmother would harm a guest in another royals court.” He places a quick kiss on Jackson cheek, one laced with intent and affection. “I’ll be back soon.”
Jackson’s breath hitches as Hakeem’s lips graze his cheek, “Okay,” is all he can muster as Jean-Pierre leads Hakeem away. He’s right, his grandmother wouldn’t hurt Hakeem, not in a foreign royal’s castle, not if it meant she would hurt Jackson in the process.
“He’ll be alright. No one will hurt him here, no one would dare,” Eddie says more for his sake than Jackson’s, as he throws his arms around Jackson’s shoulders, pulling him in close.
“I know you’re right, I just can’t help but worry.”
Eddie turns him around in his arms and steps away. “Maybe I can offer a distraction.”
A new song stirs from the band, melodic sound once more stirring the crowd to dance. Jackson sighs and shakes his head, “I will never get fae royal’s obsession with human pop music,” as an orchestral version of ‘Wildest Dreams’ begins to play.
Eddie once more extends a hand, “Jackson.” Jackson stares at the offered palm, mouth drawn into a tight line, eyes wide and filling with panic. “Will you do me the honors of joining me in a dance?”
Jackson scrambles to remember all the lessons he’s had in manners and etiquette in the ballroom, none seem to provide the answer he seeks as he takes Eddie’s hand with a gulp. “It would be my pleasure.”
They are both more experienced when it comes to sharing a dance in a royal court than Hakeem, so find their rhythm much more smoothly.
Eddie once more takes the lead, hand on Jackson’s hip, holding on firmly to the lean muscle.
They step in time with one another, as though they have danced together for years on end.
Eyes never parting for more than a moment.
“I knew there was something special about you from the moment I first laid eyes on you, Jackson.” Eddie says as they spin to the beat of the song.
“I can certainly say the same for you. I wish we had met under less, incriminating circumstances, but I was at ease with you from that first day.
“I can’t put a name to the force drawing us together, Eddie, I am still eternally grateful for it.
I never thought I could feel this way about another person again.
It’s different from the bond me and Hakeem share, yet I feel it all the same.
As though fate has meant for us to meet for years, all while I avoided its call wallowing in the shadows. ”
Eddie cups Jackson’s cheek in his hand as they continue to dance, “You were still healing. It takes time to open your heart back up to the world. All that matters is that you’re here in my arms. I can’t deny that you are my destiny, one I never saw for myself before.”
Jackson lets Eddie twirl him in time with the song, letting his mind settle on the sweet words and the emotions behind them. He catches snippets of whispers in the background.
Is that Jackson Nocturne?
The Nocturne boy, here?
Who is he dancing with?
I think that’s the youngest LaLune child.
Wasn’t he dancing with someone else earlier?
Didn’t they…?
Just friends perhaps?
Not with the way they are looking at each other.
What do you suppose is the story there?
Eddie sees his eyes darting towards the direction of the whispered voices, commanding Jackson’s attention back to him by guiding Jackson’s chin with his thumb.
“Hey, look at me.” Jackson obliges. “Don’t focus on them, these society types love to talk.
Let them whisper and wonder, the truth is for us and no one else. ”
Jackson offers a half smile, doubt still clouding his mind. “I can’t have them thinking you’re a playboy now. I held that title for far too long to give it up during one ball.”
His half hearted chuckle is silenced by the resolve burning in Eddie’s eyes. “Jackson, I don’t care what they think. All I care about right now is what you and Hakeem think of me.”
A lump forms in Jackson’s throat, eyes widening behind his mask. “I can promise I think quite highly of you, Eddie. Judging from that kiss you two shared, I suspect Hakeem shares that sentiment.” That earns a giggle from Eddie. “Now, what did you two want to talk to me about?”
Eddie regards him adoringly, “I would rather wait till Hakeem returns from meeting your grandmother. What is that about?”
Jackson shrugs as the music begins to die down, “Oh, who knows? That woman holds her cards so close to her chest not even the gods have a clue.”
“Can you give me a hint so that I may prepare myself at least?” Jackson says jokingly. Eddie gets that devilish look on his face, making Jackson’s stomach twist and heart leap.
He leans in close, large hand warm against the back of Jackson’s neck, eyes fluttering close as a single word silences the world around them, “This.”
Their masks gently graze one another as Eddie locks his mouth with Jackson’s, stifling a sound of surprise.
Jackson wraps his arms around Eddie’s broad back as he’s dipped.
Eddie places a hand from Jackson’s neck to the small of his back to balance him.
Jackson relaxes into the kiss, lips lingering on one another in an electrifying sensation.
Something stirs deep within them both. The warmth that fills their bodies from the kiss is overshadowed by the resonance of magic stirring deep within their souls.
They pull apart, breathless, lips shining from the kiss.
Sparks of green and blue flare to life between them as they stagger to straighten themselves.
“What… was that?” Asks Jackson in a raspy voice. The tingling sensation travels throughout his body, goosebumps rising in its wake.
Eddie interlocks their hands, a shy smile and wonder painted on his face, “I have no idea. I think something similar happened with Hakeem when we… you know.”
Jackson smirks and rolls his eyes, “Eddie, do not tell me you are getting shy after all those sweet words. After you literally dipped me into a kiss like something out of Hakeem’s romance novels.”
He notices the blush growing on Eddie’s cheeks, “I may have lost some of the nerve I’ve been building up for today.”
Jackson can’t help but burst into a fit of giggles as he clutches his sides, “You are too much sometimes.”
Eddie closes the distance between them, wrapping his arms around the small of Jackson’s back, looking down his nose at the elven man smiling back at him. “Is that a bad thing?” He asks sheepishly.
Jackson anchors his hands onto Eddie’s shoulders and leans up for a second kiss.
This one lasts for a beat longer, mouth parted more to allow their tongues to brush together.
He pulls back with glossy eyes and a wide grin, “On the contrary, I dare say it’s one of the things I’ve come to adore about you, Eddie. ”
“As for you, Jackson, watching you grow exponentially over the past three months has been a pleasure and an honor. I’m thrilled to say you are nothing like the brooding, rakish, playboy people say you are.
I have gotten to know and appreciate the kind, hardworking and charming man you truly are.
You bore your soul to me, to us, showcasing a bigger heart than so many people in this world and beyond.
” Eddie can’t help but tell the elf all he adores about him.
Jackson laughs, a joyful sound that rings through the air, “Edmund Seung-LaLune, how do you come up with such heartfelt declarations?” He rests his head on Eddie’s chest, breathing in his scent.
Eddie plants a kiss on the top of Jackson’s head as they sway to music playing in the background, “With the two of you, it comes easily.”
Jackson and Eddie are interrupted, once more by the clearing of a throat. Jackson freezes in Eddie’s arms as he recognizes the sound all too well. “Well, so nice of you to join us, Jackie. I do hope we aren’t interrupting.”
The boys spin around and stand side by side to face a small crowd that consists of Eddie’s family and in-laws; most of whom are giving them knowing grins and holding back their laughter, along with Jackson’s mother and father.
Annabella Nocturne has her arms crossed beneath her bust, her foot tapping impatiently, an eyebrow raised to her hairline, baring a small smirk that betrays her piercing gaze.
“Mother, Father, sorry I didn’t come see you both sooner.
I was-erhm-distracted.” Jackson’s face turns red at the poor choice of words.
“Seung-LaLunes and mates. Sorry I didn’t introduce myself earlier, before I…
” He draws out the syllable, unsure where to go from this corner he seemed to have verbally backed himself into.
“Kissed our little brother?” Asks Amelia, who is failing terribly at withholding her laughter. Eddie’s face blushes and he stiffens further at Jackson’s side, as his mother splits from the group to walk towards them.
“So,” Janice looks Jackson up and down, eyes sparkling, “this is the infamous Jackson. Annabella, your boy is very handsome.”
“Thank you Janice, you are too kind.” Annabella says matter of factly.
Janice stands on her toes to whisper into Eddie’s ear, “I like him for you as well. I think the three of you would look very nice together.”
Eddie’s siblings are bent over cackling, his father seemingly nodding in approval while holding back his own laughter.
He swallows dryly, face stained red, “Thank you, Umma.” He reaches for Jackson’s hand, who gives it freely, and holds on tight, “I think so too.” His voice is laced with fondness that cuts through the embarrassment of being cheered on by his entire family.
“So,” this time Jackson’s father, Joseph, saunters off to his son’s side, “where is the third member of your little group. Christopher and Janice told us about a nice young man who walked in here on Eddie’s arm. Just the two of them.”
Jackson cringes at the accusation in his father’s tone, he probably deserved that for keeping everyone in the dark.
His mother speaks next, “Yes, we can discuss your fortuitous arrival with Wendy,” she gestures to where Wendy is giggling full heartedly in the arms of a tall, dark and handsome suitor, “at a later time. I am quite eager to meet this mana match of yours. I would like to put a face to the name of the man who seemingly charmed the two of you.” She wags a manicured finger between the two men.
Jackson and Eddie share a quick glance between each other.
With a heavy sigh Jackson runs a hand through his pulled back hair, “Well, mother. If you must know, and I know you must, grandmother Eloise has seemingly taken an interest in our Hakeem.” He freezes at his use of ‘our’, a notion that does not go unnoticed by the gallery of family members around them.
Clearing his throat, Jackson pushes forward. “He should be in the middle of an audience with her as we speak. In the castle library, where she usually goes during these things.”
Annabella brows knit together, she massages her temple in frustration.
“I’m sure we have much to discuss,” she shoots a quick glance to Christopher LaLune.
“As for now, let us pay our respects to our host. Then we shall see about rescuing your ‘friend’,” Jackson cannot believe his mother is using air quotes right now, “from whatever tedious conversation my mother has roped him into.”
Jackson and Eddie can’t figure out the frustration behind Annabella’s voice. Jackson laces an arm through Eddie’s elbow as they make their way across the hall, a shared question brewing in their minds.
What harm could come of Hakeem talking to Lady Eloise Nocturne?