Chapter 30
Life was good. Great even. In fact it has been the best few weeks for Jackson in decades.
He has two men who truly cared for him in his life.
Men who showered him with affection daily.
Men who greeted him and each other with welcomed kisses and warm embraces.
Forehead kisses, hugs from the back, sweet nothings whispered whilst cuddling between his boyfriends on the couch.
Life is fucking fantastic to say the least.
The boys realize their usual routine of work, school and home would be minimally altered by their new relationship with one another.
Eddie and Hakeem still cooked together, Jackson serving as an ever loyal taste tester whilst giving Princess Bandit the attention she craved.
They still watched their shows together, it just involved a lot more cuddling.
They still kept to their own rooms, most nights just involved sharing a bed with either one boyfriend or both.
They quickly established their personal boundaries, noting how some days they might want their space, moods affected by heavy work loads or just too exhausted to reciprocate copious amounts of affection.
That didn’t hinder the affectionate kisses on the cheek in passing or quick hugs before leaving the apartment on good days.
It is truly more of the same domestic life the boys had grown accustomed to with each other, simply with much more shameless flirting.
Hakeem and Jackson still practiced magic together.
Jackson’s control had improved in leaps and bounds since the solstice.
Complex spell construction still eluded him, but he hasn’t felt his magic slip away from his control in ages.
Now it served as an excuse to spend time sharing magic with Hakeem and watch his face light up when he commanded the mana with such elegant precision.
Eddie was more than happy to congratulate them both for their hard work, in many ways.
After the last day of classes for the university, after a whirlwind final month of studying, presentation and dissertations, the boys even had a chance to go on proper dates together, away from the prying eyes of high society.
Jackson got the boys tickets to a musical that had them all belting songs the way home.
Eddie took them to watch his favorite team play in Solomon Stadium.
(Note: Eddie really likes it when his boyfriends wear nothing besides his favorite team’s jerseys.)
Hakeem can’t afford box seats or front row tickets to the theater or games, so his date suggestion comes from the grace of city events.
The Solomon City food festival has several stalls operating downtown, with foods from so many different cultural backgrounds of the human realm.
Hakeem leads the boys through the event with Princess Bandit on a bedazzled pink lead in front of him.
He sports a blue short sleeve button down open over a green graphic tee of a bat that says ‘wake me for dinner’, and jeans.
Eddie sports black shorts and a jersey.
Jackson dressed himself in designer tan chinos and a black silk shirt, top two buttons undone. Whilst his boyfriends go with sensible sneakers, he casually sports designer loafers.
They try a little of everything.
Korean corn dogs, Middle Eastern falafel, Chinese soup dumplings, Indian kulfi, Japanese takoyaki, Mexican elotes and Filipino Halo-Halo.
They even stop at a place that has Taiwanese bubble tea.
Strawberry and Mango milk tea for Eddie and Hakeem respectively, with Jackson settling for the classic milk tea with tapioca.
Between Eddie’s stomach and Hakeem’s desire to try new things, the boys embark on a culinary adventure along one long street in downtown Solomon.
Jackson has never been a big eater. Today, however, he was lovingly fed samples of his boyfriend’s food from around the world.
A sip from a drink here, an adorably offered spoonful there, bright eyes waiting to gauge his reaction.
By the time they were both satisfied for the afternoon his stomach was as full as his heart.
The bloating feels like a small price to pay to see Eddie and Hakeem enjoy themselves so much.
Any sample of raccoon safe food is also offered to the eager critter.
They take a small detour into a bookshop on Hakeem’s suggestion. He wants to grab a new book that has come out, assuring Jackson it is not by his grandmother.
That conversation led to more questions than answers.
Jackson was thankful the book his grandmother showed Hakeem was unpublished and unembellished, he did not need his grandmother writing about his love life thank you very much.
Whatever the reason Brenda and his grandmother had to make that timeline in book form, it seems to have paid off well enough.
He let his frustration go and decided to cuddle up to his boyfriends instead after they talked.
As the boys wander through the store, Hakeem’s eyes scanning the new releases for his intended target, Eddie and Jackson’s attention lands on a peculiar cover.
The art is of a werewolf and a vampire seemingly locked in combat under a blood moon.
The odd part is the hardcover book, with its gilded pages, is under the romance section.
“One Night Under The Blood Moon,” Jackson reads the title aloud, skimming the description on the back.
“A steamy enemies to lovers’ romance. The thrilling conclusion to the Blood Moon saga.
For a romance novel you’d think they would use art less…
..Blood thirsty? It doesn’t look like this vampire and werewolf are anywhere near lovers. ”
Eddie watches over Jackson’s shoulder as he skims through the pages, eyes landing on a very descriptive scene. “That seems like something lovers would do though. Are they on the ceiling?”
Jackson raises an eyebrow, an impressed and contemplative hum escaping him, “So they are. Hunny Bun?”
Hakeem turns from where he stood pulling out his selection from a shelf, Princess Bandit perched on his shoulder. “Yes, ya qalbi?”
Jackson holds the book in one hand, “Do you know this series?”
Hakeem adjusts his glasses and strolls over. “Oh my stars, is the final book out already? Yes, I am familiar, I just didn’t realize the last book in the series was already out. Ooh and this is a special edition.”
Eddie rests his chin on Jackson’s head, arms wrapped around a slender waist, as he watches Hakeem’s growing excitement with a fondness that warms his heart. “Thinking of getting that one too, sweety?”
Hakeem shakes his head, “Unfortunately, no. I don’t have enough after today. Even if I didn’t get the book I came in for. This special edition is about triple the price of a paperback version. I am at my limit for spending for a while.”
Hakeem goes to put the book back in place on its shelf, resigned to leave the purchase for a later date, when Eddie plucks it from his hand. He gives Hakeem a wink and sly smile before heading to the register, “It’s on me then.”
Hakeem stutters as he chases after the man, Jackson right beside him. “Absolutely not! If you want to buy it for yourself I can’t stop you, but please don’t get it for my sake.”
“Hakeem is right, my darling. I should buy it. You two spent so much on food today as is,” says Jackson as he strides up next to Eddie.
“Hm, fair point, my dearest,” says Eddie as he hands Jackson the book along with a quick peck on the lips.
Hakeem goes to argue when Eddie plucks his original book from his hands, “Might as well put them all on one bill if both are coming home with us.”
Hakeem furrows his brows, hands clenching at his side, Princess hopping off his shoulder to stare up at him. “Hubiy,” Eddie flashes him a sweet smile, lifting Hakeem’s chin in his hand. “I appreciate the offer but please don’t spend so much on books for me. I don’t feel right accepting these.”
Eddie seals his lips against Hakeem’s, melting away his boyfriend’s forced fury. “I’m sorry, sweety. It’s just too fun to spoil you. And consider these contributions for the sake of….. research we’ll call it.”
Hakeem feels the warmth encroaching on his face.
He knows damn well what Eddie means, and is further proven right by Jackson’s (and Princess’s) snickering.
He supposes there are worse problems to have, so he sighs as he regards the larger man sweetly, forcing some firmness to return to his tone.
“Fine. But I’m making dinner tonight, no room for argument. You two relax when we get home.”
Jackson returns with a bag containing the two books, stomach turning at the idea of more food. “I don’t know how you two could eat again today, though I am not opposed to heading home.”
Eddie wraps an arm around Jackson as they follow Princess and Hakeem out of the shop towards the car, noticing the pep in the mages step as he holds the books close to his heart. “I have an idea on how we can work up your appetite, my dearest.”
Hakeem can’t help but playfully rolls his eyes at the insinuation, one Jackson giggles at, “Your appetite is truly voracious, isn’t it.”
Eddie kisses him on his forehead. “Only for you two.”
* * *
Whilst Hakeem works on dinner, Eddie cuddles on the couch with Jackson-wearing an oversized hoodie stolen from Eddie-in his lap watching an old movie.
Princess Bandit watches Hakeem work in the kitchen, gladly nibbling on scraps he passes back to her.
The serene atmosphere of kitchen sounds and movie special effects is interrupted when Eddie’s phone rings. ‘Umma’ pops up on the caller I.D.
Eddie switches to Korean on instinct, “Mom, hi. How are things?”
“Eddie, everything is ok. Your father was wondering if you and the boys would want to come to a barbecue on the next full moon. Your father wants you close since you said during the last full moon you felt pained. It might mean your first shift is coming.”