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.”
Last full moon was indeed a scare for the boys. Eddie was bedridden the day of the full moon, both his boyfriends refusing to leave the apartment to look after him. Jackson held his hand and ran a soothing hand through his then sweaty locks whilst Hakeem made soup for him. He hated being doted on most of the time, often feeling it reminded him of his shortcomings as a child. That time felt different, he gladly let himself be cared for by the two men who had so quickly filled his life with a warmth he had craved for so long.
“It would be good to be home for it, so he suggested we make a weekend out of it. If you don’t change then it’s still a good excuse to have everyone together. If you do, then you can finally go on a full moon run with your father and siblings.”
Eddie had wanted to join them on their full moon runs for years. The full moon was when wolf shifters were at their most energetic and powerful. He dreamed of a day he could join them and keep up. He switches back to English to address the house. “Umma says we’re invited for a weekend at the family home for the full moon in a couple weeks. It should be nice out for May so we can have a poolside barbecue. Did you guys want to come?”
Eddie puts the phone on speaker as the boys voice their agreement, they figure it would be fun to get away for a weekend.
Janice is overjoyed. “Hakeem, why don’t you invite your family too? It would be so lovely to finally meet them. We have plenty of space and there is no issue in grabbing more food.”
Hakeem sets his pot of food to a simmer, closing the lid as he heads over whilst carrying Princess. “Are you sure? We would hate to impose.”
“Don’t be silly. We would love to have you all. That includes Princess Bandit, of course.”
The small raccoon waves happily to the woman’s voice coming through the phone. Since Janice is Eddie’s mother, did that mean she’s Princess’s grandmother in a sense? The question floats through Hakeem’s mind, an odd thought he could debate on a later date.
Janice continues, “Jackson, your mother and father are invited as well. It would be so nice if we could all get together outside of society events, something more casual.”
Jackson can hardly imagine his mother going to a poolside barbecue that had no underlying political plot, perhaps it would be nice. “You are too kind, Mrs. Seung-LaLune, I hope they can join us as well.”
