Hakeem giggles, sniffing back tears. He cannot express with words alone how grateful he is to have found his fate in these two men, so he let his kiss speak for him.
Chapter 35
June 7th, Gregorian Year 2030
Jackson: Are you on your way home from work, hunny bun?
Hakeem: Yeah. Did you need me to pick something up from the store?
J: No, my love. Just letting you know Princess is spending the day with Wendy. I will see you at home. Do you remember your safe words? ;)
H: What? I mean yes but, Jackson? What are you planning?
J: Looooove youuuuuu!
Jackson sends a photo of a romance novel Hakeem had left on the dinner table earlier that day. His beloved boyfriend has been in a mood since their Eddie had to stay behind for his Lycan training. It’s only right that he brings his spirits up.
H: Jackson? Qalbi, what is going on???
Jackson smirks, browsing his closet for a silk robe to lounge in whilst waiting for Hakeem. Pouring himself a glass of red wine, swirling the burgundy liquid, appreciating the notes dancing on his nose when he inhales. He leans on the railing of the terrace, the setting sun framing the horizon in warm colors.
A tendril of shadow brings the aforementioned book to him, a wornbookmark marking Hakeem’s spot. Flipping through some of the older pages, sure to leave the bookmark untouched, he lands on a specific scene that raises his brow.
“Well,” he sips from the wine, a drop of dark red liquid dripping onto his lip from his fangs. Jackson licks his lips, eyes darkening with lust as they skim the printed words. “I could do that.” He looks over his shoulder to the shadows swirling at his back. “Shall we cheer our sweet little Hakeem up?”
Shadows curl around his arm, their presence a comfort instead of a bane after all these decades. He chuckles darkly, eyes tracking a frantic silhouette walking into the building from the sidewalk, a flurry of texts ignored on his phone. “Do be careful, little bunny.” The lights in the apartment flicker. “You never know what goes bump in the night.” Jackson vanishes from sight when the door cracks open.
* * *
“Jackson?” Hakeem peeks his head into the apartment, eyes squinting to scan the dark corners. The only light comes from the setting sun, long shadows cast from the furniture. “Hello?” Without Princess Bandit home the penthouse apartment is eerily quiet. He steps inside, leaving the door open to let the lights from the hallway fill the space.
Hakeem yelps when the door slams behind him, turning to see a dark mist melt into the floor. Fixing his glasses, he huffs, flicking the light switch beside the door. When nothing happens he flicks it again, then once more for good measure. A warm breath brushes his ear, the hairs on the neck standing.
“You smell delicious, my love,” chuckles Jackson darkly.
Hakeem spins to face his boyfriend, only to find no one. A piece of folded paper floats down, appearing from thin air. He unfolds the paper, reading the message inscribed in perfect cursive penmanship.
“Do you want to play, little rabbit?”
Hakeem sighs, smiling softly. He kisses the paper, whispering to theshadows. “Yes, qalbi. I’d love to.” The words change on the page.
“Remember, your safe word is starlight. Don’t let me catch you.”
Hakeem’s brows furrow, “Catch me?” Heat rushes to his cheeks, eyes darting to the romance novel on the table. “He wouldn’t.”
A whimper slips free when slender fingers wrap around his throat, another dragging manicured nails up his torso. Jackson kisses behind his ear, “Run.”
Jackson’s laughter echoes through the apartment, Hakeem sprinting up the stairs. He risks a peek over the second floor railing, gasping when he spies two glowing green eyes staring at him through a swarm of shadows. Black mist creeps up the stairs, so he bolts to Eddie’s room, slamming the door behind him.
As hard as Hakeem’s heart is beating, back of his head pressed to the door, his cock thickens behind his zipper at the idea of what Jackson will do when he catches him. He’s been reading far too many dark romances.
Can’t make it too easy on him now.
Hakeem draws the wand Jackson gifted him, drawing from the magic lingering in the air of the apartment. It’s a relatively new technique, but with how powerful Jackson’s magic is, it lets Hakeem draw in mana for emergencies. He points the wand to the door and crafts the spell with ancients words
“Seal it shut, hide the key. Until dawn, forbidden entry. Qufl!”
Silver chains wrap around the door intersecting around a glowing key hole. Hakeem catches himself with a hand on the wall, wiping the sweat from his brow with his forearm. Even with drawing on the remnants of Jackson’s mana in the air, that lock spell still drained Hakeem’s supply. Before he can rest, he rushes to turn on the lights on the bedroom, ensuite, and walk-in closet. Jackson’s control over shadows has been improving, the brighter it is the better.
