He offers Hakeem a warm, toothy grin, eager to see this magic for himself. “If you don’t mind, it sounds like a great idea. Just tell me what to do”.
Hakeem’s face brightens, overjoyed to be of help. “Just make a wish.”
* * *
Jackson places his hand on Hakeem’s shoulder, letting his mana flow into him. “I wish my stuff from my old apartment was moved to my new room here.”
Eddie’s wish sits in the air between them, the air thickening with magic. Hakeem draws on mana offered by Jackson’s touch, allowing it to fill his entire body with warmth. A crackle of silver light sparks over his body, a wind swirls around the three men. Hakeem’s eyes glow a bright silver, he spreads his arms out letting magic gather in his hands. “As you wish.”
He claps his hands, a soft light filling the room. Thumps of boxes and a thud of a bed fill the upstairs. Hakeem lets out a breath and Jackson takes a step back, neither men accustomed to the sensation of sharing mana between them.
Eddie wanders into his room and whistles, eyebrows raised in awe. “Oh, wow wow wow. It’s really all here. I should message my old roommates, they probably got a little freaked out by the apartment getting filled with magic.”
Just as expected Eddie gets a text from Oswald, a mild panic in the tone of the message. He replies saying a new friend helped him move. That was an amazing sight, Jackson and Hakeem looking ethereal, haloed by silver light. This was definitely the right choice.
Eddie heads back down to the kitchen where Hakeem had taken a seat on a stool by the island, Jackson rubbing his back gently. “Hakeem, are you alright?” Concern laces Eddie’s voice. Hakeem said he could handle his wish, so he should be alright. Right? The idea of having hurt the mage in any way twists his stomach.
Hakeem looks up, face laden with exhaustion. “I’m fine, Jackson covered the mana needed. I forgot about the slight physical strain. I’ll be fine, just need a moment.”
Jackson gets up and stretches his arms over his head, arching his back. “Well, I don’t know about the two of you, but I’ve had enough excitement for one day. Hakeem and I still need to fill these empty cupboards with groceries, and I gotta message my folks that I found my second roommate.” Jackson glances between his new roommates, a good feeling about this group skittering through his mind. “Edmund, did you wanna join us at the store?”
“Sounds like a plan. But my bike won’t fit all three of us, though.” Eddie says jokingly.
Hakeem straightens, the idea of riding behind someone on a motorbike encourages his imagination to go wild. Arms wrapped around sculpted muscle. Bodies pressed together, sharing heat.
Oh my stars.
Jackson smirks and holds up a hand. “I’ll drive, I got a ride. Come on, let’s go.”
* * *
The boys return from the store a couple hours later, having shopped separately, getting a few basics to last the rest of the weekend. Jackson’s car fit the three of them and their groceries comfortably enough: A custom made Deville with ruby red rims and sleek black paint.
They spend the rest of the day putting the shopping away, chatting amongst themselves, getting to know each other a little more. Leftovers from last night are heated up and had for a late lunch. They enjoy each other’s company, opening up to each other, bonding over awkward incidents.
This day has been busy; between showings, magical incidents, and a quick grocery run, all three of them grew quickly tired that night.
Eddie sets up his bed, leaving the rest of his unpacking for later. Theboys say their polite goodnights and retire to their rooms, having run out of small talk for the evening.
Jackson melts into his bed, Hakeem cracks open a short romance book to unwind with, and Eddie takes a shower in his new ensuite. As the boys settle into bed, an odd ease unfurls in their chests.
Jackson’s search was over, his instincts telling him he could get to graduation with these two as roommates easily enough.
Hakeem found a gorgeous apartment, an amazing new bed and, potentially, two new friends. He couldn’t wait to share his knowledge of the basics of magic with Jackson.
Eddie met two interesting people, with amazing magic. They intrigued him, curiosity drawing him to them, a giddy excitement to see where his life would lead if he stuck with them.
Chapter 10
The night air around the Alexandria Heights building fills with a restless wind, whistling around stone, dancing through the trees of Wychwood Park, leaves soaring in a wild ballet. Solomon City is overcome by a winter storm. Snow begins to blow, dark clouds eclipse the moon, a roll of thunder echoing across the realm. A crack of lightning illuminates the night, wind and snow picking up, coming down heavier and heavier.
The penthouse terrace of the Alexandria Heights building begins to fill with a layer of powder, coating the outdoor plants and covering the mana well sitting on rune bricks on the table. A spark of magic flares within the crystal ball, a soft glow of forest green and onyx black. A quiver of magic fills the apartment, the sound of the oncoming storm lulling the boys deeper into a sound slumber.
* * *
Hakeem feels a weight on top of him, warm breath on his neck. He feels his wrists above his head, held down by a gentle force, a caress upon his warm skin. He flutters his eyes open, a landscape of silver and green mists filling his peripheral vision. He focuses his attention as a figure comes into view, someone is straddling his waist, their knees on either side of him,something hard pressing against him.
Before he can figure out who that is, a kiss comes to his lips. Initial shock is overcome by burning desire. It’s gentle at first, his body encouraging him to lean into it, relaxing in a haze. The kiss deepens, his lips parts slightly, allowing his tongue to greet another in a tender embrace. He feels the weight shift from his wrists as two hands find his chest.
