* * *
The sun had set hours ago, the night air sharp and chilly. Hakeem had finished his shift at ‘Shape of Brew’ then headed to the research labs on Solomon University grounds. He finishes work on an experiment for the night; tandem activation of multiple complex rune-based spell systems in an attempt to recreate for field use.
Hakeem locks up with Dr. Arianna Widows, the researcher in charge of his team. Dr. Arianna is a tall woman with a slender frame, dark skin and an oval face framed by white hair that usually cascades down her back. She wore it in a tight bun while in the lab. “We got out late, Hakeem, are you sure I can’t offer you a ride?”
Hakeem and Dr. Arianna walk out of the lab buildings side by side. He shakes his head at the offer. “Thank you, doctor, but my roommate texted me and said he was on his way himself. He’ll take me home but I feel bad since we were here longer than anticipated.”
As they reach the curb, headlights light up in the distance. The sound of a motorcycle engine fills the night as Eddie pulls up in front of the lab building. Eddie takes his helmet off and offers the duo watching him a charming smile. “I hope I’m not late.”
Hakeem can’t help but stare in awe. Eddie looks really good on that bike and in that leather jacket, dark locks mussed just right by the helmet. “Uh, no. We just finished locking up. Right, doctor?”
Arianna tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, amused by the young mage’s obvious fluster. “Indeed. Thank you for getting Hakeem home safe.”
Eddie shakes his head and waves off her concern. “Not at all, I had a late shift anyway. Just got off myself.”
Eddie takes a helmet charm off his keyring and tosses it to Hakeem. “Catch.” Mid air the charm grows into a full size helmet and Hakeem manages to catch it. Barely, but a catch nonetheless.
Hakeem’s eyes widen as he examines the helmet in his hand. “Size altering transmutation magic. A charm on the helmet that activates based on distance from the keyring? I always wanted to look into how these worked, but that involved taking apart a lot of expensive things with no way to put them back together.”
Hakeem couldn’t help but be curious about all the magic he came across in the realms. His desire to know how things worked is what made him an amazing student in the field of theoretical thaumaturgy. Eddie and Dr. Arianna chuckle as Hakeem keeps turning the helmet in his hands, looking for runes or a spell circle; anything to tell him more.
Eddie and Hakeem say their goodbyes to Dr. Arianna and start the drive home.
“Hold on tight, it’s chilly tonight. Wouldn’t want you to catch a cold.”
Hakeem wraps his arms around Eddie’s torso, trying hard not to hold on too closely. As they drive the air grows colder, slicing through Hakeem’s Jacket down to his bones. Eddie calls back to him. “Hold on tighter if you need to, the air cuts deep at this speed.” Hakeem obliges, needing a reprieve from the chill. He scoots in closer when they hit a stoplight, chest pressed to Eddie’s back, arms wrapping around his thick torso tighter.
Eddie is warm, he mentioned he ran hot. Hakeem can hear Eddie’s heartbeat, is it because he just got off work before coming by? Hakeem can feel the hard muscles of Eddie’s back press into his chest, the rise and fall of Eddie’s stomach under his arms as they ride, head resting between Eddie’s shoulders.
Eddie can feel Hakeem’s chest on his back, and the grip of his arms around his torso. Hakeem has a stronger grip than he assumed from looking at the guy. His arms are more toned than Eddie had expected, yet his chest feels soft pressed into his back. He feels Hakeem’s breath on his back as they ride through the streets of Solomon City. Hakeem’s face is buried into the leather of Eddie’s jacket, hidden from the harsh winds. Eddie liked beingrelied on like this, having always been coddled as a child. The runt of the litter, no wolf and little magic. He liked the idea of someone looking to him for security, even if it was just for a ride home.
They arrive home, dismounting the bike just at the curb outside the Alexandria Building. Eddie shrinks the helmet back and attaches it onto the keyring. He presses the rune on his keyring and the bike shrinks next. He chuckles when he notices Hakeem staring in wonder at the magic of the keyring. He admires how in a world of magic Hakeem could still find fascination all around. Hakeem snaps himself out of his trance.
“Sorry if I held on too tight. Not used to traveling by motorbike.”
Eddie walks in stride with him into the building. “It was nice to have company on a ride. Maybe I’ll pick you up more often.”
Hakeem shrinks into his jacket, hiding his blush. “I’d like that.”
The boys head up to the apartment, casually closing the distance between them without realizing.
Chapter 12
Friday morning, one week since Eddie moved in. He was out for a morning run and Hakeem had just awoken himself. Jackson could hear him in the kitchen. The elf is roused further out of sleep by the sweet smell of cinnamon and butter. Jackson slips out of bed and heads to his bedroom door. He rubs his eyes and cracks the door open, the smell wafting in. It’s a warm caress urging Jackson to inhale deeply, the aroma filling his body and waking him up further. He peers down into the kitchen to find Hakeem moving his hips in front of the stove.
“You put a little butter here, melt it up real good. You take your bread then you dip, soak, flip it up. You toss it in the pan and fry till golden brown. And that’s how you get. French. Toast!”
Hakeem is singing softly to himself, soaking brioche bread slices from a package on the counter in a mixture of eggs, milk, sugar and cinnamon. He wiggles his hips as he fries up the tasty confection. He doesn’t notice Jackson take a seat on the island behind him.
When was the last time Jackson found joy in making breakfast, so much so that he wiggled his butt? He wasn’t sure he ever did. He often lived off take out and ready meals when away from home. Hakeem wears a loose shirt that clings to his shoulder and sweatpants that hang slightly off his hips. He watches Hakeem do his little dance, an amused grin working its way onto his face.
Hakeem turns around to put the plate of freshly prepared french toast on the island, then jumps about half a foot into the air when he sees Jackson. The plate with breakfast on it flying out of his hand as a yelp escapes him.
Jackson shoots his hand out, shadows extending from his grasp. The tendrils grab the plate, catching the french toast mid air, placing it carefully on the island. “Sorry sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I didn’t want to interrupt when you were clearly in the zone.” Jackson holds his hands up in front of him, chuckling softly at the reaction he caused in Hakeem.
Hakeem’s face is flushed, either from shock or embarrassment. He’s breathing a little hard, one hand clenched over the gold necklace around his neck. “I’m fine, you just surprised me. Don’t sneak up on me like that!”
Hakeem settles his breathing, dropping his shoulder, hands falling to his side. “Good morning, Jackson. I hope I didn’t wake you.”
