He’s sure the raccoon doesn’t know what he’s saying but her approving nod makes him question that theory.
Hakeem draws the wand Jackson had entrusted him with, hand tight on its leather grip. The twisted cedar and clear quartz buzz as the wand spurs to life in his hand. With a flick and a swish he calls a blanket down from his room, placing it gently over Jackson and Eddie. “You two sleep well. You took care of me, now let me take care of you.” His voice is a gentle whisper and filled with a growing fondness that at first terrified him. Now it warms him to think of a future with the two men.
Hakeem makes his way to the terrace, Princess Bandit scurrying close behind. Pointing the wand to the mana well, green light comes to life as the magic within answers his call. Jackson’s magic was his to use as needed, as he had been told so many times. It’s now he would let himself indulge in controlling so much mana at once. The green mana flows from the well, turning silver as it encases Hakeem in a halo of power.
Closing off the terrace, filled with mana that threatens to flatten him to the ground, Hakeem makes his way to the second floor. The stairs were a slight struggle under the weight of the magic, free hand on the wall to support himself. He stands before what he deduces is the origin of the carnage, Jackson’s room. It was ripped apart worse than the rest of the apartment, taking the brunt of whatever caused all this. The bed torn to shreds, the walls scarred by deep cuts, dust and debris coating the floor. He’s relieved both men seemed okay, but his heart twists at the idea of what could have caused such an outburst.
He takes in the room and the surrounding area that had beendamaged. He maps it out in his mind as he begins to build the spell. The wand flares to life, waves of silver mana emanating from Hakeem as he speaks the ancient words, tracing his hand in the air in intricate patterns, spurring the mana into action as he raises his wand; like a conductor’s baton. Princess scurries away from behind him, scrambling up to top perch of her cat castle.
“Stitch and Sew, Heal the Rift. Turn back the Clock, Undo the Shift. What Magic Marred, Let Magic Mend. Not a Scratch, Not a Hair to Rend. Return what’s Lost, the Unjust Toll. Rewrite the Fate, Make it Whole.”
“Restora En Masse!”
Wisps of silvery light fly from the tip of Hakeem’s wand, tracing the damage done to the apartment. Wood reforms, metal bends back into shape, cracked glass mends together and stone reshapes around deep cuts. Hakeem lets the magic flow from him as he makes his way back down the stairs, guiding the spell from Jackson’s room to the cuts on the floor and tattered back of the couch.
Hakeem collapses into the loveseat, magic dissipating from his grasp.Restoraitself is a simple spell that was built upon to create more powerful and specific versions, he just hadn’t realized the damage was extensive enough to use all the mana stored in the well. His body tenses up as the spell comes to an end, pain radiating through each joint and muscle. Though his stamina has improved recently, larger spells still take their toll.
“There, all fixed. Isn’t that better, Princess?”
Princess Bandit had watched Hakeem work in awe from her spot atop the cat castle. Hakeem’s eyes grow heavy as his body sinks further into the cushions. Princess takes this as a sign for snuggles.
“Ow, ow! Careful, Princess, I’m a little sore. But yes, you can have cuddles.”
The raccoon purrs as she curls atop Hakeem’s chest, the weight pushing him further into sleep’s embrace.
“Maybe I’ll just rest my eyes for a moment, then I’ll head to -”
Hakeem falls asleep before he can finish the thought.
Chapter 22
Jackson is comfy, this was the best night sleep he’s had in ages. His mattress is firm with a little give, a blanket just heavy enough to hold off the chill of late winter, pillow soft and wa-wait a damn minute. Jackson didn’t have a blanket on nor did he sleep in his bed last night. He stirs awake, letting his eyes adjust to the light filtering in from the glass terrace doors.
Jackson’s face turns red as memories of last night flood back into his mind, and how it had ended. He is still lying atop Eddie, who is sleeping surprisingly soundly under him. Another sound catches Jackson’s ear as he turns to see Hakeem dozed off on the loveseat, wand fallen to his side. Princess Bandit scurries up to Jackson to greet him with a cheerful chitter.
“Good morning, Princess, sorry for scaring you last night. I probably owe you extra snacks just as much as I owe Hakeem an explanation.” Princess purrs in anticipation of emotional support snacks.
“I think that means she finds those terms acceptable.” Jackson looks up from his spot atop of Eddie to see Hakeem waking up from his sleep on the loveseat, sitting up on his elbows. “Good morning, Jackson. How are you feeling?”
No anger laces his voice, only concern. Jackson assumes Hakeem must’ve been furious when he got home to a destroyed apartment, anyone else would have been…right?
Jackson would be out for blood. Though, all he sees before him is a man worried about his health.
Slowly and careful not to wake Eddie, Jackson slips out of the man’s embrace. He instantly grieves Eddie’s warmth and the comfort he provided. “I’m fine, but I owe you an explanation for the state of-” Jackson stops in his tracks.
He scans the apartment, not a scratch to be found. All traces of last night wiped away, the lingering memories of tears shed and the taste of Eddie on his tongue the only proof that last night wasn’t just one long, tortuous nightmare. “How? Did Eddie wake up and make a wish to fix everything?”
Hakeem shakes his head and rubs his eyes. With a stretch and a yawn, Hakeem gets up from his reclined position and makes his way to the kitchen.
He talks back to Jackson over his shoulder as he grabs a glass of water. He’s suffering from a nasty case of morning dry mouth. “No wish needed. I’ve spent years learning and analyzing spells for situations like this. Well, maybe not exactly like this. Using the mana well reserves I cast a spell to repair the damage done.” He pours himself a glass of water and chugs like a man lost in the desert for a month.
Jackson’s gaze wanders to the bob of Hakeem’s Adam’s apple, the slight trail of water that dribbles down his chin into his clavicle. He focused on how his lips part with a sigh of relief as the water soothes his parched throat, glistening with moisture. He is staring far too much but can’t take his eyes off the man who just casually admitted to fixing all the damage to their home while Jackson slept unaware.
Hakeem wipes his mouth with the back of his hand as he makes his way to the stairs. He pats Jackson on his shoulder, touch gentle, goosebumps prickling up where Hakeem’s hand rests. “You can tell me everything I need to know after I get a shower and change out of last night’s clothes, okay?”
Jackson doesn’t feel like he deserves such leeway, but can’t deny the kindness on Hakeem’s face. “Yeah, okay.”
Hakeem is still dazed, mind clouded from over use of magic the nightprior. He kisses Jackson lightly on the cheek before heading upstairs. The same type of kiss he greets his aunt or cousins with, a quick peck to say hello or goodbye. Hakeem gets in the shower, letting hot water rain down on him from the shower head, soaking his brown curls. Melting away his soreness from sleeping on the couch and overexertion. It is only now, does he realize how that small peck on the cheek might seem to Jackson. He’s not from a similar background as Hakeem, a kiss on the cheek might seem much more affectionate than friendly. The heat from the water on his tan skin is ice cold in comparison to the blush racing up his neck, staining his cheeks. “Ya Hakeem, why did you do that?”
