Jackson offers a half smile, doubt still clouding his mind. “I can’t have them thinking you’re a playboy now. I held that title for far too long to give it up during one ball.”
His half hearted chuckle is silenced by the resolve burning in Eddie’s eyes. “Jackson, I don’t care what they think. All I care about right now is what you and Hakeem think of me.”
A lump forms in Jackson’s throat, eyes widening behind his mask. “I can promise I think quite highly of you, Eddie. Judging from that kiss you two shared, I suspect Hakeem shares that sentiment.” That earns a giggle from Eddie. “Now, what did you two want to talk to me about?”
Eddie regards him adoringly, “I would rather wait till Hakeem returns from meeting your grandmother. What is that about?”
Jackson shrugs as the music begins to die down, “Oh, who knows? That woman holds her cards so close to her chest not even the gods have a clue.”
“Can you give me a hint so that I may prepare myself at least?” Jackson says jokingly. Eddie gets that devilish look on his face, making Jackson’s stomach twist and heart leap.
He leans in close, large hand warm against the back of Jackson’s neck, eyes fluttering close as a single word silences the world around them, “This.”
Their masks gently graze one another as Eddie locks his mouth with Jackson’s, stifling a sound of surprise. Jackson wraps his arms around Eddie’s broad back as he’s dipped. Eddie places a hand from Jackson’s neck to the small of his back to balance him. Jackson relaxes into the kiss, lips lingering on one another in an electrifying sensation.
Something stirs deep within them both. The warmth that fills their bodies from the kiss is overshadowed by the resonance of magic stirring deep within their souls. They pull apart, breathless, lips shining from thekiss. Sparks of green and blue flare to life between them as they stagger to straighten themselves.
“What… was that?” Asks Jackson in a raspy voice. The tingling sensation travels throughout his body, goosebumps rising in its wake.
Eddie interlocks their hands, a shy smile and wonder painted on his face, “I have no idea. I think something similar happened with Hakeem when we… you know.”
Jackson smirks and rolls his eyes, “Eddie, do not tell me you are getting shy after all those sweet words. After you literally dipped me into a kiss like something out of Hakeem’s romance novels.”
He notices the blush growing on Eddie’s cheeks, “I may have lost some of the nerve I’ve been building up for today.”
Jackson can’t help but burst into a fit of giggles as he clutches his sides, “You are too much sometimes.”
Eddie closes the distance between them, wrapping his arms around the small of Jackson’s back, looking down his nose at the elven man smiling back at him. “Is that a bad thing?” He asks sheepishly.
Jackson anchors his hands onto Eddie’s shoulders and leans up for a second kiss. This one lasts for a beat longer, mouth parted more to allow their tongues to brush together. He pulls back with glossy eyes and a wide grin, “On the contrary, I dare say it’s one of the things I’ve come to adore about you, Eddie.”
“As for you, Jackson, watching you grow exponentially over the past three months has been a pleasure and an honor. I’m thrilled to say you are nothing like the brooding, rakish, playboy people say you are. I have gotten to know and appreciate the kind, hardworking and charming man you truly are. You bore your soul to me, to us, showcasing a bigger heart than so many people in this world and beyond.” Eddie can’t help but tell the elf all he adores about him.
Jackson laughs, a joyful sound that rings through the air, “Edmund Seung-LaLune, how do you come up with such heartfelt declarations?” He rests his head on Eddie’s chest, breathing in his scent.
Eddie plants a kiss on the top of Jackson’s head as they sway to musicplaying in the background, “With the two of you, it comes easily.”
Jackson and Eddie are interrupted, once more by the clearing of a throat. Jackson freezes in Eddie’s arms as he recognizes the sound all too well. “Well, so nice of you to join us, Jackie. I do hope we aren’t interrupting.”
The boys spin around and stand side by side to face a small crowd that consists of Eddie’s family and in-laws; most of whom are giving them knowing grins and holding back their laughter, along with Jackson’s mother and father. Annabella Nocturne has her arms crossed beneath her bust, her foot tapping impatiently, an eyebrow raised to her hairline, baring a small smirk that betrays her piercing gaze.
“Mother, Father, sorry I didn’t come see you both sooner. I was-erhm-distracted.” Jackson’s face turns red at the poor choice of words. “Seung-LaLunes and mates. Sorry I didn’t introduce myself earlier, before I…” He draws out the syllable, unsure where to go from this corner he seemed to have verbally backed himself into.
“Kissed our little brother?” Asks Amelia, who is failing terribly at withholding her laughter. Eddie’s face blushes and he stiffens further at Jackson’s side, as his mother splits from the group to walk towards them.
“So,” Janice looks Jackson up and down, eyes sparkling, “this is the infamous Jackson. Annabella, your boy is very handsome.”
“Thank you Janice, you are too kind.” Annabella says matter of factly.
Janice stands on her toes to whisper into Eddie’s ear, “I like him for you as well. I think the three of you would look very nice together.”
Eddie’s siblings are bent over cackling, his father seemingly nodding in approval while holding back his own laughter. He swallows dryly, face stained red, “Thank you, Umma.” He reaches for Jackson’s hand, who gives it freely, and holds on tight, “I think so too.” His voice is laced with fondness that cuts through the embarrassment of being cheered on by his entire family.
“So,” this time Jackson’s father, Joseph, saunters off to his son’s side, “where is the third member of your little group. Christopher and Janice told us about a nice young man who walked in here on Eddie’s arm. Just the two of them.”
Jackson cringes at the accusation in his father’s tone, he probably deserved that for keeping everyone in the dark. His mother speaks next, “Yes, we can discuss your fortuitous arrival with Wendy,” she gestures to where Wendy is giggling full heartedly in the arms of a tall, dark and handsome suitor, “at a later time. I am quite eager to meet this mana match of yours. I would like to put a face to the name of the man who seemingly charmed the two of you.” She wags a manicured finger between the two men.
Jackson and Eddie share a quick glance between each other. With a heavy sigh Jackson runs a hand through his pulled back hair, “Well, mother. If you must know, and I know you must, grandmother Eloise has seemingly taken an interest in our Hakeem.” He freezes at his use of ‘our’, a notion that does not go unnoticed by the gallery of family members around them.
