What began as one soon turned to two. From two came four, then eight, then dozens more. Thousands of stars dance across the night sky, brought to life by the man bundled in Jackson’s arms. The night sky- which just moments ago was plagued by a gruesome storm- is now a stage for the most wondrous play, as stars shoot across the heavens, bathing the world in their light.
Princess Bandit jumps off from Eddie’s shoulder to scamper across the terrace. She tries to reach up and catch a falling star before Eddie scoops her back up in his arms. “Hold on there, little lady. Let’s not go over the edge in excitement. But I know how you must feel, it really is an amazing sight. What do you think, Jackson?”
Eddie’s expression grows fond as he realizes Jackson is no longer staring as the star tracing across the sky, but at the man he holds close in his arms.
Jackson doesn’t look away from Hakeem, he has never been happier to be proven wrong. If this was how Hakeem saw his magic, it gave him true hope for how the man saw him. “It’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.” His words are a whisper meant only for him.
Hakeem’s eyes flutter open, a goofy grin spreading across his face. His words came out slurred. “Jackson! Hiiiiiiii. See? I tolds yous magic can be a wow thing.”
Jackson’s affection gives way to confusion as his brows furrow. “A wow thing? Hakeem, are you alright?”
“I’m fines. Just a little, whatchamacallit, loopy ehehehe.” Hakeem throws his arms around Jackson to pull him closer, frying all the circuits in Jackson’s brain, all whilst giggling like a drunkard.
“Eddie, what’s wrong with him? Do we need an ambulance?” Jackson asks, confused and panicking. Hakeem is acting bizarre to say the least.He feels warm and his breath tickles Jackson’s neck. His stubble is scratchy against Jackson’s cheek and now was most definitely not the time to be focusing on all that! Eddie can hardly contain his laughter at the sight, his own cheeks flushing pink from restraint.
“He’s fine. I’ve heard of this condition, it occurs when someone overextends their mana. The common term is Mana Drunk.”
Jackson looks at Hakeem closely, who now had Jackson’s cheeks squished between his hands. To say he’s acting drunk wouldn’t be a stretch, though Jackson had never heard of someone using so much mana they reached this state, usually it was exhaustion and body pains.
Hakeem glares at Jackson through glossy eyes and crooked glasses, a stern expression painted on his face with a pout and furrowed brows. “What?” Jackson squeaks out with his face still squished in Hakeem’s hands.
“If you ever talk cruelly about yourself or your magic, especially without recent evidence to justify such negativity, I will be very mad. Am I clear, mister?”
Jackson struggles to take Hakeem seriously right now, biting back a laugh at risk of angering the mana drunk scholar. “Okay, okay, loud and clear, Hakeem.”
Unconvinced, Hakeem loosens his hold on Jackson’s cheeks and glares harder. “Promise?”
Jackson turns to Eddie for advice, who only offers a shrug and small grin. With a sigh of defeat Jackson stares into Hakeem’s eyes, heart thundering in his chest. “I promise, for both of your sakes and mine.”
Satisfied, Hakeem’s joyous smile stretches across his face, filling his soft brown cheeks, lighting his eyes up like the moon. Jackson’s entire body shivers at the sight. “I’m glad. I’m really, really glad Jackson. I want you to see for yourself how me and Eddie see you. I’ll make the sky dance every night to make sure of it.”
Jackson giggles at the idea of seeing Hakeem this way every night, “Just once was enough. But thank you, Hakeem, I think I finally see your-”
Jackson is cut off, his eyes widening at the sensation of warmth brushing his lips. Hakeem had pulled him in by his cheeks, which are still being heldsoftly in warm, tan hands, for a kiss. It’s soft and gentle, lingering for a moment Jackson would store in his heart for eternity. Hakeem pulls away only to rest his head in the crook of Jackson’s neck. “Never forget how I see you, okay?” Soft snores follow the question as Hakeem’s body gives into ache and exhaustion.
Jackson is dumbfounded and overjoyed. His brain is celebrating and melting down simultaneously. His heart is about to beat out of his chest and join the stars dancing across the endless sky, whilst his stomach knotted itself in his gut. Jackson’s words come out in a stutter as Hakeem nuzzles closer, wrapping his arms tighter around the elf. “Buh-wha-who- huh??” He returns Hakeem’s embrace, the feeling of his body the only indication that he isn’t dreaming.
Eddie lets Princess out of his hold to scamper back indoors, as he makes his way to the two men embracing on the terrace floor. “I’m not sure how long the spell will last, let’s get you two inside.”
Jackson doesn’t look up as he answers, “My legs won’t move. I don’t think they can. I’m not sure if it’s from all the mana I gave to Hakeem or-or his-his-”
Eddie scoops them both up in his arms whilst Jackson struggles to form a coherent sentence. “I told you before, didn’t I? I’ll always be here for both of you.” Eddie’s words are gentle as he carries them both to the couch. The feel of Hakeem’s lips and the scent and warmth of Eddie send Jackson’s mind into a spiral. For once it isn’t of dark thoughts and worst case scenarios, but of overwhelming emotion he can’t process fast enough to form words.
“You two stay here for a bit, I’ll get the chicken out of the oven.”
Had that much time passed as they watched Hakeem bend the rules of nature to his will? Jackson is brought back to the moment when Hakeem curls back up next to him on the couch. His soft snores sent shockwaves through every fiber of Jackson’s being, he dare not move at risk of waking the man.
As Eddie pulls the chicken out of the oven, the lights turn back on. The power seems to have been restored to the city just as the clouds began toreform in the sky. The storm continues through the night, much gentler than it was an hour ago. Jackson’s phone buzzes in his pocket. He carefully reaches in to retrieve it. Wendy was calling.
“Hello?”
“I’m assuming the spell practice was cut off when the storm blew the lights.”
“Uh, Yeah. Sorry I didn’t message earlier to let you know.”
“Oh it’s fine. I’m guessing you got distracted like the rest of the city by the hole in the clouds and light show.”
“You could see that from your place?”
