“Just about, yeah. I wonder what that was about?”
“It was, I guess you could say, a valuable lesson for someone.” Jackson looks fondly at the man cuddling up to him.
“A lesson? The fuck’s that mean? And do I hear someone snoring next to you? That doesn’t sound like Princess Bandit.”
Jackson chuckles to himself, he won’t tell Wendy just yet. “It’s been a long night, Wendy. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”
“Hmm, okay… Wait a fucking second doesn’t Hakeem have an affinity for astro-”
He hangs up before she could finish her realization, he would pay for that later.
“Is there a reason you aren’t telling Wendy?” Eddie sits with a leg crossed over the other on the love seat. He has his elbow propped on his knee and rests his chin on his palm as he regards Jackson.
“I think, just for tonight, I want to keep this moment for us.”
Jackson removes Hakeem’s glasses and folds them carefully before gingerly placing them on the coffee table. The same way he did when Hakeem was recovering from the curse, only this time Jackson serves as his pillow.
“I like the sound of that, a moment just for us, even for a night.” Eddie and Jackson exchange warm smiles. “Before we eat, hoping Hakeem wakes up to join us to regain his strength, I have something to ask you, Jackson.” Eddie’s expression turns serious as he reaches into his pocket, pulling outa familiar gilded invitation.
Jackson recognizes it for what it is, he had received his own earlier in the week as well. “The spring solstice masquerade ball.”
“I know you tend to avoid these events when you can. ‘Till you turn one hundred,’ they say.”
Jackson nods solemnly, “An adult in elven communities. Our bodies age like humans but with our lifespan it’s traditional to wait till your hundredth year before entering high society. As well as….other reasons. Ones you recently learned of.”
Eddie understands what Jackson means, but is no longer able to deny the aching feeling in his chest. Emotion trying to claw out into the world.
“You don’t have to say yes, but I still wanted to ask. I want to take Hakeem with me to the ball and I would love for you to join us.” The question hangs heavy in the air between them, only Hakeem’s soft snores and the sound of Princess Bandit munching on fruit breaking the silence. Jackson’s knuckles turn white from how tightly they grip the edge of the couch.
The idea of so many people in a domain so far from home, he’d have to wear the exhausting mask of the Nocturne heir. His mother had been much more lenient these past decades, but would that same leniency apply when they were guests in another ruling family’s realm? He can’t stomach the thought of putting on an even grander act for the sake of high societal norms.
The knot in his stomach is undone by a simple thought, two in fact. The idea of dancing the night away in Eddie’s arms and with Hakeem in his. They could laugh and dance across the grand hall of Castle Primavera, truly enjoying each other’s company for the world to see. It would be a chance for the world to see him as more than a shattered man struggling to keep it together for the sake of appearances. It would be easy, since for the first time in ages, he didn’t feel broken.
Jackson’s mind is split by his desires and his anxiety, only brought out of his spiral when Eddie interjects, “You don’t have to decide now!”
Jackson feels relief for a moment. The war in his mind rages fiercer than the storm outside had been, but at least hehas time to think. He doesn’t need to RSVP and could have his suit ready in a moment’s notice. He has time to settle his mind and make a decision. He would weigh the pros and cons and let Eddie know. “I’m not saying no, I’m just not sure. I think the two of you should go for sure, though. Just, let me think about it, okay? No promises, but I will think about it.”
Eddie sighs in relief, the corner of his lips turning up. “That’s all I ask.”
“How do you think Hakeem will react when we tell him he gets to go to a real fairy ball in the Spring Realm?” Jackson jokes as he eases Hakeem down on the couch to get up. Eddie comes up behind him, closing the distance and wrapping strong arms around Jackson. Jackson would be lucky if his words ever return.
“Hm, If I’m lucky, perhaps he’ll react similarly to how he did tonight.”
Jackson turns around, wiggling out of Eddie’s grip, “What do you mean by-”
The rest of the sentence dies on his tongue as Eddie plants a chaste kiss on his forehead, his pale cheeks cupped by his large hand. With a smile and wink he gestures to the food cooling in the kitchen, guiding Jackson by his hands towards the island. “Let’s eat.”
How the hell does Jackson find himself in these situations? And how can he ensure he keeps finding them?
Chapter 24
Hakeem wakes up in a daze, momentarily confused by his surroundings. Eddie decides not to bring up the ball until morning and helps Hakeem up from his spot on the couch.
“I hope you enjoyed my little display, gentlemen,” says Hakeem with a tired fondness in his voice as he fights a yawn whilst settling into a stool by the kitchen island. “I know the spot cleared in the sky wasn’t huge but the shooting stars should’ve been visible.”
Eddie fills three plates for the boys as he and Jackson exchange confused looks. At first the clearing in the clouds was indeed small, but it burst into a massive hole, miles wide, when Hakeem…collapsed.
Oh.
