His hand wanders to the golden chain around his neck, “You think so? Will it be enough? It is a society event, I don’t want to embarrass Eddie.” His nerves threaten to get the better of him, Eddie’s entire family would be there too. His hand clutches his mother’s necklace tight. Before he can speak again he’s called down by Jackson’s voice.
Charlie brushes off the hair from his shoulders, cleaning the hair off the floor with a flick of their wrist and spark of mana. “Go show off my handiwork, then their reactions will put your mind at ease.” Hakeem gets up, forgetting he’s in his suit for a quick fitting, and is followed out his room by Charlie; phone with his family in their hand.
Hakeem leans against the banister outside his room, peering down at Jackson and Eddie who seems to have returned when Jackson went to grab his package. “Hey Eddie, welcome back.” Eddie and Jackson both turn to greet him, and stop in their tracks.
Hakeem is dressed in a simple suit. Silver jacket, like his eyes. A black vest and white shirt. The material has a sheen in the light, it clings to every curve of his waist just right. As Hakeem makes his way down to them, they see how the black pants hug his thighs in all the right places, the jacket framing his broad shoulders. His hair, once a frizz of curls, now laid gently across his head. They are staring far too much for Hakeem’s comfort, their eyes lingering on all parts of him.
“Do I look that weird?” Hakeem’s voice is sheepish as he approaches them, his arms out to display the suit.
Jackson and Eddie’s expressions soften, they share a quick glance between each other. Jackson steps forward, placing the box down on the coffee table before taking Hakeem by the shoulders and giving him a proper look.
“Hmm, no, I would say you look fantastic. Charlie!” Jackson calls up to the doppelganger looking down at them from the second floor banister,head resting on their crossed arms. “You are a fantastic stylist.”
“But of course, monsieur.” Charlie gives a self gratifying nod, sly grin spread across their currently-pale skin.
Jackson’s gaze returns to Hakeem, who is frozen under his touch, “Eddie is a lucky man to have you as his date.”
“I really am.” Eddie makes his way over, Jackson bowing out gracefully to give him room to admire his companion for tomorrow’s festivities. “You look amazing, Hakeem.”
Hakeem can’t hide the crimson invading his cheeks, full with a shy grin that escapes his lips. “Really? Thank you, both of you. I’m sure you’ll look amazing in your suit too.”
“One can hope. I have to look good to deserve having you on my arm.”
Hakeem’s brain is frying, his words failing him. Was Eddie always such a charmer? Even Jackson and Charlie are fighting the blush forming on their cheeks.
“So,” Hakeem squeaks out when he finds his voice, “Jackson, did you call for me?”
Jackson clears his throat and goes to retrieve the box from the coffee table, “Yes, right. I may have done some optimistic shopping. I have something for you both. After all, you can’t go to a masquerade ball,” he opens the box to reveal three intricately designed objects, “without a mask.”
Jackson pulls out two masks made to cover the upper half of one’s face, a silver wolf with green vines threading through the polished surface, which he hands to Eddie. The second he hands Hakeem, a green rabbit with blue stars, moon, and suns studded across it. The third mask, a blue bat with swirls of silver dancing across the material, lays in the box still, the lid abruptly shut over it.
“I didn’t know if either of you had one for the ball, perhaps you did, but excitement got the better of me. You don’t have to wear them, it was just a silly idea mixed with the impulsivity of the wealthy.” Jackson can’t look at either of them, ashamed to offer them the masks after denying his want to go.
“Jackson, these are amazing!” His attention is drawn by the praise.Hakeem and Eddie try on the masks, the joy apparent in their voices.
Eddie turns to Jackson, ocean blue staring back at him through the wolf mask. “This was very thoughtful, the design and color are perfect. How did you pull this off so soon?”
“I have my ways,” Jackson replies, with a nonchalant shrug. “This way you have all you need for tomorrow.”
As the boys admire the masks gifted by Jackson, Charlie returns their attention to the ongoing call on the phone in their hand, “I think our boy will be just fine.”
“Great. Now can everyone get out of my room!” Calls Nour’s annoyed voice over the phone.
* * *
The next night Eddie and Hakeem get dressed in their rooms. Sarah was arriving soon to pick them up in her car, and was very excited to hear she would give both Eddie and his date a lift.
Eddie emerges from his room, bow tie still undone around his neck. Jackson, who was in pajama shorts and a loose t-shirt, looks up from his spot on the couch to see Eddie rush down the stairs to the mirror beside the door. “You okay, Eddie?” Jackson asks as he crosses the room to stand behind Eddie.
“Yeah, it’s just this bow tie. I could never get it right and was getting frustrated in my room trying to figure it out.”
Jackson taps him on his shoulder, gesturing to him to turn around. “Here, let me.” Jackson reaches up and fixes Eddie’s bowtie, making sure it’s neat and straight. He brushes a loose strand of black hair that had fallen to Eddie’s face, fingers grazing a strong jaw. Satisfied, Jackson offers a small smile “There, you look quite handsome. I’m sure Hakeem would agree.”
Eddie turns back to look at the mirror, taking in the sharp black suit, lined with ocean blue satin. The vest is a dark velvet, covering a shirt of deep blue. Jackson notices how the suit fits him perfectly, highlighting every curve and hard muscle. It showed off his strong shoulders, broadchest, and defined ass.
“I have that same suit, I think. In red and black with hints of green.”
Jackson says, trying to extract his attention from drinking all of Eddie in. He is truly a sight to behold, merely inches away from his own hands.
