Bonded

Chapter Three

Life sucks.

Harry kicked at random pebbles as he walked along the sidewalk. Daniel and Isaac acted like they always do, so why was he surprised? It's not their fault he's an idiot for getting his hope's up each and every time. He should either just not care and not bother getting upset or just be who they want him to be. He doesn't mind his job or his co workers, so why is life so hard and depressing?

Harry took in a deep shaky breath and wrapped his arms around himself as he walked. What's the point in being upset about it? He's going to have to accept the promotion no matter what he wants but having the afternoon off is a rare treat that he didn't want to waste fretting.

When he thought of what he should do while in the city by himself he didn't have to think twice. He was going to go to Slaven's restaurant, Ukusno. Harry didn't often eat out while working but after stopping in there one quiet day he's never eaten anywhere else. It was a small little place, tucked in among the office's and cafes, just a couple blocks from his office building. Harry kept his head down as he took a longer route to get there, he wanted to be sure to miss any coworkers who might be out and about.

Slaven was an older man, about the same age as Harry's father. He was foreign with a heavy accent, not moving here till he was an older adult. They had both connected over being from the same country. Harry's parents had adopted him as a young child after his birth parents both died. As a young child he was not able to bring anything with him but the clothes on his back and had long forgotten his birth parents language and faces. Slaven had filled a void within Harry that he didn't even know was there until filling it made it painfully obvious. Slaven was always nice and kind to him, pausing his work to come and talk to Harry, treating him like a son. Harry loved it, he always felt safe and cared for while there.

A little bell chimed as Harry entered the restaurant. There was only a handful of tables in the small space along with stools that lined the front counter. There was a huge cut out between the kitchen and dining room, allowing Slaven to work alone during down time by taking orders without leaving the kitchen. The place was decorated in deep warm colours not fitting in the current, up and coming style but Slaven assured it was very popular back home.

Back home .... Harry didn't want to think about the tension that he constantly felt "at home". He honestly felt more relaxed and comfortable at Ukusno.

Slaven lifted his head to look through the opening, his face softening into a gentle smile upon seeing Harry.

"Have you eaten yet son?" Slaven questioned, as it was between mealtimes. Harry shook his his head in reply.

Slaven left the window, wiping his hands on his apron as he made his to the door that led to the front. When he opened it he stood in the doorway and ushered Harry over. "Come to the back, I'll make you something good!" Harry smiled at the man as he made his way to the back of the kitchen.

Slaven had a little table and chair set up at the back of the kitchen, for himself, staff, or Harry to take a break and eat at. As a special customer Harry was often brought to the back where he could sit and talk with Slaven while the latter worked. Harry had even helped clean or plate things before if a customer came in while Slaven was working alone. Ukusno truly did feel like home, or at least what Harry thought a home and family should feel like.

Slaven got to work pulling out ingredients from the pantry and fridge. He no longer asked Harry what he wanted but would just cook up the best food from their home country for Harry to try. While preparing Harry's meals Slaven would tell him stories of people back home, explaining the culture and why certain things were important to them. Though Harry didn't remember his parents, every dish Slaven made left him with a sense of familiarity, almost as if he had eaten that food before, which he probably had.