The Binding (ON HOLD)

Chapter 10

It can. Even though we pull out one of his mom's cookbooks, her handwritten notes don't help us because our main struggle is identifying the ingredients and what we are supposed to do with them. We'd chosen the recipe based on the picture in the book and I am already regretting our decision.
"What does sauté mean?", I ask Hunter.
He shrugs. "I don't know either. Just add the onion to the potatoes, it's going to be fine."
Something tells me we are doing it wrong and I ask carefully: "Where's your mom?" while chopping a carrot.
"She's over at the neighbor's house to let them know she's back. She could have called, but my mom is old-fashioned that way. She prefers to stop by in person.", Hunter explains. I give up hope on her coming into the kitchen and saving our lunch.
Half an hour and an open window later, we stare at our result.
"It doesn't look anything like in the picture.", Hunter comments. I agree. The meal in the picture is not half-burnt for once.
"We had the right temperature. I double checked. Maybe we can cut off the top. The middle part should still be good.", I suggest.
Hunter takes two plates and fills them, after carving the "casserole" open like it's a turkey. We sit down opposite of one another and I take a careful, first bite. It doesn't taste like anything I've ever tried, but I wouldn't say it's disgusting either. I think we were lucky, because all the ingredients in the recipe would have tasted fine if we had done absolutely nothing with them. Hunter on the other hand, looks like he can barely keep the food in his mouth. He sets his plate aside and leans his arms on the table.
"Are you really going to eat that?", he asks.
"I don't think it's that bad.", I reply. When you eat the same thing for two years, you learn to appreciate diversity in your meals. Even bad ones, like this casserole. Anything, other than fish and bread.
"Never mind. Let's talk about the future." I motion him to continue, while I take the next bite.
"I know you're not comfortable around me and I'm starting to understand why. I'm leaving tonight for the Academy to give you some space to sort out your life and because I need to focus on my studies if I want to pass the mid-terms next week.
Normally, the bond is a deeply emotional connection between two people, because no matter what happens, even in death, the bond remains. Elementar and Espíritu trust one another irrevocably. One cannot truly live without the other. But it happened too soon and under the wrong circumstances with us. We - I cannot expect the same results when we do things differently and I won't try to force that on us anymore. I have seen you lie so many times that every time you open your mouth, I doubt the words that come out of it and it's obvious to me that you sympathize with the djin.
I'd be beyond happy if one day we could have something that resembles a friendship but for now we should just try and get comfortable with the idea that we are bonded to one another for life.
I'm not going to ask if you want to come to the Academy with me. I know I said I would have a plan after three days but I'm asking you to give me more time. You could stay here. Mom will be glad to have some company and you can spend some time deciding what you want."
"What if I decide I want to leave?", I ask him, curious to see how he will react.
"I'd offer to help you find a place in the city and ask that you consider letting me visit you once a month." Hunter doesn't even blink. "I'm not saying that because Mom would have my head if I do anything else and I wouldn't mind getting a regular power-fix, but because I honestly care about what happens to you. Even if I think that most of the time you are a cocky fifteen-year-old that uses others to her advantage."
"I'm only cocky and manipulative to you, Hunter. Deep down, I'm actually really sweet.", I assure him.
He snorts. "Sure. And my old man was the queen of djin."
I don't even have to think about my answer. "I will stay under one condition. Promise me not to use your magic in a harmful way while you are gone."
"We aren't allowed to participate on any raids until we graduate.", Hunter replies.
"Okay.", I say, because there isn't anything else to say.
"Does that mean you're staying until graduation?"
I look at him and wonder how he can promise things so far in advance. So much could happen between now and June and he would be bound by his promise.
"No.", I say to him. "I can't think that far in advance. I can tell you that I will stay here for another day and if you ask tomorrow, I will be able to tell you if I will stay the day after. Don't expect more than that."
Hunter nods. "I will keep that in mind. Please let me know if you decide to leave." He stands up and carries his plate to the sink. There are so many thoughts running wild in my head, so many things I want to say to him that when he walks past me, I grab his hand. I stare into his eyes, wondering what I should say, if I should say anything. Just holding his hand feels like too much, too intimate. Finally, I settle on a: "Thank you." It's not even close to what I want to say, but I don't feel ready to say anything else.
Hunter nods again, acknowledging my thank-you and leaves the room. I gaze through the windows at the hills, wondering if I just signed my own arrest warrant by not insisting he stay here with me. It doesn't matter. When Quirrin comes, I will be ready and until then, I won't waste anymore time thinking about it.