“It wasn’t that catchy tune, but your cooking definitely caught my attention. That smells amazing.” Jackson points to the plate of french toast in front of him.
“Would you like some? I have some leftover batter.”
“You sure? I wouldn’t want to keep you from breakfast.”
Hakeem waves him off and goes to make some more french toast. “Food is better enjoyed with company. Wait a bit, I’ll get some more ready.”
Eddie returns from his run having worked up a little sweat, humming to the tune playing through his earbuds. Sounds like “APT”, if the boys took a guess. “Hmm hm hmmm.” He enters the apartment and is welcomed by an alluring aroma. “Woah, that smells so good. What ya making?”
Hakeem and Jackson turn to the door to greet Eddie. “Good morning, I’m making french toast. Would you like a plate?”
Jackson inhales the cozy aroma of Hakeem’s cooking. “If it tastes as good as it smells I think you should, Edmund. Hakeem seems to be a man of many talents.”
Hakeem smiles at that, filling his cheeks and turns his attention back to the sizzling pan in front of him. Eddie settles in next to Jackson, who whispers about how Eddie missed the pre-breakfast show.
“What show?” Hakeem shoots Jackson a glare, which earns a laugh outof him. Eddie smiles to himself, relishing the lively atmosphere.
“Anything I can do to help?”
Hakeem gestures to the coffee machine with a spatula. “Can you get the coffee and tea brewed? Jackson, could you get the plates and cutlery?” The boys set up for breakfast together.
* * *
After breakfast, Eddie and Jackson lean back in their seats, bellies full. Jackson stretches out and sighs contentedly. “Hakeem, if you keep cooking like that then I’ll keep you stocked in ingredients.”
Eddie nods in agreement. “Hell, I’d pay you to be a private chef for the apartment, plus it was nice to eat all together. I miss doing that with my family. Does it make the food taste better or is that just your skills?” Eddie smirks at Hakeem with that last comment.
Hakeem laughs into his cup of tea, he knew what Eddie meant. He misses eating together with others like this too, his schedule making it hard to even have meals with Charlie when they lived together. “You’re both too kind. But I know what you mean, Eddie. I will gladly cook for us when I can if you two cover the grocery bill. Use that rich kid privilege to keep us eating good.”
Eddie and Jackson both lean forward and exclaim their agreement in unison. “Deal!”
The boys share a laugh as they clean up.
* * *
Hakeem arranges various supplies on the cleared island. A wand, a book, a wooden doll, and some beakers of water. He preps all he needs for lessons with Jackson, a week in the making. Eddie settles on the couch and asks if he can observe from there.
“Sure thing, but I can’t promise it’ll be interesting to watch.”
Eddie gets comfy and looks over to where Hakeem had set up shop. “I’veseen you work at the cafe, if your magic lessons are anything like that then consider my interest piqued.”
A slight blush creeps up Hakeem’s cheeks, he didn’t think his work was anything to be impressed over.
Jackson’s chin rests in his palm, arm propped onto the island. He examines the material in front of him whilst tapping his fingers on the granite in a steady rhythm. He asked Hakeem for lessons and it seems they are truly starting with the basics. “Really starting small aren’t we? Am I that much of a lost cause?”
Hakeem adjusts his glasses and pulls out a clipboard, going full teacher mode. “You say your magic doesn’t listen to you and then proceeds to act out. I’ve seen it lash out then respond to me rather than you. For the sake of both of our understanding we are going to do this right. Starting from the bottom and working our way up to more complex spells, including incantations.”
Jackson shrugs, figuring if anyone could make sense of his magic it would be Hakeem. A perfect mana match that also knew more than he did about the bases of magic than Jackson had bothered to learn in nearly a century. This was his best bet at control he has encountered in a lifetime.
Hakeem picks up a wand and the tip flares to life, a small spark of silver. He points it to Jackson, staring down at him from where he stands behind the island. “Question one: What are the three sources of magic we as magic users can draw from?”
Jackson considers the question, chin in his hands. He blows out a breath before answering. “Uuuuuh fae, arcane, and…holy magic?”
Eddie’s hand shoots up. “Can I ask a question?”
Hakeem and Jackson both look over at the man on the couch. Hakeem offers a wide smile. “Of course, ask away, Eddie.”
“I thought all magic came from the same source.”
