“Of course,” Zephyr replied with a warm smile. “I wouldn’t dream of leaving you alone after such an eventful day. Besides, I want to make sure you’re truly alright.”

 “Thanks. It’s nice having you around,” Jinx admitted, feeling a flutter in his chest. “I don’t think I’d want to go through this without you.”

 As they settled into the familiarity warmth of the hobbit home, Jinx felt an overwhelming sense of comfort. Zephyr lit the fire, casting a soft glow across the room, and they sat together at the table, the remnants of breakfast still lingering in the air.

 “Do you want to talk about what happened earlier?” Zephyr asked gently, his voice inviting and patient.

 “I think I should,” Jinx said, taking a deep breath. “It was… terrifying, but also kind of exhilarating. I felt so much power, and then it just… exploded.”

 “That’s a good way to put it,” Zephyr nodded. “Power without control can lead to chaos. But you have the potential to harness that power.”

 “Yeah, but do you think I’ll ever be able to control it?” Jinx asked, looking up at Zephyr, searching his eyes for reassurance.

 “Absolutely,” Zephyr said with conviction. “With practice and guidance, you’ll learn to direct that energy rather than let it overwhelm you. Just like with anything else, it takes time.”

 “I guess I’ll just have to be patient then,” Jinx said, a small smile creeping onto his face. “And maybe not try to impress you with flashy spells.”

 Zephyr chuckled, the sound rich and warm. “Flashy can be fun, but it’s the subtlety that often carries the most weight. Remember that.”

 Jinx nodded, feeling reassured. “I will. Thanks for being so understanding.”

 “Always,” Zephyr replied, his tone softening. “Now, let’s relax for the evening. You’ve had enough excitement for one day.”

 “Sounds good to me,” Jinx agreed, sinking into his chair. “What do you want to do? We could play a game or something.”

 “Games are an excellent idea, but let’s save that for another time. For now, let’s just enjoy the peace,” Zephyr suggested, leaning back with a contented sigh.

 As the evening wore on, Jinx felt the warmth of the fire and the presence of the dragon beside him wash over him like a comforting wave. He knew the journey ahead would be challenging, but with Zephyr by his side, he felt braver than ever.

 “Tomorrow,” Jinx said softly, glancing at Zephyr, “I’ll do better.”

 “I know you will,” Zephyr replied, a proud smile on his face. “Rest now, little wizard. Tomorrow is a new day filled with possibilities.”

 With those words, Jinx closed his eyes, allowing the gentle hum of the evening to lull him into a peaceful sleep, dreaming of the magic yet to come.