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Chapter 4

Following Charlie's explanations, the two men spent a week together at Steve's place, where the American could ask his boyfriend all his questions and get to know him better. Steve taught the wizard how to use a cell phone, and Charlie took the soldier to the magical district of New York.

When the week came to an end, Charlie's departure was truly heartbreaking for both men, but they were determined to do whatever it took to make their relationship work.

During the second week at the studio without Charlie, time seemed to drag on for Steve. At least he wasn't trembling, didn't have headaches, and wasn't plagued by doubts. He just missed Charlie. He was relieved when his lover sent him a message from Romania using his new cell phone, explaining that calls weren't going through. Despite the news, Steve was glad to read Charlie's words, knowing that the wizard was concerned that the device wouldn't work at all in the dragon reserve.

The two men exchanged many messages, somewhat alleviating the feeling of longing, but what helped Steve the most was returning to work. He compartmentalized his mind during missions and focused solely on them. Charlie understood not to expect updates during those times, preferring to have Steve completely focused on his mission and returning safely. Steve sent a few messages whenever he could, but mostly he just informed Charlie when he had more than two days of leave so the redhead could take him home.

Steve had loved exploring Charlie's dragon reserve, his cabin, meeting his colleagues, and especially discovering the dragons. The wizard had taken him on a broomstick ride to get closer to the magnificent creatures, maintaining a safe distance, but Steve had been exhilarated by the flight and the sight of the majestic beings. He had also been warmly welcomed by Charlie's team, who shared numerous stories about him during meals and drinks they had shared.

One evening, after spending three days in Romania, Steve, feeling jealous, asked the dragon caretaker to tell him about his past lovers. He had realized from the anecdotes shared by his colleagues that Charlie had had many. Surprised, Charlie answered honestly, but it hurt Steve, who realized that the wizard, five years his senior, had taken advantage of those years. It took a lot of time and patience for Charlie to convince Steve that his former lovers no longer meant anything to him and that he didn't care that Steve had little experience before him, and with women only. The redhead managed to calm his lover, and they put all of that behind them. However, the anecdotes shared by his colleagues never mentioned Charlie's previous conquests again.

Both of them found their routine, and despite the risks they took in their respective jobs and the injuries they sustained, they managed not to worry excessively about each other, until 2010.

That year, their balance was on the brink of shattering. Steve was on a mission in North Korea when he received a call from a terrorist. This terrorist had taken his father hostage, and despite the fact that they hadn't spoken in years, he wanted to avoid his father's death at all costs. However, Steve's team was attacked, and the person the terrorist wanted in exchange for his father was killed by their own bullets, leading to the execution of Steve's father. The soldier returned to Hawaii for his father's funeral and to apprehend the responsible party, but he didn't anticipate being put in charge of a team of investigators who had carte blanche from the governor to solve their cases.

The evening he finally reclaimed his childhood home, he realized the drastic turn his life had taken. He sent a short message to Charlie and sat on a beach chair with a beer in his hand. Less than an hour later, strong arms wrapped around him, and a muscular chest pressed against his back. Tears started flowing down his cheeks uncontrollably, and he recounted to his partner what had happened in his life in the preceding days.

"Do you want to give this new career a chance?" Charlie asked when Steve's words and tears had subsided.

"At least until I find Hesse and send him behind bars."

"Why do I feel like I'm going to worry about you even more than before?" he half-jokingly quipped.

"At least you'll know where to find me."

"I'm not sure you'd appreciate me showing up unexpectedly."

"And why not?"

"You've never introduced me to anyone."

Steve turned in the arms of the redhead. He knew it was true, but he had never felt like it bothered Charlie, and he was reluctant to let the militaries in on their relationship. He felt deep down that they shouldn't discover Charlie's significance in his life.

"I don't really like seeing military buddies when I'm on leave. Maybe it'll be different here."

"We'll see."

Charlie didn't give the soldier a chance to wonder whether this bothered him or not and kissed him tenderly. Steve responded with a moan, sliding his hands over the freckled skin before pulling his lover into the bedroom. That night, the wizard made love to him gently several times until they fell asleep, entwined.

Steve felt a gentle shake on his body a few hours later and smiled.

"I only sleep this deeply with you."

"You can, I'll always watch over you."

"And you always cast a spell to wake us up if anything happens," the soldier laughed before yawning and closing his eyes.

"Sorry, dragoste, you need to get ready."

Steve, who had lost track of the previous days thanks to his lover's embrace, remembered that he had to bury his father. With a heavy heart, he got up, took a quick military shower, and got ready.

"Mary hasn't sent any messages," he noted, disappointed when he didn't see a message from his sister.

Charlie didn't say anything but enveloped him in his arms. Steve drew strength from the support he needed before suddenly being plagued by doubt.

"Are you coming?"

"If you want me to, yes. I can stay until tomorrow."

"Yes," the youngest whispered.

Steve needed his soulmate's support, especially in the absence of his sister. They didn't have time to exchange more than a few words before the doorbell rang. The McGarrett family from the mainland had arrived, and Steve didn't have a chance to talk to Charlie again until the end of the day. The welcome, the church service, the burial, and the reception all followed in quick succession, with a parade of relatives, friends, former colleagues, and Steve's new team. The wizard had kept a bit of distance, helping with the organization and flow of the day without revealing who he was. When asked, he simply said he was "a close friend of Steve's" without specifying the nature of their relationship. No one pressed further, except for Danny Williams, one of Steve's new teammates, who looked at him with a bit more scrutiny but said nothing.

Steve remained strong and impassive throughout the day, only to collapse in Charlie's arms again when they were alone. Magic spared them from worrying about clean-up that night, and they spent the night taking care of each other.

However, the separation the next morning was more difficult than usual. Charlie had a bad feeling, which he shared with his lover. Steve promised to be cautious, but it didn't ease Charlie's anxiety. So, with a heavy heart, knowing he would go for another long stretch without seeing each other and fearing something might happen, the dragon caretaker returned to Romania.

Steve threw himself into his work with passion. Nothing confirmed Charlie's apprehension for several weeks until an unexpected evening and a danger he would have never anticipated came knocking.