Randomly

Chapter 12

Steve was hurriedly packing his bag, his entire body aching. Every movement reminded him of the tortures he had endured, but he didn't care. Charlie wasn't responding, and he needed to go to Romania to find his soulmate. Despite not living together or seeing each other often, Steve couldn't imagine his life without him. Danny was waiting in the living room, silently supportive of Steve's decision to search for Charlie.

He had just finished packing when Danny called him from upstairs, holding his phone.

"It's Charlie," he said as soon as he saw Steve.

The relief that washed over Steve at that moment made him sit down on his bed. His whole body was trembling as Danny handed him the phone.

"Hello?"

"Hey, dragoste, what's going on?"

"Oh my god, Charlie, are you okay?"

He knew his wizard could hear the worry in his voice, and he couldn't hide it.

"Yes, I'm fine, I was sleeping. Only your old number rings in the middle of the night, so I didn't get your calls until this morning. What's got you in this state, dragoste?"

Steve realized that Charlie could sense his anxiety, but he couldn't help it. He also acknowledged that his need to be with Charlie hadn't lessened even after learning he was fine. He felt an urgent need to be with him.

"I... uh... are you going to be home for the next few days?"

"Yes, I'm staying at the reserve."

"I'm on medical leave for two weeks, and I..."

"Yeah, come. You can tell me what happened at home, okay?"

"Great, I'll catch the first flight," Steve confirmed, relieved.

"Tell me when the international Portkey departs, and I'll pick you up at the airport."

"I can transit to the reserve..."

"Stop, Steve. You're worried, I get it, but I'll wait in the arrival area of the Portkey. Don't worry, I won't be in danger."

Steve took a deep breath; he was being unreasonable, and he knew it. However, learning that his secret was known to the person who orchestrated his abduction and torture was making him lose his composure.

"Okay, I'll call you from the airport, just stay at the reserve."

"Promise, see you soon."

Steve hung up, handed the phone back to Danny, and sank onto the bed, his head in his hands. He was trying to control the mix of emotions within him – relief that his man was fine, embarrassment at how he'd worried so much, anger at Wo Fat, exhaustion from all he'd been through.

"Need a ride?" Danny offered, extending a hand. "If I were you, I'd probably have hopped on a plane within five minutes of leaving the hospital."

Steve smiled, amused by his friend's attempt to reassure him.

"I would have if you hadn't stopped me."

"Maybe, but believe me, I would've been in a worse state than you."

"I'll take the ride if you're offering," Steve said.

They exchanged smiles and left. Steve pretended to prefer buying his ticket at the counter to prevent Danny from asking too many questions. He also declined Danny's offer to accompany him into the building. He thanked his friend, promised to keep him updated, and entered the bustling airport. Without hesitation, he replicated what Charlie had shown him once and found himself in a small café where there were hardly any people.