Randomly

Chapter 14

Steve woke up feeling Charlie leaving the bed the next morning. It was still dark, but the sun rose late in the country during that time of year. The soldier grumbled to get his lover back by his side. His entire body reminded him that he had spent several days without sleep, enduring torture before being rescued, rushing to Romania, and making love to his man in a very... energetic manner. Every muscle hurt, and getting up seemed like too much effort at the moment. A sigh of contentment, interrupted by a groan of pain, escaped him when Charlie snuggled against him. However, the dragon caretaker moved away almost immediately. Dim light illuminated the room, and the sheet covering the battered body was removed. Steve shielded his eyes with his arm as Charlie stifled a curse, gently pushed away Steve's arm, and looked into his eyes.

"Tell me," he ordered in a soft voice.

Steve didn't resist; he knew what reactions his story would provoke. He also knew that Charlie wouldn't let him go until he knew everything. He recounted how Jenna had easily convinced him to go to North Korea with him, how she had betrayed him and why, her confession about Wo Fat knowing their relationship, Wo Fat's tortures to extract information he didn't have, his escape, and his panic until he regained his Englishman. Charlie had gone through various emotions during the tale, like anger and sadness, but he hadn't interrupted Steve. He had kissed him when he fell silent and got up to retrieve an ointment.

"This should help," he said, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Thanks," Steve replied, bothered by the lack of reaction, but not knowing what to say.

"I've sent an owl to let them know I won't be coming in today," the dragon caretaker informed after a moment of silence while massaging him. "I think we're going to need some time to talk."

"Do you blame me?" the soldier asked, unable to suppress a yawn.

"No, but I still need to digest all this before I can really give my opinion. I think I'm mostly scared."

Steve wanted to tell his lover that nothing would happen to him, but the soothing effect of the ointment combined with the massage sent him back to sleep. When he woke up several hours later, he was in much less pain and got up without a problem. Finding himself alone, he dressed and left the bedroom. He found Charlie in the open-plan kitchen, sitting at the bar, lost in thought while gazing out of the large bay window.

"It won't end there," Charlie stated as Steve entered the room. "If you return to Hawaii, he'll try to come after you again."

"If I don't go back, he might target my friends or my sister, or even come after me here... or target you."

Steve poured himself some coffee and sat across from his lover. He took Charlie's hand and met his gaze.

"I don't want to spend my life fearing for the people I love..."

"Since your father's assassination, I've felt like I've spent mine fearing losing you."

Charlie's confession, whispered, his eyes lowered to his coffee cup, deeply moved Steve, who tightened his grip on his lover's hand.

"Hey, Cha, look at me," he whispered, caressing Charlie's cheek with his free hand. "I promise to be cautious and do everything I can to catch him."

"After him, there will be another case, and then another," the wizard retorted bitterly.

"No, Cha, no. As soon as Wo Fat is out of the way, I'll quit and come to live here. What do you think?"

Charlie's face, sprinkled with freckles, brightened – not enough to stop looking closed off, but it was a start for Steve, who smiled. He saw surprise and questions in Charlie's eyes, but he was confident in his decision. He had had enough of being away from him, hiding their relationship; he wanted to be happy, and if he had to move to Romania for that, he would.

"And what will you do here?"

"I could open a Hawaiian restaurant. What do you think?"

"Cook us lunch, and I'll tell you."

A genuine smile illuminated Charlie's face and warmed the soldier's heart. Yes, it was time. Steve leaned over the bar to kiss his lover and began listing the ingredients he would need to cook. He had thrown out the idea of a restaurant without really considering it, but he was more than willing to test his culinary talents on Charlie, especially if he could be the dessert.

The house quickly filled with good vibes. The two men went grocery shopping together, cooked while frequently kissing and cuddling. The meal was a success, but it didn't end the way Steve had hoped. Charlie initiated a discussion about Steve's reaction at the airport, and Steve's response left him worried. He cast a few spells to check whether the stranger had placed any on Steve for spying or tracking, but he found nothing. The couple wasn't reassured, as Charlie had just raised the possibility of wizards working with Wo Fat who might come to the reserve.

The conversation turned back to the investigation, what Steve knew, and what he didn't, like what Shelburne was. They spent the rest of the day discussing it and went to bed both worried, lost in their thoughts, yet comforted by each other's presence.

They made love tenderly the next morning upon waking and showered together. Charlie insisted on applying ointment to Steve again, and he fell asleep under its effects. When he woke up again, Charlie was already at work, so Steve spent the day resting, working out, exploring the surroundings, and

contemplating his plans for the future once he moved there. Throughout Steve's stay at the reserve, they didn't revisit his decision to move there permanently. They enjoyed spending time together, making love every day, laughing with Charlie's colleagues, and just being themselves. These two weeks passed in the most enjoyable way and ended with Steve's certainty that he didn't want to spend so much time away from his man anymore. He asked Charlie to accompany him to Chin's wedding, which filled the wizard with joy.

They bid farewell at the airport, sad to part again but reassured by the prospect of seeing each other soon, and by the mutual promise to be careful. Steve placed his bag on the bed, which served as a Portkey, and grabbed a corner of the blanket. He didn't take his eyes off Charlie until the moment of departure. The idea of leaving clenched his stomach more than the Portkey did.

He exited the airport on the Muggle side, where Danny was waiting for him. The two friends spent the evening over a beer, sharing stories about the past two weeks.