Randomly

Chapter 19

Steve was awakened the next morning by a noise coming from downstairs. He jumped out of bed, threw on a t-shirt, and was glad he had worn shorts the previous night after their nighttime activities. He grabbed his gun.

"What are you doing?" Charlie's hoarse voice asked.

"Nothing, go back to sleep," he replied, loading his weapon.

Startled by the noise, Charlie began to sit up.

"Somebody's downstairs," Steve whispered.

"No, the spells..."

A magical alarm sounded in the room, and the sorcerer stopped it with a wave of his hand before getting up, just like Steve did, and grabbing his wand.

"What are you doing?" the military man whispered.

"There's someone downstairs."

"Yes, that's why you should stay here."

"Don't be silly, I'm coming with you."

"No!"

"Then you're coming with me!" Charlie concluded, leaving the room.

Steve caught up with him in the hallway and gestured for him to stay behind. They went down the stairs in silence, Steve checking blind spots before moving forward, Charlie, shirtless, following closely. Noises were coming from the kitchen, and the soldier cautiously opened the door, gun at the ready.

"Don't move!" he shouted, only to discover his mother standing there, holding a frying pan. "Mom?"

"Hey, baby."

"What are you doing?" he asked, incredulous at the sight of her.

"I'm making eggs," she replied as if the situation was perfectly normal.

“No, I mean, what are you doing here?” he snapped.

"Don't play with your gun and come have breakfast." She poured scrambled eggs onto a plate. "Want some orange juice?"

It was then that she noticed Charlie.

"Hello, sir. Who are you?"

"Charlie, ma'am."

"Did I interrupt something?" she asked in a hostile tone.

The wizard looked at Steve, unsure of how to react.

"I told you it was safer upstairs," the military man said, hoping his lover would understand the message.

"Not at all, ma'am. Just my departure. I'll, I'll go get dressed."

"No, of course not. You should stay. I'd love to learn more about the relationship you have with my son."

The jovial tone thinly veiled the threat that the couple sensed. They exchanged a glance, in which the younger one tried to convey to his lover that he really needed to leave.

"No, thank you, but I have a dive scheduled for this morning."

"What a shame," Doris said in a very hypocritical voice. "Next time."

"Of course."

Steve watched his lover leave and sensed his mother's gaze on him.

"He's not just a friend, is he?" she asked, passing by him on her way to the breakfast table.

"Okay, Mom! Mom!"

"Come, sit down."

"Mom, I don't want breakfast."