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delicatalePart I
It's three weeks after Lenora leaves that Catherine comes back to port. Julie knows there's something up even if she doesn't understand what, because that morning Steve packs her overnight bag with everything she's going to need -- Catherine wants to take her to spend the night with her parents, who have flown in from San Francisco to see her. He's sad already, just thinking about it. He wonders whether he should warn Danny that Cath will be picking Julie up tonight with him, or if Danny doesn't care. They've gotten a lot friendlier these days, even if they still enjoy baiting each other, but now there's no question about Steve not trusting Danny with Julie -- both Steve and she have completely fallen under Danny's spell. Through beach trips and shave ice outings after Steve’s picked her up from the nursery, they’re spending enough time with Danny to make it more than obvious.
He feeds Julie her breakfast with only minor casualties, and carries her out of the door and into her safety seat by 7.50am. It takes him 10 minutes down the highway and another 20 through the city to reach Queen St., so he likes to make an early start just in case there's more traffic than usual. The first (and only) time that happened, and he'd been 5 minutes late, Danny had almost ripped him a new one -- at least a dollar-odd had gone into the potty-mouth jar. Steve isn't keen to repeat the experience.
The drive is actually smoother than most mornings, and Steve's a good fifteen minutes early when he gets there. He unclips Julie from the back and carries her inside, eager to see Danny. She's still a little sleepy from the drive, but perks up when the familiar smells of the daycare hit and she knows she's in for a day of play. He rounds the corner into the main room to see Danny and the girls set up all the toys for the day -- in an unprecedented show of being on time, Steve is actually the first one in.
Danny looks pretty surprised to see him, but not displeased, Steve notes. There's a smile in Danny's eyes for Steve as well as Julie, and their gazes catch more often than not. Steve has been tiptoeing around the issue, terrified that if it goes south he'd be in for a major screw-up, not to mention back to square one with the Julie issue. And yet he can't quite force himself to stop -- he shares something with Danny, they click somehow, and he can no more imagine never seeing Danny again than imagine himself living a different life altogether.
All too soon, more parents and children start arriving, and Steve knows it's time to go. He half-wants to tell Danny about Catherine coming tonight, actually opens his mouth once or twice, but in the end decides not to -- it's not like they're dating or something, no matter how much Steve wishes they were.
He spends the day alternately fretting and wondering what on Earth he's so worried about. It's not like he's introducing his wife to his girlfriend; the comparison itself is ridiculous, and he can't believe that he even thought up something so stupid.
When five o’clock rolls up he sorts his things out and leaves early. He'd promised to pick Cath up at the port, and her ship should just be coming in by the time he reaches the parking lot. He waits for her, leaning against the side of his truck, trying not to look as anxious as he feels. She’s not been back in five months and Steve always feels the same way about Julie spending time away from him, even if it’s to be with her mother.
He watches the sailors of the USS Port Royal get off the ship, and smiles when he sees Catherine, duffel bag over her shoulder. He could recognize her anywhere, anytime, with her hair loose or up, in uniform or casual clothes. She’s imprinted on him, so many memories and so many years of friendship and more, parenthood, together.
She throws her duffel to the ground and jumps into his arms when she gets to him, and he holds her up easily, letting her wrap her long legs around him, listening to her easy laugh as he hugs her tight, his fingers already messing her well-kept hair, pushing it out of her bun. She plants a friendly kiss right on his mouth, with a loud smacking sound, and he huffs a laugh in her mouth.
“How’s my baby daddy?”
“Good, good. How are you?”
She pulls away enough to get her legs off from around his waist and back on the ground, shaking her hair loose completely.
“Happy to be here. Happy to see my baby soon. Can we go get her now?”
“Yes, yeah. Let’s go, come on, hop in.”
Catherine giggles like a little girl as she climbs in the cab of the truck, all overexcited. Steve follows suit and they’re soon on the way to Stepping Stones, Steve’s anxiety about a first meeting between Danny and Cath coming back to him.
“So how has she been? Is she liking the daycare center?”
“She’s loving it. She’s made a ton of friends over there, and her drawings are all over the place. She’s got her own cup and her own spoon and her own bowl and really, it’s like home for her. Danny makes it easy.”
“Danny? Oh, you mean the manager? The ex-cop?”
Steve wonders if he’s blushing.
“Yeah. He’s been really good with Jules. She adores him.”
Catherine nods, smiling happily. Steve isn’t even fazed when she starts changing right there in the truck, taking her shirt off and digging through her stuff for something more casual. They might not be together anymore, but there aren’t many people with whom Steve feels more comfortable. He still feels a slight pang when he realizes seeing Catherine in a bra doesn’t even stir any kind of old feelings or any desire in him, and instead he finds himself thinking of Danny. He is so fucked.
Cath slips on a silk shirt and a black pencil skirt. Steve knows she feels more comfortable in jeans and a tee, but she's always loved getting dressed up for the times she gets off the ship, since it's the only time she can. It looks impossible to get the skirt straight, so as soon as they get to Queen St. she jumps out of his truck and fixes it until it fits. She's slipped on a pair of black heels, and with her hair down she looks just like another businesswoman picking up her kid for the day. She looks amazing, and Steve tells her so.
"Flattery will get you nowhere," she purrs. "Or at least not with me, sailor." She winks at him. Steve fights the flush, but his Cath is a sharp one and he can't pretend to himself she hasn't seen it, especially if her wicked smile is any indication. "Come on, I want to see my baby finally!"
She runs up the steps, sharp clacks of her stilettos on the stone. Steve hurries in after her. Cath doesn't wait for him, but walks right inside and looks around with quick turns of her head until she spots her daughter.
"Jules," she yells, and rushes forward.
Julie drops her crayon when she looks up and sees who's there.
"Mama!" she shrieks and stumbles over to her.
Catherine kneels and opens her arms, folding them around Julie's little frame, holding her tightly to her chest as she buries her nose in Julie's curls. Steve stands back and watches them, feeling a burst of warmth in his chest at how happy his two girls are to see each other.
"All right, what is going on here--Steven? Care to explain?"
Steve turns around to see Danny marching in his direction, looking set for a fight. His stride falters when Cath straightens and picks Julie up in her arms. In her heels she's only a couple inches shorter than Steve, and Steve knows for a fact she looks killer and somewhat intimidating. When he looks at her, however, she's smiling.
"I'm sorry, did I cause a scene? It's just that I haven't seen my daughter for five months. I'm feeling a little emotional; I'm sure you understand."
Steve watches Danny watch Catherine with a sense of trepidation. He tries to break the silence that had fallen over the room as everyone watches them curiously.
"Danny, this is Lt. Catherine Rollins, Julie's Mom. Cath, this is Danny Williams. He owns this place."
"I've heard so much about you," Catherine says, striding forward and offering Danny her hand. He takes it, looking uncertain -- although Steve is sure only someone who knows him very well indeed would spot it.
"Lt. Rollins, pleasure to meet you," Danny says now, dropping her hand as soon as it's polite.
"Oh, Cath, please. I'm so happy you and Steve and Julie are getting along so well!"
"Uh, thank you."
Silence falls again, a little uncomfortable. Steve doesn't know what to do, is feeling completely out of control, like the land has shifted under his feet.
"We'd better get going," he manages at last. Cath and Danny both glare at him, and he has to fight not to shrink back. What now? Has he screwed up some weird social convention he doesn't know about? Man, he's never been any good at this stuff.
"Yes, my parents' flight should be landing in an hour's time, and I want to get Jules settled at the hotel," Catherine says, planting a kiss on Julie's round cheek. Julie looks way too happy to be in her mother’s arms, and as Steve looks at the two of them, he can’t help but register the striking differences and common traits between the two of them.
And Danny is watching them, too, looking uneasy in a way Steve has never seen him, observing Catherine with eyes Steve can’t decipher. Steve’s missing something here, he’s sure of it, but he can’t pinpoint it, and it’s bound to drive him crazy.
“Oh, you’re not staying with Steve?”
Catherine grins, toothy and cheeky.
“Nah, my parents are flying in so I’ll be staying with them, and Steve has - graciously - said I could have Julie for the night.”
Danny looks at Steve for a second, and Steve composes himself as quickly as he can to avoid looking like a lost little boy in front of Danny, although he’s pretty sure he’s failing.
“Yeah, um. Okay, let’s get going, then.”
Catherine nods, and Julie does too, just because her mom is doing it. Danny grins at her, brushing a finger along her cheek.
“Okay, then, we’ll see you next week?”
“Yeah, definitely, we’ll be here Monday.”
Danny nods, dry-swallowing as Catherine, Julie and Steve make their way out, Steve still wondering what that look on Danny’s face was. It was nothing he’d ever seen Danny display, and Steve had seen many of Danny’s faces.
Catherine is laughing after they’re done strapping Julie in her car seat, looking at Steve with soft eyes and her patented you’re so stupid look on her face.
“...What?”
“Lt Commander Steven J. McGarrett, I swear, sometimes you are so dense it baffles me how I could ever find you attractive.”
“What have I done now?”
“You do realize that Danny likes you, right?”
Steve blinks at Catherine, keeping his hand on the keys but not turning the engine on. He’s not so dense that he doesn’t realize there is something going on between him and Danny, but are they so unsubtle that it stuck out like a sore thumb to Cath?
“He does?”
“Yes, Steve, he does. Now will you start the car and get us to yours so we can grab Julie’s stuff? You told me I could have the truck tonight, to pick up my parents.”
“Oh, yeah. Of course.”
Steve starts the truck and drives his girls back to his place, his mind churning and churning so much that he barely realizes both Catherine and Julie have said goodbye and then, he’s alone. He didn't even get to kiss Jules before Cath swept her away, and God, he had no idea it would be this hard to let his baby girl go even for such a short time. He trudges into the house miserably, picking up stray toys as he goes, dumping them all into the toy chest in the corner of the living room. He stands in the middle of the floor and looks around at the tidy space, and suddenly misses the mess unbearably, misses the little person that caused it like she's been cut out of him.
There's only one thing he knows to do when he feels this way; it's not something the Navy has prepared him for, and he's fighting just to stay above water. And that's exactly what he does -- he hurries into his bedroom, gets changed in a pair of swimming trunks and makes his way down to the waterline, where the waves are breaking peacefully over the sand. The smell alone goes some way towards soothing him, and when he first digs his bare toes into the wet sand, it's like a weight has been lifted from his shoulders. He wades in quickly, dives under as soon as he's gone deep enough.
The water closing over his head is a benediction of sorts -- like he's allowed to feel this way, allowed to miss his baby girl, it doesn't make him weak, just human. He swims out hard and fast, eating up the miles, until he's floating under the pale orange sky, watching purple clouds float overhead, feeling like he's the only person in the world just for a short while, feeling that it's okay to feel things, whether it's missing his daughter or wanting Danny in his life, his to keep.
It's not often that he can indulge like this. Mostly it's sneaked swims for a few short minutes before Julie rouses, or late in the afternoon if Lenora agreed to stay a little longer when Steve got home. But to swim like this, like he used to before Julie was born, to let go completely and lose himself in the water -- it's been far, far too long. It's its own cure, in a way.
He doesn't know how long he spends in the water, but his limbs are weak and shaking by the time he crawls out to the shore again, unused to such exertion anymore, when his daily routine mostly comprises of weight lifting courtesy of one sweet baby girl. He lies on the sand for a moment, catching his breath and allowing the delicious burn to sink into his muscles, lets himself feel the exhaustion and relish it, his mind blank for all too few minutes.
The knock on his door comes when Steve is towelling his hair dry, still outside, enjoying the breeze on his skin for a while, letting it soothe his worries and doubts. He looks at the door from where he stands, wondering what Catherine might have forgotten - he can’t think of anyone else who has a reason for being here. He jogs to the door, only wearing his swimming shorts, and when he opens it he’s all ready to tease her, but his mouth opens when he sees who’s on the other side, even if no sounds come out.
“Good - evening, Steve.”
“Danno?”
“How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that? Also, do you always open your door mostly naked? That must be distracting. Is it an Army thing?”
“Navy,” Steve answers automatically, ignoring the comment about his state of dress - or undress, for that matter. He feels absolutely bewildered that Danny’s here, and a little worried. “What - is everything okay? Did we forget something of Jules’ at the daycare?”
It’s not the first time Danny has come to Steve’s, but the few times before it has been with washed clothes and bibs or used toys that he wasn’t sure Julie would be able to sleep without. Now, though, it’s different -- it feels different. Danny dry-swallows, and Steve cannot miss the way Danny’s eyes are running all over his body, up and down and back up, his lips shiny after he licks them. Steve’s not quite sure he still knows what breathing is.
“No, no, you’re good. Julie’s good. I just thought - you seemed a little. Distraught, earlier, when Catherine said she had Julie for the night. I thought you might like some company. But, you know, it’s okay if you’re busy.”
Steve opens the door wider quickly, not wanting to give Danny a chance to back out now.
“No, no, come on in!”
Danny steps over the threshold gingerly, angling his body away from Steve's like he's making an effort not to touch him. It makes Steve wonder, but there's a faint flush at the top of Danny's cheekbones, so Steve makes a conscious choice to believe Catherine's intuition from now on and behave accordingly.
Danny dumps a six-pack on the kitchen table, opening the fridge and transferring the beers inside one by one. He looks so sinfully good that something in Steve's belly tightens at the sight -- the sky-blue shirt Danny's wearing clings to his back and shoulders when he lifts his arms, and when he pushes the fridge door closed and turns, Steve sees that he's not wearing a tie. His shirt is unbuttoned at the collar, showcasing a flash of skin and a curl of chest hair that Steve aches to run his fingers through, find out if it's soft or coarse, how it will feel against his palms. He looks at ease, standing there in Steve's kitchen and looking around curiously at the tidy mess that is the counter top, with the food processor for Julie's meals and the ancient coffee machine Steve had inherited from his dad. He looks like he fits, in this house, in Steve's life, and Steve can't help but enjoy the burst of pleasure the thought brings.
"So, Catherine and Julie are gone?"
Steve's dejected mood returns, but it's not quite as bad as it was before. "Yes, they went as soon as Cath picked up Jules' stuff. They'll be back tomorrow evening, probably. I guess her grandparents want to spend some time with her, too."
"I'm sure they do, she's a treasure," Danny says. It makes Steve warm all over, the fond smile, the creases at the corners of Danny's eyes, painting a picture of easy affection that makes Steve's breath catch in his throat. "I know how hard it is the first night she's away from you. When I had to pull night shifts after Grace was born, the first few weeks were awful like nothing I'd ever been through."
"It's like something's missing," Steve confides. "The house feels too empty without her."
Danny winces in commiseration. "You just have to find ways to keep busy. It helps."
Steve shrugs. "I went for a swim," he offers.
A smile tugs at the corners of Danny’s mouth. “Yeah, I can see that.”
There’s a moment of silence between the two of them, comfortable and easy, before Steve walks out to the French doors leading outside. He leans against them, not being able to help his smile when Danny joins him, presses an open cold beer into his hand.
“Thanks. It’s just, you know. Of all the things in my life, this,” he points to the ocean, calm and quiet, embracing the sun that’s quickly dying in the horizon. “Has always been there. Through it all it’s never let me down.”
“Why did you join the Navy?”
Danny takes a sip of his beer when Steve looks at him, watching the scene in front of them.
“My mom died.”
“Shit, Steve, I’m sorry.”
Danny’s hand is warm and wet from his beer when he curls it around Steve’s forearm and for an instant here, for a beat of his heart, Steve thinks he’s just going to give it all up and lean in, grab Danny, kiss him like his life depends on it. He doesn’t, he stays here, a little frozen, his eyes flicking between Danny’s face and his fingers.
“Not your fault.”
“Yeah. Man, we’re gloomy, babe.”
Steve laughs, a little bittersweet and a little stunned. He’s not quite sure of the boundaries they’re crossing here, but he knows there are some. They’re in some territory between friendship and more, have been for a few weeks now, between the outings with Grace and Julie and their stupidly flirty conversations, but neither of them will do anything about it, dancing around each other like it’s some sort of game. Steve’s always grown tired of games quickly.
“Yeah, sorry. I just miss Jules.”
“These days, I wonder if Rachel would consent to changing the custody terms, since you know, I’m not risking my life every day, but she’s got these super-lawyers around her, and Step-Stan.”
“Step-Stan?”
“The new husband. Stupidly wealthy. He spoils Grace insane amounts, and I know he’s not going to buy her love, and that he’s never going to replace me, but sometimes, I swear, if I could kick his teeth in, fuck.”
“Was he - I mean...Nevermind.”
“What? Was he the reason why Rachel left me? No, he wasn’t. He probably helped, I guess, but she left me because she couldn’t deal with me being a cop.”
Danny makes his way to one of the chairs on the beach, and Steve follows quickly, wishing for time to stand still, for the two of them to close themselves in this bubble where talking is easy, where it means something.
“Do you miss it? Being a cop?”
“Yeah. Not as much as I miss Grace every day, though. I like my job - I feel like I’m still doing something right, helping out. I couldn’t handle myself if I was useless.”
"It must have been hard, leaving that behind."
"It was everything I'd known, so yeah. At the start it was almost unbearable. I would go through days wishing so hard I was back on the street that I didn't see anything around me. But after a while it started to sink in, and you know, when kids get their cute little claws into you, there's no letting go. And once I'd started noticing things, it wasn't long before I was all there, you know what I mean?"
Steve nods. He does; he went through much the same thing once he transferred out of active duty. He misses it too, sometimes, but he wouldn't give up his life now for the world.
"You do know," Danny muses next to him, and Steve realises Danny's been watching him, taking in his expressions, studying his face until he's learned him in a way that only Catherine can really profess to.
"Yeah. Transferring to the reserves was pretty stressful, but Jules makes everything better now that she's here, so there's no way I'd complain."
"Kids tend to do that," Danny says, smiling again. Steve loves the way his eyes crinkle, how warm and alive Danny's face looks when he smiles like that. "Was she the reason you transferred?"
"Partly," Steve says, thoughts going back to that awful phone call. "My Dad passed away about two years ago, heart attack. I transferred back here not long after, and Cath and I started seeing each other again on and off, and then she got pregnant even with how careful we were being, and you know the rest."
"She's cool, man--Cath, I mean."
"Yeah, she's been my best friend for years. Still is, after we parted ways, so to speak."
Steve swigs his beer down, probably faster than strictly advisable. He still hasn't eaten, and he can feel his stomach grumbling and demanding it be filled. Maybe Danny would want to stay for dinner?
"So I've got some steaks in the fridge," Steve says, lifting an eyebrow in Danny's direction.
Danny stares at him for a moment before he snorts. "That has got to be the worst dinner invitation I have ever received," he says dryly, but he's grinning, so Steve takes it as a win, mirroring Danny's grin as he pushes out of his chair.
That beer on an empty stomach had really not been the best idea, he considers when the sand shifts treacherously under his feet, and he loses his balance in an extremely embarrassing way. God, he's making such an idiot of himself, why on earth Danny would be attracted to him is beyond him...
A strong hand grabs his elbow, directing his fall away from the sand and over something very much more comfortable. Danny's body feels incredible under his, for all that he's just punched all of Danny's air out when he landed on top of him. Muscles shift and contract under his hip and he finds himself settled in Danny's lap before he can blink. Danny's is so close, feels so good, smells so good, oh god, Steve is sure his face is flaming, the air feels far too hot, but hell if he's going to move now, when he's right where he wants to be at last.
“Um.”
“God, Steve, just shut up.”
Danny grabs the back of Steve’s neck, fingers digging in skin and muscles as he pulls Steve to him, mouths crashing into each other with no hesitation. A groan breaks out of Steve’s throat as he shifts and gets himself more comfortable, his fingers curling into Danny’s shirt. It’s pent-up frustration and desire exploding between the two of them, the dams battered down until they just open, letting unspoken feelings out.
Danny, fuck - Danny kisses like his life depends on it, he kisses with his whole body, with one hand framing Steve’s face and fingertips pressing between Steve’s ribs, with lips and tongue and teeth and laughter in his moans. Steve can’t get enough; can’t get enough of Danny’s silky hair under the pads of his fingers, can’t get enough of the way Danny tastes, an intoxicating mix of beer and chocolate. Steve shifts again, tries to fit his legs around Danny’s on the chair, but there’s no space to allow him so he stands up, Danny groaning and following, but they still pull apart for an instant, Danny’s forehead set in the deep lines of an unhappy frown.
“What, what, no, no Steve -”
“Come on. C’mon.”
Despite his words, Steve doesn’t lead Danny anywhere, just sits right there in the sand and pulls Danny with him, this time with Danny spread on top of him. Steve swallows around the lump in his throat, refusing to give voice to his doubts. Instead, he opens a few more buttons on Danny’s shirt, conscious of Danny looking at him intently. Leaning in, Steve closes his eyes when he noses along Danny’s collarbone, lips brushing skin, almost too hot under his touch. Danny’s fingers are tensing and relaxing around Steve’s hips, his rough stubble brushing Steve’s temple, every little touch almost too much - it’s been way too long.
Danny grabs at Steve’s hair, pulling his head back and kissing him hard, desperation evident in the way he presses himself to Steve, runs his fingers along Steve’s chest. Steve’s not faring much better, tugging at Danny’s shirt, untucking it from the back of his pants, sliding his palm along Danny’s back, smooth skin and hard muscles making his stomach clench.
It’s a stupid idea, monumentally, ridiculously stupid, but seriously, Steve’ll have to suck it up and make it work. There’s no way he’s fucking this up, Julie loves Danny too much and so does Steve, maybe, a little. There is nothing Steve can do to prevent it, not when he wants Danny so badly it’s making him dizzy. He’ll have to make it work.
Danny’s rolling his hips, shivering against him, moaning and pushing his fingers down the back of Steve’s shorts. Steve pushes, thrusts up his hips and splays his hands on Danny's shoulders, flips them over until he's resting between Danny's thighs, face buried in Danny's neck, biting at the sensitive skin over his Adam's apple, tasting salt and traces of aftershave and pure undiluted Danny. Danny lets out this high-pitched whine, winds one leg around the back of Steve's thigh and pulls himself up and into the friction. They are both way too hard, pressing against each other, and it's actually a little painful but nowhere near a reason to stop.
"Fuck," Danny swears, a slur of sound that sinks right into Steve's balls. Danny sounds touch-drunk, needy, drowning in want. It's more than Steve can take.
"Right here?" Danny says roughly when Steve worms a hand between them, desperate to touch, to know.
"Problem?" Steve wants to know, because he's not stopping unless Danny actually pushes him away.
"Not unless you have curious neighbours."
"Mr and Mrs Jeffers on the right are away, and Mr Stanton on the left is a little deaf and doesn't like to go out at night. But it's up to you," Steve says, twisting his hand just so.
Danny lets his head fall back, a choked groan rumbling from his throat. "What about all the damn sand?"
Steve notices that for all of Danny's protests, Steve's shorts are now well off his ass and Danny's hand is clutching at a cheek several shades paler than the rest of his body. But he also notices the way Danny squirms when Steve pushes his shirt up to get at his skin and Danny's bare back rubs into the sand.
"Okay. Right. Okay. Jesus, you'll be the death of me," Steve grumbles, but pushes himself off Danny's welcoming body. He ignores Danny's pained face and the way he claws at Steve's back to keep him in place, jumps up and pulls Danny upright without waiting for his consent.
"I don't think I can make it to the bedroom," he warns Danny, hands already sneaking back to where they were before, caressing smooth, warm skin, feeling out the taut muscles underneath.
"Right, no bedroom. I don't actually care as long as we're off the sand."
Steve squeaks ungainly when Danny palms his bare ass; his cock twitches in the still-damp swimming trunks, and Steve can't wait to take them off already. Whatever they were designed for, it wasn't in favour of arousal.
They stumble onto the lana'i and into the kitchen, where Danny pushes Steve against the nearest counter and kisses him like he'd die without it, licks into his mouth while his hands are frantically pushing Steve's shorts all the way off. Steve's fingers falter on the buttons of Danny's shirt when Danny wiggles a hard thigh between his legs, driving it up and against Steve's tight balls. He groans into Danny's mouth, riding down on it, breaking the kiss so he can draw heaving gulps of air into his lungs; it's so good, so good, he can't imagine how he's gone on for so long without it, and the fact it's Danny who's making him feel this way just racks up the tension all the more.
Steve tries to focus, needing Danny out of his clothes. He feels desperate and light-headed, rubbing himself against Danny as if he’s sex-craved, but it’s not - it’s just Danny, and his willingness to touch Steve but not undress himself. Steve blows out a breath and forces himself to stop moving, using all of his willpower to get rid of Danny’s shirt and slacks and boxers in swift, quick moves. Once naked, Steve pushes Danny back enough to be able to look at him, just look, take in what the usual shirt and tie and slacks combo hides.
And fuck, Danny’s breathtaking, large and strong and pale and beautiful, in a completely masculine way that is making Steve’s knees go weak. Steve lunges forward, kissing him again, pushing him against the kitchen table. Danny lets out a noise of surprise but is quick to react, pushing when Steve pulls. He breaks the kiss with a pant, resting his forehead against Steve’s.
“I’d like somewhere horizontal, Steven.”
“You can lie down on the table.”
“Babe, you’re hot, and I really want you, but I’m not having sex with you on a kitchen table. I have standards.”
“Fuck standards,” Steve snaps, far too desperate to cater to whatever prim and proper ideas Danny might have.
Steve switches them around until he’s the one sitting himself up on the table, ignoring Danny’s request for something horizontal. He’s on the verge of losing his mind and he’s got no time to waste, he can’t bear the idea of moving, of losing contact, even for a second. He bends from the waist and sucks one of Danny's nipples into his mouth even as he wraps his legs around the back of Danny's thighs, keeping him in place. Danny exhales sharply, hips bucking forward into the cradle of Steve's legs.
"How are you even this bendy, it's unnatural," Danny grits out. He is still coherent. This is not something Steve is willing to tolerate.
“Yoga.”
Danny groans, rakes a hand through Steve’s hair, keeping him in place, and Steve grins to himself, a sense of satisfaction rushing through his veins, heady and intoxicating.
“You mean - you mean you can get into all these positions, like the lotus and shit?”
Steve pulls away, look up at Danny, letting his fingers trail down to grab Danny’s cock, thumb rubbing precome over the head of it.
“Right now you got two choices, Danny - I can show you how I can put my feet behind my head, or I can get to my knees here and suck you off. Just so you know, I would really love to suck you off.“
"Jesus," Danny croaks, catching hold of the table by Steve's hips. Steve sees his knuckles turning white from the grip. "You are terrible, I don't know why I want to have sex with you so bad, you are such a tease--"
"'Tease' implies I don't intend to follow up, but oh, Danny, I do," Steve says, keeping his voice low and seductive as he twines his arms around Danny's neck and pulls him in for a kiss, using his whole body.
For all his complaining, Danny really doesn't seem to mind, if his enthusiasm is any indication. Steve's cock rubs against the fluff on Danny's belly and he arches into it, desperate for the friction. Danny seems to have some idea of what it's doing to Steve, because he crowds closer, presses in even as he tugs at Steve's hips until Steve is almost lying down on the wooden surface, bracing himself on his elbows so he doesn't lose contact with Danny's delicious mouth that's doing all sorts of interesting things to his.
His hips are canted upwards, almost hanging off the edge of the table; the thought that, the way he's presenting himself to the air, Danny could just line up and thrust all the way inside intrudes in his befuddled mind, and suddenly it's like all the air is gone from his lungs. Danny lets go of one hip and trails inquisitive fingers around and in, touching him right there, and Steve is so turned on that if Danny was to try and breach him even dry, even with just a finger, Steve is going to embarrass himself all over Danny's stomach. He groans and arches into the touch, tightening his legs around Danny's waist and keeping him there.
"I'm holding you to that," Danny breathes against Steve's wet lips before he slides down Steve's body and there are lips around the head of his cock, gentle pressure rubbing along the sensitive skin that makes Steve's arms shake and give way. He falls back against the welcome support of the table, spine arching as he unconsciously tries to slide his cock further between those gorgeous lips. Danny won't be pushed, though, no matter how close to the edge Steve already is -- he takes his time, wraps a steady hand against the base and squeezes tightly as he takes Steve in further, sucking lightly and pressing the flat of his tongue against the underside. It's exquisite, an ache that settles at the base of Steve's spine and tightens his balls, until he's begging with voice as well as body.
Something touches his cock, and it takes him a moment to realise it isn't Danny's tongue -- or rather, not just Danny's tongue. He looks down to see Danny worming a finger in his mouth, alongside the bigger obstacle. A second later he realises why Danny is doing that, when Danny slips his finger out of his mouth and out of sight, and the thought is electrifying -- he almost comes from the anticipation alone. He feels a nudge, and then Danny's pushing inside him, and Steve's brain completely shorts. Danny's not even all the way inside before Steve's insides tighten and his breath comes out in short, painful pants. He tries, God knows he tries to hold on, but no, it just isn't happening, there's too much stimulation. Danny's over him, around him, everywhere at once, and there's just literally nothing he can do but lie back and let Danny draw the orgasm out of him, gives it up because Danny is relentless, and he's not taking no for an answer.
It wrings him dry, leaves him heaving and spent and so satisfied he can barely lift his head to kiss Danny thoroughly when he draws back. His legs unwind from Danny's hips and splay against the table's legs; there's a deep stretch in his back, but it's good, so good now that he's no longer wound up tight but loose and languid, content to let Danny kiss him as thoroughly as he likes.
It’s when Danny whines a little that Steve shakes himself out of it, allowing the warm feelings of his orgasm mellow out his muscles as he sits up, framing Danny’s jaw with one hand, brushing his thumb along his cheekbone before his free hand reaches Danny’s cock again, squeezing tight and moving at a quick pace, swallowing Danny’s moans for a while. Danny breaks away from the kiss with a pant and trails his lips along Steve’s shoulder, breaths hot and heavy over Steve’s damp skin. He’s thrusting into Steve’s hand, following the rhythm Steve has established, and when he digs his fingers in Steve’s back, it tells him all he needs to know. Steve’s quick to move, sliding off the table and to his knees in front of Danny, taking the tip of his cock in his mouth just before Danny comes. Steve swallows as Danny cries out, flicks his tongue over the slit of Danny’s cock and Danny’s knees give out. He falls into Steve’s arms, his muscles tensing and relaxing under Steve’s hands as he catches his breath, his nose buried in Steve’s neck.
When their breathing is back to something more normal, Danny moves until he’s more comfortable, his sweat-slicked skin sticking to Steve’s in the best way possible.
“Jesus. I did not expect that one, Steve.”
“I’m full of surprises.”
“Mm. I’m definitely keeping you around, then.”
---
Steve straightens the little bow in Julie’s hair when the doorbell rings, and grabs her in his arms, lets her squirm against him, her excitement obvious. Steve’s put her in the first clean dress he’s found, stuck a strand of wispy hair in a pink bow and deemed her ready to receive guests, and then kept an eye on her as she pottered about his bedroom while he chose clothes for himself. The jeans are a change from cargo pants and Steve knows for a fact Danny will appreciate that, but the shirt he ends up putting on is the standard white Hanes. Still. If Danny didn't like it, he wouldn't bitch about it all the time, and Steve's life would be considerably duller.
They walk to the door and Steve tugs it open, a smile he can't hide plastered over his face. Danny stands there, shifting his weight self-consciously, Grace holding on to his hand. She looks lovely, in a sunshine-yellow dress and a pretty bow of her own. She lets go of Danny's hand to run over to Steve, grabbing him around the midsection and mashing her face in his side.
"Uncle Steve! I missed you! Hey, Jules, wanna go play?"
"Gwace!" Jules blabbers, holding out her arms and straining to be let down. Steve complies, watching as the two girls walk inside the house in the direction of the living room.
He turns to see Danny watching them, too, an indulgent smile on his face that he turns on Steve when he notices he's watching. He looks fantastic, in that light-gray shirt Steve loves so much that clings to him in all the right places, making his shoulders huge and toned and begging for Steve's hands on them. His sleeves are rolled up, showing more blond fuzz to add to what's peeking through the open collar. Steve has no idea how he got this lucky, except he obviously must have, because here's Danny walking closer and planting a kiss on his freshly-shaved jaw, nosing along Steve's own open collar.
"Jeans," Danny murmurs, stepping back and pointedly looking Steve over. "I like it. It should be illegal, though, because how is a poor police officer supposed to keep the peace when there's someone like you, dressed like that walking around. There would be riots."
Steve flushes a little at the naked appreciation in Danny's voice and eyes. "Thanks," he murmurs, smiling that smile of his that will have Danny calling him a goof any minute now. "There's Spaghetti Marinara for dinner."
"Oh yeah? You'll have a job competing with my Mom's Marinara sauce, it's her specialty."
Steve avoids Danny's eyes, making a show of stepping aside so Danny can actually come in off the doorstep.
"Oh no, that's not gonna fly, not with you. What have you done, Steven? And why the avoidance when I mentioned my Mom?"
"Uh." Steve shuffles his feet.
"No, no. Don't tell me. You called her, didn't you? You asked me for her name last month, and Lt Catherine did something that's at best magic and at worst illegal, and got you my parents' phone number."
"Pretty much?" Steve hedges. "Your Mom's really nice. She was very helpful."
"I'll bet," Danny drawls, shaking his head. "God, I'll never hear the end of it."
Steve scrutinises him, looking for any sign of real displeasure and finding none. He relaxes the slightest bit.
"Her Marinara sauce really is special, though," he says earnestly, because it is.
Danny just sighs, resigned, like he might have something to say but he doesn't actually think it would make the least bit of difference. Steve is getting to know that face more and more. It's actually soothing, reassuring. It means Danny might complain, but he's not going anywhere any time soon.
"Come on, you goof. Let's see how you did," Danny says, taking his hand and towing him into the house.
Steve smiles smugly and closes the door.
![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
sirona_gs made art for it! It's basically the sign above the daycare door: Here, it is cute.
It's three weeks after Lenora leaves that Catherine comes back to port. Julie knows there's something up even if she doesn't understand what, because that morning Steve packs her overnight bag with everything she's going to need -- Catherine wants to take her to spend the night with her parents, who have flown in from San Francisco to see her. He's sad already, just thinking about it. He wonders whether he should warn Danny that Cath will be picking Julie up tonight with him, or if Danny doesn't care. They've gotten a lot friendlier these days, even if they still enjoy baiting each other, but now there's no question about Steve not trusting Danny with Julie -- both Steve and she have completely fallen under Danny's spell. Through beach trips and shave ice outings after Steve’s picked her up from the nursery, they’re spending enough time with Danny to make it more than obvious.
He feeds Julie her breakfast with only minor casualties, and carries her out of the door and into her safety seat by 7.50am. It takes him 10 minutes down the highway and another 20 through the city to reach Queen St., so he likes to make an early start just in case there's more traffic than usual. The first (and only) time that happened, and he'd been 5 minutes late, Danny had almost ripped him a new one -- at least a dollar-odd had gone into the potty-mouth jar. Steve isn't keen to repeat the experience.
The drive is actually smoother than most mornings, and Steve's a good fifteen minutes early when he gets there. He unclips Julie from the back and carries her inside, eager to see Danny. She's still a little sleepy from the drive, but perks up when the familiar smells of the daycare hit and she knows she's in for a day of play. He rounds the corner into the main room to see Danny and the girls set up all the toys for the day -- in an unprecedented show of being on time, Steve is actually the first one in.
Danny looks pretty surprised to see him, but not displeased, Steve notes. There's a smile in Danny's eyes for Steve as well as Julie, and their gazes catch more often than not. Steve has been tiptoeing around the issue, terrified that if it goes south he'd be in for a major screw-up, not to mention back to square one with the Julie issue. And yet he can't quite force himself to stop -- he shares something with Danny, they click somehow, and he can no more imagine never seeing Danny again than imagine himself living a different life altogether.
All too soon, more parents and children start arriving, and Steve knows it's time to go. He half-wants to tell Danny about Catherine coming tonight, actually opens his mouth once or twice, but in the end decides not to -- it's not like they're dating or something, no matter how much Steve wishes they were.
He spends the day alternately fretting and wondering what on Earth he's so worried about. It's not like he's introducing his wife to his girlfriend; the comparison itself is ridiculous, and he can't believe that he even thought up something so stupid.
When five o’clock rolls up he sorts his things out and leaves early. He'd promised to pick Cath up at the port, and her ship should just be coming in by the time he reaches the parking lot. He waits for her, leaning against the side of his truck, trying not to look as anxious as he feels. She’s not been back in five months and Steve always feels the same way about Julie spending time away from him, even if it’s to be with her mother.
He watches the sailors of the USS Port Royal get off the ship, and smiles when he sees Catherine, duffel bag over her shoulder. He could recognize her anywhere, anytime, with her hair loose or up, in uniform or casual clothes. She’s imprinted on him, so many memories and so many years of friendship and more, parenthood, together.
She throws her duffel to the ground and jumps into his arms when she gets to him, and he holds her up easily, letting her wrap her long legs around him, listening to her easy laugh as he hugs her tight, his fingers already messing her well-kept hair, pushing it out of her bun. She plants a friendly kiss right on his mouth, with a loud smacking sound, and he huffs a laugh in her mouth.
“How’s my baby daddy?”
“Good, good. How are you?”
She pulls away enough to get her legs off from around his waist and back on the ground, shaking her hair loose completely.
“Happy to be here. Happy to see my baby soon. Can we go get her now?”
“Yes, yeah. Let’s go, come on, hop in.”
Catherine giggles like a little girl as she climbs in the cab of the truck, all overexcited. Steve follows suit and they’re soon on the way to Stepping Stones, Steve’s anxiety about a first meeting between Danny and Cath coming back to him.
“So how has she been? Is she liking the daycare center?”
“She’s loving it. She’s made a ton of friends over there, and her drawings are all over the place. She’s got her own cup and her own spoon and her own bowl and really, it’s like home for her. Danny makes it easy.”
“Danny? Oh, you mean the manager? The ex-cop?”
Steve wonders if he’s blushing.
“Yeah. He’s been really good with Jules. She adores him.”
Catherine nods, smiling happily. Steve isn’t even fazed when she starts changing right there in the truck, taking her shirt off and digging through her stuff for something more casual. They might not be together anymore, but there aren’t many people with whom Steve feels more comfortable. He still feels a slight pang when he realizes seeing Catherine in a bra doesn’t even stir any kind of old feelings or any desire in him, and instead he finds himself thinking of Danny. He is so fucked.
Cath slips on a silk shirt and a black pencil skirt. Steve knows she feels more comfortable in jeans and a tee, but she's always loved getting dressed up for the times she gets off the ship, since it's the only time she can. It looks impossible to get the skirt straight, so as soon as they get to Queen St. she jumps out of his truck and fixes it until it fits. She's slipped on a pair of black heels, and with her hair down she looks just like another businesswoman picking up her kid for the day. She looks amazing, and Steve tells her so.
"Flattery will get you nowhere," she purrs. "Or at least not with me, sailor." She winks at him. Steve fights the flush, but his Cath is a sharp one and he can't pretend to himself she hasn't seen it, especially if her wicked smile is any indication. "Come on, I want to see my baby finally!"
She runs up the steps, sharp clacks of her stilettos on the stone. Steve hurries in after her. Cath doesn't wait for him, but walks right inside and looks around with quick turns of her head until she spots her daughter.
"Jules," she yells, and rushes forward.
Julie drops her crayon when she looks up and sees who's there.
"Mama!" she shrieks and stumbles over to her.
Catherine kneels and opens her arms, folding them around Julie's little frame, holding her tightly to her chest as she buries her nose in Julie's curls. Steve stands back and watches them, feeling a burst of warmth in his chest at how happy his two girls are to see each other.
"All right, what is going on here--Steven? Care to explain?"
Steve turns around to see Danny marching in his direction, looking set for a fight. His stride falters when Cath straightens and picks Julie up in her arms. In her heels she's only a couple inches shorter than Steve, and Steve knows for a fact she looks killer and somewhat intimidating. When he looks at her, however, she's smiling.
"I'm sorry, did I cause a scene? It's just that I haven't seen my daughter for five months. I'm feeling a little emotional; I'm sure you understand."
Steve watches Danny watch Catherine with a sense of trepidation. He tries to break the silence that had fallen over the room as everyone watches them curiously.
"Danny, this is Lt. Catherine Rollins, Julie's Mom. Cath, this is Danny Williams. He owns this place."
"I've heard so much about you," Catherine says, striding forward and offering Danny her hand. He takes it, looking uncertain -- although Steve is sure only someone who knows him very well indeed would spot it.
"Lt. Rollins, pleasure to meet you," Danny says now, dropping her hand as soon as it's polite.
"Oh, Cath, please. I'm so happy you and Steve and Julie are getting along so well!"
"Uh, thank you."
Silence falls again, a little uncomfortable. Steve doesn't know what to do, is feeling completely out of control, like the land has shifted under his feet.
"We'd better get going," he manages at last. Cath and Danny both glare at him, and he has to fight not to shrink back. What now? Has he screwed up some weird social convention he doesn't know about? Man, he's never been any good at this stuff.
"Yes, my parents' flight should be landing in an hour's time, and I want to get Jules settled at the hotel," Catherine says, planting a kiss on Julie's round cheek. Julie looks way too happy to be in her mother’s arms, and as Steve looks at the two of them, he can’t help but register the striking differences and common traits between the two of them.
And Danny is watching them, too, looking uneasy in a way Steve has never seen him, observing Catherine with eyes Steve can’t decipher. Steve’s missing something here, he’s sure of it, but he can’t pinpoint it, and it’s bound to drive him crazy.
“Oh, you’re not staying with Steve?”
Catherine grins, toothy and cheeky.
“Nah, my parents are flying in so I’ll be staying with them, and Steve has - graciously - said I could have Julie for the night.”
Danny looks at Steve for a second, and Steve composes himself as quickly as he can to avoid looking like a lost little boy in front of Danny, although he’s pretty sure he’s failing.
“Yeah, um. Okay, let’s get going, then.”
Catherine nods, and Julie does too, just because her mom is doing it. Danny grins at her, brushing a finger along her cheek.
“Okay, then, we’ll see you next week?”
“Yeah, definitely, we’ll be here Monday.”
Danny nods, dry-swallowing as Catherine, Julie and Steve make their way out, Steve still wondering what that look on Danny’s face was. It was nothing he’d ever seen Danny display, and Steve had seen many of Danny’s faces.
Catherine is laughing after they’re done strapping Julie in her car seat, looking at Steve with soft eyes and her patented you’re so stupid look on her face.
“...What?”
“Lt Commander Steven J. McGarrett, I swear, sometimes you are so dense it baffles me how I could ever find you attractive.”
“What have I done now?”
“You do realize that Danny likes you, right?”
Steve blinks at Catherine, keeping his hand on the keys but not turning the engine on. He’s not so dense that he doesn’t realize there is something going on between him and Danny, but are they so unsubtle that it stuck out like a sore thumb to Cath?
“He does?”
“Yes, Steve, he does. Now will you start the car and get us to yours so we can grab Julie’s stuff? You told me I could have the truck tonight, to pick up my parents.”
“Oh, yeah. Of course.”
Steve starts the truck and drives his girls back to his place, his mind churning and churning so much that he barely realizes both Catherine and Julie have said goodbye and then, he’s alone. He didn't even get to kiss Jules before Cath swept her away, and God, he had no idea it would be this hard to let his baby girl go even for such a short time. He trudges into the house miserably, picking up stray toys as he goes, dumping them all into the toy chest in the corner of the living room. He stands in the middle of the floor and looks around at the tidy space, and suddenly misses the mess unbearably, misses the little person that caused it like she's been cut out of him.
There's only one thing he knows to do when he feels this way; it's not something the Navy has prepared him for, and he's fighting just to stay above water. And that's exactly what he does -- he hurries into his bedroom, gets changed in a pair of swimming trunks and makes his way down to the waterline, where the waves are breaking peacefully over the sand. The smell alone goes some way towards soothing him, and when he first digs his bare toes into the wet sand, it's like a weight has been lifted from his shoulders. He wades in quickly, dives under as soon as he's gone deep enough.
The water closing over his head is a benediction of sorts -- like he's allowed to feel this way, allowed to miss his baby girl, it doesn't make him weak, just human. He swims out hard and fast, eating up the miles, until he's floating under the pale orange sky, watching purple clouds float overhead, feeling like he's the only person in the world just for a short while, feeling that it's okay to feel things, whether it's missing his daughter or wanting Danny in his life, his to keep.
It's not often that he can indulge like this. Mostly it's sneaked swims for a few short minutes before Julie rouses, or late in the afternoon if Lenora agreed to stay a little longer when Steve got home. But to swim like this, like he used to before Julie was born, to let go completely and lose himself in the water -- it's been far, far too long. It's its own cure, in a way.
He doesn't know how long he spends in the water, but his limbs are weak and shaking by the time he crawls out to the shore again, unused to such exertion anymore, when his daily routine mostly comprises of weight lifting courtesy of one sweet baby girl. He lies on the sand for a moment, catching his breath and allowing the delicious burn to sink into his muscles, lets himself feel the exhaustion and relish it, his mind blank for all too few minutes.
The knock on his door comes when Steve is towelling his hair dry, still outside, enjoying the breeze on his skin for a while, letting it soothe his worries and doubts. He looks at the door from where he stands, wondering what Catherine might have forgotten - he can’t think of anyone else who has a reason for being here. He jogs to the door, only wearing his swimming shorts, and when he opens it he’s all ready to tease her, but his mouth opens when he sees who’s on the other side, even if no sounds come out.
“Good - evening, Steve.”
“Danno?”
“How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that? Also, do you always open your door mostly naked? That must be distracting. Is it an Army thing?”
“Navy,” Steve answers automatically, ignoring the comment about his state of dress - or undress, for that matter. He feels absolutely bewildered that Danny’s here, and a little worried. “What - is everything okay? Did we forget something of Jules’ at the daycare?”
It’s not the first time Danny has come to Steve’s, but the few times before it has been with washed clothes and bibs or used toys that he wasn’t sure Julie would be able to sleep without. Now, though, it’s different -- it feels different. Danny dry-swallows, and Steve cannot miss the way Danny’s eyes are running all over his body, up and down and back up, his lips shiny after he licks them. Steve’s not quite sure he still knows what breathing is.
“No, no, you’re good. Julie’s good. I just thought - you seemed a little. Distraught, earlier, when Catherine said she had Julie for the night. I thought you might like some company. But, you know, it’s okay if you’re busy.”
Steve opens the door wider quickly, not wanting to give Danny a chance to back out now.
“No, no, come on in!”
Danny steps over the threshold gingerly, angling his body away from Steve's like he's making an effort not to touch him. It makes Steve wonder, but there's a faint flush at the top of Danny's cheekbones, so Steve makes a conscious choice to believe Catherine's intuition from now on and behave accordingly.
Danny dumps a six-pack on the kitchen table, opening the fridge and transferring the beers inside one by one. He looks so sinfully good that something in Steve's belly tightens at the sight -- the sky-blue shirt Danny's wearing clings to his back and shoulders when he lifts his arms, and when he pushes the fridge door closed and turns, Steve sees that he's not wearing a tie. His shirt is unbuttoned at the collar, showcasing a flash of skin and a curl of chest hair that Steve aches to run his fingers through, find out if it's soft or coarse, how it will feel against his palms. He looks at ease, standing there in Steve's kitchen and looking around curiously at the tidy mess that is the counter top, with the food processor for Julie's meals and the ancient coffee machine Steve had inherited from his dad. He looks like he fits, in this house, in Steve's life, and Steve can't help but enjoy the burst of pleasure the thought brings.
"So, Catherine and Julie are gone?"
Steve's dejected mood returns, but it's not quite as bad as it was before. "Yes, they went as soon as Cath picked up Jules' stuff. They'll be back tomorrow evening, probably. I guess her grandparents want to spend some time with her, too."
"I'm sure they do, she's a treasure," Danny says. It makes Steve warm all over, the fond smile, the creases at the corners of Danny's eyes, painting a picture of easy affection that makes Steve's breath catch in his throat. "I know how hard it is the first night she's away from you. When I had to pull night shifts after Grace was born, the first few weeks were awful like nothing I'd ever been through."
"It's like something's missing," Steve confides. "The house feels too empty without her."
Danny winces in commiseration. "You just have to find ways to keep busy. It helps."
Steve shrugs. "I went for a swim," he offers.
A smile tugs at the corners of Danny’s mouth. “Yeah, I can see that.”
There’s a moment of silence between the two of them, comfortable and easy, before Steve walks out to the French doors leading outside. He leans against them, not being able to help his smile when Danny joins him, presses an open cold beer into his hand.
“Thanks. It’s just, you know. Of all the things in my life, this,” he points to the ocean, calm and quiet, embracing the sun that’s quickly dying in the horizon. “Has always been there. Through it all it’s never let me down.”
“Why did you join the Navy?”
Danny takes a sip of his beer when Steve looks at him, watching the scene in front of them.
“My mom died.”
“Shit, Steve, I’m sorry.”
Danny’s hand is warm and wet from his beer when he curls it around Steve’s forearm and for an instant here, for a beat of his heart, Steve thinks he’s just going to give it all up and lean in, grab Danny, kiss him like his life depends on it. He doesn’t, he stays here, a little frozen, his eyes flicking between Danny’s face and his fingers.
“Not your fault.”
“Yeah. Man, we’re gloomy, babe.”
Steve laughs, a little bittersweet and a little stunned. He’s not quite sure of the boundaries they’re crossing here, but he knows there are some. They’re in some territory between friendship and more, have been for a few weeks now, between the outings with Grace and Julie and their stupidly flirty conversations, but neither of them will do anything about it, dancing around each other like it’s some sort of game. Steve’s always grown tired of games quickly.
“Yeah, sorry. I just miss Jules.”
“These days, I wonder if Rachel would consent to changing the custody terms, since you know, I’m not risking my life every day, but she’s got these super-lawyers around her, and Step-Stan.”
“Step-Stan?”
“The new husband. Stupidly wealthy. He spoils Grace insane amounts, and I know he’s not going to buy her love, and that he’s never going to replace me, but sometimes, I swear, if I could kick his teeth in, fuck.”
“Was he - I mean...Nevermind.”
“What? Was he the reason why Rachel left me? No, he wasn’t. He probably helped, I guess, but she left me because she couldn’t deal with me being a cop.”
Danny makes his way to one of the chairs on the beach, and Steve follows quickly, wishing for time to stand still, for the two of them to close themselves in this bubble where talking is easy, where it means something.
“Do you miss it? Being a cop?”
“Yeah. Not as much as I miss Grace every day, though. I like my job - I feel like I’m still doing something right, helping out. I couldn’t handle myself if I was useless.”
"It must have been hard, leaving that behind."
"It was everything I'd known, so yeah. At the start it was almost unbearable. I would go through days wishing so hard I was back on the street that I didn't see anything around me. But after a while it started to sink in, and you know, when kids get their cute little claws into you, there's no letting go. And once I'd started noticing things, it wasn't long before I was all there, you know what I mean?"
Steve nods. He does; he went through much the same thing once he transferred out of active duty. He misses it too, sometimes, but he wouldn't give up his life now for the world.
"You do know," Danny muses next to him, and Steve realises Danny's been watching him, taking in his expressions, studying his face until he's learned him in a way that only Catherine can really profess to.
"Yeah. Transferring to the reserves was pretty stressful, but Jules makes everything better now that she's here, so there's no way I'd complain."
"Kids tend to do that," Danny says, smiling again. Steve loves the way his eyes crinkle, how warm and alive Danny's face looks when he smiles like that. "Was she the reason you transferred?"
"Partly," Steve says, thoughts going back to that awful phone call. "My Dad passed away about two years ago, heart attack. I transferred back here not long after, and Cath and I started seeing each other again on and off, and then she got pregnant even with how careful we were being, and you know the rest."
"She's cool, man--Cath, I mean."
"Yeah, she's been my best friend for years. Still is, after we parted ways, so to speak."
Steve swigs his beer down, probably faster than strictly advisable. He still hasn't eaten, and he can feel his stomach grumbling and demanding it be filled. Maybe Danny would want to stay for dinner?
"So I've got some steaks in the fridge," Steve says, lifting an eyebrow in Danny's direction.
Danny stares at him for a moment before he snorts. "That has got to be the worst dinner invitation I have ever received," he says dryly, but he's grinning, so Steve takes it as a win, mirroring Danny's grin as he pushes out of his chair.
That beer on an empty stomach had really not been the best idea, he considers when the sand shifts treacherously under his feet, and he loses his balance in an extremely embarrassing way. God, he's making such an idiot of himself, why on earth Danny would be attracted to him is beyond him...
A strong hand grabs his elbow, directing his fall away from the sand and over something very much more comfortable. Danny's body feels incredible under his, for all that he's just punched all of Danny's air out when he landed on top of him. Muscles shift and contract under his hip and he finds himself settled in Danny's lap before he can blink. Danny's is so close, feels so good, smells so good, oh god, Steve is sure his face is flaming, the air feels far too hot, but hell if he's going to move now, when he's right where he wants to be at last.
“Um.”
“God, Steve, just shut up.”
Danny grabs the back of Steve’s neck, fingers digging in skin and muscles as he pulls Steve to him, mouths crashing into each other with no hesitation. A groan breaks out of Steve’s throat as he shifts and gets himself more comfortable, his fingers curling into Danny’s shirt. It’s pent-up frustration and desire exploding between the two of them, the dams battered down until they just open, letting unspoken feelings out.
Danny, fuck - Danny kisses like his life depends on it, he kisses with his whole body, with one hand framing Steve’s face and fingertips pressing between Steve’s ribs, with lips and tongue and teeth and laughter in his moans. Steve can’t get enough; can’t get enough of Danny’s silky hair under the pads of his fingers, can’t get enough of the way Danny tastes, an intoxicating mix of beer and chocolate. Steve shifts again, tries to fit his legs around Danny’s on the chair, but there’s no space to allow him so he stands up, Danny groaning and following, but they still pull apart for an instant, Danny’s forehead set in the deep lines of an unhappy frown.
“What, what, no, no Steve -”
“Come on. C’mon.”
Despite his words, Steve doesn’t lead Danny anywhere, just sits right there in the sand and pulls Danny with him, this time with Danny spread on top of him. Steve swallows around the lump in his throat, refusing to give voice to his doubts. Instead, he opens a few more buttons on Danny’s shirt, conscious of Danny looking at him intently. Leaning in, Steve closes his eyes when he noses along Danny’s collarbone, lips brushing skin, almost too hot under his touch. Danny’s fingers are tensing and relaxing around Steve’s hips, his rough stubble brushing Steve’s temple, every little touch almost too much - it’s been way too long.
Danny grabs at Steve’s hair, pulling his head back and kissing him hard, desperation evident in the way he presses himself to Steve, runs his fingers along Steve’s chest. Steve’s not faring much better, tugging at Danny’s shirt, untucking it from the back of his pants, sliding his palm along Danny’s back, smooth skin and hard muscles making his stomach clench.
It’s a stupid idea, monumentally, ridiculously stupid, but seriously, Steve’ll have to suck it up and make it work. There’s no way he’s fucking this up, Julie loves Danny too much and so does Steve, maybe, a little. There is nothing Steve can do to prevent it, not when he wants Danny so badly it’s making him dizzy. He’ll have to make it work.
Danny’s rolling his hips, shivering against him, moaning and pushing his fingers down the back of Steve’s shorts. Steve pushes, thrusts up his hips and splays his hands on Danny's shoulders, flips them over until he's resting between Danny's thighs, face buried in Danny's neck, biting at the sensitive skin over his Adam's apple, tasting salt and traces of aftershave and pure undiluted Danny. Danny lets out this high-pitched whine, winds one leg around the back of Steve's thigh and pulls himself up and into the friction. They are both way too hard, pressing against each other, and it's actually a little painful but nowhere near a reason to stop.
"Fuck," Danny swears, a slur of sound that sinks right into Steve's balls. Danny sounds touch-drunk, needy, drowning in want. It's more than Steve can take.
"Right here?" Danny says roughly when Steve worms a hand between them, desperate to touch, to know.
"Problem?" Steve wants to know, because he's not stopping unless Danny actually pushes him away.
"Not unless you have curious neighbours."
"Mr and Mrs Jeffers on the right are away, and Mr Stanton on the left is a little deaf and doesn't like to go out at night. But it's up to you," Steve says, twisting his hand just so.
Danny lets his head fall back, a choked groan rumbling from his throat. "What about all the damn sand?"
Steve notices that for all of Danny's protests, Steve's shorts are now well off his ass and Danny's hand is clutching at a cheek several shades paler than the rest of his body. But he also notices the way Danny squirms when Steve pushes his shirt up to get at his skin and Danny's bare back rubs into the sand.
"Okay. Right. Okay. Jesus, you'll be the death of me," Steve grumbles, but pushes himself off Danny's welcoming body. He ignores Danny's pained face and the way he claws at Steve's back to keep him in place, jumps up and pulls Danny upright without waiting for his consent.
"I don't think I can make it to the bedroom," he warns Danny, hands already sneaking back to where they were before, caressing smooth, warm skin, feeling out the taut muscles underneath.
"Right, no bedroom. I don't actually care as long as we're off the sand."
Steve squeaks ungainly when Danny palms his bare ass; his cock twitches in the still-damp swimming trunks, and Steve can't wait to take them off already. Whatever they were designed for, it wasn't in favour of arousal.
They stumble onto the lana'i and into the kitchen, where Danny pushes Steve against the nearest counter and kisses him like he'd die without it, licks into his mouth while his hands are frantically pushing Steve's shorts all the way off. Steve's fingers falter on the buttons of Danny's shirt when Danny wiggles a hard thigh between his legs, driving it up and against Steve's tight balls. He groans into Danny's mouth, riding down on it, breaking the kiss so he can draw heaving gulps of air into his lungs; it's so good, so good, he can't imagine how he's gone on for so long without it, and the fact it's Danny who's making him feel this way just racks up the tension all the more.
Steve tries to focus, needing Danny out of his clothes. He feels desperate and light-headed, rubbing himself against Danny as if he’s sex-craved, but it’s not - it’s just Danny, and his willingness to touch Steve but not undress himself. Steve blows out a breath and forces himself to stop moving, using all of his willpower to get rid of Danny’s shirt and slacks and boxers in swift, quick moves. Once naked, Steve pushes Danny back enough to be able to look at him, just look, take in what the usual shirt and tie and slacks combo hides.
And fuck, Danny’s breathtaking, large and strong and pale and beautiful, in a completely masculine way that is making Steve’s knees go weak. Steve lunges forward, kissing him again, pushing him against the kitchen table. Danny lets out a noise of surprise but is quick to react, pushing when Steve pulls. He breaks the kiss with a pant, resting his forehead against Steve’s.
“I’d like somewhere horizontal, Steven.”
“You can lie down on the table.”
“Babe, you’re hot, and I really want you, but I’m not having sex with you on a kitchen table. I have standards.”
“Fuck standards,” Steve snaps, far too desperate to cater to whatever prim and proper ideas Danny might have.
Steve switches them around until he’s the one sitting himself up on the table, ignoring Danny’s request for something horizontal. He’s on the verge of losing his mind and he’s got no time to waste, he can’t bear the idea of moving, of losing contact, even for a second. He bends from the waist and sucks one of Danny's nipples into his mouth even as he wraps his legs around the back of Danny's thighs, keeping him in place. Danny exhales sharply, hips bucking forward into the cradle of Steve's legs.
"How are you even this bendy, it's unnatural," Danny grits out. He is still coherent. This is not something Steve is willing to tolerate.
“Yoga.”
Danny groans, rakes a hand through Steve’s hair, keeping him in place, and Steve grins to himself, a sense of satisfaction rushing through his veins, heady and intoxicating.
“You mean - you mean you can get into all these positions, like the lotus and shit?”
Steve pulls away, look up at Danny, letting his fingers trail down to grab Danny’s cock, thumb rubbing precome over the head of it.
“Right now you got two choices, Danny - I can show you how I can put my feet behind my head, or I can get to my knees here and suck you off. Just so you know, I would really love to suck you off.“
"Jesus," Danny croaks, catching hold of the table by Steve's hips. Steve sees his knuckles turning white from the grip. "You are terrible, I don't know why I want to have sex with you so bad, you are such a tease--"
"'Tease' implies I don't intend to follow up, but oh, Danny, I do," Steve says, keeping his voice low and seductive as he twines his arms around Danny's neck and pulls him in for a kiss, using his whole body.
For all his complaining, Danny really doesn't seem to mind, if his enthusiasm is any indication. Steve's cock rubs against the fluff on Danny's belly and he arches into it, desperate for the friction. Danny seems to have some idea of what it's doing to Steve, because he crowds closer, presses in even as he tugs at Steve's hips until Steve is almost lying down on the wooden surface, bracing himself on his elbows so he doesn't lose contact with Danny's delicious mouth that's doing all sorts of interesting things to his.
His hips are canted upwards, almost hanging off the edge of the table; the thought that, the way he's presenting himself to the air, Danny could just line up and thrust all the way inside intrudes in his befuddled mind, and suddenly it's like all the air is gone from his lungs. Danny lets go of one hip and trails inquisitive fingers around and in, touching him right there, and Steve is so turned on that if Danny was to try and breach him even dry, even with just a finger, Steve is going to embarrass himself all over Danny's stomach. He groans and arches into the touch, tightening his legs around Danny's waist and keeping him there.
"I'm holding you to that," Danny breathes against Steve's wet lips before he slides down Steve's body and there are lips around the head of his cock, gentle pressure rubbing along the sensitive skin that makes Steve's arms shake and give way. He falls back against the welcome support of the table, spine arching as he unconsciously tries to slide his cock further between those gorgeous lips. Danny won't be pushed, though, no matter how close to the edge Steve already is -- he takes his time, wraps a steady hand against the base and squeezes tightly as he takes Steve in further, sucking lightly and pressing the flat of his tongue against the underside. It's exquisite, an ache that settles at the base of Steve's spine and tightens his balls, until he's begging with voice as well as body.
Something touches his cock, and it takes him a moment to realise it isn't Danny's tongue -- or rather, not just Danny's tongue. He looks down to see Danny worming a finger in his mouth, alongside the bigger obstacle. A second later he realises why Danny is doing that, when Danny slips his finger out of his mouth and out of sight, and the thought is electrifying -- he almost comes from the anticipation alone. He feels a nudge, and then Danny's pushing inside him, and Steve's brain completely shorts. Danny's not even all the way inside before Steve's insides tighten and his breath comes out in short, painful pants. He tries, God knows he tries to hold on, but no, it just isn't happening, there's too much stimulation. Danny's over him, around him, everywhere at once, and there's just literally nothing he can do but lie back and let Danny draw the orgasm out of him, gives it up because Danny is relentless, and he's not taking no for an answer.
It wrings him dry, leaves him heaving and spent and so satisfied he can barely lift his head to kiss Danny thoroughly when he draws back. His legs unwind from Danny's hips and splay against the table's legs; there's a deep stretch in his back, but it's good, so good now that he's no longer wound up tight but loose and languid, content to let Danny kiss him as thoroughly as he likes.
It’s when Danny whines a little that Steve shakes himself out of it, allowing the warm feelings of his orgasm mellow out his muscles as he sits up, framing Danny’s jaw with one hand, brushing his thumb along his cheekbone before his free hand reaches Danny’s cock again, squeezing tight and moving at a quick pace, swallowing Danny’s moans for a while. Danny breaks away from the kiss with a pant and trails his lips along Steve’s shoulder, breaths hot and heavy over Steve’s damp skin. He’s thrusting into Steve’s hand, following the rhythm Steve has established, and when he digs his fingers in Steve’s back, it tells him all he needs to know. Steve’s quick to move, sliding off the table and to his knees in front of Danny, taking the tip of his cock in his mouth just before Danny comes. Steve swallows as Danny cries out, flicks his tongue over the slit of Danny’s cock and Danny’s knees give out. He falls into Steve’s arms, his muscles tensing and relaxing under Steve’s hands as he catches his breath, his nose buried in Steve’s neck.
When their breathing is back to something more normal, Danny moves until he’s more comfortable, his sweat-slicked skin sticking to Steve’s in the best way possible.
“Jesus. I did not expect that one, Steve.”
“I’m full of surprises.”
“Mm. I’m definitely keeping you around, then.”
---
Steve straightens the little bow in Julie’s hair when the doorbell rings, and grabs her in his arms, lets her squirm against him, her excitement obvious. Steve’s put her in the first clean dress he’s found, stuck a strand of wispy hair in a pink bow and deemed her ready to receive guests, and then kept an eye on her as she pottered about his bedroom while he chose clothes for himself. The jeans are a change from cargo pants and Steve knows for a fact Danny will appreciate that, but the shirt he ends up putting on is the standard white Hanes. Still. If Danny didn't like it, he wouldn't bitch about it all the time, and Steve's life would be considerably duller.
They walk to the door and Steve tugs it open, a smile he can't hide plastered over his face. Danny stands there, shifting his weight self-consciously, Grace holding on to his hand. She looks lovely, in a sunshine-yellow dress and a pretty bow of her own. She lets go of Danny's hand to run over to Steve, grabbing him around the midsection and mashing her face in his side.
"Uncle Steve! I missed you! Hey, Jules, wanna go play?"
"Gwace!" Jules blabbers, holding out her arms and straining to be let down. Steve complies, watching as the two girls walk inside the house in the direction of the living room.
He turns to see Danny watching them, too, an indulgent smile on his face that he turns on Steve when he notices he's watching. He looks fantastic, in that light-gray shirt Steve loves so much that clings to him in all the right places, making his shoulders huge and toned and begging for Steve's hands on them. His sleeves are rolled up, showing more blond fuzz to add to what's peeking through the open collar. Steve has no idea how he got this lucky, except he obviously must have, because here's Danny walking closer and planting a kiss on his freshly-shaved jaw, nosing along Steve's own open collar.
"Jeans," Danny murmurs, stepping back and pointedly looking Steve over. "I like it. It should be illegal, though, because how is a poor police officer supposed to keep the peace when there's someone like you, dressed like that walking around. There would be riots."
Steve flushes a little at the naked appreciation in Danny's voice and eyes. "Thanks," he murmurs, smiling that smile of his that will have Danny calling him a goof any minute now. "There's Spaghetti Marinara for dinner."
"Oh yeah? You'll have a job competing with my Mom's Marinara sauce, it's her specialty."
Steve avoids Danny's eyes, making a show of stepping aside so Danny can actually come in off the doorstep.
"Oh no, that's not gonna fly, not with you. What have you done, Steven? And why the avoidance when I mentioned my Mom?"
"Uh." Steve shuffles his feet.
"No, no. Don't tell me. You called her, didn't you? You asked me for her name last month, and Lt Catherine did something that's at best magic and at worst illegal, and got you my parents' phone number."
"Pretty much?" Steve hedges. "Your Mom's really nice. She was very helpful."
"I'll bet," Danny drawls, shaking his head. "God, I'll never hear the end of it."
Steve scrutinises him, looking for any sign of real displeasure and finding none. He relaxes the slightest bit.
"Her Marinara sauce really is special, though," he says earnestly, because it is.
Danny just sighs, resigned, like he might have something to say but he doesn't actually think it would make the least bit of difference. Steve is getting to know that face more and more. It's actually soothing, reassuring. It means Danny might complain, but he's not going anywhere any time soon.
"Come on, you goof. Let's see how you did," Danny says, taking his hand and towing him into the house.
Steve smiles smugly and closes the door.
sirona_gs made art for it! It's basically the sign above the daycare door: Here, it is cute.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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Date: 2011-08-05 12:26 pm (UTC)This fic has just induced a severe case of the high pitched dolphin noises of glee in me. So utterly adorable and hot, holy crap hot.
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Date: 2011-08-05 12:48 pm (UTC)Dolphin noises are really good!
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Date: 2011-08-05 01:13 pm (UTC)I'm pretty sure that the image of big, brawny Steve striding along with his cute baby girl peeking over his shoulder will stick with me for a long time.
And that table scene was scorching. I need to go find something to cool me down now.
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Date: 2011-08-05 01:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-05 01:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-05 01:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-05 03:29 pm (UTC)I do have one small beef though, if Julie is 1 then it is highly unlikely that she'd have such a vocabulary. Babbling, absolutely; understanding simple sentences/questions, definitely; but she'd be unlikely to be able to spontaneously say Danno or Grace, much less understandably, unless she's very precocious with her speech. It sounds more like Julie's 18-24 months in your story, rather than 12 months.
On the other hand, feel free to ignore me!
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Date: 2011-08-05 04:13 pm (UTC)Here's the thing. All kids are different. Julie is sometime over one year old (we don't state the exact age), and she would start recognising and using words by then. We tried to keep the vocabulary pretty narrow, but every kid is different. My mother tells me I started talking at 12 months old and I was using words by 14 months of age. (I haven't shut up since, but that's another matter! :D) So yes. Artistic license. We has it. ;D
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Date: 2011-08-05 03:40 pm (UTC)I loved Danny's reaction to seeing Catherine and Steve's confusion about the whole thing was priceless so good for Catherine for cluing him in. And it was also Danny who took the first steps to get him and Steve out of their mating dance and into something more so the man deserves major kudos.
Great work on this fic :):)
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Date: 2011-08-05 04:17 pm (UTC)Thank you, so glad you enjoyed it!
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Date: 2011-08-05 03:48 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-05 04:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-05 04:15 pm (UTC)I have so many HEARTS for BABIES
and Steve having oneand kidfic.You deserve ALL THE INTARWEBZ. Like all of them, ever.
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Date: 2011-08-05 04:19 pm (UTC)\o/ <3 thank you!!!
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Date: 2011-08-05 04:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-05 04:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-05 05:16 pm (UTC)I LOVE this fic. It makes me so happy. I wanna read more about it.
Is there a chance of a sequel???
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Date: 2011-08-05 07:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-05 05:49 pm (UTC)....adorable, sweet, cute and then whoa..that hot table scene!
:D Wishing now that there were more of this...
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Date: 2011-08-05 07:38 pm (UTC)Can't promise a sequel, though...
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Date: 2011-08-05 06:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-05 07:39 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-05 06:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-05 07:40 pm (UTC)(no subject)
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Date: 2011-08-05 06:48 pm (UTC)What is this, what have you done to me, you've turned me into a fluff junkie. T_T
...Tiny Hawaii-pick, lest you suspect I am a journal-hacking imposter... for future reference, the sun would never ever be up still at 8. Even in high summer, the very latest the sun goes down is 7:18. Just one more way the Tropics insist on being strange and confusing, just to vex you. ; )
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Date: 2011-08-05 07:40 pm (UTC)Really? I would never have guessed! I'm in New England and it's always awesome in the summer when the sun goes down at 9:30ish (of course, not so awesome in winter when it goes down at like 4:30).
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Date: 2011-08-05 09:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-06 09:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-05 11:46 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-06 09:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-06 05:24 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-06 09:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-06 12:38 pm (UTC)Good job, ladies. Good job! :'D
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Date: 2011-08-06 02:30 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-06 02:27 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-06 02:30 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-07 05:45 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-07 08:39 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-18 09:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-09-02 02:18 am (UTC)