Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Steve grinned when he saw Danno talking with Johnny and Jill, Carlton’s wife. It had taken a whole week to convince him to join him so he could meet his old teammates, his brothers. But he had finally agreed to come and that made him happy, because there was nothing he didn’t want to share with Danno, he liked knowing Danno knew everything about him, or at least, the unclassified things.

He had fit just right in, making it clear that he would take no one’s shit.

Mike had tried to stare him down, but all Danno had done was arch an eyebrow at him and then drag his eyes away from him to look at Steve.

“Does he really think that shit works in the real world?” Danny said, sending him and a few others into a laughing fit.

“I like this one, Smooth Dog.” Johnny said, grinning.

That had been two months ago and while it had thrilled him at that moment, that two of his favourite people got along well, it was a lot less exciting now that Danno seemed to be spending more time with Johnny than with him.

“Hey, I’m sorry I’m late.” Danny apologised, leaning down to kiss Johnny on the cheek, and then the other. Johnny’s mother was French and his Father Italian, so much like Danny himself did, he grew up kissing people as a greeting, especially those they were close to. “Paperwork is a bitch.”

“That it is.” The other man said. “I got you a beer and wings.”

“Thanks babe, you are the best.” He sat down next to him, smiling.

Johnny threw his arm over the back of his chair and Danny leaned back. It was nice, having someone casually touch him like that again. At some point, Steve had stopped. He didn’t know why, if it was something he had done, or said. If he knew, maybe he could fix it.

But then again, Steve probably thought he was just a waste of space and time, so why would he want to be near him? He knew the only reason he was still in Five-0 was pity.

He wasn’t sure if Johnny also thought that way about him, but if he did (which if he was being honest with himself, he probably did, but he had always been good at lying to himself), he didn’t tell him to his face and then tell him it had been just poking fun between friends. A joke was something you said once, maybe even twice. The third time, it was just the truth masqueraded as a joke.

Many a true word is spoken in jest, as his father liked to say.

“Say, are you doing anything on the weekend?” Johnny asked him as he grabbed a few of his fries and put them on Danny’s plate. “There’s this coffee tour in The Big Island on Saturday that I’ve been dying to go to, but I really don’t like the idea of going alone, so I thought you might like to come with me. Unless you have plans with the team.” He quickly added. 

Danny’s lips twitched into a smile: he had known Johnny for no more than two months, but he felt more of a friend than any of the people he worked alongside of and had known for over six years.

When did that happen? At what point had they decided he was just not worth it anymore, and that Lou was so much better than him? Not that it mattered, clearly.

“No, I’m all free. But uh, do you think we could take Adam with us? He and Kono are going through a nasty divorce and he’s not doing well.” He asked him, praying that he didn’t think he didn’t want to be around him or anything. He was just worried about Adam, he knew what it was to go through that, and how important it was to have someone behind you to keep you outright.

He had had Matty, but Adam was alone on the island, his only friends were in Five-0, and it was clear the other three had chosen a side.

“Yeah, of course man! When my sister got divorced… It was a rough time for her. He cheated on her, y’know?” He told him. “Our older sister moved in with her and the kids for a while. Wouldn’t want anyone to go through that alone.”

Danny pressed the back of his head against Johnny’s elbow. “Thank you. It means a lot.”

“He’s important to you.” He pointed out. It wasn’t a question, it was obvious how much Noshimuri meant to Danny.

Danny nodded, thinking back to when he had been unable to leave his bed after the bone marrow donation. Steve had come around as much as he could to check up on him. Or maybe he just came as much as he had to so he wouldn’t grow suspicious of him suddenly disappearing. Maybe it would have hurt less if he had just told him he wasn’t fit to be in the task force anymore, used the surgery as an excuse, it would have hurt a lot less than seeing them push him away and hearing them make fun of him at every chance they got. But yeah, Adam had offered himself to come around and help him with the kids when he did have them.

Charlie had taken straight to him, and he would help Grace with her French and taught her a bit of Japanese. He would sit with him on the sofa in the afternoon, and they would simply talk about this and that or watch a game. 

It was nice, having someone there that cared.

And then, four months after marrying Kono, he had told him he was divorcing her. Well, that she was divorcing him. He never told him why, and he had a feeling he had something to do with it, but he was scared to ask, and Adam didn’t say anything.

“He’s like my brother.” He finally said. “He’s living with me right now."

Johnny smiled at him. "You are a good man, Danny."

Danny averted his eyes, but nodded anyway. He just wasn’t sure. Were good men kicked by the people they love, especially when they were already on the ground? Were good men left behind and made fun of? 

He had killed a man in cold blood, shot another one in the knee when he was in custody and unarmed, he beat a guy so much he had had to be put into traction.

Was he a good man? Or had he just lied to himself and the team had finally seen through him before he himself did? It would explain things, as to why he had taken Adam into his house so readily: it wasn't because he was a good man. It was because he was lonely and selfish enough to use poor Adam like that.

Johnny watched him think and, not for the first time since he had met Danny at the get-together, he wondered just what was going on in his life that always made him take compliments and, apparently, spin them in such a way that he ended up bringing himself down.

“Grace said she had a science test tomorrow, didn’t she?” He swiftly changed the topic, knowing already that talking about the kids was the safest way to bring him back out.

“Yeah, I’m sure she’s gonna ace it, but she’s still worried.” He told him, finally giving him a genuine smile.

Johnny relaxed when he saw that smile: it wasn’t a complete win, but it was obvious that he had managed to make Danny feel better, or at the very least, pull him away from his own thoughts.

“Hey Danno, we are gonna go surfing after work, are you coming?” Steve asked, popping his head into his office with a smile on his face.

Why was he still smiling at him like that when he thought he was useless? What was the point of keeping him around? Paperwork? A scapegoat?

“Sorry, can’t. Johnny, Adam and I are going to The Big Island.” He replied, looking back to the papers in front of him.

“Oh. Ok.” Steve’s voice sounded sad, but it was just theater. They didn’t want him there, they never did. Not unless they could make fun of him, which would definitely happen if he went surfing with them. “There’s-there’s a game on Sunday. Maybe you could come over? We could grill some steaks if you want.”

“I’m not sure, Steve, I think we’ll end up pretty much dead from the coffee tour. I’ll call you, ok?” He replied.

“Yeah, sure. Don’t go home late.” He said, closing the door as softly as he had opened it.

Danny never saw the sad, hurting look those hazel blue eyes he loved so much were sending his way.

"Is Danny not coming?" Chin asked Steve when they arrived at Rumfire. He understood Danny didn't like surfing, but for him to pass on his favourite bar…

"Johnny, Adam and him are going to the Big Island tomorrow morning." Steve replied, his tone sour.

"And you are not going with them? You can go with them, we can go surfing some other day, it’s not like the water is going to disappear." Chin said.

"I’m not going because I wasn't invited, ok?" Steve bit out. "And I don't want to talk about it, so please, drop it.."

Chin pursed his lips, buf left the topic alone as asked. If Steve didn't want to talk about it, he'd have to go to the other end of the problem.

Because it was crystal clear there was a problem.

As Johnny had predicted, Danny had loved the tour, and Adam had been distracted enough that he even laughed once or twice. Adam and him got home and fell on the sofa, and before Danny could think what he was doing, he let himself fall against Adam’s shoulder, grinning.

“Today was great.” He said. “I’m glad you came.”

“I’m glad you invited me. You didn’t have to.” Adam told him, his voice low and shy.

Danny rolled his eyes. "What was I going to do? Leave you alone at home? Not happening."

"But I thought…" He shifted until he could turn around and look Danny in the eyes. "Are you sure it wasn't a date?"

Danny snorted. “Adam, Johnny is straight.”

“Are you sure?” He pressed.

“Yes, Adam, I’m sure. He said so himself. I know… I know we touch a lot. But that’s just because he’s touch starved and because well, I'm me." He replied, shrugging. "I hug you too, don't I? And we certainly are not dating, are we?"

"Okay, I get it. I'm sorry, it's just, I haven't seen you laugh like that in a long time and…" he trailed off, not knowing how to put it exactly. 

Danny squeezed his arm. "I'm not falling for him or anything, okay? I just like having a friend. One that actually likes me and wants to spend time with me instead of putting up with me."

That got Adam's attention, and he was focused completely on him again.

"I've been meaning to ask for a while but… What's going on in Five-0? You never go out with them anymore." He asked, his voice deep and gentle as always, but worried, so worried about him.

"It's nothing, don't worry." He replied, shaking his head.

But Adam wasn't having it. Not when it was obvious it was something, and something big. Was it because…?

"Is it my fault? Are they sidelining you because you didn't stop being my friend?" Did they hate him so much they were willing to throw Danny away? And why didn't Danny say anything? Or asked him to leave so he could have them back. He understood if Kono and Chin were weird with him, but Steve? He was supposed to be his best friend! His partner!

Danny pulled away, staring at him as if he were crazy, hands wrapping around his wrists. "What? No! Adam, no. This has nothing to do with you. I promise."

"But…"

"It's just coincidence that it lined up with your divorce. But no. I'm just, I'm not good enough for them anymore. I'm just the old rag doll."

He was trying to be funny, but there was so much pain and anguish in his voice.

"Danny, what…?"

He shrugged. "They all think I bring the team down, that I'm the weakest link, so y'know, I'm not fond of spending my time with people who don't want me there. I'm too old to pretend I don't care and that everything is fine."

Adam was struggling to comprehend what Danny was saying because there was no way he was the weakest link. He had gone back to work before against medical advice just to make sure they weren't understaffed, had flown to other countries to save Steve. How could they think he was the weakest link?

"Danny, I…"

"It's alright. I'm coming up on my twentieth next year. I can put up with them for another year." He said, patting his knee. "I'm going to turn in for the night."

He left Adam sitting there, scrambling to understand what Danny had just said. He was going to leave Five-0 as soon as he could. The man that had been born to be a cop, was going to give it all up because of them.

Chapter Text

It took Chin a couple of days after his brief talk with Steve to realise Danny blowing them off last Friday had not been a one off. 

He had been constantly turning them down. He still was.

Steve had stopped asking him to come with them or to his place around that following week, so when he turned him down on Friday night despite the fact they were going to his favourite pizza place… He had to talk with Danny and make him see how much this was hurting not only the team, but Steve himself.

Steve had been thrilled when Danny and Johnny had started hanging out, because that was two of his best mates but that quickly soured when Danny started pushing him away so he could go hang out with Johnny, or both Johnny and Adam, but never with Steve.

With a sigh, he knocked on the door.

Except, the one behind it wasn't Danny, it was Adam. And it didn't take a genius to realise that Adam was not pleased to see him and that it had nothing to do with his divorce.

"What do you want?" Adam questioned, crossing his arms over his chest, not inviting  him inside.

"Is Danny home?" Chin questioned, trying to peer inside to see if he could catch a glance of blond hair.

"Maybe. Why do you need to see him?" He asked, his tone even less friendly than it had been seconds ago.

"I just want to talk." He replied. "He keeps blowing us off. I just want to know what is going on with him."

The cold, cutting laugh Adam let out chilled him to his core. Adam didn't laugh a lot, but when he did it was always warm, caring.

"And why would he go, Chin? So you can make fun of him? Again?" He inquired.

"What!? We've never done that!" He exclaimed, feeling fear grip at his heart.

What was going on? What made Danny think that of them? Of his team, his ohana ? 

Adam let out another cold huff of laughter. "You haven't? That's good, I guess Danny was just lying when he told me you called him the weakest link, right?"

The hand around his heart squeezed harder, realisation downing on him, the words bouncing back in his brain. Lou had called him that, during the training for the Tough Mudder, and they had laughed at him. And he recalled hearing Kono call him that a couple more times.

And he didn't step up and told them to stop, or went to check on Danny later on. 

Neither did Steve.

"I didn't know he had taken it seriously. It was just a joke." He explained. "We didn't mean to hurt him." He tried to explain, and failed spectacularly.

Adam rolled his eyes at him.

"But you did. Repeatedly. You laughed with them, at him." He pushed. "How many times have you said he's over exaggerating when all he did was worry for you because he cared about you? Or said he's too haole , or too Jersey . When's the last time you asked him how he was doing?"

Chin looked away: he had said those things before about Danny, to Danny himself, and why hadn’t he asked him instead of waiting until it was, perhaps, too late? 

"He thinks you are just putting up with him, that you have just thrown him away for Lou and honestly, that's exactly what it looks like." Adam continued. "All he wants is to be able to hang out with someone who won't be digging any deeper in his wounds. And none of you are that. That's Johnny. That's me."

"Adam, I swear I didn't know he felt that way." He promised, trying to convince not only him, but himself.

"If you couldn't figure that out for yourself, I seriously worry for Hawaii, because clearly you are not a great Detective, Lieutenant." He replied, venom dripping off his voice. "Have a good night."

"Adam, wait!" But the door closed in front of him with a short click, the message loud and clear, leaving him with no other option than to turn around and leave.

And so, he started to watch the team and Danny and much to his own dismay, he realised everything Adam had said was true. They made fun of Danny almost exclusively. Lou and Kono the most, and unlike when Steve did it (or rather, used to do it), there didn’t seem to be any fondness in their voice.

And Danny wouldn’t say anything, he would just look away and keep doing whatever it was that he had been doing. If he had been giving his opinion on a case, he would trail off or stop himself short of saying anything, opening his mouth only to close it again.

And then, the worst one happened.

They had been talking about how to round up their three suspects, but they were one person short, unless they sent someone alone, something neither he or Steve were too fond of. He was sure Danny also hated that idea, but he hadn’t said a word yet. Not that he had to wonder why anymore.

Shit, why hadn’t he realised before?

“Danny, any ideas?” He prompted, hating the startled look on his face: he clearly had not been expecting anyone to ask for his opinion.

He wetted his lips, his eyes fixed on the smart table. “We uh, we could call Johnny?” He suggested, eyes shifting to look at Steve.

Chin almost flinched at the way Steve tensed up.

Steve opened his mouth, whether it was to refute the idea or ask Danny why Johnny or agree to it, Chin would never know, because Kono snorted next to him.

“Seriously, Danny? You think we can’t handle it? If you are scared to go alone and get a little bit shot at, I can go, don’t worry.” She taunted. 

Chin stared at her: since when was his cousin so… mean-spirited? It was as clear as day that she thought she was better than Danny, superior. Kono thinking she was better than someone at something was nothing new, she had always been that way when it was obvious that she was going to excel in surfing but this was the first time she said it with so much… maliciousness, in her voice. 

She wanted to hurt Danny. But why? Why would she want to hurt the man that had helped get there? That taught her how to interrogate people, and let her sleep on his office’s sofa when she had a rough night's sleep? At what point had she decided that Danny was going to be her dartboard?

“Yeah man, don’t be a whiny bitch again.” Lou said, adding fuel to the fire. “You can always stay here if you are afraid of getting hurt. Would your knee even cope with all that action anyways?”

Danny stared at the ground, trying to keep the tears in, it would do him no good. It would only give them more wood to throw onto the fire later on. 

Not that they needed it, they always found one thing or another that was wrong with him. He was too loud, he was too quiet, he worried too much, he was too boring, he walked like a haole, anything that they could pick apart, they would, especially Kono and Lou.

He was transported to a conversation that he happened to overhear not too long ago, just the week before and hisheart sunk some more, but at this point, it was as good as buried.

Kono, Chin and Lou were talking by the vending machines when he was coming back from dropping some papers at HPD for Duke.

He had been debating whether he should just walk by them without saying anything or if that would make things worse (not that it really mattered, they would criticise him whether he did, or did not) when Kono spoke.

“Do we really have to invite him? He’s so boring!” She exclaimed, and he didn’t have to wonder who they were talking about. There was only one person who she talked about with so much… venom? in her voice.

“I mean, I like it better now that he’s not yapping all the time. He never has anything of substance to add to the conversation, he might as well stay quiet.” Lou added with a laugh.

He didn’t hear Chin laugh, but he didn’t tell them to stop either. He obviously didn’t care anymore, but then again, why would he? Danny was a grown up, he should speak up and tell them to fuck off.

“Honestly, I wish he would never come with us for lunch at Kame’s either, or to Sidestreets with us. It’s been so nice without him there.” Kono sighed, shaking her head. “He should go back to New Jersey. It’s not like he hasn’t been wanting to do so since we met him!” She cackled, Lou following right away, nodding with her, clapping her shoulder.

Except he hadn’t. He really hadn’t wanted to leave Hawaii. He had fought to stay here with them. All for nothing, clearly. 

It didn’t matter where in Hawaii he was at, he would never be fully welcomed, not even with his so-called ohana.

He turned around and headed to the parking lot, texting Steve that there he wasn’t feeling too good and that he was going home. Steve was downstairs interrogating a perp. He wouldn’t see it for a few minutes, so he would be long gone by then.

Not that he expected him to call or text him.

Adam wasn’t home when he got there, so he did the only thing that could be done in his situation and he grabbed a pack of beers and threw himself onto his sofa and chugged the first one down.

And then, three beers in, he did the most pathetic thing he could have done short of calling Rachel and ask her for another chance. He called Johnny, and told him everything, half laughing in despair half crying in agony.

“Danny.” Johnny said, his voice low and harsh and almost dangerous. “You are neither boring nor pathetic, alright? They are wrong and if they can’t see it, that’s their problem. You deserve better than them. You have Adam and me.” Danny tried to interrupt him. “Listen to me, you do. You don’t need them, you are better than them, than all of them. In and out of the job.”

He didn’t remember much more of that conversation, all he knew next morning was that Adam had cleaned up after him and thrown a blanket over him and that he and Johnny were still there for him.

Steve stared at his team in disbelief, unable to believe what he was hearing. He cast a glance at Danny. He looked so small, hunched over himself as if he was trying to disappear completely.

Chapter Text

Steve stared at his team in disbelief, unable to believe what he was hearing. He cast a glance at Danny. He looked so small, hunched over himself as if he was trying to disappear completely. 

And suddenly, he remembered Johnny's angry words to him last week.

He felt bile rise on his throat when he realised how right Johnny had been.

Johnny appeared out of nowhere and grabbed his arm. “Can I have a word with you?”

Steve turned around, grinning. If Johnny was there, he was sure Danno would be, too. He was probably ordering their food. Lemon chicken wings and a Longboard, as always.

“Johnny! Grab a chair!” He exclaimed, scooting to the side. He had a free chair next to him, like always when they went out, keeping it for Danny in case he decided to drop by in the end.

Not that he ever did, but he still didn’t lose hope.

“Oh, so you are Johnny?” The girl asked, and he didn’t have to ask who she was.

“Jonathan.” He snapped at her, he didn’t like her and he was not there to be polite. “Johnny is for family and friends.”

She arched an eyebrow at him, quite obviously nor pleased with his reply. “Danny calls you Johnny.” She pointed out.

“Yes. Because he’s a friend. I don’t know you and I have no interest in knowing you.” He said, ignoring the way her eyes bulged out of her face and looking down at his old teammate. “Now, can I have a word with you or not?”

Steve stood up, nodding, a growing sense of unease growing in the pit of his stomach. Danny was clearly nowhere in the bar, he could recognise his partner’s blond mop anywhere in the world, and he didn’t see it.

“What is it?” He asked, his fingers twitching at his side. He had never seen Johnny be so rude. He knew about the Johnny/Johnathan thing, the whole team did, but he had never been so… cutting about it.

“Is there any reason you are letting her and Lou make fun of Danny at every turn?” He asked him, no beating around the bush.

“What are you talking about? They don’t make fun of Danny.”

“Oh, they don’t? Well, that's a relief.” Johnny said, sarcasm dripping down his words. “So I guess you all calling Danny the weakest link repeatedly was just a harmless joke, right? Or him overhearing her say he’s boring and that she wished he wouldn’t tag along and should get back to New Jersey, was that just for laughs too?”

Steve felt like the ground was shaking under him. Kono had said what? Lou?

Johnny barreled through, his words sinking Steve more and more. “He feels like he doesn’t belong. Not in Hawaii, not with his so-called ohana but then again, none of you probably consider him so.”

“What? Of course we do!” Steve exclaimed, his stomach feeling heavy at the thought of Danny thinking he didn’t belong with them. What the fuck was going on with his team? And why had he realised? 

“You know, I used to consider you a stand up guy, but after this? After you made your supposed best friend feel like he doesn’t have a place in your task force, hell, in all of Hawaii? I can tell you one thing: Fuck you. If Freddie saw the kind of man you’ve become, he’d come back from the dead just to shoot you in the leg.”

That made him snap his head back: Johnny had been the only man alive who knew Freddie almost as well as he did and for him to say that… He meant it. He truly meant it.

“That’s enough, Danny’s right.” He growled at Lou and Kono, who stared at him, startled. He tried to ignore for the moment the way Danny looked at him with astonishment written all over his face: Danny hadn’t been expecting him to stop them, or to defend him. How had he messed up so much that his partner didn’t even think he had his back? He turned to his side, smiling at him, hoping that he came across as genuine as he was. “It’s far too risky to send someone alone and Johnny is the best addition for this. Can you give him a call, Danno?”

Danny blinked, as if waking up from a trance, and nodded, walking to his office. “Y-yeah. Of course.” 

“But Steve, c’mon, listen…” Lou continued to talk and Danny was closing the door behind him when he heard Chin.

“Lou.” Chin cut him off. “It is not our decision to make, it’s theirs. And it’s especially not yours.” Steve stared at Chin: he had not been expecting that reaction. Or for him to imply that Lou’s opinion was the lowest one since he was the new one. Sure, he hadn’t said it outloud, but the meaning behind his words was obvious.

Danny finished closing the door behind himself, unsure of what had just happened. He hadn’t expected for Steve to step in and side with him. He had already been waiting for another blow, another poisoned jab but Steve had picked his side, his idea.

But why now?

He hadn’t reacted to anything they had said to him for weeks. True, he didn’t say anything bad to him either, but he was more than happy to laugh with them and let them be.

So why the sudden change? It made no sense. Nothing had happened that could have made Steve have a change of heart from one day to the next. He knew of Chin going to visit him and Adam setting him straight, he had noticed the changes in him, how he’d always look at him with something akin to sympathy and shame, or glared at his cousin, trying to shush them when Kono and Lou were starting to toe the line, but that had been as far as it had gotten.

“Hey D, everything alright?”

“Yeah…” Was it? He didn’t know anymore. He refrained from groaning, he was such a mess. “So uh, I know you are retired but uh, we need another person with us and I was thinking that maybe you’d be down for it? I promise it’s just this one time.”

“Really?” Seriously, what was wrong with them? Why did all of them always sound so excited when it came to the possibility of getting shot at? 

“Yeah. Can you drop by today after lunch?”

“Yeah, of course. Hey, is Steve okay with this?” 

Danny sighed, eyeing his partner. He was talking to Kono and Lou. He seemed angry. “He is. He’s the one who told me to call you.” He knew their relationship had suffered because of him, and he hated it. 

He didn’t want to cause either of them pain or create a riff so big between them that they would stop being friends. Neither of them had that many.

Johnny hummed, pensive. “Alright then. I’ll see you in a couple of hours! Bye D.”

“Bye, babe.”

He left the phone on his table and sat down on his chair, digging the heels of his hands into his eyes. He was so tired and confused and all he wanted to do was crawl under the bedsheets and sleep for a whole week.

The door opened and someone stepped in, closing it behind them. 

Him.

He’d recognise Steve’s footsteps anywhere.

He didn’t look up when he heard him approaching him but he did, however, startle when a hand rested on the back of his neck. When was the last time Steve had touched him like that?

“Danno, can we talk?”

Talk? Talk about what? What did they have to talk about? The case? Johnny? Kono and Lou and Chin? The Governor?

“Why?” He asked, turning his head around to look at his partner.

Steve didn’t let go of him. Not even when we crouched down, his hands simply slid from his neck to his elbow. It was warm and solid, as it always had been. He hadn’t realised how much he had missed such a simple gesture until now. 

“Because I owe you an apology, that’s why.” He said, his thumbs rubbing small circles on his skin. “I’m so sorry I didn’t step in and told them to shut up before now, or when I made fun of you. I never meant to hurt you.”

Danny stared at him. Why was Steve apologising? He hadn’t cared until now and then from one day to the next he was being more caring than he had been in the last 5 years. Steve had never apologised to him, not about things that mattered.

Was he supposed to accept his apologies and move on? A side of him wanted to, the other one fought the idea, because he had been hurt. He was still hurt. 

“But you did.” He said, locking eyes with his partner. He didn’t move away, because he needed that contact. “You did, and you made me feel like I don’t belong here, like you are just keeping me around out of pity, or because you wanted someone to fill out your paperwork.” Steve fingers twitched on his arm, as if he was refraining himself from squeezing hard. “I thought you didn’t want me as your partner anymore.” He confessed, looking away.

“No!” Steve exclaimed, and this time his hold did tighten. “Danno, you are my partner. I will never take anyone else as my partner, unless you are injured, and only for the time you are out.” He told him. “Look at me, please.” He begged. “Please, Danno.”

Danny took a deep breath, trying to slow his heart beat, feeling like it would jump straight out of his chest, and looked at Steve. He looked like he was in pain, his face doing a mix of faces, too many for him to name at the moment, so he left it alone for the time being. 

“What?” He said.

“Tell me you know I love you.” He said, a pleading note to his voice.

And he wanted to say that he did but the truth was… the truth was that he didn’t know. Not anymore. But at the same time, he knew he believed it, deep down, because Steve hadn’t stopped saying it, and he knew how much those words meant to Steve. 

“I…”

And Steve understood what he meant, because his shoulders dropped. “Fuck.” He spat, his free hand curling into a fist. “Fuck, Danny.” How the hell had he messed up so much. “Danno, you are the most important person in my life. And I’m so sorry I let you forget that.”

“I am?”

Steve let out a pained sound, almost a whine. “Yes. You are. You’ve always been, ever since I met you. Granted, at the beginning it was because you could help me out with my dad’s murder but after…” He took a deep breath, hating himself for bringing that up, but he needed Danny to know. “After Meka died, I knew I wanted you in my life. I wanted someone who would always have my back, but I wanted it to be you , because you are the best goddamn cop that I’ve known.”

Danny snorted, rolling his eyes. “Right.”

“I mean it, Danno.” He said, his voice sharp, but warm and truthful which was a very odd combination, but it was not the first time he had heard Steve talk like that. “I would never joke about this. What you did for Meka, everything you’ve ever done for me , it just goes to say how good a man you are. Don’t even get me started on how you are the most amazing father I’ve ever met.” Steve sighed, shaking his head: he was slightly going off topic. “Anyways, after you stayed for me with Jameson’s murder and then later fought to stay here on th island, and Korea… God, Danno, when you opened the flap of that truck… I knew I’d never love anyone like I loved you.”

Danny huffed, pulling away and standing up. Steve didn’t move from where he was, simply watching him pull the blinds down: whatever little privacy they could have, he wanted it. He then leaned against the table.

“What is that even supposed to mean? You love me, but you make me feel like shit at every time you can? That’s a funny way of showing it.” He told him because really, what else could he say? 

“I know. I’m sorry.” Steve said, standing up and walking until he was in front of him. “I should have realised how much that was hurting you, and I didn’t. And I’m sorry. I will never forgive myself for it. I promise that if you give me a chance, I’ll make it up to you. Whatever I need to do to make things right again. Please, Danno.” He begged, his hands coming to rest on his forearms. “I can’t… I can’t live without you. I love you so fucking much, Danno, I can’t imagine my life without you. Not having you in my life, that’s one of my worst nightmares.”

Danny was confused. He felt like they were in different wavelengths: he was still trying to understand that Steve really wanted him there, that he didn’t think he was the weakest link and that he did want him in his life. And here was where he felt like he was missing something: Steve was saying that he couldn’t live without him, but weren't those words supposed to go to someone else?

“What about Catherine?”

Chapter Text

“What about Catherine?”

Steve blinked at him, cocking his head to the side, taken aback by the sudden question. “What about her?”

“Shouldn’t she be the most important person in your life?” Danny questioned, arching an eyebrow at him. 

“No…?” Steve’s tone was slightly questioning, as if he didn’t know what Danny was talking about.

“No?”

“No. Why should she be? She keeps lying to me. Has been for who knows how long. Why would someone like that be the most important person in my life?” Great, now both of them were confused, Danny could tell that Steve had no idea of what was going on.

“Why should she be?” Danny exclaimed, arms opening in anger and confusion. “You were planning on marrying her! You… You even bought the goddamn ring to give her, remember?” He continued, glaring at his partner, his confusion still growing. “Why would you even think about marrying her if she doesn’t have that place in your life?”

Steve huffed, taking his hands back and crossing his arms over his chest, his nostrils flaring, but instead of exploding or starting to pace as Danny was expecting him to, he took a deep breath and looked away. “Well, I couldn’t marry you, could I? So I decided to settle for second best. Which, ok, not my best plan out there, but what was I supposed to do?” his tone started to raise as he went on, desperation flooding his words. “Watch you marry Melissa? Go back to Rachel? I just wanted to try and be happy, too! As happy as I could be without you!”

Hold the fuck up.

What?

He had to have been drugged, that was it. It had to be it, because the only other option was that Steve had been drugged, which he knew it couldn’t be because they had spent the whole morning together. Maybe he had gone crazy? Or rather, crazier?

And since when was Steve anything other than straight?

“What?” He croaked, staring at blue hazel eyes. He saw the realisation of what he had said settle into his brain, understanding kicking in. All colour drained from his face and his eyes grew panicked, and distant.

Danny would never know how he did it, but he managed to get to the door before Steve, trapping him inside, sure in the knowledge that Steve would not harm him. He grabbed his arms when he tried to push forward.

“No! Stop it!” He hissed, pushing him back. “You wanted to talk, so we talk. You don’t get to drop that bombshell on me and then run away, ok? Sit down.” He said, pushing him towards the couch and, much to his surprise, Steve deflated with a sigh, his shoulders and head dropping.

If there was a contest on how much you could fuck a relationship up, Steve knew he would be the winner, because of course the logic thing to do when your partner thought you hated his guts was to tell him that you were in love with him. What kind of 4th grader logic was that? What was he going to do next? Make him trip? Pull on his hair?

Well, no, Danno would shoot him in the knee if he did that.

Not that it mattered, he knew what was going to happen. Sorry, I can’t keep working with you. 

I’m not gay. 

I don’t have feelings for you and I think it’s best if we just go our separate ways.

“Jesus, Steve.” Danny said as he dropped next to him, startling him. He hadn’t even expected that Danny would want to be near him at the moment. 

“I’m sorry.” He said as quickly as he could. Maybe if he apologised Danny wouldn’t leave him for good. “I shouldn’t have told you. I’m sorry.”

Danny sighed, tipping his head back. This was getting messier and messier every time either of them spoke.

“Why?” He asked, looking at him from his position. He didn’t have the mental strength at the moment to face him head on, or to move an inch from where he was.

“What?”

“Why shouldn’t you have told me you loved me like that? This” Danny said, waving his hand in an all encompassing gesture. “might not have happened then.”

Steve huffed, slumping down until he was mirroring Danny’s position. “Yeah, it would not have happened because you would have already left.” 

“Why on earth would I leave?” Danny asked, staring at him as if he had two heads and then he understood. His partner had no idea. “Fuck, Steve, I’ve loved you for so long I can’t even remember when it first happened.”

Steve turned his head so fast to look at him that he was sure he had pulled something. “W-what?”

“You think I’d stay at a place I don’t even feel welcome to, if I didn’t feel like this about you? You are a worse detective than I thought.” Danny asked, pinning him with his ice blue eyes. “Aside from my kids, you are the only thing that made this goddamn rock somewhat bareable and then you decided to be a jerk to me for no fucking reason.”

“I’m sorry. I thought you knew it was just a joke.” Steve bent a leg under himself so he could face him. “You are not the weakest link. You’ve never been and you’ll never be. We were just ribbing you because you were complaining. At… at least from me.” He told him. “I’m not blaming you, I’d never do that, ok? Just like I’ll never think you are the weakest link when I know everything you’ve gone through, how much you’ve sacrificed to be here.”

Danny stared at him, eyes flickering, searching for a lie, for some mockery, but all he found was the truth. Open, raw and honest truth. He nodded, and he saw a hint of a smile appear on Steve’s face.

“So now what?” He asked, looking back up at the ceiling, unable to cope with that look on Steve’s face. “Because I can’t… I can’t just fall into a relationship with you. Not after this mess.”

Steve grabbed his face at that, cupping it with both hands. “Nor would I want us to.” What? He didn’t want to be with him? Then why confess at all? Steve was making less sense by the minute and he didn’t know what to do anymore. Hit him? Forgive and forget? “Not until I prove myself to you. I hurt you, and I broke your trust in me. I don’t want that to be the basis of my relationship with you.” He explained and since when was Steve so insightful?

Danny nodded, not knowing what to say. 

Steve squeezed his cheeks for a moment before letting go.

“Hum, is… is Johnny coming?” Steve asked, removing his hands from Danno’s face.

“Yeah. He said he’ll drop by after lunch.” Danny replied.

“Perfect.” Steve said and then looked him in the eye, an anxious look in his eyes. “Are you… gonna partner with him?”

He would hate it if Danno said he was, because as much as he trusted Johnny to have Danno’s back, he was Danno’s partner, he was the one who was meant to be watching his back, to make sure he was safe and alright.

“Hell no.” Danny vehemently said, shaking his head. “One SEAL is more than enough. He is not housebroken.”

Steve chuckled, feeling as if a weight was lifted off his shoulders, he couldn’t even pretend to be offended, he was that happy. He was so happy that he tugged Danno into a bone-crushing hug.

“Thank you. Thank you, Danno. I love you. I’ll never make you feel like that ever again, I promise.” He mumbled against his shoulder. 

Danny shuddered against him, and nodded.

“No, I don’t want to partner up with him!” Kono exclaimed, her hands firmly planted on the smart table. “Danny’s his friend, he should partner up with him, it was his idea after all.” Danny huffed at that. Now that he knew that Steve had his back… It was easier to let go. 

It hadn’t even been twenty minutes and he was… feeling more sure already of his place there. The fact that Steve had basically been glued to his side since then also helped.

“Danny is my partner. And I’m not asking, Kono. Chin will partner up with Lou, which means you’ll go with Johnny. You need to work with other people aside from Chin.”

“Why? Chin and I do fine together.” She replied, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Because that’s how you get stuck in your ways.” Chin said before Steve could even open his mouth. “And, because they say it. Whether you like it or not, they are our bosses.” He said, his eyes hard and cold.

Unsurprisingly, that got her to shut up.

“Steve!” Danny yelled, tackling his partner onto the floor, a sharp pain exploding on his arm. He didn’t move until he heard more shots go off and then a loud thud, indicating their last perp had fallen to the ground. Whether he was dead or alive was not a fact Danny cared about. “Fuck!” He hissed when he felt the blood trickle down his arm.

“Danno, you ok?” Steve gently rolled them over so he could help Danny sit up, his eyes zeroing on the wound. “Oh god, Danno.” He said, gently pulling the shirt off his partner. “Johnny, get the EMTs!” 

“It’s just a graze, Steve.” Danny told him, patting his hand.

“Still. You look very pale.” He replied, turning around and smiling when Johnny came with Cam in tow. He moved to the side when they reached him and his heart twisted when Johnny cupped Danny’s face and Danny leaned into it.

They are just friends, McGarrett. You know Danno loves you. And that Johnny is straight. He told himself. And deep down, he was glad that Danno had found a true and honest friend in Johnny, because they had clearly fucked that up royally. 

“You ok, D?” Johnny asked him.

“I’m fine, I’m fine… Cam, tell those two worrywarts that I’m fine.” He asked them, but Cam simply rolled their eyes.

“You won’t die, if that’s what you mean, but you are coming with us to the hospital.”

“Worrywart? Me?” Steve exclaimed. “You made me stay in bed for a week after I twisted my ankle!” 

“Still a worrywart.” Danny retorted. “Now help me up, my knee is throbbing.” He told him, extending his good arm to him.

Johnny smiled when he saw them bicker: from what Adam had told him, that was what their relationship should be. An old marriage.

At least, it looked like his talk with Steve had borne some fruits. He just hoped his talk (verbal beating, really) with Kalakaua had not fallen into deaf ears.

He followed Steve and Danny and the EMT outside and once Danny was in the ambulance he patted Steve on the shoulder.

“C’mon, let’s get you to the hospital, too.” He told him, knowing that Steve would not rest unless he was next to Danny.

And that was the part that confused him the most about that whole situation: it was so fucking obvious that Steve not only cared about Danny, but loved him, yet the situation had gotten so out of control Danny had even thought of justpacking his shit up and leave Five-0.

He saw the other three talk in between them and Kono kept glancing at them and the ambulance. It was hard to judge from that distance, but she seemed anxious, and teary-eyed.

“Steve!” They called out, walking towards them and he could tell Steve was less than pleased with them, but he still waited for them. “Is Danny alright?” Kono asked. She was gripping her gun hard, as if to try to concentrate on something else other than Danny.

“We saw him go down and…” Lou continued.

“And what?” Steve interrupted with a huff. “If I recall correctly, you didn’t mind the fact he might get shot at a few hours ago.” He reminded them, his voice low and with a dangerous edge that Johnny had never heard outside of missions when someone was getting too unruly.

“That’s not what we said.” Lou exclaimed.

“Yes, yes it was. So unless you are ready to apologise to Danny, don’t bother coming around the hospital.” He told them. “Chin, you are in charge. Johnny, let’s go.”

Once in the Camaro, Johnny decided it was a good moment to breach the topic.

“Gonna tell me what happened, McGarrett?” He asked him, stretching his legs in front of him. God, he had missed the thrill.

“With them? They stepped over the line, they can deal with the consequences.” Steve replied, smoothly merging into traffic.

“Right. And while I’m glad you are finally standing up for Danny, even if he’s not there, I meant with you and Danny. You two have practically done a 180 in a day and I know Danny, maybe not as well as you, but he doesn’t forgive that easily.”

“No, he does not.” Steve agreed, but didn’t add anything.

Johnny groaned: of course Steve was going to be a piece of work. “C’mon Steve, I promise I won’t go off on you.”

Steve nodded. “It’s… It’s not that, ok? If anything I owe you one for telling me things as they were and giving me the chance to mend it before it was too late.” He replied.

“Okay. I’ll take a steak at yours any day.” Johnny replied with a grin. As mad as he had been at Steve, he knew he wasn’t a bad person, just an incredibly thick motherfucker when it came to emotions and feelings, and he was more than happy to move on past it. “But that doesn’t really answer the question, so spill.”

Steve sighed: he should have known better than to try and avoid the topic, Johnny had always been like a dog with a bone when you tried to change the topic.

“I accidentally confessed, ok?” Steve gritted out. He still couldn’t believe he had done that, lost control of his words like that but… Everything had worked out well. Better than well. Fantastically, if he said so himself.

He got another chance with Danno, and he knew Danno loved him the same way he did.

Johnny sighed with a shake of his head. “Of course you did.

Chapter Text

Kono didn’t say a word the whole way back, absorbed in her mind so Chin stayed quiet. He had a feeling she and Jonathan had a very similar talk to the one he had with Adam. 

She could not believe what she had been saying to Danny these past months and even worse, that she had said it so many times that Danny believed her. Hell, she had believed them herself despite knowing that Danny was far from weak.

She had even stated that if he got shot it wouldn’t be that much of a deal.

And then he got shot.

She willed the tears down, taking in a deep breath and letting it out slowly. Shewas aware of Chin glancing at her, but right she could care less. She had more important things to worry about, like getting Danny something to eat and think of the best apology she had ever thought to date.

“Look, I’m as excited as you are to be paired with you as you are to be paired with me, but I would very much like it if you didn’t stab me in the back, too.” He said.

“Too? What the hell are you talking about? You don’t even know me.” She shot back, already on the defensive.

“I know enough. And if I had to judge how you treat your own teammate, well, I don’t trust you one bit.” He told her. 

“What? What teammate? Are you talking about Danny?” She huffed, rolling her eyes. “He’s just…”

“Exaggerating? Yeah, I’m sure you wouldn’t be hurt if the people you thought were your family secretly wished you were gone and never had to see you again.” He sneered, taking immense pleasure when she paled. “I mean, who cares about Danny, right? He just complains and is boring and just a haole who worries about you.”

“That’s… That’s not…”

“Oh, he’s a liar too. Good to know. You’d know a thing or two about that, don’t you?” He chuckled, taking a turn with perhaps a bit more force than was required. “Do the other three know why Adam decided to divorce you?” The frightened look she gave him told him everything he needed to know. “That’s what I thought. Do you have any idea how easy it would have been for Danny to tell them? But he hasn’t. Because despite everything, despite what you’ve made him believe about himself, he’s a good person and he still cares about you.”

She stared at him. “Dan… Danny knows?”

“Yes. Danny knows. He’s known since he found Adam drunk and passed out in a motel room. But who cares about them, right? Not you, so yeah, I don’t need to know you to know you are a bitch who doesn’t care about those who helped her in her life unless she can get something from them. I mean, fuck Danny, right? Who cares if he lives or dies going into a raid alone.” Danny had told him as soon as he had arrived at the Palace what had happened with Kono and Lou.

Kono’s vision blurred at those words. “That’s… That’s not true. I-I care.”

“Oh, you do?” He mocked, not giving a damn if her feelings were hurt. “You have a funny way of showing it.”

He was right, wasn’t he? She had teased Danny. And teased, and teased and teased and at some point she didn’t care if he had been hurting him, because it had been fun. Because everyone else laughed, she didn’t think they would take it seriously.

But at no point had she thought about how Danny , the target of her mean spirited jokes, felt.

God, she was an asshole.

She needed to make things right.

“Can we stop at Kaia’s?” She asked Chin, eyes wet and pleading. “Please.”

He stared at her for a few seconds before he nodded, taking a turn to the café Kono wanted to go to. He didn’t comment that they made Danny’s favourite coffee-chocolate coffee cake.

“Are you okay?” He asked instead. “Did Jonathan say something to you?”

Kono shook her head. “Just the truth. I can’t believe I said those things to Danny. About Danny.” She said, her voice trembling. Whether it was from keeping tears at bay or anger at herself Chin didn’t know, but deep down, it didn’t matter.

“Can I ask why?” He asked, glancing at her.

She shrugged. “I was hurt he chose Adam over me. And since Lou was also making fun of Danny… it was just easy to fall into the habit. I didn’t think he’d believe us. I just… I wanted to hurt him a little bit.” She admitted.

“Kono!” Chin exclaimed, unable to believe the words coming out of her mouth.

She looked away. “I… I didn't think he'd be friends with Adam, take him into his house. I thought he’d be on my side.”

Chin huffed, suddenly angry with his cousin. “He chose Adam’s side because he’s been there. That was him once, remember?” He nearly spat at her. “And that’s just Danny. He would never leave someone on their own in a place where they know no one because that was him once too . But just because he extended a hand to Adam doesn’t mean he turned your back to you!”

Kono nodded, but didn’t add anything else.

When they arrived at Kaia’s she stepped out of the car and went to buy Danny’s favourite treat,the one she used to get him when he was injured and stuck on doing paperwork.

When was the last time she had bought him some? Why had she stopped?

When they arrived at Danny’s room, Jonathan was sitting on the sofa and Steve was sitting on the bed and Danny was… he was talking and gesticulating like he used to. His eyes were blown, probably enough pain killers in his body to fill a pharmacy. Steve was holding the hand where he had the IV down, probably so that he wouldn’t accidentally unhook it, their fingers intertwined.

“Hey, Steve, babe, did you know that tablecloths used to be one giant napkin for everyone?” He asked him, squeezing his hand rhythmically.

Steve snorted at that and bent to kiss Danno’s head as Johnny chuckled, shaking his head. “No, Danno. I didn’t know. Why do you know that, huh?”

“Couldn’t sleep and found a show about history on TV. You’d like it.” He pointed out, looking at Steve with huge blue eyes and a wide smile on his lips.

“Maybe we can watch it together one day, yeah?” Steve mumbled and Danny eagerly nodded.

Chin knocked on the door and stepped inside and almost instantly the mood shifted to heavy and dark, with Steve letting go of Danny’s hand to wrap an arm around his shoulders and hold him closer to himself and Johnny crossing his arms over his chest, staring them down.

With a deep breath, he and Kono neared the bed, their hearts breaking at the pure distrust and wariness in Danno’s eyes. Not that they could blame him.

Danny shifted closer to Steve. “What are you doing here?” He asked them, keeping his eyes on them, his hands down and unmoving. He might be loopy, but he wasn’t so loopy that he’d forget what Kono had said. What she had been saying for months on end.

“We were worried about you.” Kono said, nearing the foot of the bed.

Danny huffed. “Yeah, right.” He turned around to look at Steve. “Don’t want to do this now.” He mumbled to him. 

“Okay.” He kissed his head again. “He’s tired and pumped of the good stuff, come back tomorrow once he’s rested some.” He told the cousins.

They looked like they were about to argue, but one hard glare and they were on their way. Although Kono left a small bag on the bedside table.

“In case you are hungry, Danny.” She mumbled before she left the room.

When the door closed with a soft click, Danny shuddered and Steve moved until he could fully embrace his partner.

Johnny smiled at the image, happy that at least they were healing. He stood up and rounded the bed. Danny pulled away from Steve to look at him.

“I’m going to go home too so you can rest.” He told him, and Danno nodded. “Steve, give me the keys to your place.” He said, extending his hand over.

“What? Why?” Steve said, almost bristling.

“Do you plan on sleeping in a shirt with bloodstains and cargos?” Johnny questioned, arching an eyebrow, and almost immediately, both Danny and Steve looked down to his dirty grey shirt, Danny pulling a face of disgust.

Without a word, Steve handed said keys, making Danny chuckle at his sour look.

An hour later Johnny came back with a change of clothes for both of them as Danny was going to be released tomorrow, and found Danny sleeping peacefully and Steve watching him, pushing the blond strands away from Danny’s face.

Johnny shook his head, just glad that those two had found their way back to each other, because he was sure neither could live without the other.

He left the bags on the table and sat down on the chair.

“What are you going to do with them?” He asked him when Steve slid off the bed and tucked danny inside.

“Make sure they properly apologise if Danny wants their apologies. Otherwise they are out.” He said, stroking Danno’s stubbled cheek, his heart lightening when Danny leaned into the touch despite the fact he was sleeping. “You might not believe me, and I understand, but Danny does come first for me. Always has, always will.”

“I know he does.” Johnny told him, nodding. “But if you forget it again I will tattoo it on your forehead so that every time you look at a mirror you’ll see it.” He told him.

“Please do.” Steve said, and although it was a joke, his tone was serious, and Johnny knew he meant it. Perhaps not tattooing, just beating his sorry ass to the ground. “You mind staying with Danno for a couple minutes while I take a shower?”

“You know I don’t.”

Not even five minutes later Steve came out freshly showered (and Johnny was trying very hard to not think how many times they had been there that they could use the shower just like that, without even telling a nurse) and climbed back onto the bed, cradling Danny close.

Jesus, that dumbass was so in love it was almost as sickening as it was adorable.

With a groan Johnny stood up and stretched. “Call me if you need anything, ok?” Steve nodded, giving him an infinitely thankful look. “Good night.”

“Night, Johnny. Thank you.” Steve replied.

When Danny woke up the next day it was to a SuperSEAL snoring on the sofa, book open on his chest, and a bag of macadamia and white chocolate cookies next to him.

“Steve?” He mumbled, rubbing his eyes.

And of course, just that had been enough to rouse him, hazel blue eyes peeling open. They stared at him for all of two seconds before they shone with realisation. 

“Danno! Good morning!” He was out of the sofa and onto the bed in less than three seconds, hugging Danny close and burying his face on his neck.

“Good… morning.” Danny said back, slightly taken aback by the open, eager show of affection, but damn if he wasn’t going to soak it all up and enjoy it. He wrapped his good arm around his back and held onto Steve.

A good minute later Steve pulled away, sitting on the edge of the bed. “How are you feeling?” 

“Hungry.” Danny replied. “And thirsty. My mouth tastes funny. What time is it?” 

“Just shy of 8.30.” Steve replied as he came to his feet to fetch Danno a bottle of water. He helped Danny sit up and then gave him the bottle, grinning when Danno took small sips. “I’m really glad you are good, Danno.” He told him, grabbing his IV hand. “Is Adam still at your place?”

Danny nodded, putting the bottle down. “‘Course. Why?”

Steve smiled at him, cupping his face with one hand. “Don’t want you to be alone, that’s all.” Danny smiled at him in return and leaned against his touch. 

Steve reached over to the bag and offered the cookies to Danny. “Do you want one?” He asked, carefully, not wanting to upset him.

Danny shrugged. “Why did she bring them?” He asked, frowning. “I don’t get it. She said it was okay if I got shot, and then she brought me cookies.”

Steve sighed and left the cookies aside once more. “I don’t know, Danno. We do need to talk about them, though.” He said, taking Danno’s hand. “Not now, whenever you feel ready.”

Danny nodded, squeezing Steve’s fingers. “Drop me off at home and stay? We can talk then.”

Adam left them alone when they got there, knowing that there were certain things they needed to talk about between them. He gave Steve a pointed look, but otherwise, said nothing. 

 Once Steve had fussed over Danny being comfortable and hydrated he sat down next to him, throwing an arm around his shoulders and keeping him as close as he could. Danny tensed for a few seconds before he melted against him, munching on the mint pattie Steve had given him in lieu of a beer.

They were silent for a while, but before Steve could bring the topic up, Danny spoke.

“I don’t want to be paired with Lou. Or Kono.” Danny said. “I’d rather stay coped in my office than to pair with them.”

Steve nodded. It made sense, according to what Johnny had told him, it was always those two who kept digging and digging. He cursed himself once more: how the fuck had he not seen what was going on? “What about Chin?”

“I don’t know.” He replied, playing with the sticky wrapper. “He wasn’t saying anything but…”

“He wasn’t stopping them, either. Not until I did.” Steve finished, nodding once more. “I’m really sorry, Danno. I don’t… I don’t have any excuse for not having realised.” He apologised, hugging closer and burying his face on his hair. Danny didn’t say anything, all he did was grab his wrist and squeeze. 

Steve didn't know what it meant, but Danny wasn’t pulling him away, so it couldn’t be that bad. He held onto him until he felt Danny squirm, probably uncomfortable by his pose so he eased away, but didn’t pull his hand out of Danny’s grasp.

“I want to talk one-on-one with them.” He told him. “And see what to do. The only one I know I don’t want on the team anymore is Lou.”

Danny pulled away from him at that, eyes almost bulging out at his words. “What?”

“This all started with him, right? Before him… Look, I’m not saying we were perfect, but it wasn’t… it wasn’t that bad, right?” He asked and for the first time Danny could hear… anxiety in his voice. Clear as day. And Steve was terrified of what the answer could be.

And knowing, seeing , that Steve cared… That was the most reassuring thing.

“No. It wasn’t.” He agreed, relaxing once more against him. Despite everything, despite all the hurt, Steve still made him feel safe. 

Steve nodded. “I’ll still talk to him, see what the hell is going on. But I don’t want him there when he’s only causing trouble for you. For the team.” He explained. “He hasn’t been here for a year and he’s already made you feel like you don’t belong.” He cupped Danny’s face, brushing his cheek with his thumb. “Granted, it wasn’t just him, but he does seem to be the common denominator.” 

Danny nodded, melting against him. He had missed Steve so much. He loved Adam and Johnny, but they just couldn’t compare to Steve, because he had feelings for his neanderthal animal. 

“Maybe… Maybe Kono should go to HPD for a little while.” Danny suggested, chewing on his bottom lip before he looked at Steve in the eye.

“How so?”

“It’s what Chin said, before.” Danny explained. “She’s never been a cop. Not a real one. She didn’t even finish the academy and she was already in a task force, with people who had over ten years of experience on her. She’s never walked a beat. Never taken an exam to become a detective, or SWAT.”

Steve nodded: while it might have been good for her at the very beginning, in the long run, they had done her a disservice. She had… become sheltered, in a way. She didn’t know what being a cop really meant, because as Danno had said, she had never been one.

“I’ll talk with Duke tomorrow morning.” Steve told him and then kissed his head. “Chin?”

Danny shrugged. “I… I want to talk with him. I need… I need to know if it’s something I did.” 

“It’s not. Danny, listen to me.” he said when Danny opened his mouth. “You haven’t done anything. This was us. We are at fault. We fucked up. We took you for granted. Our friendship. And we didn’t realise that you were hurting because we didn’t want to see it. And if… if it hadn’t been for Johnny… Fuck, Danno. I-I knew I fucked at some point and I didn’t… I didn’t know how to ask you because I thought that… I thought that you’d leave if I confronted you about it.” Danny frowned, confused. “I know it doesn’t make sense, but in my head, if… if you were there it meant that you were okay because you don’t take beatings and…” Steve pressed the heels of his hands against his eyes, trying to control his breathing.

Danny stared at him: he knew Steve’s brain worked in very weird ways but this was so left field he didn’t even know where to start. And that was without taking into consideration Steve had strung more sentences together the last two days than he had ever done.

“I think you are giving me too much credit, Steve.” He replied, his voice barely above a mumble. “I was terrified to say anything and have you tell me I was out of the team.” Steve's head snapped back at his words. “I would have lost everything. You, the house, the kids. And I… I couldn’t bear the thought of that. But then… They said I was boring and didn’t bring anything to the team and-and Kono said she would rather I leave and go back to Jersey and…”

Steve tugged into a hug and held him. “I know. I’m sorry. Johnny told me. I was hoping you’d come by Rumfire that day, join us for a little bit, had a chair saved for you, but you didn’t and Johnny pulled me aside and… I swear I didn’t know, Danno. I would have never let them say something like that without consequences, I promise.” Danny nodded against his shoulder, good arm coming around his back and holding on for dear life.

They stayed like that for what felt like 30 minutes, but in reality it couldn’t have been more than five. Gently, Steve let go and pushed Danny until he was laying down on the sofa, head on his lap.

“Why don’t you rest up while I make dinner?” He told him, smoothing his hair back. He smiled: Danny didn’t have his products at the hospital, so it was fluffy and starting to curl at the edges. “Potato pancakes and grilled chicken?” He asked him. Danny stared at him for a few seconds and nodded. “Perfect. Here, the TV remote.” He said, giving it to him before pulling the thin blanket that rested on the back of the couch and draping it over his partner. 

“Thank you.” He mumbled back, burrowing into the blanket and trembling when Steve kissed his temple, warm lips resting there for a couple of seconds more than what was strictly needed 

“If you are good, I’ll even give you a mint patty.”

“We are in my house.” He protested lightly.

“Yeah, and you were released under my care. So that’s what I’m going to do, take care of you.” Steve replied, a small smile on his lips. “Rest.”

Next morning, Steve left Danny home with a promise of coming back straight away to tell him about Chin and Kono and Lou. Danny had insisted he was well, but when the pill started to do it’s job he was adorably sleepy again so, with Adam’s help, they herded him back upstairs so he’d rest. And Steve would be lying if he said he wasn’t the happiest he had been in a very long while at the fact that Danny was letting him help and take care of him.

It was more than he deserved. And he was aware of it.

He called in Chin first.

Chapter Text

He called in Chin first.

As soon as Chin had closed the door behind himself, he started talking, shoulders slumping and unable to meet Steve’s eyes. “You don’t have to tell me.” He said. “I was a horrible friend to Danny.”

“So you knew.” Which made matters worse, didn’t it? Because he still hadn’t done anything. He still waited until Steve had said something.

Chin nodded. “That day they went to the Big Island and Danny didn’t come to surf with us, that’s when I knew something was really wrong. So a couple of days later I went to his place to talk to him, but Adam didn’t even let me in. I didn’t… I didn’t know Danny had been taking all those jokes seriously.”

None of them had, and that said more about them than it did about Danny.

“But even then, you didn’t do anything. You didn’t come tell me. You didn’t tell the other two to shut up.” Steve said, eyes hard and accusatory in a way Chin had never seen outside the rendition room.

“No. I didn’t. And I will alway regret it.” He said, looking down at his hands. “Do you remember when Meka died?”

“Of course.” How could he not remember? There was a reason he always made sure Danny had the day off on November 8th.

“I told him I’d be on his corner, that I’d have his back whenever he needed. And I failed him.” He raised his head, and looked at him. “Believe me when I say I’ll make this right. No matter how long it takes me.” He vowed.

And Steve was angry at Chin, as much as he was at himself, but he knew he could trust him on that.

“Good. You are going to be on probation for a month. Once that time is up, we’ll do another review.” He told him, writing something down on a notepad. “Tell Kono to come in.”

Kono came in with her eyes bloodshot and her hair up in a ponytail. She wordlessly sat down and waited for him to talk. Except he didn’t even know where to start with her. He didn’t want to fire her, and she had looked sorry but whether she was really sorry or not, he didn’t know. And that was the most important thing because if she wasn’t, he’d have no other option to kick her out and never let her come back.

“Do you know why you are here?” He asked her, and he felt like a principal of his old high school.

She nodded. “Because I’ve been mean to Danny.” 

He almost choked at her response and he could feel anger starting to boil in his veins, but he took a deep breath and calmed himself down. Exploding would not do him any good. Or Danny.

“No. You weren’t mean. Mean doesn’t even cut it. You were downright horrible to him. Did you know he heard you say you would rather just go so you didn’t have to put up with him? That you thought he was boring?” She looked away, clearly ashamed. “If you would have listened to him once, paid attention to him, you would have realised he has more stories to tell than you could ever imagine. About his life in Jersey, his old partner Grace. About Meka. But that doesn’t matter, because he’s just a haole who should head back to Jersey, leaving his daughter and his son behind, right? It’s not like he moved here for Gracie, or stayed for us when he could have just packed up and left.”

“I didn’t mean it.”

“Oh, no harm done then.” Steve snarked, huffing. “What I don’t understand is why. You never seemed to have a problem before. You taught him how to surf, he helped you here at work with your reports and how to look for clues and then in comes Lou and you completely flipped a switch.”

“That’s not…”

“You can like Lou better, I’m not saying you can’t, but that doesn’t excuse you mistreating him so much.” He continued. “Although I guess I have to give you props for keeping the worst stuff from me, which leads me to believe that you knew I would not let it fly. Teasing Danny, each other, we’ve always done that, and you knew I wouldn’t bat an eye because I’ve done that the most, especially with Danno.” Something of which he was completely ashamed of and would never do again.

She didn’t reply which told him everything he needed to know, except one thing.

“Why?”

She shrugged before replying. “He… kept being friends with Adam. He took him into his house and… I guess I felt jealous, and hurt, that he chose him over me. And since Lou was also talking bad about him, I didn’t feel as guilty.” She confessed, the bitterness coming across as clear as day.

And he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He just couldn’t.

“And what the hell did you expect him to do? Leave Adam homeless and with no support system? Do I have to remind you that this was him when we met him? Alone on an island with no contacts except for his partner and his family? His 8 year-old daughter and an ex that wanted to remove him from her and Grace’s life?” He said, his voice filled with anger, volume rising. 

“I know.”

“Do you? Do you really? Because from what I can see you are just a vindictive bitch who would rather tell her co-worker, someone who thought of you as a dear friend, that if he got shot and injured, well, that wasn’t a big deal, because it’s not like Danno brings anything to the table, right? He’s just boring and complains and worries about you.” He hissed, and he surprised himself at the amount of venom in his words.

Kono was crying now, but far from softening him, it only made him want to scoff because that was probably Danny day in and day out in his house, alone and trying not to bother Adam and Johnny too much with his problems, because he knew, he knew , that he thought they would also throw him aside.

“You’ll be in HPD for 9 months and once that time is up, we’ll do a review.” He told her, deciding to cut the conversation short. They weren’t going to go anywhere past that. “And you’ll be going to therapy, once a week for at least 4 months. Mandatory.”

Her head snapped back at his words, eyes blown wide. “You are kicking me out?”

“For the time being, yes. You’ve gotten comfortable. You’ve gotten used to having a team that treats you like family and where the ranks are blurry. Always have been. And that’s my fault. So you’ll go to HPD and be a beat cop, you’ll do what you were supposed to do 5 years ago and if Lukela and Tanaka decide that you have improved and not caused trouble, then I’ll consider letting you back in.” He said. “You can go.”

“Wait, Steve… I can…”

“You can go.” He repeated. “Lukela and Tanaka will be expecting you tomorrow at 6am sharp at Headquarters.”

And with that, she left.

Lou came with a smile firmly in place, but it was obvious that he knew something serious was going down because his eyes were shifty, the same way their perps’ eyes were when they were trying to hide something.

Steve didn’t even give him time to sit down.

“This is going to be quick: you are fired.” He announced, looking him in the eye. He wanted to know how he looked when the meaning settled in his mind.

Lou blinked at him, his eyes now frozen in him and growing in size. “What? What do you mean I’m fired?”

“I mean that as of today you are no longer working at Five-0. Please hand you badge and gun immediately, your back-up gun by 5pm at the latest and have your things gathered by then. Everything that you leave behind will either be thrown away or donated.” He told him.

“You can’t do that! You don’t even have grounds to kick me out.” Lou said, walking up to him and if he was trying to intimidate him well, that was not working.

“Unfit for the team.”

Lou huffed. “This is about Williams.”

“Partially, but the fact you immediately went there, has told me enough. Not only did I take you here to work with us after you got kicked out of HPD, I made sure they all accepted you, starting with Danny. You know I can’t hire anyone without his agreement, right?” He told him, arching an eyebrow and by the look on his face, no, he didn’t know. Oh well. “But, there’s also physical problems. You can’t keep up with our rhythm and we need someone who can.”

“Of course I can! When have I not been able to?”

He pulled out the letter Lou had handed him the day of the Tough Mudder. “According to your doctor, you should refrain from doing extraneous exercise and keep your blood pressure low. So you either lied to me to get out of the Tough Mudder and then had the audacity to call Danny the weakest link, or, you are the weakest link and tried to pull the wool over our eyes. And since you don’t bring anything to the team that someone younger couldn’t bring, I don’t see a reason to keep you on the team. And neither does the governor.”

“Don’t bring anything to the team? I’m the one who has been here in the force! I certainly bring more than that b… than Williams.” 

“What you did there was the same as any other cop, the only reason you were given the position in SWAT with HPD is because they needed someone ASAP and because they didn’t know the minute details of why you left CPD.” Steve replied. “Danny is our lead Detective, Chin is our tech expert and Kono our long distance shooter. And what you did in SWAT is the light version of what I did in the Navy. So, you don’t bring anything exceptional to the team.”

“But…”

“You are dismissed. As I said, hand over you badge and gun, take you things or leave. Or else I’ll escort you out, and believe me, it won’t be pretty.” And with that, Grover huffed and turned around, almost stomping like a child.

Danny was crying, his head tucked against Steve’s neck, shudders wrecking his body. Steve didn’t say anything, he simply re-arranged them until he was leaning against the side of the couch and Danny was laying on top of him. He wrapped him in a hug, kissing his head.

“I’m so sorry, Danno.” He mumbled. “But I needed you to hear it.” 

He had recorded the conversations with the other three and brought them home to danny so could hear and understand and know why they had acted in the way that they did. This way Danny could move on, with or without them.

Danny nodded, and they fell into silence, only broken by Danny’s quieting sobs.

At some point, Danny fell asleep and Steve didn’t dare move because he had the sneaking suspicion that his partner had barely been sleeping. Danno’s seeping patterns worried him every single day, and now he was more than ready to take action. So yeah, he wasn’t moving until either Danno woke up or nature called.

He ran a hand through the wavy blond hair and danny let out a sigh, wiggling on top of him like an affectionate cat.

He texted Adam and asked him if he could grab some Thai from that place Danny loved and promised he’d pay back as soon as he could. When Adam promptly questioned what that meant, he simply sent him a picture of Danny napping on top of him.

Chapter Text

“Hey Danny.” Chin said, popping his head inside the blonde’s office. He was on the floor, playing with his new puppy, a pittie he had found at the pound and then named Violet. He had been unsure if they’d be okay with him bringing her to work, but they all encouraged it, because it was obvious it was helping him.

And truth be told, Violet was adorable.

“Hey.” Danny replied.

“So we were thinking wings for tonight, get Tani and Johnny used to weekly outings.” He told him. “That ok?”

Danny grinned at him. “Yeah, so long as it’s at FireRum.”

“You got it!” 

It had been a rough month and a half, but Chin had proved himself both to Steve and Danny himself. He had apologised, over and over and went out of his way to hang out with Danny, just the two of them, and then they decided to have a weekly dinner on Wednesday (if their criminals allowed them too) at the same dingy bar Chin had found Danny during Meka’s investigation. 

Chin had expected Steve to insist on coming but surprisingly he never asked to, not once. And after some time they had found their footing again, the easy camaraderie, the hanging out and jokes had come back.

They never talked about Kono: Chin knew she had gone to Danny and apologised, and that she visited every now and then, but that they weren’t close, not like they had been in the past. He wanted to help her, but it wasn’t his place. She had dug that hole on her own, she should climb her way back on her own too.

“Danno?” Steve called out when he heard the front door open. As far as he could remember, they hadn’t talked about meeting today and there wasn’t a game on today, so what was going on? “Danno, is that you?” He called out again when he received no answer.

“Yeah, babe!” Danny called out, making Steve relax and pop his head over the bannister, staring at a Danny dressed in a black T-shirt, jeans and carrying groceries inside with Violet just running around and going straight for the toy box he had for her in a corner of the room.

Fuck, Danno looked so good.

“Hi. I didn’t know you were coming.” He said as he came down the stairs to take the bag off of Danny’s arms, giving him a kiss on the side of the mouth, knowing neither of them were ready for a proper kiss. “Food?” He questioned, confused, when he peered inside the bag

“Well, I thought…” Danny shifted on his feet, looking up at him with the faintest blush on his cheeks. “Do you have any plans for that?”

“Nope. I was just going to go for a swim.” He replied, leaving the bag of groceries on the counter top and brushing a kiss on Danny’s head, smiling when Danny hummed. He didn't know what it was about head kisses, but Danny seemed to love them, always making little noises of contentment when he kissed him there.

They weren’t ready to take the step of dating yet, but Steve would say they were at a point bit further than their before-everything-went-to-shit friendship. There certainly hadn’t been head kisses, or cheek kisses or just hugging in the middle of the room when a case hit home or cuddling on the sofa before. 

They were now.

He had been proving himself to Danny for the last three months. He was proving to Danny that he was better than he had been in the past, that he could be the man Danny deserved, and that was what those three months were giving him: complete affection and the knowledge that Danny felt, once again, safe with him.

It meant that all of his efforts had borne fruit. He had made sure to listen to Danny, he had started waiting for backup, he told Danny he loved him every single day and, as he had promised he had been going to therapy.

Both of them were. To their own and to partners therapy, and this time they were taking seriously, no more snarking the poor therapist (or at least, they tried, some days it was just harder than others) and she was obviously pleased that this time they seeked her out instead of being sent to their office.

He wanted to bring Danno to Maui again, but only to enjoy their stay, no couple’s therapy, no twisted ankles, no dates. Just them, having fun, and him spoiling his partner.

“So I thought maybe, uh, we could have lunch together?” Danny said, pulling out a rack of pork ribs. “And maybe watch a movie or something later?”

Steve smiled. “That sounds amazing, Danno.” He said, pulling him into a hug and, as he always did, he engulfed his partner. “Do you need me to help you?” He asked.

Danny snorted, and Steve knew he was rolling his eyes. “As if you are of any use in the kitchen. Go swim with your fish cousins and leave the cooking to me.”

Steve chuckled and kissed his cheek. “Okay. Please don’t make a frittata.”

“Asshole.” Danny replied, pushing him out of the door, laughing as he closed the door

“But you love me!” Steve called out, which only made Danny laugh harder. But Steve knew. Steve knew Danny loved him back, and that was everything he needed in his life.

The ribs, of course, had been delicious. As had been the coleslaw and bread and the pineapple and coconut cake Danno had made for desserts.

How Danno had managed to make everything from scratch was something he would never know. 

And then, after lunch Danny had simply dragged them to the hammock for a post-lunch nap. Which, Danno taking a nap after a heavy lunch wasn’t exactly a surprise, but dragging Steve with him, that was new. 

Not that he was complaining.

Danny moved around until he found a position he liked, half on the hammock, half on Steve and then he stayed there. Steve wrapped an arm around him and Danny hummed happily before sighing.

“This is nice.” Steve said, massaging Danny’s shoulder.

“Yeah, it really is. Now shush, I’m trying to sleep.” Danny mumbled, and burrowed in closer.

Steve sighed, holding him closer and watching Vi play tug of war with the rope they had tied around a tree. He could stay like this for the rest of his life and be perfectly happy.

Only the kids were missing for this to be his little slice of paradise.

Steve was in a meeting, so he had taken Tani with him to the crime scene unlike with Kono, they had hired her with the condition that on low days she’d go and help out at HPD and walk a beat. She usually partnered with Chin or Danny, because they wanted her to have the basis of a real cop and not that of a SEAL, but damn if she wasn’t as wild as the other two men.

“So what happened once you got to him?” Tani asked as they stepped out of the car.

“Well, Grace had a mean streak, so she punched him right across the face. Broke his nose.” He told her with a smile, and just that little sentence, had sent her cackling. 

 And that was the big difference between Tani and Kono.

Tani made him feel welcome, and she liked knowing about his life in New Jersey, she would interrogate him over and over and god, Grace would have loved her.

“So, what happened? Did you and Grace get in trouble?” She asked.

But Danny didn’t hear her, because right there, in front of him, was Kono. And this was the first time he was meeting her, on the job, without Steve, and he felt… unprotected. The last thing he needed was for her to belittle him again in front of Tani and the whole of HPD.

What he didn’t expect was for Tani to squeeze his arm and give him a smile. They had told the kids, more or less, why Kono had been sent back to HPD and why Lou had been fired, but they hadn’t told them everything.

And just like this, he knew Tani had his back.

"Duke, what do we have?" He asked him, walking up to the man with Tani walking behind him.

“We thought it was a traffic incident at first, but…” He pointed them to the car.

Danny had to close his eyes for a second. One car was smashed, but the driver seemed, miraculously, alright. He did have a clearly broken leg and wrist, but given the state the car was in, the fact that he was alive was amazing.

But then, on the other second car there were three kids, all dead, probably from the whiplash and the driver had hit his head on the side and then onto the wheel. He was also dead. And yet, that wasn’t even the worst thing.

No.

The worst thing were the bombs that the fire squad had diffused and were lying there next to them had been strapped to the children, as the three of them were wearing harnesses.

“Fuck. Fuck!” He hit the side of the car and led an obviously shaken Tani away. The kid had been in Five-0 for no more than 4 months and she had never seen a scene so brutal. He looked around looking for his former teammate. “Kono!” he bellowed into the sea of blue uniforms.

She turned around, looking startled and hurried towards them. It was obvious from her face that she had no idea what was going on through his mind and whether she was going to be told to leave, stay or something else.

“Y-yes, sir?” She asked, and one side of him warred with the other at that title. Because they used to be friends, and she had never called him so before, but the other side, the hurt one, was happy to see that at least she was taking him seriously now. 

“You are with us until this is done.” He ignored the way her eyes shined, they had more pressing matters and this was a one off for now. “I want you in the Palace with Chin, run everything you know about both drivers and the children. Duke, please give Tani some water. I’m going to call Steve. Pua, go with Kono and then drive back here. Everyone else, I want a perimeter established one street from here in all directions, no cars going in or out until we say so.”

Kono pushed the door to the headquarters, gulping when Steve pinned her down with a look. Ever since she had gone to HPD, she understood why the officers were scared of him. 

“D-Detective Williams said that…” She started to say, not wanting to be thrown out.

“I know what Danny said, he already called in.” Steve cut her off, his tone hard and void of the warmth that used to be there. But she knew she deserved it. She deserved that, and more. “Chin, she’s under your supervision.”

“Got it.” Chin gave her a smile, but it was obvious that he was not going to let anything slide this time.

She didn’t ask about Lou, she knew Steve had shown him the door, because he had called her, ranting and it was then that she realised that he had somehow flipped it on its head, and blamed Danny for their wrongdoings.

She had cut all communication with him after that phone call.

They had finished the case and, somehow, no one had gotten injured. Steve had waited for back-up before racing in. He was talking to Danny after the raid was done, Danny firmly tucked against his side, arm around his shoulders.

A pang of jealousy and sorrow coursed through her, because that could have been here, laughing with them, but no, she had to fuck everything up.

 She shook her head and headed back to Captain Lukela, who was giving orders for the clean up. She had just gotten there when she froze midstep.

“I still don’t understand why we have to follow that midget’s orders.” Someone, it sounded like Takeda said behind her.

“You don’t have to tell me, man. The only reason the haloe is there is because he’s McGarrett’s bitch. Everyone knows that.” Mahelona whispered back.

She turned around before she knew what she was doing and slammed her fist on Mahelona’s nose first, and before Takeda had time to react, she did the same to him, grinning when they both stumbled back and groaned in pain.

She stared at her hand: the crunch of their noses under her fist felt so satisfying,

“What the fuck, Kalakaua?” Mahelona groaned.

“You shouldn’t talk about Danny like that.” She said, waving her hand. “The reason you two idiots have to follow his orders is because he’s better than you. That’s how he got there. If you want to take his place well, I would start by being better at your job.” She said, shrugging.

“Kono, what the hell?” Chin said, racing up to her, the rest of the team in tow.

She shrugged. “They were insulting Danny.” She said, shrugging, glancing at the blond.

The surprised look on his face made her stomach do some very complicated and painful somersaults, because it was clear that day that he hadn’t been expecting her to defend him.

And that was something that he should have never even wondered about.

He walked up to her and before she had a chance to apologise again, to say thank you for letting her work with them at least this once, he yanked her down and gave a hug.

She gasped, tears coming to her eyes because that felt like a step in the right direction, like she was a little bit forgiven.

Danny opened the door, holding Violet by her harness before she could run off (again), surprised to find the team plus Kono on his doorstep. 

“Uh… Hi?” He said, arching an eyebrow. “Were we supposed to meet up?” He asked. He didn’t think they had, but sometimes even he forgot things and the jetlag did not help.

“Nope!” Tani said. “Happy Birthday!” She said, kissing his cheek before going inside to put the cake in the fridge.

Chin patted him on the shoulder with a smile while Johnny gave him a warm hug and a kiss on the top of his head, making him shove him away with a laugh. Kono kissed his cheek too and showed him the boxes of food they had gotten from Kamekona and FireRum. His mouth watered at the smells.

Steve was the last one and with a grin, he bent down and pecked his lips, making Danny smile. They weren’t going out, not yet, but they were getting there, and since they both knew that was their final destination, they were just savouring the journey and pecking and neck kisses had felt like the natural progression.

“Happy birthday, baby.” Steve mumbled.

“Thank you, babe.” He gave him a peck too and grabbed his hand, leading him inside, where everyone had started to set the table. He had had to go on an impromptu trip back to Jersey for his cousin’s wedding. And god, he would have brought Steve, but they couldn’t leave the task force without them for a week and a half with little to no time to look for someone to cover them. "What's this, huh? You knew and didn't tell me?" He questioned, grinning, obviously not caring that everyone had flodded his place.

Steve simply smiled and hugged him from behind.

Everyone had left already, but Steve had stayed behind to “help with the clean up” which, ok, to be fair he did help with but Danny knew, as he moved closer to him, that the real reason Steve had stayed was for him. To do this, cuddle and kiss on the sofa with a crappy movie playing on the TV.

“I missed you.” Steve mumbled, nosing his neck. “You are not allowed to leave for more than three days without me.”

Danny snorted. “Is that so?” 

“Yeah.” Steve yawned against his skin, snuggling closer. “You doing something on Saturday night?” He asked him.

“You know I'm not. Did you want to do something?” And that was something they had started doing, too: every Saturday night, unless a case broke, they would spend the day together, with or without the kids. Going on a trek, or surfing, or to the farmer’s market.

“I have a table at Morimoto’s. Just the two of us.” He explained before pulling away a bit, bringing one hand up to cup Danny’s cheek. “Want to go on a date with me, Danno?”

Danny smiled at him and then kissed him. Properly this time. Slipping his tongue inside Steve's mouth and smiling helplessly once more against his lips when Steve whimpered in response. “Fuck yeah, babe.” He said when they split.

Steve’s blinding smile matched his own.