Chapter Text
Steve pops open his door before he turns off the engine. He bails out like he’s coming in hot at a crime scene. This feels like it, too. The same thrill and anxiety. He races around the front end and grabs the door just as Danny is opening it. He’d never admit he thought about sliding across the hood of the Camaro.
Danny braces himself to keep from falling out of the Camaro.
“Jesus, Steve. Eager much?”
“A guy’s not allowed to open a car door?”
Instead of the signature eye roll, Steve gets something better. Danny scrunches up his entire face in a stern look that Steve will remember for a long time. Such a cute expression. He’ll never tell Danny he used the word cute in a thought about him though. He’ll receive a well-placed jab if he does. Steve can feel the punch already. Danny has good placement. He knows just where to hit you to make his point stick. This makes Steve shiver before he recovers and lays on a big, goofy grin.
“Is this why they call you Smooth Dog?” Danny asks. He’s amused and annoyed.
Steve offers Danny his hand to help him out of the vehicle, but Danny doesn’t move.
“Are you getting out, princess?” Steve asks. He taps the top of the car door.
“Did you just call me princess?” Danny folds his arms over his chest. “Nope, I’m not doing this Steven. Things just got heavy between us, and you’re acting like you’re taking me to prom. I am not the girl in this relationship. You’re the pretty one with those eyelashes.”
Steve opens his mouth, but doesn’t say anything. He’s shocked and a little turned on. Danny knows where to go. He knows all the moves. This time, it’s Danny freaking out about emotions. Steve is ready for what’s coming. He loves that Danny is dodging a little.
“Too much?” Danny asks. His eyebrows raised in apology.
Steve nods and shakes his head. He’s having too much fun. Holding out his hand, he says, “Let’s try this again, sunshine.”
“Sunshine,” Danny replies, tilting his head as he thinks about the name, “I like it. You can call me that every day.”
They stare at one another before Danny waves the bag of popcorn Steve’s direction.
“Take this,” Danny says, “We’re gonna need sustenance.”
Steve laughs and pulls Danny to his feet. They walk to the house arm in arm.
/././
Danny spins and pushes Steve into the wall. As he kicks the front door closed, he drops the bag of popcorn. Kernels spill on to the floor. They crunch under their feet. He knows Eddie would be excited about the snack. But there's little time for normal thoughts.
What's happening is an exclamation point on a very long sentence. An exhalation after years of them holding their breath. And now Danny wants very much to breathe.
“This okay?” Danny asks. Feels silly after shoving Steve into the wall, but Danny can’t help but be a gentleman.
“Yea.” The answer from Steve is feverish and breathy. Danny's permission slip.
Steve closes his eyes as Danny presses against him. For a second, Danny simply leans into Steve. He kisses the hollow where Steve’s throat meets his chest. Steve wraps his arms around Danny. They catch their breath.
But then the train rolls on.
Danny burns a trail of kisses up Steve’s neck. One of them might leave a mark. Steve slides his hands under Danny’s shirt, tweaks a nipple. His muscles tense, and Danny giggles to cover a shiver. Leave it to Steve to go for his favorite spots. And the animal knows what he’s doing. The combination of pain and pleasure shoots through him, and Danny smothers a laugh from Steve with a kiss. He feels like he’s falling and realizes they’re sliding to the floor. He’s wanted to get horizontal with Steve but not like this.
“Steve,” Danny says. He taps Steve’s leg. “Up now. My knee.”
Standing, Steve pulls Danny with him. His posture is too rigid. Danny gives him a shake.
“Stop. Now you’re overthinking. My knee is always stiff.”
Steve bites his bottom lip and chuckles. His eyes zero in on the bulge in Danny’s super snug khakis.
“That’s right, big guy,” Danny shakes his head and adjusts his pants, “My knee’s not the only thing that’s stiff. Why do you think I wear these pants, huh?”
“Knew it.”
Danny presses Steve against the wall again, making a point of nudging Steve with his prominent erection. Which is when he discovers Steve is in the exact same predicament.
“What are we doing?” Danny asks. He knows the answer. It’s the realization that both scares and delights him.
“Uh, Danno, if I need to tell you-“
“Shut it.”
Steve undoes the button on Danny’s khakis with an expert flick of his fingers and earns a punch, but there’s no danger behind it. It’s more of a swat, a reflex. Danny hisses when that big, warm hand slides under his waistband. He thrusts into the touch and then stops himself. It feels so good, and Danny wants to savor the moment. He wants to strip Steve and map every inch and let Steve do the same to him.
“Not here, you animal.”
Danny doesn’t want this to end, but the hard floor by the front door is not ideal. They aren’t kids anymore, and they might need supplies. Steve grunts and squeezes before releasing his careful grip.
Pushing away, Danny locks the door and sets the alarm. Steve doesn’t move. His mouth is open like he wants to say something, but he just stares. Danny takes control of the situation. He’s never seen Steve this vulnerable. The best thing to do is give him a mission.
“Grab something to drink, babe. Maybe one of those fruity, electrolyte ones. Meet me upstairs,” Danny says.
Steve swallows and nods. As he heads for the kitchen, he replies, “Proper hydration is important.”