Work Text:
It had been a long night for Detective Williams. He had been following a lead on a new up-and-coming drug dealer who’s been preying on high schoolers. He would set up on the corners where lots of kids walked home and poach the older-looking ones.
It was disgusting.
So, naturally, Danny had assured the rest of the 5-O to go home and get some rest while he refused to take his own advice.
After a few too many cups of coffee and a little bit of reckless driving due to sleep deprivation, Danny made it home. As he approached the house, he saw a dim light coming from Grace’s window. He parked the car and made his way to the front door. As he pushed open the door he was hit with a wall of peaceful silence.
Sometimes, Steve, like an absolute maniac, would stay up for Danny on his late nights. Or set an alarm for 4 a.m. so he’d be awake just as Danny got home.
But not tonight. The lights were all off and only the gentle hum of the A/C could be heard inside the house.
Danny slipped his shoes off and crept up the stairs. He tip-toed into the master bedroom and was surprised to find the bed empty. It wasn’t the most unusual thing, occasionally Steve needed some air and would go for a late-night jog. Their neighborhood was safe enough, and Steve could take care of himself.
He slipped out of his work clothes and into an old worn t-shirt and fresh boxers, deciding that he would shower in the morning. He crept back into the hallway and made his way quietly to Grace’s room. He gently nudged her door open and peered inside.
The lamp on her bedside was still on. Danny quietly made his way across the room, and as he reached for the lamp he stopped short. The sight of the bed made him hesitate.
Grace was curled on her side, arms tucked in, perfectly secure under the blanker. And to her left was Steve, lying on his back with a book in his lap and his right arm wrapped around Grace. The sight caused a warm feeling to blossom in Danny’s chest and spread deeply throughout his body. The two people he cared about most in the world, nestled right here.
After giving himself a moment to will away the tears. Danny reached forward and gently removed the book from Steve’s hands. He leaned over the bed and gave both of them a kiss on their foreheads before turning off the lamp.
As he left the room, he stopped short in the doorway, casting one last glance at the two now curled together on the bed. It was a sight he’d never get tired of.
He closed the door softly and made his way back to his bedroom. He climbed into bed, lavishing in the excess of mattress space he was now entitled to, and spread out like a starfish. He pulled the covers up to his chin, wiggling below to get comfortable. As he drifted to sleep, the image of Steve and Grace looking so utterly safe and content played inside his head.