Chapter Text
Steve knows something is wrong even before he finds the strength to open his eyes and look around. The room smells excitingly delicious. With honey, peaches and its own tart minty scent. It smells like it should smell at home. Since he dreamed for years in those rare moments when he was drowning in someone else's arms or sitting on the sofa so close that his shoulders were touching someone else's, smaller ones, or when he was holding someone else's child in his arms while walking along the beach and knew that he was ready to even die for her, and her dad Steve had been dreaming about it for what seemed like the last two years, ever since the garage door had opened, and the dream had come to life, pointing a gun at him, threatening and giving orders. Devil. If it had been in a different time and place, he would have dropped the gun without thinking and knelt down to please the omega in front of him. Then he could not give in to his instincts. Then he had to keep his face. All that mattered then was his own vendetta against the monster that killed his father. Everything was complicated then, now it was as simple as the children's math problem he helped Gracie solve in the evenings while Danny cooked dinner. They were like family. A small, perfect family. Hands involuntarily tighten around someone else's waist. I wanted to hold my omega closer, close my eyes and never get out of bed again, even if it meant he would miss another pointless end of the world. Always there, side by side, as true partners should. The only thing missing is a deep mark on someone else's aristocratically pale neck and a simple silver ring around the ring finger. So any stranger would only need one look to understand that Danny is busy once and for all. Totally and completely. Irreversible.
- What are you doing? - Williams' voice sounds hoarse, barely audible in the noise of the morning city.
- Nothing. - the alpha uncomfortably shrugs his shoulders without taking his eyes off someone else's bright crown. - Simple hugs. It's a small thing compared to what we did last night, but if you're uncomfortable, I can stop.
Seconds of silence turn into minutes. McGarrett snuggles even closer, burying his nose in her blonde hair, savoring their mingling scent. Heart beats like crazy. exhalation Danny seems to shudder in fright, jerks his hands hysterically and leaves, rolling off the bed onto the floor. There is fear in his impossible blue eyes, like ocean water.
- Danno?
- I'm sorry. sorry - He jumps to his feet, looking for his clothes. - I'm sorry, I really shouldn't have done that. I should have just left. I should have noticed that something was wrong and… - Danny picks up a shirt from the floor. - and prevent it. - A wave of the hand. - All that. After all, we are partners and best friends and we simply cannot spoil it.
Steve is silent. He is breathing hard, sometimes not knowing how to calm down the frightened omega. His friend looks like he's about to tear his hair out. This is too much. McGarrett feels his insides go cold just at the sight of Williams darting around the room. It is wrong. Danny must not wring his hands, bite his lip to the point of blood, or look away awkwardly. It was not created for this. Definitely not for that. He should smile brightly like his daughter, talk silently even when there seems to be nothing to talk about and know that the event is not his fault. Steve was the one who wanted it, the one who brought the drunk partner home, the one who first started kissing the man who didn't resist. It was him, and it was he who should feel guilty, actually smiling like a happy fool. He got his happiness and now it remains only to convince this very happiness that in his arms it will be safe and warm, that he will be able to take care not only of Danny himself, but also of Grace. Only…
- Then we will surely see each other on Monday at work.
Steve sees Danny take a few steps towards the door and feels his heart sink in his chest in terror. He doesn't know why, but for some reason he knows that if the omega walks out the door now, everything will end before it even started. He will lose everything about something he once dreamed of. Two more steps and he won't stand a chance.
- No! - a roar escapes from his throat even before he has time to even think. - No! You don't have to go. - He squeezes his hand around someone else's wrist.
- Steve?
- Well, you know, we could have breakfast. - McGarrett doesn't give himself a second to doubt. - Together.
- I have to pick up Gracie. The babysitter must be released by eleven o'clock.
- So. So. - Steve looks into the eyes opposite. - Gracie. Yes, we have to get Grace. Stand still and do not move. don't move I will change my clothes now, we will take the baby and go somewhere to have a snack. How about sushi or pizza? I think the child will like ice cream for dessert. - Alpha puts on his pants without taking his eyes off his partner. - And then we could go to the beach. We deserved one quiet day. At least one.
- What are you doing?
Danny remains in place, not knowing what to do next. Alpha before him seems very lost and wild. Red eyes, disheveled hair, uneven, beaten as if after a long run of breath. This is a lot. Too much. Even last night everything was as usual, and already this morning his whole life collapsed, breaking into a hundred pieces. How I wanted to close my eyes and pretend that nothing had changed, and the night spent in Steve's arms was just a figment of his sick fantasy.
- What?
- I asked, what are you doing?
- I'm getting dressed. We have to get Grace.
- No. Not to us, but to me. - argues Danny. - I will go and take my daughter from the nanny, and you will stay here and spend the day off as you planned before this whole situation.
Now it was the alpha's turn to freeze in surprise. What is his omega carrying now and why did he turn pale as if he saw something really terrible in front of him. What does it mean to stay at home while Danny and Gracie are nowhere, alone, in danger, without him. No. This is some nonsense. He cannot let them go. Just not now, while the thread of their connection is so thin and unstable. Alpha takes a few steps forward again to hold Williams close and talk without fear of losing him.
- No need. - asks Danny. - You don't have to follow me. I will deal with everything myself.
- You shouldn't be alone.
Steve sees doubts in the blue eyes, sees how the fists are clenched and how the invisible wall that appeared a moment ago is crumbling again. He sees his chance.
- And you will be with me?
- I...
The ringtone of a phone call destroys all the magic of the moment. Danny was the first to get someone else's cell phone.
- What is there? - Steve asks, already knowing in advance that he hates the person who called on this Saturday morning. It doesn’t matter to him even if it’s for work. No one will take this happy moment away from him.
- Catherine. Catherine is calling you.
- I don't know what she needs. Steve swears. - Honestly. I have no idea why she's calling.
Danny smiles. He smiles for the first time all morning. Somehow sad, almost doomed. As if he knows something that no one else knows.
- So find out. - he hands the phone to the frozen alpha, pats him on the shoulder and leaves.