MCA #0, Way Too Early Monday Morning

[hatesparadise]

Well, that had certainly been a weekend. Grace being there had been great as per usual, while Doris had been... Doris.

Which was why Danny hasn't just fallen back asleep with a grumpy huff when Steve had gotten up for his usual level of exercise. Instead, he padded on out to make coffee, but found it already started by Steve. The good stuff again too.

That was what led Danny to taking his coffee to sit on the lanai to do something so cliché as to watch the sunrise as he waited for Steve to join him there.

[for that SEAL]

Comments

[grenadesandohana]

"It's their loss," Steve said, fiercely protective now that his mother wasn't actually around.

[hatesparadise]

Always easier in her absence.

"Hey, it's good. You're good."

[grenadesandohana]

Steve didn't feel good. He felt inadequate as a person and a sailor after his mother had probed more into exactly when Cath had left him: and his mom's comment about some things being bigger than family still echoed in his ears. He had accidentally been repeating patterns with Cath.

"You sure?" he asked, eyes focused on the sunrise.

[hatesparadise]

"Very sure," Danny replied with complete confidence.

[grenadesandohana]

Steve did not deserve this man.

He leaned further into Danny's space, sprawling to touch in more places. "Thanks, Danno."

[hatesparadise]

"This? I missed this," Danny announced, sprawling on back.

[grenadesandohana]

Steve sighed softly, pulling Danny closer. "Me too," he said. "I just didn't want to give Doris anything...or make Grace uncomfortable."

[hatesparadise]

"We'll need to find a balance," Danny told him. "Somewhere along the way here."

[grenadesandohana]

Steve nodded. "I never second guessed it when we weren't together and I hate that I do now," he murmured.

[hatesparadise]

"Here it's just us," Danny said, only letting go of Steve's hand to hook his arm around him instead. "But we leave here and go back to Hawaii? It's everything again. I get it. I do."

[grenadesandohana]

Steve nodded. "That's part of why I'm in no rush to just live in Honolulu," he murmured. "Despite the weirdness, this place gives us space to breathe."

[hatesparadise]

"It's hard because Hawaii has become home," Danny said like he was being forced to admit it under duress.

[grenadesandohana]

Steve nodded again. "And I don't want to hide anything," he said, "but it's been...nice...to have some time to figure it out between just you and me before getting Rachel and the team and possibly the governor in our business."

[hatesparadise]

"I understand what you mean," Danny replied, turning to press his face in against Steve's neck and the smell of salt there. "Before things rock our foundations we need to figure out how to shore them up."

[grenadesandohana]

"Exactly," Steve said, hoping Danny missed his shiver when he'd gotten so close to his neck. "I don't know what your parents would say either, and I'm fine with Doris never knowing."

[hatesparadise]

"They'll be confused and think I've been secretly gay all along or somethin'," Danny guessed, staying close because he wanted to hold onto Steve and not admit how he sort of liked that reaction. "Stella will finally stop bein' the black sheep with all the aunts for having Eric outta wedlock."

[grenadesandohana]

"Maybe I should visit first and we tell 'em on the way out the door."

How emotionally healthy!

[hatesparadise]

Danny snorted and nudged him in the side. "What about Mary and your Aunt?"

[grenadesandohana]

"I think Mary thinks we've been sleeping together for months," Steve said with a shake of his head. "And Aunt Deb will be fine. She's very live and let live."

In direct contrast to her brother.

[hatesparadise]

"Better than our teammates," Danny replied dryly. "Did you get coffee for yourself?"

Because he was keeping you here until you had to go into the office, Steve.

[grenadesandohana]

"Not yet," Steve said. "I'll go grab a shower and get a cup on my way back out."

And check the inside of the house for bugs.

[hatesparadise]

Danny nodded and pulled him into a kiss. "I think you'll be forgiven if you're a little late after this past weekend."

[grenadesandohana]

Steve kissed him back like he'd been dying for it.

[hatesparadise]

"You okay, babe?" Danny asked, putting his empty coffee cup the side so he could get both arms around him.

[grenadesandohana]

Not even remotely.

"Better now," he replied.