Annapolis, MD - Saturday Evening

[hatesparadise]

Danny wasn't specifically a boat person, even with his current home being on an island. And his other home also being on an island. But he was at this yacht parade thing anyway for Steve.

And also to enjoy how miserably cold the guy was in the winter.

Look, date night was fun for a variety of reasons. Sometimes you just had to lean into it.

"You want to borrow my scarf?" Danny asked.

[for the delicate islander]

Comments

[grenadesandohana]

"You've been so good," Steve said softly. "There for Charlie, not rising to Rachel's baiting--"

[hatesparadise]

"Yeah, well. Someone helped me get to that point," Danny replied, glancing back at him.

[grenadesandohana]

Steve smiled. "Was that me?"

[hatesparadise]

"Yes, that was you," Danny said, very clearly rolling his eyes even though Steve might not be able to see it.

[grenadesandohana]

Steve smiled to himself, missing the eyeroll.

[hatesparadise]

"Okay, you've suffered in the cold enough. Crab cakes," Danny said after a moment.

[grenadesandohana]

"And beer," Steve said. "And coffee. C'mon, this way, I've got a place to show you."

[hatesparadise]

"Oh, do you now?" Danny asked, glancing at him as he followed.

[grenadesandohana]

"I went to school here for four years, Daniel," Steve said. "I know stuff."

[hatesparadise]

"And these things are still in business?" Danny countered.

[grenadesandohana]

"The good ones still are," Steve counter-countered.

[hatesparadise]

"I'll be the judge of that," Danny replied, putting a hand on the small of Steve's back.

[grenadesandohana]

"You can't serve a bad crabcake in Annapolis. Pretty sure it's law," Steve said.

[hatesparadise]

"I'll take your word on it." And judge harshly.

[grenadesandohana]

Well, it wouldn't be Danny otherwise.

Steve opened up the door to warm, cozy bar off the beaten path. There was a fireplace burning cozily and a few tables with patrons talking quietly over pints. "Here we are," he said. "It's been here since the Academy opened, or near enough."

[hatesparadise]

"...okay, this is nice," Danny had to admit. Like Steve was tricking him.

[grenadesandohana]

Steve smiled. "I can show you nice sometimes."

[hatesparadise]

"College implies less than nice," Danny replied, looking around for an open table for them.

[grenadesandohana]

"Well, this was for dates," Steve said, smiling.

[hatesparadise]

"Oh, and how many dates did you take here, babe?" Danny asked.

[grenadesandohana]

"Two," Steve said. "It's still a nice place, even if the dates didn't work out."

[hatesparadise]

"Well, then. Thank you for inviting me," Danny replied, tugging him over to a couple of seats that opened up by the fire.

[grenadesandohana]

Steve sighed softly as the warmth of the fire started getting to his toes. "You're very welcome."

[hatesparadise]

"I'm really getting you kitted out this holiday season," Danny said, snagging a nearby little placard with the specials on it.

[grenadesandohana]

Steve smiled. "I'm warming right up, Danny."