Chapter 1
Everyone that knows me, knows that the subject with Danny's brother is very sensitive for me, because it lacked of many things. First of all in the 4 episodes we had ever since Reyes appeared in 5x01 and throughout the eps till 5x04, we never once saw Steve be there for Danny, actually physically be there for Danny and comfort him, except for the final moments in 5x04. And it hurt me, because it wasn't supposed to be like that. Danny didn't have his blood family for support and anything he needed. So, this is how this story was born. It was supposed to be just one shot that dealt with the aftermath of Danny killing Reyes, but turned into a multi-chapter fic.
First chapter is set after the events of 5x04. Second and third chapter are set after the events of 5x05, before 5x06, thus no scene at Danny's favorite spot. Chapter 4 is set after Danny's back from New Jersey, something like week after Matty's funeral or so. The idea of the fourth chapter was born while I was talking with Cubit2 about how cool it would be if they thought of making Dot appear more on the show (in the aftermath of the ep that started her 100+ chapter story where Dot makes a cameo appearance) and get Danny a dog, so that's how it happened (my muse liked the idea, and she begged me to use it).
…
Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all,
And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.
I've heard it in the chilliest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.
-A poem by Emily Dickinson, "Hope is the thing with feathers"
…
Steve was worried a lot in his life. For different reasons. His father, his mother, his sister. For his friends and comrades at the Navy. For his friends and colleagues at the Five 0 that were by now his second ohana. But, right now he was worried for his partner, and best friend, Danny Williams. He was unusually quiet on the seat next to him and fidgeted with the ends of his shirt. Steve tried all the tactics he knew to make him talk, but nothing was his answer to it.
He told Danny long ago that he'd pay him cash to shut up, but right now he missed the voice of his very vocal partner. Steve knew that Danny talked a lot even when there wasn't the time or the place for it. Every situation he went through, he had to express it so loudly, that had him surprised now, for he was so quiet.
Continuing with the silent treatment, Steve sighed, resigned with himself that Danny won't talk to him. He decided he'd wait on him for as long as he needed time. He knew Danny was trying to collect himself now, the most probable reason for his quietness.
Steve knew how much it hurt when he heard the gunshot killing his father going off in the distance, nothing he could do to make that to un-happen somehow. But, that was nothing compared to the state Danny was in right now. He knew that with time even when you were so close with your parents, you got detached from them, and your brothers and sisters became your new pillar. They were those on whose shoulder you could cry on for hours without them saying something about that. Those with which you could argue about pointless stuff and still love them in the end.
Steve witnessed the bond Danny and Matthew had from the brief moment they shared together. They were very connected and Danny loved his brother so much he could go at great lengths for him. And he did. He killed for him.
Steve knew that what he was seeing now was a façade that was hiding the true state Danny was in. He just wanted to be able to erase all of what he was going through at this very moment. He was mocked, and taunted, and challenged and he endured all of that, so he could be told Matty was dead when he finally had the hope he saved his brother. Just like every big brother should have done for his little brother.
Steve's heart was torn in million pieces for Danny. Nothing he could say or do would change that. He just wished Danny would open up to him, because it ached to see him so sullen and defeated.
The long wait they were exposed to before their departure for Honolulu was due to a missing passenger that boarded in, but left before they took off in the air. They were notified it was an old man that forgot his second suitcase in the waiting room. After everything was settled, the long flight in front of them started.
Steve opened his mouth to say something when he felt something heavy on his shoulder. Turned out it was Danny's head. His partner was asleep on his shoulder and now that Steve had a chance to assess the situation, he noticed the hurt, the pain, and the fatigue taking their toll on Danny, if the bags under his eyes were enough of a sign. He couldn't do anything else, but support him right now, so he moved him slightly, extended his arm and fully embraced him.
As he hugged Danny, Steve closed his eyes, too. Wishing the events in Colombia never happened.
A tear slipped on his cheek and lost itself in Danny's hair.
...