A/N: Okay, so for those of you joining me after reading the last fic, I hope enjoy this one as much as the last. For those of you who haven't yet read 'Grace,' no worries because it was a standalone.
Despite what I said at the end of that last fic, I'm actually uploading the first three chapters tonight because they're so short. For this new fic, I will be uploading a chapter at least every two days, possibly every day depending how we go.
Steve curses under his breath as he realises he's in the exact position he's been hoping to avoid. It's at least a couple of months since he realised that he was in trouble, and since then he has tried his best to minimise his time alone with Danny. A car ride with a professional conversation, or a dinner over which they discuss work, Steve can just about handle, but it's when they're left like this that his feelings come flooding back.
Distancing himself, he moves to the opposite side of the room and shuffles a few meaningless papers into a painfully neat stack. Kono and Chin have just left for the night, leaving Steve very little incentive to behave himself, and making such preventative measures necessary to maintain some professionalism. He shoots a quick glance at his partner, relieved to see that his precaution has apparently gone unnoticed.
Steve can barely believe how his feelings have escalated, and what started as friendship, slowly moved towards a crush, finally evolving into full blown love.
Put simply, Danny is different.
The first time they'd met – in less than convenient circumstances – Steve had considered him an irritant, asking him to join the Five-0 out of nothing more than convenience and the opinion that Danny would be good at his job. But over the course of the change in emotions, Steve has come to accept these things that he previously thought of as annoyances, and now considers them quirks, and quirks he knows that he will never find in another human being, dead or alive. The slicked back hair, the insistence on formal attire, the sarcastic and confrontational attitude, and finally, the hand gestures. Without the hand gestures, Danny just wouldn't be Danny.
Up until the formation of the task force, Steve had wondered what else there was for him in life. His long period in the SEALs would eventually have to end, and without a single serious relationship to hold to his name, what would he do with his time. Yes, the Governor's offer could serve as a suitable distraction, and yes, he wasn't short of female company, but somehow it just wasn't enough. Until he met Danny.
Yes, Steve had had friends in the SEALs, and yes, they had been close, but never in his life had he met anyone quite so intriguing as Detective Danny Williams. Even the first meeting had been explosive, their relationship ultimately beginning with an armed standoff. Steve smiles fondly as he realises that, if it hadn't been for Danny's commitment to the job on that very day, then Steve would never have been forced into calling the Governor, and the Five-0 would never have even been formed.
In thanks, Steve has done everything in his power to keep Danny safe, extending the gratitude to use the Governor's lenience for Danny's benefit. Sure, they get shot at on a daily basis, blown up a couple of times a year, but that's not what Steve's talking about. The voucher for a hotel on the island, the life-saving interruptions, and the use of the Governor against Rachel have all been a result of Steve's affection.
The first day together had only gone from bad to worse as the insistent short Detective had summoned the front to punch his new boss in the face, walking away without even a shadow of guilt or regret. Steve has to suppress a laugh at the memorised image. Danny's surprise arrival in his life has been a breath of fresh air, and a welcome one at that. The honesty in their confrontation, and the long-winded rants from Danny's end are now cherished by Steve; arguments and all. The situation he finds himself in isn't helped by Danny's image. Yes; Steve still finds his insistence on a dress shirt and tie completely ridiculous, and yes; with a haircut like that, Danny really should be a born surfer. But for Steve, there is no mistaking the attraction; he thinks he's hot as hell.
And since then, everything has been a blur. Steve and Danny have fallen into a natural partnership after a rocky start, and though they can still irritate the hell out of each other on occasion, Steve honestly holds a torch for the man.
Yes, the fact that Steve is in love with another man alarms him. Yes, he's almost positive that Danny is straight (with an ex-wife and daughter to prove it). But no, Steve still can't bring himself to regret the emotions he feels.
He turns from the table to look back to Danny, and before his partner is able to turn and reignite the feelings, Steve strides towards the door. "See ya tomorrow, Danno." Danny mumbles something unintelligible in his direction, and with one glance back, Steve continues out towards the warm breeze.