The last wooden plank gave under the saw's pressure. Steve sent three even pieces crashing to the ground with the others. Sweat slipped down his chin, encouraging him to pause the deafening sound and relieve that annoying itch. He wiped the back of his hand across his jaw, leaving sawdust stuck in the stubble. There wasn't much left of the doghouse, just to build the roof, and this here was the base for the tile. He smiled, satisfied at the progress.
"Steve!" came the familiar aggravated voice of his partner, and best friend, Daniel Williams. Danny raised his hands tossing accusation before words could do the same. "There you are, I've been callin' you for ten minutes walking all around the house like a lunatic."
"What's up?" Steve asked.
Danny didn't look dressed for work either. For once he wore a t-shirt, untucked, board shorts and sandals. If anything it almost looked like he was going to the beach.
"What's up? Oh, you wanna know what's up?" Danny mused.
Steve rolled his eyes. He handed the saw off to Danny and collected the wooden pieces, tossing them onto the table. He felt a talk coming on. Steve began to nail the baseboards together. "I'm sure you're going to tell me."
"That's right I am. What are you even doin'?" Danny said, motioning recklessly with the saw towards the mess of wood.
"What does it look like, Daniel, I'm making a dog house."
"See, I knew you were keeping the dog." Danny replied. "You got attached, this is what happens when you get attached Steven."
"Didn't you have something to say?" he prompted.
The framework came together easily. The hammer clicked against nails Steve didn't bother to count, just measured the distance with his eyes, and finished. He hoisted the considerably heavy base off the table and sat it on top of the dog house. That was beautiful, a few rows of tile, a coat of paint and presto. He crossed his arms, muscles tight from constant use against his chest. Danny joined him, looking at the house, arms crossed, eyebrows nearly up to that gold hair of his.
"I don't know why I expected you to remember," Danny said "but this is the first vacation I'm taking since I went to visit the kids, and I thought maybe since you took yours at the same time you might wanna go with me."
"Go with you? Go where?" Steve laughed.
He let his arms down, motioning to the house, the stretch of landscape that was all but picture perfect that made up his backyard.
"We live in a vacation destination."
"Forget it." Danny waved him off. "You're impossible, you're always impossible. If you didn't want to go you should've said so."
Steve sighed. He wiped the sweat still beading across his head with the moss green shirt that clung with the same wetness. He could use a break, even though this was his break from Five-0. Wouldn't Danny have fun with that, he'd be the first to tell Steve his idea of relaxation was more work, and he wouldn't be wrong. Steve caught up to the pint of spitfire before Danny could march across the yard and swung him around by the shoulder.
"Of course I'll go with you." Steve said, softer. It was the tone he used to ease Danny out of his easily ignited frustration. He squeezed the man's shoulder. "I'm sorry I forgot. Let me call Grover and see if he'll watch the dog."
Danny rolled his shoulder out from Steve's hand, but not before a smile teased the corner of those pressed lips. "Alright. I'll be in the car."
"I'm driving!" Steve called after him, phone already dialed and pressed to his ear.
Danny mumbled something to the effect of 'of course you are' and kept walking towards the house.
They drove five over the limit, which was a compromise, seeing as Steve kicked back from ten for Danny's comfort. To calm the nagging rather. He leaned one elbow out the window, following directions Danny read off his phone.
"Left, I said left Steve!" Danny yelled following the street they passed in dismay with one hand.
Steve shook his head. "I know the place you're talking about. Adam and Kono went there once. This way is faster."
Danny rubbed his hand over his mouth, and it seemed decided not to argue. "I heard they're doing great work in New York. She should be proud of that."
"Yeah," Steve smiled. Last he spoke with her she was proud, but the endless cycle of more cases always coming in was getting to her. The team had a conversation about that, but without talking to her personally, there was no way any of them could grasp how conflicted she felt. It reminded Steve of all too familiar feelings, some that strayed away from crime, and more towards the man who sat in the passenger seat grumbling about how the GPS knew the fastest route. They found the resort in no time, Danny always opting for the cheaper option which was to stay on the island, but Steve didn't mind. They were close in case they were needed.
"You don't need to do that." Danny said.
After parking the car, Steve hauled his and Danny's luggage out, carrying one duffle across his shoulder, and pulling two suitcases behind.
"Make yourself useful and get the door." Steve said, nodding towards the tower of an establishment, built of reflective glass panels
The inside was as refined as the outside, upscale, but more of a quiet resort than a tourist attraction. There were mostly natives and a comforting lack of flashy clothing among the clientele. Danny led the way to the receptionist who spoke to a bellhop with a mile long list, pointing towards a dolly with luggage.
"Excuse me? Hello, hey." Danny said in that subtle ramble with a smile. "I've got two rooms under Williams."
"Of course." the woman mirrored his smile, just as stiff. Her nails echoed in the quiet room as the hit the keys. "I'll just need your confirmation cards sent in the mail."
Danny looked to Steve expectantly.
"Oh, right." Steve laughed, dropping the handles to dig in his wallet. "That's strange I know I put them in here."
Danny touched his fingers to his forehead, then thrust them towards Steve. "How? I gave you one job. I said 'hold these', and you left them in the car."
Steve hissed air through his teeth. "Actually, buddy, I think I left them on the bed. I was getting clothes, and I remember laying them down with the pants that I didn't take."
"It's no problem really." the receptionist said. "I'll just need both your ID's and that will confirm the rooms."
They both handed her their drivers' license. She looked over them and frowned, looking back and forth, then settling on Steve. "Steven McGarret?"
"That's right, Ma'am." he nodded.
"I'm sorry, but I can only let out one room under a name reservation without the confirmation numbers unless a parent is holding for a child." she shook her head, passing the ID's back. "That means I can give you one of the rooms under Mr. William's reservation, or you can go get the cards, or I'll gladly book you another stay."
"You think I'm going all the way back-?" Danny started.
"Hey, Hey, look Danno, this is my fault," Steve said. "don't be mad at her."
"Oh, I know it's your fault." Danny laughed, shaking a finger at Steve. "You're worse than Charlie when it comes to making a mess. Don't think calling me that gets you outta anything."
Danny took his ID back, and booked the one room for them both, telling the receptionist thank you and apologizing for Steve. They took their luggage to the elevator heading towards room 302. Steve bumped Danny's shoulder, smiling. The other man wasn't really upset, and they both knew it. Besides, they'd be here for a week, so they'd have to make some headway on this bickering.
"Just don't hog my side of the bed." Danny sighed, bumping Steve's shoulder back.