The week seemed to drag. Steve and Danny got together for lunch every day, sometimes with Chin, sometimes not, and, on one memorable occasion, with Kono, who bombarded them with questions the whole time, despite Danny's protests that they were too personal, and she was being nosy. Even so, an hour wasn't nearly enough time together, in Steve's opinion. He craved Danny's company almost as much as he craved blood. Steve wanted to spend every waking minute with the other man, and for Steve, that was practically 24/7. He wished he could hang out with Danny in the evenings, or at least talk to him on the phone, but the full moon made that impossible. Steve consoled himself with the thought that it was only once a month. The rest of the time, hopefully, he and Danny could spend evenings, and even nights, together, too. Okay, maybe Steve was getting ahead of himself, but a man can dream, can't he?

Finally, Friday came. Steve spent much longer than usual deciding what to wear. Usually he just threw on a pair of cargos and the first shirt he found, but tonight he wanted to look good for Danny. It was ridiculous, really—Danny had already seen him in his everyday wear; Steve hardly had to impress him. Still, Steve found himself trying on outfit after outfit until he found just the right one. He'd say he was acting like a teenager with their first crush, but Steve didn't really know how that felt. His first crush was over 200 years ago—things were much different then. His family wasn't well-off, so he didn't have a closet full of clothes to fuss over. Steve found himself briefly longing for the days when he had only a set of everyday clothes and a set of "good" clothes to choose from. Then he wouldn't have to spend so much time agonizing over it.

Steve finally called Kono in a panic. "I don't know what to wear," he said when she answered.

"I'll be right there," she promised.

Having Kono there didn't help his nerves any. She took one look at his closet and immediately dismissed it all. "You want to look hot," she said. "You want him to look at you like he's starving and you're the main course. You don't want to look like you just rolled out of bed and grabbed the first thing that came to hand."

"I don't have anything like that! I do just roll out of bed and grab the first thing!" Steve wailed. "What am I going to do?"

"Never fear," Kono said. "We're going shopping."

Normally, Steve would rather go to the dentist (the kind they had in the 19th Century) than go shopping, but he followed Kono without protest to the men's casual wear section of the closest department store. She eyed Steve critically, then the selection before her. She selected several pairs of jeans and paired them with several brightly colored dress shirts.

"Why do I need dress shirts in Hawaii?" Steve protested.

"Because they'll show off your body," Kono said. "Trust me."

Steve was dubious, but he obediently tried on her choices. The jeans hugged him so tightly, he was surprised he could still move. He hadn't worn anything this tight in his not inconsiderable life. What was Kono thinking? He couldn't go out like this! Steve's mores were more firmly rooted in the 19th Century than the 21st. How could anyone stand to wear something like this?

He had to admit the shirts did look nice. They hugged his body, just hinting at the muscles beneath. Kono had chosen several shades of green, which she said emphasized his eyes. Now, if he could just do something about the pants. . .

He slouched out to show Kono, shuffling his feet awkwardly in the tight jeans. The witch looked him over approvingly. "Nice. You'll knock Danny's socks off."

"Are you sure? These jeans seem kind of tight," Steve said.

"That's the point," Kono said. "Now, pay for them and let's go."

Once Steve was home, he finished getting dressed. He put on the jeans—he was still uncomfortable with how tight they were, but he'd trust Kono. Danny had better appreciate it—and selected a sea-green shirt. It was a lighter color than he'd usually select, but it did emphasize his eyes, and Steve liked the effect. Jeans aside, Kono had good taste. Now, if only Danny appreciated it.

Steve spent the time before Danny arrived sitting on the couch pretending to watch TV and checking his watch every five minutes. He didn't know time could go so slow. Finally, the doorbell rang, and Steve leaped up to answer it. Danny was on the other side. Steve took in his appearance. Danny was wearing jeans and a t-shirt, just like he had the prior Sunday, but both were considerably tighter. The shirt clung to his torso, showing off his broad chest, muscles flexing impressively with every little move. The jeans emphasized powerful thighs Steve wanted to see wrapped around him (and boy, was that an inappropriate thought). He couldn't see Danny's ass, but he bet it looked good.

Danny seemed just as appreciative of Steve's outfit, and Steve couldn't help preening. God bless Kono. Danny's eyes swept Steve from head to toe, and Steve swore he caught a look of lust in his eyes. Steve was about 30 seconds away from saying to hell with the date and jumping Danny right there when Danny spoke.

"We'd better get going or we'll miss the movie."

Steve followed Danny out to the car, once again admiring it. Bet it would be fun to drive. "Give me the keys," he said on impulse.

"No way!" Danny said. "What makes you think I'm going to let you drive my car?"

Steve wracked his brain for an excuse. "I get motion sick unless I drive."

"You're a vampire!" Danny said. "Vampires don't get motion sick."

"I know the way to the theatre," Steve said.

Danny snorted. "I may be new, but I do know the way to the mall. I have a daughter, after all."

"Fine." Steve couldn't help pouting. He really wanted to drive that car.

Danny relented and tossed Steve the keys. "Okay, fine, but just this once."

Steve beamed and slid into the driver's seat. He turned the key, and the engine roared to life. He listened to it purr. Sweet. Bet it took curves well. Steve would love to take it out on one of the roads along the ocean, but he didn't think Danny would go for that. Driving to the mall would have to do.

"What are we seeing?" Steve asked.

"Well, I was hoping we could see the latest Twilight movie, but that closed a couple of months ago, and it isn't out on video," Danny said.

"Hell, no!" was on the tip of Steve's tongue, but he contained himself. Danny couldn't possibly be serious, was he? Steve looked over at his companion, but there was no twinkle in his eye or other sign that he was joking.

"Are you sure you want to see it?" Steve asked, careful to keep his voice as neutral as possible. "I've heard it's a little. . .inaccurate." To put it mildly. Steve didn't know many other vampires, but he sure as hell wouldn't watch something that was so wildly off base. Maybe it wasn't as bad for werewolves? All Steve knew about weres what was he'd heard, which he was learning was as inaccurate as the ideas most people had about vampires, and what little he'd learned from Danny.

Danny burst out laughing. "I really got you going, didn't I? Don't worry—I have no desire whatsoever to see Twilight. I'm just glad Grace isn't old enough yet. Hopefully, by the time she is, this whole craze will have passed."

Grace? Oh, yeah, Danny's daughter. He'd mentioned her a couple of times, but didn't give Steve any details. Their conversation, while enjoyable, had been mostly superficial—food (on Danny's part—the man loved food, and, while Steve knew next to nothing, he enjoyed listening to Danny talk), sports, and their jobs. Steve figured now was as good a time as any to get more details. "How old is she?"

Danny's face lit up. "Eight. She's the best. You should meet her, though I don't know if Rachel will let you. She's pretty anti-vampire. I'll work it out, though."

"Rachel?" That was a new name.

"Her mother." Danny's voice was bitter. It was an odd way for someone to talk about their—mate? Steve still didn't know the story. He decided to push.

"Your mate?"

"No," Danny said, and there was definitely bitterness there, along with a touch of something else—sadness? "We never mated. I wanted to, but there was always something—wait until we're married, wait until we have a bigger place, wait until you make detective, wait until we're older—she always had a reason, and a damn poor one at that. Then, she dumps me for some other guy, they're mated within the month, and she takes Grace off to this pineapple-infested hellhole where I have no choice but to follow!"

Wow, okay, that was more information than Steve expected. That brought up another question. "Just how old are you?" Weres weren't immortal, but they lived 200 years, easy, and Steve had heard there were some up to 500 years old. Children aged at the same rate as humans, but after that, the aging slowed way down.

"34," Danny replied. Same age as he looked. Same age as Steve was when he was turned. That was young for a werewolf to mate. No wonder it hadn't worked out for him and Rachel, not that Steve would say that. "You?"

"250, give or take," Steve replied. Birth records weren't all that accurate back then, and, unlike some vampires who could tell you down to the day how long ago they'd been turned, Steve didn't really keep that much track of time.

Danny let out a low whistle. "Talk about your age difference."

"Does it bother you?" Steve's non-beating heart clenched. What if that was a problem? He'd only known Danny a week, but already Steve couldn't imagine life without Danny. He'd be okay if Danny only wanted to be friends, but he was becoming more and more sure he wanted Danny in a romantic sense. What if age was a deal-breaker?

"Nah," Danny said. "My parents are both over 100, and most of my friends are over 50, so why should it matter? It's just a number. I'll get there eventually."

Steve let out a sigh of relief. Good, that wasn't going to be a problem. Steve decided he'd had enough of this heavy stuff and went back to the original topic. "So, what movie are we going to see?"

"Red," Danny said. "You seem like the type to enjoy a good action flick."

Steve was, and he'd been wanting to see it. "Sounds good."

They arrived at the theatre, and Danny paid for the tickets. Steve tried to pay, but Danny was insistent. "I invited you, so I pay." Steve finally gave in.

At the snack counter, Danny loaded up on food—hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, candy, soda. Steve was part appalled, part impressed. "You're going to have a heart attack."

"What's the fun of going to a movie if you don't get snacks?" Danny said. "Besides, I didn't eat dinner."

Steve made a face. "That's not dinner. That's all junk."

"I got a hot dog," Danny pointed out. "Anyway, you don't even eat. What do you care?"

Danny had a point. Steve dropped the subject.

They took their seats, and Danny rested the tub of popcorn on his lap. Steve couldn't resist taking some. Danny slapped his hand. "Hey! Get your own popcorn!"

Steve popped his ill-gotten gains into his mouth. "I don't eat, remember?"

"So, why are you eating mine?!"

Steve stole another handful. Danny glared, but didn't attempt to stop him. "It tastes better when you steal it," Steve said. At least, that's what Kono always said when she stole his shrimp. Steve had to admit there was something satisfying about taking it from someone else, just a tiny bit of an illicit thrill. Steve reached for the bucket again.

"I don't believe it!" Danny grumbled. "First you drive my car, now you steal my popcorn. Don't you have any sense of propriety, you Neanderthal?" He didn't sound upset, though. In fact, he placed the popcorn bucket between them. Steve counted it as a win.

They continued to munch on popcorn as the previews began. Steve reached into the bucket and found his hand closing not on kernels of corn but on Danny's hand. Steve started to withdraw, but Danny caught hold of the vampire's hand and entwined their fingers. Both withdrew their hands, but they remained connected on the armrest between them. After a few minutes, Danny gently disentangled his fingers to get more popcorn. Steve mourned the loss of just that simple touch until he felt pressure on his thigh. He looked down to see Danny's hand resting just above his knee. The vampire glanced over at his companion, but Danny's gaze was fixed on the screen. Steve did notice Danny's mouth quirk up just a bit, and the hand squeezed his knee. Steve left Danny's hand there and felt daring enough to drape his own arm along the back of the seat. Danny scooted closer, and Steve's arm dropped around the werewolf's shoulders.

By the end of the movie, Danny's head was on Steve's shoulder, and the blond's hand had moved up Steve's thigh until it was approaching dangerous territory. Steve, in turn, was drawing random patterns on the back of Danny's neck, toying with the fine hairs there. He was reluctant to stir when the movie ended, but Danny patted his leg and stood up. "Well, that was a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours," he said with a smirk.

Steve smirked back. "Yeah, it was." He was pretty sure they were both talking about more than the movie.

Danny gathered up his trash, and they headed for the exit, Steve's hand resting proprietarily on the small of Danny's back. It felt good there, like it belonged, and Steve hoped he'd be able to do this for a long time to come.

Back at the car, Steve slid smoothly into the driver's seat.

"Hey!" Danny protested. "I told you that was a one-time thing!"

Steve dangled the keys in front of Danny's face. "Yeah, but I've got the keys." Danny swiped at them, but Steve jerked them away. He might not have the speed portrayed in the movies, but his reflexes were damn good. Surprisingly, Danny caught his wrist. Werewolf reflexes might be just as good.

Danny looked Steve in the eyes. "You owe me," he said. The smoldering flame Steve saw made him wonder just what kind of payment Danny had in mind. He really wanted to find out.

Steve met the shorter man's gaze. "Come back to my place, and we'll settle up," he said.

Danny didn't flinch from the intensity of Steve's gaze. "You're on."

Sexual tension crackled between them as Steve drove slightly (okay, quite a bit) over the speed limit back to his place. Despite the charged atmosphere, Danny kept up a running commentary on Steve's driving, hand firmly in place on Steve's thigh, if anything higher than it had been in the movie theatre, which had been distracting enough, thank you very much. Steve had to try very hard to keep his attention on his driving and not where he wanted Danny's hand to be.

They pulled into Steve's driveway, and Steve leaned over to capture Danny's mouth, but Danny stopped him with a hand on his chest. "Inside," the werewolf rasped, voice husky with arousal.

Danny's voice went straight to Steve's cock, already half-hard. If that's what Danny sounded like before they even did anything, Steve couldn't wait to hear the noises he'd make writhing under Steve. Steve turned off the engine, yanked the keys out of the ignition, threw the car door open, and practically ran to his front door, Danny hot on his heels. Steve was so excited he tried to fit Danny's keys in the door, cursing when they didn't work. He fished out his own keys, hands trembling as he tried unsuccessfully to insert them in the lock. Steve seriously considered ripping the door off its hinges. Finally, the key turned in the lock. The vampire pushed it open, and the two men rushed inside. Steve slammed the door behind them so hard the frame rattled. He pushed Danny up against it. The taller man smashed their mouths together, finally drinking deeply from the mouth that had been tempting him all week with those damned light kisses hello and goodbye.

Sparks flew. Damn Chin, anyway.

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A/N: Next chapter will be pure smut. ;)