Author's Note: This is the third drabble in what has turned into a series, following my first drabble, for the prompt parenthood, and the last one for the prompt nightmare. I haven't come up with a series title that doesn't suck, so suggestions are welcome if you have any.
Drabble 4 Prompt: Betrayal
It's been a long road to recovery. Danny had expected it, but there are still days when he'd like nothing more than to give in to the pain. Though he's made a lot of progress since starting physical therapy and is using crutches now there's nothing he'd rather do at the moment than give up, go back to his room, and crawl back in bed to sleep for a week.
A wheelchair sits on the far side of the room. It's the goal, no more than thirty or forty yards away, but it might as well be miles. Danny's exhausted and it feels like a betrayal, the way his legs shake weakly. Stopping, he closes his eyes leaning heavily on his crutches and sighs.
"C'mon Danno, pick up the pace. We're waiting."
It's Steve, of course. He's standing on the far side of the room, familiar smirk in place. Chin and Kono are beside him, but Danny just glares at his partner before moving again, determination renewed. He has to make it now, if only so he can hit Steve with a crutch once he does.
"Almost there, almost there," Danny mumbles, a mantra of sorts that gives him something to focus on besides the weariness that never goes away. Step by painful step he makes his way until he looks up to find himself in front of Steve, Chin, and Kono, his own little cheering squad there with smiles and encouragement. He tries to move faster then, but stumbles, panicking until three strong pairs of hands reach out to catch him.
"Easy Danny," Chin soothes, gripping Danny's shoulders tightly until he's sure the other man is steady on his feet again. "Okay?"
Danny nods, then startles as Kono steps up to hug him. "You did it. That's the farthest you've gone yet. I knew you could do it, brah."
"Thanks," Danny says quietly, heart still racing after his near fall. Then he looks over at Steve. The smirk is gone replaced with a genuine smile. He's good at hiding his feelings, but Danny has known him long enough to see affection and pride in his expression. Throat tight with emotion, he just returns the smile. Steve slings an arm around his shoulder to he lead him over to the wheelchair, Chin and Kono right there with them and he feels ashamed. The three have been with him through everything, through the pain, the nightmares, the days that the depression was so bad that he just wanted to give up. Along with Gracie, they're his family and he knows he has to keep going, not just for himself, but for them too. Once he's settled, they head back to his room, Kono pushing the wheelchair, Chin and Steve on either side of him. As they walk Steve reaches over and places a hand on his shoulder. They share another smile and Danny decides that maybe he won't hit Steve with a crutch after all.