Chapter 21:
"Alright, off to bed you."
It was 4 days after the first I.V treatment. Robert and his team had calculated out in a whole liter bag of blood, the reversal mixture, and normal saline. It was transfused and given to Steve slowly. The result was immediate. Steve's eyes brightened, color returned to his face, the dark circles slowly diminished to smaller ones, and even Steve said his symptoms of nausea, dizziness, and abdominal pains stopped. It was a relief and exciting that the serum seemed to be working. Danny and Steve had gotten to Steve's house from the hospital. Even though, microscopically, Steve was improving, things still tired him out. Even the drive home seemed to have been draining for Steve. Danny had been gently pushing Steve towards his staircase when he had told Steve to head off to bed.
"Danny, I'm fine. I figured I'd. . .stay awake for a bit."
"Doing what?"
Steve shrugged as he stopped at the foot of the stairs and turned to Danny. "Maybe. . .clean a bit?"
"Steve, come on. You have to take it easy. And you look exhausted. Robert, as well as the other doctors, said to rest. And you need to do so."
Steve moved to the couch and patted the top of it as he stood behind it. "Danny. . .I'm not that tired. And what's better, being productive or just sitting in bed, waiting for sleep?"
"Sitting in bed, waiting for sleep. Steve. . .you have a serious issue with this condition you have. . .you need to be careful."
"But Danny-"
"Steve, you need to rest and take it easy." He paused as he turned to the door. "Okay." He paused for several moments. "Okay, it would probably be better for you to do that if I'm not. . .in your space, riling you up, so, I'll be going now, okay? So. . .go upstairs, get some rest. . .and I'll see you tomorrow."
Steve couldn't think beyond the anxiety that came down hard on him. The thought of Danny leaving right now was creating all sorts of fears and stress. Steve wished he wouldn't leave. He didn't want to be alone. He didn't want to be left alone.
Danny had seen his expression. "Steve, I'm just 10 minutes away. If you need anything, I'm only a phone call away. You need rest. . .peace. . .quiet. And, arguably it's better for you to relax and rest if you are by yourself."
"That's where you're wrong." Steve mumbled under his breath as he clenched his fists against the couch.
Danny turned to him, surprised at his tone. "What?"
Steve shook himself. No, it's not fair to ask Danny to stay. "Nothing." He said with a small smile. He stepped over to Danny. "Thank you for everything. I'll see you tomorrow."
Danny gazed at him as Steve patted his arm and turned to the kitchen.
Steve suppressed every need to turn back around and beg Danny to stay. Danny had done so much for him already. He couldn't ask for more. . .that would be too. . .selfish.
"I'll show myself out." Danny murmured. For whatever reason, he felt disappointment cloud over him. He reasoned with himself though. Steve is tired. He is still sick. He needs to mend on his terms. I can't stay with him forever. I'm tired. . .I need to go home and rest so I don't get sick. . .he needs to be by himself. He's had people crowding around him the past several days.
Danny opened the front door. "Bye!" He said lightly. He didn't hear Steve call back but closed the door and began to walk to his car.
Steve heard Danny's call as he stood at the kitchen sink. "Bye." He said quietly as he heard the door close. He gritted his teeth as he stood at the sink. The painful realization that he was alone began to sink in. He took in a deep breath. I'll be okay. . .right?
Danny slowly walked to his car. He pulled his keys out of his pocket and stopped as he pressed the button to unlock his car. He opened the driver's side door. He hesitated and looked back up at the house. He'll be okay. . .right? Danny hesitated for a moment more. He sighed and shook his head. He knew what he had to do.
Steve sighed and grabbed a glass. He filled it with water, drank it, set it down on the counter, and went out to sit in front of the T.V. for a little while. As he was heading out of the kitchen, he heard soft taps on the front door. Steve furrowed his brows and headed back to the door. Steve opened the door.
Danny stood on the front steps. He turned at the door opening. "Hey." He said simply.
Steve grinned. "Hey."
Danny looked to his right and down to the ground.
"Long time, no see." Steve joked with a small smile.
Danny looked up at him and gave him a small chuckle. "Look, things seem. . .off." He paused. "Are. . .are you going to be okay?" He said, watching Steve's reaction.
Steve stepped forward. "Danny, I. . ." Steve stopped.
Danny tilted his head.
Steve swallowed. "I'll be okay." He nodded with the best smile he could muster. It felt fake.
Danny gazed at Steve. "Steve. . .I'm a father. . .and a detective. . .both have trained me in the art of detection. . .somewhat." He chuckled thinking back to his failed detection of Steve as a dog. "You are not convincing me with that fake smile."
Steve sucked in a deep breath. "Danny, in the hospital. . ." He paused. "I don't think you know how much you kept me going. Things always got better when you came around."
Danny smiled softly with furrowed brows.
"And. . ." Steve looked to the ground. "You know it's. . .it's hard for me to. . .express my needs. But I guess right now, I. . ." He paused. "I need you. . .I need you here." He continued to look away, embarrassed about the situation.
Danny softly gazed at him. He didn't feel irritated, or angry, or upset. He actually felt sympathy towards the man that looked away from him. He felt a love exude from within himself for the man. He feels like he's been on his own for so long. . .
"Danny. . ." Steve paused. "Please. . .stay here tonight. . ." He drifted off, with the words with me hanging on his lips. He couldn't help but feel so foolish for even asking.
Danny placed a hand on Steve's arm. "Hey."
Steve looked up at him miserably.
"I'll stay."
Steve smiled weakly at him. "You will?"
Danny nodded. "Yeah."
Steve continued his weak smile. "Thank you."
Danny nodded. "Yeah, of course. Don't feel bad for asking, either." He checked his watch. "According to my watch, you are due for an injection."
"Ugh." Steve sighed and moved aside to let Danny back in. "I hate shots."
Danny chuckled as he moved across the threshold of the door. He moved to the prescription bag. "Mr. SEAL hates shots?" Danny asked as he picked up the bag on the table near the door and grabbed a single syringe.
"Yes! Well, I hate giving them to myself." Steve answered.
"Well, how about I give it to you?" Danny asked.
Steve nodded as he closed the front door. "Okay."
Danny walked to the kitchen, pulled some rubbing alcohol from a cabinet, grabbed a rag, and walked back into the living room.
"Where do you want it?" Danny asked as he poured some of the rubbing alcohol on to the rag.
"Left, please." Steve said as he sat on the couch.
Danny rubbed an area on Steve's arm. He placed the rag down on the table beside him. He opened the needle and went to inject it into Steve's arm.
"Wait!" Steve said.
Danny paused, looking at him and still holding onto his arm.
"Maybe, it'd be better if we did it in the kitchen. More light, you know." Steve said, eyeing the needle, slightly nervous.
"Steve, it's a 30 gauge needle, I don't think you'd be able to feel it all that much. This area is muscle. This injection is supposed to be given intramuscular."
"I know, I know. But. . .just to be sure. . .maybe some light will help you." Steve pointed out.
Danny looked at him with a blank look. He moistened his lips as he leaned over to his right and turned on a lamp that sat next to the couch.
Steve watched him with a nervousness in his eyes.
"Steve, this won't hurt that much. I know it's. . .scary, but it'll be over in 5 seconds." Danny said, moving to Steve's arm again.
"Danny!" Steve started again moving away from the needle.
"Steve! Come on!" Danny spoke with a small alarm at the man's fidgeting. He sighed and stood up. He placed his knees on either side of Steve's outer thighs. He sat in his lap easily.
Steve was taken aback by the action as Danny sat against his groin, gently rubbing up against it unintentionally. He stopped moving and kept his hands up. As surprised as he was, he had not noticed the small stick of the needle into his arm and the almost red-purply fluid injected into his arm. He kept his gaze on Danny's face as the man focused on the needle and the syringe. He moved his right hand to Danny's left thigh.
Danny took the needle out of Steve's arm and capped it, throwing the empty syringe on the table behind him. "There. See. Nothing. . ." He looked at Steve. The man was gazing intently at him. ". . .to it." Danny finished as he gazed back.
Steve licked his lower lip and looked to Danny's lips. "Danny, um. . .we never really. . .talked about that night. . .in the bathtub. . .and then in the cave. . .and then in hospital. . ." He finished, completely in a trance by the man's blue eyes. He placed his left hand on Danny's right thigh.
Danny slowly nodded as he kept eye contact. "You're right, we haven't."
Steve blinked slowly. "So. . ."
"So. . ." Danny echoed.
"Where do we go from. . .here?" Steve asked as he moved his hands down Danny's thighs and back up them.
Danny placed his hands on Steve's arms and trailed up the defined, muscled arms to his shoulders, careful to not apply too much pressure on his left. He leaned in slightly closer. "You tell me."
Steve took in a breath as Danny placed his forehead against his own. He stared momentarily at the vast blue orbs that captivated his soul. Inches from the man's lips, he breathed in and out as he felt Danny's breath on his lips. It tickled. Fuck, that's such a turn on. "Danny." He whispered gently.
"Steve." Danny whispered back. He swallowed and closed his eyes. There was a momentary pause as Danny felt the man's hands on his thighs. Steve leaned in and closed the distance by placing his lips against Danny's. Danny held Steve's face with his hands and kept him close as his hips began with small movements against Steve's pelvis. Steve moved his hands to Danny's back, keeping him close and holding him tight.
They stayed against each other's lips, enjoying the softness and the feeling of each other's lips. Steve loved how gentle Danny could be. The man's easy touch and hold on Steve's cheeks made him feel light and delicate. He enjoyed the feeling. . .almost making him feel like a porcelain doll.
Danny felt full of passion. It was one thing to have things be passionate. . .like a kiss or a touch to the cheek. But he felt passionate. He felt new. Like his soul was awakening for the first time in years. In his life. As he kissed Steve, goosebumps spread like wildfire along his skin.
Steve grabbed at Danny's ass as he felt Danny arch his back and pop his ass out.
Danny's insides jumped at the squeeze of his ass. Holy hell, that's hot. Danny sucked in a breath against Steve's lips. Danny broke from Steve's lips, a question biting at his curiosity. "Steve. . .are we. . .are we seriously doing this?" Danny asked against Steve's lips.
Steve grinned as he leaned in closer and met his lips. While his insides soared, Steve felt unsure. He was sick. Or at least, he was recovering. What if. . .something bad happened? During? Or when that surge of energy exploded from his own hormone levels change drastically and cause something. . .bad.
Danny broke from his lips to look at him, his groin still throbbing and his heart pounding. "Something. . .wrong?"
Steve stared into his eyes. "No. . .well. . .not now, but. . .what if. . .what if-" Steve stopped abruptly. He was being silly. Or was he? He had a right to worry. He had a right to worry about the so called antidote. He had every right to be worried.
Danny tilted his head, trying to read Steve's face. "Steve?"
Steve met his gaze once more and let out a sigh. "I don't want. . .something bad to happen."
Danny shook his head with a grin. "Something bad to happen?" He parroted back.
Steve shrugged. "Like. . .temperature changes. . .hormones and-and. . .other. . .changes."
Danny nodded once. "Oh."
"Yeah. . ." Steve said awkwardly. "It's not that I don't want to, Danny." He shifted a little closer, placing his arms around Danny's waist. "It's just. . ." He paused. "I worry, you know?"
Danny nodded and placed his forearm on the back of the couch. "I guess. . ." He smirked and shook his head.
Steve grinned. "What?" He chuckled.
Danny shook his head again. "I guess I didn't think about that."
Steve grinned. "What, my charms too great for you? Do they. . .cloud your mind?"
Danny chuckled. "No." He murmured shyly.
Steve grinned and brushed his nose against Danny's. "When I'm better. . .when this works for certain. . .maybe. . ." He drifted off.
Danny smiled lightly. "That's when." He confirmed.
Steve grinned back at him. He leaned in a little closer and placed a last gently kiss on his lips. "Thank you for understanding."
"Of course. I'm. . .I'm sorry for. . .not thinking of that." Danny smiled softly at him as he trailed his fingers along the frame of Steve's face.
Steve turned and kissed Danny's hand that was near his face. "You're fine."
Danny smiled at the kiss. "I bet you're tired."
Steve nodded, his eyes blinking sleepily. "Yeah. I'm a little tired."
Danny smiled. "I'll help you to bed then." He moved off the man's lap and stood in front of him, offering his hands.
Steve took his hands. "You're staying, right?"
Danny gazed at him. "Yeah."
Steve smiled. "With me?"
"You mean. . .in your bed?" Danny asked with a smile.
Steve nodded, feeling heat in his cheeks as he grinned shyly.
"Come on, then." Danny murmured as he pulled Steve to his feet and kept a hand grasped onto Steve's.
They climbed up the stairs together and walked down the hallway into Steve's room. They broke hands as they went to either side of the bed. Danny took the top of the covers and pulled it back slightly. He looked up at Steve.
Steve had taken his shirt he was wearing and grasped it at the bottom near his waist. He pulled it up and over his head, throwing it at a laundry basket near his bathroom door.
Danny blushed in the dark as he looked over the man's bare chest. He felt the heat rise in his cheeks as he looked away.
Steve looked up as he grabbed his corner of the bed sheets and stood in his shorts. "Get comfortable, Danno." He murmured.
Danny looked up at him as watched Steve slip under the covers and look at him, waiting for Danny to make a move. Danny still gazed at him and pulled off his shirt like Steve had done a few moments earlier. He undid his pant buckle and let his pants drop to the ground. He stepped out of them and pulled the covers back before kneeling on the bed.
"You look good in dark boxers." Steve whispered as he fiddled with the blanket, looking away from Danny.
Danny grinned as he laid on his back and pulled the covers over him. "Thanks." He chuckled.
Steve moved closer to Danny. "Turn around." He said.
Danny grinned as he did so. "Commander McGarrett likes to cuddle? I never would have guessed."
Steve chuckled into his ear. "Only with a certain Jersey detective. And. . .it's not like it's in my files." He murmured as he nuzzled Danny's neck before resting his head on the pillow.
Danny chuckled as he felt Steve's arms around his waist. He moved his hand and found Steve's. He interlaced his fingers with Steve's. Danny breathed steadily and gently, taking in the situation. "I never thought. . .we'd be here." Danny whispered.
"Where? Here on my bed?" Steve asked with a grin.
"Well, yeah." He paused. "And. . .together."
"We're together?" Steve asked.
Danny's stomach dropped. "Well. . .only if you agree."
Steve smiled.
Danny waited for Steve to say something. When he didn't, he spoke again. ". . .do you agree?"
Steve smiled again as he rubbed his nose in Danny's hair. He drifted over to his ear. "What do you think?" He asked as he lowered his lips to Danny's neck, kissing it gently.
The kiss made Danny's body erupt with goosebumps. He shivered as he grinned at the feel of Steve's lips against his skin. He could feel the velvety touches to the tendons on muscles in his neck.
"Does this answer your question?" Steve whispered against his neck.
Danny turned his body to look up at Steve as the man shifted to look down at him. He gazed up lovingly at Steve. He reached up and placed a hand to his face. He gently stroked Steve's cheek, gazing into the sparkling hazel eyes.
Steve closed his eyes momentarily at the touch. He leaned into the touch and placed his lips against Danny's palm. He opened his eyes and gazed into beautiful orbs of vast blueness.
Danny became overwhelmed with a rushing feeling. He felt it in his chest. . .in his mind. . .in his heart. His chest tightened. His lower lip quivered as he swallowed hard, taking notice of how hard it was.
Steve saw the change in Danny's demeanor. He furrowed his brows as Danny's hand fell away from his face. "Danno? What's wrong?"
Danny closed his eyes as he felt them water. A happiness and a sense of belonging overwhelmed him. He grinned, trying to shrug everything off. "Um. . ." He reached up and rubbed his eye. He let out a nervous chuckle. "Nothing. . .I'm just tired."
Steve stared at him as he opened his eyes. "Danny. . .I. . ." This was a moment in which he had been at a loss for words. He felt like he perhaps knew what Danny was thinking about. He felt it too. In his chest. . .with his mind. . .in his heart. . .
With his heart. . .
"I love you." Steve whispered. He shook his head minimally as he stared into Danny's eyes. Almost like he couldn't believe it. He let out a rushed breath before continuing with a whisper. "God. . .I'm so in love with you."
Danny stared at him and took in a breath as he heard the words. He swallowed hard as he blinked and felt a tear run down from the corner of his eye down to his ear. "I love you, too." He whispered.
Steve smiled softly and leaned closer, pausing momentarily to brush his nose along Danny's. He chuckled softly before placing his lips gently against Danny's.
Danny reached up and placed his hands on the back of Steve's neck. He fiddled with the man's hairs that rested at the base of his hairline.
They broke and stared into each other's eyes.
Danny was the first to let his shyness get the best of him and looked down.
Steve nuzzled his nose with his own and gave a small kiss to Danny's jawline. "You okay?"
Danny nodded. "I guess I can't get over how much I am in love with you."
Steve smiled softly. "Been there for a while, and yet. . .it comes up so instantly."
Danny nodded. "For me, it happens when I look into your eyes." He mumbled. "That sounded so cheesy." He cringed.
Steve shook his head. "No, it's sweet." He paused. "I feel the same. It, uh. . ." He shook his head, looking away from Danny for a second before looking back. "It feels like home."
Danny smiled at him.
Steve leaned closer and put another kiss on Danny's lips. Neither of them knew what would happen to them, but they both knew that they loved each other. They had fallen hard for each other.