The sand was warm and silky under Steve's toes. The slightest breeze came off the water, hardly disturbing the humid air. Steve looked up at the ragged mountains across the inlet, which were covered in a dense layer of greenery. He loved this spot. It was similar to home in some ways, but also entirely different. He almost felt he could stay here forever.
Traveling by himself hadn't been lonely at all. He missed his ohana, of course, but he'd been relieved when he and Catherine had parted ways at LAX. He was happy to see her and reminisce about old times, but he wasn't in love with her anymore. Alone, he had space to breathe.
The only burden on his shoulders was his goodbye with Danny. Seeing him in the hospital, so vulnerable, had brought all of Steve's feelings up to the surface, even more so than usual. There had been a moment, when they hugged on the beach, that Steve had thought about kissing him. But there was still something holding him back, even after all this time.
When Steve left the beach, it was late in the afternoon. As he trudged through the sand, he packed his longing away in a little corner of his heart so he could enjoy the evening. After dinner at a local restaurant, Steve walked through town, marveling at the night sky. Here, without the light pollution of a big city, the stars shone like chips of crystal. The moon was round and luminous, like the face of a parent wishing him goodnight.
After a morning hike the next day, Steve decided to have a lazy afternoon and return to the beach. Today, two other people were there – a couple, he thought – but they were farther inland. Steve inhaled deeply, welcoming the clean air into his body. He was aware of the familiar nagging thought at the back of his mind, but tried to focus on his gratitude. And he was thankful. Thankful to be alive, to be here, to have the chance to heal. He could live without Danny for a few weeks.
And then the impossible happened.
"Steve!" a voice called. A voice that was both the bane and the light of Steve's life.
He spun around, felt sand sliding under his heels. Despite his total disbelief, the person striding towards him was the blond, overly-opinionated man whom Steve was desperately in love with.
"Danny?" he asked stupidly. His partner was wearing shorts and a half-open button-up, and appeared to be completely healed. He looked so good, so real, and suddenly Steve broke into a run. He swept Danny up in a hug, much to the other man's surprise, and buried his face in Danny's neck. He smelled like home – not Hawaii, but home – and Steve strangled down the urge to kiss him, more out of habit than anything else.
"What are you doing here?" Steve asked, barely pulling away.
Danny scratched the back of his neck. "I missed you," he said simply, but underneath Steve's happiness, he felt the first prickles of suspicion.
"I'm glad you're here," Steve murmured, and Danny's eyes lit up.
"Me too," Danny said, and the skin around his eyes crinkled. "So, where's Catherine? Don't tell me you've scared her away already?" Again, his tone was blithe, but Steve knew instantly that something was up.
"Ha, ha. I haven't seen her since my layover in LA."
"What?" Danny frowned. "I thought you guys were gonna get back together."
Steve shrugged, suddenly feeling nervous. "Well, we were talking on the plane, but . . . I think I've moved on."
Danny took a step back, out of Steve's reach. "The woman you wanted to marry is still in love with you, and you turned her down?" His voice was steadily rising in pitch.
"She didn't say she was in love with me. I'm just . . . not interested," Steve said lamely. His heart was pounding. He wasn't sure how much he could say without giving himself away.
"C'mon Steve! She cracked that cipher for you, got on a plane to be with you. But of course, being the Neanderthal you are, you ditched her at the airport!"
Danny was really worked up now, face flushed and hands waving wildly. He was even breathing heavily, which only brought attention to his half-naked chest. Steve swallowed thickly and felt heat pool in his stomach.
"Steve," Danny said harshly, grabbing Steve's arm and focus at the same time. Danny's eyes were as blue as the water behind them, and Steve had a flashback to the last time he'd seen Danny, on a beach much like this. What he'd wanted to do, and lost the courage to. He didn't want to let another opportunity slip past him.
Steve leaned down and kissed Danny softly. The other man's lips were smooth and tasted like cherry lip balm. Steve wanted more, much more, but when Danny didn't respond, he pulled back.
Danny's mouth formed a little "o." He was, for the first time in his life, completely speechless. His pupils were blown out, black overtaking blue.
"What the hell was that?" Danny finally gasped.
Panic and fear tore through Steve's chest, wrapping tightly around his lungs. What had he done?
"So you and Catherine . . ." Danny mumbled.
Steve almost growled at the endurance of this topic. He didn't want Catherine; he wanted the confounding man standing in front of him. "We're done," he said firmly. "Danny, why –"
Then realization hit him like a blast wave.
"Danny, are you . . . jealous?"
Danny blushed. "Shut up," he said. He hesitated for a heartbeat, then seized the back of Steve's neck and pulled their mouths together. Steve's mind went blank as euphoria and lust slipped through his veins. He thought he could feel Danny's body heat transverse the air between their bodies, and though it was sweltering, he wanted all of it. He wanted Danny's body underneath his, wanted to feel every inch of his skin. He slipped a hand under Danny's half-open shirt and felt him stiffen.
"You 'kay?" Steve rasped against Danny's mouth.
"I think we should go back to your room," Danny whispered, hair ruffled and shirt askew.
"Yes," Steve exhaled, though he wasn't sure he could make it that far. Then his eye fell to Danny's exposed shoulder. The bullet wound from a few weeks ago had healed over, but the scar was still puckered and angry.
"Hey," Danny said soothingly, noticing Steve's gaze and instantly understanding. "Hey. I'm okay now."
"I know," Steve said, swallowing back the fear. Tenderness rose within him, replacing some of the lust. He kissed the scar gently, and though the scar tissue had no sensation, Danny shivered.
"I love you," Steve said urgently. It suddenly felt important to say it now.
"I know," Danny beamed. "I love you too. Now, let's see about that room."