Meet The Artist

AU - Artist Danny/SEAL Steve

Steve McGarrett, Navy SEAL, accompanies his sister to an art exhibit. Meeting the artist, bringing back memories, about a night a few months ago in a club, where Steve had met a hot blonde guy.

"Steve I'm glad you agreed to accompany me." Mary said, as she squeezed the arm of her brother.

"Sure, now remind me who this artist is again." The SEAL said as he smirked at his sister.

"He's this fabulous new artist my friends have been raving about for months now. His work is… for lack of a better word, sexy."

"Oh God's Mary, are you taking me to a porn exhibit?"

"Of course not, brother, I'm taking you to see ART." Mary answered, slapping Steve's arm with false indignation.

They walked into the already crowded gallery a few minutes later, where they were greeted by a small group of Mary's friends. After introductions were made and typical small talk waned, Steve attention was caught by the rich, tone colours that spanned the length of the gallery walls. The clinking of glasses and the voices of people around him vanished as he walked up to the first painting.

The image of a well-built sun kissed, masculine chest was woven within ribbons of bold, jeweled colours. Abs and defined muscles displayed the raw power of the man. The SEAL's eyes were drawn to splashes of dark purples, burgundy, green and golden hues.

As Steve slowly walked from one painting to another, a different angle or body part was lovingly explored and painted, but never a face. The artist would only tease you with his profile, a hint of a firm jaw line or sensuous lips within shadows. Textured paint strokes left by the artist's brush drew you in, till you realized you were almost touching the painting.

As he turned the corner to the back of the gallery, two paintings hung by themselves against a black drop. One, of a long, virile line of a man's back, his left arm hanging down the side of his body, exuding dominance and strength. A tattoo, the only single mark that Steve had seen on any of the bodies shown on the canvas tonight, stunned him.

What the hell?

The SEAL had to chuckle at the coincidence. He has a similar mark on his left arm and in virtually the exact same spot. Shaking of the oddity of the tattoo, Steve moved to the last painting of the exhibit. It took him barely a second to make out that it showing two men in a moment of sensual movement.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" An incredibly sexy manly voice came from behind him.

"I feel a bit like a voyeur." Steve jokingly responded as he turned towards the voice.

"It's you."

"You."

They both stood rooted to the spot as memories of a wild, passionate snogging session in a dark club came rushing back.

"You left-" The blonde-haired man whispered, his eyes drinking in everything about Steve.

The SEAL swore he could feel the man's attention like a touch along his skin. His quickened pulse and rise in body temperature was a testament to his enjoyment of it.

"Yes, well… sorry about that. But I was afraid, I've never done it before… being with a man I mean." Steve confirmed.

"Hey guys, looks like you two have already met." Mary interrupted them, as she and her friends walked up to mill around them.

"Actually, we haven't been formally introduced," replied the hot guy in front of Steve.

"Well then, I'm Steve McGarrett." He said, as he extended his hand. His rolled up shirt sleeves pulled up a bit to reveal the edges of an anchor that was inked into the skin of his forearm.

After a second's hesitation that only the SEAL seemed to pick up on, the man reached across and took hold of Steve's hand. "Danny Williams." he responded as they shook hands. The warmth of the man's fingers burned the chill away that always seemed to surround Steve.

"Danny Williams." Steve repeated, savouring each syllable like a sip of a favourite whiskey. "Wait. Danny Williams, as the name of the artist on the placards of these paintings?" he asked.

"Yes, Steve, Danny is the fabulous artist I was telling you about." Mary said, and then mouthed only to him… "porn."

Of course Steve would have countered with some sarcastic remark if there weren't other people around, and Danny.

Danny.

Both men realized at the same time that they were still holding their hands. They reluctantly let go. Mary seemed to pick up on the sexual tension of the moment; she excused herself and her friends to leave Steve and the artist alone again. Danny turned and walked back over to the painting of the man's back. The SEAL silently settled next to him to enjoy both, the painting and its creator.

"It's strange, but I have a similar tattoo." Steve casually mentioned, not fully understanding why he was driven to share something so personal.

Danny turned to meet the SEAL's eyes and quietly said, "I know."

"What, how?"

"I may have been a little tipsy that night Steve, but I remember every detail. Your arms reached out to me just like you did tonight. You've haunted me ever since. The memory of our bodies moving together, your image… it demands a place in every painting I've done since then… Is this too intense, too frightened for you?" Danny asked, his breath shallow and his pupils dilated.

"No." Steve said as he stepped into the artist's personal space, cupping Danny's face in both hands and bringing their lips together for a passionate kiss.