First Kiss

"Steve," Danny whispered. The blonde was standing closer now. He almost breathed the words. "Don't push me away." The SEAL didn't reply in words, but he shook his head just a fraction. Danny could see the rise and fall of his partner's chest as Steve took nervous breaths. But he didn't move away, so the blonde slowly brushed his hand up Steve's arm. "Is this okay?" Danny whispered. Steve nodded. Danny moved his feet in a little closer to his partner's, bringing their bodies even closer, and his other hand touched the SEAL's other arm. "Is this okay?" Steve nodded again.

The blonde licked his lips. He wanted to kiss Steve. He wanted to know what his partner's lips felt like, what he tasted like. "Steve," Danny murmured, "can I kiss you?" His partner swallowed hard, and after a long second, Steve nodded. Danny slid both hands up the SEAL's arms to his neck and jaw, cradling Steve's face and lifting his chin and oh so slowly, Danny's eyes fluttered close as he leaned in to kiss his partner.

"Oh!" Grace cried out from beside the two in the kitchen. She had a basket of washing in her hands. Danny and Steve took a reflexive step back from each other, and Danny found himself smiling at Grace's awkwardness. The girl still had the basket of laundry in her hands but was now facing the fridge. "Oh, crap," Grace said. "I ruined it, didn't I? Shit, shit, shit" I'm sorry."

Her father laughed. "It's okay monkey."

"No, it's not okay," Grace said quickly, and started backing out of the room. "I' sorry. I just walked in. I wasn't even concentrating on where I was going, then I was right there and you were just about to… oh God, I'm so embarrassed." She mouthed I'm sorry, I'm sorry as she continued to walk backward out of the kitchen, and with a final apologetic cringe, she was gone.

Danny then stepped right in front of his partner again, cupped Steve's face in his hands and kissed him. The SEAL froze for the briefest of moments, but when Danny moved his lips against his, Steve relented and started to kiss the blonde back. It was a soft first kiss, gentle and slow. Steve's lips were warm and wet and his hands found the blonde's sides. Danny didn't move to deepen the kiss, but he held his partner's face and moved their lips, keeping it sweet.

It took Danny's breath away.