Danny tossed and turned for 30 minutes on Steve's bed that had now become his in the last 4 months. He grabbed his phone that was on the side table and looked at the screen to see about 20 notifications on it. He unlocked the screen and ploughed through the notifications, his eyes searching for one particular name.

Damn you, Steve. Even Sang Min texted. Danny thought angrily. He pushed the thought out of his mind and slowly typed a reply to each of the well-wishes from his family and friends. The messages from Kono and Chin, promising to call in the evening, almost made up for the lack of one from Steve.

He forced himself off the bed and took a short shower. It was still early and his kids were sleeping in the next room. Grace had planned a whole day for them to celebrate his birthday and that was the only thing Danny had been looking forward to the whole month. He also knew that the team had planned a surprise birthday party for him in the evening because Tani was terrible at keeping secrets. He was at least glad to break out of the mundane even for just one day. His life had been a constant repeat of home and PT. He was mostly healed now and almost ready to get back to work though he didn't look forward to it all that much with his partner gone.

He peaked his head through the room Grace and Charlie were sleeping in, smiling at the sight of his children still fast asleep. He then headed out the door for his morning walk. Clad in a grey shirt and blue shorts, he took the normal route for his hour-long walk. The sun was shining mercilessly and beads of sweat decorated his forehead within seconds he was out.

After having walked for 40 minutes, Danny took a break on a wooden bench on the side of the street and fished out his phone, holding out hope that maybe now, Steve had remembered and decided to text. Nothing. Danny wanted to be angry but he couldn't.

He got up and made his way back. Five minutes later, his phone buzzed and he hurriedly took it out. Steve. The name on the screen instantly made him smile. It had been 2 months since he waited for the call from Steve. When Steve first left, they had talked weekly but it had stopped all of a sudden. Well, there were still the texts but it was never the same as hearing his partner's voice. Danny composed himself and accepted the call.

"Hey, Danno!" Steve said, sounding cheerful. It kinda pissed Danny. Not that he was unhappy about his friend being happy. He was pissed that Steve acted like nothing was different.

Hey Danno, my ass. Danny buried his normal snark. The first phone call in 2 months, he wasn't going to let it go badly. "Steve. Hey, what's up. Glad to know you're alive."

"Yeah. I'm sorry. How are you?" Steve asked.

"Perfect."

Danny could almost see Steve's smile in front of him. "I can see that. You're looking good, Danny." Steve said.

Danny's heart skipped a beat. He didn't dare believe what he thought he just heard. "Yeah?" He said.

"Turn around, buddy." Steve said.

Danny could almost cry right now. He turned to his right but there was no Steve. "Other side." He heard Steve say. He turned to his left now. Still no Steve. "Come on Danny, all the way around." Danny turned his body to face the back. He let out a sigh

"You're just playing with me right. Of course this would be your idea of funny. Having me turn around like an idiot, looking for you." Danny huffed. He was furious, did Steve really think this was funny?

"I'm here, Danno." Steve's voice was loud and clear. And it definitely wasn't coming from the phone. Danny turned around and saw his partner standing right in front of him.

Danny could no longer hold back his tears. "You're an ass." He said, lightly punching Steve's shoulder

"I know." Steve smiled. "Happy Birthday, Danno." Steve wrapped his arms around Danny. Danny melted in the embrace. It felt good. Different from the last one they had on the beach.

"You came back? For my birthday?" Danny asked.

"Yeah. I wouldn't miss it."

"For how long?" Danny asked.

"For good." Steve said.

"For good?" Danny repeated. "Like forever? Like you mean you're not going back?"

"I'm staying." Steve affirmed.

"Good. Good.."

"I'm sorry, Danny."

"Don't. You did what you had to do."

"I know I did what I had to. But I'm still sorry." Steve said.

"Okay. Apology accepted." Danny said.

"Thank you."

"Alright, let's go home. The kids will be thrilled to see you." Danny said as he walked ahead of Steve.

Steve placed his arm around Danny's shoulder. "Let's go home." They walked in silence for a while, just appreciating the other's presence next to them. "I've missed you, Danno."

"I've misse... Oh shit." Danny said.

"Wh why what?" Steve asked. "You alright?" He looked with concern at his friend whose face was pulled in a grimace.

"Uhh.. Steve? You sure you're ready to be back now? I mean maybe you should take another week or two?"

"What? Yeah.. I'm ready. I'm here aren't I?"

"I mean you don't look all that good yet. Maybe you should heal up a bit more."

"Danny, stop speaking rubbish. I'm fin..Wait. what did you do to my house?" Steve asked.

"What? Nothing..."

"Danny!"

Danny shrugged. "I mean... nothing much."

"What the hell Danny. I was only gone 4 months."

"Not my fault. You didn't say when you'd be back. You could have been gone for 4 years for all I know. And you should have called and told me you were coming home."

"I needed your permission to come home. To my own house?" Steve asked.

"Come on, it's not that bad. Just a little different.." Danny said. "And compared to how many times you wrecked my car.. this is nothing."

"You're lucky it's your birthday." Steve said.

"Yeah." Danny said. "Hey, I missed you too. Welcome home."

"Thanks, buddy."

...

A/N: Just cos it's Scott's and Alex's birthday this week, I needed to write a birthday fic. A short fluffy piece hope you guys enjoyed it.