When Steve came too he quickly noticed that he was lying on his couch, even though he didn't remember going inside, but while he could see his feet on the arm of the couch whatever his head was resting on was too soft to be the cushion. His eyelids fluttered fully open and he let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding when Danny smiled down at him and Steve realized that the softness under his head was his partner's thigh.

"Hey."

"Welcome back, babe." Danny placed a hand on Steve's chest. "Done scaring us?"

Steve ran a trembling hand down his face, ignoring the dryness in his mouth. "'m sorry. Didn't mean to." He mumbled, turning to nuzzle Danny's warm stomach.

"Hmm… have you eaten anything today?" Steve shook his head. "Yesterday?"

"I think I had some toast?" Danny sighed and shook his head as he rubbed circles on Steve's chest.

"Well, I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Please tell me that you'll eat something now, babe?" Danny pleaded. "Please? It's all over now, isn't it?"

Steve swallowed past a lump in his throat as he toyed with Danny's shirt, before slowly levering himself upright to slump against him. "Yeah it is, Danno." He let out a deep breath as he closed his eyes and tipped his head back against the couch cushion. "Where is everyone?

"Still outside, you were only passed out for a few minutes. I'm sure they won't mind clearing off if you-" Steve shook his head, cutting Danny off.

"Nah, don't be stupid, Danny. I don't wanna spoil the party." Steve leant forward and softly kissed Danny, one hand fisted in the blonde's shirt. When they broke apart Steve hovered close, his breath mingling with his lover's as he rested their foreheads together. "I love you."

Danny smiled against him. "I love you too, babe." He whispered, one hand on Steve's hip.

"Uncle Steve!"

As soon as Steve stepped outside and onto the decking Charlie ran up to him, and he wasted no time in lifting the boy up into his arms. Steve still felt light headed and he probably bent down too quickly for a man who's not long passed out, but he didn't care as he held Danny's son close to his chest.

"Are you alright now, Uncle Steve?" Grace asked as everyone else started to mill around them.

Steve nodded and held out his free arm for her. "Yeah, I'm sorry if I scared you, sweetheart." He said, hugging her against his free side before turning to look at the rest of his team. "Sorry, guys-"

"Don't worry, brah. As long as you're alright?" Chin asked.

"Just need to eat something, haven't had anything today." Steve pressed a kiss into Grace's hair, suddenly unsure about how to break his 'news'. Danny had moved to stand near them and he saw his lover wink at him, and it worried Steve at how well Danny knew him.

Steve took a deep breath, and then before he knew he was speaking. He kept it brief as Grace and Charlie didn't – and would never – know why he really passed out in relief, but the message must have got across to everyone because he was suddenly bombarded with hugs, backslaps and cries of congratulations. Danny stepped in and offered to unburden him of Charlie so he would at least have his arms free as he talked with their friends, but Steve simply flashed a toothy grin and shook his head before continuing his conversation with Lou, Charlie nestled in his arms.

Danny stepped back and watched Steve socialize with their friends, feeling an overwhelming sense of pride. They may have been rescued from their captors many weeks ago, but only now did Danny feel like Steve was finally free. Not entirely – he knew that Steve would be haunted by his demons for a while, if not forever – but today was a massive step in the right direction. Danny leant against the doorframe and ran a hand over his damp face when he realized that Charlie had fallen asleep in Steve's arms, and was about to approach them and offer to take him, but then Steve tenderly pressed a kiss into his blonde hair before continuing his conversation with Lou. Watching him carefully sit down on one of the deck chairs and rearrange his son so that he was settled on his lap did something funny to Danny's heart, something he hadn't felt since seeing Rachel cuddle Grace as a baby.

"Why the long face?" Danny snapped his head to the side as he heard Chin's voice. "Thought this was a celebration?"

"It is," He clapped Chin on the shoulder with a smile. "Sorry, I was miles away."

Chin glanced over at Steve. "Steve seems much happier already." Danny's smile grew as he looked back at his best friend; because while he was his boyfriend and after everything they'd been through, he was still his BFF (even if he hated that word). "How's he doing, after… y'know?" Chin trailed off, knowing would Danny would follow.

"As well as can be expected, I guess… He's still seeing his therapist, and of course today will do wonders," Danny took a long sip of his beer. "But it won't ever go away. Steve… he's…" He shook his head.

"I know, Danny." Chin said. "I still think about when we stormed the place and I saw Steve being raped."

Danny's breath caught in his throat when he saw Steve's gaze flash in their direction for a split second before he went back to talking to Lou, his smile not quite as radiant as before and Danny could see that his posture wasn't as relaxed as before.

"He can't bear that word. Won't even say it, and I don't blame him." Danny solemnly explained to Chin, picking at the label on the beer bottle.

"After what happened to him I'm not surprised." Chin muttered. "But he's got all of us on his side. And he's got you and the kids, there's no better therapy than family."

Danny nodded in agreement and carried on talking to Chin, his mind constantly drifting towards Steve.