After they got home and put Matt down in his crib, Danny and Steve sat on the lanai, relaxing with beers after their long, tiring, but exhilarating day. After awhile, Danny spoke up. "Feel like some more flying?"

Steve groaned. "More lessons? Haven't you tortured us enough for one day?"

"Actually," Danny said, "I was thinking more about a nice, long flight over the ocean, just you and me."

Steve's eyes lit up. "Really?"

Danny chuckled at his reaction. "Really. I think it's time we took the training wheels off."

"I'd love it!"

"Alright, then." Danny motioned for Steve to lead the way down to the beach. "Let's do it."

They went down to the beach and both shifted, then rose into the air. Danny angled sharply upwards, and Steve followed. They still didn't go very high, but it was still higher than Steve had been before. Steve felt the same joy and freedom he felt flying with Danny, but magnified a hundred-fold. They flew lazily a few minutes, then Danny banked and dipped, flying down towards the waves. Steve followed a little more awkwardly. They leveled off and picked up speed, skimming over the waves, before they rose higher. Instead of stopping where they had before, Danny shot higher. "Catch me if you can!" Then he was off, turning sharply and shooting back towards land.

At first, Steve struggled to catch up, his heavier body rising and turning more slowly. Once he was aimed in Danny's direction, though, his more powerful wings easily brought him close to Danny, catching up and then passing him. "Nope, catch me if you can!"

The chase was on. They took turns pursuing each other. Steve loved the thrill of the chase anyway, but soaring through the air and doing hair-raising turns and dives was even better than the best car chase he'd been in. Even better, Danny wasn't bitching at him about his driving, instead doing crazy stunts right along with him. Steve loved it. This was what he'd been waiting for since the moment he found out he was a dragon. There was only one thing better than this, and it involved flying, too.

At last they landed back on the beach, happy but worn out. Danny sighed and flopped down, laying his head on his front legs. "That was some flight, babe. You did good."

Steve shifted. "Yeah, that was amazing. Not done yet though." He headed up to the house.

Danny lifted his head and looked after him. "Where're you going?"

"Nowhere," Steve replied. "I'll be right back. Stay there."

Danny did as he was told. Steve came back a few minutes later, holding his flying harness.

"What's that for?" Danny asked.

"I thought we could go flying, you and me. You know, like we used to."

"But I figured you'd want to be on your own now that you can fly."

"I do!" Steve said "I love being on my own, feeling my own body fly through the air, knowing it's just me, but it's not the same. I miss the connection with you, the intimacy, knowing it's just you and I joined together and no one else can ever interrupt."

Danny nuzzled him. "Me, too. So what are you waiting for?"

Steve quickly harnessed up and climbed onto Danny, ready for his second flight of the night.