Chapter 13:
Steve settled on the couch after an evening of dinner, movie, and a game. Danny had settled Grace in bed as Steve was cleaning up. After having done so, Steve decided it would be best to wait up for Danny so he wouldn't fall asleep upstairs just yet.
Steve tilted his head back against the head of the couch and closed his eyes. He was exhausted. The day had drained him. Once he got back to the office, recorded everyone's testimonies and written up the report. He had received a phone call from the governor. After chatting to the governor about the finalizing of this particular case, he hung up and it was ten till five. He had not managed to get everything done that he wanted to complete that day. There's always tomorrow I guess.
"Hey, babe." Danny's soothing voice sounded through the living room as he walked down the stairs.
Steve lifted his head and opened his eyes to see Danny crossing the room to him on the couch. Danny curled up next to Steve and placed a hand on Steve's. "Hey. Grace okay?"
"Yeah, she settled right down. She had a blast tonight."
Steve smiled. "Good. I'm glad she had fun."
Danny nodded as a yawn escaped him.
Steve squeezed his hand. "You're tired. Let's go to bed."
Danny stopped Steve from standing up from the couch. "No, no. Let's talk."
Steve looked at him and let out a sigh.
"That bad?" Danny asked listening to the tone of the sigh.
"I don't know what happened today. Close calls usually don't affect me." He paused, looking at a spot on the wall. "But today. . ." He shook his head. "Maybe it's because now it feels like I will lose more if I am injured or if I die." He looked back to Danny to analyze his expression. When he saw the furrowed brows and soul-searching eyes. Steve shrugged. "Stupid, I know-"
"Hey. We've talked about that. What you feel, what you think, what you say is not stupid. Okay?" Danny searched Steve's eyes. "Why do you feel this way?"
Steve thought about the question as he looked back to the wall. It had been something he'd been thinking about all day. "I think it's because. . .in my mind, things are finally settling between us."
Danny smiled softly at the response. He felt a fluttering in his chest and flattery sweep over him.
Steve shrugged. "I mean. . .before, I know I have things to lose if something were to happen to me. . .for reasons now, though, it feels like there's something more." He paused. "I've shown you parts of myself that no one has seen before. If I'm injured or if I die. . .I have more to lose because. . .I wouldn't be with people that mean the most to me. . .Chin, Kono, Grace. . .you."
Danny grinned as Steve looked back to him. "Oh, babe." He brought his hands to Steve's cheeks.
"I know it's cheesy. But, I love you." Steve whispered as Danny inched closer to his lips.
"It's not cheesy, it's absolutely flattering." Danny whispered back with a smile on his lips. "I love you, too."
Steve grinned and their lips met in an embrace.
Steve knew they still had things to work on, but right now, things felt good. Things felt serene. Things felt right.
Danny pulled from his lips but kept close with his eyes closed. "Mmmm. I love your kisses."
Steve chuckled. "I love yours."
They both chuckled as they kissed each other again.
"I never got a chance to thank you today. So. . .thank you." Steve murmured.
Danny smiled at him. "Anytime. What are partners for, right?" He asked as he placed his forehead against Steve's.
Steve chuckled and let out a sigh. "Well, I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted."
"Oh, yeah me too." Danny said as he heaved himself up off the couch. He offered a hand to Steve, who took it and Danny pulled Steve up off the couch. Steve sleepily brushed Danny's ass and pushed him to the stairs. "Go upstairs, I'll lock up."
Danny grinned. "Alright, alright."
Danny headed upstairs and Steve locked up the house. He walked up the stairs and into the bedroom where Danny laid on his back, shirtless. He grinned as he watched Steve walk in and pull off his shirt. Steve threw it off in to the hamper and pulled off his pants, throwing them into the hamper as well.
Steve climbed into bed and nuzzled Danny's neck as he drew closer. Danny turned his body to face Steve's. Steve kissed Danny gently on the lips before breaking and looking into the ocean blue eyes. "God, I love you. So much." Steve murmured.
Danny smiled. Steve seemed to be saying it more and more these days. "I love you too."
Steve kissed him again and gently rolled Danny back to lay on his back. He gently set Danny's head on the pillow. He broke and placed his head on Danny's chest.
Soon enough, after listening to Danny breathing, Steve found himself drifting off to sleep.