"Again?" The greeting spoke for itself. It wasn't the first time Steve had to cancel dinner plans and it made him feel especially guilty that Danny was expecting it by now.

"I'll make it up to you." And he would. Maybe he could take Danny to the big island for a weekend if their schedules allowed it. "I'm sorry."

Danny sighed tiredly into the phone, "Yeah, ok."

"We still on for the game tomorrow?" Steve asked hopefully, testing out how angry Danny was.

"Sure." Okay, so not angry at all. Danny sounded defeated, which was worse. "See you tomorrow then."

"Yes, I won't cancel this time, I promise."

He didn't get an answer but he didn't expect one either. He'd make sure to have some Malasadas at hand when Danny came over tomorrow.

"Okay guys," Steve clapped his hands and stepped out of his office. "Let's break this guy."

Their mini-bust an hour ago had only offered one of those bastards, but Steve felt confident that they could make him talk.

Only Kono was still there to witness his encouraging entrance.

"Chin is already with our friend. You go get ready for your date, we can handle this," Kono smiled.

"No it's fine. I've already talked to Danny."

Kono looked at him with wide eyes, "You cancelled?"

"Yeah. He understands it's-"

"Brah. On Valentine's day? Really? I would seriously doubt if you wanted to have a relationship with me or with your work."

Her words felt like he was hit by a bucket of ice.

"Shit," Steve slapped his forehead hard. "Shit, it's valentine's day. How could he forget. You think he was planning something? Or expecting something? Shit."

"Oh, boss," Kono sounded sad. Almost as sad as Steve felt. Sad and angry at himself.

"What has he done now?" Chin asked as he joined the two in the war room.

"He's cancelled his date."

"Oh, brah."

"Could we stop with the pitying words and look for a solution?" Steve rubbed his forehead and glared at his so called friends.

"Go," Both told him as if he was too dense to see the obvious.

"The perp-"

"-will stew overnight. You can break his thumbs tomorrow," Chin finished for him. "He is being stubborn right now and a quiet night to think over his live choices will do him good. Go."

"I don't have anything for him."

"Boss," Kono rolled her eyes. "At this point, he'll probably just be happy that you came. Go."

"Okay, yeah. You right," Steve gave a jerked nod. "Good work today, guys. Have a happy valentine's day."

He patted his pocket for his wallet and keys and left the Palace with quick steps.

Xoxo

Steve jumped out of his truck as soon as he cut the motor and headed up to Danny's apartment, anxious to see him now. His knock was answered quickly and the door opened to reveal his boyfriend in nothing but a ratty old shirt and boxers.

"What are you doing here?"

"And hello to you too, Danno," Steve smiled and pushed Danny aside to step into inside.

"Hello, Steven. Now, what are you doing here?" Danny asked again, his face in a frown. "I thought you were too busy." 'To see me.' Steve could hear it clearly.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have cancelled today. Or so many times before. It's not that I don't want to spend time with you. It's just…"

"Work comes first."

"Danny-"

"I'm not angry, Steve," Danny interrupted Steve again. He sighed and crossed his arms. "I'm really not. Does it sting when you call to cancel a date? Sure. But I get it. Your job is important to you, it fulfills you, and that's a good thing. I'm the same, alright? Right now I got a fairly regular schedule, but during my time at the hospital I called off dates with Rachel, too," Danny walked over to Steve and leaned up to kiss him gently. "Let's just… maybe a few times less, okay?"

"I promise," Steve vowed and wrapped his arms around Danny's waist. "Work is important, but I also have a private life now that I don't want to miss out," Steve explained, making Danny smile. "I want this to work. Us to work."

"Me, too," Danny agreed, kissing him again. "And I don't think we are doing so bad. I mean, it's valentine's day and we are together, that's something. Just don't expect me to get dressed again today, alright?"

"How about getting further undressed?" Steve asked suggestively, letting his hands drop lower.

"You didn't wine and dine me but expect desert? Very forward, Mr. Navy SEAL."

"That's me. Commander Forward," Steve pulled Danny closer.

"Well you are in luck. Pizza is on the way and longboards are in the fridge. That's almost wine and dine, right?"

"Close enough for me."