I'm terribly sorry for keeping you waiting this long.
In my defense, I've been really busy, helping my brother move houses and preparing and attending meetings.
I hope it was worth the wait! Enjoy!
They'd been with Danny for a little over an hour. Grace was still sitting on the bed, doing her homework. There were only a few malasadas and cocoa puffs left for Danny, Grace and Kono having eaten the majority of them. Danny hadn't so much as stirred since falling asleep.
"How about we go get some food? Malasadas don't really count as dinner, don't you think?" Kono said to Grace. Grace looked at Danny, obviously not sure about leaving him.
Steve smiled at her reassuringly and assured her he and Chin would stay with Danny and he would be alright without her there for a few minutes.
Danny was pleasantly floating. He wasn't fully asleep anymore and he could hear soft murmuring voices, and although he couldn't make out what they were saying he was sure it was a pleasant conversation. There was a warm and reassuring presence by his side, and he totally wouldn't mind staying like this for a long time.
Suddenly the warmth left his side, and he slowly opened his eyes, just in time to see Grace slide off the bed. He was about to ask where she was going when Steve told her to bring some nice dinner for Chin and him when they came back. He joked that he didn't trust Kono to pick out the food, which earned him a mocking glare from Kono.
"That's not very nice, uncle Steve," Danny said. Steve almost jumped at the sound of Danny's voice, clearly not expecting him to be awake.
Danny smiled at him. "I scared you, didn't I?" he asked, quite pleased with himself.
Steve tried to deny it, but it was obvious that no-one believed him, so he just gave up trying to convince them.
Danny's voice had sounded a little hoarse, so Steve held the glass of water in front of him and helped him take a few sips. Danny gave him a grateful smile and shifted his gaze to Grace.
"Hey monkey, do you think you can give me a hug?" Grace was happy to oblige. "Okay," Danny said after a while, "go and get some dinner and don't forget to bring something for uncle Steve and uncle Chin. I'm sure they're both hungry after today."
Steve's stomach growled as to agree with Danny, and he realised he hadn't had anything to eat since breakfast. Grace and Kono left the room, clearly trying not to laugh.
"I would actually like something to eat myself," Danny said. "Not just one of those lovely malasadas, some real food."
Chin said he would see what he could do and left the room. Steve just looked at Danny and didn't say anything. Danny knew Steve well enough to know what he was thinking, and he knew Steve was still worried about him.
"I'll be okay, Steve," he said. "It might take some time, but I'll be fine. I already know I'll be able to count on you during my recovery, so thank you. I really appreciate it."
Steve still didn't say anything, but he did give Danny one of his typical smiles that were reserved for him. After a while he simply said "You're very welcome Danny, and you would do the same for me."
The moment was cut short by Chin coming back into the room, carrying a damping bowl and a spoon. "I got you some chicken soup. They didn't want to give you solid food yet."
"I'll take what I can get, I'm almost starving." Danny felt around for the remote, but he couldn't find it. He remembered Steve had used the remote to lift the head of the bed a little, so he looked at the nightstand.
The remote was on top of the nightstand, but there was no way he'd be able to get it. Steve followed his gaze and quickly handed him the remote.
When Danny was sitting upright, Chin put the soup on the overbed table. After Danny had finished the bowl of soup he lowered the head of the bed again. He was clearly tiring quickly and sank back into the pillows. Minutes after he laid back he was asleep. Steve pulled up the covers and sat back down, talking quietly with Chin.
Kono and Grace came back shortly after Danny had fallen asleep. Danny didn't so much as stir at the commotion in the room. They had a relaxed dinner and talked quietly. Steve was obviously a little distracted, so Kono asked what was bothering him. Steve hesitated a little, but finally said, ''I don't know if I should take Grace home or stay with Danny."
"I can take Grace home with me, I'd like the company," Kono said. Grace perked up at the prospect of a sleepover with Kono and looked questioningly at Steve.
"That sounds like a great plan, don't you think, Gracie?" Steve said, although it was obvious what Grace thought about Kono's proposition.
"I'd like that," Grace said. ''Will you be okay?" she asked Steve.
''I will. You can have fun with Kono and I'll look after Danno."
After dinner was finished Grace gathered her things and put them in her backpack. It was obvious she couldn't wait to go with Kono, so Steve gently roused Danny. Although he didn't really want to wake Danny up, he was sure Danny would be very disappointed if he missed Grace leaving.
Danny looked sleepily around the room and noticed Grace was getting ready to leave. ''Hey monkey, are you going home?" he murmured, barely audible.
"I'm going to go with Kono, Steve will stay with you. I'll come back tomorrow," she said, smiling at Danny.
"That's great, you have fun. But first I want a hug." Grace happily obliged and carefully hugged her father.
Chin and Kono also got up, Chin patted Danny on his shoulder and Kono gave him a soft kiss on his cheek. They waved goodbye and left the room with Grace following them.
After they'd left the nurse from before, Amy if Steve remembered correctly, entered the room. "Okay, it's morphine time, so he'll be out like a light in a minute," she said.
''Can I stay a little longer?" Steve asked.
"Of course, but he won't be very good company," she said in that annoying high voice.
"I don't mind," Steve said and smiled at Danny. Danny was almost back asleep again, but managed to smile back.
The nurse emptied a syringe in Danny's IV and said, "He's down for the count, he won't be awake for hours. I'll leave you alone now, but I'll be back to check on him shortly."
True to her word Danny was fast asleep within seconds, so Steve relaxed and leaned back in his chair, preparing to keep vigil over Danny.
I really appreciate it when people take the time to review!
I hope you enjoyed this chapter!