Steve opened the door to Mary leaning against the entrance, glowering at him in exasperation. Looking so dull and thoroughly unimpressed. "You are an arse, do you know that?"
"Hello to you to, Mar," Steve stood aside and let her in.
Mary whistled in awe at the sheer scale of the suite. Looking all over the courtyard with wide eyes. She was definitely shocked by the sheer size of it, just as he did. "Holy… I know I suggested a three bedroom but I never expected it to be this big. Spacious has a new meaning!"
Steve snorted as he took a peek outside before shutting the entryway door, dragging with him Mary's suitcase that she left for him to carry. Mary was still eyeing the place with appreciation before entering the living room. She dropped her backpacks on the couch before facing her brother. "Seriously. You just have to find your mate while on vacation. I'm happy for you, bro. Really, I do. But your timing sucks. I'm still under evaluation with the centre, you know."
Steve's eyebrow rose at that. "Still?" It's been some time already since that incident happened.
Mary scowled at her brother. "Don't give me that look. You were no better. I recalled that one time you have difficulty wrestling your senses. And my emergence was under a stressor, ya know."
Steve's palms raise in surrender. "I was just surprised. Is all. I thought you'll have better luck in controlling your senses than I did."
"Peas in a pot." Mary uttered dryly. "Still, your timing sucks. I'm swamp with unfinished projects and I have a dateline due soon. Must you really?"
"It's not like I planned it," Steve frowned, defensively. "You know how fated meetings are. At least we both agreed not to jump to bonding immediately. There's a lot to cover here."
Mary hummed while giving her brother the look, eyebrow raised. Like hell she's buying that dorky face. She knew her brother. Steve was not one to take things slow. If anything, he's raring to go. The crawling pace must be killing him. "Where's the pups? I'm here and they're not greeting me? I'm hurt. Don't keep my nephews and niece away from me." Mary pouted.
Steve smirked. "What's this? Aunty Mary can't handle not seeing them?"
Mary mock-glared. "Aunty Mary is not used to being away from the pups for long periods of time. The house was so silent and it's unnerving. I'm used to the pups being underfoot. I missed my little ducklings, brat. Now, where are they?"
"They're with Danny. They wanted to swim at the main pool with Danny's daughter, Grace." Steve answered her sheepishly.
Now, Mary's eyes bugged wide and her jaws nearly unhinged. Because her brother can't deny any form of water. Be them pools, lakes, seas, even rivers – he seen a body of water and there'll be swimming. So, what is her brother doing here? And not swimming? "And you're here and not there? What happen?" Mary asked cheekily.
Steve scowled. "At least I'm here to greet you. It was pure luck." His scowl deepened when Mary snickered. "I'm just picking up some things. We might head straight for dinner afterward. The kids won't be done swimming any time soon." Steve motioned towards the general area of the bedrooms. "Third bedroom is unused. You could put your stuff there. You'll have to excuse the suitcases though. I'll move them to the pups' room later."
Mary huffed. "Good thing I advised you for a three bedroom." Mary was smug. She had told her brother to take a three bedroom, just in case. She loves her brother. Him and his Navy practicality or whatever they call it. But it's better to have extra space especially when you have three kids. Especially when their stay duration was unspecified. She knew very well how all the mess kept driving Steve crazy. At least the third bedroom served as a place of storage. Even if it's just for the luggage.
Steve mumbled unintelligently under his breath. Besides clothing, the pups' suitcases were full of toys, some books – they go nowhere without Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Matilda – and even Mira's plushies. He had forgotten that the pups won't go anywhere without their respective toys.
"Question for you. What you want me to do when I have to focus on work? I mean, there will be days that I think the munchkins would rather entertain themselves and not cling to their aunt while she's being boring, you know. So, what's the plan?"
Steve's lips tilted one-sided as he stared meaningfully at his only sister. "I wouldn't call being a professional photographer a boring profession, Mar, as you well know. Plus, I know for a fact the pups love your pictures. Don't think I don't know about them browsing through your portfolio while you were editing when you're supposed to be keeping an eye on them. They seem to find your 'magical pictures' enjoying enough," Steve can't help laughing remembering Mira's nickname for Mary's completed photos that she had enhanced. His pups were awestruck by the vibrant colours and they could stare at it for quite some time. "If you need to, there is the kid's club. You just left the kids there for however long you need and the sitters would keep an eye on them. It's a huge complex all on its own so they'll be well entertained. You'll just have to inform the staff beforehand though, so the sitters knew to expect them."
"Is the pups okay with this separation? It's got to be the first time they're away from you since that incident." Mary asked, frowning in thought. The last time she saw her niece and nephews, they can't even sleep on their own beds. They went back to sleeping entangled with each other like when they were infants.
"The pups will be fine, Mar. Ever since we met Danny, the pups and I are slowly getting better. I'm still can't be away from them for a long duration just yet, but a few nights should be okay. Plus, there's Danny's little girl that the pups have taken under their protective paws. With Grace around, they'll be kept busy. Danny and I will be back before they even realises we're gone."
"Yeah…. I heard about her, from what little you told Aunt Deb. And that's hardly anything at all, Stevie!"
"You know it's not my place to tell, Mary. Come and join us at the pool. You can ask Danny then."
Mary wanted so much to push… But it basically what she'll managed to get out of her brother. Steve can be very stubborn when he wants to be and he's not the type that share personal matters publicly. Steve is so much like their dad in that regards – having the same tendency to keep things close to the chest. It drove her and their aunt crazy at times. In the end, she sighed. "You sure you don't need more time courting your guide? A few weeks is hardly enough time for you to know him well. If anything, I'd say you're rushing into it. Are you absolutely sure?"
"I'm sure. We hold out from bonding as later as we could. Even with a temporary block, our bond is getting stronger at a fast rate. I don't think we can hold out much longer."
Mary nodded. She heard loud and clear what was left unsaid. She might be newly awakened, but she wasn't ignorant on why the bonds are forming at an extremely fast pace. It was practically essential for her brother and since she suspected Danny is here under the same medical condition, then it's all the more significant. "Right. Let me go change into my swimwear. I don't know about you, bro. But I am impatient in meeting the Guide strong enough to be compatible with my idiot of a brother. He must be an exceptional individual," Mary said, smiling eagerly.
"He is," Steve grinned bashfully. "He's extraordinary, Mary. I'm the luckiest person in the world to have met him. And I won't change it for anything."
. . . . . .
They got along like a house on fire. If it wasn't for the fact that Danny was his, Steve would have felt threatened. As it is, they are gossiping about nothing and everything under the sun. Their animated chatter was soothing as he watched them getting acquainted.
Danny also took this opportunity to grill Mary about Steve. And Mary was more than happy to provide insights. She left nothing hidden. Telling Danny all the sordid details as well as all the childish and embarrassing stuff they done in their youth. She especially loved to tell Danny about that one time he nearly got injured when he was practicing his fire-knife dance. He was training with the real knives and real fire at the time and it scared their mom out of her wits when she walked in on him. Steve was much more proficient with the Hawaii's traditional dance. For playing with knives and fire, Danny had looked at Steve in horror.
And then Mary showed Danny various baby pictures of the triplets. Perks for being a photographer and privilege for being their favourite aunt, Mary have a lot of pictures stored up. Even the ones professionally made that she herself took. She had her laptop opened and was scrolling through the numerous pictures she saved in her personal storage. She had those pictures saved in a folder that was categorised by year, sub-folder by events, holidays, birthdays, miscellaneous and even portraits.
Steve will never admit this, at least out loud, Mary had whispered to Danny conspiratorially. But her brother's favourite pictures are the ones involving theme photography and the portraits that she often did for them when they were born. His phone was full of the pups' pictures and she saw her brother scrolling through them often.
Danny might be a little jealous of said photography. Mainly because he didn't think of doing the same thing with Grace and he took a lot of pictures of his baby! "That's not fair. That is so unfair! I did not know theme photography was a thing," Danny moaned mournfully.
Mary patted her soon-to-be-brother-in-law, as far as she was concerned, consolingly. She has a lot of stuff on Steve, and she has no compunction of baring them all, to Steve's chagrin.
"Let me tell you one thing," Mary gushed to Danny. "Steve wanted to do everything, and I mean everything by himself. He wanted to stay up when they wake at night, insist of him changing the diapers, feeding them, bathing them… he won't let me touch the pups for the first few times," Mary groused. Her eyes rolled at her brother's growl at her remark before she continued happily. "He nearly collapsed because he has been exhausting himself. Aunt Deb was not pleased, let me tell you."
Danny looked towards Steve scandalised. First time experience was no joke. Especially if triplets are involved. Said Sentinel was looking far too innocent to be believed. Danny turned back to Mary. "He can't be that bad? And please tell me that putz took parenting class…"
Mary snorted. Her hand raised as she counted down with her fingers, to emphasised the point. "Classes. Books. Forums. Support group. You name it, he'd done it. It wasn't easy with how my brother was an active combat sentinel before the pups was born. But he did the best he could." She burst out giggling. "And you haven't met Controlling-Steve yet, haven't you? Oh boy… you're in for a treat. He is much, much worse," Mary told Danny, laughing in mirth. "He won't put them down. He hovered over them. He won't stop staring at them," Mary's expression softened as her eyes held a faraway look as she remembered that time, fondly. There was a tenderness in her tone as she carried on, "He was in awe of them, Danny. He gazed at them for hours. Just watching them sleep. Watching them smile. Coveting that smile. Seeing them happy. He would play with them for hours. Constantly be by their side. Never far from them. Can't be anywhere without them." Steve spluttered, blushing heavily at that point, while lulling the children to sleep as it was their bedtime after an exquisite and fulfilling dinner. Grace was nestled somewhere between the triplets, as was the norm by now. Mary eyed Danny mischievously. "Let me tell you – the only time me and Aunt Deb get to spend time with the pups was when he was at work. When he was home during paternity leave or after work, he monopolised them." That mischievous look widened, if that was even possible. "And now, now my soon to be brother-in-law, my idiot of a brother will monopolize you too. Same with your Gracie. Hope you're ready because you're about to get a hell of a dose of territorial Steve McGarrett," Mary chortled as she finished.
Danny shoved Mary's leg playfully, smiling wide, having already get a glimpse of that nature of his Sentinel. They continued looking at the baby's pictures that Danny can't help cooing at the overabundance of adorableness. Especially the photo where Steve had dressed his triplets in a Seal onesie. Mary's favourite however, was the one where Steve had dressed the kids in various US Navy onesies. Hey, she was a Navy baby too, she'll have you know, so some small patriotism was warranted. While there was a lot of US Navy baby outfits photos, the best one is where the triplets were dressed in a camouflaged Navy Seal Onesie with the trademark of My Dad is a Navy Seal. It was a gift from Steve's team, Danny was told and it came with a few other gifts set.
If Danny took several photos of Steve with his phone – intending to use it as his phone's background – inconspicuously, no one was going to say anything about it. He knew Steve did the same, taking pictures of him and Grace when he thought no one was looking. Mary smirked knowingly at him.
Danny's ultimate favourite was pictures of Steve and the triplets – sleeping. He loves the ones that has Steve had all three of his pups sleeping on his chest, half of them shirtless because Steve absolutely loves skin on skin contact. There was quite the number of photos of this arrangement with the triplets in various age. Apparently, this was a regular occurrence and even now, they still sometimes went to their dad and pile-sleep on top of him.
Danny can relate. God knows he did the same thing with Grace. Heck, why do you think he was still with a one-bedroom villa when he was given the option to be upgraded to a two-bedroom? Like his sentinel, he's definitely not ready to let go of his baby or have her grow up so fast just yet.
. . . . . .
They left the kids in Mary's capable hands for a few days. Mary will take the third bedroom while she looked after the triplets plus Grace, and will be moving into Danny's suite after their bonding. Apparently, she had a few photo-shoots she wanted to get done while she's there and doesn't want to waste Danny's hotel suite when it's already been paid for as Danny will naturally move in with Steve and his broods. She absolutely refused to stay with her brother on his 'honeymoon' phase. She has no intention to see her brother being overly affectionate even with the children there as buffer. Again, she knew how possessive her brother can be. He'll be wanting to mark and claim his Guide constantly. So, yeah. If she wanted to get her photography done, she'll be better off taking Danny's suite.
. . . . . .
The bonding suite was a hilltop villa with an ocean-view, situated at the very edge of the resort. It was a villa on its own and was a bit secluded from the main resort. There were only a few bonding suites and each of them are scattered far, far apart all over the resort's property, so not to disturb or impede the bonding.
The suite was identical to the rest of the accommodations. Only the layout was slightly different. Instead of everything clustered together, the design was more widespread. Everything was proportioned in a way that made the space truly massive. So huge in fact, that the bathroom was practically its own wing – with a dedicated indoor and outdoor shower-bath facilities to choose from. It even has a jetted tub where they can enjoy the unobstructed panoramic view – if they don't feel like using the long private pool that ran parallel to the villa, that is.
Danny's jaw dropped when they toured the bathroom. Seriously, it was ridiculously huge. Like, one end to the other. From Steve's wide eyes expression, he was no better. It's a bit concerning that the water closet and the washbasin were close to the other end. But the showers were closer to the bedroom pavilion. So, there is that.
No wonder the villa needed a set of stairs just to reach the entrance. The walkway wrapped around to the side of the villa where the front door situated. The designing team take 'ultimate privacy' to a whole new level.
Well, it's the bonding suite. There is a reason why everything was far from the bedroom. It's so the Sentinel did not feel threatened and goes feral if and when the resort's personnel dropped by with their food. Everyone knew how territorial a Sentinel got as the newly formed mated bonds settled.
And Danny was rambling mentally to himself. He's nervous, okay. Bonding isn't just 'fuck and mated' ritual. It literally will connect and tie them both subconsciously. Merging their essence and intertwining their cores together. It will open them up to their mate and laid bare everything about themselves.
Yes, Danny is scared shitless. What if Steve saw all of him and found him lacking?
That said, Steve deserved a major brownie points, though. His sneaky Sentinel must have organized with room service. There was petals and tiny little soft-lights everywhere. It gives a romantic ambience but not enough to overpower the sentinel's senses. The hot-tub was prepared and there's a trolley worth of food for them to dine.
Danny felt his cheek warmed. It was obvious he's going to be lavished and fully serenaded. Steve seemed to spare no expenses.
And Danny's Sentinel? Steve looked please as a puppy. He gave out a soft rumble when he saw how bashfully delighted Danny was. The soft-light enhanced Danny's beauty and he looked radiant in Steve's eyes. His unconcealed joy was something Steve silently vow for Danny to have for the rest of their natural lives.
Danny turned to Steve, beaming. Steve can't help giving him a loving kiss, full of promise and longing. "What's all these, huh?" Danny asked him, hand indicating the room around them. "What's with the cheesy gesture, babe?"
"It comes with the Bonding package deal, Danny," Steve said gently. He can't help pulling Danny closer, his arm running all over his Guide reverently. "They offered the special set up. I accepted."
"This must have been very expensive."
"You're worth it. You deserve everything I can give you." Steve pledged solemnly.
Danny's smile wavered and his eyes misted. He pulled Steve down to a strong, solid kiss, gripping his sentinel tightly. Conveying all his emotions when words failed him. So full of love and adoration. Blissfully happy. Totally relieved and grateful for Steve to walked in into his life.
He had forgotten what it's like to matter to someone so devotedly.
Steve matched his kiss with equal ferocity, understanding what Danny was unable to say. Danny moaned wetly, and Steve swear right then that he'll show Danny everyday just how much Danny has come to mean to him. That Danny was deeply cherished… and so, so loved and he was one of the most important people in the world to him.
The heated kiss turned into a tender caress. Steve nipped and pecked at Danny everywhere. His cheeks, his eyelids, his forehead, his nose, side of the mouth… Danny was so overwhelmed that he can only reciprocate in kind, clinging to Steve for all he was worth.
There will be no further words needed to be uttered when bonding. Only actions and emotional connection, full of passion and deepest desire.
Danny hummed into the kiss, wanting more. Yearning more. He wished impatiently for a complete bond so that it will be unbreakable and irreversible.
Danny wanted to belong to Steve. Just like Steve belong to Danny.
Steve manoeuvred them towards the bathroom. He intended to pamper Danny excessively, determined to have his beloved Guide all warm and fuzzy and blissfully content.
Steve took his time as he slowly got rid of their clothes. Layers by layers, slowly Danny was laid bare before Steve's eyes. Steve took his fill, eyeing the expose skin with heated desire. Steve warm hands touched Danny's body here and there, brushing and rubbing fleetingly and lightly as he was undressed. Goosebumps followed at Steve's wake and Danny shivered. He doesn't know which is worse. Steve's touch… or his burning gaze.
Steve had the bath ready and he lavished the attention on Danny. The water was warm and Steve was washing Danny thoroughly – hands rubbing gently on his back and on his side, stroking everywhere, and kneading tiny circles that drove Danny to distractions. Every now and then, he would lay tiny, teasing kisses on Danny's back, particularly behind his neck and shoulders. Danny shuddered and sighed. His head rested against Steve's shoulder. Steve pulled Danny snug against him, letting Danny lie fully on him while they soak in the tub.
Danny was not allowed to do anything. Just sit back, relax and let Steve do all the work. And boy-oh-boy, Steve was very much up to the task, looking very content and very much like he has all the time in the world. And maybe he does. It was decadent. Danny never had anyone so attentive to him before. And they were just starting!
Once they're done bathing, Steve took the fluffiest towel from the rack and patted Danny dry. He was meticulous in his tasks that Danny doesn't have to do anything. Just accept the indulgence. Despite his best effort, Danny giggled. It was all so silly. He felt like a kid. Steve grinned. His eyes stared at him in tenderness.
Once they're both dry, Steve led them straight to the bed. They lie there silently, facing each other and Steve continued to map Danny's skin with his fingers. Danny hummed. Goosebumps raked all over him where Steve fingers gently touched.
Danny swore he was being driven insane. It was torture! He was delighted by the amount of attention Steve was showering him. He wanted, no.. needed Steve to hurry up and pick up the pace. But his Sentinel was imprinting. Cataloguing everything that is Danny to him. There is no way Danny would want to end it so soon.
Danny kissed Steve then. It started out languidly at first before it slowly getting heated. Their bond pulsed strongly and they both became lost to the sensation. Steve rolled on top of him before bearing down on his guide. Their naked friction caused them to groaned.
Their bond thrummed in a different way now and Danny was swept away with all the sensation. He couldn't think. Only feel. He was barely able to catch his breaths before Steve did something else, something tantalising, causing him to gasp and moaned. The more he moaned, the harder, firmer, more possessive, Steve's action became. Danny clings to Steve fiercely.
Steve pounded into Danny's tight heat, strong and surely. Danny can't help letting out whines and whimpered. It was too much, too intense and not enough. He felt untethered and might float away. It was only by Steve's presence – his strength and determination, his will that was keeping Danny grounded. Steve could only watch Danny. Watched him as Danny writhed and panted beneath him. Watched him as Danny wiggled sensually, their flesh flushed together. Danny tried to match with him. Tried to meet with his demand. Yet, all Danny was able to do holding him tightly. Pleasure was all time high. Steve would trail languid and tender kisses wherever he could reach. He craves and coveted all those sweet, enticing and erotic sound that passed through Danny's delectable, sinful lips. Danny groaned desperately. His eyes begging lustfully at him. It was a sweet torment. A delicious torture. To see Danny inhibited like this. All lust-filled, sensuous, and alluring wrapped up in a tight-compact package. There was urgency in the air and Steve was helpless with it. The only thing that came to his mind while worshipping Danny was minematebelovedfamilyminemymatemine!
The bond pulsed with their intensity. The pressure built up deeper and harder with their lovemaking. It toughened powerfully and tangibly. Every nerve in their body seemed to be on fire. Their spirits intertwined irrevocably.
Finally, as their bond reached its peak, Steve bit down on the side of Danny's neck, claiming him in every sense of the word. And Danny was lost. Danny gasped as he was instantly overwhelmed.
The bond snapped into place. Danny felt something akin to energy blast reverberating outwards. He felt amazed, enraptured and so, so free.
He saw it behind his mind eyes. Steve's energy was like waves washing all over. Like a tide riding in and out over the smooth sandy beach. Some part of him solidifying – becoming as hard as an impenetrable fortress. There are other parts that are washing over the cracks and fractures. It smoothed it over and make it brand new. The energy alleviated, assuaged and healed any and all sore wound that Danny doesn't know he'd carried. It energised him, rejuvenate him. Renewed him so thoroughly that he felt whole again.
There was also a vortex, connected to someone Danny knew was important. That pathway was important. Danny felt Steve's essence swept through. Mixing it with his. Their energy combined emitted light, and it swept through that wounded vortex. Cleansing it. Mended the rift. Smoothen and strengthening the link. Washed it clean. Until all that is left was light-filled bridge. It felt young and childlike. Full of joy and laughter and love. So much love. Unconditional love. Innocent and pure.
Danny's eyes snapped open and he stared at his Sentinel in awed shock. They continued to stared into each other silently. Steve lowered his head and rested his forehead against his Guide, basking in the afterglow, grateful and happy that they are successfully bonded.
Danny sensed Steve. And Steve sensed Danny. They have truly become one.
Now, neither of them will ever be alone again.
. . . . . .
Steve and Danny strolled down the beach towards their suite. The sun was setting, creating a beautiful ambience. The waves were crashing languidly against their bare feet. The cool water was invigorating as they slowly walked by the edge in leisure.
Steve had his arm wrapped around Danny's waist, holding his beloved mate close to him. Touching him everywhere. He can't help nuzzling Danny too. Too absorbed with Danny's presence. He can't help feeling ultimately smug when he looked at his claiming mark, now adorned at the junction of Danny's shoulder. His own claiming mark that Danny had laid on him was throbbing pleasantly. It made him so blissfully happy. He felt giddy and cheerful and content.
Danny hummed absentmindedly, also feeling pleased and satisfied. He immersed in the peaceful serenity that surrounded them. He felt his mischievous mate's happiness and love and exhilaration. His mate was definitely a rascal. He was not hiding or censoring at all how he felt for him. Danny pushed back the sense of fondness to their bond and let the calmness basking him once more. He never felt this complete before.
When they nearly arrived to their destination, Danny froze. Because there was a voice calling his name excitedly. He hadn't heard that cherish voice in a while. Months! And it was the sweetest voice that he missed dearly. "Danno!"
Grace was running towards them, eagerly welcoming them back; happy and babbling, and talking. Her voice loud and clear as she called out to her father in delight. "Danno! Danno!"
Danny caught Grace as she flung herself at him and he held her tight, and burst into happy tears.