Danny Williams woke up on a Tuesday, basking and luxuriate comfortably in bed, pondering, or more accurately chewing over on a number of things. Thoughts process such as – 'I'm in trouble.' And 'What was I thinking?' or 'What in the world am I going to tell my folks?!'. The last one was crucial.

Because, see, the truth is… he had done something shocking, impulsive and likely reckless. Very selfish and definitely out of character.

He got married.

Yes, he got hitched. Eloped. Accidentally married. Spontaneous wedding. Holy matrimonied… Whatever you want to call it – and he did it consciously; with eyes wide opened and two feet planted firmly on the ground. There's even a wedding band on his finger and the marriage certificate to proved it.

To a complete stranger. To someone he just only met a few days prior. And he was, surprisingly, fine with the whole damn thing.

At least that's what he is telling himself.

He still have no clue how he was going to explain it to his family though. He's in big trouble. Maybe even get grounded for eternity for this stun.

That doesn't stop the satiation he was being and how satisfied he felt about the whole thing.

How did it all came about?

Well, it all started with a paternity test.

. . . . .

Danny has been dating his ex-girlfriend, Rachel, for a year before they broke up. A few weeks later, they got back together when it was revealed that she was pregnant with their baby. They both agreed to have another shot and was planning to get married once the baby was born. Despite everything that has been happening, he thought everything was going well.

Except one day, his brother Matt advised him to get a DNA-Paternity test done. That suggestion sort of stirred a hornet's nest and open up a can of worms. It snowballed from there.

Rachel did not take it well. She got upset and angry that Danny was even contemplating that idea. He, himself, was upset with that suggestion too. But Matt was relentless with the whole thing. He even pestered Danny – and dared Rachel, in public – until he gave in and did the bloody test.

Then the results came in. It showed that Danny wasn't the baby's daddy. It felt like the floor caved in from underneath his feet as his world turned upside down and his heart shattered a thousand little pieces.

Rachel can't stop crying. She can't stop crying and she kept apologising and she tried to explain that it was all a misunderstanding. That it got to be a mistake or that the test was wrong or the equipment faulty.

They did another test. Just to be sure. The result came back the same.

It goes without saying that the wedding was cancelled. Lucky for everyone involved that it was still in planning stage. Else, getting refunds will be a headache and the deposits burned.

Not to mention, the fallout was epic. Everyone who knew them suddenly have an opinion and was not censoring their words about it. The fact that Rachel was sleeping around when she was with Danny and then tried to pawn off her lover's pregnancy as Danny's was not taken kindly. To say nothing that some of his cousins found Rachel to be a bit hypocritical was putting it mildly. It was a giant big mess.

At that point, Danny was numbed to it all.

Matty must have known something for him to suggest it to begin with. Because when he came to pick his brother up along with his meagre belongings, he had shown Rachel something on his phone. He didn't know what, but Rachel had paled significantly and was struck speechless thereafter. So they left. It ended just like that.

The thing was, Danny was heartbroken. The implication that Rachel wasn't faithful did not help his state of mind. He was despondent; sad, depressed and dispirited.

Because as much as his relationship with Rachel was short. And the decision to get married was hurried – Danny was overjoyed to be a dad. He was excited to meet his baby.

He was ready to settle down and start a family of his own.

Therefore, Matt did whatever a cool baby brother would do. He sprang an impromptu getaway for the long weekend. To New Orleans.

. . . . .

Danny turned and snuggled into his new husband with a sigh. He was too comfortable to move. He was content, deliciously sore in all the right places and he was in the mood for some decadence. He wanted to stay in bed all day.

Danny ran his hand lightly over his husband's shoulder all the way to the upper arm. His fingers traced the tattoo there.

He remembered quite well how he met his new husband, Steve McGarrett, a few days ago. While having lunch, of all things.

Danny had woke up later than usual. Nursing a pounding headache after a wild night binge drinking and immersed himself in the loud vibrant music and friendly atmosphere that was renowned and synonym with this city. Matt brought him there with the intention to get over Rachel. And after a couple of nights drinking himself to stupor, Frenchmen Street and Bourbon Street were the sites that they couldn't not go for a pint, Danny had to admit, it worked.

It was no wonder Matt choose New Orleans as a vacation spot. It certainly lived up to it's reputation – being one of the Sins City. With it's lively and buoyant music, it's rich history and it's picturesque township – It was easy for Danny to forget his woes. The distance away from New Jersey likely helped too.

Matty was already out for the day as he has some stuff to do – even on vacation – and he needed some place bright and quiet to get some work done. He mentioned a meeting that he can't miss or something or other. So, Danny would have to grab lunch all by himself.

It was still early. Not yet lunchtime. More like Brunch hour. So, he decided to find a nice place to eat. A quiet, hidden gem, that will not cost him a pretty penny. He found one that was a little hidden. Tuck away from the hustle and bustle of the busy street. They have the menu that he was looking for and the ambience was calm and soothing. Funnily enough, the restaurant he had chosen quickly became full after he was seated.

He had no intention to mingle. Had every intention to drown in his sorrow. Had the biggest hip flask for his liquor on his person and everything. He drinking out in the open without a care. It was halfway through his lunch, that he was interrupted. "This seat taken?"

Danny glared at the person interrupting him, absently noted the dark haired stranger with military cut hairstyle that was longer than regulated, wearing long sleeved dark blue cotton shirt that showed his muscled arms paired with a tan khakis cargo pants to finished the look. He had a boyish look about him that Danny found infuriating. Danny quickly glanced around and saw that eatery was packed full. So full. Like sardines. And there was no empty spot to be found. He scowled. He wanted to wallow in peace, damn it! "Yes there is. There's a Casper the friendly Ghost sitting there. And you're raining on his parade. Does it look like someone's seated there?" Danny said sarcastically.

His cute intruder – Okay, he's not drunk enough yet, obviously – smirked at his sass, and took the empty seat opposite him without so much as by your leave. Oh wow, audacious much?

"You usually this cheerful at noon?" The person asked with a smug look and a sass to match apparently. Danny wanted to deck him.

"I'll mind my business if you mind yours," was all Danny said.

Yeah. Okay. He could be nicer to the guy. But he will say it again – he's not there to mingle.

His table companion snorted and raise his hand to order.

It was a short while later when Steve – "Did I ask for your name? No I did not. I'm Danny." – inquired about drinking heavily at that hour.

Danny was silent at that question. His demeanour went forlorn as he tried – and failed – to reply indifferently. "My ex-girlfriend and I was expecting a baby. Turns out the babe wasn't mine."

And you know what's mindboggling? Despite Danny's surly demeanour and desire to be left fucking alone, Steve stayed! He tried to cheer him up even. He goaded him. Poke and prod just to get a rise out of him.

And it worked!

Sort of. Before long, Danny ended up ranted and lambasted about Rachel and everything wrong in his life. That included about the baby not being his. And missed opportunities – you know about spending his life with a special someone – and just being feeling loss and lonely in general.

The rest, Danny would like to say, is history. But in truth, he don't remember exactly what occurred after. It was all vague. Bits and pieces. Mostly.

He knew they visited the museum after lunch. History New Orleans Collection or something like that. Danny was bored, okay. And Steve was on shore leave from the Navy and he hardly have the time for a leisure tour, so. They visited the museum, gazing and ogling at the exhibition for the fun of it, and then toured the rest of The French Quarters after. Steve wanted to do The Ghost Tour. But Danny did not feel inclined to visit all those spooky mansions that has dark history, grisly murders and unspeakable Voodooish rituals. Nope. He won't even entertained the Vampiric tours. They did, however, went to the Cemetery walk around. Seeing the unique, art deco styled tombs was humbling. Steve was oddly silent throughout.

To offset the sudden moodiness, they went to the Aquarium just for the heck of it. Danny had babbled and prattled about everything and nothing. Complaining nonstop about a certain things or two – including of an ugly looking fish that was bigger than Danny – and just be a chatterbox about fun facts that was so wild to be believed. He even ranted about the dangers that was the water and the ocean and how, "This fixation of yours with anything involving the sea is not helping me with my blood pressure, Steven. And no, I do not want to know fun facts about that eel or that sea snake!". Steve was greatly amused and had goaded and prodded back in return. They even started bickering about some of the things they've seen.

It was nice.

It was very nice. And Danny hadn't had that much fun in a while.

Danny had wanted to see if there's any games attractions. But from the way he happily bantered with Steve, Danny deduced that this Neanderthal was very competitive, and likely a sore loser. And he can't find any, anyway. So, no dice there. They went for a late dinner right after. By then, Matt had joined them and was Introduced to Steve.

That was the last thing Danny remembered. The dinner. He can't recall anything at all what he did the rest of the night. He knew they got totally wasted. There was bar hopping involved and they did that more than once.

That was Saturday.

He didn't remember what he did on Sunday either. Just snippets. All he knew was he got completely debauched. A thorough tumble between the sheets. They did it all the way to cloud nine and back. Steve was very, very, attentive, and very, very hot-blooded. Danny lost count after round three or five. Just for that day alone. They didn't even left the room.

The same thing happened on Monday. He barely recalled anything.

However, he must have like Steve a lot. Like, really a lot. Because based on the date that the Marriage certificate was issued, it was also the day that they got married.

If anyone was to ask Danny, he'll say it's the sex. It has got to be the sex. Why else he would agree to marry Steve if it wasn't sex?

It was the sex Danny was sure of it.

. . . . .

Much later – still on Tuesday – when Danny and his new husband met his brother for lunch, and after Steve left for something he needed to do at the Naval base there; he needed to submit their documentation that they're married, yeah… and he'll be back in a jiffy; did Danny finally got the whole story from his brother.

Steve found a court house that does an impromptu wedding ceremony for military personnel. It was a legit ceremony. There was even an official photo. Of Steve in his Navy blues and Danny in a custom suit. Don't ask him how he got that. It was rental. He was sure of it. He didn't own any tailor-made suit, ya know.

Anyways….

Matt was in attendance. Serving as a witness for Danny while Steve has Freddie, a long time friend of Steve's and a fellow Seal teammate.

The fact that they did it with witnesses makes the whole married thing very, very real.

As real as the platinum wedding band now adorned Danny's finger. Don't ask him how Steve got the platinum wedding bands on a very short notice. It's a hush-hush thing, apparently. And Steve hardly left Danny's side, Matt so helpfully and cheerfully told him.

When Danny asked why Matt didn't stop him or objected to the sudden marriage – this was what Matty had to say.

"I did asked if you're sure. Like if you really want to go through with this wedding. You said yes. A resounding yes." Matt told his brother dryly. Then he smirked, looking so much like a cat that got to the best cream and wasn't sorry about it. "Though, with the way you were acting, it's not a surprise you married him right off. You were completely smitten. And he was besotted with you. Ma and Pa would love him."

Danny blushed. Great, he was half afraid to find out how he has been acting. Yet, he can't help persisted. Despite the happy occasion, it was a strange behaviour coming from Danny himself. And he's curious. "You still didn't try to stop me."

Matt looked at him, then. Really looked at him. It was weird to see his baby brother so serious when he was usually so jovial. "You were happy, Dan-dan. Way more than you were with Rachel. That is enough for me to root for you."

Danny was flabbergasted. Not only at the boyhood nickname, but also at the oversimplified, blunt and truthful reasoning. "That's it?" Danny voiced out sceptically.

Matt stared at him unimpressed. Yet, there was that soft look in his eyes. A gentle gaze that he reserved just for his older brother who he grew up scurrying after. "You were more lively and animated with him on Saturday night compared to the one and a half years you were with your ex. You lighten up and was beaming as you interacted with Steve. You both keep touching one another. You can't keep your eyes off each other. Your body language says everything. So, yeah, Danny. When you suddenly announced you're getting married in an hour, I was more than happy to give you my blessings."

And wasn't that just plain embarrassing to hear. Danny never thought he will hear something so mushy. Worse, it was affectionate too.

There's also the fact that Matt was complicit with the whole thing. He was likely the cheerleader. And possibly the reason why the impromptu wedding went on smoothly. Who else can inform Steve of Danny's ring finger sizes if not his brother? He might be responsible for Danny's suit too. It was totally unbelievable.

Him getting married was one thing. But Matt being utterly supportive? It was baffling and mind-boggling.

Though Danny did lamented how he agreed to marry Steve so quickly. He still can't remember much what happened – it might be because of a mean cocktail that Steve made for him. Must have been so strong that he'd say yes to anything. Sex and alcohol are a lethal combination after all. Joy… – and it was such a monumental thing. Matt ended up laughing uproariously.

"Oh my god. It was so funny," Matt told his brother, still cackling with laughter. "You both were bantering like an old married couple. Bickering so animatedly even. The attractions was palpable. Definitely like a love-sick fools that you both are. And then the topic about being married came up. You were ranting about it, and Steve was egging you on about it. You guys were really into the discussion you know. It was cute to watch. Then, out of the blue, Steve dared you. That's right, brother mine. He dared you to get married. To him. Even went as far as asking you to marry him on one knee. And you said yes. Just like that. You said yes!"

Danny sat there stunned. Then, he turned to Steve, who has just got back; sauntering up to their table with a quick kiss to Danny's temple and snatched some fries off Danny's plate. By the blush on his cheeks, Steve definitely heard the half of the story. He looked bashful, even. Danny scowled at his cheeky husband. "So it's your fault. You're totally to blame, my friend. I will be throwing you under the bus if I were ask how this whole thing started. Just so you know."

Steve doesn't look remotely sorry. Seriously, not one little bit. He was smug, even. "I'll take full responsibility and protect you from your crazy relatives. Don't worry, dear. Our love story is the story of the ages. It's so awesome that it will inspire Shakespeare if he were alive. Just trust me, alright." Steve cooed playfully at his grumpy husband. Danny grumbled under his breaths, blushing furiously. Of course, he should have known his silly husband was a total putz by now. And was totally fine with showing affections even at the present of his baby brother.

And speaking of said brother….

"And you are not off the hook," Danny said turning back to his brother. "You can help me create a story."

"A story?" Matt blinked at his brother, smirking at him.

Danny glared. "Yeap. A story on why I got married to a Neanderthal after only knowing him for three days."

Matt hummed playfully. He waved his brother off flippantly. "Just shove Steve in front of Ma and Pa and let him be charming. Before the night is out, they'll replace you with him and feed him to their hearts contend. To say nothing about nonna will adore him when she visit in the summer."

Danny gaped scandalised at his stupid baby brother while Steve beamed, obviously very, very please with the prospect.

. . . . .

And the most infernal thing? Matt was right. Once Danny introduced Steve as his husband and paraded him in front of the whole Williams clan, they adored him to bits. Well, there were some grumbling with how Danny got married and with Steve being an active service with Navy, but that was something Danny could handle.

And Danny? Danny breathed the sigh of relief. Because introducing your secret–surprise husband was nerve wrecking. And Danny swore he might need to grovel and beg for forgiveness because of his shenanigans. His family can be petty like that.

And Danny wasn't wrong. He did need to grovel for forgiveness. He got metaphorically grounded to, as predicted. Mainly because he didn't introduce Steve to them sooner. Apparently Danny should have introduced his husband as soon as he said the vows and not three months later – after Steve come back from another mission, and appeared out of the blue at Danny's door. And yes, Steve got along with his family so well that Danny doesn't mind the constant ribbing he was subject to.

How was this his life. Huh.