"So Junior knows?" Steve asks.
Danny slides beside Steve on the couch, pushes the pillows from Steve's nap out of the way. He wants no space between them. Which is not much different than before this change in their status. He smiles. Then he realizes how dangerous it is to be this close to Steve. Not when they have 30 minutes til they need to leave for Steve's doctor appointment.
"Yes, Junior knows you're here. Tani, too, by now," Danny says.
Steve forces a frown. Makes him look adorable. He answers, "Thought he promised to keep our secret?"
"Well – as I've already told you – Junior and Tani are now an item."
He watches Steve, concerned he might have forgotten what they talked about last night. That would not be a positive development. Danny knows he's overthinking this. Worry makes him crazy.
The clouds part, and Steve smiles and says, "JT. Which is a cute nickname. You told me last night."
"I'm glad your short-term memory is working, that's good."
A raised eyebrow from Steve, and Danny wrinkles his nose and stifles a giggle. He babbles instead because he knows giggling will make him goofy.
"You know how it is when you have a – hmmm…"
"What?" Steve asks.
"Uh – what do I call you? Or you call me?" Danny waves his hands. He knows this amuses Steve, so he makes extra flourishes.
"Seriously, Danny, have you hit your head?"
Steve reaches for Danny's forehead, and Danny bats him away before he replies, "Am I your boyfriend? Partner? Girlfriend?"
Steve doubles over laughing, hands on his knees. "You are not a girl, so it's obvious."
A weird vein of anxiety ripples through Danny. He can tell from Steve's odd burst of laughter that he feels it too. Danny knows he's being silly. Why the hell did he say girlfriend? Probably because he was thinking about the elephant in the room. He can't help what he says next.
"Boyfriend or partner...significant other? You never called Catherine anything."
"We've been partners, Danny," Danny does not like the way Steve punctuates his name. It's not the more stern Daniel, but he knows he's hit a nerve. His hearing tunnels a little as Steve continues, "I'd go with boyfriend. Significant other sounds too vague. And let's not mention Catherine."
Danny notes the tense line across Steve's forehead. He never asked about Catherine. Not once the whole time Steve was gone. He knew about her, though. He knew Steve and Catherine had spent a week together in Santa Barbara. Lou was good for snooping, and Tani came right out and asked Steve more than once. She was heartbroken for Danny, which he found endearing. Lincoln had spilled the beans, too, admitting he overstepped. Danny had been curious and bitter. Then, he'd let it go. He wanted Steve to be happy. If Catherine could give him that, Danny would accept it. Eventually. Thinking about it now, he wasn't sure he had gotten over it. He stares at Steve a few seconds and then, shifts their conversation.
"My Aunt Sally had a special friend when I was a kid. I never understood. She came to all the family get togethers. I remember thinking how cool it was to live with your best friend. Then I bunked with you for the first time."
"I am not your special friend."
"Okay. Whatever," Danny says. He shakes his head and glares at Steve.
Steve sits up straight and runs his hands through his hair. Danny is just realizing how long it's grown. He's never seen Steve with his hair this long. He likes it. He does not, though, like the stubble. His lips burn a little from their makeout session. This is all too weird, but in a good way.
"So Tani knows I'm home because she and Junior are a thing," Steve says.
Home. Steve said home. Danny jumps up and down on the inside. He plays it cool.
"Yes. Most likely. Tani knows."
Steve shrugs. He spreads his legs wide, and stretches his arms over the back of the couch. Danny adjusts, always giving Steve what he needs.
Danny asks, "You're okay with it?"
"I don't have a choice, right?" Steve answers, "I'm here. Everyone's bound to find out."
"True," Danny replies. "I'm wondering how long she can stay quiet, though."
"She's good at keeping secrets."
"You sure about that?" Danny asks.
Steve squints at him.
"Because last Christmas I knew you got me the pasta maker and the knife set. Two weeks before the big reveal."
"What? You did? Why would she do that?" Steve scowls, "And how did you keep the secret?"
"I am, in fact, a fantastic secret keeper."
Chuckling, Steve wraps his arm around Danny. He pulls him so close it's uncomfortable. Danny flinches.
"You okay?" Steve asks.
Danny nods and takes a slow breath. He's not sure where the pain came from, his left shoulder or chest. He remembers he skipped a PT appointment.
"Fine. Just a little stiff."
"Do you have exercises you should be doing? Or therapy?"
He hates that Steve can read him.
"Yes to both."
"When's your appointment?"
"Yesterday."
"What? Whoa, you skipped an appointment? You give me hell every time –"
Danny plants a kiss on Steve's open mouth. He doesn't want to argue. He's punchy, maybe a little hungry. Steve responds and pushes Danny over. Which is unexpected and unfamiliar, but great. Steve is assertive and gentle at the same time. This gives Danny confidence to make a move. Sliding his hands under the waistband of Steve's sweatpants, Danny holds his breath. Steve adjusts his position so Danny has better reach, and Danny lets his fingers fully explore the firm curves. Steve bites his neck and then pulls away.
"You won't miss the next appointment, Danny."
All Danny can do is nod. A younger version of himself might have saluted and acted like an ass to defuse the tension. But he lets his hands fall to the cushions, and he doesn't move. Is this how it will be with them? Intense. Passionate. Hands-on.
Danny loves it.
/././
More coming soon...