#McDanno ficlet

[cowandcalf]

Steve tries to find a comfortable position for his head on the backpack. Impossible, he’s anyway too wired up to care. His team has to hunker down and is forced to hide between scrub and under dense, low-hanging branches throughout the entire day. The sun’s rising. They missed their exfil window. Junior crawls soundlessly towards him, his face serious and calm.

„What’s up? Everyone okay?“

„Yeah, all good.“ Junior whispers.

„Then what’s with the face?“

„We should be on our way home by now. It would have been perfect. Right on time back home again for the candles and the cake.“

Steve cranes his neck and checks the sky. They‘re on enemy territory and do everything to stay invisible.

„You know in our line of duty nothing is predictable. We were supposed to have reserves training but we’re on a mission. It’s what we do.“

Junior leans against the big tree and starts to work systematically past the layers of his camouflage to grab something from a secret pocket. Steve watches how he pulls slowly and without a sound a card from under there.

„That’s not a map.“ Steve states and stares at the piece of paper.

„It’s for you.“ Junior hands him the card, leans forward and whispers fondly. „Happy birthday, brother.“

Steve wants to grin but frowns at Junior. „You wrote me a fucking birthday card and took it on the mission?“ Steve‘s voice is calm but filled with question marks.

Junior scoffs and gives him an eye roll. „No, moron, I didn’t write you a card but someone who knew your team might not make it back in time, wrote it for you and made me swear to give it to you.“

„Danny made you swear?“ Steve’s smile widens.

„He did and because I know it means a lot to him . . . here, take it. And before you say something about bringing private life to work. We’re forced to stay put for the next 12 hours. So—„

„So?“

„Read it. It’s from your husband. There's a Snickers in my pocket and a small candle but you‘ll get that when we’re on the plane.“

Steve takes the card, deeply moved, and fights against the upcoming emotions. It’s not wise to read it but on the other hand, they have to kill a lot of time. „Thank you.“

„Love you, man.“ Junior pushes his fist gently against Steve‘s shoulder. He turns around and settles into a comfortable position to sleep for a few hours. They can’t do anything but wait.

Steve sits up and holds the card between his hands. He can’t allow his feelings to break through entirely but he lets his fingers wander over the paper where Danny’s fingers have been when he wrote the card. He opens it. The text is short but means the world to him. And it says Danno. Steve knows exactly what Danny wants to tell him. They took in a stray cat and named him Mr. Pickles. Steve was so worried that Eddy might get stressed and that the cat might bolt again. Steve’s heart already belongs to the cat. Danny knows that and sends him a picture showing Eddy and Mr. Pickles eyeing each other with interest. And next to the other picture, Danny took of him and his fur boy there's a short note: I‘ll take care of your new love, babe. You’re a big softy and that’s why I love you.

„Love you, too Danno.“ Steve murmurs and shoves the card into a small pocket close to his heart, folded into a small square. He shuffles into a lying position and reaches over to touch Junior. „Thanks, brother. I needed that.“

[nobigsecrets]

Happy Birthday

"13 years," Danny states while looking at the ocean churning below.

"What?" Steve asks, instinctively moving closer.

"It's more than a quarter of my life now that I've been here in Hawaii," Danny clarifies and then looks up to meet Steve's eyes with a smile. "With you."

[satashiiwrites]

rules: give us the links to your fics with the most hits, second most kudos, third most comments, fourth most bookmarks, fifth most words, and fic with the fewest words. Tagged by @missanniewhimsy

Most hits: Family, Familia, ‘Ohana. Buddie/McDanno Navyseal!buck. long fic with glacially slow burn. I’ve got five chapters left to yeet…. Hope to have done by spring 2024.

Second most kudos: I Wasn’t Looking Until I Found You. Complete. Buddie Sentienl/Guide retelling of 2.01. One of my favorite tropes (sentinel/guide) and one of my favorite pieces. Complete, just shy of 30k.

Third most comments: An Andromeda Tale, MReyder, retelling of Mass Effect Andromeda with a focus on Reyes’ backstory and how he and Scott eventually meet and then tangle their lives together. Space opera epic. Glacial slow burn (my specialty for long fics). I currently have the all-in-one version of this one hidden as I’m in a major overhaul/rewrite. To read the weekly-updating first section, read Arrival in Andromeda.

Fourth most bookmarks: Sleepless in LA. Buddie rom-com a la Sleepless in Seattle. Takes a lot of inspiration from classic rom coms. This is possibly the coziest thing I’ve ever written. Complete at 73k.

Fifth most words: Eddie Diaz Ain’t ‘Fraid of No Ghosts. Buddie Halloween fic for 2022. Written when my brain got stuck on the ghostbusters theme and Eddie’s consistent denial of the supernatural. 38k. Complete.

Fewest words: Blackmail material. MReyder crack!fic. What it says on the tin. 334 words. Just barely beats out Hot Stuff (448 words) which is a BeckWatney Martian post-movie ficlet written because I got a certain disco song stuck in my brain on vacation.

No chapter art for either of these unfortunately.

Tagging (with no pressure) @outtoshatter @tkwritesdumbassassins @rosieposiepuddingnpie @westernlarch @whimsyswastry @quietborderline and anyone else who wants to play along.

[lilolilyr]

Tagged ages ago by I don't know who for Ao3 stats!

How many fandoms have you written for?

Uuh. Um. So many that it only barely fits in two screenshots even on my new bigger phone? XD

I'm on 517 fics btw, 526 counting stuff that's been posted on anon (you can find that number if you're member of a collection and click 'people' on said collection)

What's your favorite fic on your Ao3?

Would still have to be my Andromaquynh longfic In Your Stead <3 though I'm currently working on a Mirandy podfic project that might take its place! Still, not my own fic, but I already love the voice acting I get to do there :)

Have you posted elsewhere? If yes, which of those fics is your favorite?

Uhh most is cross-posted to Ao3 anyway? I think some ficlets on @floreleine might not be... (Btw if you haven't yet, watch Gunpowder Milkshake it's awesome!)

How many bookmarks do you have on Ao3?

1574 bookmarks! Lots of them probably on private tho, check out my account and tell me how many you see there, I'm too lazy to log off and in again xD I tend to bookmark as, well, actual page marker bookmarks as well as use it as a 'read later' function as well as marking fics I've already read and writing me notes on what I liked or didn't like about them or whether they might be triggering for me in ways not tagged, warning me to only re-read with with caution, that kind of thing... I also bookmark a lot of external works so I have them saved all in one place, bc while I have a livejournal and I think also ffnet account I don't rly use them and I wouldn't even know how to bookmark stuff there...

Plus as recommendations for others! I love the rec function, I've got 175 public recs at the moment, so check it out if you're looking for new reading material :)

...so all in all, my bookmarks are steadily growing xD

How many unread comments do you have?

253 🙈🙈🙈 I'm sorryy!!! In my defence there are always some where I'm like 'ill reply when the sequel's up' and then I never write that xD probably half are still unread bc of that... Rest is some I just love looking at, some so long I love getting them but I don't have the energy to respond in kind and feel like just replying 'thanks' would be cheap idk, and some recent ones just uhh laziness

(they're of course all read though!!! It's just the function called unread bc they're unanswered and I haven't marked them read without answering, I only do that for replies, but I have read every single one <3 thank you commenters I love you!)

Any subscriptions?

6 pages full of author and series subs from way back 2014-2016 🙈 I'm not doing it anymore and I'm Trying to get rid of them but it's so much work adsfghjkl (I still want to keep them somewhere so I click the series/a fic of the author and bookmark it with the tag 'subscription tag' to know I formerly had subscribed/would have subscribed if I still used that function - I just want to get rid of the email spam because that damn thing already completely murdered one email address, and I've switched my ao3 account to another email and that's slowly dying as well now lmfao and I Never check those emails I just check my bookmarks anyway so it's all very useless to me)

Any favorite tags?

I clicked favorite on a bunch of ship tags, whenever I was reading basically just that one ship and wanted it close on hand I added one and never removed them, they're McDanno, Milippa Prime, ClintCoulson, Ineffable Spouses and Andromaquynh

@poemsingreenink @glassbearclock @falyakonmp3 @incloudines @kla1991 @viharistenno @pers-books @xvnot15 @kaorimaxwell-blog @startrekgeorgiouery @danisnotmyname @lavendelhummel & any other mutuals and friends, feel free to do this if you want to, and you can also have a look at the other tagging memes I did lately, feel tagged in any you want to do!

Questions for easy copying: How many fandoms have you written for? What's your favorite fic on your Ao3? Have you posted elsewhere?If yes, which of those fics is your favorite? How many bookmarks do you have on Ao3? How many unread comments do you have? Any subscriptions? Any favorite tags?

[h50europe]

#McDanno - x-mas romance

I am truly so blessed to have you! Not only do I have the love of my life but my best friend too. You truly are my everything...

[ellena-asg]

♥️♥️♥️

A McDanno drabble #1

It's not about the way Danny's fingers feel on his skin, rather the way the sensation lingers even when the touch has ended. In fact, the tingling warmth left behind after a feather-light touch to his elbow can get him through several hours, especially if he presses his own fingers to the same spot much later. But those moments when Danny's attention is undivided, is solely on Steve as he lies still and patient, those sensations ripple through Steve with such intensity he can't stop them and so they overwhelm him. And, he's finally come to realise, he deserves it.

[mcdannoangelwolf]

#11, any (or all) of the categories

@bgharison Thank you SO much for your prompts. They've really helped with my block. Other than H50 didn't know what, if any, fandom your were into so I wrote them all McDanno. Like I told @cowandcalf I've never really written angst as a prompt so I hope you like. These are all just read-through edited so there may be mistakes.

Angst 11 – Nobody’s seen you in days.

Steve stumbled out of bed at the pounding coming from downstairs. In an instant he was awake and his SEAL training kicked in as he pulled his sidearm out of the dresser. The pounding was relentless and only grew louder as Steve crept silently downstairs.

At the bottom of the stairs Steve realized that the sound was coming from the opposite side of his front door. Lowering his weapon, but not clicking the safety back on yet, he moved swiftly to the door and looked through the peephole.

Steve released the breath he had been holding, even was worry crept into is gut, at the sight on the other side. Thumbing the safety back on his weapon Steve opened the door to reveal one disheveled Danny Williams.

“Danno….what the fuck, it’s three in the morning,” Steve started to rant but the smell lingering around Danny as he slouched in had him changing lanes, ���You reek Danny, did you bathe in whiskey, fuck you didn’t drive here did you?” Steve asked, checking outside out of instinct but was pleased to not to see Danny’s car.

Danny though didn’t answer and Steve turned to find the man sitting on his couch, eyes distant but not alcohol glassy, staring into space. More concerned that had been before Steve stowed his weapon in the side table and sat down on the coffee table, facing Danny.

“Danny you’re freaking me out a bit man. Are you ok, nobody’s seen you in days?” Steve asked quietly, hands resting on Danny’s knees. It wasn’t exactly unexpected, Danny had taken a few days off to deal with some issues with his apartment, but Danny usually called or texted Steve; either to bitch or hangout, even when he took time off.

It was a few minutes before Danny responded, long enough that Steve was debating the wisdom of lightly tapping Danny’s cheeks.

“I didn’t drive here. I took a cab. I’ve been drinking. I’m not drunk but I shouldn’t be driving…I dropped a bottle…it splashed all over my legs.” Danny replied, looking down at his legs. Danny’s voice was flat and quiet and that chilled Steve more than anything. No matter how shitty the situation Danny was always loud and animated. Whether he was happy or furious. This lifelessness was not Danny.

Without thought Steve moved one hand from Danny’s leg up to cup his cheek.

“Danno, what’s going on?” Steve asked again, thumb stroking over Danny’s stubble.

Danny surprised him by not only turned into the touch and nuzzling against his palm but bringing his own hand up to cup Steve’s.

“Rachel lied, Charlie isn’t Stan’s. His mine. She…she’s known all along. For three years she’s lied to me. Kept my little boy from me.” Danny spoke into Steve’s palm, eyes squeeze shut so tight the little crow’s feet at the corners deepened into tiny canyons.

Rage boiled up inside Steve’s gut next to the worry. He had always known how precarious the relationship between Danny and Rachel was, but this was beyond the pale. Rachel knew how much Danny had loved Charlie. Before the boy was even born Danny was ecstatic about the child.

She also knew how much the knowledge of her deception would hurt Danny. A chill ran up Steve’s spine as he realized that Rachel wouldn’t have confessed without a reason.

“What’s wrong Danno, why’d she tell you?” Steve asked, inwardly cringing at the steel in his tone.

Danny thought didn’t seem to notice. Instead he opened his eyes and fixed him with a desolate, tearful gaze.

“He’s sick Steve. HLH, some kind of immune thing. He sick and could die Steve. He could die Steve. He’s just a kid, he’s three fucking years old and so small Steve.” The words tumbled out of Danny and it was like a damn burst as tears poured down his face and sobs rocked his body. Steve’s heart broke, just like he knew Danny’s was, and he abandoned the coffee table to sink down next to Danny; gathering him into his arms.

Danny came willingly, arms wrapping around Steve’s bare torso as he bawled into Steve’s neck. Not even beginning to know what to say Steve simply clung tightly to Danny. Shedding his own tears as his partner and best friend fell apart.

After what felt like an eternity Danny began to calm. Steve knew that Danny was likely forcing himself back into some semblance of control and debated on telling him he didn’t have to. That he could rage and cry and scream all he wanted to, all he needed to, with him without worry. Steve stayed silent though when Danny made no move to pull away and continued to hold on to him.

“He needs a bone marrow transplant. Grace isn’t a match. Neither is Rachel, not enough of one at least,” Danny spoke quietly into his neck, “I’m gonna get tested in a few days...if I’m not enough of match…that sweet little boy, my son could die Steve…he’d never get to grow-up. Never know how much I wanted him. How much I loved him. Never know because I didn’t know. I didn’t know Steve. I didn’t know.”

Steve’s anger, which had subsided as his concern for Danny grew, returned and grew into a molten iron intensity. Holding Danny tightly enough he would be surprised if he didn’t leave bruises Steve forced himself to speak in a quiet voice.

“It’s gonna be okay Danny. We’ll make it ok. I’ll get tested too, if you want, just in case. But one way or another he’s gonna be ok and you’re gonna make up for lost time.” Steve knew he shouldn’t make promises he couldn’t keep, had no way possibly keeping, but at the moment in time he knew Danny needed hope and certainty.

Danny, to his surprise, didn’t call him out on his assertion. Instead Danny just nodded against his neck and gave him a quiet, watery, thank you.

Steve was unsure how long the two of them sat that in the quiet, just holding on to each other, and he was loath to move. But his eyes began to feel gritty with sleep and Steve knew they both needed to rest.

“Come on Danno, you can bed down in the guest room.” Steve gave Danny a little shake and Danny once more nodded and slowly disentangled himself from Steve’s side. Steve immediately missed the warmth but shoved the feeling down. Now was not the time for that.

Steve led Danny up to the guest room, which had once been his childhood room, and left him at the door with a quiet good night. Before he turned away for his own room though Danny reached out and took his hand. Steve let himself be drawn back into Danny’s space and as their eyes met Steve saw his own, much repressed feelings, reflected there. The hand not holding onto his own reached up and cupped his cheek. Before Danny could make the move Steve was sure was coming though Steve leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to Danny’s forehead.

“This is not a no Danno. But it is a not yet, a not tonight. Not when you’ve been drinking and you’re all torn up over Rachel and Charlie. That’s not how either of us want to start this thing.” Steve said quietly against his temple, pulling Danny back into a hug.

“Can I…Can I just stay with you?” The vulnerability in Danny’s voice brought tears to his eyes and had Steve nodding in agreement, unable to speak past the lump in his throat. Wordlessly he pulled Danny down the hall and in his own room. He pulled an old T-shirt and sleep pants and passed them to Danny. He grabbed a spare pillow out of the closet as Danny changed.

Bed made and Danny changed they both lay down and Danny was quick to move back into his space. Steve welcomed him with open arms and pressed another kiss to Danny’s forehead before he nuzzled into Steve’s throat. It wasn’t long until Danny’s breathing evened out as he fell asleep.

Locking up everything in his mind to deal with tomorrow Steve closed his eyes and willed himself into sleep alongside him.

Fluff 11 – I think I’m in love with you.

“I think I’m falling in love with you.” Danny’s voice was quiet and shy, words spoken against his chest.

Steve, eyes still closed, smiled at the sky and pushed his foot against the ground to give the hammock a little swing before answering.

“Okay.” He replied simply. Steve could feel Danny tense and shift from his place next to and a little on top of him. He knew it was coming and he was content to wait until Danny got himself into a good position for ranting. Eventually Danny sighed and stilled, laying in a hammock in Steve’s back yard was not area conducive to ranting.

“Okay, okay, that’s all I get, an okay?” Danny groused without heat, collapsing heavily onto his shoulder.

“Pretty much yea.” Steve replied, rucking up Danny’s t-shirt to rest on his bare side.

Danny sighed as Steve caressed his side. Steve knew it wouldn’t last. Danny was incapable of leaving it alone. Just like before though Steve was happy to wait him out. Once again it didn’t take long before Danny was moving again. This time pulling and tugging at Steve’s shoulders to hoist himself up. Once Steve could feel the shadow over his face and could feel Danny glaring at him, but still he waited, smile on face.

“Stop grinning and look at me you animal.” Danny grumbled, poking at his cheek.

Steve finally opened his eyes and looked at Danny, enjoying the fierce glare that the blond was giving him.

“I just said I love you, why are you not freaking out about it more?” Danny asked and Steve could finally hear the insecurity in Danny’s voice. Feeling just the smallest bit bad about teasing his boyfriend Steve relented.

“Well to start you said you think you were falling in love with me. Secondly we’ve been dating for a year Danno and I’ve been in love with you from the start so I’m happy to wait till you’re completely sure.” Steve told him and watched as Danny visibly deflated.

“You love me?” Danny’s voice was awed and quiet.

“Yea Danno, and I probably shouldn’t have said it like this, but I just wanted you to know where I was. And it doesn’t bother me that you’re not there yet. You will be and I’m happy to wait.” Danny’s eyes went soft.

They just looked at each other for a moment before Danny leaned and down and gave him soft, sweet kiss, before laying back down on his shoulder.

“I think, maybe I’m a little closer than I was before.” Danny whispered and Steve smiled at the sky, rocked the hammock with his foot, and went back to stroking Danny’s warm skin.

Misc 11 – Is the Cat in a onesie – Uh, No?

Steve hummed to himself as he loaded his arms with bags from the grocery. The song had been in his head all day but he couldn’t place. Normally it would be driving him crazy, he hated ear-worms, but today his focus was entirely absorbed by getting stuff ready for the Halloween party.

He was going a bit overboard, he knew that, but it was the first ‘holiday’ they were doing not only as a couple but one that was living together as well. Steve just wanted things to go well. Even if it was just a Halloween party for the Team and their friends.

“Danno,” Steve called out as he entered from the garage, “I’ve got candy for the trick-or-treaters and some booze and snacks for the party. I think we’ve got everything we need.”

When Danny didn’t reply Steve stowed his bags on the kitchen island and went looking for him. He knew Danny was home, his car was in the drive-way, and he was supposed to be getting Charlie ready for trick-or-treating. They were both going to take him out before the party and Steve couldn’t wait.

Steve found the two of them huddled in a corner of the living room. Charlie was giggling at something and Danny was making shushing noises between his own laughs.

“What are you two doing?” Steve asked, causing the pair jump in surprise, obviously they hadn’t heard him come in.

“What makes you think we’re doing anything?” Danny asked, obviously faux casual, as he pulled Charlie to his side, trying to block Steve’s view.

“Well the huddling and giggling was a pretty big give away. And there’s the fact that you’re obviously hiding something.” Steve smiled, craning around a bit to try and peek behind the pair.

Danny and Charlie moved so quickly to keep blocking his view that the boy stumbled a bit and would have fallen if Danny hadn’t been hold his shoulder.

Before Steve could say anymore a quiet ‘mew’ came from behind the pair just before Mr. Pickles came trotting out from behind them.

“Mr. Pickles, not yet, you’re not ready.” Charlie said but the cat paid him no mind and continued on his trot until he was twining himself between Steve’s feet. Steve stared down at the cat, intrigued that the snow-white cat was now wrapped in black.

“Is the cat wearing a onesie?” Steve asked, mildly confused.

“Uh…no?” Charlie replied and Steve turned his gaze on the boy, who was smiling and trying to look innocent.

Steve smiled in return and looked to Danny, whom rolled his eyes before answering.

“For future reference, this was his idea.” Danny replied nodding his head at his son. Charlie glared up at his father with a look so reminiscent of Danny that Steve had a vision of Danny as a little boy.

“And what, exactly, is the idea?” Steve asked, looking back to Charlie.

“He’s supposed to be a ninja Uncle Steve. We were gonna surprise you.” Charlie replied, moving to scoop Pickles up in his arms. The cat went willing, nuzzling his head against Charlies jaw.

“Adorable little ninja’s.” Danny parroting his words from year ago back to him had Steve giving him a half-hearted glare before turning back to the boy.

“That is a great idea kiddo, and I am surprised. Why don’t we finish dressing up Pickles while Danno gets the rest of the groceries out of the car?” Steve asked the boy with a smile.

He didn’t know which was better, Charlie’s wide smile and emphatic acceptance or Danny’s outraged yelp.

This Halloween was looking to turn out just fine.

[cowandcalf]

Our H50 Tumblr Community is an inspiring place. My latest fic. The boys are still my strongest inspiration source.

[nobigsecrets]

I wanted to answer your poll about the prompt thingy but I’m not sure if it worked. So, here’s a prompt for you, babe, to poke your muse🤩💙:

Danny watches how the heavy rain hammers against the window. It’s too cold in the cabin. He hears Steve stepping up behind him. The quiet makes Steve’s breathing even louder.

„Are you mad?“ Steve asks softly.

"Am I mad?" Danny repeats and huffs and then has to bite his tongue so he doesn't blurt out anything that he might regret—

Because, yes. He's mad. He wants to be mad. There are a lot of things to be mad about.

His own stupidity for one, for agreeing to Steve's crazy weekend plans despite past experience and better knowledge.

The crazy Hawaiian weather for another, for being unpredictable and brewing up a storm out of nowhere. There was neither rain nor storm on the forecast this morning yet here they are, soaked through to the bone. Danny's wet and cold and he shivers involuntarily.

He really wants to be mad at Steve for screwing up and not having seen this coming. For making him hike through the jungle, uphill and in heavy downpour in search of shelter because it's likely this storm won't blow over before it gets dark and they will be trapped and—

That's not the point.

The point is that mostly, he wants to be mad at Steve for his miserable, unbelievably bad timing—

He can't.

He can't find it in him to be mad at Steve for being a sentimental sap, for wanting to make this special, for being brave enough to take this first step they've both been dreading to take for a while now—

For dragging up the courage to kiss Danny in the exact same moment the first thunder rolled in the distance and the first fat raindrops started to whiz down around them.

And Danny can feel Steve standing close and he's radiating waves of anxiousness and worry and Danny realizes he's been letting him wait for an answer for way too long already.

"Yes, Steven," he says, while his heart is suddenly hammering almost as fast as the rain is pelting down outside. "I'm mad. I'm mad that you're just standing there instead of kissing me again."

When Danny looks up he has just about enough time to see a relieved, bright smile emerge on Steve's face, like the sun lighting up the sky as it rises over the horizon, before Steve is right up in his personal space. Steve's hands are on Danny's shoulders, pulling him close, and Danny goes willingly. One of Steve's hands moves to the nape of Danny's neck and then Steve leans in and in an instant their lips are touching—

An absurd part of Danny's mind notices how Steve's nose is all cold while his mouth is warm, hot even, Steve's tongue feels almost scorching as it brushes against Danny's own and then Danny wraps his arms tight around Steve's back and starts kissing back.

It should be uncomfortable with their wet clothes sticking to their skin, it should be unpleasant in the cold and damp cabin but Danny barely notices any of it anymore, all his attention on Steve in front of him. The thought crosses his mind that Steve might find this situation actually romantic and Danny barely suppresses an amused snort.

"Am I mad?" he murmurs between kisses, his lips brushing the sensitive skin below Steve's ear. "I must be, because I'm madly in love with you, you big oaf!" And maybe Steve shivers because of Danny's breath tickling his skin, or maybe it's because of Danny's words but he buries his face in the crook of Danny's neck and Danny never wants to let go again.

—

Thank you so much for this great prompt, babe! 💙 I know it's short and it's not edited (yet), but I'm so happy that I managed to write it today! Your poking my muse has definitely helped and I will try to keep the inspiration going! Thanks for your help, you're the best!

[theseprezelsaremakingmethirsty]

Narrator voice: it was, in fact, not expanded soon

Parent night at Charlie's school

The teacher sat at her desk, her eyes wide and her mouth slack. She stared at the older adults across from her. She’s met some interesting families before but this one takes the cake.

Mr. Edwards is sitting in one of the small plastic seats; his perfectly pressed suit being bunched up from the chair being about three sizes too small for him.

His ex wife, Rachel, sat in another one of the chairs, her long legs folded and her hands clasped over her knee.

Beside her was her other ex-husband, Danny. He sat at one of the children’s desks. He moved it sideways so he wasn’t trapped behind the desk and could rest his elbow on top.

Next to Danny was his…partner? Boyfriend? Just friend? The teacher wasn’t sure but he was huge. He looked giant in the desk, going through the contents under the wood lid. Freddie fiddled with the sides of the desk as if he was stuck or trying to figure out how to take it apart.

Now, she knows for a fact that Steve, the commander is Danny’s partner. She always thought they were together, but maybe Danny was with Freddie now? Or was Steve with Freddie? The commander sat on top of a desk behind the both of them, his legs still touching the ground and his arms crossed over his chest. She looked at him a lot more than shed admit.

“So you’re all Charlie’s parents?” “Some of us more than others,” Rachel remarked.

Freddie mimicked her words under his breath, his nose turned up and his tongue sticking out. Steve held in a laugh and Danny tried not to smile.

He clenched his teeth in a grin, “yes. We ALL are.”

“Right,” the teacher tried looking through her paperwork but it only came up with Danny and Rachel as guardians at this point. “And how does that work?”

“My first ex-husband seems to be in a polygamous relationship now.”

“Oh.” “It’s really not that confusing,” Freddie pipped in. He had found a box of crayons and paper and started drawing what Danny can only assume was a naval tactic. “Im in love with Steve, so is Danny. And Steve loves us both. And I guess Danny is alright.”

“Gee, thanks Fred.” “Okay,” the teacher took a deep breath, “so, Charlie refers to you all as…”

“Momma.” Rachel said simply. “Step-Stan,” Stan said bitterly. She remembers him having been labeled father on her paper work years ago. She didn’t think about the change until now.

She raised an eyebrow at Danny, who grinned. “Danno,”

Steve raised his own eyebrows in a proud, cocky manner, “Daddy.”

“What about you, Mr. hart?”

Freddie held up his picture of a cat with military camo and smiled widely, “Pops.”

[merlin-wolfgang-trades-hale]

McDanno ficlet, (1200 word count) Prompt: Fake Dating....with a twist because I love possessive/jealous Steve 

Danny approached the table at Kamekona’s food truck with a file in hand. He motioned for Kame for his usual order while dropping the file onto the table. 

“What’s that?” Kono asked while Steve was the one who picked it up and opened it. 

Danny sighed and ran a hand through his hair before slumping into the corner seat, “A favor. One of my firefighter friends asked me to pretend to be his boyfriend while his parents visit for the weekend.”

“And you agreed?” Steve asked, voice low and cold as he read what was in the file. He frowned at how little information there was. 

“I owed him heavily for some brownie points he got me with Grace when he convinced his boss to take a fire truck to school near the end of the summer,” Danny explained but by the looks on the team’s faces, he had to supply more. “He only recently came out to his parents last year. He used being new to the island as his excuse but now that he’s more settled, every time he called home it was the usual question. He got tired of it and in panic and desperation he blurted out he was seeing someone. When they asked for details…he picked me as his boyfriend.”

“And you’re just…going to go along with it?” Steve demanded, clearly not happy with this at all. He told himself he just hated blackmail on principle but more so when someone tried to blackmail someone on his team! Especially Danny!

“Like I said, he’s helped me look cool in front of Grace and her friends and the school. But a lie can get out of hand easily enough when not everyone is in the loop. His parents will probably want to do touristy things. I can probably use work as an excuse once or so but I’ll have to hang out with them and a lot of the places I can think of taking them are places you guys have shown me. So in case you see me around, holding hands or kissing a guy, I don’t want you getting the wrong idea or being confused or whatever. So…in here are the basics. Timeline, info about him, our ‘relationship’, etcetera. “ 

Steve slammed the file closed and pushed it away from himself. Standing up, he grabbed Danny’s arm and pulled him up too. “Walk with me.” 

Danny didn’t have a choice and followed suit until they had some privacy. Steve not letting Danny go until they were in between the Camaro and his Silverado. 

“What the hell, Danny?” 

“I’m going to need you to be slightly more specific, Steven.” 

“Why are you going on with this charade? I mean…are you really going to date this guy?”   

“What? No! I’m just doing a friend a favor.”

“Doing a friend a favor is helping them move their stuff when they get a new place. It’s picking up their dry cleaning because they got too much stuff going on during the day and they need their suit for later in the evening. This is….he’s asking you to hold his hand and kiss him!” 

“It’s just for a weekend, Steve. Not even a full weekend. I got work and Grace as an excuse as to why I can’t make it.” Seeing Steve start with a rebuttal, Danny continued first, “Which…will be an issue his parents will probably pick up on. They’ll note that I’m older, have been married and divorced, with a kid and a dangerous job with insane hours. A few weeks after they’re home he’ll call to tell them we broke up because the differences became too big. We’ve thought this out…so…please….if you see me out and about, just…go with it?” 

Steve didn’t have any arguments to keep throwing at Danny. Not without having it thrown back in his face as to why it’s bothering him so much. His face probably looks like he’s bitten to the sourest of lemons. He storms back to the table, downs his beer just as Danny comes back and Kame sets his food in front of him. 

Steve orders another beer and drinks it while he sulks and stares intently at Danny. 

~~~~~~~~~~

 The loud banging startled Danny from his sleep. He grabs the clock on the nightstand and tries to decipher the time until his vision adjusts and tells him it’s almost 3:30 in the morning. Nothing good ever came at late night calls like this. Though he checks his cell phone and it’s now fully charged but doesn’t have any missed calls or messages. Still, he grabs his gun as he makes his way to the door. 

Looking through the peephole he sees it’s Steve. He doesn’t dare sigh in relief yet as he opens the door just as Steve was about to bang on it again. 

“What? What’s going on!” Danny demanded as he tried to erase the remaining pull of sleep. 

“You were willing to let people think you were dating a man.” 

Danny stills and just stares at Steve. The other’s words registering in his mind but it does little to solve the confusion. 

He opens the door wider so Steve could come and they could continue this, whatever this is, inside. Placing his gun down on the furniture near the door, he then rubs his face with both hands. As awake as he may now be, he was still very tired. 

“It’s 3:30, Steven.” 

“I know!” Steve was pacing back and forth like a caged animal. 

Danny could see the cogs turning in his mind at a furious speed and now he was beginning to worry. But Steve’s never appeared to have had issues with same sex couples, so this had to be deeper…right? Danny couldn’t jump to conclusions. ”I was doing a friend a favor, Steve.”

At the reminder, Steve seemed to recoil. It at least stopped him in his tracks and gave Danny a heated look he didn’t know how to decipher. 

“Weekend’s over now.”

“Steve, what is this about? Why couldn’t this have waited until morning?”

“I waited as long as I could! Don’t you think I tried? Someone actually called the police because they thought some crack head was trying to break in…”

“So…you’re in a mood. At my house. At 3:30 in the morning. Upset about my being bi?”

“No!” The insulted look made Danny feel somewhat better. If only because whatever fears began to grow about some internalized homophobia causing troubles for them…it wasn’t the right answer. “It’s not about you also liking men! It’s…you…”

“Me what?” 

The coil that Steve seemed to have wound up caused him to finally spring into action. He pressed Danny against the door and kissed him! Actions always speaking louder than words and the last couple of days Steve couldn’t find any of the words he needed to convey his feelings to Danny. 

The kiss was possessive and full of the jealousy he’s felt since he learned of Danny’s favor to his friend. When the need to breathe finally presented itself, he pulled back but just barely. Their breaths mingling as they panted to catch them. 

“It’s you…not being with me.”

[clynnra]

Maverick

I loved "Top Gun: Maverick" and the original "Top Gun." Steve McGarrett loved the original movie in canon, so I know he and Danny would see it together. And, I just always want to give my boys happy fluff to offset that sad ending in canon they were given. This ficlet is the result. Finally, eternal thanks to my beta PhoebeMiller for making my silly ficlet better than it was with her fantastic feedback about description and all the grammar. She's an awesome writer in her own right - go read her wonderful stories! And always thanks to SheppardMcKay for inspiring me to post fic.

The lights in the movie theater slowly brightened. Danny felt good about the movie. “Top Gun: Maverick” was everything he wanted to see in a sequel to the 1986 original. Arching his back, Danny stretched his arms upwards. He watched the few people who stuck around for the credits saunter out talking about the movie. Danny looked at Steve sitting next to him.

Rubbing his eyes with his palms, Steve sniffled. Danny gazed at his partner for a beat longer and was about to razz him about getting emotional at a movie. Steve had done the same to him years ago when he caught Danny watching “Enemy Mine” for the first time. Instead, Danny reached in his pocket for the tissues he grabbed for Charlie earlier and offered Steve one. Silently, Steve took the tissue and used it.

“You good, babe?” Danny asked as he pressed his shoulder into Steve. Steve didn’t move away but nodded.

“You liked the movie, then? I know “Top Gun” is your favorite…” Danny started.

Steve grinned then and said, “That was awesome, Danno. It was better than I thought it would be. They did a real good job.”

They smiled at each other for a moment, and the ushers started to clean up in the rows ahead of them.

“Gotta go, Steve. The people gotta clean up for the next show.”

Before they got up, Steve put a hand on Danny’s shoulder, “Hey, Danny, you can be my..:”

Rolling his eyes, Danny said, “Wingman, anytime.. yeah, yeah. Let’s go, already.”

With a twinkle in his eyes, Steve smirked and added, "Nope. You can be my Penny Benjamin anytime.” He snickered.

Danny shook his head and laughed with Steve. He punched Steve’s shoulder. “Shut up, Maverick, let’s go.” Danny grabbed Steve’s hand, linked their fingers and walked out with his Navy SEAL into the quiet buzz of people walking past. The fresh air greeted their senses, and all they could do was smile like the in love goofs they were and tighten their hold on each other as they walked to their car.

FIN

[murphyhatesme]

Quick fix it!

So I needed to fix the end. My mind came up with this.. :)

Steve takes Cath’s hand, squeezing as the plane starts taxiing. Once in the air Cath turns to him.

“So Jersey? Really?”

Steve huffs out a laugh.

“Yeah Danny thought I’d find some peace there.”

“I’ll stay with you for a couple of days, but I have a new assignment coming in.”

“I’m just glad you’re here now.”

“As if Danny would let you walk away alone.”

“He and Lincoln are quite the pair.”

“Between them they make sure you are taken care of, sailor.”

Cath smiles at him, shutting her eyes and settling back against the chair. Steve squeezes her hand again and lets himself relax, his mind on Danny waiting for him as he drifts off to sleep.

******

Steve smiles as he watches the new recruits going through their paces. Clara introduced him to a friend working at the coast guard training centre after Steve moped around Jersey for a month. It took him a week to volunteer and he’s been here on and off for the last eight months. He’s in regular contact with his team and he met up Kono and Chin a couple of times, but he thinks he’s ready to go home now. He misses the team but most of all he misses Danny. He keeps going back to the last image he has of him, sitting on his chair looking out over the sea. He should have walked back, and .. his heart knows exactly what he should have done but back then his mind wasn’t ready. Right now his heart has convinced his mind that Danny is his peace and quiet, despite his loudness. His phone pings and he knows it’s Clara reminding him to be on time for dinner. He shoots a text back before waving to the crew, he finished his goodbye rounds already and he’s more than ready for some food. 

******

The overhead lights blink on and Steve fastens his seat belt. The plane starts its descent and Steve closes his eyes. The touch down is a little rough, and when the lights blinks off he remains in his seat waiting for the plane to empty before he grabs his duffel from under the chair in front of him. 

He’s impatiently waiting for his suitcase by the baggage belt and he keeps glancing at the big window at the end of the hall, trying to catch a glimpse of his partner. Danny insisted on picking him up and Steve agreed readily. When he walks through the sliding doors the first thing he sees is Charlie holding up a sign with ‘Aloha Uncle Steve’ on it in bright rainbow coloured letters. His eyes find Danny, the world around them fades away, and Steve’s heart skips a beat. Someone barrels into him and the moment is broken. Charlie spots him and is running top speed towards him, Steve catches him easily, hugging the little boy close as he walks towards Danny. He sets Charlie down on his feet when Danny opens his arms. He falls into them and tightens his arms around the broad back, he inhales Danny’s familiar scent and instantly relaxes. Danny is murmuring stupid nonsense into his ear and Steve just hugs him closer, not willing to let go just yet. When Charlie tugs on his pants he draws back a little, ruffling the boy's hair. He looks at Danny, pulling him in slowly. One hand cupping his cheek, he lets his thumb trail over Danny’s lips. He leans in and gives Danny ample time to pull away but when he doesn’t move Steve dips down and kisses Danny full on the mouth. Danny briefly kisses him back before he draws back. Softly smiling he tugs Steve’s ear.

“What took you so long, huh?”

A loud ‘ewww’ from Charlie startles them both into a laugh and Steve picks him up, swinging him high making him giggle. He slips his arm around Danny’s waist as they walk out of the airport. He stops and breaths in the humid, ocean air. He’s home.

Fin

[bgharison]

Nincompoop -- an H50 Fix-it coda 10.22

Prompt from @rijariz

So I really want Danny to say "I told you not to make me come looking for you, you stubborn Ass. But before we go back I have some conditions. No exes, no mysteries, and no more 3 letter agencies please!!!"

Thanks for the prompt!!  This was written kind of quickly, un-beta’d, and I might polish it later, but I hope it does service to your wonderful idea.  I ended up splitting up Danny’s dialogue, but I think it worked.  :-)  

***

“Danny,” Steve sighed, closing his eyes and gripping the phone tight.  “It’s good to hear your voice.”

“I almost didn’t answer; I didn’t recognize this number,” Danny said.  “Not that I mind -- texting is fun and all, but yeah, it’s . . . it’s good to hear your voice, too.  This your new number?  The team will want --”

“I’m calling from a payphone.  It’s -- “ he stopped.  “I started thinking, maybe I shouldn’t keep in touch.”

Danny was silent.  Steve could feel the hurt and betrayal from thousands of miles away.

“We still don’t know if the threat is over, there could be more . . . I can’t do this, Danny, I can’t keep putting people I love in danger.”

“Steven.  Don’t do this.  You plunge yourself into that hole of guilt . . . you go too deep, there’s no coming back.”

Now Steve fell silent.  He had promised to come back, but maybe it was safer if he didn’t.

“Steve?  Steven!”

“I love you, Danny.  Take good care of Eddie for me.”  He hung up the phone before he could change his mind; before his emotions betrayed him.

Danny slowly thumbed the call off his phone screen, then pulled up another contact and pressed call.

“Yeah, Catherine?  I’m gonna need Steve’s location.  It’s time to bring our boy home.”

*******

Danny pulled the scarf up around his neck, hunched against the wind and a few determined pellets of freezing rain, as he made his way to the rental car building.  The inconveniences of flying in to a small airport, he supposed.  

The Jeep he’d requested was fueled up and ready for him.  He tossed his bag into the passenger seat as he climbed in, wincing a bit.  He hadn’t been back to driving for very long, and the flight had already stiffened his healing muscles.  At least the bruising was completely gone.  It had been weeks before Tani could look at him without tears.  

The freezing rain quickly gave over to snow, making the drive even more peaceful.  He thought nothing of the conditions.  Montana snow was still easier than Jersey ice.  

He wasn’t surprised to see Steve on the porch as he pulled up to Joe’s ranch.  He wondered if there was ever -- would ever -- be a time that Steve wasn’t hyper-aware of his surroundings.  He wondered the same for himself, now, as he pulled himself carefully, stiffly, out of the driver’s seat. 

"I told you not to make me come looking for you, you stubborn ass."

“I wouldn’t have thought you’d look for me here,” Steve said, pulling a blanket tighter around his shoulders.  

“Yeah, for someone who needed to get away from memories . . . you picked a weird place for that,” Danny said.  He studied Steve, taking in his appearance.  His cheeks looked a bit pinched under  his thick, soft beard, but his beard was trimmed, his eyes clear.  Danny had seen worse.  He snorted as he took in Steve’s bare feet.

“Must be slipping if you could track me,” Steve said.  “Or was it a lucky guess?”

“You gonna let me come in, or you gonna get frostbite on your toes?”

Steve smiled at him then, genuine and full of affection.  Danny felt relief wash over him.  

“Get in here, Danno.”  Steve held his arms open, and in a few steps, Danny felt himself wrapped tight, cocooned with Steve in the warmth of the blanket.

******

“I can’t believe you low-jacked me,” Steve said, but he was grinning.  

“Catherine said she’d tag the one thing you’d never ditch.”

“My Sig?”

“The picture of Grace and Charlie, actually,” Danny said.  He raised his eyes to look into Steve’s.

Steve’s breath caught.  “I love them.  That’s why I can’t come back, Danny.  She knew, she knew exactly how to get to me, how to hurt me the most -- I almost lost you.  What if it’s not over?  Hell, what if someone else I took down decides to come after me?  What if they go after the kids?”  He stood up abruptly and walked to the fireplace.  Resting his hand on the mantel, he turned his back to Danny.

Steve flinched when Danny rested a hand on his back.  “Turn around and look at me,” Danny said softly.

Steve turned, reluctantly, and even with his head ducked down, Danny could see tears threatening to well over.

“Steve.  You remember the last time I got shot?  Did that have anything to do with you?”

Steve shook his head.

“No.  That was one of my old cases.  That guy could have decided to go after the kids.  Thank God he didn’t.  But Petterson did, remember?  He took Gracie.  You’re not the only one who’s made enemies in their line of work, Steven.  I have, too.  Your dad did.  Your mom.  And Joe.  But you have something they didn’t, Steve, you have a family.  An ohana.  You taught me that -- you gave me that.  And now, instead of turning to that family for comfort -- comfort we all needed -- you ran.”

“I’m exhausted, Danny, like never before.  I thought, getting away, getting some space, would . . . and then I almost lost you, because of a vendetta against me and I thought -- I wanted to get as far away as I could, before anyone else got hurt.  I didn’t want to risk hurting the team any more by staying.”

“You hurt us by leaving,” Danny said softly.  “You hurt me, leaving.”

“Danny, I’m so sorry,” Steve said.  “I should have been there for you.”

“Did leaving help?  Has some space and distance helped you, Steve?”

Steve shook his head, the tears finally spilling over.  “No,” he rasped.  “God, no.”

Danny pulled him into his arms, Steve tucking his face into his uninjured shoulder.  Danny could feel a few hot tears splash onto his neck.

“You needed a vacation and instead chose an exile,” Danny said, rubbing Steve’s back.  “Nincompoop.”

Steve chuckled and held Danny tighter.

“I’m pretty sure we’re both exhausted,” Danny said.  “Come on, let’s get some rest.  Then we’ll talk.”

It seemed the most natural thing in the world to follow Steve down the hall and into the bedroom he was using.  Steve shucked off his jeans and pulled on a pair of soft, faded flannel pants.

“My bag’s still in the Jeep,” Danny said, but he was already unbuttoning his jeans and flannel shirt.  Steve reached into a drawer and pulled out a similar pair of flannel pants and tossed them to Danny.  It was easy enough for him to shed his jeans, but he winced as he tried to ease his arms out of his shirt.

“Let me help,” Steve murmured.  He gently, carefully slipped the shirt off Danny’s broad shoulders and tossed it aside.  His fingers traced carefully over Danny’s black t-shirt, where he knew the bullet wound was, feeling the small bandage still present.  “It’s healing?”

“Yeah, Steve.  It’s healing just fine.”  Danny pulled on the flannel pants, shooting a glare at Steve’s smirk when he rolled the hem up.  “Shut up and gimme some socks, would’ja?”

The bed was soft, the fluffy quilts just the right weight, and Steve’s shoulder the perfect fit.  This was different than sharing the bed in DC.  There was no hesitancy, no caution.  DC had been about efficiency and Steve’s raw anguish.  This . . . this was mutual exhaustion and mutual comfort. 

“I shouldn’t have left,” Steve said, rubbing his fingers absently over Danny’s bicep.  “You were already living in my house, this should have happened a while ago.”

“Well.  Technically, nothing’s happened yet,” Danny said.  He thought they were on the same page, done with fighting this thing between them, but what if --

His thought was cut off by Steve leaning up and over, pressing his lips to Danny’s in a soft, sweet, lingering kiss.

“There.  Now, technically something has happened.”

“Can I hope for more to happen?” Danny asked.  He couldn’t keep the grin off his face if he tried, but Steve looked solemn.

“If you can forgive me,” he said quietly.  “And if you can’t, I’ll understand.”

“Goof,” Danny said, wrapping his hand around the back of Steve’s neck and pulling him down for a kiss, one that was not quite as soft, or sweet.  “Steve.  I do forgive you.  Yeah, it hurt but . . . I know you were trying to do what  you needed to do, to protect us.  But next time, listen, hunh?  When you get wrapped up inside your head and feel like you need to run, listen when I ask you to stay, yeah?”

*****

Danny woke slowly, the smell of coffee and bacon drifting in from the kitchen.  He sat up in bed, stretching out his stiff shoulder, and stopped in surprise at the sight of Steve’s bag, open and mostly packed at the end of the bed.  He slipped out of bed and padded toward the kitchen, careful not to trip on the too-long pajama pants.

“Babe?”

Steve grinned and poured a second mug of coffee, holding it out to Danny.

Danny accepted it and took a grateful sip.  “Your bag is almost packed.”

“Good work, detective.”

“You thinking of running away some more?”

“Thinking of running home,” Steve said slowly. “With you.  For good -- no running; not me, not you.”

Danny pretended to think it over. “Okay.  But before we go back I have some conditions.”

“Okay,” Steve said cautiously.

“No exes, no mysteries and no more 3 letter agencies please!!!"

“Danny, you have to know, Catherine wasn’t --” Steve started earnestly.

Danny held up a hand to interrupt him.  “Babe, I know.  I, ah, might have been the one to suggest Catherine get you through the first leg of your little expedition.  She told me, it’s not that way between the two of you . . . explained it when we were talking about putting that locator on you.  I don’t just mean Catherine.  No more Lyns, or Ambers, or Brookes . . . no more half-assed attempts to convince ourselves that there’s anyone else for us but each other.”

Steve nodded enthusiastically.

“And for the love of God, Steven -- I don’t care who comes with an envelope or a message from the beyond -- no more.  Stop letting your past hurt you.  You’re not responsible for the choices of your parents.  You don’t owe them anything.  You don’t owe the CIA or the NSA or any other alphabet a damn thing.”  Danny didn’t try to keep the anger out of his voice.

“The Navy?” Steve asked quietly.

Danny heart skipped a beat.  “You’d give it up?”

“For you.”

“Babe.  Asking you not to love the Navy, to cut yourself off from your fellow sailors . . . God, your brothers . . . no.  No way.  But no crazy stunts!  No more jumping in with Junior on crazy missions!”

“I’ll ask you first, I promise,” Steve said, grinning.

“Ask -- first --  no, no, Steven, that is not --”  Danny stopped, narrowing his eyes at Steve.  “You’re joking.”

Steve shrugged.  “Mostly.”  He turned back to the stove and cracked some eggs into a skillet.

“So?”  Danny asked.  Steve looked back at him over his shoulder.

“So, what?”

“So, do you agree to my conditions?”

“Yes, Danny,” Steve said, rolling his eyes.  “Yes, I agree to your terms, I accept your conditions, nag, nag -- here.  Eat your breakfast.  We need to get to the airport, catch the next plane out.”

Danny took a bite of perfect scrambled eggs and moaned softly.  Steve raised his eyebrows and gave him a heated glance.

“I never even got my bag out of the car,” Danny said.

“Well, that’s gonna make packing real easy for you, buddy.”

“Or . . . you did, at one point, want to get away.  Get some space.  Clear your head.”  Danny gestured around the ranch house, the wide porch, and the peaceful scenery around them.  “You could still do that.”

Steve put his plate down across from Danny’s with a thunk.  “I thought you wanted me to come home.”

“Oh, I do.  Absolutely.  But . . . we’re here already.  We both could use some time away, some time to rest, and heal . . . together.  Don’t you think?”

Steve nodded, a slow smile spreading across his face.  “Yeah.  Yeah, that sounds nice, Danny.”

Danny grinned back at him.  “And, you know, we can see if . . . maybe that something more we mentioned will happen.”

Steve stood up quickly.

“Ste -- where you going?” Danny waved his fork at Steve’s still full plate.

“I’m getting your bag out of the car and calling Catherine to say thank you,” Steve said.

“Nincompoop!” Danny called after him.

“Your nincompoop,” Steve yelled back over his shoulder.

Danny shook his head in resignation.  Steve still didn’t have socks on.

[h50europe]

McDanno/H50 fanfic - McDanno/Die Hard COMPLETED! Uploaded chapter 5 to AO3 https://archiveofourown.org/works/35628175/chapters/88828231… Enjoy!

[mcdannoangelwolf]

I‘m so sorry to read you‘re battling a writer’s block! Oh, God, I hope these marvelous Sentence Starters kick some ideas to life to help you write again.

I‘d love to have #18 from Angst and I know you always come up with great ideas! Thank you🤙🏻for McDanno if that’s okay🌺

@cowandcalf Thank you for our concern and your help. The sentence starters really did help. I'm not SUPER great with angst, at least not on purpose, so I hope that you like. This is just read through edited so there might be mistakes.

Angst 18 – “Leave! Me! Alone!”

Danny glared at the door, arms crossed and clenched jaw. He had been knocking for the last ten minutes but Steve had refused to let him in. Normally that wouldn’t be an issue. On the rare occasion Steve ever locked the door Danny had his own key to the McGarrett house. Just like Steve had one to his apartment.

It saved time on picking each other’s locks. However the key was on his car keys, which were at the shop with his car. Danny had removed his own house key but didn’t think to get Steve’s. He hadn’t expected Steve to go radio silent and lock the house up.

He should have known better given Doris was blitzing around the islands. Steve always got twitchy when his mother came to visit between her covert escapades.

She and Steve had had lunch a few days ago, at Doris’ insistence, and Steve hadn’t returned to the office and hadn’t been seen nor heard from since. Danny only knew that Steve was island because of their deal. No more disappearing without an in person notification. No more letters or voicemails.

So here Danny was, standing outside of a sealed up tight McGarrett household trying to check up on his best friend/possible boyfriend. (They hadn’t really got around to determining exactly here they stood. The last few months their friendship had somehow started including make-outs, couch-cuddling, and casual dinner dates. Nothing sexual had happened but Danny was pretty sure they working toward it. )

But Danny digressed. Now wasn’t the moment to try and figure that particular wrinkle. Now was the time to get to Steve and pick up the pieces he was sure Doris had broken off.

With a deep breath Danny knocked again, softer and less urgently this time, in hopes that it would work over the aggressive pounding from before.

“Come on Steve, I know you’re in there. Just…just let me in babe.” Danny called through the door, ceasing his knocking and just resting his hand against the warm wood.

A few moments went by and just as Danny was about to give up and try a different route the locked clicked and the door swung open to reveal a haggard, if slightly angry, looking Steve. They stared at each other, Steve bleary eyed and Danny resolute, before Danny spoke up.

“You gonna let me in?”

“What do you want Danny?” Steve asked, not moving out of the door way.

“What do I want, what do I want Steven,” Danny felt his anger rise and tried to reign it in, “I want to see you Steve. No one’s heard from you in days and I was worried.” Danny confessed and Steve momentarily looked apologetic before his face closed off again.

“Now you’ve seen me. I’m fine. Just…just leave me alone.” Steve replied, turned away and trying to close the door.

Trying being the operative word. Danny wasn’t usually one to go where he was wanted but this was different. Steve was different. Their possible budding romance aside Danny knew Steve and he knew the other man wouldn’t take care of himself when he got like this. He would sit and stew and work himself up and down over whatever had happened with Doris until he shoved it all down and pretended it didn’t bother him.

That shit was gonna end up killing him and, once again romance aside, Danny had a vested interest in keeping him alive.

So before the Steve could get the door shut Danny, literally, stuck his foot in. Followed by a well-placed hand and Danny shoved open the door and followed Steve inside.

“What the hell Danny?!” Steve growled but made no move to remove Danny.

“The hell, Steven, is that whether you want me to do not, I’m sticking around. You don’t have to tell me what she did this time. You don’t have to talk to me at all. But I’m staying. I’m gonna raid your kitchen for something to cook, or I’m gonna order us something, while you get in the shower. And maybe shave.” Danny told him genially.

Steve glared at him, half-heartedly, for a few seconds before turning and heading upstairs; grumbling unintelligibly as he went.

Satisfied, Danny headed toward the kitchen, taking stock of the house as he went. Beer bottles were scattered around the living room, with a few empty plates, Danny assumed that Steve was drinking more of his meals than he was eating. That shit would be stopping now too.

Once in the kitchen Danny found it woefully under-stocked for anything that would be quick and easy to make. At least that would taste like anything. So instead he pulled out his phone and called in an order at their usual pizza place.

That done Danny cleaned up bottles, trash, and dirty dishes. By the time he was done the food had arrived and, since he hadn’t reappeared, Danny went looking for Steve.

Danny found him showered and shaved, curled up in bed in his boxers. Danny felt a pang in his chest. Part in fondness at the man and part because, even in sleep, Steve looked miserable.

Kneeling next to the bed Danny let a hand drift through Steve’s still damp hair and down to rest on his cheek.

“Danno?” Steve mumbled, baleful, bloodshot eyes opening to meet his.

“I’m here babe, got some pizzas downstairs. From your favorite place.” Danny offered and Steve perked up ever so slightly.

“Ham and pineapple?” Steve asked and Danny smiled in return.

“Yea babe I got you your ham and pineapple. And a pepperoni with extra cheese in case you want something good.” Danny offered and Steve gave him a small smile.

“I already got something good.” Steve replied, bring a hand up to rest over Danny’s on his cheek.

Danny smiled in return before standing up. Steve followed, sitting up on the bed and wrapping his arms around Danny’s waist, burying his face in Danny’s stomach.

“Thank you Danny.” Steve murmured into his torso.

Danny just hummed noncommittally and ran his fingers through Steve’s hair. For the moment it didn’t matter what Doris’ game was this time. Her drama could wait. For now he would make sure his Steve was taken care of. They could work the rest of it out later.