stop calling me [ D A N N O ]

( danny’s exhausted, and maybe he didn’t see it right away because he was just too damn happy to see him, but it’s obvious now in the lines of his face and the set of his shoulders. steve hadn’t even known when his flight was coming in, or he’d have gone and picked him up, spared him the weariness of shouldering his way through the airport alone and finding a ride home.

he doesn’t know why danny didn’t call him, actually. the thought of it makes his stomach twist up tighter, pinches his lips together.

he knows what this feels like.

he’s felt it before.

and then danny does something different, something unexpected, like he always does. instead of wrenching his arm back and pulling away, he moves closer. instead of what he’s come to expect as the inevitable conclusion – people always leave, because there’s always something more important pending somewhere else – danny stays, just like he always has. moves closer and crawls up under steve’s skin, settles beneath his ribs, in the way that only he can. )

not an idiot.

( he brushes their mouths together again, one hand coming up to curl around danny’s hip, snug and possessive. )

picked you. maybe i’m just a masochist.

#newkindofcop #oh god they're so disgusting

( it’s laughably pathetic how easily his frustration and anger ebbs away now that they’re on the same page. steve is wrapping him up close, keeping him from running away again because danny knows he’s got no filter with how worn thin he is presently. all manner of stupid and malicious thoughts might slip free and find themselves lodged into the more vulnerable spots of mcgarrett’s armor.

fingers card through dark hair and danny scoffs softly into the warmth of steve’s mouth before dragging him closer. it’s nice, being able to touch, to feel, to finally have that physical comfort after months apart. )

Maybe.

( there’s a rumble of laughter and he’s kissing him again, stifling a retort with teeth and tongue. frankly danny doesn’t care if kono or even the governor walks in and sees them tangled up. it’s been too long and he’s been on edge, worried, and itching to come back. because part of him had been terrified steve would think he’s too much.

part of him thought; what if. what if there’s someone else. what if there’s someone better. what if he screws this up.

pressing close, there’s a quiet sigh. the last shreds of tension have bled free and danny doesn’t have much fight after the relief sink bone deep and that quiet little voice chants; mine mine, home, mine mine, steve. a huffing laugh slips free and his thumb smooths along steve’s cheek. )

But I picked you.

( a tired smile curls on his lips. )

Maybe I’m a masochist too.

( what the hell. )

Danny.

( he’s out the door and caught up to danny in three quick strides, gripping his arm above the elbow and twisting him around. it’s temper on his face, maybe, if you aren’t looking close enough, but there’s confusion there, too, and disappointment.

he did miss danny. he doesn’t know why he’s so upset, but he knows he doesn’t want to leave. )

What’s going on? You leave for weeks, come back pissed at me, and now you’re walking away?

( a cold, sick feeling twists in his gut, and he stomps it down. )

Talk to me, Danno.

#newkindofcop #THROWS UP ARMS #WALKS AWAY

( if it was anyone except steve grabbing him like this he’d have punched them right across the face on principle alone. but there’s a moment fatigue lends way to danny really looking at the big dumb idiot in front of him and seeing all the things he’s never wanted to see. it’s the same set of emotions doris brought on. the same look catherine instilled by leaving without much of a goodbye except a phone call.

so his temper might soften considerably in the wake of it as he realizes that steve is expecting him to leave too. )

You’re an idiot, you know. The biggest idiot.

( and he doesn’t admit there were some nights he stayed up looking at his phone and wondering if tonight would be the night he’d get a call saying steve pushed himself too far and something happened. his chest ached every night, fingers carding over cold sheets. he was agitated, more than usual and he couldn’t shake the echoing thought; i want to go home.

funny how this big huge idiot became his home. )

I don’t know if I want to know what magical land you live in where that makes sense.

( and that would be the sound of the door closing because he’s too agitated and sexually frustrated to deal with rationalizing his tired and jet-lagged thoughts. )

#newkindofcop #w e l p

#Nothing. It's a figure of spee-- You know what? No.#I thought hey maybe. But you're having fun with your own blonde over there so don't let me intrude.#Say hello to your left hand tonight because I'm sleeping on the couch.#/THROWS UP ARMS

#. . . . . . . . . . .#No Santa Claus you dum dum. Yes you.

Steve let out a roar of laughter, shoulders shaking. “Pal, you don’t gotta tell me I need new friends. Meddling pains in the asses, really. Can’t even leave a guy alone. I was perfectly content stayin’ back in Manhattan but nooooo…” Steve sighed. If he wanted the beach he would’ve gone to Brighton. But, if he was being honest with himself this place was kinda… nice. “I am starvin’, so yes, so long as they don’t put pineapple or ham on it.”

#symboltothenation #it's true!#and see you said the magic words and now danny thinks you're an acceptable human being

And just like that all his qualms about New Yorkers gets flung by the way-side. This guy was immediately alright in his books. Hey, even if he was a foot and some change taller Danny wasn’t going to hold it against him. No, instead he was gonna grin brightly and clap the guy on the back and nod back towards the main boardwalk. “Just up a few blocks.” As they walk, he chuckles at the pineapple comment and shoves his hands in his pockets.

“I’ve got a feeling this is the start of a beautiful friendship, Rogers.”

#SIGHS.#Someone is not getting laid this century.#dash commentary

“Oh good,” Steve let out on a dramatic breath, as though their whole interaction was riding on the other’s response. “Glad we can agree on something then.” Giving Danny’s hand one last squeeze, he let his arm fall back to his side, fingers sliding into his pocket. “Just visiting, actually. I was told I needed a vacation. Didn’t have much of a choice. So much for land of the free,” he joked.

“They tell you that you need a vacation and they send you to this pineapple hellhole? You, my friend, are in need of better friends.” Although if he’s honest it isn’t terrible here. Mostly due in part to a certain grenade wielding lunatic but hey that’s not a huge motivator for people like this guy. Or at least he’s assuming as much. “Hey, at least there’s one decent place that’s got a good pie on the island. Feel like getting a bite?”

#symboltothenation

( and hurricane danny hits the coast of o’ahu.

casualties: one. )

Danny.

( he says his name calmly, at first, patient in the face of the tirade – one of the many he’s heard over the years, and surely not the last. it probably says something about him that he likes them, enjoys the spike of adrenaline and the rush that comes from going head to head with someone who can keep up.

well, he likes them in retrospect, anyway. )

Danny.

( his name is repeated a little sharper, and once against completely bowled over by the enthusiastic gymnastics of danny’s rant. he debates waiting it out, half-listening to the words that are coming out of his mouth and dismissing most of them in turn, and finally decides to just settle his hands on danny’s shoulders and give him a quick, sharp shake.)

Danny. I’m glad you’re home. I missed you.

#newkindofcop #they're idiots i stg

( he’s so caught up in it all and months of dealing with family and explaining that no ma he wasn’t coming back this year because of work. and how the hell could he even start to explain steve to them? surprise! meet the boyfriend! that wouldn’t go down well and he’d never hear the end of it from his sisters much less his mother. so he’s got momentum going and doesn’t even hear steven calling out his name until finally the words are quite literally shaken loose from his mouth and he’s taking a steadying breath. )

Right.

( somehow he’s a little less than convinced considering how less than enthused steve seems about the whole thing. but it’s nice, it’s very steve and it’s grounding. a sharp breath slips free and the tension bleeds out a little. needless to say he’s a little antsy and irritated. )

So what’re you doing for the holidays?

( okay make that a lot irritated. mostly because he can’t quite meet steve’s eyes and he’s still got a taut edge to his voice. thankfully his hands aren’t animated or else he might’ve smacked mcgarrett in the face. who knows, steve might like that. )

Steve’s amused, evident in the wide grin spreading across his face. The little guy’s got fire, and Steve can appreciate that. “Steve Rogers,” he replied, clapping hands and shaking. “At least we don’t have that whole Jersey Shore horror hanging over our heads. And, hey, thanks, you’re alright for Jersey.”

#symboltothenation #tumblr hates me wHYYYYY

There’s a sharp bark of laughter and a shake of his head. Man he missed this a bit, the rivalry between their ‘people’ and the banter that most got swept under the rug when they crossed paths with him. Danny is grinning, cheeks aching with the gesture, and gives a friendly shake. “Hey even I gotta admit that show was trash, alright?” Besides, what was one more Steve in his life, right? “You from around here or just visiting the islands?”

“Yes, but we have Mel Brooks, Scott Baio, and Nathan’s hot dogs. You can keep Springsteen, guy can’t sing worth a damn.” Fightin’ words.

#symboltothenation #don't ask it's better if you don't know.

“We’ve got Queen Latifa, Shaq, and Whitney Houston. Hate to break it to you, pal. But Mel Brooks is the only half-decent thing you’ve got going for you.” Low blow maybe but you insulted Springsteen and that’s a no fly in his books. Either way there’s a slight grin offered along with an outstretched hand.

“Daniel Williams. Gotta admit you can hold your own for a New Yorker.”