Summary: When local woodworker Y/N L/N visits Five-O to deliver a special handmade order for Chin and Kono, she catches the attention of Commander Steve McGarrett—not just because of her talent and warm personality, but because of her incredible bond with her diabetic alert service dog, Hoku. As Steve gets to know the woman behind the beautiful craftsmanship, he finds himself drawn to her kindness, strength, and the quiet way she brings light into his chaotic world. With a little help from a very smart black Labrador and some teasing from the Five-O team, Steve discovers that sometimes the best connections happen when you least expect them. 💘
The first thing Steve McGarrett noticed wasn't the woman. It was the dog.
A sleek black Labrador Retriever wearing a royal blue service dog harness padded calmly through the doors of Five-O headquarters. His glossy coat caught the Hawaiian sunlight streaming through the glass entrance, but his attention never strayed far from the woman walking beside him. Every few steps, he glanced up at her before calmly scanning the room again.
She balanced two large cardboard boxes against her hip with practiced ease, a pair of sunglasses perched on her head and a warm smile spreading across her face the moment she spotted familiar faces. "Aloha!"
Chin looked up from his desk and immediately grinned. "Y/N!" He crossed the room to take one of the boxes while Kono wrapped her in a quick hug. "You actually brought them yourself."
"I had another delivery in town," Y/N replied. "I figured I'd save you the shipping."
"And save us from forgetting to pick them up," Kono teased. "I was thinking the same thing," Y/N replied with a smile.
Steve finally wandered over from his office. "What'd you two order?" Kono carefully lifted the lid from one of the boxes.
Inside sat beautifully handcrafted koa wood desk plaques, each polished to a satin finish. Burned into the center was the Five-O emblem, surrounded by traditional Hawaiian-inspired carvings, with every team member's name and badge number engraved beneath.
Danny picked one up carefully. "...Okay." He turned it over in his hands. "I was expecting a mug." Steve couldn't help but smile. "These are incredible." He looked at Y/N. "You made these?" She nodded. "I own a small woodworking shop on the North Shore."
Steve traced one of the carved patterns with his thumb. "This is some impressive work." A faint blush crossed her cheeks. "Thank you. I've been doing it since I was a teenager."
The black Lab remained quietly at her side, sitting with perfect posture despite the excitement around him.
Danny crouched slightly. "Can I—" Y/N smiled apologetically before he could finish. "I'm sorry. Not while he's working."
Danny immediately stood again. "Right. My bad." Steve glanced at the blue harness. "Service dog?" She nodded. "This is Hoku."
Steve watched as Hoku briefly looked up at Y/N before settling his gaze back on the room. "What does he help you with?"
"I'm a Type One diabetic." She gently scratched behind Hoku's ears. "He's a diabetic alert dog. He can detect changes in my blood sugar before my continuous glucose monitor notices."
Danny blinked. "...You're kidding." She laughed softly. "I wish. Hoku alerts me when my blood sugar is dropping, reminds me to check my glucose, and if something serious happens, he can bring me my emergency kit."
Steve looked down at the Lab with genuine admiration. "That's amazing." She smiled. "He certainly thinks so." At the praise, Hoku's tail gave one slow wag before becoming perfectly still again. Steve chuckled. "He knows you're talking about him." "Oh, absolutely."
While Chin and Kono unpacked the plaques, Steve found himself lingering beside Y/N. "So... You've lived here your whole life?"
"Born and raised." She nodded toward Chin. "Our families have known each other forever." "And Kono?" "We grew up surfing together."
Steve smiled. "You still surf?" "When work lets me. What about you?" "I'm trying to convince Danny." Danny looked up immediately. "I heard that. I'm not drowning for your entertainment."
Steve smirked. "I'd save you." "I don't trust you enough." "You shouldn't." The room erupted in laughter.
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As Y/N explained the different woods she liked to work with, Hoku suddenly stood. Without making a sound, he nudged her hand once. Then again. She paused mid-sentence. "Oh."
Steve noticed how quickly her expression shifted from conversational to focused.
She reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone, opening the glucose monitor app. "...Sixty-nine." Steve frowned. "Is that low?" "Getting there." There wasn't a trace of panic in her voice.
She simply unzipped a small pouch attached to Hoku's harness and pulled out a juice box. Danny stared. "...Your dog carries snacks?" Y/N laughed. "For me."
Hoku sat proudly beside her as she took several sips. Steve couldn't take his eyes off the dog. "He knew before your monitor?" She nodded. "Usually ten or fifteen minutes before. My endocrinologist says his accuracy is honestly incredible."
Steve shook his head in amazement. "So he basically just...Smells chemistry." "Exactly."
Danny looked at Hoku. "I suddenly feel underqualified at my job." Everyone laughed.
A few minutes later, Y/N checked her monitor again. "Eighty-four." She smiled down at Hoku. "Good job, buddy." Hoku leaned lightly against her leg for a second before returning to his perfect sit.
Steve smiled. "I think that's one of the coolest things I've ever seen."
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Nearly an hour later, Y/N folded the empty boxes.
"I should let you all get back to work." Steve spoke before he could talk himself out of it. "I'll walk you out."
Danny's grin appeared instantly. "Oh?" Steve ignored him.
Outside, Honolulu's warm breeze carried the scent of saltwater across the parking lot.
Hoku walked neatly beside Y/N without pulling once.
Steve noticed they moved together effortlessly, almost like they could read each other's minds. "You really made every one of those plaques?" "Every single one. They take forever. But seeing people's reactions makes it worth it."
Steve smiled. "I don't think anyone's going to stop talking about them." "I'll take that as a compliment." "You should."
They reached her pickup truck. Steve leaned casually against the passenger door. "So...I've got a question." "Shoot." He rubbed the back of his neck. "Would you maybe want to grab lunch sometime?"
She smiled almost immediately. "I'd love to." Steve blinked. "Really?" "Were you expecting me to say no?"
"I've honestly been shot at more times than I've asked someone out." She laughed so hard she had to wipe a tear from the corner of her eye. "Steve McGarrett...That might be the funniest thing I've heard all week."
"I wasn't trying to be funny." "I know. That's what makes it better."
Before climbing into her truck, Hoku gently nudged her hand again. She checked her monitor. "Ninety-two." She smiled. "Looks like the juice did its job."
Steve looked down at the Lab. "So he checks afterward too?" "He likes confirmation that everything's okay." Steve crouched slightly. "You take your job pretty seriously, huh?" Hoku looked at him with calm brown eyes. After a moment, his tail gave one deliberate wag.
"I think he approves of you," Y/N said. "I'm honoured." She opened the driver's door. "So...When?" Steve looked confused. "Hm?" "Lunch." "Oh." He laughed. "Right." "Friday?"
"Friday works." "You pick the place."
"I know a shrimp truck that'll ruin all other shrimp for you." "I'm sold."
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As her truck disappeared down the road, Danny appeared beside Steve carrying two coffees. "So." Steve accepted one. "So." "You got her number?" Steve froze. "...No."
Danny stared. "You asked her out." "Yeah." "She said yes?" "Yeah." "And you never got her phone number?" Steve sighed. "...I forgot."
Danny looked toward the ceiling. "I cannot believe this. The man who dismantled a terrorist cell...forgot the phone number."
Steve shrugged helplessly. "I'll ask Chin." Danny groaned. "Of course you will."
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Friday afternoon arrived under clear blue skies.
Steve pulled into the parking lot of Y/N's workshop on the North Shore. The scent of freshly cut koa wood drifted through the open doors.
When she stepped outside, Hoku was right beside her. Steve opened the back door of the truck without saying a word. Hoku hopped in and settled down immediately.
"You remembered." Steve smiled. "He rides with you." "He always does." "And he's still working." "Always."
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Lunch by the beach turned into an afternoon walking barefoot along the shoreline.
They talked about everything—Steve's years in the Navy, her woodworking business, Chin and Kono's childhood antics, Danny's dramatic personality, and the best places to watch the sunset on Oʻahu.
At one point, Hoku looked up at Y/N before giving her hand a gentle nudge.
She checked her monitor. "Ninety-eight." She laughed. "False alarm." Steve smiled at the dog. "Just making sure."
"He likes to double-check." "Can't argue with that."
Eventually, they found a piece of driftwood overlooking the ocean.
Hoku stretched out in the sand between them, resting his head comfortably across Steve's boot. Steve looked down at the Lab before glancing over at Y/N. "You know..." "What?"
"I thought Hoku was going to be the most interesting part of today." She raised an eyebrow. "And?" He smiled. "I was wrong." A soft blush spread across her cheeks.
"I've spent years explaining diabetes to people. You didn't interrupt me. You didn't pity me. You were just... curious."
Steve shrugged. "It seemed more important to get to know you."
For a moment, all she could hear were the waves rolling onto the shore. Then she smiled. "I'd really like a second date." Steve couldn't stop the grin spreading across his face. "I was hoping you'd say that."
Between them, Hoku let out a contented sigh, closed his eyes, and rested his head across both of their feet—as if he'd already decided Steve McGarrett wasn't just someone worth trusting.
I’m watching 5x7 right now and oh my god why is Steve’s au version of Danny just his wet dream version im fucking crying😭😭 he loves hawaii, he’s breaking the law, he’s fucking crazy, he’s wearing shirts that show off his chest… dude
