Pearl Harbor National Memorial, December 7

[grenadesandohana]

When Steve's dad had still been alive, Steve hadn't made a point to be home for every anniversary, but December 7, 1941, had cut a scar into Hawai'i that lingered. His grandfather had gone down with the Arizona and his dedication had driven Steve's decision to also join the Navy. As a family member of one of the 2,403 victims of that day, Steve had already received an invitation to the annual commemoration ceremony, but the governor had wanted his uniform and face up a little closer to the front than Steve normally preferred to be.

So he stood on the stage through speeches in his gleaming dress uniform, unflinching in the Hawaiian sun, and let his eyes scan the few remaining men who had lived through the day as the governor wrapped up his remarks. Steve found Ed McKay, the tour guide from the Missouri who'd known his grandfather, in the crowd and Ed gave him a wink. Steve's mouth quirked up in a tiny smile in reply, but he didn't break formation--nor would Ed have expected him to.

Once the ceremony was over, Steve did the absolute minimum amount of schmoozing before trotting down to the front row to shake the hands and offer his sincere gratitude to the survivors. Only then did he glance around to check for the rest of the task force.

Comments

[hatesparadise]

Well, you didn't live in Hawaii and not know what day it was today.

Which was why Danny was there, waiting for him in a decent enough suit. "Lookin' spiffy."

[grenadesandohana]

"Thank you," Steve said with a little grin. "I earned it all myself."

[hatesparadise]

Danny just hummed like he was humoring him. "How's your friend doing?"

You know, the tour guide who also pegged them as married.

[grenadesandohana]

"Slowing down a little," Steve said. "He said he's down to part-time."

[hatesparadise]

"Happens to all of us," Danny said, waving off a deeply amused Kono who was shamelessly taking pictures of them standing in each other's personal space.

Which was just normal things for them, so nyah.

[grenadesandohana]

"Hello, Kono," Steve said, staying exactly where he was.

[hatesparadise]

"Just memorializing the moment, brah," Kono called, motioning for Danny to scoot closer to get them posing together this time.

"I regret all my friends here," Danny said, doing just as instructed.

[grenadesandohana]

"All of us?" Steve asked, sliding his arm over Danny's shoulders.

[hatesparadise]

Kono took a quick picture of the pair of them before tapping someone near her on the shoulder to ask if they could help them with a group photo.

And then the rest of the team was dragged on over to get a picture of all of them. Which was going to be a nice photo to bring back to Fandom.

[grenadesandohana]

"Send me that," Steve commanded. "We'll turn it into Christmas cards or something."

[hatesparadise]

"Oh, I'm sure everyone's folks will like one," Danny agreed with a little grin.

[grenadesandohana]

"They're just happy you have friends, Danno," Steve teased.

[hatesparadise]

"Ha ha," Danny said as Kono went to retrieve the camera. "See if I invite you home again."

[grenadesandohana]

Steve pouted at him. "But your mom's baked ziti!"

[hatesparadise]

"Trouble in paradise already?" Chin had to chime in from where he was looking at the pictures over Kono's shoulder.

"Always with this Neanderthal," Danny replied. But he softened it with a covert hand to Steve's lower back.

[grenadesandohana]

"I can just text her and say you're being mean to me," Steve threatened.

[hatesparadise]

"Do not text my mother," Danny replied, pointing a finger at him. Ah, nice, comfortable bickering.

It made their friends laugh at least.

[grenadesandohana]

"It's because you know she'll take my side," Steve said.

[hatesparadise]

Danny tossed his hands up, but couldn't refute it. "I regret letting her meet you."

[grenadesandohana]

Steve smirked at him. "No, you don't."

[hatesparadise]

"I do when the baby photos come out," Danny muttered.

[grenadesandohana]

"I had no idea ties even came that small," Steve said.

[hatesparadise]

Danny smacked him like the amazing partner he was. "For that? You're buying drinks."

[grenadesandohana]

"I'm not allowed to carry a wallet in my dress blues," Steve lied. "Ruins the lines of my pants."

That was a Marine regulation, Steven.

[hatesparadise]

"We'll drive home then," Danny said, unwilling to let him win that one. "Wait, no. I'll drive home since you don't have your license."