MCA #0, Monday, August 1

[grenadesandohana]

Steve hadn't been avoiding the apartment...much.

Okay, he had been and it was a deeply terrible instinct given whatever that weekend had been that had involved being yelled at for ditching out and roaming the globe for a decade, but he just couldn't seem to face Danny yet.

But it was time for his evening run, and he hadn't made it last that much longer than usual. Danny knew where he was.

Probably.

He doubled back to grab a six pack of beer in town as an apology, then headed finally home.

"Danno?" he called, opening the door.

Comments

[grenadesandohana]

"You don't pull punches, either," Steve said quietly.

[hatesparadise]

"No, I don't," Danny said, running his fingers through Steve's hair for that. "When we get along, it's great. When we're at each other's throats..."

[grenadesandohana]

"It's awful," Steve finished for him, closing his eyes.

[hatesparadise]

"Couple's therapy," he said again. "Keep us even keel at least."

[grenadesandohana]

"Can we do it without workbooks?" Steve asked.

[hatesparadise]

Danny ruffling his hair and rolled his eyes. "We'll look for a new shrink," he promised.

[grenadesandohana]

"Thank you," Steve said softly.

[hatesparadise]

"I can see of the one I see here has some recommendations." She was pretty good about the whole job thing.

[grenadesandohana]

"It would be nice not to have to go to Honolulu for sessions," Steve admitted.

[hatesparadise]

"So we take the suggestions, do a few interviews, and pick the one we think fits best," Danny said.

[grenadesandohana]

Steve nodded. "I haven't done this before."

[hatesparadise]

"I've done it enough now," Danny replied, idly running his fingers along the back of Steve's neck. "Call it an intel mission if that helps."

[grenadesandohana]

Steve shivered slightly under Danny's fingers. "That sounds more familiar."

[hatesparadise]

It was the sort of thing that Steve needed right now. Because words were always hard for him, but actions were easy.

"Just refrain from letting them know you're checking their security clearance, okay?" he said, keeping up a slow, easy rhythm.

[grenadesandohana]

"And to make sure their license is in order," Steve mumbled. "And their credit history."

[hatesparadise]

"Whatever makes you feel better about it," Danny replied, searching out for tense spots on his neck.

[grenadesandohana]

It was all tense, Danny.

"I'm gonna investigate the shit out of them," he admitted.

[hatesparadise]

Well, then Steve was gonna get himself a little massage here until Danny was convinced he wasn't gonna have an emotional breakdown.

Also to reassure himself that Steve was there.

"I know you are," Danny said, clearly more focused on what he was doing now.

[grenadesandohana]

Steve sighed heavily and settled his head into Danny's lap, giving into the petting.

The emotional breakdown was being held back by pure stubbornness.

[hatesparadise]

Yeah, that sounded like Steve.

Danny hummed, putting his beer to the side to keep this up with both hands.

[grenadesandohana]

A normal person might say thank you right now. Steve figured Danny knew he was grateful already.

[hatesparadise]

Which was a thing that would need working on at some point. Because they got a hard look at where habits took them.

"Feelin' better?"

[grenadesandohana]

Steve thought about it, then shook his head.

The guilt was overriding any good feelings from the massage.

[hatesparadise]

"Take your time," Danny said, keeping it up until he was able to relax beneath Danny's hands.

[grenadesandohana]

"Feel like I'm wasting your time here," Steve finally admitted.