MCA #0, Thursday Evening

[grenadesandohana]

In Steve's opinion, it was never too cold to grill, and so he was out on the lanai with his giant puffy coat and a pair of flip flops, flipping steak. (He was also grilling vegetables, but it was the steak he was actually excited about.)

"Danno!" he called back into the house, keeping his voice loud enough to be heard through the glass door, "two minutes!"

Comments

[grenadesandohana]

"No," Steve said, shaking his head. "She also mentioned buying me locks for my gift. She's the worst."

[hatesparadise]

Danny snorted at that. "Well, maybe she needs to learn not to wander in if it's apparently a habit for you."

Don't think he didn't remember that comment, Steve.

[grenadesandohana]

"It's not a habit!" Steve said. "It's my sister never says when she's showing up!"

[hatesparadise]

"Uh huh," Danny replied, definitely teasing him now. "Well, we'll be sure to get something to send to Joanie then."

Way to wifey it up, Daniel.

[grenadesandohana]

"Flak jacket," Steve said, nodding.

[hatesparadise]

"Flak jacket," Danny repeated.

[grenadesandohana]

"Are you worried they don't come that small?" Steve asked.

[hatesparadise]

"I am worried about why you are giving a toddler a flak jacket," Danny countered.

[grenadesandohana]

"Safety first," Steve said. "Maybe they come in pink."

[hatesparadise]

"Let's go with something less military themed for now and work into that later." Never. He meant never.

[grenadesandohana]

Steve's mouth turned down. "Okay."

[hatesparadise]

"Puppies. Barbies. These are the things kids that age like," Danny added. "Maybe... maybe you can find some Naval Barbie for her."

Did that make him happy?

[grenadesandohana]

"I can find a Navy Barbie," Steve said, nodding.

[hatesparadise]

"And I'll get her some Bluey thing so Mary doesn't yell at you over voicemail."

Danny knew these things because of Charlie. So he clearly had a leg up.

[grenadesandohana]

"That's the dog with the Aussie accent, right?"

Thank you, Charlie.

[hatesparadise]

"Got it in one."

They'd end up watching the show while Charlie got distracted and definitely wouldn't cry.

"You'll learn to figure most of 'em out when he's with us more."

[grenadesandohana]

Oh, a show about a dad who plays with and clearly adores his kids? That will do nothing for Steve. Truly.

"It's gotta be better than the princess movies, right?" Steve asked.

[hatesparadise]

"Oh, it's gotta be."

It will wreck them.

[grenadesandohana]

The manliest sobbing.

Steve started picking at the label of his beer while he watched Danny eating. "Do I need to get something for Grace and Charlie just from me?"

[hatesparadise]

"Do you wanna? We can go together on some stuff. And Charlie is still all about Santa, but..."

[grenadesandohana]

"I'd love some help," Steve admitted.

[hatesparadise]

Danny leaned over and kissed him for that. "Babe, I'm not tossin' you into the deep end here. As much as you love being in the deep end and all..."

[grenadesandohana]

"For swimming," Steve said. "Not life."

[hatesparadise]

"Coulda fooled me sometimes," Danny said dryly. "You know 'em pretty well. So the gifts will be pretty easy."

And it gave two grown men an excuse to goof around with toys before having to buckle down to newly teenage girl clothing and accessories.

[grenadesandohana]

Breaking allll the drones.

"Sounds good. We should go this weekend," Steve said.