Fic: Tangled 9/? (Danny, Steve, OCs, NC17)
Title - Tangled
Characters - Danny/Steve, Kono, Chin, OC's (Rick Steadman, Kau'i Keahi, John Dawson, Michael Petersen)
Rating - NC17
Warnings - BDSM, established Dom/sub relationships, torture, abuse, dark themes, slash
Summary - A case hits close to home as the team work to track down an attacker who has a personal vendetta against Richard Steadman.
A/N - Sequel to - ' Wear No Disguise'.
Chapters - One : Two : Three : Four : Five : Six : Seven : Eight : Nine : Ten
previously -
"Okay, just be careful baby," Rick warned him. "You know I'm here if you need."
"Course you are," Kau'i smiled, leaning in to kiss him briefly. "Now lets go eat. I'm starving."
Rick sat by the window, the room was bathed in darkness as Kau'i slept. The evening had went nicely but Kau'i had been washed out by the end and hadn't needed any coaxing to go back to the suite to rest. The pain meds were pretty strong which only helped wipe him out further and Rick had tucked him up as he fell soundly asleep. Rick hoped it would be a deep sleep undisturbed by memories and nightmares of what David had done to him.
David - the little sleep Rick had been getting had been about David. Like memories awoken of their time together. Each dream felt familiar yet David turned dark and sinister within them, causing Rick to wake suddenly sweating, heart racing. He wondered how long he'd be haunted by the memories.
He'd spoken again with Steve about the case. Between them Danny and Steve had kept him updated with proceedings and he could understand the frustrations. Rick had even made calls of his own, but none of their old aquaintances had an idea of where David had gone once he'd left the island. Had he been planning this kind of revenge since he'd left? And why - that was what bothered Rick so much, that he couldn't understand David's motivations.
He looked over at the sleeping form of his lover. Rick couldn't understand how any person could have done that to his Kau'i. The image of how Kau'i had looked strapped to the rack was imprinted on his mind. He couldn't shake the horror he'd felt, the wave of weakness and fear that had run through him. He wanted to lay him out and kiss away every bruise and mark that David had put on his body, like his touch could chase away the pain and memory of how each mark had been made.
Though they shared a bed, Rick had made no attempt to touch or be intimate in any way that would pressure Kau'i into thinking he wanted more than he was ready to give. Hugs, kisses, holding him Rick would and could do and Kau'i seemed more than happy to be bestowed with the attention. They'd spoken little of what had happened since Kau'i had told Steve and Danny what David had done to him. If Kau'i needed to talk, Rick was ready to listen, but he was determined that Kau felt no pressure from him for anything.
Rick hadn't mentioned the house, going home didn't seem an option for the time being. Who knew when Kau'i would be comfortable going back to the mansion. Even Rick felt sickened when he thought of going home. David had turned the place into something sinister and dark, especially the cells. For now and days to come, Rick wouldn't be taking any clients and he didn't feel a loss at that. Up until now, working as a Pro Dom had been his life, he'd mastered his craft, continued to learn with willing subjects. But now, he felt nothing for the lifestyle or that part of his life. He didn't miss it like he thought he would and that surprised him. He thought he'd feel loss or sadness, miss it in someway but he didn't. All he currently cared about was keeping Kau'i safe, watching him get better and come through this with as little damage as possible. He'd been damaged enough physically but hopefully the mental scars wouldn't last.
Rick smiled, standing and crossing the room. It was a cool in the room and he turned the air con off before sliding under the sheets, curling up to the warm heat Kau'i gave off where he lay. Rick rested gently against him, hand light on his thigh and he dipped his head and rested it betwee Kau'i's shoulder blades. He wasn't sure what message David had been trying to pass along - perhaps a show of jealousy, or power. Merely a 'fuck you' to him for whatever hurts he still carried after all these years. Rick didn't care, because David had hurt Kau'i, but he hadn't broke him. In fact in part, he'd given him a renewed strength, a fighting spirit to overcome the abuse he'd endured. A strength that proved to Rick they'd get through it, no matter how long it took.
He closed his eyes and waited for sleep to claim him, hoping instead of David filling his dreams, it would be memories of Kau.
~
The next days were unproductive. The governor had put the case to rest but hadn't come up with anything new for them, so they carefully followed up loose leads, though nothing came of it. The weekend hit and Steve was in the kitchen preparing food for the evening as Danny arrived home after a quick visit to the local store. Steve listened to him as he walked through the house talking.
"...wow, that big huh? - sounds amazing," Danny said, setting down the bags in his arms, phone caught between his cheek and his shoulder. "I'm sure you'll have a great time monkey. Hey I just got home, you want to talk to Steve?"
Steve grinned and wiped his hands on a cloth before taking the phone extended out to him.
"Hey Grace," he said.
"Hey Steve, what ya doing?" Grace asked lightly.
"Chin and Kono are coming over," Steve told her. "We're making kebabs."
"Aww, on the grill?" Grace asked, sounding dissappointed not to be there.
"Want me to keep you some?" Steve teased, Danny rolled his eyes at him as he unpacked the bags.
"No silly, I'm going away this weekend remember," Grace pointed out with a small laugh at his teasing. "We're going to stay with Stan's mom and dad."
"Aww well next time huh," Steve assured her. "You could always have kebabs there."
"I don't think so," Grace said a little sadly. "Any way, they wouldn't be the same as yours."
"Grace, we need to go darling. You can call Danno when we arrive," Steve heard Rachel say in the background.
"K' mom," Grace replied, before sighing deep. "I gotta go."
"Okay, I'll talk to you later okay," Steve told her. "I'll put Danno back on. Aloha."
"Aloha Steve, love you," Grace said before he handed the phone over.
Steve was a little surprised by the words and handed the phone to Danny with a smile his face. Danny frowned, taking the phone and saying his goodbyes and 'love you's' also before hanging up.
"What?" Danny asked him as Steve's eyes drifted to the phone as he set it on the counter.
"Grace just said 'love you' to me," Steve said slowly.
"She had excellent taste," Danny grinned, moving closer and putting a hand on his hip. "Though it's usually customary to reply with 'love you too'."
"She's never said that to me before," Steve pointed out.
Danny couldn't help but laugh at Steve's reaction. "You're cute when you're surprised babe. Really. Now, hows the food coming along? Chin and Kono will be here soon."
"Nearly done," Steve replied, shaking his head clear and thinking ahead. "I'll go start the grill."
He peeled himself from Danny's hold and start outside, Danny following and leaning on the doorpost.
"Steve, if the subject comes up," Danny began carefully. "Will you be okay talking about, you know, us?"
Steve stood by the grill and began preparing to light it, pausing to look over at Danny. "You mean our relationship?"
Danny nodded, watching him closely, "As in, the lifestyle side of our relationship?"
Steve turned and got on with lighting the coals, turning the idea round in his head. He'd been having questions himself about that side of them, could he talk honestly about it to Chin and Kono if they were brave enough to broach the subject? Danny came up behind him, resting a hand on his back.
"It's okay if you don't want to," Danny assured him.
"We always talked about telling them," Steve shrugged, thinking aloud. "Or the idea of telling them, if it would make a difference them knowing or not."
"It's an important part of us," Danny said in agreement, 'or it was' he thought to himself.
Steve nodded awkwardly, coals lit he turned towards Danny who didn't move away. He just looked at him closely, a small smile on his lips.
"If they ask, then I'm happy talking about it," Steve said with a firm nod. "I'd rather I answer their curiosity than leave it to their imaginations."
Danny snorted at the idea, knowing Kono wasn't at all innocent with her thoughts. He'd known her long enough now to know she had a mind that could drift to the gutter if encouraged and certainly had an extensive imagination when it came to sex. And who knew what Chin was thinking, he was a tough person to read but no doubt he knew and understood more than he let on. He certainly hadn't held back in asking about their relationship when they'd first gotten together.
"Okay," he nodded, stepping back. "Great."
~
"John," Kau'i said, standing and giving him a small wave to get his attention.
John turned and saw him, giving a smile before weaving through the tables towards him. It was a warm evening and they'd arranged to meet outside, have drinks and a meal together.
Kau'i waited for him to come and John gave him a brief hug before pulling away. They both took each other in, thinking the other looked tired. John looked concerned and Kau'i reflected the look back but neither of them mentioned it.
"Where's Michael?" Kau'i asked as they sat down.
"He can't make it," John replied, pulling in his chair. "He said to apologise for him. If he can he'll join us later but something came up last minute. Where's Rick?"
"He had to take a call, he'll be back soon," Kau'i explained.
They looked at each other again, a pause of silence.
"So, how have you been?" John asked cautiously.
Kau'i sized up the question, giving a small shrug. He could be honest with John, when anyone else asked, he usually just shrugged and said 'fine'.
"Been a little sore today," he replied, sitting back. "Like aching you know? I had a bad night, the doc gave me something to help me sleep but I was restless still. Rick's worried."
"Of course he is," John said, leaning over to put a hand over his. "We all are."
"I just keep having moments you know," Kau'i continued with a weak smile. "Where like everything is fine, I don't even think about what happened and then the next minute it's like I'm back there again. Then there's times when all I can think about is what happend."
"Kau it's only been a few days," John told him. "It's going to take a long time to get over it."
"I know," Kau'i nodded in understanding, frowning, his brow furrowing as he looked at John. "But then I keep thinking what if I don't get over it?"
John couldn't answer that and looked at him grimly. He was used to Kau'i being upbeat and positive, he usually found the bright side of every situation. It was difficult to see him struggling to find that part of himself again.
"You'll get over it because you have Rick and me and friends who want to help you," John said firmly. "And because you're too stubborn to let the bastard win."
Kau'i blinked at the mere mention of David and John swallowed down, wishing he hadn't broached the subject. But David was part of this, not just as Kau'i's attacker, but as part of Rick's past.
"Rick won't talk about him," Kau'i said. "Not really. I tried talking to him today and he just won't speak of him."
"Why do you need to talk about him?" John shrugged. He'd prefer conversation of David be kept to a minumum also. He still couldn't understand how the David he knew years ago could have done what he did.
"It's just," Kau'i began, pausing and leaning over to pick up his drink, knocking back a mouthful. "I guess I'm trying to understand him. All I ever knew about him was that he broke Rick's heart when they broke up. And that he tied me to a rack and tortured me. All I know is a shadow, I didn't see his face and Rick's never shown me pictures. Is it weird that I need to know about him? Like I'm trying to understand him so I can understand what he did to me?"
"That's the trouble Kau," John told him softly. "The David I knew, the one who Rick loved, isn't the person who did this to you. It was a shock when they broke up because up until then, I honestly thought they'd be together, well, forever. Which is weird because I guess it's the way I think about you and Rick now."
"I can't imagine leaving Rick," Kau'i shook his head hard. "And I don't know what I'd do if he left me."
"Whose leaving who?" Rick interrupted them, appearing behind Kau'i's chair and setting hands on his shoulders with a warm squeeze. Kau'i relaxed into the touch with a smile.
"Nobody," Kau'i replied with a shake of his head as Rick pulled away to lean down and give John a chaste kiss on the cheek.
"How you doing John?" Rick asked, taking a seat by Kau.
"Good thanks," John replied with a smile. "Michael couldn't make it."
"Okay," Rick agreed, not pressing for details. He eyed John closely, taking in the tiredness of his eyes and the awkward way he sat on the chair. John winced, shifting slightly and Rick was wise enough to understand he was dealing with a pained ass. The past few days he'd seen John he'd been in some type of pain, Rick's practised eye picked up signs other people didn't. It concerned him that Michael was being so strict at such a complicated and stressful time in John's life.
But he reminded himself that John always had the power to stop what was happening.
~
"We figure you may have - questions," Danny started warily, watching as Chin and Kono exchanged awkward glances at the prompting.
Kono shrugged her shoulders and shook her head, "It isn't any of our business."
Danny could see how difficult that was for her to say, a little under duress considering Chin's meaningful glare towards her. Kono was never one to back down when there was information to be sought out, it was what made her a good cop. Chin was more cautious, looking at the whole picture before he decided which path to take. But he was grateful they were trying to be respectful of their relationship, despite their curiosity.
"Yeah, we get that," Steve nodded in response. "Look, we're just saying if you want to ask us anything, we're happy to talk about it."
Chin blew out a breath and picked up his beer, swallowing down a mouthful.
"What?" Steve asked, eyebrows raised as he held his hands up to him innocently.
"I am so not comfortable talking to you about your sex life brah," Chin answered honestly with a small smile.
"Oh please, I know you asked Danny what I was like in bed when we first got together," Steve replied with a roll of his eyes.
Kono made a accusing sound, glaring at Chin with a look to match her tone.
"That was different," Chin said, waving a hand at them both. "That's more like guy talk."
"I'm a guy," Steve replied as if it needed to be pointed out. "And we're friends."
"Yes, we are," Chin nodded vigorously. "But it's you Steve. Look you are my best friend and I love you, but you're also John McGarretts son and, I dunno, I guess that just makes talking to you about sex a little, weird. Emotions yeah, bring them on. I am totally supportive of how much you guys are into each other, but I really don't need to hear *how* Danny gets you off or vice versa while you're sitting right there."
"I personally, don't feel like that at all," Kono interjected with a wide smile.
Steve leaned back in his chair and stared at Chin giving a small nod of acceptance. If he thought back over their friendship, it had been rare they'd spoken about the physcal act of sex with their respective partners. But they had always been open and honest about how they felt about their other half at the time. He admitted to himself it was just something that had developed between them and things were going to stay that way.
"Look brah you're happy right?" Chin said, sitting forward and looking Steve direct.
"Yeah, definitely," Steve nodded.
"Good, then that's all I need to know," Chin smiled. "Course if I ask Danny later what your like in bed, don't get offended I didn't ask in front of you. Asking him in private kind of makes it all right, in my fucked up head at least."
"Fucked up being the definite expression for whatever you're going on about," Kono said with a snort. Chin gave her a small shove and rolled his eyes as she curled her legs up onto the lounge chair and laughed over at Steve and Danny. "So - which one of you tops?"
"Kono," Chin said in an exasperated tone, shaking his head at her.
"What? They said ask, I'm asking," Kono pointed out to him and he glared at her again. "Fine, why don't you and Danny go talk elsewhere if it bothers you that much?"
"Um, this wasn't an open invitation for you guys to gather information on our sex life," Danny said to them both. "We know you have questions after what you saw at Rick's. We're just trying to be open here if you wanted to ask us anything."
"All right," Chin nodded, swallowing down a moment and taking in a breath. He looked Danny in the eye and held his gaze for a long moment. "Are you guys heavily into the scene?"
"I wouldn't say heavily, parts of it don't work for our dynamic," Danny answered honestly. "Intense Sado Masochism for instance isn't something that works for either of us."
"But things are safe and consensual between you?" Chin pressed, because he trusted them both, loved them both, but he felt a protective streak towards Steve born from his allegiance to his father and the longevity of their friendship. He didn't need to ask to figure out Danny held the reigns of the relationship as the 'Dom', it was just something he sensed from them. He couldn't imagine it was easy for Steve to adjust into submission.
"Yes," Danny replied with a small nod.
"Always," Steve added from beside him, keen to assure his friend the relationship was something he and Danny pursued equally together.
"Then that's all I need to know," Chin said satisfied.
"Seriously?" Kono asked, a small frown creasing her forehead.
Chin had to admit he wanted to ask more, but he still wasn't comfortable asking too much in front of Steve. Steve may submit for Danny but somehow it felt compromising to get them to open up, it could force Steve into his submissive role too publicly and it wouldn't do for the team dynamic. Steve was his boss as well as his friend, sensing a hint of submission from him towards Danny wouldn't feel right. Chin couldn't shake how physically seeing that submission, even if it were merely through a meeker, milder Steve, wouldn't be something he could handle. It wasn't like it weakened Steve, but it revealed part of him that Chin would rather he keep private, between himself and his lover, something Chin needed Steve to protect for himself, like a gift or something precious.
"For now," Chin admitted. "Maybe Danny and I will talk later."
He eyed Kono and gave a weak shrug. "I have my reasons."
"Why don't we go inside?" Danny said, sitting up. He grinned at Chin's surprised expression. "You have questions, Kono definitely has questions and I really don't think she can wait long enough for you to fuck off. Would you mind babe?"
Steve shook his head with a smile at Chin. "I get it Chin, it's fine. Go talk with Danny whilst I grapple with the minx."
"Hey," Kono responded, tossing a nacho his way from the bowl on the table as a missle. Steve just grinned, batting it out of the way and stretched out on his lounger.
"Well come on, look at you," Steve pointed out. "You're dying for details."
"You'd be worried about me if I wasn't a tiny bit curious," Kono retorted, picking up her beer and reclining back herself.
Chin and Danny retreated back into the house, grabbing fresh beers from the fridge and going into the living area.
"So, how did you two-," Chin began as they sat down, Danny in his usual chair and Chin on the sofa. "Well I'd say meet but, well, how did you figure this was gonna be part of the relationship?"
"I've always been into the scene," Danny told him, wanting that information out there in the open right away. "Back in Jersey I had a serious relationship with someone, as their Dominant. Me and Steve came about by chance, we 'met' at Rick's and everything developed from there."
"Okay, but he's comfortable right? I can't imagine someone like Steve finding submission an easy thing to deal with on such a personal level." Chin replied, tipping back a mouthful of beer.
"We take things pretty slow," Danny replied. "And the roles aren't something we're 'in' all the time, as a Dom and sub. We've always said it wouldn't be what defined our relationship, but I guess it's slowly become more and more part of who we are as a couple. Especially as Steve really opens himself up to explore that side of him. So far I've not done anything to fuck this up, everyday I hope that never happens."
"Can't be easy," Chin said in thought. "The responsbility that must weigh on you."
"I guess that's all part of being the Dom, dealing with being in control, dealing with the responsibility," Danny nodded. "It isn't easy but it isn't supposed to be. And the trust, that fucking blows the mind in the best kind of way. It's satisfying and fulfilling in a good way. And I guess it helps me understand what he deals with every day at work, only he feels responsible for all of us and not just one person. If I can help him deal with that burden then I'll gladly take all the responsbility that comes with doing that."
~
"So?" Kono said, looking at Steve keenly with a cheeky smile. "You never answered my question. Who 'tops'?"
Steve gave a small grin, swallowing down some of his drink before looking out over the moonlit ocean. "Danny," he sighed in reply.
"Really?" Kono asked in surprise. Steve thought she may have figured it out already but hearing her reaction he looked sharply at her. She sat up a little and cocked her head at him. "I just figured, well I guess I never figured you as a guy taking orders in the bedroom. I suppose because you've been taking orders most of your career."
Steve smiled and nodded in agreement of her logic. "Makes sense I suppose, I can understand why you'd think that. But I also gave orders and the more I climbed the ranks, the more people I was in charge of and responsible for. Now I head up the task force which brings it's own problems and responsibilities. It's nice to be able to leave it at the door when I get home, with someone who sees and knows what I go through every day and understands sometimes I just need to not think, to de-stress and to just let go. Even if it's just for a few hours."
"So, have you always been into - it?" Kono asked, frowning, not sure what words to use to describe their relationship.
"The lifestyle? The scene?" Steve teased playfully. "Submission."
Kono rolled her eyes at herself and gave a self depracating shrug, nodding. "Yeah."
"No," Steve answered honestly. "In fact until Danny, I'd not been in this kind of relationship before. I sort of, explored submission on the odd occasion, but never to the level Danny helps me reach."
"Does it ever feel weird?" Kono asked, watching him keenly. She'd not seen Steve so animated about a subject before, not unless it involved the Navy or sports.
"Submitting?" Steve said, looking at her before looking over the beach again. "I guess at first it did, especially with Danny. Getting with Danny at all was a huge step for me, never mind adding in the dynamic of submitting to him. You know he just gives me time, gives me plenty of oppurtunity to talk things over. And it isn't always about him barking out an order and expecting me to obey it. We're both part of this relationship and at times I need him to take control so I ask him to."
"Can't be easy," Kono replied with a small smile.
"No, but that's what makes it work for us. It's never easy, but it's something neccessary, for me at least," Steve smiled back at her.
~
"So, what is the sex like?" Chin grinned, eyeing Danny closely.
Danny cocked a grin straight back at him, giving a small laugh. "Fucking incredible. Seriously, you know how he's built like an Adonis. Well imagine lying that god like body out on your bed and getting to play with it every fucking night, offering himself up to you, submitting and trying to accept everything you do to blow his mind. It's a mind fuck Chin and he's so receptive to any idea. Kinda scary the trust he puts in me at times, but I make sure to try and make it incredible for him and thats what makes it so satisfying, seeing him just give up resisting and going with it. You know when you go down on a woman, or just finger her and hit that spot where she's just shaking and moaning with pleasure, completely lost to it - that feeling you get, the power trip being able to do that to her, for her, with just your touch?"
Chin nods slowly, swallowing at the dryness suddenly in his throat, trying to fight the stab of jealousy in his gut. It's been a while since his sex life resembled anything like that but he understands Danny's enthusiasm.
Danny grins and points to himself with enviable pleasure, "Every fucking time."
Chin finds he's glad he and Danny are having this conversation privately because he's not sure he could look Steve in the eye after he heard himself being described in such detail. But Chin can also easily imagine what Danny describes, because Steve is his best friend and Chin certainly appreciates the attraction, not just physically, but because of the person he is. He can easily conjure up the image of Steve lain out, submitting to Danny's every whim, the kind of mind fuck that would give a person. He can also understand how that would feed Danny's Dominant side and help him be what Steve needs him to be.
~
"So in submitting, what do you have to do?" Kono asks carefully, still unsure how to put her questions in a way that isn't disrespectful but at the same time understandable. "Like, does Danny expect different things, behaviours or - whatever?"
She gives up on the question with a frown and swallows back a long drag from her beer. She finds Steve smiling at her flustering and feels instantly at ease.
"He has rules," Steve explains easily. "I'd say for when we 'scene' but sometimes, the dynamic is just there. Like, sometimes I just need to let go and I'm not asking for anything, I just need a 'time out' from life I guess. So I'll call him 'Sir' or 'Master', so he knows I'm getting into my headspace. Usually I'll end up naked most of the time, especially when we are 'scening'. He expects the best of behaviours, like the best of myself, I guess it's to help me be confident in my submission, because it's not about weakness or being meek and mild. Then it's just a case of following directions the best I can. He pushes my limits, tests my self control but he also lets me talk it out if I can't handle something. Trust and communication are the key aspects when you come right down to it."
"What happens if you break the rules, misbehave or do something he doesn't approve of?" Kono asks warily, because she's honestly curious and slightly disbelieving that Steve could submit to that side of what little she knows of the 'lifestyle' when it comes to 'discipline'.
A smile edges Steve's lips at the question, watching her carefully and she wonders if she's overstepped the mark. But he's been honest in everything else and he and Danny wanted them to ask. She'd be lying if she didn't ask and just lived with the curiosity, even if he didn't want to answer.
"The submissive role comes with it's fair share of moments where you will end up with a spanked ass," Steve admits with a laugh. "And Danny is a strict Dom, because he knows what I'm capable of and won't let me be any less than my best. So if that means doling out a spanking or several, then it happens."
"Seriously?!" Kono exclaims again, surprised and finding herself a little uncomfortable with the idea. "But, doesn't that - how do you deal with the aftermath of that? How does that work for your relationship? Doesn't it wedge something between you - I mean, he's hurting you. Purposefully. Even if he has your permission through your submission to do it."
Steve sits up and gazes at her intently, not offended by her reaction. Instead he looks at her solemnly.
"You want to know how Danny and I ended up together? We were both at a party at Rick's. Seperately. At the time neither of us knew the other was into the lifestyle, we knew each other and we knew there was a chemistry there between us but I didn't know he was into Dominating and I wasn't ready to even face the feelings I had about submission. Any way, I was at the party because I'd known Rick for a time and had been going to him for a specific purpose. I went to Rick for, well, punishment. Only it's not really punishment, it's something that releases me Kono, from - guilt. I'm not saying every time Danny spanks me it's to release me from guilt but sometimes it is. I accept it's part of my submission, it's something I enjoy, at least in some weird way. At the same time I hate it, but more because I know usually it's because I've failed him, myself or us, in some way. Yes it hurts and yes, it means I have to dig deep into my submission but it also frees me in a way I can't explain. And it's hard for him, to do that to me, because he doesn't 'want' to hurt me, he doesn't do it to hurt me, but he knows it helps me. It helps me learn, helps me grow. It helps me accept who he is in my life as my Dom. I know it's hard for you to understand, because you aren't in this kind of relationship and that's okay. But let me assure you, it does nothing but deepen our relationship and cement our roles in each others lives as Dominant and submissive."
"Really?" Kono asks, a wariness in her tone because she's not sure she entirely understands how it could work. But Steve is looking back at her with an open expression, nodding his head and she figures she may not agree with it, but if it works for him and he's happy, then she can be happy for him.
~
"Have you guys been okay?" Chin asks after a silent pause. "After what happened at Richard Steadmans, hasn't that rocked the boat a little?"
Danny doesn't reply straight away, staring down at his beer bottle, tracing lines through the condensation. "Honestly - it's been a little weird. Together we're great but when it comes to slipping into those roles, we're both holding back on each other. What happened to Kau'i was a fucking nightmare, seeing him trussed up to that rack as he was. And he's our friend Chin, someone we've gotten to know and understand. He's one of the decent guys. And seeing Rick like he is, so unsure of himself, knocked so far sideways - it shows how much he loves Kau'i, probably more than either of us realised. It's just hard, it's something we both want, something we both need but it's also so easy to see how fucked up it could get if we aren't careful. Steve won't talk about it much and there are ways I could get him talking, eventually, but I don't want to force the subject out of him. I'd never force him for anything, even if I can see it's affecting him by bottling up."
"Yeah he's been a little snappy at work," Chin nodded in understanding. "I figured this one hit home a little too close, because they are your friends and because of your relationship. At least I suspected there was something of the lifestyle that was part of your relationship. Just give him space but be careful Danny, he has a tendency to bury things deep, you know that."
"I know, but I need him to want to work through it," Danny shrugged. "I need that myself and right now I'm not sure I can. Maybe once the case is wrapped up I can have a clearer head about it."
"You know, letting Steve deal with this as he is may be the best thing for now," Chin pointed out. "And you seem confident enough to see if he needs to be 'nudged' in a direction if he starts barricading himself in and shutting you out."
Before Danny could reply, Kono and Steve appeared in the living room, Kono giving Danny a rather knowing smile. Steve leaned down over the back of Danny's chair, arms wrapping round his chest as he pressed a kiss to his neck gently.
"Would you mind if I showed Kono the toy cupboard?" he whispered quietly.
Danny sensed a submissive tone to the question and was warmed by it, patting his arm gently with a nod of agreement. "Sure, no problem babe. Just keep it tidy."
Steve pulled away and Kono was already giggling and heading eagerly for the stairs.
"Where they going?" Chin asked, watching them go upstairs, Steve shaking his head at Kono's playful excitement.
"Your cuz' must have been asking the right questions because she's off to see the 'box of tricks'," Danny laughed. "That woman scares me sometimes."
"The two of them are as bad as each other," Chin pointed out. "You know you should be careful, let them hang out too much and Steve may start giving you more headaches than it's worth."
"Steve I can handle," Danny snorted in reply. "But I would pity any Dom who took on Kono Kalakaua."
"What makes you think she wouldn't be Dominating," Chin grinned, propping his feet up on the table.
Danny shrugged in thought. "I guess maybe because she and Steve are so alike. I think if she trusted herself enough to try it, she may find and get something out of it. It isn't for everyone I suppose and she'd have to find the right person, but I think her curiosity is a little telling."
Chin agreed with a sigh. "Yeah, I guess I can see that."
~
Kono eyed the open door of the bedroom with a sly smile and looked back at Steve who was getting the key from the wardrobe.
"You sure this is okay?" she asked, drawing closer.
"What, you afraid you're breaking some sacred rules?" Steve shot back playfully. "It's fine Kono, I'm okay with it and so is Danny. Just don't mess it up too much, Danny is a stickler for it's being kept tidy."
"Ha, really?" Kono said disbelieving as Steve unlocked the door.
"Yes, really," Steve replied sternly, looking her in the eye. "Believe me my ass will testify to that fact. And honestly, you make fun of one thing in here or make some stupid comment, I'm putting you on desk duty for a month."
Kono put on a serious face, belied by the smile dancing on her lips and in her eyes as Steve opened the cupboard door to reveal the contents. Kono elbowed him away gently to get a better look, sucking down a small snort before blowing out an appreciative whistle.
"Well isn't this a little cubby of treasures," she grinned, fingers dancing over the leather paddle hanging on the hook of the door. "All my wardrobe does is take me to Narnia."
Steve reached out and nipped her in the side, making her wriggle with a laugh.
"Hey, sorry, I'm sorry, I'll be serious," she laughed, holding up her hands in surrender.
Steve shook his head at her, rolling his eyes with a smile as she looked inside again.
"Come on brah, honestly," She said, reaching in and pulling out a dildo. "You've got enough toys in here to open your own sex shop. Lucky things. What the fuck is that?"
She picked up another item and held it up to him, twisting it this way and that with a curious frown.
"Prostate massager," Steve said, taking it off her and putting it back. Catching her disturbed look he gave a small laugh. "Don't worry, everything gets cleaned and sterilised."
"Fuck that," Kono replied, letting out a deep breath and trying to use her words "Why would you? - what does - why? Has he used it on you?"
"Yeah once or twice," Steve nodded.
"Does it give better orgasms or something?" Kono asked without hesitation.
For some reason having this conversation with her boss didn't feel too intimate or private. Steve had opened up a whole new side of himself to her and she was curious and happy to be his confidante. She felt comfortable enough to ask the sex questions without feeling awkward about it.
"Actually Danny uses it to prevent orgasms," Steve pointed out. "Along with that."
He pointed to his chastity belt hanging on a hook by the paddle, telling Kono what it was and guaging her reaction carefully.
"Wow," Kono said, eyebrows getting higher on her forehead as she processed that information. "Really? And you like it?"
Steve thought about the question and gave a small nod as he shrugged. "Yes and no. I like the submissive state it puts me in, but it can be frustrating. But that's part of the process, overcoming the frustration by submitting."
"So does it happen often? You're not being allowed, you know, to come?" Kono asked, leaning against the side of the wardrobe, a little fascinated with everything Steve was telling her.
"Depends on how much we're playing and what we want to work through," Steve said, leaning opposite her, the cupboard open between them.
Kono gave him a small smile, enjoying how relaxed he seemed to get talking about all of this. She couldn't figure if it was because it helped him tap into his submissiveness or because it was a relief for him to be open about this part of his relationship with Danny.
"Okay that thing prevents you orgasming," Kono said, poking into the cupboard again. "So what makes you explode with pleasure?"
"Apart from Danny?" Steve joked, leaning into the cupboard.
Kono lifted her head and grinned wickedly. "That good huh?"
"You have no fucking idea," Steve laughed, reaching in and pulling out a vibrating probe. "But I guess this would be the next best thing. Because Danny isn't just my Dom but a fucking pleasure torturer, especially wielding that as a weapon."
He flicked it on with a grin, showing her the small settings dial attached, a series of speeds or a mixer button to variate the speeds intermittently. He pressed it against her wrist gently to feel the vibrations.
"Imagine being lain out on the bed, tied up," Steve said in low a consipiratory tone. "This slid deep inside you to tease you senseless while your played with, nipples teased, skin brushed with fingers or lips. Or not even played with or touched, just bound to the bed while this vibrates in you, knowing your every reaction, move, moan is being watched and listened too. Your just waiting for permission to come and you're not even sure you'll be allowed. You don't know how long it will last, or if you'll be able to follow orders but all you have to do is surrender and trust. That's all. Seriously, some of the best fucking orgasms I've ever had."
Kono stared open mouthed, lost for words at the image Steve conjured and more than appreciative of the description. He made it sound thrilling and exciting but something about it made her nervous, the idea of surrender, giving up the control. She had toys galore in her beside drawer but she could control when she fell, nobody and nothing else. The probe still vibrated against her skin and she shivered, pulling her hand away.
She jumped, flushing slightly when Danny interrupted them.
"Hey kids, you having fun," he teased, coming over to them.
Steve grinned at him, flicking off the probe and putting it back in the cupboard as Kono composed herself.
"Well, you like it?" Danny grinned, giving Kono a soft nudge.
"As I was saying to Steve, you two could open a sex shop with that thing," Kono replied lightly, pushing aside the strange feeling starting to rise within her.
Steve closed the door, locked the cupboard and placed the key safely back on top of the wardrobe before Danny slid an arm about his waist with a slightly possessive air. He smiled over at Kono who leaned against the wardrobe again, liking how the two of them fit together, how she could pick up on different things now that she understood their relationship a little more indepthly.
"I just wanted to make sure you were okay," Danny said, looking at Steve closely.
"Surprisingly more open that I thought," Steve replied, motioning to himself. "Look at me being all grown up."
"Yeah, right," Danny rolled his eyes and looking at Kono with a soft smile. "You okay Kono? Anything you wanted to ask me?"
"No, actually," Kono said shaking her head. "Steve's been pretty open about you two. Thanks by the way, you know you don't owe us any explanation or anything. Chin and me, we're just happy you guys are happy."
She sighed, looking about the bedroom with a tender expression in her eyes. They came to rest on the desk where a black box rested. Sucking in a breath she gave a shrug of her shoulders and stood straighter.
"You know, Chin will be getting worried we've started an orgy or something up here," she laughed, turning for the door. "Maybe we should get back to him before he feels neglected."
Steve gave Danny a squeeze before beginning to follow, pulling out of his hold before Danny caught him by the arm and pulled him back to him.
"Hey, I'm proud of you," Danny grinned, pulling him in for a swift kiss. "I thought this may have been harder for you than it seems to have been."
"Like I said, surprisingly easy," Steve smiled, not resisting being kissed by his lover.
"And she's okay? Comfortable with everything?" Danny asked with a slight concern.
"She seemed a little put off when we talked about discipline but I get why," Steve shrugged. "She doesn't want me hurt and she'd hate to think it somehow affected our relationship in a negative way. Is Chin okay?"
"He's good," Danny nodded with a grateful sigh. "He's concerned for you but only because he cares. He's happy that this helps you and of course he's supportive of us."
Characters - Danny/Steve, Kono, Chin, OC's (Rick Steadman, Kau'i Keahi, John Dawson, Michael Petersen)
Rating - NC17
Warnings - BDSM, established Dom/sub relationships, torture, abuse, dark themes, slash
Summary - A case hits close to home as the team work to track down an attacker who has a personal vendetta against Richard Steadman.
A/N - Sequel to - ' Wear No Disguise'.
Chapters - One : Two : Three : Four : Five : Six : Seven : Eight : Nine : Ten
previously -
"Okay, just be careful baby," Rick warned him. "You know I'm here if you need."
"Course you are," Kau'i smiled, leaning in to kiss him briefly. "Now lets go eat. I'm starving."
Rick sat by the window, the room was bathed in darkness as Kau'i slept. The evening had went nicely but Kau'i had been washed out by the end and hadn't needed any coaxing to go back to the suite to rest. The pain meds were pretty strong which only helped wipe him out further and Rick had tucked him up as he fell soundly asleep. Rick hoped it would be a deep sleep undisturbed by memories and nightmares of what David had done to him.
David - the little sleep Rick had been getting had been about David. Like memories awoken of their time together. Each dream felt familiar yet David turned dark and sinister within them, causing Rick to wake suddenly sweating, heart racing. He wondered how long he'd be haunted by the memories.
He'd spoken again with Steve about the case. Between them Danny and Steve had kept him updated with proceedings and he could understand the frustrations. Rick had even made calls of his own, but none of their old aquaintances had an idea of where David had gone once he'd left the island. Had he been planning this kind of revenge since he'd left? And why - that was what bothered Rick so much, that he couldn't understand David's motivations.
He looked over at the sleeping form of his lover. Rick couldn't understand how any person could have done that to his Kau'i. The image of how Kau'i had looked strapped to the rack was imprinted on his mind. He couldn't shake the horror he'd felt, the wave of weakness and fear that had run through him. He wanted to lay him out and kiss away every bruise and mark that David had put on his body, like his touch could chase away the pain and memory of how each mark had been made.
Though they shared a bed, Rick had made no attempt to touch or be intimate in any way that would pressure Kau'i into thinking he wanted more than he was ready to give. Hugs, kisses, holding him Rick would and could do and Kau'i seemed more than happy to be bestowed with the attention. They'd spoken little of what had happened since Kau'i had told Steve and Danny what David had done to him. If Kau'i needed to talk, Rick was ready to listen, but he was determined that Kau felt no pressure from him for anything.
Rick hadn't mentioned the house, going home didn't seem an option for the time being. Who knew when Kau'i would be comfortable going back to the mansion. Even Rick felt sickened when he thought of going home. David had turned the place into something sinister and dark, especially the cells. For now and days to come, Rick wouldn't be taking any clients and he didn't feel a loss at that. Up until now, working as a Pro Dom had been his life, he'd mastered his craft, continued to learn with willing subjects. But now, he felt nothing for the lifestyle or that part of his life. He didn't miss it like he thought he would and that surprised him. He thought he'd feel loss or sadness, miss it in someway but he didn't. All he currently cared about was keeping Kau'i safe, watching him get better and come through this with as little damage as possible. He'd been damaged enough physically but hopefully the mental scars wouldn't last.
Rick smiled, standing and crossing the room. It was a cool in the room and he turned the air con off before sliding under the sheets, curling up to the warm heat Kau'i gave off where he lay. Rick rested gently against him, hand light on his thigh and he dipped his head and rested it betwee Kau'i's shoulder blades. He wasn't sure what message David had been trying to pass along - perhaps a show of jealousy, or power. Merely a 'fuck you' to him for whatever hurts he still carried after all these years. Rick didn't care, because David had hurt Kau'i, but he hadn't broke him. In fact in part, he'd given him a renewed strength, a fighting spirit to overcome the abuse he'd endured. A strength that proved to Rick they'd get through it, no matter how long it took.
He closed his eyes and waited for sleep to claim him, hoping instead of David filling his dreams, it would be memories of Kau.
~
The next days were unproductive. The governor had put the case to rest but hadn't come up with anything new for them, so they carefully followed up loose leads, though nothing came of it. The weekend hit and Steve was in the kitchen preparing food for the evening as Danny arrived home after a quick visit to the local store. Steve listened to him as he walked through the house talking.
"...wow, that big huh? - sounds amazing," Danny said, setting down the bags in his arms, phone caught between his cheek and his shoulder. "I'm sure you'll have a great time monkey. Hey I just got home, you want to talk to Steve?"
Steve grinned and wiped his hands on a cloth before taking the phone extended out to him.
"Hey Grace," he said.
"Hey Steve, what ya doing?" Grace asked lightly.
"Chin and Kono are coming over," Steve told her. "We're making kebabs."
"Aww, on the grill?" Grace asked, sounding dissappointed not to be there.
"Want me to keep you some?" Steve teased, Danny rolled his eyes at him as he unpacked the bags.
"No silly, I'm going away this weekend remember," Grace pointed out with a small laugh at his teasing. "We're going to stay with Stan's mom and dad."
"Aww well next time huh," Steve assured her. "You could always have kebabs there."
"I don't think so," Grace said a little sadly. "Any way, they wouldn't be the same as yours."
"Grace, we need to go darling. You can call Danno when we arrive," Steve heard Rachel say in the background.
"K' mom," Grace replied, before sighing deep. "I gotta go."
"Okay, I'll talk to you later okay," Steve told her. "I'll put Danno back on. Aloha."
"Aloha Steve, love you," Grace said before he handed the phone over.
Steve was a little surprised by the words and handed the phone to Danny with a smile his face. Danny frowned, taking the phone and saying his goodbyes and 'love you's' also before hanging up.
"What?" Danny asked him as Steve's eyes drifted to the phone as he set it on the counter.
"Grace just said 'love you' to me," Steve said slowly.
"She had excellent taste," Danny grinned, moving closer and putting a hand on his hip. "Though it's usually customary to reply with 'love you too'."
"She's never said that to me before," Steve pointed out.
Danny couldn't help but laugh at Steve's reaction. "You're cute when you're surprised babe. Really. Now, hows the food coming along? Chin and Kono will be here soon."
"Nearly done," Steve replied, shaking his head clear and thinking ahead. "I'll go start the grill."
He peeled himself from Danny's hold and start outside, Danny following and leaning on the doorpost.
"Steve, if the subject comes up," Danny began carefully. "Will you be okay talking about, you know, us?"
Steve stood by the grill and began preparing to light it, pausing to look over at Danny. "You mean our relationship?"
Danny nodded, watching him closely, "As in, the lifestyle side of our relationship?"
Steve turned and got on with lighting the coals, turning the idea round in his head. He'd been having questions himself about that side of them, could he talk honestly about it to Chin and Kono if they were brave enough to broach the subject? Danny came up behind him, resting a hand on his back.
"It's okay if you don't want to," Danny assured him.
"We always talked about telling them," Steve shrugged, thinking aloud. "Or the idea of telling them, if it would make a difference them knowing or not."
"It's an important part of us," Danny said in agreement, 'or it was' he thought to himself.
Steve nodded awkwardly, coals lit he turned towards Danny who didn't move away. He just looked at him closely, a small smile on his lips.
"If they ask, then I'm happy talking about it," Steve said with a firm nod. "I'd rather I answer their curiosity than leave it to their imaginations."
Danny snorted at the idea, knowing Kono wasn't at all innocent with her thoughts. He'd known her long enough now to know she had a mind that could drift to the gutter if encouraged and certainly had an extensive imagination when it came to sex. And who knew what Chin was thinking, he was a tough person to read but no doubt he knew and understood more than he let on. He certainly hadn't held back in asking about their relationship when they'd first gotten together.
"Okay," he nodded, stepping back. "Great."
~
"John," Kau'i said, standing and giving him a small wave to get his attention.
John turned and saw him, giving a smile before weaving through the tables towards him. It was a warm evening and they'd arranged to meet outside, have drinks and a meal together.
Kau'i waited for him to come and John gave him a brief hug before pulling away. They both took each other in, thinking the other looked tired. John looked concerned and Kau'i reflected the look back but neither of them mentioned it.
"Where's Michael?" Kau'i asked as they sat down.
"He can't make it," John replied, pulling in his chair. "He said to apologise for him. If he can he'll join us later but something came up last minute. Where's Rick?"
"He had to take a call, he'll be back soon," Kau'i explained.
They looked at each other again, a pause of silence.
"So, how have you been?" John asked cautiously.
Kau'i sized up the question, giving a small shrug. He could be honest with John, when anyone else asked, he usually just shrugged and said 'fine'.
"Been a little sore today," he replied, sitting back. "Like aching you know? I had a bad night, the doc gave me something to help me sleep but I was restless still. Rick's worried."
"Of course he is," John said, leaning over to put a hand over his. "We all are."
"I just keep having moments you know," Kau'i continued with a weak smile. "Where like everything is fine, I don't even think about what happened and then the next minute it's like I'm back there again. Then there's times when all I can think about is what happend."
"Kau it's only been a few days," John told him. "It's going to take a long time to get over it."
"I know," Kau'i nodded in understanding, frowning, his brow furrowing as he looked at John. "But then I keep thinking what if I don't get over it?"
John couldn't answer that and looked at him grimly. He was used to Kau'i being upbeat and positive, he usually found the bright side of every situation. It was difficult to see him struggling to find that part of himself again.
"You'll get over it because you have Rick and me and friends who want to help you," John said firmly. "And because you're too stubborn to let the bastard win."
Kau'i blinked at the mere mention of David and John swallowed down, wishing he hadn't broached the subject. But David was part of this, not just as Kau'i's attacker, but as part of Rick's past.
"Rick won't talk about him," Kau'i said. "Not really. I tried talking to him today and he just won't speak of him."
"Why do you need to talk about him?" John shrugged. He'd prefer conversation of David be kept to a minumum also. He still couldn't understand how the David he knew years ago could have done what he did.
"It's just," Kau'i began, pausing and leaning over to pick up his drink, knocking back a mouthful. "I guess I'm trying to understand him. All I ever knew about him was that he broke Rick's heart when they broke up. And that he tied me to a rack and tortured me. All I know is a shadow, I didn't see his face and Rick's never shown me pictures. Is it weird that I need to know about him? Like I'm trying to understand him so I can understand what he did to me?"
"That's the trouble Kau," John told him softly. "The David I knew, the one who Rick loved, isn't the person who did this to you. It was a shock when they broke up because up until then, I honestly thought they'd be together, well, forever. Which is weird because I guess it's the way I think about you and Rick now."
"I can't imagine leaving Rick," Kau'i shook his head hard. "And I don't know what I'd do if he left me."
"Whose leaving who?" Rick interrupted them, appearing behind Kau'i's chair and setting hands on his shoulders with a warm squeeze. Kau'i relaxed into the touch with a smile.
"Nobody," Kau'i replied with a shake of his head as Rick pulled away to lean down and give John a chaste kiss on the cheek.
"How you doing John?" Rick asked, taking a seat by Kau.
"Good thanks," John replied with a smile. "Michael couldn't make it."
"Okay," Rick agreed, not pressing for details. He eyed John closely, taking in the tiredness of his eyes and the awkward way he sat on the chair. John winced, shifting slightly and Rick was wise enough to understand he was dealing with a pained ass. The past few days he'd seen John he'd been in some type of pain, Rick's practised eye picked up signs other people didn't. It concerned him that Michael was being so strict at such a complicated and stressful time in John's life.
But he reminded himself that John always had the power to stop what was happening.
~
"We figure you may have - questions," Danny started warily, watching as Chin and Kono exchanged awkward glances at the prompting.
Kono shrugged her shoulders and shook her head, "It isn't any of our business."
Danny could see how difficult that was for her to say, a little under duress considering Chin's meaningful glare towards her. Kono was never one to back down when there was information to be sought out, it was what made her a good cop. Chin was more cautious, looking at the whole picture before he decided which path to take. But he was grateful they were trying to be respectful of their relationship, despite their curiosity.
"Yeah, we get that," Steve nodded in response. "Look, we're just saying if you want to ask us anything, we're happy to talk about it."
Chin blew out a breath and picked up his beer, swallowing down a mouthful.
"What?" Steve asked, eyebrows raised as he held his hands up to him innocently.
"I am so not comfortable talking to you about your sex life brah," Chin answered honestly with a small smile.
"Oh please, I know you asked Danny what I was like in bed when we first got together," Steve replied with a roll of his eyes.
Kono made a accusing sound, glaring at Chin with a look to match her tone.
"That was different," Chin said, waving a hand at them both. "That's more like guy talk."
"I'm a guy," Steve replied as if it needed to be pointed out. "And we're friends."
"Yes, we are," Chin nodded vigorously. "But it's you Steve. Look you are my best friend and I love you, but you're also John McGarretts son and, I dunno, I guess that just makes talking to you about sex a little, weird. Emotions yeah, bring them on. I am totally supportive of how much you guys are into each other, but I really don't need to hear *how* Danny gets you off or vice versa while you're sitting right there."
"I personally, don't feel like that at all," Kono interjected with a wide smile.
Steve leaned back in his chair and stared at Chin giving a small nod of acceptance. If he thought back over their friendship, it had been rare they'd spoken about the physcal act of sex with their respective partners. But they had always been open and honest about how they felt about their other half at the time. He admitted to himself it was just something that had developed between them and things were going to stay that way.
"Look brah you're happy right?" Chin said, sitting forward and looking Steve direct.
"Yeah, definitely," Steve nodded.
"Good, then that's all I need to know," Chin smiled. "Course if I ask Danny later what your like in bed, don't get offended I didn't ask in front of you. Asking him in private kind of makes it all right, in my fucked up head at least."
"Fucked up being the definite expression for whatever you're going on about," Kono said with a snort. Chin gave her a small shove and rolled his eyes as she curled her legs up onto the lounge chair and laughed over at Steve and Danny. "So - which one of you tops?"
"Kono," Chin said in an exasperated tone, shaking his head at her.
"What? They said ask, I'm asking," Kono pointed out to him and he glared at her again. "Fine, why don't you and Danny go talk elsewhere if it bothers you that much?"
"Um, this wasn't an open invitation for you guys to gather information on our sex life," Danny said to them both. "We know you have questions after what you saw at Rick's. We're just trying to be open here if you wanted to ask us anything."
"All right," Chin nodded, swallowing down a moment and taking in a breath. He looked Danny in the eye and held his gaze for a long moment. "Are you guys heavily into the scene?"
"I wouldn't say heavily, parts of it don't work for our dynamic," Danny answered honestly. "Intense Sado Masochism for instance isn't something that works for either of us."
"But things are safe and consensual between you?" Chin pressed, because he trusted them both, loved them both, but he felt a protective streak towards Steve born from his allegiance to his father and the longevity of their friendship. He didn't need to ask to figure out Danny held the reigns of the relationship as the 'Dom', it was just something he sensed from them. He couldn't imagine it was easy for Steve to adjust into submission.
"Yes," Danny replied with a small nod.
"Always," Steve added from beside him, keen to assure his friend the relationship was something he and Danny pursued equally together.
"Then that's all I need to know," Chin said satisfied.
"Seriously?" Kono asked, a small frown creasing her forehead.
Chin had to admit he wanted to ask more, but he still wasn't comfortable asking too much in front of Steve. Steve may submit for Danny but somehow it felt compromising to get them to open up, it could force Steve into his submissive role too publicly and it wouldn't do for the team dynamic. Steve was his boss as well as his friend, sensing a hint of submission from him towards Danny wouldn't feel right. Chin couldn't shake how physically seeing that submission, even if it were merely through a meeker, milder Steve, wouldn't be something he could handle. It wasn't like it weakened Steve, but it revealed part of him that Chin would rather he keep private, between himself and his lover, something Chin needed Steve to protect for himself, like a gift or something precious.
"For now," Chin admitted. "Maybe Danny and I will talk later."
He eyed Kono and gave a weak shrug. "I have my reasons."
"Why don't we go inside?" Danny said, sitting up. He grinned at Chin's surprised expression. "You have questions, Kono definitely has questions and I really don't think she can wait long enough for you to fuck off. Would you mind babe?"
Steve shook his head with a smile at Chin. "I get it Chin, it's fine. Go talk with Danny whilst I grapple with the minx."
"Hey," Kono responded, tossing a nacho his way from the bowl on the table as a missle. Steve just grinned, batting it out of the way and stretched out on his lounger.
"Well come on, look at you," Steve pointed out. "You're dying for details."
"You'd be worried about me if I wasn't a tiny bit curious," Kono retorted, picking up her beer and reclining back herself.
Chin and Danny retreated back into the house, grabbing fresh beers from the fridge and going into the living area.
"So, how did you two-," Chin began as they sat down, Danny in his usual chair and Chin on the sofa. "Well I'd say meet but, well, how did you figure this was gonna be part of the relationship?"
"I've always been into the scene," Danny told him, wanting that information out there in the open right away. "Back in Jersey I had a serious relationship with someone, as their Dominant. Me and Steve came about by chance, we 'met' at Rick's and everything developed from there."
"Okay, but he's comfortable right? I can't imagine someone like Steve finding submission an easy thing to deal with on such a personal level." Chin replied, tipping back a mouthful of beer.
"We take things pretty slow," Danny replied. "And the roles aren't something we're 'in' all the time, as a Dom and sub. We've always said it wouldn't be what defined our relationship, but I guess it's slowly become more and more part of who we are as a couple. Especially as Steve really opens himself up to explore that side of him. So far I've not done anything to fuck this up, everyday I hope that never happens."
"Can't be easy," Chin said in thought. "The responsbility that must weigh on you."
"I guess that's all part of being the Dom, dealing with being in control, dealing with the responsibility," Danny nodded. "It isn't easy but it isn't supposed to be. And the trust, that fucking blows the mind in the best kind of way. It's satisfying and fulfilling in a good way. And I guess it helps me understand what he deals with every day at work, only he feels responsible for all of us and not just one person. If I can help him deal with that burden then I'll gladly take all the responsbility that comes with doing that."
~
"So?" Kono said, looking at Steve keenly with a cheeky smile. "You never answered my question. Who 'tops'?"
Steve gave a small grin, swallowing down some of his drink before looking out over the moonlit ocean. "Danny," he sighed in reply.
"Really?" Kono asked in surprise. Steve thought she may have figured it out already but hearing her reaction he looked sharply at her. She sat up a little and cocked her head at him. "I just figured, well I guess I never figured you as a guy taking orders in the bedroom. I suppose because you've been taking orders most of your career."
Steve smiled and nodded in agreement of her logic. "Makes sense I suppose, I can understand why you'd think that. But I also gave orders and the more I climbed the ranks, the more people I was in charge of and responsible for. Now I head up the task force which brings it's own problems and responsibilities. It's nice to be able to leave it at the door when I get home, with someone who sees and knows what I go through every day and understands sometimes I just need to not think, to de-stress and to just let go. Even if it's just for a few hours."
"So, have you always been into - it?" Kono asked, frowning, not sure what words to use to describe their relationship.
"The lifestyle? The scene?" Steve teased playfully. "Submission."
Kono rolled her eyes at herself and gave a self depracating shrug, nodding. "Yeah."
"No," Steve answered honestly. "In fact until Danny, I'd not been in this kind of relationship before. I sort of, explored submission on the odd occasion, but never to the level Danny helps me reach."
"Does it ever feel weird?" Kono asked, watching him keenly. She'd not seen Steve so animated about a subject before, not unless it involved the Navy or sports.
"Submitting?" Steve said, looking at her before looking over the beach again. "I guess at first it did, especially with Danny. Getting with Danny at all was a huge step for me, never mind adding in the dynamic of submitting to him. You know he just gives me time, gives me plenty of oppurtunity to talk things over. And it isn't always about him barking out an order and expecting me to obey it. We're both part of this relationship and at times I need him to take control so I ask him to."
"Can't be easy," Kono replied with a small smile.
"No, but that's what makes it work for us. It's never easy, but it's something neccessary, for me at least," Steve smiled back at her.
~
"So, what is the sex like?" Chin grinned, eyeing Danny closely.
Danny cocked a grin straight back at him, giving a small laugh. "Fucking incredible. Seriously, you know how he's built like an Adonis. Well imagine lying that god like body out on your bed and getting to play with it every fucking night, offering himself up to you, submitting and trying to accept everything you do to blow his mind. It's a mind fuck Chin and he's so receptive to any idea. Kinda scary the trust he puts in me at times, but I make sure to try and make it incredible for him and thats what makes it so satisfying, seeing him just give up resisting and going with it. You know when you go down on a woman, or just finger her and hit that spot where she's just shaking and moaning with pleasure, completely lost to it - that feeling you get, the power trip being able to do that to her, for her, with just your touch?"
Chin nods slowly, swallowing at the dryness suddenly in his throat, trying to fight the stab of jealousy in his gut. It's been a while since his sex life resembled anything like that but he understands Danny's enthusiasm.
Danny grins and points to himself with enviable pleasure, "Every fucking time."
Chin finds he's glad he and Danny are having this conversation privately because he's not sure he could look Steve in the eye after he heard himself being described in such detail. But Chin can also easily imagine what Danny describes, because Steve is his best friend and Chin certainly appreciates the attraction, not just physically, but because of the person he is. He can easily conjure up the image of Steve lain out, submitting to Danny's every whim, the kind of mind fuck that would give a person. He can also understand how that would feed Danny's Dominant side and help him be what Steve needs him to be.
~
"So in submitting, what do you have to do?" Kono asks carefully, still unsure how to put her questions in a way that isn't disrespectful but at the same time understandable. "Like, does Danny expect different things, behaviours or - whatever?"
She gives up on the question with a frown and swallows back a long drag from her beer. She finds Steve smiling at her flustering and feels instantly at ease.
"He has rules," Steve explains easily. "I'd say for when we 'scene' but sometimes, the dynamic is just there. Like, sometimes I just need to let go and I'm not asking for anything, I just need a 'time out' from life I guess. So I'll call him 'Sir' or 'Master', so he knows I'm getting into my headspace. Usually I'll end up naked most of the time, especially when we are 'scening'. He expects the best of behaviours, like the best of myself, I guess it's to help me be confident in my submission, because it's not about weakness or being meek and mild. Then it's just a case of following directions the best I can. He pushes my limits, tests my self control but he also lets me talk it out if I can't handle something. Trust and communication are the key aspects when you come right down to it."
"What happens if you break the rules, misbehave or do something he doesn't approve of?" Kono asks warily, because she's honestly curious and slightly disbelieving that Steve could submit to that side of what little she knows of the 'lifestyle' when it comes to 'discipline'.
A smile edges Steve's lips at the question, watching her carefully and she wonders if she's overstepped the mark. But he's been honest in everything else and he and Danny wanted them to ask. She'd be lying if she didn't ask and just lived with the curiosity, even if he didn't want to answer.
"The submissive role comes with it's fair share of moments where you will end up with a spanked ass," Steve admits with a laugh. "And Danny is a strict Dom, because he knows what I'm capable of and won't let me be any less than my best. So if that means doling out a spanking or several, then it happens."
"Seriously?!" Kono exclaims again, surprised and finding herself a little uncomfortable with the idea. "But, doesn't that - how do you deal with the aftermath of that? How does that work for your relationship? Doesn't it wedge something between you - I mean, he's hurting you. Purposefully. Even if he has your permission through your submission to do it."
Steve sits up and gazes at her intently, not offended by her reaction. Instead he looks at her solemnly.
"You want to know how Danny and I ended up together? We were both at a party at Rick's. Seperately. At the time neither of us knew the other was into the lifestyle, we knew each other and we knew there was a chemistry there between us but I didn't know he was into Dominating and I wasn't ready to even face the feelings I had about submission. Any way, I was at the party because I'd known Rick for a time and had been going to him for a specific purpose. I went to Rick for, well, punishment. Only it's not really punishment, it's something that releases me Kono, from - guilt. I'm not saying every time Danny spanks me it's to release me from guilt but sometimes it is. I accept it's part of my submission, it's something I enjoy, at least in some weird way. At the same time I hate it, but more because I know usually it's because I've failed him, myself or us, in some way. Yes it hurts and yes, it means I have to dig deep into my submission but it also frees me in a way I can't explain. And it's hard for him, to do that to me, because he doesn't 'want' to hurt me, he doesn't do it to hurt me, but he knows it helps me. It helps me learn, helps me grow. It helps me accept who he is in my life as my Dom. I know it's hard for you to understand, because you aren't in this kind of relationship and that's okay. But let me assure you, it does nothing but deepen our relationship and cement our roles in each others lives as Dominant and submissive."
"Really?" Kono asks, a wariness in her tone because she's not sure she entirely understands how it could work. But Steve is looking back at her with an open expression, nodding his head and she figures she may not agree with it, but if it works for him and he's happy, then she can be happy for him.
~
"Have you guys been okay?" Chin asks after a silent pause. "After what happened at Richard Steadmans, hasn't that rocked the boat a little?"
Danny doesn't reply straight away, staring down at his beer bottle, tracing lines through the condensation. "Honestly - it's been a little weird. Together we're great but when it comes to slipping into those roles, we're both holding back on each other. What happened to Kau'i was a fucking nightmare, seeing him trussed up to that rack as he was. And he's our friend Chin, someone we've gotten to know and understand. He's one of the decent guys. And seeing Rick like he is, so unsure of himself, knocked so far sideways - it shows how much he loves Kau'i, probably more than either of us realised. It's just hard, it's something we both want, something we both need but it's also so easy to see how fucked up it could get if we aren't careful. Steve won't talk about it much and there are ways I could get him talking, eventually, but I don't want to force the subject out of him. I'd never force him for anything, even if I can see it's affecting him by bottling up."
"Yeah he's been a little snappy at work," Chin nodded in understanding. "I figured this one hit home a little too close, because they are your friends and because of your relationship. At least I suspected there was something of the lifestyle that was part of your relationship. Just give him space but be careful Danny, he has a tendency to bury things deep, you know that."
"I know, but I need him to want to work through it," Danny shrugged. "I need that myself and right now I'm not sure I can. Maybe once the case is wrapped up I can have a clearer head about it."
"You know, letting Steve deal with this as he is may be the best thing for now," Chin pointed out. "And you seem confident enough to see if he needs to be 'nudged' in a direction if he starts barricading himself in and shutting you out."
Before Danny could reply, Kono and Steve appeared in the living room, Kono giving Danny a rather knowing smile. Steve leaned down over the back of Danny's chair, arms wrapping round his chest as he pressed a kiss to his neck gently.
"Would you mind if I showed Kono the toy cupboard?" he whispered quietly.
Danny sensed a submissive tone to the question and was warmed by it, patting his arm gently with a nod of agreement. "Sure, no problem babe. Just keep it tidy."
Steve pulled away and Kono was already giggling and heading eagerly for the stairs.
"Where they going?" Chin asked, watching them go upstairs, Steve shaking his head at Kono's playful excitement.
"Your cuz' must have been asking the right questions because she's off to see the 'box of tricks'," Danny laughed. "That woman scares me sometimes."
"The two of them are as bad as each other," Chin pointed out. "You know you should be careful, let them hang out too much and Steve may start giving you more headaches than it's worth."
"Steve I can handle," Danny snorted in reply. "But I would pity any Dom who took on Kono Kalakaua."
"What makes you think she wouldn't be Dominating," Chin grinned, propping his feet up on the table.
Danny shrugged in thought. "I guess maybe because she and Steve are so alike. I think if she trusted herself enough to try it, she may find and get something out of it. It isn't for everyone I suppose and she'd have to find the right person, but I think her curiosity is a little telling."
Chin agreed with a sigh. "Yeah, I guess I can see that."
~
Kono eyed the open door of the bedroom with a sly smile and looked back at Steve who was getting the key from the wardrobe.
"You sure this is okay?" she asked, drawing closer.
"What, you afraid you're breaking some sacred rules?" Steve shot back playfully. "It's fine Kono, I'm okay with it and so is Danny. Just don't mess it up too much, Danny is a stickler for it's being kept tidy."
"Ha, really?" Kono said disbelieving as Steve unlocked the door.
"Yes, really," Steve replied sternly, looking her in the eye. "Believe me my ass will testify to that fact. And honestly, you make fun of one thing in here or make some stupid comment, I'm putting you on desk duty for a month."
Kono put on a serious face, belied by the smile dancing on her lips and in her eyes as Steve opened the cupboard door to reveal the contents. Kono elbowed him away gently to get a better look, sucking down a small snort before blowing out an appreciative whistle.
"Well isn't this a little cubby of treasures," she grinned, fingers dancing over the leather paddle hanging on the hook of the door. "All my wardrobe does is take me to Narnia."
Steve reached out and nipped her in the side, making her wriggle with a laugh.
"Hey, sorry, I'm sorry, I'll be serious," she laughed, holding up her hands in surrender.
Steve shook his head at her, rolling his eyes with a smile as she looked inside again.
"Come on brah, honestly," She said, reaching in and pulling out a dildo. "You've got enough toys in here to open your own sex shop. Lucky things. What the fuck is that?"
She picked up another item and held it up to him, twisting it this way and that with a curious frown.
"Prostate massager," Steve said, taking it off her and putting it back. Catching her disturbed look he gave a small laugh. "Don't worry, everything gets cleaned and sterilised."
"Fuck that," Kono replied, letting out a deep breath and trying to use her words "Why would you? - what does - why? Has he used it on you?"
"Yeah once or twice," Steve nodded.
"Does it give better orgasms or something?" Kono asked without hesitation.
For some reason having this conversation with her boss didn't feel too intimate or private. Steve had opened up a whole new side of himself to her and she was curious and happy to be his confidante. She felt comfortable enough to ask the sex questions without feeling awkward about it.
"Actually Danny uses it to prevent orgasms," Steve pointed out. "Along with that."
He pointed to his chastity belt hanging on a hook by the paddle, telling Kono what it was and guaging her reaction carefully.
"Wow," Kono said, eyebrows getting higher on her forehead as she processed that information. "Really? And you like it?"
Steve thought about the question and gave a small nod as he shrugged. "Yes and no. I like the submissive state it puts me in, but it can be frustrating. But that's part of the process, overcoming the frustration by submitting."
"So does it happen often? You're not being allowed, you know, to come?" Kono asked, leaning against the side of the wardrobe, a little fascinated with everything Steve was telling her.
"Depends on how much we're playing and what we want to work through," Steve said, leaning opposite her, the cupboard open between them.
Kono gave him a small smile, enjoying how relaxed he seemed to get talking about all of this. She couldn't figure if it was because it helped him tap into his submissiveness or because it was a relief for him to be open about this part of his relationship with Danny.
"Okay that thing prevents you orgasming," Kono said, poking into the cupboard again. "So what makes you explode with pleasure?"
"Apart from Danny?" Steve joked, leaning into the cupboard.
Kono lifted her head and grinned wickedly. "That good huh?"
"You have no fucking idea," Steve laughed, reaching in and pulling out a vibrating probe. "But I guess this would be the next best thing. Because Danny isn't just my Dom but a fucking pleasure torturer, especially wielding that as a weapon."
He flicked it on with a grin, showing her the small settings dial attached, a series of speeds or a mixer button to variate the speeds intermittently. He pressed it against her wrist gently to feel the vibrations.
"Imagine being lain out on the bed, tied up," Steve said in low a consipiratory tone. "This slid deep inside you to tease you senseless while your played with, nipples teased, skin brushed with fingers or lips. Or not even played with or touched, just bound to the bed while this vibrates in you, knowing your every reaction, move, moan is being watched and listened too. Your just waiting for permission to come and you're not even sure you'll be allowed. You don't know how long it will last, or if you'll be able to follow orders but all you have to do is surrender and trust. That's all. Seriously, some of the best fucking orgasms I've ever had."
Kono stared open mouthed, lost for words at the image Steve conjured and more than appreciative of the description. He made it sound thrilling and exciting but something about it made her nervous, the idea of surrender, giving up the control. She had toys galore in her beside drawer but she could control when she fell, nobody and nothing else. The probe still vibrated against her skin and she shivered, pulling her hand away.
She jumped, flushing slightly when Danny interrupted them.
"Hey kids, you having fun," he teased, coming over to them.
Steve grinned at him, flicking off the probe and putting it back in the cupboard as Kono composed herself.
"Well, you like it?" Danny grinned, giving Kono a soft nudge.
"As I was saying to Steve, you two could open a sex shop with that thing," Kono replied lightly, pushing aside the strange feeling starting to rise within her.
Steve closed the door, locked the cupboard and placed the key safely back on top of the wardrobe before Danny slid an arm about his waist with a slightly possessive air. He smiled over at Kono who leaned against the wardrobe again, liking how the two of them fit together, how she could pick up on different things now that she understood their relationship a little more indepthly.
"I just wanted to make sure you were okay," Danny said, looking at Steve closely.
"Surprisingly more open that I thought," Steve replied, motioning to himself. "Look at me being all grown up."
"Yeah, right," Danny rolled his eyes and looking at Kono with a soft smile. "You okay Kono? Anything you wanted to ask me?"
"No, actually," Kono said shaking her head. "Steve's been pretty open about you two. Thanks by the way, you know you don't owe us any explanation or anything. Chin and me, we're just happy you guys are happy."
She sighed, looking about the bedroom with a tender expression in her eyes. They came to rest on the desk where a black box rested. Sucking in a breath she gave a shrug of her shoulders and stood straighter.
"You know, Chin will be getting worried we've started an orgy or something up here," she laughed, turning for the door. "Maybe we should get back to him before he feels neglected."
Steve gave Danny a squeeze before beginning to follow, pulling out of his hold before Danny caught him by the arm and pulled him back to him.
"Hey, I'm proud of you," Danny grinned, pulling him in for a swift kiss. "I thought this may have been harder for you than it seems to have been."
"Like I said, surprisingly easy," Steve smiled, not resisting being kissed by his lover.
"And she's okay? Comfortable with everything?" Danny asked with a slight concern.
"She seemed a little put off when we talked about discipline but I get why," Steve shrugged. "She doesn't want me hurt and she'd hate to think it somehow affected our relationship in a negative way. Is Chin okay?"
"He's good," Danny nodded with a grateful sigh. "He's concerned for you but only because he cares. He's happy that this helps you and of course he's supportive of us."