Fic: Proposal Part 1
Proposal Part 1 by Mewwy
Warnings: There be romantic fluff herein. Pure happy fluff :).
Pairings: Steve and Danny - Established Relationship
Plot: All in a day off where Steve decides to ask Danny to marry him.
Beta'd: Gnat
Word Count: Total for both parts 12,725
Note: After my lovely beta got through with this I went through and fiddled again. So she helped me keep it neat and then I made a mess again. So please ALL errors are mine and mine alone.
Disclaimer: I don't own them wish that I could. If I could there would be more nekkid and feelings and well explosions!
The moments of silence at dawn are Steve's favorite part of the day; those first golden rays reaching out and caressing Danny's sleeping form. These moments are where Steve is able to see the softness of Danny's features smoothed by sleep. It is the lack of motion Steve loves the best. It signals calm in the tornado that is Danny Williams.
"You know, I find that creepy," a sleep soaked voice says.
A smile spreads across Steve's lips as he leans down and kisses a tan shoulder. "Go back to sleep," he murmurs.
"Okay, off to the ocean with you." Steve watches Danny relax back into sleep, peaceful and beautiful. He spends a few more minutes watching the golden rays caress Danny's back and shoulders. It was time for his swim, but he wanted to stay in bed and wake Danny further with kisses and feather touches, watch Danny slowly come apart as Steve made love to him. Sighing softly, he laid one more kiss on Danny's shoulder as he left their bed.
They had the day off today and this wasn't a Gracie weekend. So the day was theirs, after chores were done. They needed groceries, to do laundry, and to clean the house. Danny had gotten him to somewhat lower his strict cleaning rules; not everything had to have a spit shine polish to it, it was okay to dust every other week. Now though, this time, right now, was Steve's time, him and the ocean. It was all stroke work and clearing of his mind. Pushing himself Steve concentrated on his strokes. It was his therapy, letting everything go and be in the moment.
After a solid hour in the water, Steve emerged refreshed, even if he was a little bit tired. He was now ready to start his day. After rinsing off in the outdoor shower, he toweled dry. It was another Danny change; there were now towels in the storage bin outside for Steve and Grace, no more tracking water through the house. After scrubbing his hair dry, he placed the towel on the back of the chair to air dry. Quietly heading into the kitchen, Steve turned on the coffee maker and smiled. This was their day off. Now, it was time to watch Danny. He loved this time of the day as much as first waking up.
Danny hadn't moved from his position. Quickly stripping off his trunks, Steve hung them in the bathroom. Smiling, he crossed the room and crawled back into bed. Open mouth kissing the closest shoulder, Steve used his tongue to taste Danny. A grumpy sound came from Danny. A slow trail of kisses up Danny's shoulder to his neck. "Steve it is our day off. Go to sleep you, Troglodyte." His voice was deep, raspy from sleep.
,
"Troglodyte?" A quiet chuckle. "You can sleep, Danno. Just ignore me." A kiss on Danny's upper spine.
This brought a chuckle and a hand wave from the sleepy man. "Ignore me, he says. Like anyone can ignore Super SEAL on a mission."
"It is a mission." A kiss to the other shoulder, as Steve leans over to kiss his way up the other shoulder.
The smaller man smiles into the pillow. "Far be it from me to stop your mission."
***********
As they lay there sated, Danny grins. "Now, you want to sleep?"
"Mmm, I think you broke me." Steve has his arm flung up over his head, and Danny is snuggled up next to him. "We have chores today, but I want to nap."
"Hmm, I can handle a nap." A light bite on Steve's chest. "But later. We need food and clothes."
In a warm tone, Steve said, "Not if we stay naked."
Chuckling, Danny started to get up. "As much as the idea interests me, I think the rest of the team might have issues with that when we show up to work."
Steve laughs outrights, "Yeah, can you see me naked with my thigh holster?"
"Been there, seen that. Fucked you stupid." Danny laughed with him. "Let's go, Aquaman. We have chores."
***********
After a quick shower, Steve found Danny sorting laundry in the laundry room. "I'll start on the vacuuming and dusting, while you finish here and start in the kitchen?"
"Sounds like a plan." Leaving Danny in the kitchen, Steve went to the stereo and turned on his favorite 70's station. It was sure to get a response out of Danny.
"Not funny, Steve. Find something we'll both listen to!" Yelled Danny from the laundry room. Steve laughed. Turning on his iPod and selecting the 'Cleaning Day' playlist, a Danno approved musical selection that would offend no one; everyone wins. "Thank you," Danny called once again from the other room. Smiling, Steve went to get the dusting supplies to do a once over downstairs and up.
The dusting never took as long as he thought it would. Danny had relaxed him into cleaning like a 'normal person', Danny's words. While he dusted, he thought about Danny. It seemed these days Danny wasn't ever far from his thoughts. With all the changes in Hawaii with civil unions and the repeal of DADT in the Navy, Steve had been thinking a lot about asking Danny to marry him. Well, as married as they could be. They were each others medical proxies and listed as next of kin. Now that Danny was living in the house full time having gotten rid of his apartment a couple months back, it was time to take the next step.
It wasn't like they hadn't discussed their future. In fact, Steve remembered their last discussion of the future. It had been shortly after Danny officially moved in.
They were painting Gracie's room a pale blue. "Now that you and Gracie have moved in, what's next?" Steve had tried to be casual about the questioning. He had everything he ever wanted and didn't want to lose either of them.
"I think right now this is perfect." Danny was working on the far wall in Mary's old room and Steve was working around the door.
Humming to the music Steve pondered what Danny said. He wanted everything with Danny, including marriage. "Would you ever consider getting married again?"
"Is that a proposal?" Danny asked, smiling at Steve's back.
"Nope." Steve said, smiling to himself at Danny's question. "It's just a question. I know your last marriage didn't end well, and technically we can only have a civil union, but would it be something on the table for us?" He was nervous. Danny's last marriage had been a hard one to get past. It had taken Danny a long time to come to terms that he and Rachel were history, and if Steve was totally honest, the love Danny had for her still exists, but it has moved into friendship.
Hearing a thunk and feeling Danny come up and hug him from behind, Steve patted his hands with the hand without the paint roller in it. "Steven, if we were to go that way, I would not be opposed to it. I want to spend my life with you. If you feel we need to get it recognized, or even if you don't, I will be with you every step of the way."
Not realizing he had been holding his breath, Steve sighed. "Okay. Okay." Danny held on for a minute or so before squeezing and going back to painting the other wall. "I love you Danny."
"I love you too."
Coming back from the memory Steve found himself smiling in the upstairs hallway. Danny would marry him, if that was what Steve wanted, and that was what Steve wanted. Now, to figure out how to do it.
While going through the house dusting, Steve came up with and discarded many ideas on how to ask Danny to marry him. The ring, a simple platinum band, was purchased a few weeks ago. Steve had it engraved on the inside with the simple inscription 'My love forever -Steve'. It was locked away in the truck's glove compartment. If anything, he knew Danny wasn't high maintenance in any aspect of his life except when it came to his hair. Then everything went out the window.
There was one thing Steve was going to do first before asking Danny to marry him, he was going to ask Grace's permission to marry her father. Steve had thought about calling Danny's Dad to ask him, but thought since their family would be untraditional, why not go with something a little different. Grace was 10 now and would be able to keep a secret. They just had been so busy Steve hadn't found time to go over and talk to Grace. Maybe today he would get the time? Maybe send Danny grocery shopping and go see Grace.
Now that the dusting was done Steve went back downstairs to start the vacuuming. Pulling out the vacuum cleaner, he headed upstairs to start vacuuming the house. It didn't take too long to vacuum the upstairs. Back down in the living room Steve had just started the vacuuming. He couldn't hear Danny, so when hands wound around his waist, he jumped slightly. "Lunch time."
"Almost done, Love. I just have the living room to finish." Time had gotten away from him. Apparently, day dreaming and cleaning were not a good idea. However, it had given him some good ideas and maybe a good idea on seeing Grace.
"Okay, it's in the kitchen." Steve gave Danny a squeeze and let go. Steve made quick work of the living room and put the vacuum away. He now had the beginning of a plan, so when he walked into the kitchen ,he leaned down to kiss Danny deeply, breaking apart only when the need for air forced him too. "Not that I'm complaining, but what was that for?"
"I love you, Daniel Williams." Steve wasn't trying for serious, but it came out that way. He wanted to let Danny know how much he loved him. "In every way."
Danny declared, smiling with a silly grin, "I love you too Steven J. McGarrett, in every way." One more kiss for the road, then Steve went to sit across from Danny at the table. "Now eat your sandwich, you crazy man."
Silence descended while they ate. Once finished, Steve leaned back. "Thank you, Danno. I hadn't realized how hungry I was."
"Well, we did skip breakfast."
Steve laughed, "There is that."
"So, I made a shopping list." Danny passed the list across the table to Steve. "We need to do a full grocery run. We are out of everything, so after lunch, we'll go to Whole Foods."
Here goes nothing. "Actually Danno, would you mind doing the grocery shopping? I need to run a few errands of my own."
"Oh? So, what important errands do you have to run while I grocery shop?"
Not wanting to lie, but not wanting to ruin the surprise, Steve said, "I'd like to keep them to myself, if you don't mind. Please, Danno? I'll tell you tonight. I promise."
Seeing the look on Steve's face, Danny smiles. "Okay. You run your secret errands, and I'll play housewife and do the grocery shopping. I am thinking of hitting Liquor Collection for some of that dark beer you like."
"Oh yeah? The beer from Belgium?"
Nodding, Danny picked up their plates to go wash them. "Yeah, we haven't had it in the house in a while, and you have been good at not blowing up shit recently. So, I thought you deserved a reward." Steve smiles and stands up to wrap his arms around Danny. "Hey! I'm washing here, Mister."
"Thank you, Danny." Steve said, kissing his temple, "For everything."
"Not a problem. Now, go do your super secret errands. Ones I am not allowed to go on. So go you overgrown child. I'm gonna throw the last load of laundry in the dryer and head out."
***********
Steve was nervously standing at Rachel and Stan's door waiting for someone to open it. He had the ring in his pocket, and now all he needed was Grace's approval. I can do this. Grace will say yes, he knows she will. "Steve," Rachel said, as she opened the door.
"Afternoon, Rachel. Is Grace around?"
"Of course. Come in." She stood back out of the way. She was holding Charlie in her arms; he looked just about ready for a nap. "Let me get Grace for you, then I need to put Charlie down. Go ahead and head into the den. Grace will be down in a minute."
Just as he sat down, he heard the thunder of feet coming down the stairs. He smiled as Grace ran into the room. "Uncle Steve!" She threw herself at him. Catching her, he smiled. She was so like her father in this respect, full of energy and just so giving of love.
"Gracie." He laughed, as she squeezed him.
After hugging the stuffing out of him, she sat next to him on the couch. "What's up, Uncle Steve? Where's Danno?"
"Danno, doesn't know I'm here. It's a secret. Can you promise not to tell him?" Steve was trying to remain calm; his heart was pounding in his chest. If he was this nervous asking Grace, he is going to be a wreck asking Danny.
"Sure. Everything okay?" Grace looked concerned.
Steve smiled softly. "Yes, I just had a question for you, and I am hoping you'll say yes." This was it.
"Okay."
Pulling out the box, he opened it and showed Grace. "I'd like to ask your permission to ask Danno to marry me."
Quietly she took the box and pulled out the ring. Reading the inscription 'My love forever Steve' she sighed. "It's perfect. He's going to love it."
"Are you okay with this?" Steve was holding his breathe.
"Oh, yes. YES!" She jumped up and started dancing. "Yes, of course, you can marry Danno. He is going to be SO surprised. How are you going to do it? When? Where?" She was breathless.
Steve was laughing. "I got as far as asking you, Gracie. I don't know how I am going to ask him."
Handing the ring back, she sat down again. "He likes simple. The ring is perfect."
"What ring, Grace?" asked Rachel, coming in at that moment.
"Steve is going to ask Danno to marry him and then he asked me if it was okay and I said yes." Grace was smiling brightly bouncing slightly.
"Oh, Steven, that is wonderful!" Rachel sat in the chair. "Have you decided how to ask him?"
"No, as I was just telling Grace, I got as far as asking her permission to marry him, but I'm at a loss on how or when to ask him." Steve paused to take a breath. "I got the ring a couple of weeks ago." He passed the ring to Rachel. She looked it over and read the inscription and smiled. "I just don't know how to ask him. Should I plan something big or should I just ask? Do I get down on one knee? Or maybe a skywriter? I'm not so good with words."
Grace smiled and patted his leg. "You definitely get down on one knee. That is SO romantic."
Rachel laughed and handed the ring back. "Daniel likes simple, but he is a secret romantic."
"Yes, he is." Steve took a deep breath. "So, one knee it is. Now, should I do it at dinner someplace? Or maybe just in the middle of a normal day? Or someplace that means a lot to both of us? I am so confused."
The three of them looked at each other for a time. Then Rachel said, "Well, maybe dinner would be nice. What is your favorite restaurant?"
"Jade Dynasty Seafood it's a take out place."
"That won't do," Grace said her voice commanding. "You have to go out. You just have to. Get all dressed up in your best clothes and go to dinner. Maybe a rose."
"Grace, darling, this is for Danno, not you, honey. I don't think he would want a rose." Rachel looked at Steve. "But, she is right, you need to go out for dinner, someplace special for the two of you."
"Well..." Steve sat and thought about it. They usually ate in or out with the team. It was rare for them to go out on a real date. "The last place we went was DK Steakhouse. They had some great food, and I could go for a steak."
"There you go. Why not make reservations there? Maybe if you tell them what you have planned, they might be able to seclude you a little bit. Daniel can get quite emotional." Rachel smiled.
"Oh, yeah. Danno can get loud. Maybe secluded is good.” Grace paused then continued, “Or...maybe wait 'til after dinner and go for a walk on the beach." Grace was clutching her hands to her chest. She was totally getting into this.
"Your know your Danno isn't a big beach fan, Grace. I don't know if he would want to go for a walk on the beach," Steve sad sadly.
"Wait." Rachel smiled brighter. "Isn't there a walking path along the area there? Next to the beach?"
"Oh! There is! Uncle Steve, you've gotta take him for a moonlight stroll. That would be SO romantic." Gracie was bouncing slightly on the couch.
Steve was smiling along with the others. "You're right, there is a walking path along there. Okay, a romantic stroll in the moonlight and I will ask him to marry me. After dinner. On a real honest to goodness date."
All three sat there smiling. Steve pulled out his phone and did a quick search for DK Steakhouse. He would immediately call and make dinner reservations for tonight.
A male voice answered, "DK Steakhouse at the Marriott. How may I help you today?"
"Yes, I'd like to make reservations for two for dinner for tonight. It is a special occasion."
"Would 7:15 be all right sir?" The man on the other end of the phone asked.
"That would be perfect."
"Inside or outside seating?"
"Outside, please. It is a date." Not wanting to give too much away, but trying to go for a more secluded setting. They sat inside last time.
"And what name shall I put the reservations under?"
"McGarrett."
"Very good, sir. We'll see you this evening at 7:15."
"Thank you. Bye." Steve hung up. "Okay, we have dinner plans tonight at 7:15."
"This is going to be SO romantic." Grace smiled brightly. She was bouncing again on the couch. Both Rachel and Steve laughed at her antics.
"You will have a wonderful time, Steven. Daniel won't do anything but say yes," Rachel assured him.
Steve's heart was still pounding. "I hope so. I can't believe I am so nervous."
"That is normal. Both Stan and Daniel stuttered when they asked for my hand." Rachel shrugged. "Daniel said he was going to vom, too."
"Mom! That is so not romantic."
"Sweetie, when you are older, perhaps you will understand how nervous something like this makes a person," Rachel told Grace.
"Yeah, Grace." Steve nodded. "I'm already a nervous wreck, and I still have all afternoon until dinner."
“But...” Grace looked at Steve, put her hand on his leg, hesitating, “you aren't afraid of anything."
Steve squeezed her hand. "Nerves and fear are two different things. Truth be told, Grace, I'm scared too! I don't want anything to go wrong."
She jumped up and hugged him. "Don't worry, Uncle Steve, Danno will say yes."
His eyes met Rachel's. "I second that, Steven. He will say yes."
***********
Steve pulled into the driveway just behind Danny. Turning off the truck, he jumped out to help with the groceries. "Perfect timing, Super SEAL. You can help unload the car. There's more in the backseat." Danny popped the trunk. "We really need to discuss all the stuff you keep in this trunk. It makes grocery shopping a pain in the ass."
"Sorry, Danno," Steve pouted, giving the man a quick kiss. "I'll go through it at work tomorrow." He grabbed a couple of the reusable bags and went to unlock the house and disarm the alarm. "We're going out to dinner tonight, so don't make plans for dinner."
"Dammit, Steve! We were going to have Ahi tonight. I got a couple of tuna steaks," Danny complained, following Steve inside.
"Well, put them on ice. We can have them tomorrow." Steve put his bags on the table, grabbing Danny around the waist with arms still full. "Tonight, I am taking you out to dinner, baby." Steve said, kissing Danny, again.
"Where ever the hell you went put you in a good mood." Danny laughed, extricating himself from Steve to put his groceries on the table as well. He followed Steve back out to the car. "We need to go to Liquor Collection to get your beer. I didn't have any room left in the car for the beer."
"Okay." It took them one more trip to get the rest of the groceries inside. "When we go out tonight, you need to dress up." Steve closed the trunk, and Danny closed the car door.
"Business casual dress up? Or suit dress up?" Danny closed the door behind them.
Business casual. Tie or not." Putting his groceries on the table, Steve began to dig through the bags.
"Hey, Superman, I will put these away. You...go check on the laundry."
"Aye aye, sir." Steve turned on his heel and headed into the laundry room. Pulling the clothes out of the dryer, he began to fold them right there in the laundry room.
"Not to be nosy, but why are we going on a date?"
Steve could hear the opening of cupboards for the groceries. "It is our day off, and we haven't gone out in so long unless it is with the team, so I thought, why not go some place nice for the evening. Maybe I will even let you kiss me in the moonlight." Steve heard grumbling from the kitchen. "What was that, Danno?"
"If you are taking me on the date, isn't it I who allows you to kiss me in the moonlight?"
"I guess you're right," Steve chuckled, poking his head back into the kitchen. "I just thought it would be nice."
He sees Danny nod. "This have anything to do with your mysterious errands today?"
"Maybe, Danno. Maybe." Folding more clothing, Steve thought of what Rachel, Grace and he had come up with. Grace thought he should propose the moment they hit the beach, but Rachel suggested waiting until halfway through their walk, allowing the food to settle some. Steve whole heartedly agreed with Rachel. His stomach wouldn't settle until he asked Danny, so it was better to do it when he didn't feel so full.
The men lapsed into silence doing their respective jobs. Finishing, Danny poked his head into the laundry room. "You done yet?"
"Almost. Why don't you take what I have, and I will go grab the towels from outside."
Danny shook his head. "No worries. They were load number two. They are already done."
Steve took the opportunity to kiss Danny. "You are amazing."
Chuckling, Danny said, "Not that I am complaining, but you are being awfully affectionate today."
"How often do we get a Saturday off? And a Saturday where we can get things done? Besides, I spent all week staying professional. I get to lavish love on you today." Steve said, kissing him again.
Danny pulled Steve in for a deeper kiss. "We have time for that nap, if you still want to?"
"Mmm...sounds good, Danno, but we still have to go to the Liquor Collection, and I need to see if I have clothes for tonight." Steve said, kissing Danny back. "Once that is done, our reservations are for 7:15, on the strip."
Danny wraps his arms around Steve. "DK Steakhouse?"
"Yeah. How'd you know?" Steve asked, searching his lovers' eyes.
"Last place we went too. Also, a damn good steak, and if you turned down fish, you would only be going out for steak," Danny teased, mischief dancing in his eyes.
"Wow! We'll make a detective out of you yet, Williams." They spent a few minutes just kissing each other. Danny turned Steve so he was leaning against the wall, both men just enjoying the feeling of having the other man in their arms. Foreheads together, panting slightly, Steve says, "We need to get going and finish our errands. The faster we get done, the sooner we can nap."
Danny flashed brilliant smile. "Yes, you are right about that. Let's take the truck. The Camaro needs gas."
"Then let me finish folding these. Why don't we take the Camaro and get gas on the way?" Danny steps away from Steve, who grabs the last of the underwear to fold.
"Yeah, better to get it today, than tomorrow morning." Danny steps out of the laundry room. "You got five minutes, buddy."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Steve hurries through the rest of the clothes and follows Danny upstairs to their room. Danny is just closing the dresser drawer when he comes in. "Here is the rest." Handing Danny the clothing, Steve wanders over to the closet to check on the status of his suit. The last time he had worn it was two weeks prior to court. "Shit! My suit needs cleaning. I forgot I dropped something on it."
"Then we'll hit up dry cleaners on our way. We'll drop it off and pick it up later. They're just up the street," Danny said logically.
"Okay." Steve agreed, pulling out his suit. He likes the baby blue shirt he has with the navy suit; it makes the suit pop. "You gonna take anything?" Steve asks, laying the suit on the bed. Danny finishes at the dresser and heads to the closet. Steve uses the opportunity to come up behind Danny and wrap his arms around the man. He feels more grounded when he is touching Danny, and today he needs all the grounding he can get.
"Nah," Danny says, shaking his head and rubbing Steve's arms. "However, I do need to iron a few things when we get back."
"Yes, you do. That is why I wear t-shirts and cargoes."
"Professional, Steven. What part of professional do you not to understand?" Danny chuckles.
"Navy, Danno. The Navy. What part of Navy do you refuse to understand?" Both men laugh this time. Old arguments are hard to break. "Let's go get some beer. Did you at least get some Longboards while you were at Whole Foods?"
The men stepped apart. "Always. I got a twelve pack."
"You are a good man. We're going to get some of my favorite Belgian beer and you picked up Longboards. We will be set."
Grabbing his suit, Steve followed Danny outside to the Camaro. Danny popped the trunk so Steve could put his suit in it.
Finis for now
Comments always welcome.
Thank you,
Mewwy