Fic: Tangled 7/14
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'. A revised version of this fic I began months ago. Has had some scenes removed and is a completed work.
Chapters - One : Two : Three : Four : Five : Six : Seven : Eight : Nine : Ten : Eleven : Twelve : Thirteen : Fourteen
~
"I don't know how long it was before someone came," Kau'i said in a hushed voice, so low Steve had to strain to hear him. "By then I'd stopped crying, stopped moaning. I figured if I remained as still as I could it would stop everything rocking. I could cope with the pain then, just waiting. I thought I was seeing things at first; the cell is far from the walkway through the rooms. I knew it wasn't Rick and I knew John was the only other person to use the walk through unless the guy- unless David - had come back. So I called out for John. I wasn't even sure he would hear me, if the intercom was on or not. Fuck I just hoped, hoped he'd look round and he did. Then he was gone and he brought Rick back with him."
With a large exhale Kau'i sank back against the pillows, telling the story seemed to lift something but at the same time, his hands shook and he felt sick to his stomach. His fingers gripped tight still to Rick's and he felt the need to cry again, swallowing down on the lump forming in his throat. Rick just patted his hand and stared at him, a grimacing scowl on his features as he took in the events that had took place.
~
Danny and Steve walked into HQ in a sombre mood. Chin was leaning over the computer and Kono was in her office, head bent over some forms, a scowl on her features. Chin looked up, quirking an eyebrow at them as they came to stand at the computer table, trying to figure out what he was doing.
"Hey, how did it go?" Chin asked, looking at them both and settling his gaze on Steve.
Steve stared tiredly back at him, lips pursed, jaw set. Danny gave a shake of his head against the back drop of Steve's silence.
"David fucked him over pretty good," Danny sighed bitterly. "But he's a strong guy, stubborn. It will take time but he'll get through this."
"You got anything?" Steve said, snapping out of his silence and folding his arms, eyes piercing into Chin's.
Chin squared up to him with a sigh, he'd love to be telling them both the exact whereabouts of David but the guy was like a ghost. He wanted him off the streets as much as they did. He shrugged his shoulders reluctantly.
"We're trying here but it's like he knew where we'd look," Chin explained. "After he left Rick the first time, he disappeared, just got on an airplane to the mainland and disappeared. No credit cards, no new address - I figure he bought himself a new identity."
"But that doesn't make sense," Danny said shaking his head. "The guy disappears for four years then begins using credit cards again in the last few months?"
"He comes back, reactivates some old accounts in his name, hires a car, buys some supplies, then goes to ground once more," Chin shrugs. "The last known use of his card was the gas station; he returned the hire car two days later. That was over a week ago. It's like he's playing with us, just dangling enough threads to keep us busy."
"The car he hired -," Steve began, mind racing ahead but Chin cut him off.
"An old model," Chin shook his head, knowing what he was thinking. "It's an old dealership, cheap hires. None of the cars come with any of the mod cons. It's impossible to retrace his steps."
"What's Kono working on?" Steve asked instead, looking over to her office.
"John gave us some names of people he knows were close to Rick and David when they were together," Chin replied. "But some of them don't live in the area any more. She's been in touch with a few of them but nobody seems to know where David went when he left. It was like he didn't want to be found or followed. I guess she's just trying to find some new leads, but it's not looking good at the moment."
Steve flashed him a dark look before leaving them both, walking to his office and closing the door. Chin followed his movements through the windows before looking over to Danny with a concerned look.
"He okay?" he asked quietly.
Danny gave a small shake of his head, "No. This one’s pretty tough Chin - listening to Kau'i's side of things."
"Are you okay?" Chin asked, giving a wry smile.
Danny stood up, wiping a hand over his face and through his hair. "No. I'd feel better if we had something to go on. I keep thinking if we'd gotten there earlier, or started looking earlier. You think its coincidence we caught him on camera or do you think it's part of his game? Knowing we'd find nothing once we began searching for him?"
"Pretty elaborate if it was part of his plans," Chin replied thoughtfully. "But then, he was careful about sneaking in. I guess, thinking about it, he seemed to keep his head down and avoided the cameras as much as he could. It wasn't hard, they're easy to see and there aren't any in the cells area aside from outside the two entrances. So yeah, maybe you're right, considering how careful he was to stay hidden when he got into the house, why give us a glimpse when he was leaving if it wasn't because he planned to show us who he was."
"He wanted Rick to know," Danny said, leaning down on the table and letting out a heavy sigh. "This, all of this, it's about Rick. It's got nothing to do with an attack on Kau. He did this because he knew how much it would affect Rick that was the point. He knew Rick would recognise him and he made sure to leave no trail so he couldn't be followed."
"But why?" Chin said with a frown. "Why do all of this?"
"That's the one frustrating thing about this entire fucking situation," Danny said with a grimace. "Only David knows why and he's not telling. And we'll never find out unless we find him."
~
It was another unproductive day of grasping desperately at straws. Steve called it a night and was silent and brooding on the way home. Danny drove, Steve sinking down in the seat morbidly. Danny gripped the wheel tight, propped his elbow up against the window and palmed his forehead as he took it slow and easy driving home.
"We should talk," he said when the silence got too much.
Steve didn't reply, merely stared out of the window, either ignoring him or not wanting to be drawn into conversation.
"Steve," Danny tried again, side glancing him.
"Not now," Steve said with a shake of his head, refusing to look at him.
Danny sighed, letting it go for now. He knew he had to be careful how far he pushed, how much. Steve couldn't be pressured into opening up but something was going on. Their easiness and banter had been missing for some time and it was beginning to unnerve him. He parked the car, Steve exiting and heading into the house without looking back. Danny followed at a slower pace, watching Steve take the stairs two at a time. He closed the door, tossed the keys into the bowl on the side table and headed towards the kitchen instead. Beer, he needed beer and something to eat. It had been a few days since they'd eaten anything that wasn't take out or left overs.
He scoured the cupboards and fridge, pulling out some things to make a meal. He listened to the stairs creak and a few moments later the front door slammed.
"Steve?" he called out, though he knew he'd gone already.
Leaning against the counter he breathed, closed his eyes and wondered how long he'd be gone for. Brushing the panic aside that something may be breaking between them that he couldn't fix, he set his mind on preparing a meal for the two of them.
~
Steve pounded over the sidewalks until he hit the beach, heading away from the house. The sand made it harder to run, made him work harder to keep the pace he set himself. Night was setting in fast but it was a clear evening, the moon bright and full. The running made his lungs burn, his legs ache, chest tighten as he equalled out his breathing. He just stared ahead and kept going, not really caring of his direction; he just needed the salt air to fill his lungs, the night to swallow him up.
He didn't want to talk to Danny; he wanted to do other things. Wanted to get down on his knees and let go of everything, forget everything that was going on with this damned fucking case. Changing in the bedroom, he'd resisted the urge to call Danny up, to get on his knees and wait for him to come. A part of him had suddenly balked at the idea of it, that sickened feeling deep inside had forced him to continue changing into his running gear. He didn't understand why he suddenly felt this way but he knew it was a product of the case. Of seeing Kau'i the way they'd found him, tied to the rack, Rick desperately removing items from his body that had been used as torture devices.
Steve had seen far worse things - kind of tortures he'd never speak of to anyone. Seen men tortured mercilessly in front of him to make him talk, suffered the brutality of it himself to force other men to talk. But this case, the subject of David's motivations, that was causing this barrier to come up. Made him question that side of his relationship to Danny, whether it was really what he wanted to be exploring with him.
He ran until his lungs felt ready to burst, coming to a halt in the sand, sinking to his knees and sucking in breaths. He steadied himself with a hand, waited for the dizziness to clear before he sat back, staring out over the vast ocean, waves lapping up onto the shore. Pushing himself to his feet he turned back, took a few steps and began running again, forcing himself to pick up the pace. Running fed on his energy, when he got home he'd eat, shower, sleep. No talking, not about what Kau'i had told them. They'd talk in the office about it but not at home, they wouldn't bring that home with them.
~
Danny stirred the Bolognese and checked his watch, relief flooding him when he heard the front door open and shut once more. He went to the doorway, Steve standing in the living area, sweating, panting and looking a little lost.
"Hey," Danny said calmly to get his attention. "Foods nearly ready."
"I'll go shower," Steve panted out, heading up the stairs.
He returned to find Danny setting out the table in the dining room.
"Sit down, foods done," Danny told him, brushing a hand over his waist before going into the kitchen.
Steve took a seat, feeling famished and breaking the caps off the beers Danny had put on the table for them both. Danny set down the plates and took a seat himself.
"Thanks," Steve said gruffly before attacking his food with a vengeance, realizing it was the first meal they'd eaten in days that wasn't a quick fix.
Danny took to his food more slowly, ignoring the awkwardness that rested between them. They were both silent for a time, nothing but the chinking of forks on plates.
"I'm sorry," Steve suddenly blurted out, setting down his fork. The food had filled a hole, washed down with the beer that had relaxed him somewhat.
Danny glanced up at him, finished chewing and gave a shrug of his shoulders. "Nothing to apologise for."
Steve wanted to argue that there was but Danny didn't know he was beginning to question their relationship, or at least some of the dynamics of it. And he couldn't bring himself to say it out loud, because saying it aloud would make it real. Despite everything, Steve didn't want to risk screwing everything up between them.
Danny looked at him curiously, like he knew Steve had more to say but Steve clamped his lips together. "Steve?"
"This was really nice, thanks," Steve said changing the subject as he sat back in his chair.
Danny stared at him a few seconds before continuing eating his food, "No problem."
"Do we have Grace this weekend?" Steve asked. Usually he knew but he couldn't recall Danny telling him.
"No," Danny shook his head. "Rachel and Stan are visiting some of Stan's relatives this weekend remember?"
Steve frowned, thought back. The days had begun to roll into one but he vaguely remembered a few days back, Danny telling him. In the kitchen as he'd made breakfast.
"We were planning to ask Chin and Kono over Friday?" Danny coaxed, helping him remember.
Steve stared over at him. Yes, they had been going to, just the four of them hanging out. He thought about Kono and Chin, about the case. At work they'd been professional, but he knew they had questions. They were too good at their work to not question how Steve and Danny knew Rick and Kau'i so well. Too good to not see just how much Danny and Steve understood about 'the scene', Rick's work and what had happened to Kau'i.
"They'll have questions," Steve said with a nod of his head. He gazed at Danny and Danny stared straight back.
"Yes, they will," Danny agreed. "Is that so bad?"
"Danny, I can't-," Steve shook his head.
Danny reached over and rested his hand over Steve's where it rested on the table, giving a small squeeze.
"Steve they are our friends," Danny assured him. "They won't think any less of either of us. And we don't have to tell them anything we don't want to."
"This case is so fucked up," Steve said suddenly. Angry at the lack of leads, at the frustration of coming up with nothing. Angry at how it was beginning to make him feel and think about his personal feelings towards submission, how it was putting an invisible wedge between him and his partner. What with the case, long hours, early starts to keep up with what few leads they'd had - they'd not had sex in what seemed like forever.
"Yeah, it is," Danny agreed wearily. He pushed his plate away, finished off his beer before standing, giving him a weak smile. "Help me clear up?"
It didn't take long to tidy away the supper dishes together and they retired to the living room, Danny stretching out tiredly on the couch, Steve taking the easy chair. The TV provided mild entertainment but Steve found himself drawn to watching Danny, staring at him, the way he lay out on the couch, eyes intent on the screen, hand lazily rubbing against his thigh. How easy it would be for him to ask Danny to give him a few orders, get him into his submissive zone. Enough to get him on his knees before him, focused entirely on him as he was now but under Danny's control. A knot twisted into his stomach and he pushed up from the chair with a grimace.
"I'm tired, going to bed," Steve said reluctantly, ignoring the window of opportunity.
"Hey," Danny said, stretching out a hand to him. "Me too. Help me up."
Danny gave him a half smile and Steve took his hand, pulled him up as Danny used the remote with his free hand to turn off the TV. As Steve took the stairs Danny snagged the hem of his t-shirt with his fingers, like Steve were leading him upwards. Steve couldn't help but smile.
In the bedroom Danny disappeared into the bathroom and Steve stripped down, pulling down the covers of the bed and lying down wearily. Danny reappeared; taking him in with a smile as he stripped off himself and Steve allowed himself to indulge the view as layer by layer Danny peeled away his clothes. Steve felt a dip of lust in his gut, cock stirring with desire of his lover. He shifted onto his stomach with a sigh, unsure how to approach sex without the strings of Dom and sub. It had been a long time since there hadn't been an element of that side of them present when they made love. They'd always said it didn't define their relationship, but it had been some time since it had been simply sex between lovers.
Danny watched from across the room as he folded aside his clothes. Steve turned onto his stomach as if hiding his desire and Danny felt a thrum of anger at it, like Steve was rejecting him. This fucking case was fucked up as Steve had said - was fucking with their relationship and Danny was beginning to worry something was breaking that they couldn't fix. He got into bed, pulling the sheet over his legs but it was a warm night, not even a cool breeze coming through the window. Too hot to cover up.
"Steve," he said gently. "What's happening here?"
Steve rolled onto his back again after a moment’s pause, frowning upwards. "What?"
"A few days ago we were fine and now it's like-," he trailed off, unsure how to put it into words. "We're strangers."
"I'm sorry," Steve said in reply, voice sounding small and needy.
Danny felt his heart throb hard at the sound, like Steve somehow thought this was all his fault. He rolled over to face him, sliding closer.
"It's not you and it isn't me," Danny assured him, cradling his face with his hand. "It's this fucked up case."
"Danny, I can't do this right now," Steve said.
Danny felt that lurch of rejection again before he began to understand what Steve was saying. It wasn't that he didn't want Danny or desire him anymore; it was that he couldn't tap into his submission. Danny gave him a small smile, moving closer so he could slide his body on top of Steve's. Despite himself Steve's hands came to rest at his hips as Danny's knees straddled his thighs.
"Just you and me, okay babe?" Danny whispered before pressing his mouth to Steve's. Nothing more or less, just a gentle pressure, hoping Steve would draw him in for more.
Steve didn't respond directly, then his lips parted and a hand came up to rest in Danny's hair, pulling him in, his other hand sliding around his waist and holding him closer. Danny let him set the pace, followed his unspoken directions, when Steve lifted his hips Danny answered by rolling his down to meet him.
They fell into a soft rhythm, mouths never too far from one another’s as they stole kisses or breathed panting breaths into each other’s skin. Danny rested his hands on Steve's shoulders and settled his hips as Steve ground up against him, their cocks rubbing together relentlessly. Blindly he reached for the bedside cabinet, feeling Steve pause which gave him a minute to take out the lube from the drawer, pressing it into Steve's hand.
"Touch me?" Danny asked gently. "Please."
Steve got with the programme, pouring lube into his palm before putting his hand between them. Danny pushed up enough to give him room, gasping and closing his eyes as Steve took them both in hand. It was a clumsy rhythm but Danny didn't care, he was happy they were connecting. He'd never get enough of listening to Steve's desire, the way moans and sounds rolled from his lips. He floated with the feel of his partner touching him the way he liked to be touched, just the right amount of pressure of his fingers, thumb massaging over the head. It took a few moments before he realised Steve had stopped moving beneath him, save for the movement of his hand.
Danny had to fight for clarity, enough to open his eyes and focus, confused and alarmed. Fearful Steve wasn't enjoying himself as much as he was. Relief thrummed into him when he found Steve staring intently, gaze solid on him, watching him as he lost himself to the pleasure. Danny smiled, shy and awkward for a few seconds at the attention. Steve smiled back at him, hand still working his cock slow but steady, enjoying him.
Danny leaned down, crushing Steve's hand between them but he didn't care, mouth covering Steve's, desperate for more connection. Steve managed to pull his hand from between them to wrap it around Danny's back, the kiss slow and deep. He pushed up a little and Danny went with it, rolling with him so they were on their sides, one of Steve's legs nestled between his. Steve moved his hips again, rolling against him and Danny gasped, pulling in a breath at the feel as their cocks ground together again. Steve pressed his mouth to his throat as they became lost in the pleasure again.
"Yeah - fuck - babe," Danny whispered out. Close so close.
Steve placed a hand on his thigh to steady his hips, using the hold to better thrust against him. Another kiss pressed against his throat before he lowered his head, a hand tracing Steve's face as he looked at him again.
"I love you," Steve told him. Danny was never in any doubt of it, despite a few weird, awkward moments between them lately.
"Love you more," Danny replied with a smile.
"Impossible," Steve said, smiling smugly as he ground their cocks a little tighter and earned a gasp of pleasure in reply.
"Steve," Danny groaned as he did it again. "Babe,-."
"I know, I know," Steve agreed. Too close the both of them. Though they wanted it to last it never would.
They moved together, faster, harder, the pleasure causing them to writhe and moan against each other’s mouths. Danny came first, a deep shudder and groaning shout of Steve's name before sticky heat pulsed against their stomachs. The slick helped Steve move steadier, feeling the pulsing twitch of Danny's cock against his own. Listening to his lover’s ecstasy spurred him on and with a grunt of pleasure he ground his hips against Danny, fingers tight on his hips as he came.
They lay for a long time coming down from the high of pleasure thrumming through them. Silent, eyes locked, fingers stroking each other’s bodies. Steve pulled away first, merely to retrieve a warm damp flannel from the bathroom to wipe away the mess. He tossed the cloth afterwards and was pulled back into Danny's arms.
They fell asleep content.
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'. A revised version of this fic I began months ago. Has had some scenes removed and is a completed work.
Chapters - One : Two : Three : Four : Five : Six : Seven : Eight : Nine : Ten : Eleven : Twelve : Thirteen : Fourteen
~
"I don't know how long it was before someone came," Kau'i said in a hushed voice, so low Steve had to strain to hear him. "By then I'd stopped crying, stopped moaning. I figured if I remained as still as I could it would stop everything rocking. I could cope with the pain then, just waiting. I thought I was seeing things at first; the cell is far from the walkway through the rooms. I knew it wasn't Rick and I knew John was the only other person to use the walk through unless the guy- unless David - had come back. So I called out for John. I wasn't even sure he would hear me, if the intercom was on or not. Fuck I just hoped, hoped he'd look round and he did. Then he was gone and he brought Rick back with him."
With a large exhale Kau'i sank back against the pillows, telling the story seemed to lift something but at the same time, his hands shook and he felt sick to his stomach. His fingers gripped tight still to Rick's and he felt the need to cry again, swallowing down on the lump forming in his throat. Rick just patted his hand and stared at him, a grimacing scowl on his features as he took in the events that had took place.
~
Danny and Steve walked into HQ in a sombre mood. Chin was leaning over the computer and Kono was in her office, head bent over some forms, a scowl on her features. Chin looked up, quirking an eyebrow at them as they came to stand at the computer table, trying to figure out what he was doing.
"Hey, how did it go?" Chin asked, looking at them both and settling his gaze on Steve.
Steve stared tiredly back at him, lips pursed, jaw set. Danny gave a shake of his head against the back drop of Steve's silence.
"David fucked him over pretty good," Danny sighed bitterly. "But he's a strong guy, stubborn. It will take time but he'll get through this."
"You got anything?" Steve said, snapping out of his silence and folding his arms, eyes piercing into Chin's.
Chin squared up to him with a sigh, he'd love to be telling them both the exact whereabouts of David but the guy was like a ghost. He wanted him off the streets as much as they did. He shrugged his shoulders reluctantly.
"We're trying here but it's like he knew where we'd look," Chin explained. "After he left Rick the first time, he disappeared, just got on an airplane to the mainland and disappeared. No credit cards, no new address - I figure he bought himself a new identity."
"But that doesn't make sense," Danny said shaking his head. "The guy disappears for four years then begins using credit cards again in the last few months?"
"He comes back, reactivates some old accounts in his name, hires a car, buys some supplies, then goes to ground once more," Chin shrugs. "The last known use of his card was the gas station; he returned the hire car two days later. That was over a week ago. It's like he's playing with us, just dangling enough threads to keep us busy."
"The car he hired -," Steve began, mind racing ahead but Chin cut him off.
"An old model," Chin shook his head, knowing what he was thinking. "It's an old dealership, cheap hires. None of the cars come with any of the mod cons. It's impossible to retrace his steps."
"What's Kono working on?" Steve asked instead, looking over to her office.
"John gave us some names of people he knows were close to Rick and David when they were together," Chin replied. "But some of them don't live in the area any more. She's been in touch with a few of them but nobody seems to know where David went when he left. It was like he didn't want to be found or followed. I guess she's just trying to find some new leads, but it's not looking good at the moment."
Steve flashed him a dark look before leaving them both, walking to his office and closing the door. Chin followed his movements through the windows before looking over to Danny with a concerned look.
"He okay?" he asked quietly.
Danny gave a small shake of his head, "No. This one’s pretty tough Chin - listening to Kau'i's side of things."
"Are you okay?" Chin asked, giving a wry smile.
Danny stood up, wiping a hand over his face and through his hair. "No. I'd feel better if we had something to go on. I keep thinking if we'd gotten there earlier, or started looking earlier. You think its coincidence we caught him on camera or do you think it's part of his game? Knowing we'd find nothing once we began searching for him?"
"Pretty elaborate if it was part of his plans," Chin replied thoughtfully. "But then, he was careful about sneaking in. I guess, thinking about it, he seemed to keep his head down and avoided the cameras as much as he could. It wasn't hard, they're easy to see and there aren't any in the cells area aside from outside the two entrances. So yeah, maybe you're right, considering how careful he was to stay hidden when he got into the house, why give us a glimpse when he was leaving if it wasn't because he planned to show us who he was."
"He wanted Rick to know," Danny said, leaning down on the table and letting out a heavy sigh. "This, all of this, it's about Rick. It's got nothing to do with an attack on Kau. He did this because he knew how much it would affect Rick that was the point. He knew Rick would recognise him and he made sure to leave no trail so he couldn't be followed."
"But why?" Chin said with a frown. "Why do all of this?"
"That's the one frustrating thing about this entire fucking situation," Danny said with a grimace. "Only David knows why and he's not telling. And we'll never find out unless we find him."
~
It was another unproductive day of grasping desperately at straws. Steve called it a night and was silent and brooding on the way home. Danny drove, Steve sinking down in the seat morbidly. Danny gripped the wheel tight, propped his elbow up against the window and palmed his forehead as he took it slow and easy driving home.
"We should talk," he said when the silence got too much.
Steve didn't reply, merely stared out of the window, either ignoring him or not wanting to be drawn into conversation.
"Steve," Danny tried again, side glancing him.
"Not now," Steve said with a shake of his head, refusing to look at him.
Danny sighed, letting it go for now. He knew he had to be careful how far he pushed, how much. Steve couldn't be pressured into opening up but something was going on. Their easiness and banter had been missing for some time and it was beginning to unnerve him. He parked the car, Steve exiting and heading into the house without looking back. Danny followed at a slower pace, watching Steve take the stairs two at a time. He closed the door, tossed the keys into the bowl on the side table and headed towards the kitchen instead. Beer, he needed beer and something to eat. It had been a few days since they'd eaten anything that wasn't take out or left overs.
He scoured the cupboards and fridge, pulling out some things to make a meal. He listened to the stairs creak and a few moments later the front door slammed.
"Steve?" he called out, though he knew he'd gone already.
Leaning against the counter he breathed, closed his eyes and wondered how long he'd be gone for. Brushing the panic aside that something may be breaking between them that he couldn't fix, he set his mind on preparing a meal for the two of them.
~
Steve pounded over the sidewalks until he hit the beach, heading away from the house. The sand made it harder to run, made him work harder to keep the pace he set himself. Night was setting in fast but it was a clear evening, the moon bright and full. The running made his lungs burn, his legs ache, chest tighten as he equalled out his breathing. He just stared ahead and kept going, not really caring of his direction; he just needed the salt air to fill his lungs, the night to swallow him up.
He didn't want to talk to Danny; he wanted to do other things. Wanted to get down on his knees and let go of everything, forget everything that was going on with this damned fucking case. Changing in the bedroom, he'd resisted the urge to call Danny up, to get on his knees and wait for him to come. A part of him had suddenly balked at the idea of it, that sickened feeling deep inside had forced him to continue changing into his running gear. He didn't understand why he suddenly felt this way but he knew it was a product of the case. Of seeing Kau'i the way they'd found him, tied to the rack, Rick desperately removing items from his body that had been used as torture devices.
Steve had seen far worse things - kind of tortures he'd never speak of to anyone. Seen men tortured mercilessly in front of him to make him talk, suffered the brutality of it himself to force other men to talk. But this case, the subject of David's motivations, that was causing this barrier to come up. Made him question that side of his relationship to Danny, whether it was really what he wanted to be exploring with him.
He ran until his lungs felt ready to burst, coming to a halt in the sand, sinking to his knees and sucking in breaths. He steadied himself with a hand, waited for the dizziness to clear before he sat back, staring out over the vast ocean, waves lapping up onto the shore. Pushing himself to his feet he turned back, took a few steps and began running again, forcing himself to pick up the pace. Running fed on his energy, when he got home he'd eat, shower, sleep. No talking, not about what Kau'i had told them. They'd talk in the office about it but not at home, they wouldn't bring that home with them.
~
Danny stirred the Bolognese and checked his watch, relief flooding him when he heard the front door open and shut once more. He went to the doorway, Steve standing in the living area, sweating, panting and looking a little lost.
"Hey," Danny said calmly to get his attention. "Foods nearly ready."
"I'll go shower," Steve panted out, heading up the stairs.
He returned to find Danny setting out the table in the dining room.
"Sit down, foods done," Danny told him, brushing a hand over his waist before going into the kitchen.
Steve took a seat, feeling famished and breaking the caps off the beers Danny had put on the table for them both. Danny set down the plates and took a seat himself.
"Thanks," Steve said gruffly before attacking his food with a vengeance, realizing it was the first meal they'd eaten in days that wasn't a quick fix.
Danny took to his food more slowly, ignoring the awkwardness that rested between them. They were both silent for a time, nothing but the chinking of forks on plates.
"I'm sorry," Steve suddenly blurted out, setting down his fork. The food had filled a hole, washed down with the beer that had relaxed him somewhat.
Danny glanced up at him, finished chewing and gave a shrug of his shoulders. "Nothing to apologise for."
Steve wanted to argue that there was but Danny didn't know he was beginning to question their relationship, or at least some of the dynamics of it. And he couldn't bring himself to say it out loud, because saying it aloud would make it real. Despite everything, Steve didn't want to risk screwing everything up between them.
Danny looked at him curiously, like he knew Steve had more to say but Steve clamped his lips together. "Steve?"
"This was really nice, thanks," Steve said changing the subject as he sat back in his chair.
Danny stared at him a few seconds before continuing eating his food, "No problem."
"Do we have Grace this weekend?" Steve asked. Usually he knew but he couldn't recall Danny telling him.
"No," Danny shook his head. "Rachel and Stan are visiting some of Stan's relatives this weekend remember?"
Steve frowned, thought back. The days had begun to roll into one but he vaguely remembered a few days back, Danny telling him. In the kitchen as he'd made breakfast.
"We were planning to ask Chin and Kono over Friday?" Danny coaxed, helping him remember.
Steve stared over at him. Yes, they had been going to, just the four of them hanging out. He thought about Kono and Chin, about the case. At work they'd been professional, but he knew they had questions. They were too good at their work to not question how Steve and Danny knew Rick and Kau'i so well. Too good to not see just how much Danny and Steve understood about 'the scene', Rick's work and what had happened to Kau'i.
"They'll have questions," Steve said with a nod of his head. He gazed at Danny and Danny stared straight back.
"Yes, they will," Danny agreed. "Is that so bad?"
"Danny, I can't-," Steve shook his head.
Danny reached over and rested his hand over Steve's where it rested on the table, giving a small squeeze.
"Steve they are our friends," Danny assured him. "They won't think any less of either of us. And we don't have to tell them anything we don't want to."
"This case is so fucked up," Steve said suddenly. Angry at the lack of leads, at the frustration of coming up with nothing. Angry at how it was beginning to make him feel and think about his personal feelings towards submission, how it was putting an invisible wedge between him and his partner. What with the case, long hours, early starts to keep up with what few leads they'd had - they'd not had sex in what seemed like forever.
"Yeah, it is," Danny agreed wearily. He pushed his plate away, finished off his beer before standing, giving him a weak smile. "Help me clear up?"
It didn't take long to tidy away the supper dishes together and they retired to the living room, Danny stretching out tiredly on the couch, Steve taking the easy chair. The TV provided mild entertainment but Steve found himself drawn to watching Danny, staring at him, the way he lay out on the couch, eyes intent on the screen, hand lazily rubbing against his thigh. How easy it would be for him to ask Danny to give him a few orders, get him into his submissive zone. Enough to get him on his knees before him, focused entirely on him as he was now but under Danny's control. A knot twisted into his stomach and he pushed up from the chair with a grimace.
"I'm tired, going to bed," Steve said reluctantly, ignoring the window of opportunity.
"Hey," Danny said, stretching out a hand to him. "Me too. Help me up."
Danny gave him a half smile and Steve took his hand, pulled him up as Danny used the remote with his free hand to turn off the TV. As Steve took the stairs Danny snagged the hem of his t-shirt with his fingers, like Steve were leading him upwards. Steve couldn't help but smile.
In the bedroom Danny disappeared into the bathroom and Steve stripped down, pulling down the covers of the bed and lying down wearily. Danny reappeared; taking him in with a smile as he stripped off himself and Steve allowed himself to indulge the view as layer by layer Danny peeled away his clothes. Steve felt a dip of lust in his gut, cock stirring with desire of his lover. He shifted onto his stomach with a sigh, unsure how to approach sex without the strings of Dom and sub. It had been a long time since there hadn't been an element of that side of them present when they made love. They'd always said it didn't define their relationship, but it had been some time since it had been simply sex between lovers.
Danny watched from across the room as he folded aside his clothes. Steve turned onto his stomach as if hiding his desire and Danny felt a thrum of anger at it, like Steve was rejecting him. This fucking case was fucked up as Steve had said - was fucking with their relationship and Danny was beginning to worry something was breaking that they couldn't fix. He got into bed, pulling the sheet over his legs but it was a warm night, not even a cool breeze coming through the window. Too hot to cover up.
"Steve," he said gently. "What's happening here?"
Steve rolled onto his back again after a moment’s pause, frowning upwards. "What?"
"A few days ago we were fine and now it's like-," he trailed off, unsure how to put it into words. "We're strangers."
"I'm sorry," Steve said in reply, voice sounding small and needy.
Danny felt his heart throb hard at the sound, like Steve somehow thought this was all his fault. He rolled over to face him, sliding closer.
"It's not you and it isn't me," Danny assured him, cradling his face with his hand. "It's this fucked up case."
"Danny, I can't do this right now," Steve said.
Danny felt that lurch of rejection again before he began to understand what Steve was saying. It wasn't that he didn't want Danny or desire him anymore; it was that he couldn't tap into his submission. Danny gave him a small smile, moving closer so he could slide his body on top of Steve's. Despite himself Steve's hands came to rest at his hips as Danny's knees straddled his thighs.
"Just you and me, okay babe?" Danny whispered before pressing his mouth to Steve's. Nothing more or less, just a gentle pressure, hoping Steve would draw him in for more.
Steve didn't respond directly, then his lips parted and a hand came up to rest in Danny's hair, pulling him in, his other hand sliding around his waist and holding him closer. Danny let him set the pace, followed his unspoken directions, when Steve lifted his hips Danny answered by rolling his down to meet him.
They fell into a soft rhythm, mouths never too far from one another’s as they stole kisses or breathed panting breaths into each other’s skin. Danny rested his hands on Steve's shoulders and settled his hips as Steve ground up against him, their cocks rubbing together relentlessly. Blindly he reached for the bedside cabinet, feeling Steve pause which gave him a minute to take out the lube from the drawer, pressing it into Steve's hand.
"Touch me?" Danny asked gently. "Please."
Steve got with the programme, pouring lube into his palm before putting his hand between them. Danny pushed up enough to give him room, gasping and closing his eyes as Steve took them both in hand. It was a clumsy rhythm but Danny didn't care, he was happy they were connecting. He'd never get enough of listening to Steve's desire, the way moans and sounds rolled from his lips. He floated with the feel of his partner touching him the way he liked to be touched, just the right amount of pressure of his fingers, thumb massaging over the head. It took a few moments before he realised Steve had stopped moving beneath him, save for the movement of his hand.
Danny had to fight for clarity, enough to open his eyes and focus, confused and alarmed. Fearful Steve wasn't enjoying himself as much as he was. Relief thrummed into him when he found Steve staring intently, gaze solid on him, watching him as he lost himself to the pleasure. Danny smiled, shy and awkward for a few seconds at the attention. Steve smiled back at him, hand still working his cock slow but steady, enjoying him.
Danny leaned down, crushing Steve's hand between them but he didn't care, mouth covering Steve's, desperate for more connection. Steve managed to pull his hand from between them to wrap it around Danny's back, the kiss slow and deep. He pushed up a little and Danny went with it, rolling with him so they were on their sides, one of Steve's legs nestled between his. Steve moved his hips again, rolling against him and Danny gasped, pulling in a breath at the feel as their cocks ground together again. Steve pressed his mouth to his throat as they became lost in the pleasure again.
"Yeah - fuck - babe," Danny whispered out. Close so close.
Steve placed a hand on his thigh to steady his hips, using the hold to better thrust against him. Another kiss pressed against his throat before he lowered his head, a hand tracing Steve's face as he looked at him again.
"I love you," Steve told him. Danny was never in any doubt of it, despite a few weird, awkward moments between them lately.
"Love you more," Danny replied with a smile.
"Impossible," Steve said, smiling smugly as he ground their cocks a little tighter and earned a gasp of pleasure in reply.
"Steve," Danny groaned as he did it again. "Babe,-."
"I know, I know," Steve agreed. Too close the both of them. Though they wanted it to last it never would.
They moved together, faster, harder, the pleasure causing them to writhe and moan against each other’s mouths. Danny came first, a deep shudder and groaning shout of Steve's name before sticky heat pulsed against their stomachs. The slick helped Steve move steadier, feeling the pulsing twitch of Danny's cock against his own. Listening to his lover’s ecstasy spurred him on and with a grunt of pleasure he ground his hips against Danny, fingers tight on his hips as he came.
They lay for a long time coming down from the high of pleasure thrumming through them. Silent, eyes locked, fingers stroking each other’s bodies. Steve pulled away first, merely to retrieve a warm damp flannel from the bathroom to wipe away the mess. He tossed the cloth afterwards and was pulled back into Danny's arms.
They fell asleep content.