dann_0 | PSL: Sentinel AU

A bit of time on his own to process his thoughts while getting in some exercise had been exactly what Steve needed. Coming out of the shower his head was clear and he didn't feel as run down, although the nap with Eliot certainly had helped with that as well. He waited until then to dial up his hearing, prior only sensitive enough for heartbeats, and he's happy to find everyone in seemingly good spirits.

Coming down he's in a pair of comfortable shorts and an old US Navy T-Shirt. His hair is still wet and spiky from the shower. Coming out on the lanai, he peeks in over Eliot's shoulder on the grill and smiles at the other man. "They look good!"

Going over to Grace he gives her a big hug and kisses her head. "Thank you for making mine, Gracie. I had too many ants in my pants after having a nap and needed to run them out."

Eyes moving to Danny, he takes in the other man's demeanor and smiles. "Anything I can do to help?"

That deep ache in his chest goes tight and hot at the casual endearment, at the way Danny leans in to kiss him. This isn't something he's supposed to be able to have, but Danny's laying it out in front of him like it's the simplest thing in the universe for him to just... pick it up and keep it. And it's so damn hard to not just let himself believe it can be his.

He drags a thumb lightly along Danny's jaw as he pulls away, catching at the stubble, and ruffles Grace's hair. "My sous-chef did good work," he answers, and smiles after them as they head in to get plates and flatware and start setting the table.

After that his focus is mostly on the pizzas--it definitely takes a bit of finesse to get them on and off the stone--but he doesn't even have to think to keep track of all of the rest of them as he does it. Breathing and heart rate, each distinctive step, Grace's lilting little girl voice and Danny's, deeper and rougher but still soft and gentle with her as they work. And Steve, making his way almost silently down there stairs.

Eliot doesn't so much as twitch at his approach, and it's still a surprise that he doesn't mind letting the other Sentinel come up behind him this way. Hell, he has to remind himself not to lean into him when he comes close enough to peek over his shoulder. "Yeah, well, I had a pretty creative sous-chef helpin' me put them together," he answers, and grins as Steve peels away to greet Grace and Danny.

"Yeah, grab the salad outa the fridge, the first four are up!" he calls to Steve, sliding the next two onto the grill and closing the lid before padding over with the first selection. It's got Steve and Danny's 'bomb proof' pizzas she'd made them, as well as two of her more... creative attempts. "

Danny opens a couple of beers, offering one to each of his sentinels before he gets his own. "You should see what she does to pancakes." he chuckles. She was creative yes, but at least most of the time it was good if overly sweet. He leans down to kiss her hair before getting her set at the table and moving to cut her pizza into slices that would be easier for her to handle. He also makes sure she gets a bit of salad with her pizza.

Once Grace's pizza is set and he is ready to handle his own he smiles at Steve. "Had a good run?" It feels like an oxymoron to say, in Danny's world no run is a good run. Then he glances over at Eliot. "I hope you packed swimwear, Steve might drag you out for a morning swim tomorrow." He nods towards the little private beach. "He tried with me a few times but..."

Getting a big hug from Gracie, she very quickly fills him in on everything he's missed. Including how the pizza's were made and that according to 'Chef' she makes a very good 'Sue's Chef'. It's not difficult for him to figure out who Chef is and he instantly knows that's something he'll be using himself for the older man. At Danny's encouragement she starts to set the table while he ducks into the kitchen to grab the salad.

When he comes back out the table is set - Danny and Eliot on one side, Gracie and him on the other, with him and Eliot facing each other. Accepting his beer from Danny, he nods in thanks and sits in his designated seat. "These look and smell amazing, Gracie. Thank you." The words are directed to the little girl beside him but looks up to smile at Eliot.

"I did. You should really join me at some point. A bit of running would do you good." It's an old joke between them. He knows damn well that Danny will never run with him unless it's on the job and after a suspect - even then, Danny usually will take the car or elevator depending and let Steve do the direct chasing. An intrigued eyebrow is raised towards Eliot. "... Danno don't like the water," he finishes the other man's sentence and then asks, "How about you? If you didn't bring anything we have extra suits. I'm sure something of mine or Danny's would fit." He smiles. "Nothing like an early morning swim in the ocean to start your day."

That warm, pulsing ache in his chest is getting harder to ignore, and Eliot's not sure if he's grateful for the fact Grace put him next to Danny so that he can reach out under the table and curl a hand loosely at his--at his Guide's--wrist, or if he should be resisting the contact. This can't last, he knows it can't last, but it's getting harder to believe that. To believe that Danny would let him in this far if there were any chance he'd decide to just let him fall by the wayside again.

"What, you don't like runnin', you don't like swimmin', just what do you do t'stay in shape?" Eliot asks, giving Danny a cockeyed grin... and sliding his hand down farther to lace their fingers together under the table. "Wasn't really expecting t'be holidaying, but if one'a you wants to loan me trunks I'd be up for a swim."

Danny gives his hand a little squeeze. When Eliot's touching him like that a nice warm feeling spreads inside him, pulling him towards Eliot. "I get plenty of workout working with Steve." He chuckles. "Besides there is a gym at the palace."

He grins over at Steve, the same warm feeling is there, just a little fainter because he is further away. "I should have some that fit you." Or at least some with decent elastic that they can make work. He falls quiet as he bites into his pizza, just having a moment of enjoying it. It was everything he missed right here. Well almost. Good as Eliot is, it's still not quite New York pizza, but close enough that he won't complain. There is a small little content sigh escaping him before he looks at them again. "That is really good dough you have there."

Raising an eyebrow he shakes his head at Danny's comment. "You make it sound like its my fault that we chase criminals around most days. I have no control over the fact that when they see us coming they seem to think running is a good idea." He looks at Gracie at his side and winks at her. "I have no idea where they think they are going to go, we live on an island after all!"

Turning his to Eliot he smiles and nods. "Good. That's settled then. The real question is do you mind being up just before dawn?"

"Thanks, sweetheart." Eliot knows he should let go of Danny's hand--he's nearly forty damn years old, not fourteen--but he can manage pizza well enough one-handed, and the warmth of the contact is settling.

"I haven't slept past dawn in over twenty years unless I was-" He catches himself just short of tacking on the 'hung over or half dead' he'd been about to in deference to Grace's presence, and finishes with just the slightest pause- "Really tired, Sparky. Gettin' up won't be a problem."

He takes a bite of his own pizza--still one handed--and chews with a look of deep consideration on his face. "Definitely ain't bad, but you'll never get anything like a New York crust out here, it's all in the tap water."

"That is true. Maybe we should bring Eliot and Steve with us next time we go to Jersey, Monkey? You think they'd like real new york pizza?" He smiles at the two of them. "Of course you haven't slept late, you don't seem like you would. You're about as damn much of a superman as Steve." He shakes his head. He doesn't mind, not really, but damn could they make a guy feel not as awesome.

He looks at Steve. "Just don't let him cuddle with the sharks, alright? It is bad enough that you do it."

A faux glare is sent in Eliot's direction. "You know he's going to try to get New York tap water delivered out here now, right?" The smile he's fighting twitches at his lips as he turns to Danny. "There's nothing wrong with Hawaii's water. And before you say it, we don't filter it through pineapple or coconut." Steve has to admit that this feels nice. The easy banter and the comfort of them sharing a relaxed meal. He could get used to this. Actually it would be too easy for him to get used to this, but right now he's got no interest in fighting it.

Beside Steve, Grace nods enthusiastically at her father. There's a huge, happy closed-mouth grin on her face. If the chipmunk cheeks and the amount of sauce covering her mouth and fingers are anything to go by she is fully enjoying her meal. Steve can't help but smile down at her. Grace can be a very clean and precise eater, she has to be with her mother, but Steve enjoys the fact that when she's here and eating out on the beach she relaxes and eats more like a kid. He teases her that after dinner he's going to have to take the hose to her or better yet, toss her in the ocean for the fish to clean her up.

"No cuddling with the sharks. Got it." Steve says with an easy nod. "We'll swim out to the east instead of the west. The Tiger Sharks I usually snuggle up to in the west won't take no for an answer." Gracie giggles beside him.

"Not a superman, sweetheart, just a light sleeper." He squeezes Danny's hand lightly under the table again, wondering just how pathetic it is that he hasn't let go yet and when Danny's going to want it back. He's acting like a damn teenager with his first crush.

"Hey." Eliot shrugs and lifts both eyebrows, giving Steve an innocent look. "There're worse things to get delivered. Water here sure tastes better for drinking, though."

It's remarkably comfortable, sitting here holding Danny's hand, feeling almost like part of this little family. He can't let himself get used to it, but he's going to enjoy it while he can. "Just lemme know," he finds himself saying, turning back to Danny. "I've got a, uh, a friend who keeps a place in the city if you wanted to catch a show or something."

... and then he's thoroughly derailed from that train of thought by... cuddling with sharks. "Okay, that? That's gotta be... uh, gotta be hokey." Because bullshit is not okay to say in front of Danny's kid. "Punching tiger sharks I get, but I'd rather steer clear, thanks."

Danny smiles at the squeeze and lets his fingers curl tighter around Eliot's. He is more than happy to hold it. He reaches over to offer Grace a napkin before he glances at Steve and then back to Eliot.

"Steve has a whole rant about how you shouldn't punch sharks and that you should respect them and all that." He smiles. "I don't actually think he cuddles with them."

He smiles softer. "I will, just have to work out when with Rachel. And I guess I have to convince my boss to give me time off." He grins over at Steve. Though he really hopes Steve would come too if they did go.

"I don't rant," Steve says with a scrunched up face, "That's completely you."

Swallowing the food in her mouth, Grace accepts the napkin and wipes her mouth. "You shouldn't disrespect animals. The shark is a sacred animal to the islands and deserves our respect and protection. Its best to stay out of their way and give them the space they need. If you leave them alone, they'll leave you alone."

Steve looks down at Grace and then raises surprised eyes at Danny. "That's not all from me. I mean, she's right, but..." Steve shrugs and bumps his elbow to Grace giving her a grin. She is mostly right after all. Sometimes sharks can attack without provocation but being aware of them and giving them lots of space is better advice to her than anything else.

"A lady from the shark conservation came to talk with us at school." Tilting her head she looks over the pizza's. "Can I have another slice please? These are really good."

With a nod, Steve smiles at Danny. "I doubt that will be a problem. I hear he just generally signs whatever paperwork you put in front of him anyway." Right now, Steve's not including himself in any of that. Eliot will barely see Danny, when they're here he hopes they'll hang around so he can join them for some of the time, but he won't encroach on Danny's time there.

Eliot doesn't even feel left out by the banter between Steve and Danny, not with Danny's hand curled warmly in his, and he smiles at Grace. "That's very true," he agrees. "And I promise that if they don't try an' chew on me, I won't try an' punch them."

Eliot's polished off his own pizza and most of his beer and he's content to just sit back for the moment and enjoy this, mostly ignoring the sweet, tight ache in his chest. It would be so easy to... hell, not even give it a nudge, just let it loose, let the bond snap into place between them. So easy, but he's sure it would ruin everything. "Well, that's up to your daddy, but remember you wanna save room for the dessert pizzas we made." One a relatively basic but delicious fruit tart version, and the other her much more... creative effort. Also much more sugary.

"I usually just need a few days' heads up to be available, so just lemme know if something works out for you, sweetheart."

Danny smiles at her. "Eat as much as you want, Monkey. But Eliot is right, you want to save some room after all that work you did on making them." He smiles at Eliot.

"What do you think Steve, think we can take you to the big city and show you some culture? You'll be alright if there isn't a jungle around? Then again, central park..." He chuckles.

"And I am pretty sure he doesn't even read the paperwork, must be why I get stuck with all of it."

The idea of Eliot punching a shark in the nose for chewing on him makes Grace giggle before she tilts her head in what appears to be great deliberation. "Mmmmmmmm... Desssssssssert pizzzzzzzzas..." She finally says, then nods her head once. "I think I'm done dinner, thank you."

At the question directed towards him, Steve's eyes dart to Grace and then to Eliot, before resting back on Danny. "Uh... Maybe. We'll have to see when the time comes closer." As far as Steve is concerned, it's not his or Danny's decision it's what's most comfortable for Eliot. Whatever he decides and wants Steve will support.

"And here I thought we had a great balance with the paperwork." He grins then chuckles lightly. "You write it, and I sign it." Steve did read it all. He turns to Eliot. "When we started Five O, my paperwork kept getting sent back. Apparently the way the Navy trained me to fill out forms and the way civilian law enforcement wants it done is a bit different."

"Well yeah. Law enforcement wants all the details. It is one of the things we actually learn when we study and if you don't do it well enough your captain might stick you with all the record keeping for a year until you learn to do it well."

Danny finishes his last slice and then looks around the table. Finally, he lets go of Eliot's hand and moves to stand. "Help me clear the table, Monkey, and we'll get the dessert on the table. You want another round of coffee boys? Or more beer?"

"You guys are welcome to the paperwork. Man, I hate that stuff." And fortunately, in his line of work, there's rarely any to speak of and what there is Hardison takes care of. All he has to deal with is staying on top of inventory for the pub, and that's not a job, that's a... a calling.

He doesn't offer any comment on Danny's invitation to Steve, because he's more than torn. Danny had clearly, from the get go, intended both of them to come along on this hypothetical trip, but if it happens, if things last long enough for it to happen, he can't pretend in the quiet of his own thoughts that he wouldn't rather have Danny to himself. That's not his call, though, so he'll just keep his mouth shut and see how things shake out. Maybe it'll never even matter... which is a helluva lot more depressing than the idea of having to share Danny if the trip happens, and he has to make himself let go of Danny's hand when the other man pulls away.

"Coffee, please," he answers, pushing his hand through his hair in a gesture that's not as casual as it looks, spreading Danny's scent there to help settle him and ease the ache in his chest as Danny walks away. He can't quite help lifting his other hand to rub restlessly at his sternum, even though he knows it won't make any actual difference.

Steve can't help but smirk. "It's not that the military doesn't want all the details, but I think the Governor wanted more explanation around why something blew up with witness statements and aftermath reports, and less how it blew up with a very detailed play by play of the action." Steve was more accustomed to outlining just the facts to justify the action, not worrying about what happened after or impact on civilians and property. Really he thought his initial reports scared the Governor and she hadn't wanted those on file, hence her request to let Detective Williams write those reports.

After Eliot requests a coffee, Steve nods. "Same, please. Thank you, Danno." After handing his plate to Gracie, he winks at her. "And thank you, Gracie. You make a mean pizza, I'm looking forward to trying your dessert."

Seeing Eliot's action, he waits till Grace and Danny are in the house and with the closed door, out of the little girl's earshot. "You okay? We have antacid in the house if you need anything. Or organic milk if you prefer." The latter is what Steve usually took for an upset stomach, it was easier on his system then the chemically filled antacids.

Edited 2017-07-09 16:57 (UTC)

"Yeeeah, given the paperwork civilians want just 'cause someone 'discharged a firearm' I can see how they might'a piled it on even higher for explosions," Eliot agrees, amused.

"Yeah, she's a d--arn good sous chef." Eliot grins at her and watches and she and Danny head back into the house. Damn, he'd never seen himself getting involved with anyone with kids, but fatherhood's a damn good look on Danny, and she's a sweet kid.

He drops his hand abruptly and turns back to Steve at the question. "Huh? No, I'm fine." He shakes his head and curls his hand back at his thigh, but his scent's gone a little sour with something like anxiety and he rolls his shoulders restlessly before settling back in his seat. "You got a nice place here." He tips his head in a way that includes the house and yard and the short walk down to the ocean. Because, yes, he is changing the subject.

"And since we discharge firearms fairly regularly..." Casually he smiled and shrugged. It wasn't something he worried about. They did what they needed to do in order get the job done. He was aware that some cops could go their entire career without discharging their weapon on duty. Five-O simply didn't have that luxury due to the type of criminals they went after.

Steve grins at the catch and change of words for Gracie's behalf. It had taken him a while to get used to what was kid friendly language and what was not. Eliot was doing far better than he had originally, but it was still amusing for him to hear someone get caught up in their words.

His brows furrow a moment as he's pretty sure that he's missed something, but he lets it go when Eliot changes the topic. Turning his head, he looks over the areas Eliot's referring too. "Thank you. The house has been in the family for three generations. My Dad and aunt grew up here and he took over the property when she moved to L.A. When dad died it fell to my sister and I. She still lives in L.A." He looks back at Eliot and smiles. "I never could afford a place like this otherwise."

"You know..." Steve starts off with a fair amount of hesitation in his voice but he figures this needs to be said before Danny comes back. "You are always welcome here if you want to come back. Or I can make arrangements for Danny to be on one of the other islands for a longer period of time. They're often asking for our services and there's less military presence there. But uh... When Danny goes to the mainland... I know what he's thinking but between us I can understand why you'd want him to yourself. I'll make the excuses for not being able to come along to give you guys that." There's no reason for Eliot to have to accept having him around or be the one to say no. He's not sure he could say no if the shoe was on the other foot and he's not interested in putting that pressure on Eliot. With work, it's easy enough for him to say the Governor can't let them both go or have a military reason why he can't join them.

And it is right around then Danny and Grace comes walking back out. He is carrying the fruit tart and plates for everyone and she is carrying a tray with three mugs of coffee. He leans down to give Eliot a quick kiss as he places the tart on the table. "Anything else we need?" He glances around the table before he quickly darts back into the kitchen to fetch Grace's dessert pizza.

Eliot can hear them coming back, even before they reach the door, as he knows Steve can as well. It doesn't leave him time to answer beyond a quick duck of his head and a muttered, "thanks, man." He appreciates the offer, though, even if he doubts much will come of it.

He tips his head up for Danny's kiss, warm and casual and easy in a way he never would have expected. "Nah, we're good once you've got Grace's masterpiece," Eliot answers, smiling warmly at the little girl as he accepts his coffee from the tray.

Eliot's response is heard, as is the noise from the kitchen as Danny and Grace prepare to come back out. For now, he got it out there and that's all that really matters, that Eliot knows where he stands.

As Danny puts the tart on the table, Steve nods in thanks to him with a small smile. It's still more difficult than he believes it should be for him to witness the affection between the two men but it's getting easier and he turns to Grace and winks at the little girl as she giggles over the display of affection.

"This looks fantastic," he says to her as the deserts appear in front of him. When her creation comes out, his mouth twitches in amusement but there's only pride and affection in it. "You are going to have to tell me all about what's in this!" As she tells him about all the goodies she included, he cuts a piece for her, and another small one for himself before looking at the other two men to see if they are going to try her creation as well. It doesn't matter what it tastes like, he will eat every bite and says he loves it before he tries the tart.

Danny gives Steve his coffee and then cuts himself a piece of the dessert pizza before he offers the knife to Eliot. "It is certainly creative. I don't think I've ever seen a pizza like this." In his book, this isn't even close to pizza but that doesn't matter, Grace made it so he will eat. "Maybe you should cook for us more often Monkey? I could get used to that."

Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Re: Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Re: Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Re: Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Re: Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Re: Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Re: Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Re: Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Re: Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Re: Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Re: Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Re: Steve and Eliot cuddle pile