Epilogue: Forever them.

"Come on. Time for rest." Danny murmured to Steve as he opened the door and let Steve walk in first. "Couch, now, please."

"Danny, there are other things I can be doing than sleeping and wasting the day." Steve said to Danny as Danny ushered him through the living room after getting home from the hospital for the third time the past month.

"No, Steve. Doctor said strict bed rest for 10 days."

"Danny, this doesn't help me at all."

"It will. You need rest, babe. You have reoccurring pneumonia and you were close to another lung collapse with all the coughing you were doing." Danny persisted as he ushered Steve to sit on the couch.

Steve sighed as he sat down. Just as he did so, he began to cough violently.

"You know, if you were to have gone in a little bit sooner instead of hiding it, and taking cough suppressants, maybe you wouldn't be as restricted to the house." Danny said over Steve's coughing. He fiddled in his pocket for the inhaler that they had picked up from their local store's pharmacy. "Trying to keep you restricted is going to be like trying to keep a puppy from jumping and running around after she's been spayed." He mumbled as he pulled out the inhaler and shook it. "Here."

Steve shook his head and waved his hand. He couldn't answer, only cough loudly and forcefully, pleading that his lungs settled down.

"Steve. . .this is Albuterol. It will help calm your lungs." Danny said sitting next to him.

Steve stopped coughing and took in a breath.

Danny heard the wheezing. He gazed sympathetically at him. He looked tired and worn out. His chest heaved as he gasped for air after his coughing spat.

"Please, take it?" Danny asked him, offering him the inhaler.

"I hate taking albuterol." Steve gasped out.

"Why?"

"Well, I heard that in the long run it can hurt your lungs more than help them."

"Isn't that only in large quantities? You didn't have an inhaler when you were young. . .and even if you did, it wouldn't be that bad because this isn't for that long of use."

Steve looked at him.

"If it really concerns you, if we're compatible, I'll give you one of my lungs." Danny smiled at him.

Steve chuckled. "You'd give up a lung for me?"

"Well, you basically did the same for me, right?" Danny smiled at him.

Steve could only smile at Danny as the man smiled back.

"I mean. . .I know it's our job and you'd save anyone worth saving, but. . .I don't know. I feel like that day. . ." Danny shrugged. "It could have been me. . .it could have been. . .anyone. . .Chin, Kono. . ." Danny drifted off. "But here you come in and suffer through a collapsed lung and pneumonia in order to protect others. And your team."

Steve smiled. "And my love."

Danny smiled at him.

"And I would do it all over again, you know that?" Steve said gently.

"Oh, yeah. I know you would." Danny murmured. He looked down at the inhaler. He offered it to Steve again. "Now, I have a chance to help you." He paused. "Please?"

Steve sighed and looked down at the inhaler. He took it in his hand.

Danny gave him a small smile as the man emptied his lungs, took 2 puffs from the inhaler, and held his breath. Danny heard him take in two more breaths without exhaling, trying to make sure the drug stayed within his lungs as long as possible. He then exhaled slowly.

"Thank you. Now. . .what do you want to watch? I'll make you something to eat." Danny murmured as he picked up the remote, turned it on, and handed it to Steve.

"Ah, damn, I don't know. Any good movies you've heard about lately?" Steve asked.

Danny shook his head as he stood up and grabbed a nearby blanket. "No. Well. . .that's a lie. Grace said she really enjoyed Big Hero Six when she saw it in theaters."

Steve laughed. "Danny, I'm not going to watch a kid's movie right now!"

Danny shrugged with a smile. "Just thought I'd throw it out there. Hey, maybe some history will put you to sleep. Or. . .documentaries, or the science channel."

"But I like history and science." Steve pointed out.

"Cooking?" Danny paused. "Sales? There you go, no one likes sales channels."

Steve chuckled and settled as Danny placed the blanket over his body. He took a hold of Danny's hands after he dropped the edges of the blanket. He watched Danny's eyes draw to his as he grasped his hands. "I love you. You know that, right?"

Danny smiled. "Of course I do." He moved his hands along Steve's. "And you know I love you, right?"

Steve nodded sleepily. "I do."

Danny smiled at him and gave him a small kiss on the forehead. "Alright. Now, what do you want to eat? What sounds good?"

Steve grinned. He leaned forward and grabbed him. "A Danno sandwich!" He laughed as he nuzzled Danny's abdomen.

Danny laughed as he grabbed Steve. "Steven! I'm being serious."

"I am too!" Steve laughed back.

Danny couldn't get over how adorable Steve could be. With dozens of serious, stone cold, Navy SEAL moments surrounding him, it was nice to see the silliness slip out of Steve and have him be goofy.

Danny's hands drifted to Steve's side and began to tickle him.

"No! Danny! That's not fair!" Steve laughed as he squirmed.

"Hey, you started it!" Danny laughed back.

"And I'll finish it!" Steve chuckled back as he began his own tickling at Danny's sides.

They went until Steve started to cough again from laughing so much.

"Okay, okay. That's enough. Tickling time is done." Danny murmured as he began to back off.

Steve shook his head as he continued to cough. He pulled Danny in close and cough into his elbows before his lungs settled and he rested his head against Danny's abdomen. He breathed heavily and felt weariness drift over him.

After a few minutes of holding his head and stroking his hair, Danny spoke. "You interested in grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup? I know we picked up some tomatoes the other day, so you can have it fresh."

"Mmmmm." Steve sighed with closed eyes, still holding close to Danny. "That actually sounds unbelievably good right now."

Danny smiled and leaned down, kissing his head. "I'll go make some then."

Steve smiled up at him as Danny gently touched his cheek and turned to walk into the kitchen. He settled back on the couch and covered himself with the blanket a little more. He could not believe how much he loved Danny at the moment. It seemed more and more like that. He didn't think he could love Danny any more than he could and then, bam, Danny would do or say something that completely sent Steve over the moon. The man's care and attention he was giving Steve was so warming and gentle, it made Steve's heart beat just a little faster and his chest pull a little tighter when he thought about it.

Steve closed his eyes with a smile on his face. God, I love him so much. He thought as his breathing slowed and he felt drowsiness fall upon him. Probably more than he knows. His thoughts dispersed and felt himself begin to settle in the warmth of sleep.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Steam swirled around them as they stood in the shower about a week later. Unhappy as he was with it being as hot as it was, Steve stood near Danny, hands on his hips and a pout set on his face.

"And in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and out 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. Any pain?" Danny counted as Steve did his daily breathing exercises.

"No. Danny, this is dumb. It doesn't feel like it's working." Steve murmured to him as they stood in the shower. He folded his arms.

"No, it doesn't work within twenty-seconds of doing it. Steve, it'll help cleanse your lungs. Especially with the warm steam and the eucalyptus oil." Danny said as he touched Steve's arms lightly. "The doctor suggested it."

"Oh, that quack doesn't know anything." Steve snapped.

Danny tilted his head and gave him a small smile. "Please, let's keep doing it."

Steve looked over at him. "The oil does smell good." He admitted. "And I do love taking showers with you."

"See. . .there you go!" Danny encouraged.

Steve rolled his eyes and squared his body to Danny with a smile playing at his lips.

"Okay, once more." Danny said. "And in 1, 2, 3, 4. . ."

Steve stepped closer, causing Danny to drift off in his words. Steve breathed in and held his breath as he leaned closer to Danny.

Danny had been backed into the wall of the shower. He held his breath as Steve brought his nose close to his own. "And out. . ." Danny whispered with a smile playing at his lips.

Steve slowly tilted his head down slightly, maintaining eye contact with him, and slowly exhaling out his breath.

The warm air from Steve's exhale tickled Danny's chin, making him grin. They stared at each other for a few moments as Steve's breathing resumed to normal. "Well, that was kinda hot." Danny murmured with a grin.

"You like that?" Steve asked with a cocked an eyebrow.

Danny nodded. "Yeah."

Steve grinned. "I think I'll enjoy this. . .exercise from now on as well. You know. . .as long as we do it this way."

Danny raised his eyebrows. "Oh, you reckon?"

"I reckon? Danny. . .what was that?!" Steve laughed.

Danny laughed back. "Bad choice of words to use, I guess."

"Yeah, you can say that again." Steve murmured.

Danny grinned. "Come here."

Steve leaned in and placed his lips against Danny's. Everything was smooth, gentle, easy. . .Steve loved being able to put his lips against Danny's whenever he liked. It made him feel better. . .feel at home. . .at peace. Steve broke from Danny's lips. "I love you."

Danny grinned. "Love you too, babe."

Steve smiled back and leaned back in for another kiss.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Later that night, after they had settled in for bed, Steve was having a difficult time falling asleep. He kept coughing and his chest was hurting as he laid on his side. It had probably been and hour since he first laid down and he was getting frustrated. The coughing would only relieve the tickling in his lungs for a while before the same tickling feeling out come back. Maybe it's time for another dose from the inhaler. And tea sounds so good right now. . .might help with my throat. Steve glanced over at Danny as the man slept next to him. He slowly uncovered himself, making sure Danny stayed tucked in by bringing the cover back up to his pillow. Steve slowly made his way out of the room, trying to keep quiet and prevent himself from coughing as to wake Danny up. He made it to the hallway and switched on a light that turned on a few lights downstairs.

Danny had felt Steve move and get out of bed. He sleepily opened his eyes and stared at the empty spot on his bed. He lifted his head off the bed and saw the taller man's shadow on the wall just outside their room, moving down to dance on the floor as Steve headed downstairs. He's probably getting some water. He should be back soon. Danny laid on his back and decided to wait up for Steve.

Danny waited. . .and waited. . .and waited. It must have been a good 30 minutes before Danny sat back up in his bed. He looked over to the hallway. It was dark. There was no residual light from downstairs. Where did he go? He better not be out swimming, or doing something ridiculous like running. . .or even walking outside. . .it's too cold for that right now.

Danny moved the covers off him. He stood up and headed out of the room, through the hall, and down the stairs. He began to walk to the kitchen where the light was on, but he stopped as he looked over at the living room.

Steve was sleeping on the couch. His headrest against the back of the couch and his feet rested on the coffee table, his arms folded across his chest.

Danny tilted his head in sympathy. Poor guy is tuckered out. The doc did say pneumonia drains you.

Danny turned his head at the sound of whistling. He moved towards the noise. It was coming from the kitchen. He stepped in and crossed over to the stove where a kettle was whistling. Danny removed it and turned off the heat that was set on low on the stove. He turned and saw the mug and the tea packet. He was making tea? At this time of night? Danny picked up the package. Ah, herbal tea. Something to soothe that cough. . .and probably dry throat. Danny smiled softly. He turned to a cupboard and pulled out a container of honey. He poured the hot water into the mug till about the half way mark and stuck the herbal tea bag in. Danny pulled out a spoon and dipped it in the honey, swirling it around to get a fair helping. He then gently stirred it into the tea, watching the honey dissolve into the heated liquid.

After a good 5 minutes of steeping and adding more hot water in after the first 3 minutes, Danny picked up the mug and moved to the living room. He grabbed a blanket that sat on the recliner and continued to Steve.

Danny gently sat down on the wooded coffee table and gently placed a hand on Steve's thigh. "Steve? Steve, babe?" He called.

Steve's eyes flashed open and he sat forward, slightly startled.

"Hey, hey. It's just me." Danny said quietly.

Steve settled back down against the couch and put a hand on his head. He then sat forward again. "Shit, the stove-"

"Hey, hey. I got it covered. Here." He slowly moved the tea to Steve.

Steve took it. "Thanks." He said as he took a sip. The warm liquid tasted so good and felt even better as he swallowed it. He took a few sips before pulling the mug away from his lips. "Sorry if I woke you. I was trying not to."

Danny shook his head as he placed the blanket on Steve's lap. "After about 30 minutes, I thought I should check on you."

Steve smiled tiredly at him. "I was. . .planning on falling asleep down here. So I wouldn't wake you up after having my tea. And in case it didn't work, my coughing might've just kept you up."

Danny smiled. "You know it doesn't bother me. The coughing means you're getting over it."

"I know, but. . .I just don't want to keep you up." Steve said softly.

Danny smiled as he watched Steve look at the tea. "Would've kept me up anyway by not being next to me."

Steve looked up at him.

Danny shrugged. "I've gotten used to you sleeping next to me."

Steve gave him a small chuckle. "Surprisingly, I have as well."

"Surprisingly?" Danny asked.

"Yeah. I miss your heavy breathing when you're away or when we don't sleep near each other." Steve admitted with a grin.

"My heavy breathing?" Danny asked, incredulously. "I don't breathe heavily."

Steve gave cocked one of his eyebrows as if to say 'yeah, right, Danno.' It made Danny raise his hands in the air.

"Alright, you caught me. I do breathe heavily. I do, especially when you thrust into me."

Steve laughed at Danny's confession. "I miss that heavy breathing, too."

"Oh, you do?" Danny asked as he moved to sit next to Steve.

Steve nodded as Danny out his hands on his warm cheeks. "Oh, I think you know I do."

Danny grinned as he leaned closer to the man.

"To be honest, I miss your moans, too."

Danny grinned. "My moans?"

"Yeah. . .especially when I thrust. . .into you." He said gently as he nosed Danny's nose with his own.

Danny chuckled as he placed his lips gently on Steve's that were still curled into a smile. They broke and gazed into each other's eyes for a few moments. "Well. . .your missing of our bedroom activities, and my response to them, will not go on for long." He murmured. "But. . .I must say that you need to get better, so you won't completely die during." Danny chuckled.

Steve chuckled with him. "Sounds fair. I'm going to hold you to that."

Danny smiled before leaning in again and giving him a quick gentle kiss. "Finish your tea and we'll go to bed. . .with your inhaler on the bedside table. So you aren't up all night."

"As well as you." Steve added before sipping the tea.

"Well, that's just an added bonus." Danny replied.

Steve smiled and sipped some more tea. He brought the mug away from his lips and sat for a moment. He pointed to the drink. "You put honey in this, didn't you?"

Danny nodded. "Helps boost your immune system."

Steve nodded. "That's why it tastes so sweet." He looked down into his mug.

"Kinda like you." Danny whispered as he placed a small kiss to Steve's cheek, making the man smile widely.

After Steve finished his tea and Danny took the mug to the kitchen as Steve folded up the blanket, they walked up the stairs to their room, hand in hand. They both laid back down and pulled the cover tight over their bodies. Danny snuggled up closer to Steve and Steve turned his body to face Danny's.

"Thank you for checking on me. And saving the house from the stove." Steve murmured.

Danny smiled. "Yeah, of course." He paused. "I love you."

Steve smiled and gave him a kiss on the nose. "Love you, too."

With that, they eventually found themselves in dreamland.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Roughly three weeks later, after another follow up appointment to the doctors, Steve had been cleared for work, physical labors, and everything else.

One of the first things Steve wanted to do was work on his Marquis. So, on a Saturday morning, Steve was in the garage fiddling with his car. Though, one thing was different from the other times he would fiddle on his car.

Danny was there.

"So, sometimes it's not the battery or the posts and cables that's the problem, it's the corrosion that settles on the terminals?" Danny asked him as he held a bowl of paste looking substance.

"Right. And baking soda takes care of that." Steve murmured as he used an old toothbrush to scrub the corrosion off.

"Never knew that one."

"Oh, yeah. You know. . .just old tips for old cars." Steve smiled at him and continued to scrub the terminals.

"Are you doing anything else today on it?" Danny asked.

"Nah. I was going to change the oil in the Camaro. It's about that time again." Steve murmured as he continued to scrub.

They stood in silence for a few minutes. Danny had a question he had been wanting to ask Steve for a while. Actually, since they were first married.

"Um. . .do you want to teach me how to change a car's oil?" Danny asked.

Steve looked over at him.

"It's just. . .I first did it when I was maybe 10. . .and after that. . .my dad would always do it. . . and on my cars in Jersey, I'd take them in. . .so, I guess I kinda forgot how." Danny shrugged.

Steve nodded his head. "Ah, yeah! You wanna help with the Camaro?"

"Yeah, sure." Danny said with a smile.

"Alright. You wanna go get it ready?" Steve asked.

"Yeah, what do I do?"

"Okay. There's oil in the back in the cabinets to the right. I think there is one container that is already open. On the bottle, it will say 5W-30. That's the type of oil. There's a filter canister in a box next to them, I think."

"Okay." Danny said as he turned to set the bowl of baking soda and water on the workbench off to the side of the garage.

"And in the cabinet, there is a roll of paper towels, a funnel, and a black, oil catch pan. If you want to grab those, that would be great as well."

"Alright." Danny agreed and turned to the back room of the garage.

Steve finished the scrubbing and wiped the terminals. He then grabbed a container of petroleum jelly from the workbench and wiped some of the jelly on both terminals. He noticed Danny walking by with all of the items he told him to get.

Steve moved to place the clamps back onto the battery. "Alright. You have the Camaro's keys on you?" He asked as he took off his black latex gloves.

"I'll go get them."

Steve finished tightening the clamps and wiped his hands. He grabbed two metal car ramps and then moved to the Camaro that was parked in the driveway.

Danny approached him, walking from the house with his car keys in hand.

"Okay, so what we're going to do is slowly move the car up these ramps. So we can get underneath it." Steve said to him. He moved to the Camaro's front tires, placing the ramps right at the base of the tires.

After slowly and safely inching the car up the ramps, and with careful direction from Danny, Steve parked the car up on the ramps.

"Alright. It's a good thing the driveway is kinda sloped. You want the car as level as possible." Steve said to Danny as he turned off the car. Steve hopped out of the car and shut the door.

"So what now?"

Danny's question and eagerness made Steve smile. "If you learn this, you have to help me with changing the truck and the Camaro from now on." Steve said.

Danny shrugged. "Hey, if we can do it together, all the better."

Steve smiled at his response. "Okay. You know my tool box?"

Danny nodded.

"We're going to need the 15 and 24 mm socket and the drive ratcheting wrench handle." Steve said as he moved to the items that Danny had set down in the grass.

Danny moved back to the garage to find what Steve was asking for.

Steve pulled the two sets of gloves from his pocket and put a pair on. He looked up as Danny came striding back out of the garage.

"These what you looking for?" Danny asked tilting his head and looking up at Steve.

Steve nodded with a grin. "Yep. This one. . ." He held up the 15 mm. ". . .is to loosen the bolt to the oil sump. And this one. . ." He grabbed the 24 mm from Danny's hand. ". . .is to loosen the oil filter cap bolt."

Danny nodded.

"Here." Steve handed Danny a pair of black gloves from his pocket that he grabbed for him earlier.

"Thanks, babe." Danny said as he took them and put them on.

"Now, we're going to loosen the filter cap first so it drains the sump faster. If you don't do this first, it won't hurt, but it creates kind of a vacuum affect and the oil will drain slower." Steve took the 24 mm and attached it to the wrench handle and clicked it to the right direction. "Alright. You wanna do it?" He offered the wrench to Danny.

Danny smiled at him and took it.

"This one." Steve pointed to the silver cap near to the oil dipstick.

Danny put the socket to the bolt and began to twist it.

After popping the cap off, they settled underneath the car with the few items they needed.

Steve laid on his back and settled next to Danny, who was also on his back. "Okay, so this is the exhaust system. You want to stay clear of it because they can become really hot after warming up the car for a little bit. We did our warm up when we put the car up on the ramps, so it's ready to go. The oil may or may not come out hot, so just be careful. It may not be all that hot, but. . .just be careful." Steve added as he pushed the oil catch pan underneath the bolt that would drain the oil from the sump. "That bolt there is the one you want to come off and that's when the oil drains. Understand?"

Danny nodded. "Yeah, I think so."

Steve handed him the wrench with the 15 mm socket attached. "Hop to it."

Danny grabbed the wrench and looked up at the sump.

Steve grinned as he watched Danny look around under the vehicle and place the wrench to the bolt. He furrowed his brows and stuck out his tongue as he pulled on the wrench counterclockwise. Steve absolutely loved that look on him.

Danny looked over at him. "What are you chuckling about?"

"Your focus face." Steve grinned.

Danny chuckled at him as he continued with the loosening of the bolt.

"It's cute." Steve murmured as he looked up at Danny's work to see how far along he was.

Danny grinned at him and focused back to the sump and the bolt.

Soon, after his loosening, the oil came dripping out.

"Ah!" Danny said as he pulled the bolt away a steady stream of fluid made its way out. He watched as the dark liquid oozed over his gloved hand onto his uncovered wrist. "Man." Danny mumbled.

"That happens. No biggie." Steve said.

Danny grimaced at the oil on his skin. Oh well.

After the draining process, they tightened the bolt back on and moved back out from underneath the vehicle. They stood and looked over the car's engine. Steve showed Danny how to replace the filter and replace the oil that they had drained.

After finishing up, running the car for a few minutes, and then checking the oil level, Steve had just closed the hood of the car and stepped to the side as Danny drug the oil basin out from underneath the car.

"So. . ." Danny stood up and wiped his chin, absentmindedly. "How'd I do?"

Steve grinned at him, noticing a light oil streak down his face. "You did amazingly."

"You think?"

"Yeah." Steve stepped closer to him. "You'll be able to do it yourself next time." He grinned as he lifted his thumb to his mouth and then Danny's cheek. "You got oil on your face." He chuckled.

Danny gazed at him dreamily as Steve used his thumb wiped the oil smudge off his cheek. He grinned at the cute way Steve parted his lips and rose a single eyebrow as he concentrated on whatever task was at hand.

Steve looked at Danny's smile and he grinned as his thumb drifted to the man's lips, tracing them slightly as they parted.

"What, I got oil on my lips now?" Danny asked with grin.

Steve let out a giggle that made Danny's heart fill with warmth. "No." He murmured as he gently placed his hands to Danny's cheeks.

"Oh, you." Danny whispered with a grin.

Steve leaned closer and met Danny's lips with his own. Danny chuckled as he wrapped his arms around Steve's neck, taking in the sweet moment. He grinned as he felt Steve's hands on his waist. It felt so good to do this again.

They broke from each other's lips, keeping close.

"So. . .what, oh, what, do two men do after an hour of mechanics?" Danny asked him.

Steve quirked an eyebrow. "I think you know what my answer is."

"I think I do." Danny whispered as he inched closer, thoughts of a hot shower and bedroom activities floating around in his head, creating excitement within him.

"Lunch, right? It's about noon." Steve said jokingly, checking his watch.

"Oh, my god." Danny said loudly, laughing.

Steve chuckled as Danny moved closer, putting another kiss on Steve's lips.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

It was a following Saturday. It had been a good day. Steve and Danny had spent lots of time with Grace, talking, playing, planning a camping trip that they'd soon go on, due to it being a fair autumn. After taking Grace to a friend's house for the afternoon and evening, Steve and Danny had both got back into the house. Steve went off and was doing some activity Danny was unsure of.

However, in the late afternoon, Danny stood in the kitchen looking over a recipe on his phone. He had grabbed some of the items he needed and was now checking everything.

Steve had walked into the kitchen and over to the fridge. He pulled open the fridge and grabbed a bottle of Tazo flavored tea. He popped the top off and took a drink as he closed the fridge. He was on his way to head back out of the kitchen. He looked over at Danny as the man studied his phone. "Whatcha up to Danno?" Steve moved over to him.

"Eh, I wanted to make a pie."

Steve walked around the counter to stand behind Danny. "Oh? What kind of pie?"

"Apple." Danny murmured as Steve peered over his shoulder at the phone.

"Ooh, damn. You gonna share?" Steve asked as he slipped his arms around Danny's waist and settled his head on the man's shoulder, still looking at Danny's phone.

"I'm not gonna be able to share any of it. We don't have any sugar." Danny said, slightly disappointed.

"Yeah, we do." Steve said, slightly confused.

"No, babe. The container's empty. I should've picked a bag up at the store when I went earlier, but I thought we had another bag. When I looked, we didn't. So, it will have to wait for another day." Danny said as he tapped his phone to go to sleep.

"We finished that whole bag from last week?" Steve asked.

Danny turned to Steve. "You bought a bag last week?"

"Yeah, it's in the pantry."

Danny pressed his lips together. "That's why I thought we were out."

"What?" Steve asked as the man moved to pantry.

"I didn't check the pantry." Danny said as he opened the pantry and took the bag of sugar out that was on a shelf.

"Well, now we can make it." Steve said with a smile.

Danny walked over to the counter and looked up at Steve. "We?"

Steve shrugged. "Yeah. I'll help out."

Danny raised an eyebrow. "You don't like to bake."

Steve shrugged again with a smile. "I don't know how to bake."

Danny shook his head. "You know how to bake."

"I've never baked a pie." He pointed out.

Danny was about to say something in refute but he stopped, thinking about it. "I guess you haven't made a pie."

"Well, if I had. . .I mean. . .we've never made a pie." Steve grinned. "You wanna show me?" He paused. "Mr. Knows-how-to-cook."

Danny grinned. "Sure." He nodded. "Go wash your hands."

Steve did so and came back to peer over Danny's shoulder again.

"Okay, so I grabbed everything we need for this particular recipe. We just need to mix these to create a crust, and then create the filling."

Steve looked at Danny's screen at the recipe directions. "Looks. . .simple?"

Danny grinned. "Simple, but time consuming."

"All consuming?" Steve whispered into his ear.

Danny chuckled. "Eventually. . ."

Steve chuckled as he placed his head against Danny's and kissed his ear. "Okay. What do we do first?"

"Mix flour, sugar, and salt."

Steve moved to the flour. "I got the flour." He said as he opened the bag and brought a measuring cup over with a large spoon. He began scooping the flour out of the bag and pouring it into the measuring cup.

Danny smiled at Steve's immediate move to do the flour. He took the ring of smaller measuring tools, bringing up the teaspoon utensil to scoop out the sugar and the salt, placing the granules into a big bowl.

Steve had glanced over at Danny before taking a pinch of flour and tossing it on Danny's arm. He snorted loudly as Danny looked down at it and looked back up at him with a look of mischief.

"You really gonna start this?"

Steve shrugged as he took some more flour in his hand and tossed some more toward Danny's face. He quietly laughed as he bit his lip and looked at Danny for a reaction.

Danny held out his hands with shrugged up shoulders and a dropped jaw. He looked at the items in front of him, picked one up, and smashed it on Steve's head.

Steve laughed as he felt the cool, gooey items drip off his head. "An egg, Danno?"

"Flour, Steven?" Danny replied.

Danny grabbed Steve at his waist before he could grab more flour and they both laughed as Danny backed the man up to the kitchen sink.

Danny grinned as he straightened his back and planted a kiss on Steve's lips.

Steve followed in pursuit, grinning as Danny kissed him gently and deeply.

They broke and gazed at each other for a few moments. Steve let out a big sigh and Danny chuckled as he placed his forehead against Steve's.

"Can we keep ingredients in the bowl now?" Danny asked him.

Steve grinned. "Yeah, I'm done."

Danny chuckled. "You sure?" He asked as his hands ran across Steve's waist.

"Yeah!" Steve giggled as he felt the fingers move in a tickling manner along his sides.

Danny smiled again and inched a little closer, his lips finding Steve's once again. "Okay, let's get to it. I have a fun idea for cleaning up." Danny grinned as he turned back around.

Steve glanced down at the man's ass. He moved forward.

Danny jumped as he felt Steve grasp onto his ass.

"Does it have anything to do with a shower and us in it. . .together?" He whispered into Danny's ear.

Danny chuckled. "No. . .it has us getting wet rags and wiping down the kitchen. . ."

Steve slumped against his body and let out a small, disappointed noise.

"Naked. . ." Danny added with a small smile as he moved the measured flour into the bowl with the salt and sugar.

Steve rose his eyebrows. "Wow. . .adventuring into the kitchen, are we?"

Danny grinned. "It's a reward system. We clean and get to watch each other. . .naked." He said simply.

"Mmmm. Love that mind of yours, Danno." Steve grinned before he latched onto the man's neck with his lips.

Danny let out a squeal. "I don't think you know how much that tickles, Steve!" He exclaimed as he tried to refuse his body's signals to shrug up and get rid of the tickling sensations.

"Maybe you should. . .give me an idea. . .then, I'll stop. . ." Steve murmured in between kisses.

"I never said to stop." Danny pointed out with a grin.

Steve chuckled against his neck.

Danny scooted some of the items toward the middle of the counter and turned around. He lifted himself on the counter and pulled Steve closer. He gave him a kiss, gently grasping onto his cheeks and feeling up the base of his neck. He broke and moved to the man's neck.

Steve closed his eyes and grinned with an open mouth smile as he felt Danny's lips glide up and down his neck. After a few minutes, Danny stopped at a particular area and began nibbling and sucking at the spot. The feeling sent Steve's mind and body reeling as he scooted closer to Danny's parted legs.

Danny finished his mark and broke from Steve's neck, checking out his work. "There, that will last you until we're finished here." Danny grinned at him as he ran his fingers through Steve's hair.

Steve could only chuckle as he folded his arms, stepping back as he watched Danny slide off the counter.

"Are you blushing, Steven? Do I still make you blush?" Danny asked with a smile.

Steve bit his lower lip and stepped closer. "Yes, detective, you do."

Danny grinned as Steve leaned in and placed an easy kiss on his lips. They broke their lips, but stayed close, nuzzling each other with their noses. "Should we get this pie baked?"

Steve nodded. "Yeah. I'm hungry, Danno." He said with his husky voice.

Danny smiled and snorted, knowing that they had only eaten a few hours ago. "Nice innuendo, babe."

Steve grinned and pulled from him, moving back to the ingredients and the baking utensils.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Several weeks later, Steve had been wiping the counters and the table the kitchen when he heard the front door open and close.

"Steve?"

He heard Danny's voice and grinned as he moved toward the living room. He peeked out of the kitchen. "Hey."

Danny grinned at him. "Hey."

"How was your. . .errand?" Steve asked as he walked towards Danny.

Danny rose his eyebrows. "Pretty good. How was. . ." He glanced at Steve's wet hands as he took them in his own. "Wiping down the kitchen?"

Steve grinned. "Pretty spot on, detective."

Danny smiled. He stepped to the stairs, breaking their hands. "I have something for you." Danny said as Steve slowly stepped toward him as he stepped back.

"Oh, really?" Steve quirked his eyebrow.

"Yeah, sit down." He urged to Steve as he moved to the stairs.

They both sat on the stairs next to each other. Danny took Steve's hands in his own. "Steve. . .um. . ." He began as he looked into Steve's eyes. Steve only tilted his head in the most adorable way, looking like a confused puppy. Danny only sighed. Maybe it would just be better to give him the gift. "Close your eyes." He said dropping the man's hands.

Steve chuckled as he closed them and held out his hands.

Danny grinned then pulled it out and held the gift in his lap momentarily. "Ta-da!" He said with a smile as he placed the wrapped gift in Steve's hands.

Steve opened his eyes and smiled. "What is this, Danno?" He laughed as he lifted the gift to his ear and gave it a little shake.

Danny could only smile at him. "Open it."

"Let me read the card first." Steve said as he placed the gift in his lap and undid the ribbon to release the card.

Danny smiled at him and watched him as he opened the envelope.

"I didn't forget like. . .a special day for us, did I?" Steve asked.

Danny shook his head. "No. This is a special day, but for reasons pertaining to the gift." Danny laughed at Steve's confused furrowed brow as he held the card in his hands. "Just read it and open it, goof."

Steve smiled as he opened the card and began to read the note.

Danny watched the man intently as his eyes scanned over the words. The man's smile fell away and his lips parted slightly as he read it. Danny saw the man as read the words over and over again. He watched as Steve looked up at him with eyes full of tears. "Really?" He asked in disbelief and breathed in a ragged breath.

Danny smiled at him. "Open the gift."

Steve turned to the small box and lifted the lid off the box. He carefully pulled back the tissue paper. His chest that had already felt tight became even tighter as he peered in the box and lifted a pair of very small, darker green converse trainers. A small brown tag hung from the white laces. Steve took a hold of the brown tag. Let's do this. It was printed so neatly and elegantly in Danny's handwriting, it pushed Steve over the emotional edge. Tears spilled down his cheeks as he looked at the smiley face and the heart on the back of the note. He set the little shoes back in the box and looked over at Danny, his throat closing as emotions flooded through him.

"What do you think?" Danny asked gently.

Steve bit his lower lip and sniffed as more tears came down. He leaned closer to Danny, placing his hands to the man's cheeks, and gave him a kiss.

Danny proceeded to chuckle lightly against Steve's lips at Steve's reaction.

Steve pulled away from his lips, a complete mess as he turned the kiss to an embrace, his hands finding their way around Danny's shoulders, and holding him close and tight as he continued to cry a little more. "I think yes." Steve whispered.

Danny chuckled as he hugged Steve back. "Best surprise ever?"

Steve laughed through his tears. "Best surprise ever." He admitted. He could not contain his excitement as he grinned widely, with tears continuing to flow.

"You know. . ." Danny began.

Steve pulled from Danny to look at him.

Danny squinted his eyes and raised his eyebrows. "This may take longer than twenty-seconds."

Steve let out a laugh. "Really? I did not think adoption took longer than twenty-seconds." He paused, running a hand through his hair as he looked back down at the trainers. He then looked back up at Danny. "What brought this up?"

Danny shrugged. "Well. . .I know that we had conversations about this before we were married and when we were first married. And after everything we've been through, what with working through our issues and communicating better. . .you recovering. . .I feel that. . .now's the time to bring it up again." He paused with a small smile. "You're in a good place, I'm in a good place. . .we're in a good place." He shrugged again. "Maybe it's time to start looking into it. Officially."

Steve let out another laugh through his happy tears. He brought his hand to his neck to rub it. "Oh, Danno. . ." He sighed and looked up at him again.

"So. . .yes, right?" Danny asked.

Steve nodded with a wide-open mouth smile on his face. "Yes."

Danny laughed at him as Steve went back to embrace him again. "Oh, god, I'm so glad you still want to."

"I'm so glad you're ready." Steve murmured back.

"Finally, right?" Danny replied.

"No, just. . .I'm glad we're both ready." Steve murmured.

Danny continued to smile as Steve broke from him and placed his head against Danny's. "I got you good." Danny grinned.

Steve let out a laugh and took in a sharp breath. "Yeah, you did." He broke from Danny's head and lifted the trainers out of the box again and smiled at them. "I'm so excited." He smiled as he looked back to Danny.

"As am I." Danny said back to him. "I hope you know I meant everything I said in the card."

Steve gazed at him and slowly nodded.

Danny smiled at him. "I love you, babe."

Steve took in a deep breath. "I love you, Danno."

They grinned at each other. With thoughts of adoption, family growth, and love pooling between them, they leaned in again. Their lips met and remained there. Not for ever, and yet, it would be forever.

Forever their kisses.

Forever their 'I love yous'.

Forever their love.

Forever them.