Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

You Oughta know

….”When it all goes crazy and the thrill is gone
The days get rainy and the nights get long
When you get that feelin' you were born to lose
Starin' at your ceiling thinkin' of your blues
When there's so much trouble that you wanna cry
The world has crumbled and you don't know why
When your hopes are fading and they can't be found
Dreams have left you waiting, friends have let you down
Just remember I love you
And it'll be alright (ooh, la la la, ooh)
Just remember I love you
More than I can say
Maybe then your blues will fade away…’
—Just Remember I Love You/Firefall

Danny Williams stared at his cup of lukewarm coffee and tried to ignore the preening peacock antics of his partner of 2 months, Lieutenant Commander Steve McGarrett. The man was being ridiculous as he danced around their steel and chrome offices in the Hawaiian Palace.

“What’s put you in such a good mood, Boss Man?” Kono Kalakaua asked sweetly, all smiles with her dimples prominent.

“He probably received an advance copy of Guns R Us in the mail OR he made a collar on his way to work this morning!” Danny said loudly. He was so not in the mood for this nonsense. The weather was humid but shifting into rain mode which gave him an extreme sinus headache, he had skipped breakfast because he was hurting and the worst thing of all was finding out, via text an hour ago, that his 8 year old daughter, who he shared custody of with his absolute bitch of an ex wife, was off to the UK to see her grandmother and spend a month now that school was out. Never mind that Rachel, the bitch, needed his permission to take her out of the country, a provision spelled out in the divorce and custody decree. Rachel did what she wanted because she’d remarried a very wealthy man.

“Well, Danno—“

“Don’t call me that, Steve. You’ve no right to call me that,” Danny muttered.

“Ok, Sir Daniel—“

“Now you’re being ridiculous.” Danny threw his pen across his desk.

“DANNY. There. Better?” Steve did not wait further acknowledgement. He continued to talk. Danny ducked his head and tried to ignore him, hoping for a case so Steve would stop acting like a crazy man and focus on shooting someone.
“I won a vacation.”

“Whaaaat?” That was enough to draw Chin Ho Kelly from his office. He joined Steve in the bullpen. “What’s going on? A vacation?”

“I’d be more inclined to ask HOW you won something like that,” Danny snorted derisively. “Who did you threaten?”

Steve shot him a wounded look and Danny immediately felt shame for sucking out the joy from Steve’s revelation. He schooled his face to look interested. “Ok. Sorry. Give us the details. Where are you going? Miami?”

“Nope.” Steve was back in crazy mode now that Danny was seemingly on board. “You’ll never guess.” He spread his arms out feigning an airplane and dipped around the room, stopping in front of Danny’s office. “Ok. I won the trip through the radio station I always listen to, the one that plays 80’s, 90’s , and beyond., KORL FM 101.1.”
Danny rolled his eyes. “I know, Danny, you don’t like the afternoon mash up BUT I collected the words, unscrambled them, and was the first caller last night to tell them all 6 words and, well, I won. I won the grand prize.”

“Where are you going, Steve?” Chin asked.

“Yes tell us! And you had better bring us each a tee shirt! “ Kono gushed.

“Well, it’s a surprise but I’ll know the morning that we leave. They will have everything for me, though we have to bring our passports.” Steve shrugged. “I’ve asked the Governor for time off and she said since I did not take any time when my … when my father, uh, died.. “ Steve swallowed hard and for the first time looked a bit haunted, but it passed, “I could have the time off.”

Danny snorted. “Seriously? You are going on a trip but you don’t know where? How are you gonna pack? How is this not the stupidest thing I ever heard? Steve, there’s one born every second and you, my friend, are one of them.”

“Are you going to take Catherine?” Kono asked but there was a weary edge to her tone.

“Yeah that’s the plan.”

“Can we just get back to solving crimes?” Danny asked and as if to answer that plea, Steve’s phone rang. When he was done talking, he jerked his head towards the door.

“Come on, Danny. We need to head to the beach. We have a body. Chin? Kono? Come on.”

It was nearly 8 PM when Danny pulled into his parking spot in front of his efficiency apartment He was hungry but did not know what he wanted to eat. He did have leftover Chinese in his fridge so that would do.

They’d quickly solved the case that day which was unusual because most cases were not as cut and dried as this particular one. The wife had quickly crumbled when questioned and admitted she’d hired the hit man who had killed her husband. It was sad, Danny thought, that marriages ended in murder when there was always divorce as an option. Still, to be honest, he had sometimes hated his ex to the point where he hoped she got screwed up badly financially but certainly not physically.

Though she HAD put some weight on since being re-married to Stan. Danny was satisfied with that.

He showered and reheated the Chinese, then sat on his bed which was also his couch to eat while he watched a rebroadcast of a hockey game. The Canucks had played the Rangers; Danny was fairly certain the Canucks had won but he watched the game anyways. The Rangers were an east coast team. It brought up some good memories of Madison Square Garden in nosebleed heaven, cheering on the Rags.

Vancouver had just scored a go ahead goal in the third when headlights swept over his apartment and he heard the distinctive sound of a truck, most definitely a Chevy Silverado truck engine. What the fuck was Steve doing here?

Danny frowned as he hustled to the door where an impatient sounding knock interrupted the quiet of the evening. “Yeah yeah hang on!” Danny unlocked the door and undid the sliding bolt. “Come in.” Danny was bowled over by Steve who rushed in.

“You’re ready for bed?” Steve asked incredulously, staring at the turned down bed and at Danny’s choice of attire.

“It’s going on ten so yes I was … uh ready for bed. Just watching a game.”

“Can I…” Steve pantomimed sitting on the bed. Danny nodded and swept an arm out as if to say yes. He looked with interest at the remains of Danny’s dinner. It had been too much to eat at that time of night and Danny had given up. Steve reached for the take away box.

“Be my guest. I don’t think I spit in it.” Danny sat down in a chair that faced the bed. “Steve, why are you here? We don’t have another case do we?”

“No, actually,” Steve said between chewing, “I’m here to tell you that we are taking advantage of that vacation I won.”

“What?” Danny frowned. “Catherine is going with you I thought.”

Something passed over Steve’s face, changing his expression and if Danny had not been staring at him, he never would have seen it. Steve looked.. angry with equal portions of disappointment. “She’s not going. We uh we had a falling out. She does not want to go.”

“I can’t imagine why. A vacation where you have no idea of where you are going? Sounds a bit shifty to me.”

“It’s not. I had my lawyer check and he went with me so I could sign some papers for travel insurance and an NDA until they tell me I can publicly talk about it.” Steve sighed. He looked tired and Danny felt his own resistance lower.

“I’ll be right back.” Danny padded into his kitchenette and poured a glass of chocolate milk and put some Peanut Nutter cookies on a plate. He grabbed a napkin and brought that into Steve. “Here. Have some dessert.”

Steve gratefully accepted the offering, gulped the milk and smashed the cookies in two bites. Danny took the dishes back and did a quick wash then returned to hear more about the crazy vacation. Steve had sprawled out in the bed after slipping his boots off and was now lightly snoring.

“What…..” Danny stood beside the bed, wondering what he was going to do now. He shrugged and turned out the light, put the tv on low volume and carefully crawled into bed beside Steve, pulling the blanket over both of them. It was kind of a rare comfort to have a warm breathing person next to him. Danny closed his eyes and was out like a second.

Three days later, Danny paced around his apartment waiting for the Uber to pick him up and take him to the airport where he would meet Steve. He still was not sure how he’d let Steve talk him into going on this crazy trip but he’d caved and said yes after two days of bribery— fresh hot double doubles; malasadas; dinner at Chef Yamamoto’s restaurant; and a number of persuasive chats. Ok, so Danny WAS curious. Where would they go? Where in the world would they end up?

Steve was told to pack medium weight clothing and no shorts. Light sweaters and a jacket or two, hiking boots, thick socks, jeans were ok. Danny had packed accordingly.

The uber pulled up and Danny slipped out the door, locked it behind him and let the driver put his duffel into the trunk. The driver was an affable man who talked with Danny about sports on the mainland and the minor league baseball team in Honolulu. They had a pleasant chat and as the airport came into view, Danny had to admit out loud that he was fairly excited about this adventure.

Steve was at the Departures with his duffel and a grin. He fell into step beside Danny as they walked over to a lounge where they were to meet the radio station business rep and sure enough, there was a big banner with the radio station name on it, a photographer, a news crew and two people from the radio station wearing tees with the call letters. The one, a blonde woman who was tanned and had very white teeth, approached Steve, arms extended for a hug. Danny stepped back, fairly certain he did not warrant or want the same treatment.

“Hello Steve McGarrett, our clever sweepstake contest winner! I have a swag bag for you and your…” she eyed Dsnny, “partner? You ‘ll also find three disposable cameras and a journal to write down your thoughts. After all, we are working with the tourist bureau of…. Wait for this…..” the man who was with her, also tanned with the gleaming teeth, did a faux drum roll that immediately irritated Danny. He sundered if they’d ingested something to make them so annoying and perky. “ROMANIA!!!!”

“What?” Danny said, trying to process. “Seriously? The country Romania?”

“Is there anything but the country?” The man asked with irritation. He turned his back in Danny to glad hand Steve who was saying all the boy howdy happy things about his surprise destination.

Danny looked around, saw the photographer who was now talking with the news crew because they’d recorded Steve’s reaction, and headed over to talk to them.

“Hey so I’m going on this trip because his girlfriend was busy in the destroyer where she’s assigned and uh seriously is this for real?”

“Yeah! You’re lucky! Phoenix, Iris, Cargo… all Romanian bands we play on KORL FM! You’ll get to see Phoenix with back stage passes and the whole shebang!” The man took a photo of Dsnny and whipped out his phone. “Name?”

“Danny Williams. Ok, thanks.” Danny walked back to where Steve was still talking to the woman. She saw Danny approach and turned her shoulder towards him, focusing on Steve entirely. “Fuck this.” Danny walked back out on the concourse to a bodega and bought a bottle of water, some M&M’s, gum, peanut butter crackers and beef jerky. He added a few magazines and a soft cover book that looked like a mystery. Only then did he rejoin Steve who looked like things were winding down with him.

“Thanks so much! This is really a trip of a lifetime! I promise I won’t open up the packet until we’re on the plane.” Steve shook her hand and the man’s, posed for one last photo and grabbed Danny’s arm. “Come on. There’s something I gotta do.”

“Where are we going?” Danny asked as Steve shouldered his duffel.

“We are leaving here to fly to LAX. It’s gonna be economy. I’m dreading all five and a half hours of that but I can’t change it. The really long one, however, I CAN change and I intend to.”

They found their gate and Danny sat down to watch their bags while Steve went up to the counter. He talked at some length to the people behind it and soon, Danny saw him give them his credit card. When Steve returned, he was all smiles.

“What did you do?” Danny asked.

“Upgraded us to Business Class on Lot Polish Airlines. We will be able to fold the seat flat, have blankets and pillows, eat three course meals and get genuine perks.” Steve sighed and sat down next to Danny but he was jiggling, his one leg moving a hundred miles a minute. “What a surprise. I was thinking Malibu or even the UK. But Romania! That’s just… crazy!”

“Yesh. I hope you keep up with your journal.” Danny snickered.

“Come on! You can keep one because there’s two in here.”

“I bet Catherine will be glad she missed this. Romania. Isn’t that where Dracula is from? Vlad the Impaler. Count Dracul.”

“Well yeah. But it’s all good because we are just staying in Bucharest. No venturing off the path of big city or at least I don’t think so.” Steve stopped jiggling and stretched his long legs out. “I’d better do this while I can.”

“Yeah you’d better.” Danny got the jerky out. “Want some?”

“Oh yeah! Thst looks good!”

It did not take long for their airplane to begin boarding and to Steve’s delight, he discovered that there was nobody sitting between them in the three seats across. Danny took the window seat even though his ticket was for the aisle but with his small stature he could easily sit where the leg room was diminished.

“So we are getting to LAX at 8:24 their time, to have a layover until we leave at 10:30 to go to Warsaw and then on to Romania.” Danny looked at his phone. Steve had sent him the info he’d received from the radio station along with details of their hotel and a number to call for their uber once they landed in case no rep met them. . “We got a king bed room at this fancy hotel here, The Marmorosch Bucharest, Autograph Collection. Looks nice.” Danny buckled his seat belt and powered down his phone. “They are spending a lot of money on this. I’m still thinking what’s the catch!”

“Yeah I might be a little cynical—“

“Oh really? Cuz all I’ve seen from you is total acceptance and I dunno glee!”

“Glee?” Steve frowned and turned a bit to face Danny. “Of course I’m going to be nice to the people who are paying for this trip! I’m not gonna be an asshole to them.”

“I did not tell you to be an asshole,” Danny explained using the time of voice one might use for a toddler. “I only meant that you are not questioning their motives.”

“Excuse me for not being cynical. You did not have to come along if you did not really want to, ok?”

“Okay.” Danny shrugged and looked out the window. The conversation was typical of their ebb and flow banter. He’d just let things ride right now and see what would happen. “I hope they come around with beverage service. I could use a Coke.”

“Yeah me too.” Steve sighed and leafed through the in flight magazine. “Did you know some airlines are doing away with these? It’s a shame.”

“Yeah they always have interesting articles.” The plane shuddered as it broke away from the walkway. “Here we go. Want some gum?”

“You brought gum? Yeah I’ll have a piece thanks!”

Chewing gum and settling back, Steve and Danny began the first leg of their adventure. They had no idea what they were in for and if they’d known, they would have never boarded the plane.

Beverage service came around about an hour into the flight. They also received a tiny bag of pretzels which both of them downed in minutes but Danny brought out the crackers and he and Steve made short work of those whilst drinking the pop they’d ordered.

“I’m gonna try to catch some z’s,” Danny said. He wiggled around so he was comfortable using his balled up jacket against the window as a pillow. He was tired, both physically from the big case they’d cracked the day before and mentally from worrying about whatever this was. Now that they were on their way, his thoughts strayed to the morning after Steve had fallen asleep on the bed after he’d eaten. Danny had woke up first, hit the shower and was making coffee when Steve had stirred. It had been an awkward few minutes though not on Danny’s part. Steve had hastily apologized, grabbed his jacket and left.

Did Steve know? Danny did not think so since it was his right not to reveal his status on any employment records or forms.

Whatever it was, they had not spoken of it and when Danny had strolled into the office later that morning, Steve was back to his annoying self and they’d gone from there.

The hotel room had a king sized bed. Danny was not sure how that would play out but apparently, Steve was fine with it since it was a perk of this stupid trip.

Somewhere over the ocean and two hours into the flight, Danny had fallen asleep. Steve, however, could not. He did not like sleeping on planes if he was not piloting one. Call it an anticipation that had set in every time he’d ridden in an airplane, not knowing what was waiting at the end of the line or perhaps it was because he wasn’t wired to stay still in a seat for so long.

He spied the top of a magazine sticking out of Danny’s backpack so he carefully reached over and pulled it out. The latest People. That would do. Before he settled in to read, he glanced at Danny to make sure he had not disturbed the sleeping blonde but Danny seemed well asleep. Steve smiled. He was glad Danny could catch some sleep. The dark shadows under Danny’s eyes told Steve that sleep was elusive most nights in Hawaii.

“Would you care for another soda? We have beer and cocktails available for a price if you’d like.”

Steve looked up at the flight attendant who stood beside his seat. She was pretty in that overly made up way some women were and he was definitely not interested in either the beverages or the pronounced way she was flirting with him.

“No thanks I’m good.” He shook his head and held up the magazine then pretended to read, furrowing his brow to make it more realistic. She moved on but an air of disappointment lingered.

Back to looking at Danny.

Steve had discovered a very intriguing fact about his partner and ever since he had found out, Steve had been fantasizing what it might be like to actually—-

“Quit staring. Read your magazine.”

Caught! Steve fumbled with the magazine and nearly dropped it as he felt the burn blush of his face. “Sorry. I was just thinking I wish I could curl up like you.”

His lie worked. Danny bought it.

“Well I don’t have legs that are four feet long. I guess there are advantages to being my size.” Danny shifted and yawned. “I actually got a little sleep. You should try.”

“Yeah not sure that’s possible.” Steve shrugged.

“Well,” Dsnny said as he moved to get up, “I need to use the bathroom so can you slide out?”

When Danny was gone, Steve looked around and seeing that Danny had gone inside the bathroom, rummaged around Danny’s backpack to try to find his wallet with his driver’s license but stymied by the real possibility that Danny’s return was eminent, gave up and sat back.

The intelligence info could not be wrong especially about that.

“Thanks.” Danny slipped in front of Steve and settled again so Steve took the time now to also hit the head. Danny watched him go, his tall figure visible above the sight line of seats. Damn, he was good looking! Catherine was a lucky lady even though Danny did not think she treated Steve very well. It was obvious she thought herself superior in all ways in the relationship—smarter, better looking, funnier, and a better soldier or sailor whatever. Some mornings at the office after she was in town, or on dry land, Steve came in with painful looking bite marks on his neck. Not even hickeys which Danny could excuse but bite marks where you could see the outline of her teeth. Steve did not deserve that.

“Anything else in that backpack of yours?” Steve asked, sitting back down.

“I have some Pringles and some M&Ms. what do you want first?”

“Yeah? You gonna share with me?” Steve asked.

“Look, I am a courteous person. I’m not gonna sit here and eat snacks in front of you and not share them!” Danny tossed a small can of barbecue Pringles on Steve’s lap and kept the ranch flavor.

“Thank you.” Steve demolished the chips within seconds and wiped his hands on a napkin from their earlier drinks. “Want a Coke? I’ll wave down the attendant.”

“Ok. I could drink.” Danny glanced at his half pack of Pringles then over at Steve who was trying not to look at Danny while he ate. “Hey look Steve? These are not my favourite. Want to finish them? There’s about half a container here.”

“Really? Sure!”

Danny gave him the chips and looked out the window. He’d never realized how kind but shy Steve was. They’d only been working together a couple of months but that time had showed him some sides of Steve he never would have guessed, for better and for worse. Hanging a perp upside down off the top of a building was not a shining moment. Nether was just shooting the psycho killer who had murdered many young honeymooning couples but … there had been reasons. And while Danny was not entirely onboard with Steve’s methods, he could appreciate the results.

“After we have our pop, I’ll pass out the M&Ms.”

“K.”

They landed on time at LAX. This gave them nearly an hour and 45 minutes to reach their destination gate for Lot Polish airlines. They ate at Subway, and then hit a bodega to get some more snacks. No meat or fruit, Steve said, as they’d be prohibited from bringing those into Romania but packaged chips, pretzels, candy and crackers were all good.

They hung out in the lounge and played billiards until their flight was announced for Business Class pre-boarding. . Steve ushered Danny in front of him, a hand on the middle of his back. It was an odd gesture but Danny did not say anything. They found their seats as Steve nearly fell over Dsnny who had stopped in front of him.

“Steve? We each get our own space like this? Are you sure?”

“Yes. It’s Business Reserve Class. Do you want me to put your backpack up here or are you gonna hold on to it?”

“Uh I’m good. I’ll uh wow this is weird.” Danny sat down on the seat which was basically a seat in a section of its own surrounded by a barrier from the aisle. He had room to put the seat back like a bed and as he sat and admired his space, a flight attendant gave him a thick warm blanket, a nice pillow and a complimentary bag with a zipper, full of stuff. She also handed him a menu to fill out.

The flight would take nearly twelve hours. That meant dinner and breakfast would both be served, and Danny had his choice of foods, cooked and prepared by Michelin star chefs. He glanced back at Steve.

“What are you choosing for dinner?” He asked.

“I’m thinking the pickled beet salad, Brie and blue cheese with pita thins, Veal roulades with apple, marinated vegetables, morel sauce and berry pie with meringue swirls. How about you?”

Danny frowned. Everything was so fancy. Not that he wasn’t grateful. This was certainly an experience. “Uhhhhh I think the she crab soup, cottage cheese and Melba peach salad, the uh the uh… Salmon with a croquette stuffed with v shrimp, courgette and roast pepper sauce and the chocolate flourless cake with ganache filling.”

“That’s wonderful. I think we will both be happy with our choices! Have you checked out your bag? Oh you have a couple of USB ports too on the desk built ins.”

Danny looked and sure enough, there were two. Time to open his goodie bag.

Inside were headphones; toothbrush and toothpaste with a little bottle of mouthwash; socks; shaving kit; a bar of soap; generic deodorant; a towel; and an eye mask. Very high end stuff.

“Hey Danny! Pretty nice eh?” Steve says. He leaned up and gripped Danny’s shoulders. “Are you having fun?”

“Yeah I mean as much fun as I could have on a plane.” Danny settled back and fastened his belt. They were boarding the rest of the passengers and he got out a magazine to look at so he did not look like he was watching them walk past him.

He had noticed that a lot of the people who were taking this flight were…. For lack of a better eyes.. very European looking. He and Steve stuck out like the shirt tail relatives your momma always looked down upon. He was a bit nervous over their touchdown and how Bucharest would be. Neither he nor Steve spoke the language and that put them at a disadvantage. All he could think of were the Dracula movies and the superstitions that came to be true in the movies.

Steve touched his shoulder again and Danny jerked so hard that he dropped his magazine and bit his own tongue. “The flight will get us into Warsaw where we have an hour and a half to catch the plane to Bucharest. That flight is about an hour and a half.”

“That’s wonderful. “

“Yeah I think so!” Steve said happily totally missing the tone of Danny’s voice. “We are so gonna enjoy this vacation!”

Dinner was exceptional.

Danny enjoyed every bite of his soup, salad, and main course. He and Steve split their desserts which were ridiculously good. After eating, they both opted to brush teeth and get ready to sleep. Danny never thought he’d sleep but he was out quickly because of the eye mask and the sift blanket.

It took Steve a little longer. He was very comfortable and had ample leg room so space was not the problem. He looked up over the seat at Danny who apparently was already sleeping. Armed with new information about Danny made Steve feel dangerous, unsure of his own emotions. The truth was, he had never asked Catherine to accompany him. The last time they’d met up, she had found fault with almost everything Steve did or cooked. He was quite honestly tired of her harping and her attitude. There was nothing attractive about her. Even once she had had her breasts augmented, he was not particularly interested. They’d lasted this long because Steve, and he was sure she had too, pretended. It was all fakery. Smoke and mirrors. Utter bullshit and whatever other cliche you wanted to throw at it.

But Danny and his secret.

Steve closed his eyes and pulled the blanket around his shoulders, pretending he was being held by someone with exquisite aqua coloured eyes.

Breakfast was served at 7 AM the next day which might have been the last day or a day into next week. Steve had to ask the attendant and she told him it was Thursday morning. Nonetheless, the food was even better than dinner had been. Little silver dollar pancakes with a rather savory batter but made sweet from the strawberry syrup to pour on. Perfectly scrambled egg and little lean breakfast sausage links completed the main course with a delectable cheese danish and some yogurt to accompany it. Danny opted for the flavored tea which was exceptional when he added a little cream.

“I’m going to wait til we get to the hotel to bother to clean up,” Danny said. His beard was not bad; truthfully the older he got the less his hormones pumped out the fuzz. His chest had taken a huge hit over the past year. It felt odd not to have that insulated layer that used to keep him a bit warmer when it was cold but a lot of his hair had come off in the showers he’d taken.

“Yeah the bathroom isn’t big enough to do everything. But the teeth thing works.” Steve grabbed his toothbrush. “I’ll be right back.”

Another hour in the air and they landed at the airport in Warsaw. They had to hustle since their airline was at the other end of the terminal so they grabbed their duffels and off they went, backpacks bouncing on their backs as they ran through the crowds.

Their seats were economy as the radio station had paid for; they’d only be flying for about an hour and twenty minutes so when they sat down in the plane and there was a crabby lady who yelled at them in a strange language in the middle seat, they were on their best behavior. At one point, she was nice to Danny but slapped Steve’s shoulder while babbling away. By the end of the flight, Danny needed a drink and he was sure Steve had the same idea.

“What the fuck was her problem?” Steve said as he and Danny headed to the exit where they were supposed to meet the radio station escort. They did not have to wait at the baggage claim because they’d managed to find enough room in the overheads. However, they did have to go through Customs again just like they’d done in Poland.

They were ushered into a small room where a table of men in military uniforms sat, their chairs against one wall. Steve went first, his passport governmental, and military. They asked him a couple of the usual questions, their English good enough to be understood. Next came Danny. They passed his passport down as they all took a long look at it and he swallowed nervously. He felt Steve’s fingers graze his hand and he was grateful for that lifeline. What he wouldn’t give to grab that big hand and hold on to it.

Finally, without asking him anything, they stamped Danny’s passport with a definitive thump of the stamper.
“Here you go, little bird.”
Steve never wanted to punch anyone as much as he wanted to punch that man.

They used the restroom then and made their way to the departure gate where there was absolutely no rep from the radio station.

“So what’s the deal? Where is your guy to lead us to the hotel?” Danny set his duffel down and looked around.

“ uhhhhh I’m not sure. I guess we could …. Call… or no I guess I can’t because I need to buy a new SIM card or I can buy a cheap burner. “ Steve looked around. The shops were very different even from the ones he’d been to in the Middle East and Asia. There was a hardness here, kind of like a brutality that everyone seemed used to and it hung in the air.

“Excuse please? Steve…. Mac-Jareet and Danny William? My name Benji Lazur. Excuse me for late? Traffic. But now? I take you to hotel. Follow.”

Danny liked him immediately. He just had an aura about him that was light and almost warm. The fact that he was quite good looking did not hurt either, for he had long dark hair tied in a ponytail, dark eyes and even a cleft in his chin. Taller than Danny but shorter than Steve, he exuded confidence as they walked over to a small sedan.

“Here is car. We go now not too far. You ready to see Phoenix? Whoa good show!” He did a passable air guitar then grinned showing even white teeth.

“We were worried because we did not think anyone was coming to meet us. It was a little scary, since we don’t speak the language.” Steve helped put their duffels into the trunk. It was colder than he had anticipated and he shivered just a little.

“No no my faults. Entire. I hit stick in traffic. Should have left my house early. But come. You will like your hotel.” He glanced at Danny in the rear view mirror and smiled again. “It will be my pleasure to show you my city. And country.”

“Is Dracula’s castle close by?” Danny asked.

“You are interested? Yes? It is not close maybe two hours by driving. I will take you. See the Carpathian Mountains and visit some villages. All this we do Danny.”

Steve glanced at Benji who was glancing at Danny in the mirror. Danny, though, was watching out the window, marveling that Bucharest looked very typical of any industrial city in the states, which was in a way comforting.

“Danny and I,” Steve put a slight emphasis on the I, “have traveled for nearly two days. I think a hot shower and dinner at the hotel tonight if that’s ok?”

“You have the whole day. Yes shower then we find a good place to eat. Then we do some shop yes? Yes.”

“Yes.” Danny echoed and sat back. Perhaps this trip would be fun after all. He looked forward to walking around the city and checking out some stores. He was sure Steve felt the same. As long as they were together they could roll with the punches.

Danny shoved his secret in the far back of his mind and let himself relax. Bucharest Romania! Nobody ever got in trouble visiting Bucharest! Right? Right??

Wrong.

Chapter Text

‘…. One day you feel quite stable
The next you're coming off the wall
But I think that you should warn me
If you start heading for a fall
I see the problem start
I watch the tension grow
I see you keeping it to yourself
And then instead of reaching conclusions
I see you reaching for something else
No one could stop you now
Tonight you're on the loose
No one to tell you how
Tonight you're on the loose….’
—On The Loose/Saga

The hotel was nothing like what they expected. Part of the Marriott Hotel chain, the MARMOROSCH BUCHAREST, Autograph Collection, was a historic hotel in the midst of Old Town. During the 7 miles into the actual city from the airport, Benji promised them a delightful experience, telling them that the hotel had an indoor pool, a gym and a fully stocked restaurant that offered room service.

“Now you will like our city very much,” Benji said, and his eyes lingered for a moment on Danny who was staring out the window, trying hard to stay awake.

“It kind of looks like I imagined it would look,” Steve said. “The red tiles on the roof and the white washed buildings. Amazing!”

“Here we are. Old Town is just a few steps away too. This hotel is very very popular to tourists such as yourselves.” He put the sedan in park and jumped out, heading to the trunk to retrieve their bags.

Danny got out, the very action helping to wake him up a bit. He looked around and decided the buildings really did look like the photos on brochures and in movies. There were stands set up across the street and some hand carts selling food he supposed were hot dogs and sausages from the looks of the pictures on the sign. He could read nothing though; none of the words were remotely familiar.

“Danny?” Steve’s voice next to his ear startled him and he jumped. “I’m walking through quicksand too, buddy. Maybe we can grab a nap.”

“Come come my friends.” Benji led the way into the hotel and past the Concierge.

“Wow wow wow!” Danny said in admiration as he looked around the large lobby. The hotel was modern with a decided old fashioned twist. it was hard to explain the decor to someone who was not there but Danny took some photos with his phone as they walked over to the Guest Registry.

Benji handled things, speaking rapidly in Romanian, a Romance language heavily influenced by the Latin and Slavic roots of its founding people. As such, it was totally different than French or Spanish and Danny and Steve had no clue as to anything that was said. Within a few minutes, though, Benji turned and held up a key card.

“Gentle mens? This way.”

Their king suite was on the 12th floor, and had mixed elements of old and new. The windows that led out to a balcony overlooking a view of Old Town, were floor to ceiling. The bed was raised on a wooden platform with wood wall designs behind the headboard. A desk and a chair were the only added furniture but it was comfy and clean and boasted a very modern tiled and glass bathroom.

“Here you go. Closet is here,” Benji tapped the stand alone wardrobe, “and I’ll be back in two hours with your tee shirts and information of the concert. Also we will go out to eat. So make your souls at homes and I will return!” Benji bowed slightly and left, the door clicking shut behind him.

“How bad would it be to take an hour nap and then a fast shower?” Danny asked.

“Make it an hour and a half nap and really fast showers,” Steve answered. He peeled off his shirt and slipped out of his cargo pants. Danny did the same with his jeans and shirt and they hit the bed, which was soft with very stiff bleached clean sheets. Sleep hit them both like a freight train and when Steve’s phone alarm went off, the temptation to keep sleeping was strong. The only thing that stymied that was Benji’s promise to return soon.

“ I’ll be the Guinea pig to check out the shower,” Steve said. He pulled out clean clothes from his duffel and ambled into the bathroom. When the door shut, Danny reluctantly got up and got out his clothes then he ventured over to look out the windows.

Old Town was an interesting area of mixed modern establishments like restaurants and medieval ruins linked to Vlad the Impaler. The streets were the original cobblestone and the buildings were impressive. Danny’s stomach growled as he stood looking out and he tried to calculate the last time he’d eaten.

“Your turn!”

Danny turned to see Steve naked except for a towel hugging his narrow hips. He’d shaved and his wet hair stuck up at odd angles.

“Any tricks I should know about?” Danny asked.

“The handle on the toilet is the pull cord hanging from the tank. That’s about all that’s different. I had nice hot water the whole time.”

“Ok.” Danny slipped inside the steamy bathroom and stripped, did his thing and then stepped into the glass enclosed shower. Steve was right about the hot water. It felt good to get clean and Danny adjusted the shower nozzle so the blast of water hit the back of his neck. Oh he could almost cry that felt so good! He rubbed his face but there was no sign of whiskers and no need to shave.

Unlike Steve, who ambled out wearing just a towel, Danny dressed inside the bathroom. He decided on jeans, a grey sweater and a dark blue tee shirt under the pullover. What took him the most time was his hair but after he dried it and gelled it, he thought it looked ok.

“Benji is on his way,” Steve said as he hung up the room phone. “That outfit looks nice.”

“Huh?” Danny stared at Steve as though his partner had three heads. Neither one of them were in the habit of complementing looks or clothing so this was unexpected. In fact, every day when Danny wore a tie, Steve had something derisive to say.

“That sweater is nice….” Steve sighed and quickly changed the subject. He did not want Danny to possibly get the wrong idea or maybe he did but he had to play this just right. “Oh there’s Benji now.”

They walked a bit around the Old Town. Benji explained that they could go to Curtea Veche otherwise known as the ruins of Vlad the Impaler's former court; they had turned it into an open-air museum though it was still under construction. With Benji’s guidance, they hopped aboard the Metro to go the 2 stops towards the southern edge of the city.

“So Vlad was the inspiration for the book Dracula?” Danny asked. “I mean, there have been a ton of movies and plays about it and now here, we finally see what Bram Stoker imagined.”

“Well, that is tricky you see. I think Stoker saw the name Dracula which would have been Vlad’s father’s name. He used it that’s for sure, right? I mean right?” Benji pulled on Danny’s arm as Danny nodded. “But who knows how much Stoker knew of the how you say the deeds.”

“I read a book about Stoker and he said the whole concept came to him in a dream,” Danny said. “I’m into seeing the castle though it’s a tourist thing not anything but, at least that’s what I have read.”

“There are pockets of people who still believe. Apparently they have not read what you have read.” Benji pointed to the doors. “Here is where we get off.”

The Curtes Veche was indeed undergoing restorations but the structure itself was available to see. Built in 1400 and further expanded in 1559 by Vlad himself, it was the oldest building in the city. There were three huge archways along one side of the edifice and a tower that once hailed a church.

“We have nothing this old in the states,” Steve said as he touched the outside smooth stone. “This is amazing!”

“There is a lot more amazing to see but,” Benji grinned, showing even white teeth, “I bet you are hungry! So let’s go eat!”

“I could eat,” Danny muttered. “But I don’t want anything I don’t know, like… ox or wolf or buzzard or anything like that.”

Benji began to laugh and threw his arm around Danny’s shoulders, causing Steve to crowd in too. If Benji noticed he did not react.

“My friend, we will find a place that serves beef ok?”

“I’m just saying.. “ Danny muttered.

They decided to eat at Cari Cubere, a popular restaurant with the locals. Benji showed them the menu and the limited translations so they could order accordingly.

For starters, they had Platou de brânzeturi neaoșe, which was basically a cheese plate with pickled spring onions, olives, and three different cheeses. Pita breads accompanied the platter and it was a great way to begin their meal.

Danny chose salmon with fresh polenta, herbs, spring vegetables in a tangy sauce, and russet potatoes. Steve was more adventurous and wanted to try something distinctively Romanian. Benji pointed out that Steve would likely enjoy the braised pork with pork sausages, polenta and sauerkraut with caraway. Danny would not even take a bite of Steve’s but did try a sample of Benji’s meal which was a turkey Caesar salad with fresh cheeses.

But it was dessert that stole the show! They all split three choices— coffee cake with sour cherries, homemade ice cream with chocolate glaze, and a rich chocolate mousse cake! They washed everything down with a good robust house wine that was both sweet and tangy, with citrus notes.

“Now that is a meal worth having!” Danny said. “Wow! So delicious!”

“You have a little ice cream… here let me get it”Benji picked up his napkin but Steve jumped in, aware of what Benji was going to do.

“Here, Danny.” Steve wiped Danny’s mouth with his own napkin. “Much better.”

“Steve!” Danny touched his own lips. “I’m not a toddler!”

“Let’s walk off dinner!” Benji suggested, seeing how irritated Danny was. Perhaps a walk would help clear the air.

“I’d like to visit that toy store over there so I can look for something for my daughter,” Danny said, pointing at a cheery front with a huge stone teddy bear by the red doors.

“That’s a very good place! Come on!”

Inside the shop, Danny looked through the selection of toys and dolls. A lot of the figures were cultural which he liked, and the dresses were bright and colourful. He chose a soft doll with a head scarf and an embroidered blouse. The skirt was plain black but the hem had embossed flowers.

“How about this?” Steve strolled up and showed Danny a book of photos of the region. There were also some illustrations but it was well done and Danny nodded and put it with the doll. As they waited in line for Danny to pay for his purchase, Steve watched Benji talking on his mobile. Every once in a while, he glanced up at them and nodded to himself. Call it intuition from years in military intelligence or just an innate sense of protection, but Steve did not like what he was seeing.

“Danny?” He said quietly.

“What?” Danny shuffled closer. He was one person away from the register.

“I don’t trust Benji.”

Danny frowned and looked back at Steve. He was surprised and told Steve that he was being paranoid.

“No. No I’m not being paranoid. We have to be careful.”

“Steven. You’ve dragged me halfway around the world to this …. Country… where we do not speak the language or know what the fuck we are doing and now you do not trust the only link to civilization and survival? What about your friggen rock concert?”

“Oh we will still attend that but we need to be on guard. Ok? Just… be wary.”

Danny sighed. Leave it to Steve to get one of his feelings about an associate. Still. Danny looked over at their guide. Perhaps Steve was right and it killed Danny to think that. Benji seemed nice enough!

He paid for the items with his DISCOVER and there wasn’t a problem, much to his surprise. He thought perhaps the card company would ding him with a fraud question but none came through on his phone so he guessed they were ok.

“All set my friends?” Benji asked.

“Hey I have some questions about tomorrow,” Steve said. “Specifically, times. And location.”

“Ah well we will be at the Romexpo which is a covered dome venue here in the city! You’ll enjoy it because you have boxed seats. Yes? When you see Phoenix you will be the best guests!” He clapped Steve on the back. “Perhaps tonight though we should get you back to the hotel to rest.”

“What time will you be coming to pick us up tomorrow?” Steve asked.

“One o’clock. That means you can swim and work out and eat a good breakfast at the restaurant.” Benji put his hand on Danny’s shoulder. “What do you think? Did you like your day? Oh I forgot your shirts but I will bring them to you tomorrow.”

“It was good.” Danny picked up his pace a bit and Benji quit touching him. As soon as they reached the lobby of the hotel, Benji told them good night and left, hurrying out the doors.

“Wow what was that?” Steve mumbled.

“I dunno but maybe you’re right—-“

“Danny, did you say I was right? Can I have that in writing please?” Steve teased as they walked towards the elevators.

“You are really annoying tonight, you know that?” Dsnny huffed but he said it with a smile so Steve smiled too. As they got in the lift, two men, both in business suits, hurried on. One of them pressed the button for the floor above Steve and Danny while the other one pressed the floor button below theirs. Steve instinctively stood closer to Danny ; Danny noticed and edged towards Steve until they were safely off the elevator.

“Well. Nothing says this is a foreign country like swarthy guys in ill fitting black suits with loud ties,” Danny muttered.

“Really strange here isn’t it?” Steve opened the door and let Danny in first so he could lock the door. He double tested the chain and door lock, then hurried to the bathroom and brought out a washcloth which he jammed into the latch to stop unauthorized entry. “Hey. Did I see some band aids in that backpack of yours?”

“Yeah. What are you doing looking in my backpack?” Danny asked.

“Danny. Can I have a big band aid, like the biggest one you have?”

“Yeah. Hang on.” Danny found his portable first aid kit (a sticking stuffer from Gracie) and took out the biggest plaster. He handed that to Steve, who used it to cover the peephole. “Uh what’s that do?”

“Some people have high tech devices they use to hold up to the peephole and scan the room. This prevents that from happening.” Steve stepped back and walked quickly to the windows where he pulled the drapes. “Do not be standing in front looking out, at least not tonight.”

“Steve, you are freaking me out a bit. Should we go back to the airport? Leave tonight?” Danny sat on the bed and looked spooked.

“You know…. I don’t know. Maybe I’m just being paranoid. We are both tired. It’s been a long… two days. “ he took a deep breath. “I don’t mean to scare you, Danny. I just want us to be safe so let’s just see what happens tonight.”

“You did not bring your gun did you?” Danny said with a regretful tone.

“No. No I didn’t. But… we will be ok. Just … let’s be vigilant.”

“Vigilant, yeah ok.” Danny stood and headed for the bathroom. “I’m gonna fall into bed and forget about the bad guys and vampires.”

“Yeah, buddy, I’m right there with you.”

Danny decided not to take another shower since he’d just be doing that in the morning. He changed into his loungers and slipped his feet into flip flops. After washing his face and brushing his teeth, he toweled off his face and as he turned to leave, a flash reflection in the mirror caught his eye and he fingered the fine chain with the cross that had been blessed by the local parish priest in Hawaii. He had one for Steve too, and he rummaged around in his shave kit to find it.

“Steve, don’t move.” Dsnny ordered as he came out of the bathroom. Steve froze, though his eyebrows disappeared into his hairline. “I got something for you. Hold still while I put it on you.”

Steve barely breathed as Danny’s cool fingers brushed the sides of his neck but the necklace was on and the cross dangled nicely against his well defined chest. “Danny. This is really nice.”

“It’s blessed by Fattier Sotu of Our lady of the Lake Catholic Church. I think it is imperative we wear something to protect us.”

Steve was beyond flattered and grateful. There was Danny, being selfless once again. To watch him without knowing him, one would think he was nothing but a slightly swaggering smart ass whose mouth made up for his size. But Steve had come to know the real Dsnny, the one who was soft and kind and cared. Watching him with his 8 year old daughter was a delight.

“Thank you.”

“Your turn in the bathroom. I want to go to sleep which means I’ll be waiting for you to lumber over to bed and disturb me by being essentially you. So go on. Hurry up.”

Steve sauntered into the bathroom, happy that Danny had also thought of protecting him from whatever forces might lie ahead. But that was ridiculous wasn’t it? To buy into vampire lore? Well, Steve thought, he’d witnessed strange things in Asia. Who knows what they might be up against here. One thing for certain? He was not going to let Danny out of his sights at all tomorrow. There was too much opportunity for anything to happen. Steve was going to make sure nothing could happen.
******************

“What do you suppose THAT is?” Danny asked as he stared at the platter of dark colored round sliced meats.

“Blood sausage,” Steve answered. He had found some bagels and put one on his plate and one on Danny’s. “This jam looks good.”

“If that’s peanut butter,” Danny picked up the jar and sniffed, “they are doing it wrong.”

“These eggs and potatoes look good,” Steve said trying to be positive. Danny admitted they certainly did, out of all the items on the breakfast buffet, and he and Steve loaded their plates with the foods they knew. They found a table in the bright sun room housing the breakfast buffet abd sat down to eat.

“I don’t trust the sausages. They could be horse meat or possum meat or I dunno some kind of meat we are not used to eating,” Danny said as he stirred his tea. “The coffee is suspect too. Very weak. How can they have weak coffee? Isn’t this like a former Communist country?”

“What does that have to do with coffee? Anyways, this bagel is good. Not much they can do with that.” Steve spread jam on it and took a bite. “It’s good. I was right.”

“Excuse. Pancake?”

Both men looked up to see a polo shirt wearing server, the name of the hotel emblazoned on the front pocket of the shirt. She held a tray of decent looking pancakes and a container of syrup.

“Yes thank you,” Danny held his plate up and she placed a pancake on it. She gave him the container of syrup, a metal vessel with a spout on one end, and Danny doused his pancake with the sweet sticky stuff.

“I’ll take one.” Steve did the same and then tipped her before she could walk away.

“Thanks you.” She rewarded them with a big smile and off she went to the next table.

“That was nice. Where did you get the currency?” Dsnny asked. He waved his hand at Steve’s wallet with Romanian currency peeking out of it.

“A friend of mine in Honolulu changed a bunch of my money over. She works at that huge bank on Wellcana Avenue.”

“Friends in good places,” Danny teased. “His attention went back to his plate. “This pancake is delicious!” He tapped forks with Steve and they ate, chatting about the cleanliness of the area and how many families were at the tables in the room. “Bucharest would be the last place I’d go for a holiday. Can you imagine? Hey kids! Instead of Disney we are going to Romania. Just imagine Mickey Mouse sucking the blood out of Minnie.”

Steve almost spouted his tea and had to hold up his napkin because he was laughing. The tea threatened to come out his nose. This delighted Danny because he loved to tease Steve so Steve would gag up whatever he was drinking in an unexpected laugh.

“You’re the devil,” Steve whispered but his dark blue eyes were sparkling and he looked at Danny in more than just a casual way. Danny met that look and for a moment something extraordinary passed between them.

“Boys! I’m early but you have some public releases to sign before the show!” Benji pulled up a chair and grinned. “Good breakfast?”

“It’s not bad,” Steve said.

“Did you fellows sleep good? You’ll be up late today.”

“I need ear plugs,” Danny said. “I’m not blowing my hearing on some dope ass band I’ve never heard of. They probably don’t sing in English.”

“Oh pasăre mică, you are so disorderly this morning. Of course we have those ear stoppers.” Benji pantomimed putting something in his ear.

“What did you call him?” Steve asked. Benji just laughed and took his mobile out. It was ringing so he held his finger up as if to say one minute and walked away chattering to the caller. “Guess I’m done with breakies.” Steve sighed snd watched their guide as he spoke on his mobile.

“Steve.” Danny gently placed his hand on Steve’s wrist. He was not surprised that Steve was built so well and even his wrists were strong. The man was buff —anyone could see that —but touching him here seemed almost intimate. Danny lightly ran his finger back and forth on the underside of Steve’s wrist. “Let’s just go and have a good time. Maybe we are just suspicious because we see crime happen every day to the point where it’s hard to trust. We are creatures of habit. Let’s just go to the stupid concert and have fun.”

Steve exhaled and brought Danny’s hand up to his mouth where he lightly kissed it. “ okay. Sorry.”

They followed Benji to their room and there, they got ready for the concert. He had brought them tee shirts with the radio station, the sponsor of the show, predominantly presented. The shirts were all black with the characters in silver and in English. ROCK FM 100.6 FM ‘Rock Out’.

“These are nice,” Danny said. He stepped into the bathroom and took off his shirt and put the black tee on. At least it was long sleeved because it was cool and damp outside, having rained earlier that morning. “Your turn, Steve.” Danny sat on the edge of the bed while Benji sat in the chair.

“Why do you have a bandage on your door?” Benji asked, staring curiously at the peep hole.

“It prevents spying. Steve says there are devices that can scan your room using access to the peephole.”

“Oh.”

Danny saw the look on Benji’s face before the man schooled himself to act like he was disinterested. Oh but he certainly WAS interested and Danny could tell, using his detective instincts, that Benji was not happy about the bandage. It was sad to think Benji might have an ulterior motive as Danny did like him.

“So Steve and I think we will be going back early. You know, since the show is today, we could leave the day after tomorrow. No reason to stick around.”

“Did Danny tell you?” At that point, Steve joined Danny on the bed, sitting beside him. “Yeah we really think this whole experience is very nice but why should your radio station pay for all theses nights in the hotel when we could just go home?”

“But you can’t!” Benji said hurriedly. He looked anxious, no, more than anxious. “You should not leave!”

“What’s the deal here? What’s really going on?” Steve asked suspiciously.

“Nothing! We have a concert! I will be responsible yes? To tell my boss you are not happy with me or my job. I will be on fire!” Benji said.

“On… fire?” Steve asked. “Do you mean fired? Out of a job ?”

Benji was on his feet and practically crying. “Yes yes!”

“It’s ok. We will stay.” Danny got up and put his arm around the man’s shoulders as there was nothing fake about Benji’s performance here. . “Don’t worry. We will stay. Neither one of us wants you to get fired. Pull it together and I guess we are ready to go?”

“Yeah let’s go. I’m actually pretty excited to hear and see Phoenix.” Steve fell in step with Danny and Benji as they walked out to the car.

The three of them drove to the venue in Benji’s sedan and when they arrived at the impressive structure, Benji parked around the back. As he closed and locked his driver’s side door, he told them to stay close to him as they navigated between the stage area where all the equipment was loaded in and a set of stairs that led them to a lounge/office area.

“You know, Steve, I found Phoenix on Apple Music and listened to them. They aren’t bad. Kind of reminds me of a cross between the Scorpions and Metallica meets Megadeath and Weezer.”

“That’s…” Steve frowned and ran a hand through his wavy hair, “just about accurate. Is the band here yet?”

“They will be. There’s a radio spot for them to do a… how you say it…ow-cues uh…. A.. uh.. “ Benji faltered, “I’m not sure what to call a performance with no electric power.”

“Acoustic?” Danny asked.

“Yes!” He clapped once and pointed at Danny. “That’s it! So they will do that. As for us, come get your passes.”

Steve met the DI who was popular on the radio station; they called him Frosty, mainly because of his dyed white hair that was cut and arranged into a pseudo Mohawk. He was a big man with a booming voice, pierced ears, and.a purple shirt. Around his neck he wore several thick link gold chains, including one with a big gold anchor charm. Frosty also had a variety of tattoos including a cavalcade of tears running down one side of his face. Danny thought he looked ridiculous but people were treating him like a Demi god so Danny just hung back and waited for Steve. He honestly wanted no part in his hanging with some dude whose inspiration must have been Kerrang!

They took photos of Steve with the DJ and the executives of the station. Steve posed with Frosty, under a poster of Phoenix and the size difference between the two was, Danny thought, quite amusing. The man looked like he could easily gobble Steve up if he wanted to do just that.

Steve admitted to being a big fan of the music, though, which satisfied the radio people. Suddenly, a big cacophony surged forward and in came the members of Phoenix, the band flanked by security toting automatic weapons.

Phoenix had, as its name suggested, risen from the ashes throughout the many years it was making music for the masses. The founding member had passed in 2024, so the current lineup following Nikki Covaci's passing included Costin Adam (vocals), Cristi Gram(guitar), Vlady Săteanu (bass), Flavius Hosu (drums), and Lavinia Săteanu (violin).  They had formed as a band in 1962, with Covaci calling the shots but there had been many evolutions over the years as band members came and went.

Steve shook hands and posed with the band, and finally he could go sit with Danny as the techs set up for the acoustic gig.

“Longest meet and greet of my life.,” Steve muttered as he sat down beside Danny. He leaned close to Danny so they could talk as the techs and roadies were hauling out instruments and set pieces for the stage so there was a lot of noise.

“I can’t believe how old these guys are. Not that it’s not ok!” Steve said hastily.

“Yeah, you don’t want to be ageist.”

“You’re right. Look at the Stones. Jagger is what…. 82?””

“Yeah something like that,” Danny agreed.

“The dude Frosty? He’s unique. Very bad breath.”

Danny started to giggle and Steve was pleased he could amuse his partner.

“You don’t have to kiss him thank goodness!” Danny sipped the Coke that Benji had brought him.

“I guess they are going to perform for listeners soon.”

“Count me intrigued,” Danny teased. “Where did our boy Benji go?” Danny looked around for their guide.

“Do you …. Do you…. know… you know like him?”

“Like him?” Danny repeated and cocked his head. “Are we in junior high? Shall I make one of those pocket 8 balls?”

“No I mean ok just forget it I’m sorry I asked it was stupid.”

“Steve. Steve look at me please.” When Steve turned around, looking like his dog had died, Danny reached for one of Steve’s hands. “Hey. You and me… we are special right? Buddies. Brothers. Friends. Partners. I don’t LIKE him but I you know think he’s ok. We have our suspicions but I mean, maybe we are being paranoid. I dunno. Benji is ok. But he’s nothing like you.”

“Danny. I know something about you and you have to believe me it was not because I asked about it. “ Steve blurted out then shook his head. “No I did not mean that. It’s the jet lag, has me confused.” He was backpedaling because he saw the way Danny was shutting down in front of him, access taken away one by one.

“Wow. Can’t leave stuff alone. Always gotta be poking around in someone’s personal life. Honestly! Wow.” Danny crossed his arms and turned away, shifting his body and giving Steve literally the cold shoulder.

“I am sorry ok? I just want you to know I’ll do my best to protect you.”

The moment was interrupted thank goodness by Frosty who half jogged half walked over to where they were sitting. He had changed into the black tee with the call letters and his chains were hanging down from his neck.

“Gentlemen? Come listen to our favourite band. Do you want a beer?” Frosty looked Danny up and down. “Who is this fine specimen?”

“This is my friend Danny. He came with me to hear the band too.” Steve explained. He did not like the predatory look on Frosty’s face.

“Hi. Nice to meet you.” Danny did a little hand wave and stood up, sticking close to Steve. “Lead on.”

As they listened to Phoenix grind out a rather painful acoustic version of ‘BrandyYou’re A Fine Girl,” Danny’s thoughts were firing on all cylinders. He glanced at Steve, caught Steve looking at him and quickly looked away. Did Steve suspect? Did he know? Had he used his connections to uncover the truth? Danny was feeling sick. All these years of hiding his secret, his awful secret that, when he was born, his parents tried to deny until an incident when Danny was 12. After that, they’d discarded him emotionally and concentrated on Matt, the star athlete of the clan. Danny was often left home during functions with the family and if there was something going on at their own house, Clara implied that he go elsewhere so they could have a good time without feeling guilty.

The tree house became Danny’s home. He fixed it up, even paid a buddy to put electric in it so the only reason he’d have to come inside the house was to wash his clothes and to use the bathroom or shower. His sisters made fun of him until the eldest hit pregnant and then she was the focus of shame.

Probably the biggest hurt in Danny’s life came about when he found out Rachel was pregnant with a baby. Not his baby. Physically impossible. He suspected it had been Stan Edwards who was the father all along but he did love and adore Grace. He was all she knew as her ‘real’ Daddy and he would go to his grave telling her he was.

“Look. I’m sorry ok?” Steve gripped Danny’s shoulders.

“Let go. People are looking. You’re supposed to be here enjoying this band or whatever they are calling it.”

The second they hit the last note in their acoustic set, Danny was up and looking for a bathroom. The eggs and toast were not sitting well suddenly and he just needed space. He left Steve sitting by himself as he navigated towards the lounge area. A tough looking older man in uniform and sporting an automatic rifle slung over one shoulder shook his head no as Danny neared the clearly marked toilet. He could not argue nor did he want to, so he just shrugged and walked even further, past the backstage area to the public access seats where there was another set of bathrooms marked with a lit up picture of a toilet.

Danny ducked in and locked himself in the farthest stall. The bathroom was clean and smelled like disinfectant which was good, because it probably would not after the concert, Danny thought. He peed, flushed the toilet then perched on it just to give himself time to think about what Steve had asked him.

Voices startled him and without thinking, he lifted his feet off the floor so it would appear the stall was empty. Surprisingly they were conversing in English and he felt just like he had when he was in high school, eavesdropping on the cool kids while he was stuck in a stall.

“Do they suspect anything?” Speaker one.

“No. Clueless. I’m surprised too because they were billed as such good detectives!” Speaker two.

“We need to do it tonight. I mean, we’re getting close to the time—“ One..

“Benji is earning their trust. He said they want to go see the castle so that will be a good time to strike.” Two.

“We gotta do this the right way. We are paying enough to the Governor for their services. But there has to be some persuasion.” One.

“Alright. We can take them at the castle and pretend we’re vampires. Convince them to help us. “ Two.

More men came into the bathroom and Speakers One and Two said nothing more.

Danny was numb. He burst out of the stall and pushed his way through the men to get to the sink and wash his hands. When he was done, Danny literally ran out to get to Steve.

“

Chapter Text

….’Know me broken by my master
Teach thee on child, love of hereafter
Into the flood again
Same old trip it was back then
So I made a big mistake
Try to see it once my way
Drifting body, it's sole desertion
Flying not yet, quite the notion
Into the flood again
Same old trip it was back then
So I made a big mistake
Try to see it once my way…’
—Would/Alice In Chains

Steve breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Danny returning to the area, moving purposefully through the crowd. The second he reached Steve, he grabbed Steve’s arm and pulled him close.

“We need to talk. This whole thing is bullshit.”

“What are you talking about?” Steve asked. “I know you don’t like this band but—-“

“It’s not about the fucking band, Steve!” Danny reiterated. He gripped Steve’s shoulders and looked his partner squarely in the face. “We are here under false pretenses. The Governor was PAID to send us here so this radio contest winning was a scam. I’m not sure what they want to do with us but Benji is in on it. We gotta get out of here!”

“How do you even know this?” Steve asked.

“I heard two guys talking in the washroom. They did not know I was there but I swear to God they brought us here under a scam! We gotta go!”

“Ok.” Steve looked around and saw a couple of the security guards watching them. Whether it was just casual or there was a sinister side, Steve had no idea but he knew they’d better figure something out quickly. “Look, we can’t act like we know something. When the music starts we can slip out. Grab a cab back to the hotel, get our stuff and head to the airport.”

“Sounds good. Anyplace in there we could stop and buy a gun?” Danny giggled. He was anxious for sure, Steve thought.

“If I see an opportunity, I’ll take it,” Steve answered. “Here comes Benji. Are you sure he’s part of this?”

“Yes he is. I’m sure. They mentioned him.”

“Well my friends! What do you think?” Benji asked as he walked towards them, arms outstretched like he was a greeter.

“Blows my mind that this band is still around!” Steve said. “They’ve gone through a lot of changes.” He glanced at Danny who was looking down at the floor, his expression unreadable. “Danny and I were wondering who the opening band is?”

“Oh I can answer that! It’s a local band, up and coming, D.E.N.I.S. It is called! I think you will like them.” Benji sighed and looked at his watch. “Do you want to go somewhere and sit for a while before the show begins?”

Danny felt every nerve firing. He was dammed sure he did not want to go anywhere with this man but Steve’s plan made sense so he pretended to be enthused at the prospect of going ‘somewhere’ with Benji. He told himself he could not reach for the reassurance of Steve’s hand in his; just being near Steve would have to do.

“I’m ok right here. It does not look like we are in the way.” Steve shrugged and looked around him. “Want to join us?”

Danny watched as Benji’s expression said he was struggling with that decision but he would not object. Obviously, it was going against whatever plans they had for Steve and he.

“Uh yes ok in a little bit. I’ll be right back.” Benji loped off, reaching for his mobile as he retreated.

“Danny,” Steve hissed. “When that huge set piece passes in front of us. We are going to take off to that loading bay door. See it?”

“Uh huh.” Danny glanced at it.

“I don’t know what’s going on but I do trust your instincts on this, buddy.” Steve stood and pretended to stretch but in reality he was getting ready with Danny to make a run for it.

As the crew carried in a huge piece of the fire breathing dragon to prepare the backstop of the stage, Steve nodded and he and Danny ran quickly out the door beside the truck bay, down the steps and through the parking lot. The only advantage they had was the site for the show was in the city and they were not stranded out somewhere in the country.

“I don’t like being out here in the open!” Steve yelled. He pointed to a series of arches on the adjoining building with parking spots in front. “Let’s go up there!”

Danny followed Steve as fast as he could go. His knee had been bugging him a bit, an old injury from when he was allowed to play Little League before the ‘event’ and now it was coming back to haunt him. The injury was at least, not the ‘event’ though it was apparent Steve had some knowledge of the reason for what had happened to Danny when he was 12.

They clung to the inner sides of the walkway in front of the arches and watched as every car went by. Danny was certain he’d be able to recognize Benji’s because Danny liked cars a lot and had gone to his fair share of automobile shows in Jersey.

“Now what the hell are we gonna do?” Danny asked. “We can run to that street down there.” He pointed. “We’ll be out in the open for a bit.”

“Wait!” Steve took out his phone. “I downloaded this app when we got here because I saw the sign at the airport.” He showed Danny who huddled close. “It’s called Blue and it operates just like Uber only cheaper. It’s also all in English!”

“Did I tell you that you are brilliant?” Danny muttered. He watched as Steve used the app to order them a ride, giving out the address in general for pick up.

“The cars are clearly marked. As soon as we see it, and I can watch it here on this APP, we can get in and head to the hotel.”

“Don’t you think that’s the first place they will look, Steve?” Danny asked.

“If we get a head start on them it will be ok. We can grab our stuff and run. What are they gonna do? Shoot us in front of guests? Even detaining us would be tricky.”

“Point taken. I also hate it when you’re right.”

“We gonna do this now?” Steve asked but he was interrupted by a glance at the phone. “He’s coming! There he is!” Steve stepped out and waved his arms. Danny followed suit and the mini Rover pulled up by the curb. “Hi.” Steve got into the back with Danny. “Take us to the Hotel MARMOROSCH Bucharest Hotel please.”

“Yes ok.” He took a drag from his cigarette and slowly pulled out onto the service road.

“Extra money if you get us there quickly.” Steve added.

Immediately, the driver floored and shifted the sedan as it spun out onto the crowded city street. Danny was jostled to one side and grabbed hold of Steve so he would not fall off the seat.

“You criminal?” The driver asked.

“No. We are actually police officers here on holiday but things are … we need to go home because there’s a big case.”

“You want your tee shirt?” He eyed Steve up using the mirror. “I take that instead of fare.”

“You’ve got a deal.” Steve peeled off his concert tee and it was lucky he had a plain white tee on underneath. “There you go.”

“Uh oh Steve we’ve got company,” Danny muttered as he looked back and saw Benji in his car following them.

“If you lose the tail you can have his too!” Steve yelled.

“You got a deal Wayne Brady!” Suddenly the driver turned sharply to the right into another section of downtown but Benji, not anticipating it, went straight. Danny was satisfied with the look on Benji’s face.

“Danny! Give him your shirt!” Steve ordered.

“Yeah yeah ok.” Danny took his off. He’d worn a long sleeved dark blue tee under the concert shirt. “Here.”

“I drop you off in Old Town and you run to hotel. Fool the bad guy!”

“That works!” Steve said. They were within sight distance of the hotel when the driver pulled over so they could scramble out. “This way, Danny!” Steve said plunging into the people around the market place.

“Steve! Hold my hand!” Danny caught up with Steve and grabbed Steve’s hand. “That way we won’t get separated!”

In that manner they nearly made it to the street to their hotel that paralleled the market but Steve stopped abruptly and shoved Danny back against a facade.

“What are you doing?” Danny asked. He followed Steve’s pointing finger and ducked back against the wood. “Benji and a friend!” In front of the hotel, in the circular unloading zone, Benji and an armed police officer leaved against Benji’s sedan.

“Yeah. Fuck. We can’t go back at least not now.” Steve sighed. “So now what?”

“I guess we get something to eat, lay low and try to blend in with these people,” Danny said.

“We need hats, you especially. The Hawaiian sun has been very good to your hair.” Steve started back towards the merchant booths.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Danny’s hand flew up to his hair.

“You are streaky blonde. Stands out. Ok how about this hat? I think it’s their National Football Team so you can look like a native.” Steve paid for two hats, both different, gave one to Danny and put on the other. “There. That’s better.”

Danny looked in the mirror that the merchant had on the table and had to admit the hat hid his hair fairly well. As he was admiring the hat, though, he glimpsed a couple of armed police, weapons in their hands, walking through the crowd as though looking for someone and maybe it wasn’t that they were looking for him and Steve precisely but it was too much of a coincidence.

“Time to go!” Danny pulled Steve along and they both rushed through the crowd trying to put as much distance as they could between themselves and the armed men. Perhaps they were not who the police wanted, Danny thought, but he was taking no chances. “Shit!” Danny stopped as two more police were coming the other way towards them. He saw an alley with apartments on either side and pointed. “That way?”

“Seems as good as any!” Steve said with a nod.

They lost themselves in a labyrinth of apartment and storefronts. It seemed like everywhere they turned there were police and one time they saw Benji.

Next to a fountain in a small square, Steve paused with Danny to try and get a sense of what they should do next. He’d tried to call home but it seemed the cell signals there had been jammed so the phone was useless.

“Hey guys? Psssst! Follow me!”

Steve and Danny turned around to see the pancake girl from the buffet. She had a small furry dog on a leash but she was beckoning to them, waving her hand frantically. “Come come!”

“Might as well,” Steve said. “We are out of options.” They hurried along with her until she stopped in front of a double wrought iron door. She used a key to open it and the dog ran ahead of her to sniff around inside the enclosed courtyard.

“Come.” She led the way to a ground level apartment, unlocked the door and with a furtive glance around, pushed them inside.”welcome to my home.” She took the leash off her dog who ran into the small kitchen adjacent to the living room where they stood now. “It is not too much but my home.”

“Thank you. How did you know we were.. are on the run?”

“They told us today at the hotel. We could earn more money by spy on you. I say no. They throw me out for the day and tell me I’m stupid. Oh well.” She indicated the couch with the sweep of her hand. “Sit and rest. I make tea.”

“Thank you for going against them. By the way, I’m Steve. This is Danny. And you are….” Steve chuckled as the dog jumped on Danny’s lap. Danny fluffed the dog’s fur and began to pet him.

“I am Jolee and this creature is Jinx.”

“He’s nice!” Danny said.

“He … not he… Jinx is a girl like me.” She smiled and got busy at the kitchen counter.

“Thank God she came along,” Danny said softly. “It’s ridiculous that they called the big guns to find us.”

“Jolee, did they say why you should spy on us?” Steve asked.

“Said you are useful. you have to help with something going on.” She brought the tea in and poured them each a cup. “Myself? It is stupid. I hate all the… uh… “ and searched for the word…”like mystery. Just tell you. Ask you. Don’t make you.”

“I like you more every second,” Danny said.

“Oh.” Jolee blushed and they drank their tea in relative silence.

“Does your phone work?” Steve asked.

“The service here? Very bad. At hotel it is good. See?” She held up her phone. “No service.”

“Damn. Ok. We will have to go somewhere that has it.” Steve sat back.

“We can’t go back to the hotel,” Danny said. “They have our stuff and we can’t get it.”

Jolee smiled. “You can not. But I can. Give me your key card and also I can call your friend. You stay here and we will… out brain them!”

“Thank you. We really appreciate it! Just be careful.” Steve handed Jolee his card. “If you have some paper I will write down the phone number of my team back home and the message.”

“If you could just let Jinx out in the garden. Go down the hall and you will see it.” Jolee put on her jacket. “She will need to go out soon.”

“No worries. We can do this.” Danny smiled and patted the dog who wagged her tail and looked adoringly at Danny. “Be careful, Jolee.”

“I promise you. I will be careful.”

When she was gone, Danny sat down on the couch, leaned his head back and closed his eyes. It had been a long day already. He was hungry and tired and a whole lot annoyed that they’d fallen into this crazy web of lies and uncertainty.

“Why do you think the Governor agreed to do this?” Steve asked.

“What?” Danny looked up in feigned surprise. “You’re asking me? You know her better than I do! Come on!”

“Ok, it was just a random question. I’m still,” Steve said wearily, “trying to put it all together. Thank God for Jolee. If she hadn’t found us…. If she hadn’t found us… oh shit!” Steve stared at Danny with the kind of look that told Danny exactly what Steve was thinking and Danny was thinking the same. “We gotta go.” Steve jumped up and ran to the fridge. He got out a couple bottles of water and a pack of cookies and left some money on the counter . “Come on!” He hated like hell to go but there was just something too coincidental about Jolee showing up at this time.

They left the apartment and instead of going out the front gate, Danny led the way to the back gate, passing by the garden Jolee had mentioned for the dog. Carefully, Danny opened the fence door and looked around. Things seemed normal. Nobody in the small square was doing anything but going about their business.

“Which way?” Danny asked.

“Let’s get to another hotel down the ways. I think I see a sign for a Snail Studio Apartments and Hotel. Come on.”

“Do you think they’ll ping your credit card!?” Danny asked. Steve stopped walking and ran a hand through his hair. “Ok so there’s a bank. Let’s go to the window and be a confused tourist and change over some money. I got like 400 dollars American and the dollar was trending at 4 dollars thirty cents. That’s like a lot of RON.”

“Ok we can change over some of your money. Let’s go.” Steve led the way.

The teller at the bank spoke English and Danny converted 200 US dollars to the Romanian currency. Once that was done, Steve and Danny headed to the hotel where they could find a place to hide out and call home.

Steve paused at the doors. “How about if you kind of walk over and busy yourself with something else while I get our room? We can call for tickets for the plane too after we get our room but maybe it would be best if we are not seen together right now.” Danny nodded and hustled over to stand in line at the coffee kiosk. They had sandwiches in the case and at this point he would eat anything. Perhaps being pursued whet his appetite.

Steve secured a room for the night with the option of another and walked over to the elevators. Danny watched him then ambled over with his bag of food in his backpack. He carried two iced drinks and heard Steve say 409 as he waited in the other portal.

Within a few minutes, Danny knocked on the door and Steve opened it quickly and pulled Danny inside.

“Were you followed?”

“No not at all.” Danny sat on the bed and sighed. “Here. Soooooo the drinks are orange something and I got chips and sandwiches in my backpack.”

“This is fucking crazy.” Steve held up a burner phone in a sealed package. “Guess what they had at the check in kiosk?”

“One stop shop!” Danny said and felt the worry leave his body. They had a burner. Food. A place to stay.

“Yeah they had condoms and lube there too. Is that insane?” Steve took a long swallow of his drink.

“Well this IS a hotel. I guess people are DTF and come here a lot.” Danny waited, wondering if Steve caught on to the obvious pun.

“Ha ha… I’m sure they DO come here a lot. Are we in fourth grade?”

“Shut up and eat,” Danny said. “It’s tuna salad. Or fish salad some kinda fish.”

“It’s good!” Steve took a big bite. “Or I’m hungry.”

“Call Chin. Tell him we need tickets to get the hell out of here.”

“ yeah I’m just connecting to the hotel WIFI now.” Steve looked up at Danny. “Do you think Jolee was in with Benji and company?”

“I think,” Danny measured his response, “even nice people can be bought. That’s what I think.”

“Alright, I’ve just gotta wait til this powers up and we are good to go.” Steve sniffed his own armpit. “Ew.”

Danny started to laugh. “Really? Oh my gosh… you are.. I dunno… something.” Danny opened his backpack and reached in. “I got a clean tee for you tomorrow and a clean pair of underwear. But you don’t have to wear that shirt tonight. We can wash them in the sink cuz I have this too!” He held up a small bottle of dawn. “It works really well.”

“You… are amazing… wow. What else you got in that pack?” Steve went to take a look and Danny moved it away.

“Nope. Private.” He walked over to the windows and looked out. “I don’t see anybody who resembles Benji and his merry gestapo. Or secret police or whatever.”

“Let’s hope they don’t know where we are.”

They watched some tv, mostly a sports channel because all the rest were in a language they could not understand. Danny dozed and Steve watched the phone powering up. He had to wait until he had sufficient juice to call Hawaii.

“You gonna tell me or do I guess!?” Steve asked. He had not bothered to turn on a light so the room was semi dark with just the tv glow. Danny sniffed, coughed and turned over onto his back.

“Tell you what exactly?” Danny muttered.

“About you being a Carrier.” Danny tensed so much that Steve could feel it on his side of the bed, so Steve plowed ahead. “Look, don’t get mad. I did not pry. It was un redacted. information in a case file about you. I read it right after I asked you to be on the task force. I was not hustling your private information but it’s out there and you should know it.”

Danny said nothing. Steve took a deep breath and looked over to see his partner’s eyes were closed and a single tear fell down his cheek.

“Danny—-“

“Don’t. Just don’t. It’s pretty shitty of you to bring this up now. How long have you known?”

“Since right before we solved the Meka case.”

“Well fuck me.” Danny sat up and swung his legs over the edge of the bed. “It’s not fair. Now you’ll think of me differently. I never wanted to be that guy you know. My parents were and are so… fucking ashamed of me they can’t even look me in the eyes. Do you know after Rachel and I divorced my own mother replaced me at Sunday dinners with Stan because she knew… I
Could not father Gracie. Carriers can’t. But Rachel did not know that so she thought her secret was hidden. That she Abd Stan were screwing under my nose and Grave was the product.”

“Danny. I did not realize…. I’m so sorry… “

“No. You don’t get to feel sorry because I’ve accepted it. The one thing I need to do is to put value in myself. To believe in myself and be a good person regardless of being a freak. “

“You’re not a freak—“

“Well that’s where you are wrong, my friend. The National Health Organization does not recognize Carriers as nothing more than a genetic anomaly. We are essentially freaks of nature. Yahoo. So my parents took that to heart and excluded me from just about everything and anything. I hate it. I hate that part of me.” Danny sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “It does not make me feel better that there’s some secret,” he used an air quote, “file on me that YOU have read. I don’t want you to ever think I’m that interested in exhibiting that part of myself.”

“You would not want to find a man and have a baby and you know, love that life? At the same time as being a detective,” Steve added hastily.

“There you go! That old way of thinking. Just show a Carrier the cock of a handsome man and he will have babies popping from his loins as he walks down the aisle. No, Steve. I don’t want that. I’ve spent my whole life being just the opposite and at 33? I’ have a lot more years left to continue. We won’t speak of this again, you understand? I’ll break your fucking jaw if you so much as hint at it with someone else! Capiche??”

Steve held his hands up in front of him like a surrender. He felt awful for telling Danny and it effectively shut the door on any future emotions he could have for his partner. “I’m sorry. I never should have told you.”

“Treat me differently and I’ll know why. Better not happen.” Danny headed into the bathroom and slammed the door behind him leaving Steve to figure out how to mend the very broken bridge between them.

Danny had not said anything since using the bathroom to shower. When he came out, he threw Steve a pair of clean boxers and jerked his head towards the bathroom door. Steve nodded and went inside, eager to get away from a turbulent atmosphere he’d created for himself. He washed out the underwear and tee shirt and socks he had worn and after he showered, he hung the clean clothes up on the shower rod to dry with Danny’s.

It was time to call Chin though Steve had no idea what time it was back home.

“My phone is powered up. Time to get those plane tickets.”

“I don’t suppose we can use the ones we already have? Just transfer them? I would pay to leave tomorrow, you know, pay the difference. I was just thinking about that. But then they’d know, right?”

“It’s worth a try. Let me talk to Chin first.” Steve meticulously pressed the numbers and sent the call, then waited for Chin to answer.

“Steve! What did you and Danny do?” Chin asked immediately. Steve put him on speaker.

“What are you talking about? What were we supposed to have done?” Steve asked. Danny inched closer, eyes fixated on the phone.

“You’re on the No Fly List. Also, I was told by a very unfriendly man with the CIA that if I heard from you I needed to tell them.”

“What the fuck?” Steve closed his eyes. “Ok Chin listen. I’m gonna figure this out but I’m hanging up now. Thanks.” Steve ended the call. “If they have the Palace under surveillance I just committed a plunderous error.”

“So now what?” Danny asked, eyes big.

“We buy a car and drive out of here. then we can call Catherine when it’s safe. There’s a number she and I have that we use when one of us is in trouble.”

“So buy a beater and go. I like that idea.” Danny nodded. “Do they have border controls?”

“We can drive to Hungary. There’s no border checks between Romania and Hungary. That will give us some space.” Steve sighed and looked around the room. “Get some sleep. We are out of here early.”

“Steve? Hey. About earlier..” Danny swallowed hard and stared at Steve.

“Forget about it. I will too. Come on. Let’s sleep. I rigged the door already.”

“You know, I like it that you’re on top of things.” Danny got into bed and leaned into the softness. “I’m fucking beat.”

“Same here. We are out of here tomorrow.”

Under the blanket, Danny reached for Steve’s hand and they fell asleep with their fingers entwined. It was a small comfort in their world of uncertainty.

The next morning, after a quick buffet breakfast in the dining room where they took food with them, Steve and Danny ventured out to find someone selling beaters. They had to take a Blue to reach Star Motors, as the car dealers were located out of the city proper at Splaiul Unirii, but their driver was a clueless older fellow who blasted Bob Market and sang along. As soon as they got to the lot, Steve saw a smaller more seedy place next door to the modern 600 plus vehicle dealership so he and Danny walked over to Turncoat Motor.

The cars on that lot were a lot older and less polished and they were just what they needed. Steve immediately engaged the salesman, both of them speaking in less than perfect English. When they seemed to settle on a small grey VW Golf, Steve pulled Danny aside and pressed his Swiss Army knife in Danny’s palm.

“Front and back license plates on the grew VW. Exchange them with the red one next to it. Richie said he’s the only guy here this morning so you should be good. I don’t see any cameras.”

“Got it.”

Steve and Danny drove off with the equivalent of a six hundred dollar car, and so what if it vibrated a bit as they pulled out onto the highway?

“Does the radio work?” Danny asked. He reached down and hit the button and indeed there was music. “Did he ask any questions like … anything we should worry about?”

“He’s gonna hide the purchase and pocket the money. He says his boss won’t miss this car. I guess he’s too busy pursuing the charms of a married woman, according to Richie.”

Danny laughed. It was genuine and it made Steve smile too. They had perhaps escaped the city without being detected and he was very thankful.

“It’s about 500 miles to the border of Hungary. As soon as we cross I’ll call Catherine and we can get out of here. When we get back home I’m definitely having words with the Governor.”

“Yeah I’ll join you. I should have known better that you winning the trip was too good to be true. The scary thing is, Steve, that the guys in the washroom were Americans. I mean what the fuck? Then they hunt us down and put us on the No Fly list? If they wanted our help with a case just fucking ask us!”

“You’ll get no debate from me,” Steve said, shifting the car. “I agree with what you’re saying.”

“Well,” Danny leaned back and ran a hand through his bangs which were slowly coming loose from the light pomade he put on them, and shook his head. “I might have known we were not just going to see a band. Something had to happen.”

“Bad luck.”

“Bad luck seems to follow you, Super Seal.” Danny shook his head. “But here I am in a beater in a foreign country with nothing but the clothes in my pack. I’m a sucker for following right along.”

“Yeah,” was Steve’s only response.

An hour later, with Danny asleep next to him, Steve decided to get petrol and take a break. He was hungry; impossibly, flight had activated his appetite. As he slowed down to get to the gas station plus other little businesses clustered along the service exit, he saw a second hand shop or what he presumed was such. Inspired, he put on his blinkers and pulled in to the parking area.

“What are you doing?” Danny woke with a guilty start. He rubbed his eyes and looked around apologetically. “Sorry. I did not mean to zone out on you!”

“That’s ok. Shall we? Maybe they have clothes.”

20 minutes later and the monetary equivalent of 30 American dollars. Steve and Danny left with 2 pairs of jeans each, several shirts, jackets, a hoodie each, and some brand new underwear still in a bag. Danny bought a beat up faux leather duffel to carry their clothes.

“They got a McDonald’s.” Danny pointed to the familiar arches near the petrol station.

“Hey that sounds incredibly good to me.”

Steve paid for the gas while Danny went to get the food. He was happy things were working out and if this was a road trip at home he would like that too. But it was not and he had to keep track of the bigger picture. They were wanted men in a country where they did not know the language or the customs. Once they got to Hungary, Steve would call Catherine and she could help him and Danny secure transportation home.

He just finished screwing in the gas cap when he looked up to see Danny hustling towards him, two bags and a drink tray in his hands.

“What did you get?” Steve asked but his contentment changed when he saw the look on Danny’s face. “What happened?”

“Get in the car and get off this main route. We gotta take the back roads.” Danny balanced everything and sat down and waited for Steve. “They had a tv on there but nobody was really watching it. Except me. We were on the news, Steve! I have no idea what they said but I saw us, our passport photos, on the screen!!”

“Fuck.” Steve started the car and was ready to ease out into the highway but held his finger up. “Hang on.” He jumped out of the car and ran into the service station, and emerged a few minutes later with a map. “I figure we can use this.”

“Good thinking.” Danny opened it up and pinpointed their location by the exit number on the state Route. “Ok. Take the next exit because there is a road that leads up to the border of the two countries. Looks like there’s some twists and turns and maybe mountains but we should be ok.”

“On tv huh? Like a couple of fugitives.”

“We are.” Danny sighed. “I can’t wait til we get to Hungary.”

They ate their fries and burgers as they traveled on the back roads, through little towns and across bridges. They made good progress during the next two hours until, as they drove through a village, the car decided to jerk once, jerk twice and finally come to a complete halt in the side of the street in front of what looked like a post office.

“Pop the hood?” Danny said as they got out to look at it but it did not take a mastermind to know what was wrong. Vapour steam poured out from under the hood indicating trouble with the radiator. Sure enough, one of the hoses had broken and come loose. “Well. We need a mechanic!” Danny looked around.

“Maybe there’s one here. Stay with the car. I’ll go look.” Steve started out towards the sidewalk, but Danny moved to stand in front of him. “What?”

“Just be careful ok?” Danny stepped away and sighed. “You know, cuz we don’t know what the fuck we’re doing.”

“I echo that.” Steve flashed his partner a dazzling smile that lit up his handsome face. Danny smiled in return but it did not meet his worried eyes. Steve reached out and cupped Danny’s chin. “I’ll be fine. Sit in the car and lock the doors.”

Danny did just what Steve suggested. He locked the doors and sat in the car, looking at the map. They were not far from the border and in his estimation they were in or near a village called Vadu Izel, deep in the forest area. A couple of people rode by on bicycles and glanced his way. Danny tried to keep busy and not think that it was getting late and they were somewhere in Romania .

He took his phone out and looked at the photos on it. There was his daughter, the light of his life, smiling at him. A photo of the team at The Hilton, kicking back with Longboards. Danny at a NYR game with his friends from Seton Hill. A Yankees game with Grace and Rachel before the big deception and divorce. He was so homesick he could cry but that would be decidedly not manly. Danny never let his softer side show. He hated that part of him and had repressed it for so long he had no idea how to respond to Steve when Steve was being so kind to him. He’d rather they spar and argue. That stuff was familiar and what he was used to, and yet a small piece of him whispered in his ear that he would love for Steve to hold and kiss him.

Danny tamped those feelings down and got out of the car to wait for Steve. He was just about to go after him when Steve appeared, loping down the sidewalk with that long legged easy way he had of walking. In his hand, he had a piece of paper.

“Hey! They will fix our car but we need to wait until tomorrow! Things are closing up!” Steve looked around. Doors were shut. Lights were on. “Our mechanic thank God spoke English. Grab the bag. We have a place to stay.”

“Ok. Let me get the stuff.” Danny shouldered the duffel and made sure he grabbed the map out of the car. He and Steve walked up the narrow walk that eventually bled into the cobblestone streets of the village. Things were very quiet. No cars passed them as they walked to a Tudor like building with a sign hanging from a long reinforced wooden pole in the front. Steve stopped, squinted up at the sign and turned to Danny.

“This is it. Looks kind of an inn. The mechanic said it’s been around a long time but it’s clean and has good food.”

“It looks like every bad dream in Dracula movies. No Holiday Inn Express here?” Danny nervously looked at the small paned window.

“Come on. It’s either this or sleep on the car and I’m pretty sure that would make it easier for a vampire to get you.” Steve reached for the door.

“Hey hey hey come on! Why did you have to say that?” Danny protested. Steve just laughed and pulled open the door so Danny followed inside.

They were right in the midst of the main dining room and the mixture of heat from a fireplace, smoke from unfiltered cigarettes and the aroma of foods they were not familiar with hit them like a freight train. Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at them for a painful few seconds but that uncomfortable silence was shattered when an older man stood up and pointed at Danny and Steve.

“SALVATORS!”

.

Chapter Text

…’No puedo entender
Este mundo cómo es
Que uno puede odiar
Herir y traicionar, ¿por qué?
¿Cómo puede ser
Que haya gente que pueda matar?
Por diferencia de opinión
Por tierra o por religión, no sé
Oh no, miranos
¿Dónde está nuestro corazón?
Oye mi canción
Ya no más sangre, grítalo
Fe
Dame fe, dame alas
Dame fuerza
Para sobrevivir
En este mundo….’
—-Fe/Mana

Danny gripped the battered duffel a bit harder as the applause from the customers seated at the tables stopped. He glanced at Steve who was looking very uncomfortable.

“Want to go spend the night in the car?” Danny whispered.

“My friends.” A husky and very tall man with salt and pepper coloured hair approached them, arm out to shake hands. He had on chef’s whites complete with typical hat. “Welcome. Are you hungry? Please sit down I get you some very good food.” He sort of pushed them towards a three seater near the fireplace.

“What did that man call us when we walked in here?” Steve asked.

“Oh that. Well. I will tell you but first? Egg noodles with chicken or pork stew?”

“Chicken!” they said simultaneously.

Danny looked around and back at Steve. “What’s going on? What did they say when we walked in?”

Steve shook his head. “I don’t know! It’s crazy! But I have a feeling..” Steve suddenly sat up straight and looked past Danny, his mouth open slightly and his eyes wide.

“Steve? Steve?!!! Hey!!!” Danny frowned and turned around, wondering what Steve was looking at. He saw a woman of maybe 60 years old, slim, rather attractive and dressed in camo pants and a plain blue tee shirt. “Who the hell is that?”

“Steven. Here’s your duffels from your hotel room.” A young man, dressed similar to her, set their bags down next to the table then backed up and stood quietly, in typical military fashion.

“What are you… what?” Steve stood and walked around the table to her welcoming hug. “I thought…. You were dead….”

“Reports of my demise are greatly exaggerated. My you have grown up nicely!” She broke their embrace and stepped back. “It’s so good to finally see you in the flesh but I AM surprised Catherine did not come with you.”

“You know about Catherine?”

“Steve, I know everything about you. Oh look, there’s our dinner. I’m sure you’re starving, having driven all this way!” She slipped into the seat next to Steve and stared at Danny. “Danny Williams. “

“Detective Danny Williams,” Danny corrected. “Who the hell are you?”

“She’s my mother, Danny.” Steve said as though he was in a trance. “This is Doris McGarrett.”

“You faked your death?” Danny asked. “Steve told me you were killed by a drunk driver when he was 16. Now unless you’re Lazarus, I’d say you were not truthful. All these years, Steve has missed you.”

“I don’t need a lecture from some Carrier who refuses his prescription for testosterone. You know,” she eyed Danny up and down, “I see your lack of additives is making your jaw look like a prepubescent teenager. Please don’t interrupt us again.”

“Doris!” Steve said, suddenly waking out of his stupor. “You don’t talk to Dsnny that way. Apologize or you can just get up and get out!”

“Oh for…” she rolled her eyes. “Sorry.” Her tone held no apology but Danny just ignored her and concentrated on the plate of food the server set in front of him. He was hungry and it smelled good and this was just too crazy and weird to focus on. He felt so sorry for Steve.

“What are you doing here dressed like you’re in the field? How do you know so much about me? Did you go to our rooms and get our stuff? Start talking, Doris!” Steve raged. He was angry and bitterly hurt. He had mourned for her for nearly 18 years. He had been sent away from everything he’d known and loved because of her. Indirectly, his father had died because of her. “I want answers!”

“I couldn’t do it, Steve. I couldn’t be the perfect mother and teacher and wife. My head was exploding. I know you won’t understand but I left because o had to and I went back to doing what I had done when I married your father. I’m a deep operative with the CIA and have been for a long time.”

Steve pushed his chair back and just looked at his mother. He had nothing to say really. All of that emotion he had felt for her once was gone.

“Why are you here? Are you working with the Governor?”

“Oh it goes beyond her. Truly it does. Steve, you need to eat—“

“Since when did you care whether I ate or not?”

“Steve.” Danny touched Steve’s arm. “EAT while it’s warm. It’s actually really good.”

Reluctantly, Steve picked up his fork and stabbed the food like he was picturing his mother on the plate. She ate too, trying to make small talk about the weather and the inn while the boys were silent. Finally, when Steve and Danny were done and were sipping the wine that had come with the meal, Steve took a deep breath and addressed her.

“Doris, what are you doing here and what are we doing here?” Steve asked.

“You are a creature of habit. It was easy to track you because of your past and how you handled your other brushes with escape. So you’ve been monitored and you are now where you need to be.” She saw the look of impatience on her son’s face and held up her hand. “Yes I’m getting there. You were brought over to solve a mystery that has roots in an unfortunate legend. We as a country are very invested in this because the Count has something we really want to acquire.”

“Count? Acquire?” Danny smirked. “This is sounding like all kinds of ridiculous.”

“You are not even supposed to be here,” Doris snapped. “Why didn’t you bring Catherine?”

“Why should that matter? Maybe your spies on me don’t know it all. We are taking a break from each other. I’d rather be here with Danny than her.”

“Oh Steve, honey, don’t say that. He’s a mess. The kid isn’t even his yet he dotes on her like she is.”

Danny gripped the edge of the tabletop with both hands. If he could have got away with it, he would have punched her in the face. However, as angry as he was, he could not bring himself to hit a woman though he was close to doing just that.

“Doris? We are done. This is what’s going to happen— DANNY and I are going to get a good night’s sleep and in the morning, we are going to drive to Hungary and leave on an airplane. Your assignment can go on without us. And by the way? Fuck you. You were never my mother.” Steve stood and nodded to Danny. “Come on.”

“Oh Steve don’t make me arrest you. The jails here? Not so good. Neither of you would last an hour.” She smiled but it was a smile without amusement.

“You’d have me suffer? Your own son?” Steve asked incredulously.

“You just said I’m not your mother. In that case you’re not my son.”

Steve was visibly frustrated and ran a hand through his hair. Danny could see how he was trying to disguise the hurt and abandonment he felt, two emotions Danny was very familiar with so he sat back down.

“Steve. Let’s hear her out with this crazy assignment. The sooner we get it done the sooner we can leave” Danny looked at her. “We can leave, right?”

“Oh yes. As soon as you’re done.”

“Why us? Why me?” Steve asked. “The Agency has thousands of operatives in the field. I’ve been out of the SEALS for a while now.”

“Leaving the Navy is something I can’t understand,” she muttered but glared at Danny as she said it. “But I’m glad you are cooperating. As to why you? Take a look.” She slid a laminated photo towards him and Steve examined it, lifting his head in surprise.

“This… can’t be right…”

“It is. It’s a painting that the Count values and it hangs in the conservatory of the castle.”

Danny slid it his way and looked at it, looked at Steve then back at the painting. “Wow. Steve, you uh, you had a uh ancestor who is like a mini you.”

“So I look like some dude in the damn painting. So what? Why should that matter?”

“Because that is how you are going to gain his trust and take what we need from him, without his knowledge.” Doris looked at her watch. “Time for you boys to get to bed. We have a bit of a jaunt tomorrow but we will take the chopper.” She rose and nodded to the young man who had been at parade rest the entire time. “See you at oh nine hundred hours. Don’t be late.”

Steve let the hot water run off his tired body. His head was a mass of confusion and he hated the way he felt. His mother. His mother who had been alive all this time and never reached out. His mother who never cared how sad or miserable he and Mary had felt when they learned she was dead. His mother who threatened them with jail if they did not do what she wanted them to do.

He tried to sort it out in his head. The operation itself must have some muscle behind it since they’d set up an elaborate ruse to get him to come here. Plus, there was the access to the chopper tomorrow. She had found them which made Steve feel slightly ashamed because he had thought he’d done his best to protect himself and Danny.

The portrait business, too, freaked him out a bit. He DID resemble some guy from an earlier century , one that the mysterious Count was fond of which was also crazy. Nothing about this assignment made any sense.

“Steve? You ok?” Danny lightly knocked on the door.

“Yeah give me a minute.” He finished up, toweled off and pulled on his loungers. When he opened the door, Danny was standing beside it.

“It was longer than 3 minutes. I was getting worried about you.” Danny smiled a little and Steve had to admit it was amusing.

“Reports of my demise are premature.” Steve headed to the bed.

“You don’t get to say that! It’s my line! I work with you, remember?” Danny was laughing though and slipped in to the bed beside Steve.

“I’m really sorry about the stuff she said to you.” Steve turned and laid on his side so he could see Danny but his partner looked stoic. “I don’t know much about… Carriers.”

“Yeah well that makes two of us.” Danny exhaled and stared at the ceiling while he spoke. “She’s right about not taking my additives. My “ he did air quotes, “supplements. They are testosterone based and insure that I have a hairy chest and face. Well what nobody tells you is they make you feel like shit. It’s like my fingers and toes burned and I was so sad and depressed. Worse than usual. When I stopped, I mean, my chest hair and that fell out. I don’t need to shave very often and I felt a lightness in my head. Like I was finally… clear.”

“I’m glad you stopped taking them! Especially if they caused you to be suicidal!”

“Hey I did not need any supplements to help me feel that way. Being a Carrier is so fucking useless. My parents have always been ashamed of me. I practically lived by myself in our treehouse after… well, once I found out I was indeed a Carrier.”

“You lived in a treehouse?” Steve asked. “What the actual fuck?”

“My brother Matt…. He was always the shining star in the family. Just the best. According to my parents they only had one son and that was Matt. After I got a divorce, Stan Edwards joined the family queue. What your mother said about Gracie… “

“Danny, don’t—-“

“She’s right. I’m not her father. Carriers can’t make kids with any women but they can have them with men. Rachel does not know that. I’ve always let her think Grace is mine and I did not know about her and Stan until after we were divorced.”

Steve heard the hurt and sadness in Danny’s tone . “Hey. I want to hug you.” Steve tugged on Danny’s arm

“Honestly you don’t have to—-“

“Come here.” Steve waited while Danny turned and lifted his arms so Steve could wrap his arms around Danny in a fierce hug. Danny pressed his face against Steve’s chest and breathed. It felt so good to be held. Impulsively, Steve began to stroke Danny’s hair, letting his fingers slip through the silken strands. Dsnny relaxed; the tension left his body and Steve closed his eyes and let sleep claim him too.
****************

The next morning, neither of them mentioned waking up still holding one another. Danny got showered first, choosing to wear something warm and baggy. Steve put on a tee and a hoodie and they met Doris in the lobby of the inn at 8:42.

“Good. You’re early.” She led the way to the dining room. “We will have breakfast while I explain to you precisely what you’ll be doing.”

“Once this is over, do we have your word that we can go home?” Steve asked.

“Of course! I plan to go with you too so I can safely deliver what you are going to bring me.”

“Whose idea was this anyways? Seems to me this is a hella lot of trouble to get one item from some dude in a castle,” Danny muttered.

“It would have worked just fine had you two not decided to go rogue. We had to look for you and persuade a person as best we could to know where you were hiding.” Doris reached for her coffee. “But here we are. Now listen carefully, especially you, Steve.”

“I’m listening. I can’t wait to get this over so we can get home.”

“You’ve turned a fun thing into something that really sucks,” Danny muttered. “Congratulations.”

“I don’t care what you think, Daniel,” Doris said and that’s when Steve lost his temper.

“Enough! You do not have the fucking right to come back into my life after 18 years and dictate my every move! If you want my help you’d better act like you appreciate it because there’s no way I’ll do it if you keep being nasty to Danny! I don’t care how high up you are kissing ass to the government! I’ll tell you another thing! After this is over, I never want to see you again! You were dead to me for all those years. I won’t have any trouble believing that you still are! Got it??”

At first, Doris acted like she was going to protest but then she raised her hands and nodded. “Yeah I get it.”

Steve sat down again and reached under the table to squeeze Danny’s leg.

“Get on with it. What am I gonna do?”

“Here’s what you’ll need to know. Sorry it’s in hard paper format but we just were not sure of the computer access here. Turns out we were right. Reception is spotty.”

Steve looked over the folder. He had a new identity—Michael Holland. Born and raised in Annapolis. Tourist first time seeing the castle. Apparently, the Count Rapien had allowed a private touring group pay for the exposure of his home. He stayed in the back apartment during the day while tours were being conducted.

“So what’s up with Nadeed Rapien, Third Viscount to the Duke?” Steve asked.

“He’s a gambler and schmoozes up to some shall we say big players in the arms race. He owes some money but he also was smart enough to collect a file on a few of them. We need that file.”

“Wow. So you expect me to waltz in there, he sees me, goes berserk because he thinks I look like a relative, and he hands me the file which I assume is on some kind of external drive.”

“We need his whole laptop, what could be easier?” Doris sat back, eyes fluttering as she mentally assessed her son. “You could do this the easy way, Steve.”

“I would hate to think of the hard way.” Steve sighed.

“Well I do have reassurance you’ll do what we want!” She stood and suddenly, two of the most muscular uniformed men Steve had ever seen seemed to appear like magic. One of them plucked Danny out of his chair with the greatest of ease and carried him off, holding him so tightly he could not even struggle or scream. It was over in seconds.

“You despicable bitch!” Steve yelled but she held up her finger.

“Calm down, Steven, or I’ll give my permission for those men to have a little afternoon delight. You get me? Now get your ass in gear, follow me and behave yourself while I finish schooling you on your mission.”

Danny sat on the floor of the cell into which he had been thrown. It was a roomy warm room with a stone floor and a bunk that was supported by two chains from the wall. A pile of blankets lay on the foot of the bunk and a serviceable clean pillow was propped up. There was a separate bathroom too so unlike a jail cell, he had privacy and a shower. He was, however, shocked that this could happen to him. One second he was with Steve and the next, some random dude whose neck circumference was larger than his hat size was carrying him out the door to another building.

He was ok. It was Steve he was worried about. What crazy assed scheme did Doris and her band of war hawks have up their sleeves? It was not right that Steve was being forced into this mission of whatever it was. Some count and a computer and some bullshit. Danny thought it was ludicrous.

“You want some water?” One of the men dangled a bottle between the bars and dropped it on the floor. Danny watched as a fine mist wet the area around the bottle. Something had been injected into the water; a solid bottle would not spray the mist like it was.

“Thanks!” Danny took the bottle and set it beside the bunk. He did not make a move to drink it.

“I thought you were thirsty.”

“I am but I’m saving it. I’ll drink it eventually.” Now. Why did they want him incapacitated? What was their end game? Danny sat down again to wait them out, forming an idea that just might give him his freedom.

Steve jumped out of the chopper and ducked then ran bent over into a nearby field. Doris was coming now too and two men with her carried a duffel bag and a backpack. As soon as the helicopter took off, Doris led the way to a small bus decorated with a sightseeing slogan. ‘See Romania On Us!’ Clever, Steve thought, but he had no time for clever.

“Alright, Steve. Here’s all your documents— passport, driver’s license, some receipts from the nearest village, your background. I’ll give you a minute to read it then you go in. Talk him up and get him to show you where his conservatory is or gleam it out yourself. There’s an identical laptop in this bag. Switch them out then get the hell out of there.”

“It sounds simple enough, “ Steve grabbed the packet and read through it once more, memorizing key facts. “If he buys it that I look like whoever he had a hard on in that painting. What if you’re wrong? What if he doesn’t care about—“

“He does though. He has an artificial doll that he had customized with the face of the Duke of the Barrens. Oh, that’s who you look like but I’ll let you hear him explain it. I’m sure he will. Now let Hank wire you.”

Danny watched as the men walked back and forth in front of his cell. They kept stealing glances at him and whispering. It seemed like they must know of his genetic makeup thanks to Doris or a file Doris gave them so why not give them something to talk about.

He closed his eyes, said a silent prayer and brought up every image he could think of from the magazines he used to look at with naked photos of Carriers. The college bookstore used to have an 18 plus section and he had managed a couple times to get the courage to go back there. He had found a couple of Carrier skin mags snd practically memorized the poses and the way the models looked.

No time like the present.

Danny stood up and yawned and stretched, making sure to reach his hands up so his middle was exposed. The last of his hair had fallen out before they’d left and his skin was smooth and unblemished. After he stretched, he walked around and pretended to be hot.

“Are you guys warm? Maybe it’s just me. Sure feels warm.” Danny pulled off his sweater then his tee. The air hit his chest causing his pink nipples to harden and pop. Pretending to yawn and stretch again, he offered this view to the men who certainly seemed captivated. “Wow! Turn down that heat!” Danny fanned himself. He ran his palms up and down his well developed muscular chest to his groin, sliding three fingers under the waistband of his baggy jeans.

They were watching. They were watching and suddenly he realized he had all the power. So this was part of what it meant to be a Carrier and while he was not particularly proud of any part of his performance, he knew that he could use this. Now he just had to fall back on those images from those magazines long ago and make a plan to get out of this cage. Then he could go help Steve.

Steve got out of the bus and pretended to gawk like any of the other tourists. This was certainly not the infamous Dracula’s Castle, but it was impressive in its build. They were at Peles Castle a castle that was very much connected to the Royal Family, built by their first king, Carol I of Romania, in 1883. This unique building was meant to be a royal summer residence and, above all, the cradle of this Dynasty in Romania. The castle was open to the public and Rapien’s home, a smaller version of the main event, was open only by invitation. Steve was going to ‘get lost’ in his role as the blunder filled American, and try to win favour of the Count. It was kind if a far fetched plan but to be honest, that figure in the painting looked like Steve and if it was Rapien’s favourite painting, Steve might have a chance. Plus the creepy doll face he’d made.

Onward down the path he went, fidgeting with the camera that hung around his neck and looking clueless, though he felt very vulnerable without Danny. It was odd how used to someone you could get in such a short while but Steve had grown accustomed to Danny beside him. He got in line to go through the ticket window at the castle and was relieved to hear some English spoken around him. He eagerly (keeping with his persona) jumped into a conversation with three older ladies from a Collete’s Tour and they briefed him on some facts about Castle Peles. He fell in line with them at first then heard in his earpiece Doris say to exit at the doors on the right, go through the garden and end up at the smaller stone house, residence of Rapier. There were some security guards around the area but they were more interested in watching a National soccer game on one of their phones so Steve took that moment to slip outside.

He did not know what he was doing. He was in a foreign country, his mother was back from the dead, Danny was somewhere else, and here he was trying to switch laptops in a far fetched scheme from the CIA. Steve was not a quitter though and his and Danny’s future of leaving Romania was on the line.

Confidently, Steve opened the door of the house in back of the castle.

“You have water,” one of the big men said, pointing to the bottle now upright in a small puddle on the floor of Danny’s cell.

“Yeah. I know.” Danny sighed with exaggeration and leaned against the bars. “So what are your names? Been doing this kind of thing a long time?”

“We aren’t supposed to converse with prisoners,” the other man said but his eyes were on Danny’s chest.

“Really?” Danny giggled. “What’s the fun in that?I’ll go first. My name is Danny. Now how hard was that?”

“We shouldn’t be talking to him! You wanna get in trouble with her?” One of the men told the other yet their eyes were still on Danny.

“You two big muscular men afraid of a woman. Well. I guess that does not say much for your masculinity. Here I was hoping to have some fun. You know, one in my ass the other in my mouth. BUT, since you aren’t at all interested…” Danny sighed dramatically and swooned over to his bunk, feeling ridiculous but seeing the glimmer that heralded his freedom.

“I’m not scared. She’s just our boss but she’s gonna be gone a while. I mean…. We could party with you! Hang on!” One of the men took off his belt with his gun and laid it aside. He started unbuttoning his shirt and nodded to the other man to open the door. As the two men came into the cell, Danny pretended to be enthusiastic, giggling abd playing coquettish as they reached for him.

Steve waited at the door of the big stone house and tried not to appear as nervous as he felt. He was on this mission cold, without adequate time to prepare plus this felt like an assignment. There was nothing in it for him and he found it hard to be invested. It was ridiculous but here he was!

An older man pulled the door open. He was a little taller than Steve, a lot older than Steve and handsome in a sort of worldly charm kind of way. Steve braced for some loud verbiage but all he heard from the man was a gasp.

“It is you, my Angel, my Inger!! Please. Please come inside.” He stepped out of the way and swept his arm as though to invite Steve past the door.

“I’m sorry. I’m lost. Is this part of the castle? I don’t mean to disturb you or anyone else!”

“No it’s not I mean yes! Yes it is a part of the castle! The castle tour yes of course. Oh but where are my manners? ? Come with me. Have you eaten?”

“Sir, I don’t mean to be a pest. My name is Michael Holland, though my friends call me Mike. I’ll just go back the same way I came. I don’t want to disturb anyone!”

“Oh no, you are not a bother. Please. Share some coffee with me. Coffee. Yes that’s a morning drink.”

Steve looked around the opulent house. What was interesting was the blackout curtains on the windows. They were barely open which gave the place a very dark atmosphere. The man had returned and was now gently pulling Steve by the arm into what looked like a living room where a tray sat, with cups, a pot of coffee plus what looked like sugar cubes in a jar.

“Sit please. I’ll get you some coffee. You must be tired of the whole tour of the castle. I can tell you more about it if you’d like. What did you say your name was?”

“Mike Holland, from Annapolis. Great to meet you uh…. I’m sorry I don’t know your name.”

“I apologize again for my lack of manners. My name is Count Nadeed Rapien. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

His eyes glittered and all Steve could think of was the way a lizard’s eyes glinted like that. Steve nodded but did not shake the hand that the Count extended.

"If I could have a glass of water maybe and then I'll be in my way." Steve smiled in a way he hoped would not draw suspicions. Doris was screaming into his earpiece to stop trying to leave and get the computer.

"My staff makes an excellent braised pigeon. I'd really like it if you'd stay for lunch perhaps? I'll see to it that you are taken back to the hotel. I presume you are here with a tour group? I have staff who will certainly accommodate your needs."

"Pigeon?" Steve echoed. His stomach, nervous from this whole assignment, lurched and he thought for a second he was going to decorate the count's shoes. "Uh yes that would be very nice but first the water? Please."

"I'll be right back, Mike." The Count hurried away, his red and gold brocade dressing gown swishing as he walked.

"You don't leave there until you get that laptop!" Doris repeated in Steve's ear. "Remember, we have Danny."

Steve sighed and perched on the couch in the big room. He looked around and suddenly saw the painting. He was just about to go study it when his host returned, carrying a glass of water. Steve groaned inwardly. What if it had been drugged; he had no way of knowing. Time to spill it.

"I want to dhow you something after you drink your water. It's extraordinary it really is for you to walk through my door. After all this time... just... amazing...."

Steve had taken two sips of the water and suddenly, it was all hands on deck! He felt dizzy and unfocused. A hand on the back of his neck pulling him down on to the couch made him lose his balance. He blinked and his vision swam as the darkness hit him and he was out.

Chapter Text

....'Maybe if I catch my breath
Maybe if I wait a little
I remember how it hurts
And stop for a fall
I'd forget to come apart
And catch myself and hold on tightly
Let memory wash over me
Forgive but don't forget
So you come back to me begging
"Why'd you leave? Tell me why
How could you let this go?"
--BetterBroken/Sarah McLachlan.

21 Years Ago

"Step out if you think you're tough enough to take on a grown man! Come on, kids! I wanna see who is ready to be challenged."

Danny stepped forward confidently. He still bore the bruises from the unfortunate encounter with his Little League coach a week prior but he was ready to move on since everyone else was too. The 'incident' had been downplayed by everyone in Danny's life--police, teachers, friends, the coach himself and the most hurtful of all, his parents. He was blamed. He was the reason the assault happened. At 12 years old, Danny learned the brutal truth about life and that was it could hurt you in ways you never imagined.

The authorities had a lot to say. Some examples?

'-- Clearly the Carrier has no control over his body functions. Jim Mesphite was the victim here!'
'--Blame society. If these DNA Benders weren't excreting their hormones, good men would not be in trouble.'
--'That boy needs sent away to one of those desert camps, you know, to teach him a lesson.'

Danny had been so ashamed and confused. He bought everything they said about him at first, and put up with his parents who told him they were ashamed to have him under their roof. Thank God for one caring teacher who did not buy the hype or the story that Coach Jim Mesphite was spouting. Angela Higby believed Danny, a very sweet 12 year old child who had just had his whole childhood ripped away. She'd stayed with him while the nurses administered a rape kit and gave Danny a Morning After pill that had made him puke for two days.

Because of her staunch belief and her going to bat for Danny against the school and his clueless parents, she was ostracized and terminated from her teaching position, but before she left, she'd hooked Danny up with Master Nu, a Black Belt BJJ Champion and instructor.

From that first class until now, Danny had used the ancient art to relax, unwind, work out, tone and compete. He was indeed a Black Belt with Purple easily attainable when he was free to take the test. He channeled all his frustration and unhappiness into sessions that let him release that misery and afterwards, he felt good about himself and what he could do.

It was time to use that training.

These men were just like Jim Mesphite, family man who on weekends beat his wife and kids with a belt. Nobody stepped forward to complain but his reign of terror ended when he fell down the basement stairs late one night. The ME had ruled an accident but at his funeral, his wife and kids had a hard time hiding their glee.

It was time to go full on Mesphite with Thing One and Thing Two.

The Present

Danny watched with satisfaction as the two goliaths entered the room where he posed seductively, in a full on relaxed slouch against the bunk. They were eager, neither one anticipating Danny's next move, too engrossed in looking at Danny's body to think they might be walking into a trap.

In BJJ, effective takedowns against a larger opponent often involve using leverage and speed, with key techniques being the snapdown, arm drag, and various leg attacks like the single-leg. These techniques allow a smaller grappler to bypass a bigger opponent's strength by controlling their head, breaking their posture, or disrupting their balance.
Danny was very familiar with all three of these techniques.

He caught both of them by surprise and in an epic move that Master Nu would have validated and approved, Danny gave them no happy ending . They hit the floor with a thud, both of them, and lay there half out of it, and moaning.

Danny stepped over them as they lay groaning on the floor; he snagged their key cards and phones and remembered to grab his sweater. He took their weapons, shoving the pistols in his waistband and brandishing the rifle. As he locked them in the cell with the card, Danny chuckled. Men. Sometimes they were damn stupid.

Now it was off to the races. He'd heard the men talking that Steve was going to a castle near by, a 45 minutes drive. Hoping he was in some kind of a small facility, and he was thank God, Danny climbed the stairs as he looked for the common area or office where he might find car keys of some sort. He only saw one other guard, a rather disinterested looking uniformed man who sat in a chair beside the opposite exit. He was on his phone, a painful expression on his face like he was not happy with the conversation. Huh, Danny thought. Relationships were like that-- one day you'd be flying and the next you'd have a toe tag.

As Danny looked around, he was amused that Doris had totally misjudged him. She needed to do better on her information gathering skills because if she thought that room would hold him, she was wrong. And why had she shown up now? The whole switch the laptop sounded bogus. Danny knew there had to be more to it than that.

Suddenly, Danny's explorations paid off! The office! Danny snuck inside and looked around the small room. He pulled the wires that led to a computer console and cut any more wires he could see. The lights began to dim and a dull alarm started to sound. It was time to go!

Danny grabbed a set of keys marked '3' and headed out the door to see 5 cars, parked in numbered spaces. Three was a dark blue sedan in Space 3 so he jumped in the car and roared out of the estate, heading to a place he knew nothing about but was anxious to find out. Danny was determined and ready to do whatever he needed to and rescue Steve.

By the time the men had been discovered and the wiring was fixed, Danny had arrived at the castle. Doris was just alerted as Danny walked confidently up the path to the castle, so she had one of her men aim his rifle for a kill shot. She supposed it would create quite the stir but the Agency would cover up anything she might create.

"I lost the shot." The man jerked his head towards the path where Danny was now in a group of other tourists, walking along towards the castle. All they could see were the heads of others and when they dispersed, Danny was not among them.

"Oh fuck. If you want anything done you gotta do it yourself!" She went to get up but the sound and feel of a pistol against the back of her neck made her freeze.

"Drop your weapon and tell your lackey here to do the same. I don't harbor any sentiment against putting a bullet in your brain. Fucking DO IT!" Danny snarled.

Doris nodded to the soldier with her and they both put down their weapons, which Danny kicked away and off the slope of the hill where they were standing.

"Get down on your fucking knees. Hands behind you!" Danny pulled handcuffs from her and the other man and instructed the man to cuff Doris and Danny cuffed him. He took the keys and stood back admiring his work. "What's going on and where is Steve?"

"Sacrifices have got to be made, Danny. You don't understand how you are messing up our mission. Steve is just one part of it and if the Count does not hand over that laptop we are less able to protect our country from the threats from the outside."

"Oh sue me if I don't feel all patriotic. Why Steve? Why your son?"

"Because he looks like the man in the painting."

"How about that. Well, I'm going in and rescue Steve because it's obvious you set him up to fail or something. There's more to this I don't know." Danny looked at his watch.

"Really? How are you going to do that and watch us too? There's one of you? Tell me, hero, how are you going to save the day?" Doris sneered.

"Uh well," Danny said, indicating an incoming helicopter, "that would be the responsibility of my friend Benji and some of his soldier friends. You remember Jolee? The girl you strong armed intimidated? Her father is a Colonel in the Romanian Armed Forces or the Forțele Armate Române as they call it. I made a few phone calls on the drive here."

"You insufferable bastard! I have a job to do!" Doris shrieked.

"So do I." Danny turned and bro hugged Benji who was also in uniform and one of the first out of the helicopter. "Take good care of these two. I take it you found the facility?"

"We did." Benji grinned. "I have a message. Jolee said Jinx misses you."

"I promise Steve and I will stop and see her and Jolee before we go. Until then, just be aware that this woman was responsible for roughing up Jolee to get her to reveal where Steve and I were. Ok, can I have a couple of your guys?"

"I'll go with you. Myself and Christian."

Danny shook hands with Christian, a tall lanky blonde and the three of them started down the path.

"I bring silver bullets And a stake of ash just in case."

"I like the way you think," Danny said. "I'm pretty sure we are not dealing with an ordinary person which means I need to get Steve out of there as quickly as I can."

"We help you, Danny."

While Danny was breaking out and organizing his back up, because unlike Steve, Danny preferred to have back up, Steve had woke up from his short but complete drug induced sleep.

"What the?" He looked around the room and lifted the covers to find he was completely nude. His head ached like a Zamboni was cleaning his brain cells and his mouth had a terrible aftertaste but he was physically fine. "Hello? Where are my clothes?" As he yelled, he looked around the bedroom. It was ostentatious, overloaded with heavy furniture and dark tapestries on the walls. The bed he was in was a four poster with a canopy and dark purple curtains drawn back and held with gold braided ropes.

"Steven."

Steve turned towards the door where his host had joined him. The man wore a dressing gown of dark purple with a crest on the front. He held a laptop in his arms.

"Where are my clothes?"

"I prefer you naked. I'm sure you don't mind. After all, wouldn't you do anything to acquire this? My laptop?" When he saw Steve's flicker of interest, Rapien nodded. "I see. Well, Steven, one would only have to ask to take it as long as there is some quid pro quo. You understand?"

Steve did not like where this was heading. He knew that being naked in a bed with the older man hovering could only mean something sexual and he was not at all going to do anything like that. Sadly his earpiece was also gone; presumably, the Count must have found it when Steve had passed out.

"I see you are considering. Well, I tell you that you are a thing of beauty. You are so handsome that looking at you takes my breath away. That's exactly why you aren't dead."

" I guess I can credit my good genes," Steve quipped. He was at least glad the Count had sat down on the couch across from the bed. Still, he would only need a few strides and they would be together.

"Yes, a good ancestry. I loved him once. Long ago but still we were ... tight. Together. Do you understand?" The Count asked.

"That painting was a long time ago. Unless it's a fake or forgery of some kind. You're telling me that you and this character in the painting were... uh... together?" Steve asked.

"Yes. Does that shock you? I have lived a long time but never have I known such joy as when he and I were .... a couple. Committed."

"I am not him," Steve said. "I am not him snd it is a very different world than... " Steve waved his hand around, indicating the room, "this. You know, I'd really like my clothes so we can sit like human beings and talk."

"Who said," Rapien asked, "I am human?"

Steve paused. He really had no snappy comeback and he was trying to remember all the vampire movies he'd watched when he was a kid. That had been more Mary's thing, as Steve enjoyed war movies, and many a Saturday they'd argue as to what to watch. But what could he do? He had no stake. No fire. Nothing.

"You're thinking. I'm thinking too." Rapien started to pace in front of the bottom of the bed. "Take off that infernal thing around your neck."

Steve's hand flew to the cross that hung just below his throat. Danny had put it on him. Danny. Where was Danny? "This?" Steve asked playing innocent.

Rapien looked away with a slight flash of elongated canines. "Yes. Throw it away."

"No. No because someone gave me this, someone special. And any minute he will be here and we will take that laptop like it or not." Steve pulled the sheet out of the bottom of the bed and wrapped it around his waist, ready to rise and hoping against hope that Danny was somewhere close.

"Your mother said I would meet with some opposition from you. She knows you."

"My mother does not know me as I have not seen her in 18 years. Did she tell you that?" Steve paused. "Oh I see she did not. Guess you'll have to see how this plays out."

"I'd hoped we could have a very amiable time here, in the bedroom. We both have needs. Now take off that fucking cross or I will... destroy this." He held up the laptop.

"Go ahead. I don't care." Steve shrugged.

"But I might. How about setting it down and we will all go home and leave things as they are."

Steve grinned. Danny!!!!

"You ok?" Danny asked.

"I'm cold. Seems like my clothes took a hike." Steve shrugged, not hiding his delight in Danny finding him.

"So they did. Clothes please."

With a snarl, Count Rapien struck. He knocked the gun out of Christian's hands and with one hand on the poor fellow's neck went to bite. His fangs extended and that's when Danny struck. He grabbed the ash stake out of Benji's hand and rammed it, as fast and as strong as he could, right into the middle of the Count who gasped and growled.

Two things happened simultaneously.

The roof began to shake and chunks began to fall out of the ceiling while the Count began to dissolve, turning from a human with substance to a skeleton to a shrieking howling hooded creature to ash that settled over the room.

"Time to go!" Danny said, throwing Steve a blanket, he pulled him from the bed and the four of them ran towards the other rooms and the main door. "Oops!" Danny stopped, turned and grabbed the laptop then was practically pulled off his feet by Steve.

"Let's go!"

They made it out just as the whole brick and stone structure collapsed in on to itself. The crowd that was left gasped collectively and watched as the ground shook and a blast of dusty light cracked open the clouds above. A swirl of dust and ground bone hovered within the column of light and just as suddenly slammed down to the ground with a mighty last rumble.

Silence.

Steve sighed and pulled the blankets tighter around him. He touched the cross around his neck and looked over at Danny, who was bro hugging Benji. Steve was certain Danny underestimated what had just happened, as he had not been in the room listening to the smooth dulcet of the Count's voice. For a second, Steve was going to take the cross off.

"You look," Danny teased, "ridiculous. And cold. Come on. Your clothes are in the car in our duffels."

"Ah here come the Poliza with maybe toned people's." Benji glanced at Steve and Danny. "Go get dressed. We will hold them off."

As they walked to the car, Steve tried to avoid looking at people who were looking at him. He was cold, barefoot but grateful oh so grateful. He was anxious to hear how Danny had found him but even more, he wanted to go face to face with his mother.

"Here we are. Don't look at me like that. I could only find number three keys and they matched this. It's not a bad Skoda. Your stuff is in the back seat."

"Danny. I.... thank you." Steve crawled into the car and began to pull on his familiar clothes, grateful to be warm and dressed but even more to be safe from a thing that was a vampire.

Once he was dressed, Steve and Danny walked over the slope where the police had time to question Doris. She gave them her fake State Department credentials and her song and dance story that effectively maintained her cover. Danny and Steve sat down with the officials to tell them what had happened with the Count. They did not seem at all surprised or shocked.

"Get out of our country! All of you! We will give you an escort to the airport and you'll leave immediately or we WILL arrest you for destroying an historic edifice!" The senior official said.

"Trust me," Danny muttered, "we will be more than happy to get the hell out of here."
**********^****^**^**

Benji and his buddies had pooled together to make sure Danny and Steve had First Class accommodations back to the States. They had had a party waiting at the hotel after the chopper landed at an airfield in Bucharest and once Danny and Steve had walked through the doors of the Marriott owned lodging, people cheered and shoved food and champagne at them. Jolee practically threw herself on Danny and Benji did not let go of Steve's arm the whole 45 minutes they were there before leaving for the airport.

Doris was an afterthought. She'd arranged for her and her men (the two big guards would not even look Danny in the eyes) to fly out on a cargo military plane but Steve allowed them to get something to eat. Doris had cornered him when he was devouring a roast beef sandwich.

"You know, at least you got the laptop. You did your job but it could have been---"

"You lost the right to speak to me. You lost every faucet of communication or care that there ever was between us. We are DONE! Get out of my sight before I tell my new best friends to throw you in some abandoned tower somewhere."

"Please, Steven--"

Danny barged between the two of them. "Are you hard of hearing? The man said butt the fuck out and don't ever rock his world again! I swear to God, if I ever see you again I will shoot first and ask questions later!"

"You don't---"

"Oh I do. I DO! You sold your son out to a fucking vampire who would have killed him and done other things to him! And why? For a fucking piece of metal. Someone better take this woman away or I will be arrested for murder."

With that, Doris and her group were escorted out of the hotel and told to make accommodations for a ride to the airport.

Danny leaned back in the comfortable seat and looked over at Steve. "We made some friends today."

"We did. And you... you were ... amazing. Really." Steve blinked and looked away but not before Danny saw a tear roll down Steve's cheek.

"Hey. You would have done the same for me." Danny squeezed Steve's arm. He was about to say something else when suddenly, Steve turned towards him and cupped Danny's face with big gentle hands. Suddenly, they were kissing.

Danny fell into the kiss, participating fully, opening his mouth a little and letting Steve take the lead. As they pulled away from each other, Danny kept his eyes closed.

"Thank you. I hope we can do more once we get home." Steve gently stroked Danny's hair; the bangs were hanging down into his face.

"I'd like that."

"I need a fucking shower," Steve said and suddenly began to laugh. Danny joined him and they laughed senselessly until their stomachs hurt and their eyes watered. "What a shit show."

"Yep. Uh huh. Yes."

"Twenty three hours and we will be home."

"Twenty three hours. I can't wait." Danny reached over and held Steve's hand and did not stop holding it until they touched down in LA.

Few things can arouse you from sleep like the smell of coffee.

Danny groaned and rolled over then sniffed. He sat up, gathering his wits about him. He was in Steve's bed, in Steve's bedroom and someone was brewing coffee.

He slid out of bed and limped to the bathroom (his damn knee was really bothering him) to get a quick shower and pull on baggy jeans and a dark blue tee shirt. He eschewed the flip flops and headed down the stairs barefoot, following his nose.

"Morning. Sit. I've made us breakies." Steve dished out scrambled eggs to go with the bacon and toast on the plates and set those on the dining room table.

"Wow! I'm starving for real! "

"Pour the orange juice. I'll get us coffee."Steve reached for the creamer as he headed to the coffee maker.

"Did you swim this morning?" Danny asked.

"Yep." Steve popped his 'p'. "Got a shower and started cooking and finally you woke up." Steve set Danny's coffee down in front of him and brushed his fingers against the back of Danny's neck. "Not that I'm complaining. We were both dead tired."

"After that debacle," Danny said taking a sip of coffee, "I'm really happy to see what kinds of Island crime there will be."

"We will know tomorrow. Back at it." Steve began to eat, using toast to push the eggs and glob them on the bread to eat them faster. Danny watched fondly. He understood why Steve was in the habit of eating quickly. Catherine had explained it; people in the military only had a set number of minutes to eat. If you failed to eat in that amount of time you would have to wait until next mess and go hungry. Old habits died hard.

"And your mother?" Danny asked. Steve paused and looked up at Danny, hurt showing on his face but he quickly gathered his wits. "I don't want to push but what are you going to do about her?"

"She can crawl back into the hole she crawled out of and leave me alone." Steve returned to eating.

"We both have shitty mothers. Mine pretends I don't exist. Yours finds you when she wants you to be food for a vampire. In comparison, I guess my mother wins that Mom of the Year award by a slight margin."

"What did your mother do to you!" Steve asked. Now it was Danny's turn to look uncomfortable.

"When I was 12, my Little League coach raped me. It was after a practice and he asked me to stay and work on my stance. Mind you," Danny sighed, "I was pretty damn good at baseball. So I said sure. When it happened, I was like disconnected, like I was up on the ceiling looking down at myself. That's how I handled what happened to me. Afterwards, one of the field officials walked in on us and good old Jim blamed me. He. Blamed. Me. I was 12, Steve. Twelve years old."

"Danny." Steve reached across the table and held Danny's hand.

"So you know my parents, they told me I was responsible. I was the catalyst. I seduced him. Steve, I'd never ever thought of being fucked or being with a man."

"That's just so wrong on so many levels."

"Well. That's why I'm not close to my family and if you want to know the truth? I'm glad I live here with Grace and left Jersey behind. I saw that bastard Jim Mesphite's brother last year at a Seven 11 near my home. He smirked and did this thing with his tongue. I felt like shooting his head off. Instead, I went home to my room at the Econolodge and drank til I could not walk."

"I'd kill him if I ever saw him."

"You're a good man, Steve. We both have our demons. Maybe that's why we get along so well."

"Do we? Do we get along so well?" Steve teased. Danny frowned and stood up, walked over to where Steve sat and pulled his partner up.

"Let's find out."

Chapter Text

.....Come as you are, as you were
As I want you to be
As a friend, as a friend
As an old enemy
Take your time, hurry up
Choice is yours, don't be late
Take a rest as a friend
As an old memory.... '
--Come As You Are/Nirvana

It was almost too much and not enough and if paradoxes were the definition of their first encounter then there'd also be hot and cool, hard and soft, slow and fast, silent and screaming.

Danny was not sure of exactly what to do, but knew he wanted to with Steve. This beautiful blue eyed man with a seeming weapons fetish who threw himself in every situation head first without regard for his own personal safety was Danny's ultimate wet dream, whether or not he wanted to admit it.

This was not him at 12 years old, allowing a man twice his size to hurt him. This was not a college Frat brother trying to make out with him when they both were blotto on grain punch. This was a man his own age, a man with adult desires and adult body parts.

It was now or never and Danny desperately wanted now.

"Did I mention you have a very nice bed? It's soft in all the right places," Danny whispered as he began to nuzzle Steve's neck. They were in a loose embrace right next to the aforementioned bed and Steve gently pushed Danny on to it. He pulled off his own tee and reached for Danny's, Danny giving him unspoken consent by lifting his arms up to get the shirt off.

"I want you to do this only if you're sure--" Steve began but Danny pulled him down next to him and went for the kiss. At first, Steve was surprised but it only took him a second to get on board. Their first real kiss was hot and searing with tongue and a little spit and the heat that goes along with sex.

"You are a good kisser," Danny moaned into Steve's mouth as they kissed again.Danny stroked Steve's neck and chest, enjoying the feel of muscle under that cool flesh. Somehow, he was lying in the bed, on his back now and Steve was on top of him though holding himself up on his arms. "Hey you," Danny said softly after another kiss that made his cock ache, "relax on me. I'm not gonna break."

"I don't want to hurt you," Steve whispered but carefully settled on Danny, holding his body rather rigid.

"I'm not gonna bust." Danny hooked his legs around Steve's thighs and pulled Steve down until he was on Danny and their crotches met. Danny gasped and thrust upward making Steve moan. "That feels good I agree!"

"You talk a lot," Steve panted.

"Did you think otherwise?" Danny giggled and pulled at the waistband of Steve's loungers. "Off. Mine too. If we are gonna make love, I'm not coming in my pants!"

Somehow, with both of them helping, the pants were off and now a very aroused and naked Steve lay in his back while Danny hovered next to him.

"You are a sight, Steve." Danny began to kiss Steve's neck, and down to his nipples. When Danny engulfed one with his hot wet mouth, Steve gasped and thrust, and Danny finally reached down to stroke Steve's very hard and sticky shaft.
Danny licked and nibbled down to Steve's cock, skipping the foreplay. Danny had wanted to kiss and tease but he could tell Steve was close so he licked a strip up the turgid hot shaft. Steve groaned and pushed on Danny's head and damn it but that was just so sexy to Danny. He wanted to taste Steve's big cock and later, he wanted to ride it.

With one gulp, Danny took half of Steve's cock into his mouth. Steve's big cock head pressed against the back of Danny's throat and he tamped down his gag reflex. He could do this. Slowly, he slid his mouth up the tangy tasting cock until the head, which was leaking copiously, and then he relaxed his lips so Steve's cock slid almost out again. Danny massaged Steve's ball sac with gentle hands as he sucked, his cheeks hollowing out, and without warning, Steve came inside Danny's mouth as he lifted his hips and pressed Danny's head down.

Danny let the cum slide down his throat. It did not taste like anything in particular; it was a bit salty and tangy but otherwise nothing stood out and Danny did not hate the sensation.

"Oh man I'm sorry I should have---"

"Shut up you. Just touch me now!" Danny scrambled up to lie beside Steve. He thrust his own needy cock against Steve's thigh, needing his own release..

"Oh you are beautiful so beautiful so incredibly... mmmmmm..." Steve kissed Danny, wanting to taste himself on Danny's lips, the mark he'd made when Danny had taken his hot cum and swallowed it. His strong fingers wrapped around Danny's rather sizable shaft and Steve stroked, using the pre cum as a lubricant. Danny was so close and as Steve ran a thumb over the slit, Danny stiffened, gasped and came in Steve's hand, coating Steve's fingers with jizz.

They lay there holding on to each other and let their breathing get under control. Steve nuzzled Danny's neck and dropped little kisses on his collarbone. Danny stroked Steve's soft hair and whispered nonsense but it was loving words all the same.

"Let me love you, Danny," Steve whispered.

"I just did." Danny quipped but nodded. "As long as it's a mutual thing. Maybe this is the only time I'll get with you when it won't involve some kind of grenade, fiery bottle cocktail or new edition of a Glock. I'll take it. Because.... I love you too."

"So glad you aren't chatty in bed." Steve closed his eyes. A little rest and he'd be ready for round two.

"Take a nap soldier."

"It's sailor, Danny. Navy not army." Steve yawned and pulled the sheet up over their naked bodies. He could not help but smile as he thought of the moments ahead when they'd explore their passions even more. Danny was a mind reader because he picked up on it.

"Yes there's more we can do but we gotta get condoms." Steve nodded and settled down, arms around Danny who had never felt so loved before. "Steve!? " Danny paused like was going to say something profound then just giggled. "There's more to come. Get it?" He closed his eyes too, content in love.

The End.