Chapter Text
“Look at dose two over there,” Kamekona gestured with his laden fork. “Something seem a little…how should I say this…funny about them two haoles?”
Dr. Max Bergman, a diminutive Asian man with glasses, observed the table his friend was currently indicating with the poking of his utensil laden with grilled shrimp. He deduced that his rotund Hawaiian friend was, in fact, referring to the table where Commander Steve McGarrett and Detective Danny Williams of the Five-0 task force were sitting, and not the elderly grandparents of the bride.
He took a moment to watch the two men interact with each other. Max was a highly-intelligent and analytical person, and studying the behavior of his peers (he still hesitates to think of them as his friends) from work had become something of a hobby of his. Commander McGarrett and Detective Williams were something of an enigma to him. Taken separately, the two men were easily dissected and classified, but put them together, and Max was stymied by the results.
Max, a creative and imaginative thinker, liked to compare the two men to wolves. Commander McGarrett (he still can’t bring himself to call him Steve) was a typical alpha male specimen. He was in prime physical condition, instilled fear and respect in those around him, had a natural-born ability to assume command over any crisis, and he made it his business to protect his pack. Detective Williams, on the other hand, was a lone wolf. He spent his life floating on the fringes of other packs, but was too dominant to submit to the alpha, while also being too beta to have any desire to lead. Essentially, Detective Williams (he would never be able to call him Danny) was an alpha only unto himself. He resented authority figures that held greater power than he, believing that he was more than capable of policing himself. It made him a risky pack member, but also quite valuable.
“If you are indeed referring to Commander McGarrett and Detective Williams, then yes, I do believe there to be something funny about them,” Max answered, his tone clipped and almost robotic.
Kamekona shook his round, bald head and explained. “You shoulda seen dose two when we was getting fitted for our suits. Danny had a handcuff dangling off of one wrist, and Steve was just standing there looking…what’s the word…smug. I tell you, bruddah, there’s something going on there.”
Max nodded in affirmation of Kamekona’s theory. “From what I’ve been able to observe, there appears to be great affection between the two, which according to the nature of their respective personalities, should render them incompatible. Friendship alone cannot account for the anomaly in their behavior toward one another. The only hypothesis that leaves me with is that they are, in fact, developing romantic feelings for one another.”
The big native man shrugged and speared another shrimp on his fork. “Shoots, I don’t think dem two wen’ oof with each other just yet. Maybe gettin’ close, for sure.”
Max blinked as he searched his memory bank for the correct Pidgin translation. “Ah! If you mean that it is your belief that the Commander and the detective haven’t yet engaged in coitus, then I believe you are correct. Perhaps they do not realize that their affection for each other has evolved. Their interactions are quite intriguing to watch.”
“Not for me, brudduh,” Max’s friend replied. “I don’t got nuttin’ against two kane getting familiar wid each other, but I would much rather watch dose two nani wahini over there,” he admitted, wagging his eyebrows toward the open bar.
Max tracked Kamekona’s gaze and replied, “Hmm, I can definitely see the appeal of crafting sexual fantasies about Agent Weston and Officer Kalakaua. Both ladies are quite attractive and the idea of them indulging in Sapphic congress with each other would be pleasurable for most heterosexual males. I, too, find the idea quite arousing.”
Kamekona just nodded in understanding and replied, “You can say that again, brudduh.”
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“Are you watching this?” the pretty blonde federal agent remarked to her friend as she took a sip of the cocktail that she just retrieved from the bartender.
Kono’s exotically-slanted brown eyes were riveted to the same spot as her friend’s as she dangled a full beer bottle from her fingertips. “I’m pretty sure everyone’s seeing this, Lori. Those two are ridiculous.”
Lori Weston couldn’t help but sigh with disappointment as she watched Steve and Danny huddled together at a table across the reception room at Chin’s wedding. “You think this is bad, you should have seen the two of them when Steve arrived at Danny’s room and found us handcuffed together. Danny was babbling like a spouse caught cheating and Steve was all jealous and disbelieving like he had just caught his spouse cheating. The only problem was that Steve was jealous of me instead of Danny. I have to admit that it stings a little bit that they are both so oblivious of me. I have thrown out so many signals that I was interested in Steve, and even a few to Danny, but neither of them even noticed! That’s why I had so much fun egging Steve on by insinuating that Danny and I were staying there together. You should have seen Steve’s face. He was beside himself and I’m not ashamed to say that I enjoyed every minute of it. Revenge is sweet, my friend.”
Kono snorted and rolled her eyes. “Please, you’re preaching to the choir. I never really thought of Steve that way, though. Too much like my big brother to do it for me. But Danny…I have to admit that I cast bait that way for months, but I couldn’t even hook him. Too much like his little sister to do it for him, I guess.”
“More like too into his own partner to notice,” Lori shot back, her tone only mildly venomous.
Kono tipped the bottle back and swallowed several times before answering, “They’re so oblivious to it, too. It’s almost painful to watch sometimes.”
Lori knocked back the rest of her cocktail and impatiently summoned the bartender for another one. “You mean like right now? Look at them, Kono. They’re at a table alone with no other chairs for someone else to sit in, their bodies are leaned in toward each other, and personal space is non-existent. Danny can’t seem to keep his hands to himself, either. Watch how often he reaches out to touch Steve as they talk. There is obviously sexual attraction between the two of them, but neither one seems to be aware of it. The other profilers back at Homeland Security would have a field day observing them together.”
The native woman chuckled drily. “I started an office pool to bet on how long it will take them to realize their feelings and screw each other less than three months ago. Chin bets it will be at least another year, but I’ve got more faith in them. I said it would be within the next two weeks. You want in on that action? Fifty bucks will get you in.”
Lori flicked her clutch open and retrieved a crisp $50 bill. She slapped it into Kono’s waiting palm and declared, “I’m in. I’ll give them at least two more months. They’re still pretty clueless, though I would say it’s getting close. How much is the pot up to?”
Kono lifted her eyes to ceiling as she counted in her head. “Let’s see…that’s me, Chin, Fong, Max, Steve’s sister Mary, and Duke. Adding you, that brings the pot to $400.”
Lori accepted her new drink gratefully from the bartender and took another deep swallow. Wiping her lip with one manicured nail, she grinned and held out her glass. “May the best woman win.”
Kono clinked her bottle to Lori’s glass and smirked. “I hate to tell you this, but that’s going to be me. I have my eye on this wicked new surfboard, and I mean to buy it with my winnings.”
The two women laughed and resumed their careful watch of the partners across the room. When they witnessed Danny cupping Steve’s face in his palm and say something serious, Lori sighed deeply and said, “Well, shit. I think I just lost $50.”
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Chin Ho Kelly couldn’t seem to take his eyes off of his beautiful new bride. Malia was radiant in her white gown, but her smile was what lit up the entire room as she twirled around the dance floor in her father’s arms. He didn’t mind standing against the wall as she took center stage. It was where she belonged, after all.
His attention was pulled away from his love by the approach of Joe White. Chin didn’t necessarily trust the man. He knew that Steve respected his former commander in the Navy SEALs and even looked to him as a father figure, but something about the man rubbed Chin wrong. Joe White wore secrets and espionage like cheap cologne, and he was afraid that his best man would someday choke on it.
Joe approached Chin and stuck his hand out. Chin only hesitated for a split second before he returned the handshake. Joe said, “Chin, congratulations. Malia seems like a wonderful woman. I wish you both the best.”
The native Hawaiian retrieved his hand from the bruising grip and smiled tightly. “Thank you, Joe. I am a very lucky man. But something tells me that your felicitations aren’t what brought you over here just now.” The older man’s eyes appeared to twinkle with approval. Chin didn’t really care if Joe liked him or not. He only cared whether Joe was working in Steve’s best interest.
Joe’s lips quirked up with a small smile. “I knew you were clever, Chin. The armed forces missed out on recruiting you. You would have made a hell of a SEAL.”
Chin’s eyes narrowed and he crossed his arms over his chest. “Instead, I made one hell of a cop and detective. What can I do for you, Joe?”
The geniality faded from Joe’s eyes and cold calculation took over. “Since I’ve been here, I have noticed that Steve has a rather unique relationship with Danny. What can you tell me about them?”
Chin’s eyebrows climbed his forehead. His dark, exotic eyes immediately began to scan the crowd for Steve and Danny. He found them seated together, alone, and apparently in deep conversation with each other. As usual, boundaries had disappeared as if their bodies’ gravitational field pulled the other into their orbit. He could practically see the sparks jumping across the scant inches that separated them, and could physically feel the wave of connection between them from across the room. Chin knew what he was looking at, and he approved whole-heartedly. Danny was good for Steve. It was as simple as that to Chin. He saw the way the shorter man balanced out Steve’s extremes and had witnessed the change that had come over the battle-hardened SEAL since Danny had come into his life. So many people had failed Steve in his lifetime, but Danny was always there to back him up, steer Steve back on track, or reign him in when he threatened to go too far. As far as Chin was concerned, Steve and Danny were made for each other.
“I’m not sure what you’re asking, Joe,” Chin stalled by replying. He knew how to play this game of cat and mouse that the retired SEAL was playing.
Joe cut his eyes across the room to take in the scene of Danny and Steve conversing closely. “I think you know exactly what I’m asking, Chin. Are the two of them in a romantic relationship with each other?”
Chin clenched his teeth. Leave it to the man to get right to the point, he thought grimly. “I’m not sure how that’s any of your business. Frankly, it’s none of mine, either. If you want to know the answer to that question, why not just ask Steve yourself?”
Chin smirked at the muscle jumping in his opponent’s clenched jaw. Check and mate, he thought.
Joe took a deep breath and admitted, “Because I’m not sure that Steve even knows the answer to that himself. I’ve observed him closely since I’ve been here, and he exhibits all the behaviors of a jealous boyfriend when it comes to his partner, yet I’ve never seen them touch each other in a purely sexual fashion. There is definitely something between them, though. Am I correct?”
Chin weighed his options before answering. On the one hand, Joe could be a great support system for Steve if the man was honest about his concern for the welfare of his best friend’s son and if he approved of the two men getting involved romantically. That was a big IF. On the other hand, he could be ingratiating himself to Steve in order to be close enough to derail Steve’s investigation every time he got too close to the truth about Wo Fat and Shelburne. Either way Chin answered, there was the risk of exposing Steve to danger. He wanted to avoid that at all costs. This would require a delicate balance on his part. Good thing he had a lifetime of practice to fall back on.
“All I can tell you, Mr. White, is that Steve and Danny have gotten very close in the last year. They’ve been through a lot dangerous situations together, and they have been there to pull each other through them. They are partners and confidantes. I have no definitive proof of anything more.”
Joe smirked and studied Chin’s unreadable face. With a wry chuckle, the older man said, “You’re a wily bastard, aren’t you? Fine. I commend your loyalty to the both of them. They are going to need it if things between them continue to progress to its natural conclusion. Believe it or not, Mr. Kelly, I really do want what is best for Steve. I don’t want to see him get hurt, but if he continues in this mad quest for Shelburne, I’m not going to be able to protect him from that. I’m hoping that by encouraging Steve to pursue Danny romantically, he will be too distracted with a new relationship to chase the white rabbit. Is that honest enough for you?”
Chin’s instincts didn’t sound an alarm, but there was still reservations. Joe was telling the truth, at least partially. He believed the part about Joe wanting to protect Steve from getting hurt, but he wasn’t so sure about his motives. Finally, Chin nodded to acknowledge his acceptance of Joe’s words and replied, “I believe that you care about Steve, but I still think you’re hiding something or someone. Feel free to talk to Steve about his relationship with Danny all you want. But if you’re expecting me to participate in your plan to throw Steve off his investigation, then I’m afraid I will have to decline to help. You see, I don’t believe in manipulating my friends to my own purposes. Their path is their own. I will not offer them directions unless they ask me for it.”
Joe and Chin locked eyes in a silent battle of wills. When Chin refused to blink, the former commander broke contact. Clearing his throat, Joe said, “Understood. I believe I’ll take my leave for the night. Good evening, Mr. Kelly. Enjoy your lovely new wife.”
Chin gripped the man’s hand once more and shook once before dropping it. “Thank you again, Mr. White. We appreciate you being here.”
Chin watched as the enigmatic former SEAL wove his way through the crowd and disappear. When he lost sight of him, Chin’s eyes sought out Steve and found him still deep in conversation with Danny. He frowned at the thought of Joe meddling with the personal lives of his two friends. While he was all for giving the two men a kick in the right direction, he also respected their right to discover the truth on their own. As far as he knew, neither Steve nor Danny were gay or even bi-sexual, but there was no denying the potent attraction between them.
At this point, Chin had to make a decision. He could tell Steve that Joe was planning to use his relationship with Danny to take his focus off of Shelburne, but then he would be placing himself right in the middle of their developing relationship which his code of honor would not allow. Or, he could sit back and say nothing about Joe and trust Steve’s instincts and skills to keep him safe. That would allow Joe to give Steve a prod in the right direction in order to find happiness, but it would also leave his friend open to greater danger by distraction and new love. Ultimately, Chin made his decision based on his heart.
Mind made up about his course of action, his focus resumed tracking his new bride. He found her by the chocolate fountain laughing with her cousins. Her slender, shapely arm was thrown around her maid of honor and happiness radiated from her core to illuminate everyone else around her. God, she is so beautiful, the new husband thought to himself. He pushed away from the wall, desperate to feel that warmth bathing him once more. Malia was his light, his hope, and his salvation. He had never loved anyone like her before. That was how he knew that Steve and Danny were destined for each other. Their faces when they were together revealed the same awe that his did every time he looked at Malia. Chin knew what it felt like to fall in love, and he would do everything in his power to protect his friends while they continued doing the same. Even though his path to love with Malia had been plagued with pain, he wouldn’t trade a single moment of the journey they had taken to this place. His friends deserved that, sooner rather than later. Steve would always be in some kind of danger; it was the man’s nature. He wanted to see Steve happy while he had the chance, because no one knew better than Chin that tomorrows were never promised.