Steve is defensive, maybe even edging towards annoyed, and he keeps throwing excuses out, while tensing under Danny's hands, like he's winding up for a fight, and maybe he is. It would probably be the least possible surprise, to fight with Steve at a time like this, right, it would be the closest thing to normal that they've had all night. "So?"
So, Danny hadn't thought of it? So, he liked Gabby? So, he liked Amber? So, he had no idea?
When has Steve ever let a few details like those get in his way? When has Steve ever let details get in his way?
He knows it was the rational thing to do, okay. But Steve is not rational. Danny is rational, the one who does the expected thing. Not Steve. Steve is the tornado Danny's been tied to for years, and the idea that there was something in Danny that would make Steve back down, without even giving the slightest inkling that that something was wrong, sits strange and uncomfortable in Danny's stomach.
Okay, so maybe Steve being defensive isn't the only reason they might get into it, now. Maybe It's because Danny's guilt is starting to nibble at his stomach lining, and he doesn't like feeling guilty, or uncomfortable, and he wants to get to the bottom of this, because it sounds like, okay, it sounds to him, like Steve just pretty much didn't consider his own feelings, or wants, or needs, at all. Listing off reasons why he pushed Danny towards other people, actively setting himself aside.
And, sure. Danny's never seen Steve jealous. Not of anyone Catherine spent her time with, and not of Gabby, or Amber, or even Rachel. It's possible that never came into play, the way it did with Danny, whenever he opened the door to this house and found Catherine comfortably ensconced on the couch, waving and welcoming in like it was her home to offer.
He hated her more in those moments than she ever deserved. It wasn't her fault, and she was...she and Steve had something. Special. Strong. Unorthodox, maybe, but it could have lasted, could have gone the distance, if she hadn't left.
If she hadn't been the latest in the long line of people who loved Steve and left him behind, anyway.
Everything Danny always promised himself he wouldn't do. Wouldn't toy with Steve, or harm him. Wouldn't take advantage of his unending spring of loyalty, his stubborn need to help, his refusal to back down in front of insurmountable odds.
Everything it turns out he did. Knowing, or not. "You'd prefer we never talk about it again, maybe?"
Fat chance of that happening, when it's already worrying at Danny's leg, like a dog gnawing on the bone, leaving him discontent and annoyed with himself. Even if they'd both been hiding, those last three years. Even if, in the grand scheme of things, the year before might not be such a big deal.
It's a big deal to Danny. It matters. Steve matters.
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Steve is defensive, maybe even edging towards annoyed, and he keeps throwing excuses out, while tensing under Danny's hands, like he's winding up for a fight, and maybe he is. It would probably be the least possible surprise, to fight with Steve at a time like this, right, it would be the closest thing to normal that they've had all night. "So?"
So, Danny hadn't thought of it? So, he liked Gabby? So, he liked Amber? So, he had no idea?
When has Steve ever let a few details like those get in his way? When has Steve ever let details get in his way?
He knows it was the rational thing to do, okay. But Steve is not rational. Danny is rational, the one who does the expected thing. Not Steve. Steve is the tornado Danny's been tied to for years, and the idea that there was something in Danny that would make Steve back down, without even giving the slightest inkling that that something was wrong, sits strange and uncomfortable in Danny's stomach.
Okay, so maybe Steve being defensive isn't the only reason they might get into it, now. Maybe It's because Danny's guilt is starting to nibble at his stomach lining, and he doesn't like feeling guilty, or uncomfortable, and he wants to get to the bottom of this, because it sounds like, okay, it sounds to him, like Steve just pretty much didn't consider his own feelings, or wants, or needs, at all. Listing off reasons why he pushed Danny towards other people, actively setting himself aside.
And, sure. Danny's never seen Steve jealous. Not of anyone Catherine spent her time with, and not of Gabby, or Amber, or even Rachel. It's possible that never came into play, the way it did with Danny, whenever he opened the door to this house and found Catherine comfortably ensconced on the couch, waving and welcoming in like it was her home to offer.
He hated her more in those moments than she ever deserved. It wasn't her fault, and she was...she and Steve had something. Special. Strong. Unorthodox, maybe, but it could have lasted, could have gone the distance, if she hadn't left.
If she hadn't been the latest in the long line of people who loved Steve and left him behind, anyway.
Everything Danny always promised himself he wouldn't do. Wouldn't toy with Steve, or harm him. Wouldn't take advantage of his unending spring of loyalty, his stubborn need to help, his refusal to back down in front of insurmountable odds.
Everything it turns out he did. Knowing, or not. "You'd prefer we never talk about it again, maybe?"
Fat chance of that happening, when it's already worrying at Danny's leg, like a dog gnawing on the bone, leaving him discontent and annoyed with himself. Even if they'd both been hiding, those last three years. Even if, in the grand scheme of things, the year before might not be such a big deal.
It's a big deal to Danny. It matters. Steve matters.