He looks, an exaggerated sweep of eyes across the quiet lawn, and holds still for long enough to make the soft rush of waves, the unfurling cry of some seabird, obvious as the only sounds around. It's quiet, and still, and Steve's at least smiling enough to probably not be totally mechanical, though there's a slightly robotic quality to it that's enough to supplement those still whirling warning lights, add a low hum of sirens.
Because there is something. Something that makes Steve's smile come a half-second too late, that takes the words he's springboarding off Danny's comment and makes them sound strangely distant, like Steve's pulling out the "RETORT" stamp and checking off boxes with it.
While he's still sitting there. Motionless. Relaxed, but in a way that feels like he's just checked out, isn't just enjoying himself or taking in the view like a normal person would, at a normal backyard, one that isn't thick with the ghosts of betrayed McGarretts past. He's calm. Is it too calm?
Or is Danny just looking for the things he knows should be wrong, when Steve's whole world is cracking and it wasn't exactly ever that solid to begin with?
How long has he been sitting here? Was it from before Danny's call?
The glass is wet and cool and slick under his fingers; he rolls it gently around itself. "What's up? You look like you accidentally swallowed the key to wherever you lock up all the really dangerous weapons."
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He looks, an exaggerated sweep of eyes across the quiet lawn, and holds still for long enough to make the soft rush of waves, the unfurling cry of some seabird, obvious as the only sounds around. It's quiet, and still, and Steve's at least smiling enough to probably not be totally mechanical, though there's a slightly robotic quality to it that's enough to supplement those still whirling warning lights, add a low hum of sirens.
Because there is something. Something that makes Steve's smile come a half-second too late, that takes the words he's springboarding off Danny's comment and makes them sound strangely distant, like Steve's pulling out the "RETORT" stamp and checking off boxes with it.
While he's still sitting there. Motionless. Relaxed, but in a way that feels like he's just checked out, isn't just enjoying himself or taking in the view like a normal person would, at a normal backyard, one that isn't thick with the ghosts of betrayed McGarretts past. He's calm. Is it too calm?
Or is Danny just looking for the things he knows should be wrong, when Steve's whole world is cracking and it wasn't exactly ever that solid to begin with?
How long has he been sitting here? Was it from before Danny's call?
The glass is wet and cool and slick under his fingers; he rolls it gently around itself. "What's up? You look like you accidentally swallowed the key to wherever you lock up all the really dangerous weapons."