Danny & Steve [Completed]

Game Day, Part Two

Steve came to Danny's side and said, "You look overwhelmed."

Danny ducked his head. "I am, a little."

Steve grinned. "You'll get used to it. There's a rhythm to the madness." Brenda's pigtails bounced as she came darting by, and without missing a beat, Steve redirected her toward the rest of the children. "We can duck out if you want to, though."

As much as the idea of getting Steve alone appealed, Danny figured if he want off with him, his family would assume they were together. They'd think they were off being... gay, together. "No, it's okay. I like this." It wasn't a lie. For all that it was overwhelming, the energy of a happy family was infectious. He liked being around it.

"They don't treat you different," he said.

"Different from what?" Steve replied, glancing at Danny.

Danny chewed his lower lip, then shook his head. He didn't want to keep rehashing his issues all over Steve. "Never mind. They're great."

Steve grinned. "Thanks, I think so."

After burgers and a lot of cheering to bring up the energy level to a fevered pitch, the family packed up the truck, then walked with the rest of the fans toward the stadium. Steve held Brenda's hand while Mary rode on her dad's shoulders. Steph had the baby and Jimmy wanted to be a big boy and walk on his own. Brad fell into step beside Danny, with little white sandals hanging down over each shoulder while Mary waved a foam hand that nearly engulfed her tiny arm.

"So, uh, Danny," Brad said, his demeanor suddenly serious.

Danny swallowed. "Yeah?"

Brad glanced over at him, then back to the path ahead. "I need to know what your intentions are toward my baby brother."

Danny felt his stomach sink. "My... my intentions? I... um... I mean... I hadn't..."

Brad broke into a broad grin, and he said, "Oh, man. You should see the look on your face."

Danny blinked a few times. "What?"

Brad let go of Mary's leg long enough to chuck Danny on the arm. "Relax. I'm just messing with you."

Danny tried not to hyperventilate. "You almost gave me a heart attack," he said with a nervous laugh.

Brad studied him for a second, then said, "Whatever's going on with you, man, it's okay. You're safe with us."

By the time they were in the stands and the game was in full swing, Danny had relaxed quite a bit. He even cheered instead of clapping politely when their team scored. He booed a bad call loudly alongside the rest of the family, and at the touchdown that won them the game, he jumped up and down, yelling with the others.

Then everyone was hugging. Danny got hugged even by the kids, and he hugged back. Then he found himself wrapped up in Steve's arms, and he held him close. Steve murmured in his ear, "They adore you."

Danny grinned, and he kept hugging Steve. He smelled so good, and it felt so right. He drew back, looked into his eyes, and almost kissed him. Almost. Who would care? His family? They were cool. The people around them? No one knew him here. Except...

"Hey, Danny!"

Danny let go of Steve so fast it was like he was on fire. "Ben!" He grinned and waved at Ben as Ben came wading through the cheering fans toward him. He had a girl with him Danny didn't know. She was built, with curves for days. Her hair was in thin dreads gathered in a tail, and her dark brown eyes carried a keen wit in them. She held Ben's hand and was wearing his high school letterman's jacket.