newkindofcop | (no subject)

The day before the wedding dawns about the same as it always has on the island - quiet and unassuming. Steve knows not to rule out the possibility of an otherworldly wrench being thrown into the mix, but for now, he's going to dismiss all of those thoughts from his mind, choosing to use the time he has to himself to spend it doing one of the things he loves most. He doesn't expect Danny to tag along with him - his partner needs the space as much as he does, in a healthy sense - but he's also not expecting that anything about the next few days is going to fall under the category of 'traditional'.

The board he uses is Danny's, technically - it had arrived with Danny, at least, which means it's about a head too short for Steve, but he knows how to shift his footing to compensate for a shorter board once he gets out on the waves. He catches a few until the sun shifts its position in the sky, and then he settles into a straddle on the board, sitting out on the water and letting the waves move him, unrushed and unhurried, the sun beating down on his shoulders and the back of his neck.

Right now, he feels more peaceful than he's ever been - and he knows that while tomorrow is the next big step, he also knows it's the right move. He hadn't expected to fall in love with a loud-mouthed cop from Jersey, but at the end of the day, it's exactly like what he told Danny back at home: he's in this, whether he'd planned for it or not.

And he's ready.

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"That's a good question," he replies, bracing his hands on his thighs as another wave rolls in, drawing them toward the shoreline before pulling them back out in a small drift.

"We never know what happens to people after they leave here - if they remember everything, if they pick up right where they leave off. I think it might've taken us a little longer to reach the same place if we'd been home, but we would've made it there eventually."

The roll of the waves still makes Kate a little uneasy. She doesn't know the patterns well enough to feel completely in control. So she watches Steve, watches his body, when it tenses and when it releases and rides the swell by muscle mimicry.

"Then it probably doesn't matter much that he misses home. Because if he was home and he remembered this, he'd miss you, too. The only difference is--" She flashes him a little grin. "--at home, I'd be kicking some hyper-conservative asses for getting their protest on at your wedding."

Steve grimaces slightly, but the truth is that he knows it would be a little more difficult for them were they to pursue a relationship back home. The island is fairly more accepting, on the whole - and he's heard about certain laws being repealed, thanks to the papers that occasionally trickle in to appear on the bookshelf.

"And hopefully do it just in time to join the rest of us," he replies, grinning loose. "Not that I wouldn't appreciate the back-up - or Danny, for that matter. He thinks I'm allergic to the concept."

"Aren't you?" Kate teases, splashing water at him with the cup of her hand. "You SEAL types like working alone." You SEAL types is hilarious coming from the original girl solo and she knows it. That's why she's grinning at him when she says it.

She softens just a little to add, "You know I'd never miss you getting hitched--" Unless it would stress Danny out, but he's the one who invited her and they're getting along well enough now. "I'll even wear a skirt." Her mouth quirks. "One that more than covers my ass."

"Well, we're not exactly used to the same police procedural concepts," Steve admits, idly scratching the back of his neck. "Most of the time, there is no back-up. It's something I had to get used to when I started working in Five-O."

He's still smiling, a low chuckle working its way past his lips. "Hey, you wear whatever you want to wear. Far be it from me to judge. I think Danny's just glad I didn't insist on wearing sandals with my tux."

"It'll be worth it--" Wearing a skirt. "For Declan's reaction and to give Danny one less thing to scowl about."

She grins and pushes herself up onto the board on her feet. "So come on. I know you came out here to surf, not gossip, and I'm overdue for my next lesson."

Steve flashes her a similar grin and then nods, rolling over onto his stomach on the board and pushing up slowly.

"Got a good one coming in soon," he replies, glancing back behind them. "You ready?"

Kate puts on her gameface, ready or not. She's getting better at this and sometimes, like today, she actually likes it.

She gives him a nod that's loose and focused. "You bet."