"What time did you get home last night, Danny?"

Danny looked briefly over his shoulder and then continued to cook at the stove. The early morning sunbeams poured through the skylights and illuminated the whole room.

"Ah?" he mumbled, and served the scrambled eggs on a plate and set it on the counter for JJ to have later.

"Like twelveish." He shrugged and looked up at his mom, who was organizing papers at the counter. She has her design book, so he assumed that she was making preparations for a new clothing project.

His mother nodded and Danny leaned his forearms on the island across from her. He picked up a paper and his eyes traced over the outline for a dress. At the top of the page in the corner, it said, Sarah- Midsummers.

His face automatically soured at the thought of the event, and he hoped he could talk his way out of going.

"And when do you think you went to bed?" she questioned lightly, continuing to fan through her papers.

He cracked his knuckles and blew out a tired breath. "Two. Yeah, that seems right."

Irene raised an eyebrow, and she looked at him pointedly.

"Three."

She sighed and set all the pages down. She brushed her hair back and sat straighter to give Danny all of her attention. She reached with her hand and interlocked hers with Danny's, her bracelets knocking against the granite.

"Sweetheart, it's just after six right now. Do you need to go back on the medication?" Her voice is sincere and full of concern, and normally, it would soothe Danny, but right now he felt agitated.

She trailed her eyes over his face and frowned at his tired eyes and busted lip, and Danny could sense her concern increasing tenfold.

He tugged his hand out of her grasp and ran them down his face in annoyance. "No, mom," he insisted firmly. "It's not like that. I—" he paused, and his eyes flashed over to look at the door leading down to his room. "I've just had a lot on my mind."

She doesn't look convinced but let the topic go anyway.

"You hate scrambled eggs," she said instead and pondered for a moment. She glanced back at Danny and noted his avoidance of eye contact.

She gasped, and it had Danny trying to quiet her. "Shh!" he cried frantically and hovered his finger over his lips.

"Do you have someone over?"

"No! No, no, no," he sputtered, blood rushing to his cheeks. "It's JJ."

With that admission, his mother's eyes widened even more and she stood from the stool.

"Not like that!" Danny rushed and spoke animatedly with his hands. "It's just like a normal sleepover, you know? And you know what? Actually, not even normal. We hardly even cuddled, so yeah."

She raised an amused brow and commented, "All right." She gathered her papers and placed them in her leather portfolio. She tied her hair up and adjusted her watch. "I'm going into the office for a bit."

She walked closer to him, her heels resounding through the room. She leaned up and kissed his cheek, and Danny smiled faintly. She placed her hand on his shoulder and squeezed briefly.

"Your father is going out of town for a few days," she added as an afterthought.

"Thank god," he mumbled to himself.

Irene scowled. "I don't want to hear it, Daniel."

He groaned and followed his mom to the front door. "I just don't get why you won't leave him."

"He's been good, Danny."

He scoffed and rolled his eyes, explicitly remembering all the times his dad gave him grief about his sexuality. "Right."

"All marriages have rough patches. No one would be married if they couldn't work through their problems and left at the first argument."

Danny doesn't respond, and his mom walked out of the front door and into her car. He waved back at her when she pulled out of the driveway and down the street. He shut the door and spun on his heels.

He jumped in fright when he saw JJ leaning against the wall in the hallway, ankles crossed and chest bare.

"Oh my god," Danny muttered and held his hand over his heart. "When did you come up?"

JJ smothered his amused smile and raised a shoulder. "Just now. I looked on the deck first since that's where you usually are in the morning, but. . ."

"Yeah, well, I made you breakfast," Danny added and pulled JJ down the hall and into the kitchen with his arm around the boy's shoulders. He lead JJ to sit on the stool.

JJ yawned and buried his head in his crossed arms on the island. He almost fell asleep once more listening to Danny's light humming of the most recent song he's been obsessed with.

Danny placed the plate in the microwave to heat the food and then poured a glass of water for JJ.

"Breakfast is served," Danny said and set down the food.

JJ rested his chin on his forearm and grabbed the fork with his other hand. "Thanks."

Danny nodded, and they descended into a comfortable silence.

Danny grabbed some leftover papers his mom left behind and sorted through them. There are more dresses, so he assumed some are for Midsummers, and others are more high-end, which he thinks is for fashion week in Milan next year.

"God damn," he mumbled in displeasure, his shoulders sagging as he let his head drop. There's a suit outline and his name in the top corner.

"Hmm?"

"My mom's making me a suit," Danny grumbled and set the papers down behind him on the counter.

"Oh, how terrible."

Danny nodded, missing the sarcasm. "I know."

Danny took JJ's finished plate and disposed of it in the sink. "So, I'm working a double today, and I have to leave soon. I'll finish around six."

JJ took note of Danny's uniform; khakis and a royal blue polo with the repair shop name on the breast pocket. "Why are you wearing your uniform? You never do."

"Lou said today we're making visitations to the yachts that are too big to take out of the water," he said and rolled his eyes. He always hated those trips because the older men who own them think they know more about the engines than Danny does. But the tips make up for his grievances. He much rather enjoys the repairs with the older women who lounge and compliment him as he works. He hoped Sue-Ann was present today. She made the most wonderful Banana Bread for him.

"God damn Kooks."

"Yeah." Danny took out his wallet and plucked two fifties. He gave them to JJ, ignoring the baffled look sent to him. "Give that to John B, would ya? I said I'd get him groceries, but I don't have time today."

"Okay."

Danny rounded the corner of the kitchen to walk into the cabinet. He reached for the five-hour-energy bottle and downed the contents. He gagged and pounded his chest at the aftertaste.

He peered at the clock mounted on the wall and groaned. Quarter till seven. He needed to leave ten minutes ago.

"I have to go now," Danny said over his shoulder and fixed his hair in the mirror in the hallway. He winced when he saw the extent of his lip. It's a bit swollen and tinges of black and blue bruises surrounded the cut.

JJ waved lazily and stumbled off of the stool, ready to go back downstairs and sleep for a few more hours.

"What?" Danny goaded and walked back to the front door. "No goodbye kiss? That's cruel."

JJ raised his middle finger. "In your dreams."

"Oh, it is."

JJ averted his gaze with a slight shake of his head, and Danny left with a laugh bubbling from his chest.

***

"Okay, kid," Lou said from beside Danny as they walk down a dock in the marina. "I want to be in and out today. No bullshit. We have a heavy schedule."

Danny adjusted his grip on the toolbox and nodded his head. "I'm with you, sir. It's like two hundred degrees out."

Lou laughed faintly and slapped his hand on Danny's shoulder to grip it. He pulled away with a frown. "Oh, wow. You really are sweaty."

Danny chuckled lazily and wiped his forearm across his forehead. "You got that right."

Danny hated hot weather and summer in OBX is his walking nightmare. He's able to bear it in swim trunks, but not in Vans and khakis.

Danny followed Lou from yacht to yacht, and each vessel took about an hour to check and repair if they get down to business right away.

They're nearing the end of their list, and Danny rested on a crate on the docks. He chugged a water bottle and aired out his shirt. Oh, how he wanted to be naked right now.

"That lip is looking real nice, Sarver."

Danny raised his hand to block the sun and locked eyes with Topper and his stupid smug face.

Danny stood and stepped closer. He had to force his lip not to curl in disgust when he looked at Topper's outfit: mint green chino shorts paired with a white and yellow striped shirt. Disgusting.

"Yeah, thanks for that, actually," Danny said with a half-smile. "It makes me look tough and mysterious. I already had two girls give me their numbers today, and had two others come home with me last night."

Topper glared and shook his head, his jaw clenched tightly.

"You actually did me a favor." Danny laughed lightly, loving how his lighthearted attitude was getting under Topper's skin.

"Yeah," Topper started and stepped closer, sliding his hands in his pockets. "Let's see you keep that same smile when I throw your little boyfriend in jail."

Danny nodded and forced his rage from his features.

"Hmm," Danny considered briefly. "Well this is gonna be awkward, but I'm assuming now isn't the right time to tell you that it was Sarah who came home with me last night. She came knocking on my door at, like, two. We had fun all night long."

He noticed how Topper bristled, the doubt starting to cloud behind his eyes. Danny smirked and finished off his water.

They both knew that little Miss Kook isn't exactly faithful, so this fib has some possibility of being true. But that's all Danny needed.

"It was great talking to you, Topper," Danny said, his grin on full display. He placed his hand on Topper's shoulder and pulled him closer, appearing good-natured to those around. "I'll invite you next time my boyfriend and I go at it. Hell, you can bring Sarah, too. I'd love a round two."

Danny would be six feet under if Topper's glare could kill, and it made Danny all the more happy to continue to piss off Kooks.

"Oh," Danny exclaimed and fully latched his arm around Topper's shoulder, pulling him tight against Danny's body. "I almost forgot," he leaned his head down closer to Topper's, and whispered viciously, "If you ever threaten JJ again, I'll be sure to let Peterkin know that your father is laundering money out of the Island Club."

Danny grinned brightly while Topper set his jaw and looked down the dock, away from Danny's piercing gaze.

"I'll be seeing you, Topper."

Danny waved mockingly and then walked leisurely down the dock to Lou who's leaning casually against the previous yacht they repaired.

"He the one who gave you the lip?" the older man questioned and tapped his own lip for emphasis.

"Yep," Danny answered and watched Topper walk through the Marina and over to Kelce, talking animatedly with his hands and shooting glares over his shoulder every minute or so.

"Good for you, kid," Lou said and wiped his hands on a towel. "How about I get the last one on my own, and you can go hang out with your friends? I saw them a bit ago in the water lookin' 'round for you."

"Really?" Danny asked in excitement.

"Get out of here," Lou said and waved his hand. "The last one is just a routine check-up. He's an old friend, so it may actually be bearable."

"Thanks."

"Yeah, yeah."

"Oh!" Danny said and packed up the toolbox for the man. "I've been meaning to ask if JJ could help with waxing the boats again."

"Is that the little blond kid you like?"

Danny frowned in confusion. "Well," he said. "Yeah, I like him. He's my best friend."

Lou waved his hand in dismissal. "Never mind that. Sure he can, but it's coming out of your check again."

Danny nodded. "Yeah, that's what I wanted anyway. Thanks, Lou!"

"All right, kid. Get out of here before I change my mind and make you stay."

Danny smiled and pointed at him in appreciation as he walked farther down the dock.

***

"Yo, what the hell are you doing?" Pope exclaimed, grabbing the attention of the other three on board.

Danny shrugged as he continued to undo his belt in the back of the boat. "I'm hot as all hell and I'm putting on the swim shorts JJ brought."

Pope's mouth opened in disbelief. "You're just gonna do that now? And here?" He swatted away the balled-up polo that Danny tossed at his head.

They were cruising through the marsh on the way to the wreck. JJ's bright idea was to steal Cameron's diving gear to find any stash in the sunken boat.

"When do you want me to do it, Pope? And where do you suppose I do, actually? In your personal dressing room?"

"I—I don't," Pope stammered and looked between Kie, John B, and JJ, all of whom do not appear uncomfortable, unlike Pope. "You're just gonna strip in front of Kie?!" he said, hand raised in her direction.

"I would gladly strip in front of Kie any day of the week, Pope."

Kie rolled her eyes, and Danny sent her a wink.

"Yeah, you walked into that one," John B laughed at Pope's annoyed face.

"Just turn around if you don't want a show, bro. But I wouldn't be mad if you took a peek."

JJ laughed at Pope's expense, and the four friends all faced the front of the boat as Danny changed in the back.

"Okay, let's get this show on the road." Danny clapped and rubbed his hands together.

They anchor and Kie unloaded the bag, taking note of the tanks John B stole. She looked up in disbelief. "This is empty. You took empty tanks?"

John B glanced around sheepishly and raised his hands. "I—"

Danny sat on the edge of the boat and double-checked the tanks. "You guys do know that Lou and I carry a portable air pump right?"

"Yeah," John B admitted tentatively. "I did. I did know that."

Pope groaned and tossed his hat on the ground so he could rub his hands over his head and face in frustration.

"Okay, this one's a quarter full. It's enough for one of us," Danny said and held up the tank.

"Love it when a plan comes together," Pope commented sarcastically.

"Does anybody know how to dive?" Kie asked in exasperation and looked up at the four boys from her sitting position.

"It's kind of a Kook sport," JJ answered from beside Danny who was gathering the gear in preparation.

"I do."

JJ stared at Danny with narrowed eyes. "Since when?" JJ asked, his tone brimming with doubt.

"Since my mom took me to Hawaii two years ago. Wasn't very good, but it's more practice than you idiots have. You guys would totally get the bends."

"Like bend over," JJ joked and bent at the waist.

"The bends kill you," Pope deadpanned from the captain's chair.

"Right," JJ mumbled.

"Let me do some calculations real quick." Pope stood and began writing on a spare piece of paper. "That boat's about thirty feet down, right? So it'll take twenty-five minutes at most at that depth. Which means you need to make your safety stop at about. . . ten feet."

"Gotcha," Danny said and gave the boy a careless thumbs up.

"Are you sure about this? We can go back and get more air," JJ said and placed his hand on Danny's arm.

"It's too late for that," Danny said and waved off JJ's concern. "It'll be fine."

"All right?" Pope said to catch Danny's attention. "For two minutes."

"Yeah. Got it."

"Ten feet, two minutes," Pope reiterated.

Danny looked over his shoulder when he heard a splash.

"Why'd she do that for?"

"I don't know, but I liked it," JJ says as he looked in the direction of the girl. "A lot."

Danny began to put the gear on as he crouched on the floor of the boat. He looked out into the marsh and admired the sun setting over the water.

"Hey, hey," JJ said and squatted in front of Danny. He put his hand on Danny's knee and held up a key. "When you're down there, you look for the cargo hold."

Danny nodded along absentmindedly as he continued to prepare the gear, running over the checklist of preparation from what he remembers on his vacation.

"You stick this thing inside and twist and pull, okay?"

Danny chuckled to himself. "Reminds me of when Yuki gave me a handy. Twist and pull was a different approach," Danny said. "But you know, I kinda ended up enjoying the pain of it, in a weird way."

"Jesus," JJ muttered with a shake of his head.

"Don't knock it 'til you try it, my man."

"Hey!" Kiara called from the water, "I tied my T-shirt to the anchor chain about ten feet down. It's where you need to do your safety stop."

"Okay, thanks Kie."

Danny stood and took a nervous breath, neglecting to tell the others of how he almost drowned the last time he scuba dove, even with a full tank of air.

"Remember," Pope said and walked closer to the boy, "Keep an eye on this. You need to make sure you have enough air to decompress."

"Okay, how much do I need?"

"Unclear." Pope hesitated. "Breathe as little as possible."

"Oh, wow. I don't—I don't like that. That doesn't sound very reassuring." Danny clamored onto the bow and looked down at the boys. "If I don't make it, set my mom up with Lou. Sure he's nearing sixty-five but, hey, what does that matter?"

"Shut up. You'll be fine."

"Always so reassuring, darling."

"Hey, if we get caught in the marsh, we're basically screwed, so . . . better get a move on," Pope added.

"Aye, aye," he said and covered his face with the goggles and mask. He saluted and jumped into the water without another thought.

***

Danny swam down to the boat, trying hard to make out the features in the murky water.

His heart beat erratically and he's worried about almost drowning like last time. Except, there is no instructor to pull him to the surface.

He held the key in his hand and searched for the cargo hold. He found it under the steering wheel and tugged a black bag from the container. He pulled it too hard and it flew over his head and into the sand.

He closed his eyes in irritation. Danny swam over the side of the boat to the sand bed. He couldn't see anything from the disturbed sand dancing around like a plume of smoke.

He swallowed thickly when the air gauge lowered to dangerous levels, and he still needed his safety stop. He started holding his breath to conserve air.

He patted around with his hands for the bag. After a stressful couple of seconds, he found it and swam toward the anchor for his stop.

He froze, dread sinking into his bones, suddenly unable to remember how long Pope said to stop for.

Four minutes? One? Two?

It didn't matter because he only had enough air for just under two minutes.

He glanced up at the boat and furrowed his eyebrows at the shadow of another boat. No matter who it may be, he wasn't coming up until it was gone.

He eyed the gauge frantically with only forty-five seconds left of air, yet the boat still remained.

He supposed it may be the sequel to his Hawaii trip after all.

When the countdown struck three seconds, he breathed as deeply as his lungs permitted and prayed for a miracle.

Spots start to cloud his vision when the boat finally peeled away. He tore his mask off and rushed to the surface. He broke through and gasped for air while floating on his back.

"Jesus! Don't scare us like that!" His friends call from the boat, but he still needed a moment to himself to catch his breath and calm his heartbeat.

Danny held the bag in one hand and his chest in the other, trying to stop himself from now hyperventilating. He ignored his friends continuous calls, and instead focused his gaze to the sky, which is now a light purple that tinged the cirrus clouds above with the hue.

He felt the breeze in the marsh lightly fan over his face and cool his heated skin. Danny swallowed thickly and directed his gaze to his friends who are all hovering over the side of the boat, worry marring their features.

"Danny!" JJ called for what felt like the hundredth time, yet it finally managed to steal the boy's attention.

Danny slowly swam to the ladder on the side of the boat, and JJ practically pulled him aboard.

Danny dropped to his knees, water forming a puddle around him and he tossed the bag to the side.

"Hey," JJ said softly with barely restrained urgency. He took hold of Danny's cheeks which forced their eyes to meet. "Are you okay? What's wrong? Can you breathe? What can I do?"

Danny blinked as an answer, his eyes still glazed over with panic. He tugged at the straps connected to the tank but ultimately failed to get anywhere. Pope helped him and took it off completely.

"I don't want to do that again," Danny finally said, his voice hoarse and low.

JJ helped him stand and then wrapped his arms around Danny's torso in a hug.

He reciprocated the action and rested his chin on JJ's shoulder. He squeezed his eyes shut and let out a shaky sigh. Relief flooded through his veins, and his eyes teared up at the overwhelming calming sensation from being in JJ's arms.

"You're okay," JJ soothed and squeezed tighter before unlatching his hold.

Danny nodded to himself and ran his hands through his hair, blinking harshly. He straighten up and raised his chin, taking the appearance as if nothing had happened. "Who was here?"

The four share a glance and Pope confessed, "Uh, the cops were here . . . but we took care of them."

Danny's eyebrows raised in alarm, and he asked, "Did they see my clothes? Because my uniform is a fairly defining aspect."

"Nah," John B appeased, "I hid them in the hold. It was fine."

Danny nodded and took a seat on the bow.

Kie sat next to him and placed a chaste kiss on his cheek. He broke into an ear-splitting grin, effectively destroying the tense atmosphere.

"You scared the hell out of me," she said and lightly punched his arm.

He rubbed the spot and shrugged. "I think my gallantry and selfless act of courage deserves more than a punch and a kiss to the cheek, wouldn't you?"

He puckered his lips and pointed at them. She laughed and shook her head, but nonetheless gave him a kiss. It barely lasted a second before they're met with multiple throat clearings.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Danny said and stood. "Where are my manners? Did you guys want a kiss, too?"

"Ha ha," JJ grumbled with an eye roll and started to pull up the bowline as John B went to start the engine.

*****

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