Chapter Text
Steve McGarrett was by all accounts a practical man. He was wasn’t one to spend much time letting loose or lost in thoughts of “what if?” so he steered clear of his younger sisters antics and the romance movies she liked to lose herself in. Though he did find himself watching along every time “The Princess Bride” came on - something about Wesley’s unwavering commitment drawing him in.
When his mom died, that last little impractical part of himself died too.
At Annapolis he learned how to harness his practically into the mold a perfect sailor. Where the other recruits were busy wasting time writing letters home to girls they’d probably lose touch with on their first tour, Steve threw himself into school, getting the grades and experience he needed to qualify for SEALS as soon as he possibly could.
His practical nature was supposed to carry him through BUD/S.
Instead, it all fell apart the day he met Freddie Hart.
***
Steve had always been popular enough with the ladies, star football player turned uniformed sailor, meant there was always a steady stream of options whenever he wanted companionship. Not that he really paid much attention. Outside of his girlfriend in high-school, he’d basically avoided dating, not really understanding the appeal. Most of the women who throw themselves at him were nice enough, but he didn’t really spend anytime thinking about them. He assumed he was just to busy - too focused on becoming a SEAL to think about dating.
Until Freddie.
In BUD/S he was with his unit very literally 24/7. Every waking second was spent around his team. Yet, some how, as he laid in his bed every night, he wanted more time with Freddie. They ate every meal together, ran alongside each other, studied together, and yet he wanted more.
He couldn’t understand it.
When Freddie almost tapped out, Steve almost lost it.
He couldn’t do this without Freddie.
He didn’t understand how he had gotten to this point. He was living his dream, doing a job he loved, facing down his biggest challenge and succeeding, yet the second this guy he barely knew seemed like he was going to walk away, the whole thing lost his interest.
So he pushed Freddie - helped him - cheered him on. Made it so this person that suddenly meant so much to him, would always be there.
It made them a dynamic pairing - so much so, that when they graduated, they were assigned to the same unit.
Steve was over the moon, though he really didn’t understand why.
***
Everything changed their first shore leave.
Like many a sailor, they took to the streets of New York with gusto. Drinking their way through the bars, seeing the sights, enjoying what land had to offer them. Like BUD/S, and every day since, Steve was attached at the hip to Freddie.
Finally though Steve was feeling content. That longing he had once felt to spend more time with the other man was mostly satisfied as they explored the city together, just the two of them. When Freddie smiled in wonder at Times Square, something bloomed in his chest, but Steve couldn’t explain it.
Not until they got back to the hotel room.
***
It was 3am and Steve was a dead man walking. He opened the door and Freddie followed, as he always did. Steve figured they’d shower, change and pass out.
Instead, as the door closed, Freddie ambushed him.
Back pressed up against the hard hotel door, everything finally made sense, as Freddie’s lips met his own. His entire world shifted, but he knew with certainty that he was in love with Freddie Hart, so he kissed back.
That night changed everything, Freddie Hart was no longer just his best friend, he was the love of his life.
***
Like the practical, sailors they were, they kept it tightly under wraps. They were SEALS under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and so they never told, never left anything on the table to be asked about.
On the outside they looked like the best of friends. They kept up appearances - flirting with girls at bars, and acting like brothers in the field.
Across their years together, shore leave was their only reprieve. In shitty hotels, with one more bed than needed, they took the chances they had.
They talked about their future, about a life without DADT, a life beyond the SEALS. They dreamt about retiring in Hawaii, maybe raising a kid of their own. Freddie had big dreams, and for Freddie, Steve would be a little less practical and let himself imagine.
It was all very far off, but Steve let himself hope for the first time. Some nights, he let himself dream of Freddie, a ring, and a little girl that looked just like the man he loved so deeply.
***
On a shore leave in Hawaii, their act fell apart.
Obama was freshly elected, talking on the news about a repeal of DADT. There was no timeline, no concrete action, but hearing the words triggered hope in him and on instinct, Steve pulled Freddie in for a kiss.
‘
A decade of hiding blown, because Steve had acted without thinking… forgetting his dad was also in the room.
He thought it was the end, but John never said anything. He didn’t offer his approval, but he also didn’t make his distaste known. It was more than Steve would’ve dreamed - someone knew and it hadn’t ruined everything.
While they didn’t make a point to tell people, they also relaxed. With DADT coming to an end, maybe they could have the future they wanted.
***
On assignment in early 2009, they met Kelly. She was lively, a practical woman, who still managed to be the life of the party. Even at 6 months pregnant.
She reminded Steve of both him and Freddie.
They became quick friends and when she became the first person to call them out on being a couple, they didn’t deny it, she had their trust.
It turned out they had hers.
It was 3am when the hospital called and told them Freddie’s name was on the birth certificate of a baby left in their care. The mother long gone.
In 12 hours, their whole life changed. Suddenly, something that only be a dream, was reality - they had a daughter.
Alison’s first year, was the only time, Steve and Freddie had been separated since they’d met. Freddie stayed on Hawaii to care for her while Steve had no legal rights and had to go on pretending everything was normal, thousands of miles away from the person who held his heart.
***
In 2010, Steve’s life fell apart.
On Freddie’s last mission before transferring out, everything went sideways. Cover blown, a shootout, it was Steve’s nightmares come true. Then Freddie got shot.
Steve had never hated DADT as much as he did as instinct stopped him from cradling Freddie in his arms, as Freddie’s last words were carefully considered and comms appropriate, as back up arrived and carried the man he loved back to land, Steve not allowed to follow.
“Tell my daughter Daddy loves her.”
Their daughter - who Steve had no legal right to.
Steve had never been more thankful that his dad had been so calm about him and Freddie. Their daughter, in his care, as her appointed guardian.
Then almost a year later Victor Hesse happened, and the worst period of his life got worse.
With his dad dead, the state took care of Alison, unwilling to bend adoption rules for a single, active military man, with no blood relationship.
When Steve returned to Hawaii, this last time, the only thing left to greet him was a letter from the man that ended up with Freddie’s donated heart.