PSL: Sentinel AU

[dann_0]

Danny is Steve's guide. He is still pretty new at it and working with a Sentinel who has some bad experiences. To top if off, while working a case in Portland he finds out that a guide can have more than one Sentinel who is their perfect match.

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Danny and Eliot meeting, Portland

[dann_0]

Sort of continued from this

Danny can feel Eliot relax and it makes him just as proud as when Steve does it. Proof that he is doing something right, that he is helping. And he is proud of Eliot for trusting him. It had been work getting Steve to trust him and since then he'd gotten some vague hints that there had been bad experiences in Steve's past. The way Eliot had come at him earlier, heck might still come at him, spoke of him having had some bad experiences as well.

"There you go, you're doing great. I got you. You're safe. It is safe here. Easy now, a few more breaths." He stays in the embrace long enough for Eliot to calm down, to be able to breathe and think and focus without hyper focus. The signs are different than with Steve, so he is taking a bit of a guess when he steps back and putting some distance between them.

"Sorry. Feeling better?" He gives Eliot a smile, trying his best to get a read on his emotions.

Re: Danny and Eliot meeting, Portland

[a_very_distinctive]

Eliot's not sure how long it takes him to become aware of his surroundings, aware of anything but this stranger's voice and scent, the beating of his heart, the steady rhythm of his scent. When the words finally start to make sense again, stop being meaningless strings of strangely reassuring sounds, his heart rate and breathing have synced up perfectly with the man in front of him, and it's all too damn much.

This isn't right, isn't safe, and he jerks abruptly away, expression set in a snarl and body tensed in that perfect balance between fight and flight. "What the hell did you do t'me?" he demands, stepping back, even as almost everything in him--everything but the rational (terrified) core of him--screams at him to step closer, to claim this man as his.

Steve and Danny, Backstory: first time.

[dann_0]

Danny had called Steve after Catherine had left and Steve hadn't picked up. That worries Danny. A lot of things worries Danny but a lot of them are connected to Steve. So he drives over quickly, probably a little too quickly.

"Steve!" He calls and then heads towards the house. He calls Steve's names a few more times before he spots the other out the back of the house. He nearly runs over to him. When Steve doesn't move he comes closer, moving so he can see Steve. Then he freezes. What the fuck is going on?

"Steve, buddy. You in there? What is going on? What are you doing?" He waves his hand in front of Steve's face and then reaches to touch his forearm. "Steve, buddy, babe. Talk to me. What is going on?"

Re: Steve and Danny, Backstory: first time.

[super_seal]

After Catherine left, Steve had come out onto the lanai to dial back up his senses. Keeping them low for Catherine's visit had been very difficult. A day or two here or there had been doable, but this time she'd spent the week with him. The headache he'd been feeling had been close to intolerable and over the counter meds were no longer even touching it. His eyes and ears ached and his skin itched to boot. He was worried she was starting to get suspicious so he started complaining about catching a cold. He's fairly sure she believed him for now, but next time he'd have to be on his A-game once more.

Out on the lanai he'd started with vision but once he started dialing up he quickly lost control. The other senses had started going up as well and without any way to ground himself he'd lost the precarious grasp he had on his abilities and moved into a zone.

It wasn't until Danny started calling him that he'd heard a thing, but there's no way for him to respond. When Danny touches his arm, the muscle under it jumps in response, the reaction to Steve is all wrong, it feels like Danny slammed him even though he knows that's not the case. The only other outwardly response is a twitch in his jaw muscle.

Phone after meeting Eliot: Steve and Danny

[dann_0]

[It is late, later than he normally calls when Danny finally dials Steve's number. He's been wandering, having lost all appetite. He had even lied to Grace. Said stuff is going on with the case and he wouldn't really be able to talk.

He waits nervously for Steve to pick up. ]

Hi Steve. How are you doing? You busy?

Re: Phone after meeting Eliot: Steve and Danny

[super_seal]

[ Steve had been eyeing the clock waiting for Danny to call, not quite worried but concerned. The job has a way of running long and interfering with the perception of time and while he more than understands that, he can't help but wonder if it was one of the many hazards of the job that has delayed Danny. When the phone rings, he's relieved to see Danny's picture flash on the screen as the Bon Jovi ringtone fills the air. ]

Hey Danno... [ Instantly he can hear the stress in the other man's voice. He takes a second to increase his hearing but the sounds around him don't sound like a hospital or the station. ] What's wrong? Problems with the case?

Steve and Eliot Meeting, Portland - Friday

[super_seal]

When Thursday night rolled around and Danny had told him he'd be staying the weekend to keep working on the case, Steve made the executive decision to visit Portland for the weekend. As the boss and not currently swamped with a case himself, he was able to make such decisions. Besides, he told himself he had lots of good reasons for going to Portland. First he'd get to see his guide and best friend. Second if he wasn't in Hawaii it meant that Catherine wouldn't be either. He had no idea if Danny's new sentinel friend had done a search on him, but if he had, Catherine would know and that would be enough to perk her interests. And lastly, if he had the chance he wouldn't mind stopping by this pub just to check things out. He trusted Danny and his judgment but Danny had no idea what he was dealing with.

Making a call to the base, Steve found out when the next military flight was heading out to that general area and then texted Chin and Kono, making sure to tell them he was surprising Danny. No need to let the cat out of the bag too soon.

Steve had gotten lucky. There had been a military transport heading from Pearl to the base in Portland that morning. It had him arriving early afternoon with plenty of time to kill before meeting up with Danny at the end of the day. The opportunity was too good to pass up. He found out where the pub was that Danny had mentioned and made his way there.

He had no intention of causing any problems. In fact he had no intention of drawing any attention to himself what so ever. Lunch was his cover and he intended only to observe.

Finding a booth that had a clear view of the main door and the door to the kitchen he made himself comfortable. After looking over the menu he ordered a beer and burger and tried to make it look like he wasn't observing anything particular, just waiting for his lunch to arrive. In truth Steve had upped his hearing to see if he could pick up anything of interest.

Steve and Eliot Meeting, Portland - Friday

[a_very_distinctive]

Whether Steve hears anything depends on a combination of just how far he's stretching and just how acute his senses are to begin with. Because within five minutes of his arrival Hardison's on the phone in the apartment upstairs, waiting impatiently for Eliot to answer.

"He's here, man!" He doesn't even bother to whisper, completely unfamiliar with anything to do with Sentinels other than as bogeymen... until now. "No, man. Not the little short dude. The military one from Hawaii. The Sentinel." He hisses the last word, almost like he's afraid to say the word out loud.

"No," he continues after a short pause. "He's not... no... he's sittin' in the dining room eatin' a burger an' drinkin' a beer, man. I mean, he lookin' 'round the place a bit much, but he's not doing anything."

There's another pause, and then a female voice joins in. "He took your seat, Eliot. The one where you can see all the entrances and exits. Is he going to go crazy and try and kill us?" She sounds... more curious than actually frightened.

"No, mama! No, he not... you tell her he's not gonna do that, Eliot. I mean, he just looks like a dude. Sittin' there. Eatin' a burger. Don't look like he's planning on a massacre for dessert."

There's another pause, longer this time. "What, you think I'm an idiot? 'Course I'm not gonna antagonize a Sentinel. I mean, if I'd known you were one I prob'ly wouldn't've antagonized you so much.

"We upstairs, man, he can't... what d'you mean, he can? Are you sure? You mean all this damn time you been... well pardon me for thinkin' maybe I had some privacy, Mr. I Can Hear You Breathe Six Blocks Away!"

The whole exchange sound almost... bizarrely cheerful, actually, given the subject matter, and there's a few more moments of quiet--or at least the faint hum of a voice just beyond hearing--before Hardison speaks again. "Yeah yeah. Well, you wanna talk to him then I guess you better get your ass back here an' quit stalking shorty around town- What? You seriously think I don't know that's exactly what you're doin'? Please, I'm a professional.

"Fine... fine. Just... yeah, we'll see you soon. Yeah, we'll tell you if he... yeah. An' quit tellin' me not to do anything stupid, man. That's just insulting."

There's the kind of quiet that indicates the conversation's probably over before the man starts talking again. "I'm gonna just... go down an' see if he needs anything, mama."

"Eliot's gonna be grooouchy if you talk to him," the female voice points out... though she still doesn't sound bothered. "Especially if you make him go all feral and grrr and he, like, tries to eat you or whatever feral Sentinels do."

"He not gonna go feral, Parker. I'm just gonna go say hi, see if he needs a refill... see if maybe Eliot should think of staying away 'til he's gone. That kinda thing."

"Fine, but I'm gonna watch your back, just in case he does go all crazy and feral," she announces, sounding actively cheery... possibly at the prospect of seeing a feral Sentinel in action. And then the conversation cuts off to the sound of two sets of footsteps coming down a stairway somewhere near the kitchen, probably harder to track in the ambient noise of the pub than the conversation had been.

A moment later a tall black man and a much smaller white woman with blond hair emerge from the hall that leads to the bathrooms. The woman goes to check in with the bartender, doing an exceptional job of not looking like she's watching Steve like a hawk even as she does. The man, though, doesn't bother trying to pretend he's doing anything other than what he is as he walks over to him.

"So, Eliot said you prob'ly heard that whole conversation," he informs Steve, and slides into the seat across from him without so much as a by your leave. "But I figure you ain't here to do anything stupid, so we're all good, right?"

Danny and Steve: Surprise, I'm in Portland

[super_seal]

After talking with Eliot, Steve headed over to Danny's hotel and made himself comfortable in the lobby. He still hadn't told Danny that he was in Portland but he hoped it would be a pleasant surprise. As for him running into Eliot... Initially Steve had no intention of mentioning he stopped off at the pub for lunch. Now though he didn't think he had that option. Danny was going to find out sooner or later, and it was best it came from him.

Browsing through the available magazines in the lobby, and texting back and forth with Kono and Chin for updates on their day, Steve keeps a solid eye on the door, waiting for his best friend.

Re: Danny and Steve: Surprise, I'm in Portland

[dann_0]

It is late when Danny comes back. He had been working a couple of leads from the documents that had shown up on his door. He couldn't help the feeling they were from Eliot but he could not prove it and he knew better than to push the issue and maybe get Eliot into trouble. There is no way he is going to do that. He's carrying a bag of chinese food with him, more than enough but he was hungry and in the mood for both chow mein and fried rice. So he had ordered both and figured he could have the leftovers tomorrow. He didn't see this case being solved in a day after all.

He normally doesn't pay attention to the lobby but this time he stops dead the moment he sees a far too familiar grin out of the corner of his eyes. "Steve? What are you doing here?" Then he grins back. "You in the mood for chinese?"

Danny and Eliot: Save my ass

[dann_0]

It had been good having Steve visit for the weekend and after he'd dropped Steve off at the airport Danny found himself missing Hawaii even more. He didn't even think that was possible. At least he is heading back next weekend to see Grace. He is looking forward to that since he came here. Seeing Steve and the rest of the team will be good too, but Grace is the main focus.

Sunday evening he'd looked over the leads again, the calls and something had stood out. It might be nothing but he was pretty sure there was a meeting going down early the next morning. So early you could argue that it was still night. He made a few calls, checking up how legit it was and it all pointed towards a solid lead.

So here he is, waiting outside the warehouse in question. The docs were quiet. In the distance he could hear the sound of a ship unloading cargo, but this part of the docks seemed mostly populated by seagulls. He'd hoped he would be getting some good surveilance, maybe some idea of who the other major players were, but when he sees a hooded and bound person being dragged out of a car all the plans change.

That is not good. Not good at all. He pulls out his phone and calls it in. But he knows he can't wait. The moment the bad guys hears the sirens that person is as good as dead. He needs to get in and get them out, now.

He studies the building for a second, what would Steve do? That is a stupid question, go in guns blazing. He is on his own, he can't do that. Instead he circles around the wearhouse hoping for a back door. As it happens, today is Danny's lucky day and he finds one, unlocked even, and he makes his way quietly inside.

Danny frowns when he gets a look at the group inside. They seemed to be closing up a crate, but there were only tree bad guys and no hooded figure. He had counted four bad guys going in.

That is when the cold metal of a gun presses against the back of Danny's neck and he curses silently. His gun is taken from him and the last bad guy pushes Danny into the clearing with the other three.

"'Ey, found a cop." The guy informs the others, gun still aimed at Danny.
"Better get rid of him. Can't have him squealing." One of the others grabs Danny's gun and aims it straight at Danny's head.

Danny and Eliot: Save my ass

[a_very_distinctive]

Eliot had stayed mostly away over the weekend, though only mostly. He'd checked the hotel perimeter a couple times, made sure there was no sign of the assholes Danny was going after... and he might have had Hardison hack into the computer system and security cameras, which is why he knows to be out here trailing Danny at the asscrack of dawn.

He stays far enough back there's no threat the Guide will sense his presence, carefully extending his senses to keep tabs on Danny as well as the thugs he's stalking. Which means he hears the the call for back-up, and he's already moving when he hears Danny head in without bothering to wait for it to arrive. He's too far away to keep things from going to shit, though, to do anything but run faster when he hears the uptick in Danny's pulse, the sound of some asshole saying they should get rid of him... it's almost enough to white him out with rage. Almost, but not quite.

He's got too many years of experience under his belt, learning to think through the flooding rush of too much input trying to overwhelm him, keeping his shit together through nothing but bloody-minded determination when his brain just wants to spin wildly out of control. So he's still fucking thinking when he reaches the warehouse, coherent enough to find every heartbeat in the building, even when all he wants to focus on is Danny's. He doesn't use it to sneak into the building, he can't risk taking the time for that.

He blasts right through the same door Danny had gone through, loud and fast and making absolutely sure to make a target of himself as he makes a bee-line for the nearest heartbeat, which he's counting on also being the nearest gun. He didn't calculate wrong, and the man's barely turned towards him, gun not even up and aimed as Eliot overtakes him. What happens next is almost too fast to follow, but it ends with the unfortunate asshole in a limp heap on the warehouse floor, his neck cleanly snapped, and his gun in Eliot's hands as he turns, already firing.

He doesn't even bother trying to dodge the return fire, relying on the knowledge that most people are shitty shots to begin with, and they just get worse under pressure. And if he ducks or dodges or hides, he's just giving these fuckers more time to remember they'd wanted to off the cop rather than worrying about their newest guest.

The first one to go down, a bullet neatly through the center of his forehead, is the bastard who'd been holding a gun point blank to the back of Danny's head when the door had burst open. He manages to squeeze off a shot in the second before he dies, but as expected it goes wide, missing Eliot by almost three feet.

The next one down is the fucker who'd grabbed Danny's gun, squeezing off wild, panicked shot after wild panicked shot. The closest one throws up a spray of concrete chips and dust from a few inches in front of Eliot's feet right before he drops like a rock, his face barely recognizable with the gaping hole in the middle of it made by three almost evenly spaced bullet holes.

The last man standing seems to have belatedly realized the error of his ways, turning to run in the face of Eliot's inexorable advance. He's beyond giving about mercy or justice, though. These fuckers laid hands on his Guide, planned to kill him and dump him like so much meat. He doesn't care if the fucker's running, and he brings his confiscated gun to bear on him without hesitation or remorse.

Danny and Steve: Phone call

[dann_0]

Danny glances over at Eliot as he dials Steve's number. It is a little earlier than he normally calls but not so much that it should eat into Steve's work day. He's settled on the couch, and he wants to be snuggled up against Eliot but he figures this call would be best if he wasn't.

"Hi Steve. You doing alright?"

Re: Danny and Steve: Phone call

[super_seal]

The call is a bit earlier than usual so Steve is still in the office. He smiles as he answers the phone. "Hey Danno! I'm good, Buddy, how are you making out?"

Phone call to Steve

[dann_0]

Danny had gotten some free time while Eliot is working and he stops by the hotel room before he plans to head to the restaurant. But before then he needs to talk to Steve and this might be as private as he is going to get.

"Hey buddy. How are you doing?"

Phone call to Steve

[super_seal]

Seeing Danny's name come up on the phone brings a smile to Steve's face. "Hey, Danno! It's good, Buddy. How are you making out?" Not hearing a second heartbeat he adds, "How are things going with Eliot?"

Picking Danny up at the Airport

[super_seal]

Thursday afternoon finds Steve at the airport. He's nervous, pacing around with his hands in his pockets watching people come out of the arrivals gate. It's not that he needs to see Danny to know that he's home, his sense of smell is dialed up as high as he's comfortable doing without a guide present.

The instant Danny disembarks from his plane, Steve can smell him. The scent that is distinctly Danny, along with sweat and stale air from being on the plane so long, the scent of Eliot in his cloths mixed in with the scent of detergent and the smell of sex. It surprises him even as he knows it shouldn't, it's scent that sticks to people regardless of showering. Dialing back his sense of smell so that he's not smelling anything, Steve's thankful that Danny had the foresight to give him a head's up, and he reminds himself that everything will be okay. That he's not fully losing Danny. Too bad his subconscious keeps screaming that he's just lying to himself.

Pasting on a grin the moment he sees Danny, Steve goes over to meet him. "Hey partner. Aloha. Welcome home."

Re: Picking Danny up at the Airport

[dann_0]

Danny had worried the while trip when he no longer had Eliot next to him. What if this was screwing up with Steve and then Eliot decided he didn't want Danny after all. Or what if they fought and ended up hating each other. So many ifs. But when he sees Steve Danny grins and moves to hug him. "Steve! Good to see you again." He hasn't tried to hide the marks on his neck but thankfully there are only a couple that can been seen with his shirt on.

Danny and Eliot: Having a chat

[dann_0]

After talking to Steve Danny's feelings are a bit of a mess. He knows Eliot's going to be able to tell, but he also promised to come over to the restaurant after he'd packed his clothes. And he doesn't want to break a promise. At least not this soon. So he heads over there, trying to sort out his feelings on the way.

By the time he walks in, he has them mostly down to worry and trepidation that he can't shake. He knows he has to deal with it when he gets home and he doesn't exactly want to. Steve's had plenty of guides in the past and Danny wants to offer him some stability. He's worried he's gone and fucked that up now.

Once he makes it into the restaurant he orders lunch and then a beer as well. He settles into one of the booths, expecting Eliot to be there in minutes.

Re: Danny and Eliot: Having a chat

[a_very_distinctive]

It takes Eliot longer to get to them than he's happy with, but since he hadn't known exactly when to expect Danny he'd been in the middle of finishing something off in the kitchen when he heard his heartbeat. On the plus side, that means he gets to put the finishing touches on Danny's meal and bring it to the table himself, so he'll take that as a win.

What isn't a win is the stink of worry coming off Danny that Eliot catches almost the moment he steps into the dining room, and by the time he reaches Danny's table he's frowning in worry. "You okay, sweetheart?" he asks, setting down the plate and Danny's beer, then brushing a finger lightly over one of the marks visible above Danny's collar before sliding into the seat next to him.

Steve Call to Eliot

[super_seal]

There had been a mix-up, apparently, with picking Grace up Friday after school. Rachel called it a mix-up, saying that Danny was over-reacting and being paranoid that she'd done in on purpose. How Rachel couldn't have told Danny that it was a half day at school and that Grace would be home all afternoon was beyond him. Right now Steve was in the living room at Rachel and Stan's as Danny and Rachel argued in the kitchen. Grace was upstairs getting ready - apparently that was a mix-up as well.

The baby, Charlie, was sleeping in a playpen set up in the room. At first Steve thought the smell he picked up in the room was from Grace, he hadn't been around the baby much since the little tyke was born, but the smell remained as strong even though she'd left the room. With a quick look into the kitchen he moved over to the playpen and took another deep whiff, increasing his sense of smell to distinguish scents, and frowned. It still smelled like Danny. Maybe the toys, bedding or even clothes had been Grace's... Now absorbed in this mystery, he reached down to touch the sleeping boy.

Rachel had first told Danny the baby was his and then later said she'd gotten her dates wrong... What if she'd lied. Angry that Danny had stayed in Hawaii with Steve instead of heading back to Jersey to be with her. That seemed cruel for even Rachel. Listening to the hushed-yelling match in the other room, he realizes that really it's not all that far fetched. Deciding to go with it, he stroked the baby again until the little guy stretched and opened his eyes. Perfect excuse to pick up the now fussing child.

Careful to make sure he was properly supported, Steve lifted him and brought him up to his chest, and then dropped his own head so his nose was under the little boy's chin - where he liked to smell Danny, and took in a deep breath... Danny!

He couldn't tell Danny. There'd be no way he could explain how he knew and not having evidence would only drive Danny insane. He needed help, a specific kind of help from someone who understood what Steve was and had the resources to look into things further without anyone suspecting. Making the excuse that he'd forgotten to pick up something at the store, he dropped Danny and Grace off at the house and drove off.

Parked at the local market, he debated a moment then dialed Eliot's number - already programmed into his phone and waited for the other man to answer.

Steve Call to Eliot

[a_very_distinctive]

Eliot stares at the number on his screen in confusion and then consternation for a moment. He might not have spoken to McGarrett on the phone--at least not formally, without Danny as the intermediary--but he's memorized the other Sentinel's number, along with most other pertinent details about the man he can't help but think of as a rival. And he can't think of any reason for McGarrett to call him that doesn't involve some kind of conflict... which doesn't mean he's going to avoid the call, but it does mean he excuses himself from the movie he'd been watching with Parker and Hardison and goes into the apartment next door before answering.

"What d'you need, McGarrett?" It might not be a particularly welcoming way to answer, but he's on high alert, ready for this to be the call telling him to leave Danny the hell alone.

Danny, Steve and Eliot. In the office. Ironing things out

[dann_0]

Danny frowns at Steve's comment to Eliot but he doesn't say anything right then. But he does stop for Eliot on his way out. "If you need anything at all, just yell."

Then he places a hand on Steve's back and guides him over to his office. He shakes his head a little at the two of them but he waits until Steve's on the couch. "You want some more water? Or coffee or something?" He certainly feels like he needs it. Once he is sure that Steve's comfortable he quickly heads out to grab some coffee from the machine and clear his head for just a minute. Then he comes back.

"Steve. What's going on? Why is he here? Why are you doing this? I... I don't even fucking know what to say. It would make more sense if you were fighting over which one of you I should stay with but you're not. You say you've let this go too far. You mean you don't want this?"

Danny, Steve and Eliot. In the office. Ironing things out

[super_seal]

Steve hadn't wanted Danny to follow him to his office. He's still hurting. His head, his senses and his heart. None of this was what he wanted and for the most part he doesn't feel like he should be involved or interfering. Most of all, he doesn't want to see Danny hurt. Right now though, he just wants to curl up on his couch and have it all just go away.

Once in his office he pretty much collapses onto his couch, folding in on himself, once more with his elbows on his knees and head in his hands. When Danny offers a drink, he shakes his head. He doesn't think he could stomach anything right now.

Looking up when Danny comes back into the room, he shakes his head. "Why he's here we should discuss together." Man, that was another can of worms to discuss and get into, and really he'd prefer to wait not only until they are all together and calmer, but also when they have the DNA report back. Tilting his head he looks at Danny. "That is exactly what we are fighting about, Danny. But he thinks you should be with me and as much as that may be something I could want as well, it's not ideal. You deserve something long term and stable, that's not with me. I think you should be with Eliot. He can give you the things I can't."

Rubbing a hand through his hair, he leans back on the couch. "We've talked about this. The shirtless cuddling, I let us get to close. That can't be normal." A clear indication that he doesn't know what is normal. "What I want... I want to give you everything within my power to give. But, I can't give you what you want. That's outside of my control, so I'm trying to give you the next best thing. Figure things out with Eliot. What he's actually comfortable with and not just what he thinks you want to hear or what he can have. We'll go from there."

Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

[a_very_distinctive]

Meeting Grace had gone smoother than Eliot expected, she's a sweet kid, bright and curious and enthusiastic, and not particularly taken aback by her dad introducing a surprise boyfriend. It settles something in Eliot, being trusted with this, and he pulls out the charm for her, promising her a pizza with anything she wants on it. Even offering to let her help make it, and the fruit tarts for dessert.

He's gotten past the need to pretend he's gruff and uninterested with kids the last few years, and it's just... nice. Feeling like this is a place he could be welcome, surrounded by Danny's scent and trusted to be close to his kid. Even Steve's scent, worked deep into everything and mingled with Danny's own, isn't off-putting.

It just feels... lived in. Comfortable. Homey. And he settles into the kitchen to get all the meat and vegetables and fruit prepped, then get the dough mixed and set to rise, while Danny takes Grace down to the beach and Steve settles in on the couch. He's been doing a good job of not letting on how exhausted and worn he is with Grace around, but Eliot's pretty sure Danny's been as aware of it as he is, and it's why he's taken Grace out and left the house peacefully quiet.

By the time Eliot's put all his other ingredients back in the--somewhat barren--fridge and set the dough to rise in a warm spot Steve's been quiet for a while, his heart rate and breathing slowing and steadying like he's either close to sleep or there already, and his scent much more settled though he's still restless. Eliot considers his options, and nearly heads out to the beach to find Danny and his girl, or maybe just sit in the yard and look out out the beach, but he's pretty damn tired and worn too, and the sun's bright and the air a bit humid. The cool dimness of the house and the comfort of the couch, with Danny's scent soaked deep into it and a football game playing quietly, are infinitely more appealing right now. Besides, this is supposed to be Danny's time with Grace.

He doesn't try to be too quiet when he wanders over and settles down; he knows how that can come off as trying to sneak up to their kind. He can tell from the scent that Steve's settled into the comfort of Danny's usual spot, using the scent to settle him, but he's not particularly bothered by taking what must usually be Steve's corner of the couch.

He glances over as he gets comfortable, confirming that Steve is, as he suspected, already asleep though a little restless, and considers just turning off the game. But the quiet drone of it is soothing, as is the steady beat of Steve's heart and the warmth of Danny's scent, and he leans his head back against the couch and settles in to watch the game.

Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

[super_seal]

Steve had been proud of Gracie when she'd gotten home. She'd taken the news her father having a boyfriend like it was something she'd known all along and it wasn't a concern. Eliot had made an instant friend when he offered to let her dress her own pizza and help with desert, but even before those perks were known, she'd taken to him much like she'd taken to Steve, easily and happily engaging in conversation.

Once he'd quizzed her on her day and her on his, he'd been relieved when Danny offered to take her down to the beach. He loved the little girl like she was his own but he was truly exhausted and needed to rest if he was going to stay awake through dinner. Really he should go up and nap on the bed, but that seemed too far away as well. He didn't want to be alone. The two weeks Danny had been in Portland had been more than enough time alone for him. So instead of going upstairs, he goes to the couch and puts on the first football game he could find. Thinking Danny was busy outside with Grace and Eliot in the kitchen he'd enjoy the extra comfort in settling into Danny's spot.

It hadn't been long before he drifted off to sleep. The game no where near a strong enough lure to keep him awake. The commentary of the announcers more likely a suitable background noise that helped to soothe him into a doze. That and the noise Eliot was making in the kitchen, a nice reminder that someone was nearby. His hearing had stretched out enough to also include Grace and Danny's heartbeats down by the water. It felt like home. Like comfort and family. Somewhere he belonged and was safe.

That feeling and the comforts around him however only went so deep. His mind still fought with the feeling of losing Danny and needing to become more independent. There was no blame towards Danny or Eliot, really he was happy for them, but the feeling was bittersweet. To give Danny what Steve believed he deserved meant that Steve had to adjust some things and completely lose others. Awake he was convinced it was worth it, asleep echos of doubt, personal blame and lack of self worth plagued him. Most of his senses had started to settle and recalibrate. Stretching his hearing to keep those he cared about close had helped there, and Eliot's cooking in the kitchen was doing wonders for his sense of smell, but touch was still misfiring badly. His clothes felt too tight in places, too airy in others, they pulled and twisted, even the hair on his body - especially his head, felt uncomfortable and heavy. He was both too hot and too cold at the same time. All of this contributing to making his sleep restless and fitful.

Sensations change however when Eliot comes into the living room, although Steve has no idea why in his slumber, but he can feel it nonetheless. The cruelty of his thoughts lessen and he can sense a warmth nearby. One that offers safety and security. Subconsciously he knows it's not Danny or Grace - even in his sleep he knows where they are, but this warmth is welcome in his proximity without causing alarm. The smell and the heartbeat slowly become louder and Steve's face moves to face the direction they're in.

Sighing in his sleep, some of the tension leaks out of him with the action. He becomes a little less restless and a little more comfortable.

Danny and Eliot: Being compatible

[dann_0]

It isn't long between Eliot coming to Hawaii and Danny being back in Portland for his next long weekend with Eliot. He'd arrived yesterday and taken a cab directly to the restaurant. Once there Eliot had made sure he was fed before taking him home.

Now the evening after they are lounging on the couch, not really having left the house all day. Danny's in a pair of briefs and one of Eliot's t-shirts. He is halfway draped over Eliot's side, having wrapped his arm around him as they've watched a show. During a commercial, he mutes the tv and looks up at Eliot.

"Eliot. I got a question for you." He pauses for just a second, it is always hard to breach this subject the first time. "How bossy do you like to be in bed?"

Danny and Eliot: Being compatible

[a_very_distinctive]

Eliot's only half paying attention to the television, more focused on Danny's warm weight against him and the comforting scent of him. On how it permeates the entire room, and the knowledge that even once Danny's gone the scent will linger, reminding him that he's not alone anymore. That maybe, with this new bond between them, however fragile it might feel, he doesn't have to be again.

"Hmmm?" He strokes his fingers idly through Danny's hair, then down to drag over the scruff at his jaw, just enjoy the tactile simplicity of it. He huffs quietly at the question, thumbing gently at Danny's bottom lip. "Guess I haven't exactly made it a secret I like t'be in charge," he answers after a moment, lips twitching into a faint smile. "But I won't ever push you for anything you don't want, sweetheart."

Sleeping arangements.

[dann_0]

The guys stay up for quite a while after Grace goes to bed and over all it seems to be a very nice evening. At least Danny thinks it is and as far as he can tell from his boys they think so too. Finally, he yawns and stretches.

"We should go to bed if we want to get up in time to make pancakes." Then he pauses and looks between them. "How do we want to do this? I am sleeping in the spare room when Grace is here, the bed is big enough for two if you want Eliot."

Sleeping arangements.

[super_seal]

Steve looks up when Danny speaks, he'd been starting to drift off to sleep. The evening had been nice. Companionable and relaxing.

At the question for sleeping arrangements, Steve looks at Eliot and then nods as he stands. "If you're not comfortable sharing a bed with Danny with Grace in the house, you can have Danny's bed and Danny can sleep in mine, I'll sleep down here." Which really, he's planning to do anyway. A night out on the hammock sounds better to him then trying to block out noises coming from the house. "I'm gonna go get ready for bed so you guys can figure it out."

With another nod and a smile to them both he heads into the house.