dann_0 | PSL: Sentinel AU

There's a comfort to be found sleeping next to another person. At least, Steve is finding comfort in it. Once Eliot has drifted off, Steve's heartbeat aligns itself with his, as does his breathing. It's almost like a balm on his troubled soul to have someone he can trust and relax around be so close and near. Outside of Danny and Grace however it's not something he has a lot of practice with and it would surprise him to find himself so wanting to do so with Eliot.

He can feel the warmth coming off Eliot even from the other side of the couch. It calls to him in his sleep. Singing out promises of further comfort and ease if he only comes closer. And moving closer is something that he does. First only a shift in Eliot's direction and then it's resettling himself inch by inch. It's not long before he's moved a complete seat cushion over.

It's not something many might guess. Touch is something Steve is very particular over. For the most part he keeps his hands to himself and moves away when others try to touch him. With Danny that changed. The more Danny touched, and Danny liked to touch, the more Steve craved and wanted to be touched - by him. Even before Steve knew Danny was a guide, he cuddled with the other man, and he had no issues cuddling with Grace as well. At night when they slept in the same bed, even if they start off apart, Steve would migrate towards Danny and wrap himself around him. Just like he's migrated across the couch to Eliot.

But, he's paused there... Less than an inch apart, it's almost as if, subconsciously, he knows he's not supposed to. Knows not to, but wants to just the same. The pull however is too great and he turns on the couch, still completely asleep, curling into Eliot. His head fall on the other man's shoulder with a happy content sigh, and his far arm snakes across Eliot's middle to pull him in closer. It's not yet quite as much contact as he'd prefer but oh it feels so much better than being apart. Nuzzling Eliot's shoulder, Steve slips into a deeper level of contented sleep.

Eliot's aware of the movement, he can't not be, but it's something that his hindbrain has apparently chosen to categorize as absolutely not a threat. And so he shifts a little as Steve moves closer, still more lightly dozing than truly asleep, but nothing in him's sounding an alarm, demanding that he awaken or react in any way other than to accommodate the warmth of the body inching towards him.

He tips his head a little when Steve comes to rest against his shoulder, turns just enough to press his nose into the crown of Steve's head almost the same way he does with Danny and inhale deeply. And while it's not Danny's scent, not so deeply and viscerally right and home and his, it's still intensely comforting. Familiar in a way it shouldn't be after not even a full twenty-four hours of acquaintance. Comforting in a way that lets him shift a little to tangle their legs together, rest the hand pinned between them by Steve's weight on the other man's thigh, and simply accept the arm snaking around him and pulling him closer.

The way Steve sighs against his shoulder is soothing, the warmth of his breath fluttering lightly against Eliot's neck. And while he's still absolutely aware of Danny's presence down the beach, the steady beat of his heart and the faint, warm buzzing of his voice as he talks and laughs with Grace, it's Steve's heartbeat and breathing he syncs up with, Steve's touch he curls a little more comfortably into as the game continues to drone quietly on and the afternoon slips away.

Edited (html fix) 2017-06-26 05:45 (UTC)

It feels so right and so comfortable to be curled up next to Eliot. Feeling Eliot's breath crossing over his crown eases the heavy sensation that had been there. The hand now on his thigh, the legs entwined with his, all start easing the discomfort in his skin. The other man accommodating him and welcoming him in, eases more of the battle in his mind and more of the tension in him starts to fade.

Subconsciously he knows he's not snuggled with Danny. Danny and Grace's heartbeats are still being tracked in his mind. Should any sign of distress be detected, he'd be awake and out the lanai door before even realizing why, but as it is their heartbeats are a comforting presence at the back of his mind. He knows it's not Danny, but he's also feeling safe and comfortable with this new presence, so much so that there's no questioning why. It just is and right now it's providing what he needs.

Cuddling in more, his head slips lower onto Eliot's chest, seeking out the heartbeat that he can already hear and feel but prefers to be resting more on top of. The hand across Eliot's midsection adjusts and finding itself under the hem of Eliot's shirt, is pulled up to the warmth and the attraction of skin on skin contact. Once found the palm flattens and his fingers splay out as a happy and contented hum rumbles in his chest as he presses in closer.

Eliot's let Steve this far inside his guard, the warm creep of his hand up under Eliot's shirt isn't enough to make any difference in that. Steve's not a threat to him, and he isn't worried about being a threat to the other Sentinel. And the contact feels... good. Comfortable.

He spends most of his time riding the thin edge of being touch-starved: picking up one night stands or dating someone for a week or a month, but he never risks sleeping with them, never has the simplicity of this kind of easy, warm, comforting contact, and he leans a little farther into the corner of the couch to make it easier for Steve to rest his head over his heart. There's no reason not to, his internal clock still gives him well over half an hour before he has to be awake to deal with the pizza dough. He can take advantage of this for a while.

Eliot shifting is the ultimate encouragement for Steve. Rising slightly, but not fully, out of the deeper sleep, he adjusts with Eliot and then goes that step further. Moving his legs up onto the couch he uses the fact that he's on top to move Eliot with him. He is still asleep so his attempts aren't well coordinated, but his intent is to get them both stretched out, with him still on top so that they can entwine their legs while his head can be over Eliot's heart and his hand still under his shirt.

The manhandling's finally enough to pull Eliot back up to some semblance of consciousness, and he blinks in confused surprise for a moment as he registers what Steve's trying to do... and that he'd ever been asleep at all. He still feels comfortable and safe, though, and absolutely fucking exhausted. And Danny's still a comforting presence in his awareness, close enough he doesn't have to stretch too far to keep track of him.

He considers the situation blearily for a moment, and if he were more alert he'd be as surprised by the fact that he's not completely awake as he is by everything else... and then simply lets Steve shift him where he wants him. They've both had a hell of an afternoon, and if Steve's taking comfort from this then, hell, he's not going to object. He's also not going to look too closely at the fact he's taking comfort from it too.

He does, however, alter Steve's course, making sure the taller man ends up between him and the back of the couch, so his weight isn't resting on him, though he can still get his head over Eliot's heart the way he seems intent on. And he doesn't mind tangling their legs again, he just doesn't want to be pinned... he also doesn't want to go back to sleep. Or at least doesn't intend to. But by the time they're settling into place, his arm around Steve this time, hand resting lightly on his hip, he's already starting to drift off again.

For all that he's used to massive physical strain and exertion, the last week and a half has done a number on him psychologically and emotionally, exhausting him in a way that the purely physical can't even touch. He's tired, and this still feels irrationally safe, and he lets himself listen to the steady beat of Danny's heart a couple hundred yards away down the beach, even as his own heart continues to sync itself up with Steve's. There's nothing rational about it, but he's too tired to care, and in a couple more moments he's drifted back to sleep again.

Steve doesn't wake more than he already has. Eliot altering his course doesn't faze or alert him. Instead he simply moves where the other man directs him with no resistance. When they are finally settled, Steve is more than content. Length-wise he's in full contact with Eliot and he bonelessly moves back into position with his ear resting over Eliot's heart and his hand slipped back up under Eliot's shirt.

Being curled up beside Eliot brings with it other advantages that has him snuggling in and sighing in approval. Not only is he snuggled into Eliot, but this way, Eliot is also wrapped around him. Steve has a deep-seeded desire to feel wanted and being held by Eliot taps into that. In Eliot's arm, Steve feels safe and accepted. He can hear and feel Eliot's heart beating under his chest, his own in time with it. Touching and being touched in this position is soothing the feeling around the sense and feeling at ease, Steve gently rubs his cheek into Eliot and places a soft kiss over his heart before humming out on a sigh filled with contentment and peace.

Completely at ease, the pain from earlier - both emotional and sensory, no longer being felt with Danny and Grace in the background and Eliot filling his senses, Steve slips back into that deeper and now healing sleep.

Danny and Grace have been outside for a good long while, playing down by the beach while Grace was telling him everything about what she and Aunt Kono had done. She had also had a few questions about Eliot that Danny had tried to answer as honestly as possible. He didn't like lying to his girl but this is a world he wants her to have no part in, not even knowing about it.

Once they finally make it back inside and Danny notices the two men he smiles softly and moves over to take a picture. This was a moment he wanted to preserve and keep for later. After explaining that Steve and Eliot had had a long and active day and that is why they were napping he takes Grace with him to the kitchen to make some coffee for the two of them. He gets her settled with some juice and then brings two large mugs, each made exactly to how the two guys like their coffee. He puts the cups on the table and then kneels down beside the couch.

"Steve? Eliot?"

Eliot's aware of Danny and Grace's approach, there's no way he couldn't be, but they're both safe and welcome and if anything he just relaxes that much more at the knowledge that they're both back and safe within reach again. The soft murmur of their voices soothes him and Steve's warm weight grounds him, and he just turns his face back into Steve's hair and sighs contentedly. His dough isn't quite ready yet, there's no reason he can't enjoy this peace for a little longer.

His name in Danny's voice has his eyes opening immediately, though it's soft and warm enough that there's no particular feeling of urgency. He doesn't have to be instantly awake and on guard, and he blinks sleepily at Danny for a moment, smiling almost helplessly, as he has been from the moment Danny'd stepped back through the door. "Hey sweetheart," he murmurs, free hand already stretching almost unconsciously to reach for Danny. And then his brows furrow and he glances down at Steve, curled against him with his head pillowed on his chest. "Huh... guess we were pretty tired."

Edited 2017-06-27 07:16 (UTC)

Danny and Grace are constants on Steve's radar. Tracking their time out on on the beach, he continues to follow their heartbeats into and around the house. He's used to having both around and unless their heartbeats become panicked, they move around him without any concern or issue. Their voices in the house don't bring him out of the depth of his slumber. He's very content where he's at. Warm, safe and comfortable. There's a strong heartbeat in his ear that matches his own and he's confident his loved ones are all near and safe. There's no reason to wake, and really he doesn't want to.

When Danny calls his name, Steve cuddles in closer to Eliot, fighting the need to wake. Grumbling softly he pushes his face into Eliot and tightens his grip on the other man, not wanting to leave the comfort he's found. It's not until Eliot speaks that Steve realizes exactly where he's at and who he's cuddled up to. Tensing momentarily he worries that Eliot's going to be upset or uncomfortable that Steve is cuddled to him, but Eliot's heartbeat is still beating steadily in his ear. Nor does he feel any tension in the other man and he yet Eliot's tone sounds like he knows exactly where he's at and who he's with. With those things in mind, he goes boneless once more against Eliot, still not eager to move, although now he is indeed awake.

Opening his eyes he looks at Danny and offers him a lazy smile as he snuggles against Eliot. His voice is soft and full of sleep when he speaks. "He makes a good Teddy, Danny." Then it perks up slightly as he takes note of another scent that's been there a while but finally gets his attention. "Did you make us coffee?"

Danny leans over to give Eliot a soft and sweet kiss even if he lets it linger. One reaches over to stroke Steve's shoulder. "Looks like you did, both of you. Nothing wrong with that. You had a rough day." He grins softly at the two of them. "You look comfortable. If there had been room I'd be tempted to join."

He shifts so he can reach for the two mugs and bring them over to the two men. "He does, a nice combination of soft and firm." he meets Eliot's eyes as he says it, still smiling. "Though, he could do with some more fuzz for the full teddy look." He teases.

"Made you the coffee exactly the way you like. Yours with butter and here's your Eliot."

Edited 2017-06-28 07:15 (UTC)

The kiss should feel more awkward than it does, with Steve's head still pillowed on his chest, but when Danny pulls away it's Grace's presence just a few feet away in the kitchen that keeps Eliot from chasing after Danny's lips, not Steve's presence.

"Couch def'nitely ain't big enough for that, Sweetheart." He should probably be moving, probably be moving Steve. But he's tired, and he's comfortable, but- "I'm not a damn teddy bear, McGarrett," he grumbles, and shifts his hand up from Steve's hip to pinch his side--lightly, but still--as he glares at Danny. "Not a teddy bear," he repeats. "An' you've got enough fuzz for both of us," he adds, and feels a sudden stab of want at the idea of dragging his fingers through the coarse curls on Danny's chest and belly. And lower.

It makes his breath catch for a moment, and he's grateful for the distraction of the coffee. "If you're gonna drink that you're gonna have t'sit up," he points out to Steve, and reaches for his own. The caffeine doesn't do much for him with his metabolism, or at least not for long, but he likes the taste and there's a certain comfort in it. A shared ritual.

Steve smiles again at Danny and lets his eyes droop to half mast. This isn't a mood he's in often, usually Steve is an up and moving type of guy, but after the day they've had, and most importantly laying here with Eliot has helped eased a lot of the pain and discomfort he was feeling. He's not eager to move away and have that come back. He hums softly, "Yes, very comfortable."

The arousal coming from both men he feels both in the way of their heartbeats, but also by the chemistry in the air. He allows it to happen around him without reacting. It's getting easier to witness, whether that's because he's adjusting or because he's so relaxed at the moment it's hard to say.

Sighing out like a man heavily put upon, Steve uses the arm underneath him to boost himself up. In the process he realizes where his upper hand is and blushes slightly as he looks at Eliot now that he's off his chest. "Uh... Sorry." Steve has no idea how they got into this position but he's fairly certain he was a contributing participant. But then he grins at Eliot, "But, you are very snuggly."

Untangling his legs, he pushes himself down the couch and sits in his original spot. If Eliot doesn't move his legs, Steve will keep them on his lap. Then he reaches for his coffee. "Thank you, Danny."

"Well, we can't all be hairless as one of those weird cats." he shakes his head and hands over the coffee. One cup for Steve and another for Eliot. "Just a word of warning Eliot, Grace been talking non-stop about everything she wants on her pizza. Good luck talking her out of it. She is a stubborn one."

He smiles slightly at Steve's blush. Sometimes it is hard to remember the guy's spent most of his life in the Navy. Then again, Danny would blush too if he found himself waking up next to Eliot like that. Granted, that is something he has yet to experience, Eliot is always up long before him.

Eliot more than half expects Steve to scramble away from the smell of him, and he's a little surprised when he makes no move to. He's nearly as surprised by how unbothered he is by the warmth of the other Sentinel's hand splayed over his belly, and even moreso by the fact that he misses it when Steve pulls away and sits up.

"Don't worry about it," he answers, smirking. "Worth it just t'see you blush." With Steve's weight and warmth gone Eliot arches into a blush and then... stays right where he is for the moment. Because when he moves he's going to lose contact with Steve and not be touching Danny and right now he's not feeling up for that. "Now those things are just wrong, cats are meant t'have fur. Poor damn naked things."

He reaches for Danny, not the coffee just yet, and twines their fingers together. "Told her she could have what she wanted on it." He shrugs, the motion a little awkward since he's still mostly reclining in the corner of the couch. "Best way t'find new things you like is experimenting, an' I made enough dough she can have a couple false starts an' it won't be a big deal." For all his grumpy exterior Eliot's ridiculously patient and tolerant with children, and he's perfectly content with the idea of spending however long it takes working on pizzas with Grace.

He reluctantly pushes himself a little bit more upright and uses his grip on Danny to tug him forward for another quick kiss. "But I guess if we're gonna do that it's time t'get the grill goin' so it's hot enough when the pizzas are ready t'go on."

Accepting the coffee from Danny, Steve takes a sip and smiles happily at Danny. The coffee is exactly how he likes it. The smile turns to a faux glare at Eliot. "I do not blush." Clearly Eliot is gravely mistaken and unless he can produce evidence of such a blush, Steve will never concede to having actually done so.

This is nice, he thinks to himself, comfortable and easy. Much like how the day went with Eliot before he zoned. Seems like it only got difficult when they were trying to make things work. When they just are it feels natural and right. That Steve is even thinking along these lines surprises him. As Danny and Eliot are talking about Grace's pizza, Steve puts a hand over Eliot's calves marveling at where they are resting. Not only is he comfortable with Eliot, but Eliot seems equally as comfortable with him. The pain he was feeling earlier, the discomfort and upset have dialed back... Apparently from cuddling with Eliot on the couch. It's not something he expected to happen, and he's not sure that he's going to be able to enjoy this new revelation for long, but right now he's not looking forward for their contact to end.

Eliot's last words penetrate through his musings and he looks up. "The grill doesn't take long to heat. We have a couple minutes to enjoy our coffee first...?" It's not meant to come out as a question, but somehow it still does.

"Sure you don't, babe." Danny grins at Steve and gives Eliot's hand a squeeze. This is everything he wanted and damn does it make him happy. And content and calm. Both his boys right here, comfortable and calm and oh so hot together. But the hotness is the least the issues, mostly he is just feeling the easy and calm.

"I can go and get the grill started, Steve. You look way to comfortable here." Then he glances over at Eliot. "Alright, just never claim that I spoil her. Just don't let her two the whole Hawaiian thing."

If anything, that warm, tight ache in his chest is getting stronger, and even the way Danny smiles at Steve doesn't break the contentment of the moment. "Don't be a killjoy, they're personal pizzas, it's not like she's gonna be makin' you eat it, sweetheart," he points out, chuckling.

He doesn't want to let Danny go, but he doesn't really have an option either if they want to eat on time. He does pull Danny in more firmly first, though, close enough to get a hand around the nape of his neck and hold him in place for a proper kiss before finally relieving him of his coffee. "If you're gonna start the grill you'd better get a move on," and he smirks and smacks Danny's ass. "Gotta let the coals burn down an' the pizza stone preheat while my sous chef an' I get the dough rolled out an' the pizzas prepped.

Edited (punctuation fail) 2017-06-29 18:10 (UTC)

Returning Danny's grin, Steve chuckles at Eliot's idea. "You know, we could ask Gracie to make Danny a special pizza just for him..." Part of what's amusing there, at least for him, is that Gracie would make Danny's pizza exactly how he liked it - dough, sauce and motz. She may add a couple of pepperoni pieces to spice it up but she knows what her father likes.

As Danny and Eliot kiss, Steve takes a sip from his coffee but doesn't otherwise move. It is nice seeing Danny and Eliot together like this, happy and even though it's not been long, in love. They feel comfortable together, like they fit. It's getting easier seeing them as a couple, not that it still doesn't have a bittersweet feel to it, but that doesn't take from his happiness for them either.

Danny smiles softly at Eliot at the end of the kiss. Then he frowns at Steve's suggestion. "I'd rather she does it than you." But he is still smiling, or rather trying his damnest not to. The smack earns a little, almost inaudible whine. Though there is something in the tone that makes it obvious it is not actual pain that is the root of it.

"Yes, boss." And he gets up to let the two of them enjoy their coffees. He calls Grace to him to help, showing her how to safely handle the grill while telling her that she's not allowed to do it without an adult there.

"Sounds like he doesn't trust you, Sparky," Eliot teases... and then Danny whines and oh fuck that sound does truly obscene things to him. Throwing in the 'boss' just makes it worse. Or better. He's really not sure. Probably worse under the circumstances.

He doesn't visibly react, he has more control than that, but there's not a damn thing he can do about the way his heart-rate spikes or his breath catches for a fraction of a second in time with a thick wash of lust. Christ. He doesn't even try to take his eyes off Danny's ass as he walks away, there's not much point when Steve can't possibly miss his reaction anyway.

"So-" He makes himself look back to Steve. "D'you actually like pineapple on your pizza that much, or do you just like t'fuck with him that much?" he asks, smirking.

The whine, followed by 'boss' and then Eliot's physical reactions - It's all enough to make him very uncomfortable very quick. He doesn't need to have those types of thoughts or images in his head. Instead he keeps himself focused on Eliot's comment as he forces a grin and looks into his coffee cup. 'Fake it till you make it', it's a good motto. "He knows I'd put pineapple and ham on his pizza that's why. Maybe even a vegetable or two."

At Eliot's question the grin becomes more relaxed and he chuckles as he looks at the other man. "On occasion, I don't mind it, but winding him up is far too much fun." Shaking his head he leans it on the back of the couch, still smiling. "Even with asking for it every time we get pizza, I can't say I've actually had it on pizza in the entire time I've known him, unless someone else has ordered." The grin grows. "And on those occasions the rants are classic in nature."

Rolling his head along the back of the couch he looks at Eliot for a moment. "I'm sorry about before." He waves a hand to gesture the couch. "I'm sure cuddling with me wasn't on your agenda. I don't know how we got in that position, but considering the position..." He shrugs and a bit of pink colors his cheeks again.

"So you're saying you're kind of a sadistic bastard, huh?" Eliot chuckles, shaking his head. He still hasn't actually pulled his feet out of Steve's lap, though he needs to move soon. He can hear Danny and Grace out on the lanai, smell them getting the coals ready, as well as the fact that his dough's just about perfectly risen. But this is surprisingly comfortable, despite the awkwardness. "But yeah, I can see the appeal," he agrees, taking a sip of his coffee finally.

He pushes one bare heel gently into Steve's thigh at the apology. Yeah, the blush is definitely a good look on him. "Not like I couldn't'a pushed you off if I'd wanted to," he points out, smirking into his coffee. "You were pretty insistent about exactly where you wanted me, though, and it's been a helluva day. Didn't see any harm in it." He's still a bit confused by how easy it had been for him to let himself drift off, though.

"I, uh, I don't usually risk bein' asleep with anyone else in arm's reach," he admits after a moment. "Guess my subconscious figured you could take care of yourself, though."

Edited 2017-06-30 06:41 (UTC)

Steve chuckles lightly. "When Danny's ranting, he's happy. It all depends on tone as well of course, but get him ranting about pizza or the sand and he's actually enjoying himself." There's been times Steve has even used Danny's ranting as an indicator to help him determine where Danny's head or mood is at. "When he's quiet, that's when you need to worry." Tilting his head, he lightly squeezes Eliot's ankle and offers the other man a small smile. "He's happy when he's with you too, man. A different kind of happy. Deeper. Fulfilled."

"True," he says with a nod. The blush deepens slight at being told he was insistent on it. It's surprising to Steve as well that he was feeling comfortable enough to get that close to Eliot. He'd been getting better with touch over the last couple years, but this was a huge leap for him. "Still, I'm glad to hear I didn't offend or overstep too much. Before Danny I barely touched anyone. This is kinda new for me."

He nods in understanding. "That and chances are your body's signals that an issue was coming would alert me in time. I don't tend to sleep too deeply." Well, not deeply enough that the change of heartbeat and breathing wouldn't wake him instantly. He pauses a moment, then cautiously asks, "Nightmares?"

"Yeah." Eliot's voice and expression soften slightly, unmistakably fond. "He does like t'get on a roll an' just keep goin'." It reminds him of Hardison in a lot of ways, and he finds it much the same mix of amusing, endearing and annoying. "I'm tryin'." He shrugs a little, lips twitching up into a wry smile. "Haven't had all that much time together, but I don't plan on stoppin'." And maybe Steve's approval will help him, or maybe he'll be screwed in the end regardless. All he can do is his best.

He takes another sip of his coffee, savoring the warmth and a last few minutes of contact before he has to get to work on the pizza. "Yeah, I get that, man. It's, uh... it's hard gettin' that close to people." When it's so easy for everything to become too much. "But that's exactly it. I wasn't gonna catch you by surprise." Because it's not that he doesn't think Danny can take care of himself--though he knows he can't against him--it's that Danny wouldn't be on guard against his lover attacking him from a sound sleep, and he has no ability to catch the warning signs and react before it's too late. Eliot doubts Steve could take him either, he's not sure there are many people who'd even have a chance, but at least he'd be prepared to try.

"Yeah." He doesn't like admitting it, but if he's going to be sleeping here it's not something he can hide from another Sentinel when it happens, even if no one else would likely notice. "Collected a few over the years and, well, I've woken up to a few broken arms before I was awake enough t'stop myself." A couple of almost broken necks. A (fortunately superficial) stab wound from the time he'd forgotten to take the knife out from under the pillow. "It's not worth the risk."

Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Re: Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Re: Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Re: Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Re: Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Re: Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Re: Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Re: Steve and Eliot cuddle pile

Steve and Eliot cuddle pile