PSL: Sentinel AU
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.
Re: Danny and Steve: Surprise, I'm in Portland
Danny raises an eyebrow. "He has? I thought his story was a lot like yours, military and then trying to stay off the radar." He frowns, thinking back to that brief meeting with the other Sentinel. "You think he will?" Danny looks to Steve. "You'll be alright with that if he does?" He knows that Steve considers him his, just as much as Steve is Danny's.
Re: Danny and Steve: Surprise, I'm in Portland
The rewarding squeeze gets a small smile in response. As soon as Danny is done eating, Steve will clear the table is hoping they can move somewhere more comfortable. Not that he's in any particular rush but he's been without physical contact for several days and only has a couple days with Danny before he'll be on his own again.
"Not quite. He's military but has been out for over a decade and he's not being monitored by the military at all. I don't even think he's on their radar and he mentioned the name he's using now isn't the name he used then." Biting his lower lip a moment, Steve tilts his head. Honestly he doesn't think Eliot will be able to stay away regardless of what he may want to do. "Yeah, I think he'll be around." He offers Danny a smile. "A guide that isn't corrupted by the system is not easy to walk away from. Especially since he's been going without for so long."
Danny's last question gives Steve a moment of pause. It's complicated and not just a strict yes or no answer. Instinctively he feels like Danny is his and he doesn't want to share but he knows that he has no rights to the other man. They aren't a couple or bonded. Worse, Steve can't be exclusive with Catherine and the military at his back, he could easily be called back into active duty even if they don't find out his abilities have returned. It's not fair to Danny for Steve to ask for more than what's been offered or put demands on him that he can't reciprocate. If things were different... But they're not and he doesn't let his mind go down that road.
Forcing a smile he shakes his head and stands, picking up his dish to take to the trash. "I'll be fine. You feel like you can trust him and I trust you. Besides, I think he needs the type of support that you can offer. Those in our situation should help each other if we can. He's very protective of his friends, Hardison and Parker, and I can see him adding you into that inner circle quickly." If he hasn't already.
Re: Danny and Steve: Surprise, I'm in Portland
"You'll tell me if that changes right? If you're not fine?" Steve is first priority when it comes to this. He wants to help Eliot and he is proud of Steve for wanting to as well, but he won't let it come between Steve and him. "I hope he plans on adding you to that as well." He smiles as Steve as they finishes cleaning and then moves to the bed, pulling off his tie and shirt as he moves. He knows the skin contact makes it easier for Steve and he enjoys the warm touch as well. He pats the bed next to him and reaches for the remote.
"You mean a guide that isn't going to hurt you for messing up. I... Fuck how can they feel connected like this and allow you to be hurt?" Danny didn't understand that. He might not be as sensitive as a Sentinel but he can tell when Steve's upset. It makes his skin crawl.
Re: Danny and Steve: Surprise, I'm in Portland
He appreciates Danny's concern, but he won't be changing his mind and he simply nods in response. The only other option for Steve is to make unfair demands on Danny and he won't be doing that. If Danny wants to help this other sentinel, unless Steve sees signs of danger or trouble, he will support Danny fully.
"We'll see how things go." They seemed to get along well enough but he's well aware that Eliot's draw here is Danny. "Right now I think he needs to find his footing and adjust to the changes you've already introduced and are offering him." Steve is just an extra complication, but here too he plans to be supportive. The easier he can make this for Eliot, the easier it will also be for Danny and that is his ultimate mandate.
As Danny pulls off his shirt and tie, Steve becomes fixated. The scent that fills the room and sight of all that exposed skin... His guide's skin... Before he even realizes he's moving he's pulling off his own shirt and crawling up onto the bed to snuggle into Danny. What he really wants to do is push his nose into Danny and inhale deeply but that's a sure fire way to make himself high on his guide. The need is there but he has enough control to rest his head over Danny's heart and hug the other man close, sighing in contentment. "I'm not certain they feel the connection the same way you do. You saw me as a friend first. Being this came much later after we already had a solid friendship. The guides I worked with... I was assigned to them, always an asset first. The training... Part of it is them seeing how far they can push my limits, supposedly so they know when to back off in the field and not push too far in a bad situation. In the beginning zoning is a fairly regular thing, but it's also part of the training so they can learn to bring me back out. You've never sent me into a zone, only helped bring me out of them." A high yes but that was completely different and more like a stress relief for Steve.
Re: Danny and Steve: Surprise, I'm in Portland
And for that he hates them. Someone doing this on purpose to Steve and to Eliot? Yeah, no they are people who doesn't deserve anything but his hate. "Come on. We'll discuss this tomorrow, you've had a long day. Let's just relax and watch bad tv, hm?"
Re: Danny and Steve: Surprise, I'm in Portland
He smiles into Danny's chest, happy that the other man finds it so easy and natural to help him. Sometimes Steve worries that he's taking advantage of Danny or that Danny might feel that way. Knowing that the other man enjoys their closeness and finds helping Steve obvious eases that worry. He knows it's not as easy for all guides - at least not all those he's had to work with. "I think that's all you, Buddy. You do what comes naturally and you care. I know I can trust and depend on you to have my back. It makes a difference. Having the ability to be a guide doesn't make the guide."
To Steve, that sounds like an excellent idea. "You going to make me watch that Naked and Afraid show you were talking about?" The tone of his voice reveals that he really wouldn't mind if Danny does. He'd give Danny the moon out of the night sky if that's was possible and the other man wanted it.