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.

Comments

Re: Picking Danny up at the Airport

[dann_0]

He gives a bitter laugh at Steve's words. "Because I am not broken and complicated? I fucked up with Rachel and now I am stuck following her and Stan around the world. I have to pray nobody finds out what I am so they won't come after my daughter. I spent the last year sleeping in your bed and I still haven't figured out how to tell you I need you in my life. I found not one, but two Sentinels I feel the same way about and there is no way I can be with both of them as much as they need. I have no idea how to help you and Eliot or for that matter if I am only making it worse and there is nobody I can ask. So yeah, Steven, this might be complicated, but that just seems to fit me just right."

Danny takes a deep breath, frowning as he figures out how to get the point across. "The risk of the military finding out is the same as it was a week ago. It's the same as it was on Sunday when you said me trying to help Eliot was fine. I know what I have with you, and it might not be long term but it is what I want. You're my sentinel, just like he is. You have just as much say about this as he does. The two of you are in charge of this and if one of you are uncomfortable with something we change that thing."

Picking Danny up at the Airport

[super_seal]

Normally Danny ranting is something Steve enjoys. This time just makes him feel guilty. "I'm sorry, Danny. I truly am."

The restaurant is up ahead and Steve turns his focus there, pulling into the parking lot and stopping the car in an empty slot. Biting on his lower lip a moment, he's lost his appetite and really doesn't want food anymore, even though he knows they both should eat something. Letting out a sigh he shifts in his seat towards Danny's direction. "Did you still want to get something?"

Re: Picking Danny up at the Airport

[dann_0]

Danny turns and looks at Steve and his heart breaks a little. This isn't something he is used to from his partner. He reaches out to take Steve's hand and wrap his own around it. He wasn't really hungry either but he hasn't eaten since he left Eliot and he isn't sure about Steve.

"I know, babe. I am sorry I hurt you. I just don't want to lose you." He gives the hand a firm squeeze. "I'll go grab something, any requests?" That way he could also call Eliot and let him know he's landed.

Picking Danny up at the Airport

[super_seal]

Squeezing Danny's hand in return, at first Steve is confused why Danny wants to go alone but he quickly realizes. "No. I'll go. You can call him without being interrupted. You still want korma and naan? Anything else I can get you?" Steve planned to grab a couple of different dishes and then they could share like they usually did. Especially since he expected most of it to end up as leftovers.

Re: Picking Danny up at the Airport

[dann_0]

"Yeah, that sounds good. Um... Garlic naan? And a mango lassi?" Danny smiles but before he lets Steve's hand go there is one thing he needs to be sure of. "You'll be alright in there with people and sounds?" Steve's already a little off balance and the last thing Danny wants right now is for him to zone.

"If anything happens, let me know and I'll help you." he reaches for his phone and starts to dial Eliot's number

Picking Danny up at the Airport

[super_seal]

Steve nods at Danny's request, and then again at Danny's concern. There's no doubt he's feeling off balance but he needs some distraction. Sitting in the car will likely have him zoning, getting out and moving around a bit with a purpose hopefully will help. "I'll be fine." With a pause he smiles and shrugs. "If I'm not back in fifteen minutes, maybe come check."

Opening his door, he gets out of the car, but then leans back down so he can see Danny. "Everyone leaves, Danny. I know that's not your intention but with my situation and now yours with Eliot, I don't see it being a choice either of us is going to be able to make. One way or another that's just the end result. That's not your fault or something you can do anything about. And I certainly don't blame you. I just want you to be happy."

He doesn't wait Danny to reply before straightening and closing the door. That wasn't likely fair and he'd seen Danny had already started to dial Eliot so he knows Danny won't be able to come after him. He doesn't want him to, not here, not right now.

Even though he doesn't fully realize it, he needs Danny to understand where he's coming from, why he's pushing the way that he is. While he's no longer as convinced as he was before Danny landed that this was the right way to go, he still clinging to this being the best thing. All the while all he wants to do is cling to Danny and have the other man assure him that it's not.

Fourteen and a half minutes later, Steve comes back out of the restaurant with bags of food in hand. He looks through the windshield to see if Danny is still on the phone. Technically he could increasing his hearing to see, but Danny deserves his privacy.

Re: Picking Danny up at the Airport

[dann_0]

The phone call had been quick, Eliot had been able to hear something was off and Danny had simply told him there was an argument. Now he is sitting in the passenger seat and fiddling with his phone, not really looking at it. When Steve comes into view his head snaps up and he looks after him. He waits until Steve's inside the car before he speaks.

"I am not going to leave you, you idiot. Even if it weren't for all this Sentinel shit I would not leave you. You're my partner and my best friend and my family. And you're still that even if I've found a guy I am into. You are part of what makes me happy. I know you're trying to avoid being hurt but the only way I am going to leave you is if you honestly tell me you don't want me anymore. Instincts or no, you're still my friend and my partner. I love you and I need you to trust me."

Picking Danny up at the Airport

[super_seal]

Settling into the driver's seat, he's not really sure what to expect. When Danny calls him 'family', Steve can't stop the full body shudder that passes through him and the awed whisper of the word 'family' that escapes him. Steve hadn't known what it meant to have a family before Danny. It was something he'd seen other people have but his experience had fallen so short that it wasn't even comparable. There was no way he could understand the full impact of having one, and didn't, until Danny had made him part of his. He'd considered Danny and Grace family for a long time, but hearing it acknowledged from the other man hits him hard. It's exactly what he needed to hear.

He shakes his head, he could barely look at Danny, let alone tell him directly he doesn't want him. Steve wants him very badly. Needs him as much as he needs oxygen to breath. At least that's the way it feels. He's let them get too close, he knows that but now that they are he can't outright turn Danny away like that. This had been his best effort at trying to push him away. The truth is though, he never really wanted him to go.

"I love you too." His voice sounds rough and wet, relief is flooding through him and tears are welling in his eyes, even has he fights to keep his composure. The urge to hug Danny is damn near overwhelming but they are in an Indian restaurant's parking lot. He wants, no needs, to get Danny home. To be able to hug and touch... Just to be in the other man's space.

"Home." Is all he says as he starts the car. There's twenty minutes away from the house. Steve thinks he can get them there in fifteen. Ten if he uses the sirens.

Re: Picking Danny up at the Airport

[dann_0]

For once Danny doesn't complain during the ride. He just watches Steve drive as he clings to the food. He isn't quite sure how to parse what just went on between them, but he knows it was damn significant. Once they are home he exits the car. He can feel the tension coming of Steve and he has a feeling he knows what his partner needs. He heads straight for the door. He has his own keys after all. Once he is inside he puts the food on the table and turns to face Steve.

"Come here." It isn't really a question, instead, he closes the distance between them and pulls the other into a firm hug. "You idiot. Thinking you could get rid of me that easily."

Picking Danny up at the Airport

[super_seal]

By the time they arrive home, Steve is shaking with emotion. Even on a good day he's not the best one to deal with anything emotional and today is far from his better days. Later he won't remember getting from the restaurant to inside his house, it'll all be a blur with the actual events lost in chaotic emotion.

As he steps through the door, he has just enough sense left to kick it closed behind him as he near collapses into Danny's embrace. "Danny! Danny... I'm sorry. So sorry. I..." His arms wrap tightly around the other man as his head falls onto his shoulder.

He'd reduced his sense of smell back at the airport to as low as he could, just lower than normal, but being this close to Danny there's no way he can't smell. He doesn't currently have the control to keep his senses in line and the hold snaps loose. Suddenly he flooded with more emotion tied to scent - Danny's worry, fear and anxiety, the comfort that comes naturally from his scent, the lingering smell of Eliot and sex, along with all those that naturally cling from the environment - like the plane and holding the food.

Overwhelmed he starts to zone on smell. Still though he clings to Danny. "Don't go," he begs in a whisper. "Please. I don't want you to go."

Re: Picking Danny up at the Airport

[dann_0]

Danny wraps his arms around him, one hand going up to stroke the back of Steve's hair and he holds him softly. "I got you, I am not going anywhere. Easy now, easy. Breathe with me." He lets his other hand stroke Steve's back, giving him something other to focus on. "There you go, breathe with me." He takes his time, making sure Steve can breathe properly and that he is hearing him and not zoning.

"You want to sit down on the couch? Or maybe lay down for a bit?"

Picking Danny up at the Airport

[super_seal]

Shivering in Danny's embrace, Steve cuddles in as close as he can. He'd prepared himself not to have this again but just feeling the zone threatening to take him skirting around the edges makes him wonder how he could possibly go without. Focusing on Danny's words and the feel of his hands, Steve's able to regain a small amount of control.

He nods in response to Danny's question but he's not able to let go of the other man quite yet. Both embarrassed and ashamed, this isn't the man he's supposed to be, nor the man he wants to be. Feeling and acting like this is out of character for him and he's not really sure how to deal with it all.

"I'm sorry, Danny. You deserve better."

Re: Picking Danny up at the Airport

[dann_0]

"Why Steve? You're pretty awesome." Nothing he'd admit normally but this was a special circumstance. He nudges Steve towards the couch without actually pulling back much and drags him down next to him. "Easy now. Just relax. You're home, safe and I'm here." He wraps his arms back around Steve and holds him close, making sure Steve can rest his head on his shoulder.

"I am not going anywhere, I am staying right here. And you're not a bad deal Steve, not at all. You think any other Sentinel would have been as gentle and slow as you are? Letting me learn and not blaming me for fucking up?"

Picking Danny up at the Airport

[super_seal]

Steve goes easily with Danny to the couch, letting the other man pull and then guide him how he wants him. Steve ducks his head in close, tilted in such a way that he can't see the hickey on Danny's neck. There's no answer to Danny's question of why. It's so many things, too many, and Steve is passed the point of arguing against himself. Instead he focuses on Danny's voice, heartbeat and his breathing.

But then what Danny says makes him pull back so that he can look at Danny's face with a frown on his own. "You've not fucked anything up. I can't ask for a better guide. Neither can Eliot. We're both lucky to have you, Danny. You have no idea," his voice drops, "and I hope you never do."

Picking Danny up at the Airport

[dann_0]

Danny smiles slightly at him and reaches up to continue stroking Steve's hair. "I have no idea what I am doing. Half the time I am pretty sure I am making things worse, not better."

He continues the stroking. "You could have a guide that wasn't a match for someone else and Eliot could have a guide that is closer to him." But he does nod at the last part. He does hope so himself. Based on everything Steve and Eliot's told him he doubts he wants to meet any other guides.

Picking Danny up at the Airport

[super_seal]

As Danny strokes through his hair, Steve slowly starts to relax into Danny and his breathing evens out. "No. You... You make things better. Easier. Clearer. Calmer."

His voice is calm, low and even when he starts to speak. Having Danny so close and doing just the right things is clearly helping. "I've always kinda looked at guide and sentinel matches like a man and woman matches. There is no perfect match, just high compatibility. When you meet someone who is compatible, over time you grow together and become even stronger. If it doesn't work out, you can still be compatible with someone else." Closing his eyes he adjusts slightly so Danny's heartbeat is louder without adjusting his sense of hearing. "With a guide and sentinel though, they get so far and then they bond. Once they bond... I hear it's for life." He takes in a deep breath and lets it out slow. "You're compatible with Eliot because you can't connect deeper with me." 'Cause I'm broken and can't bond' isn't said but it's still there, hanging in the air. "If you hadn't of met me, you'd likely be moving to move to Las Vegas with Rachel and Stan. You'd be closer to Eliot."

It's not lost on Steve that he's well aware that he's giving Danny yet another reason to leave him. Even knowing he's considered Danny's family, the worry is still there at the back of his mind. That when Danny realizes how much Steve is holding him back he's going to realize that family doesn't have to be so close and rearrange how things are set up.

Danny Call to Eliot

[dann_0]

He takes a few seconds to recover from the verbal gut punch Steve had just given him but then he presses call.

"Hi babe?"

Re: Danny Call to Eliot

[a_very_distinctive]

Eliot's been keeping himself distracted in the kitchen, waiting to hear from Danny. He knows exactly when his plane was scheduled to land, but he's resisted the urge to check and make sure it made it in on time. He'll hear from him or he won't, and he'll deal with it either way... though so far he's been dealing with it by being kind of an asshole to the rest of the kitchen staff. He'll have to make it up to them. Later.

When his cell rings he snaps at the sous to take over and simply walks out, pulling his phone out before it rings a second time. He feels a mixture of relief and dread seeing that it is, in fact, Danny calling, and he takes the back stairs at a jog as he answers.

"Hey sweetheart." And then he trails off, frowning, because there's definitely something wrong, he can hear it in Danny's voice, and the realization makes his blood run cold. He takes a breath and steels himself for whatever's coming, but all he says is, "How was your flight? Get in okay?"

Re: Danny Call to Eliot

[dann_0]

"The flight was uneventful. The best kind really. Managed to avoid having a kid kick the back of my seat too." He tries to sound cheerful but he knows it isn't working. Even he can hear it in his own voice. "Steve picked me up at the airport. He's getting us some Indian food right now. He is not exactly happy."

Danny Call to Eliot

[a_very_distinctive]

Eliot keeps trotting up the stairs as Danny answers, then veers into the spare apartment next to Hardison and Parker's when he reaches the top. He doesn't like the way Danny sounds at all, and when he finally mentions Steve his stomach twists sickly.

This is it, he'd half figured Danny just wouldn't call at all once his Sentinel got a whiff of him and expressed his displeasure in person, but this had been the second most likely outcome in his expectations: calling to let him down. He doesn't let anything come through in his voice when he answers, though.

"I'm sorry t'hear that. How're you doing?"

Re: Danny Call to Eliot

[dann_0]

"He thinks I am going to leave him. That you'll want me to. That our instincts will kick in." He sounds tired. "I've tried telling him you know that he and I are close, but I think he is too used to guides being taken away. He thinks he's broken." He sighs. "I don't think he gets that I am more than just an army assigned guide. He's my friend."

Danny Call to Eliot

[a_very_distinctive]

Eliot... really can't answer that, because he knows what Danny wants to hear, and saying it would be a lie. He knows exactly how Steve feels, he just figures that the odds of him being the one who's dumped when push comes to shove are slim to none.

"He knows your life's there," he points out quietly, voice absolutely even. "Not like you're gonna pack up an' disappear on him, sweetheart. He'll figure it out sooner or later."

Re: Danny Call to Eliot

[dann_0]

"I hope so." He smiles. "I miss you already even if I can still feel your hands."

Danny Call to Eliot

[a_very_distinctive]

Eliot's breath hitches and he lets his eyes slip shut for a moment, leaning back against the door. At least Danny hasn't gotten instant cold feet... though maybe it would be easier in the long run if he had. "Hope you can still feel more'n my hands," he answers, low and a little hoarse, and bites back the urge to tell Danny just how much he's missed him from the moment he walked through airport security. Christ.

Re: Danny Call to Eliot

[dann_0]

"Oh trust me I can still feel a lot more. I am pretty sure I'll still have the bitemarks when you see me again. You still up for next weekend?"