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: Steve Call to Eliot

[a_very_distinctive]

"Christ," Eliot mutters under his breath, because even if Danny didn't suck at hiding his pain it wouldn't really matter, not with how hyper-focused Eliot's senses are on him at all times. There's no way he can miss it in his voice or posture or expression or scent, no way he can fail to notice how his misery is building and compounding.

"C'mere, sweetheart," he rasps, and reaches out to hook a shaking hand into the front of Danny's shirt and pull him close enough to wrap his arms around him. "I don't see how what you're askin' for can work," he murmurs into Danny's hair, and knows he shouldn't have let himself touch because there's no way he'll be able to make himself let go and walk away again right now. "Just remember that no matter what happens you're not gonna end up alone, okay?" Because he knows Steve won't be able to walk away from him without Eliot in the picture, and once Danny's over the initial grief and hurt of this whole shit show he's sure that'll be enough.

Re: Steve Call to Eliot

[dann_0]

Danny sighs into the hug, just pure and utter contentment. He leans up enough to press a kiss to Eliot's neck. Just a soft quick one. "I am asking for a lot. I know that. I know I am being greedy. I just... I can't explain it." He sighs. "I guess I suck at this being a guide thing."

Then he moves just enough that he can meet Eliot's eyes. "You'll stay? At least for a bit?" He is trying to give Eliot the biggest puppy eyes he can manage.

Re: Steve Call to Eliot

[a_very_distinctive]

Eliot shudders at the soft press of lips, and his fingers curl just a little tighter in the back of Danny's shirt. He's not entirely sure he's going to survive losing this, but he figures it'll be okay so long as he knows Danny's taken care of.

"For a bit," he concedes reluctantly, but there's no way he could say no at this point. "You gotta go take care'a your Sentinel now, though." And walking back in there with him might be enough to bow this all to hell badly enough that even Danny will have to admit it can't work.

Re: Steve Call to Eliot

[dann_0]

"One of my Sentinels... Though that doesn't exactly sound good, does it?" He takes Eliot's hand with a smile and leads him back to the palace. Once they get to the five o offices he smiles back at Eliot.

"Hey, Steve. Eliot came back, you alright with him being here?" He figures he should give his partner a heads up as he heads towards his office. Hopefully, he can get them both to agree to head back to Steve's place. Somewhere more relaxed and then they can talk. At this point that is all he is hoping for.

Steve Call to Eliot

[super_seal]

Steve hasn't left Danny's office. Actually he hasn't even left Danny's couch, or moved from the position he was in when Danny last saw him. Instead he'd been sitting there trying not to think about the mess things had turned into while trying to get his senses back into something he could work with and get the pounding behind his eyes to calm down, even just a little bit. He wasn't succeeding on the pounding, or the nausea, but he could see and hear more clearly, so that was a start.

And, he could actually hear and understand the words that Danny yelled out to him. Truth be told, he hadn't expected them to return. He figured either Eliot had made it far enough out that Danny had to chase him off the property, or they'd had a blow out and Danny continued leaving as he was before Eliot had dragged him back. The possibility he had hoped for, that Danny was able to convince Eliot not to go, hadn't included them returning. He's not so certain he's happy that they have, after all, it's likely going to lead to more arguing and he really isn't up for that.

Clearing his throat, he raises his voice to call out, "Good!" He figured Danny asked the question for Eliot's benefit so he adds as much positivity he can to his voice. "You know that I am!" Turning his head he waits for them to both appear in Danny's doorway. "Welcome back. Danny, you still keep a bottle of Advil in your desk?"

Re: Steve Call to Eliot

[a_very_distinctive]

"It sounds like wishful thinking," he points out, but it's mild, no bite to it. He doesn't like the idea of bursting Danny's bubble, but it really doesn't seem like a realistic expectation. Not when he has Steve right here, clearly wanting everything Eliot has with him and a hell of a lot more capable of delivering on it. But he lets Danny twine their fingers together and tow him along, telling himself it's okay to enjoy whatever he can get for however long he can get it.

"How 'bout you go help him an' I'll dig up the Advil if you tell me where to find it," he suggests, giving Danny's hand a quick squeeze then dropping it.

Re: Steve Call to Eliot

[dann_0]

Danny nods. "Middle drawer, near the back. There is water out in the main office too." He gives Eliot a warm smile, feeling thankful that the other Sentinel is willing to help. He moves over and settles next to Steve, reaching out and giving him a proper look over. "A headache? What set that off?" He looks Steve over for any injuries, more out of habit than anything else since his partner seems to get shot at all the time. "I was thinking we could all go back to the house, relax a little and just talk about this. You down for that? Or maybe after you've slept for a bit?"

Steve Call to Eliot

[super_seal]

Steve offers a smile to Eliot. "Thank you." He means for coming back more than for getting the medicine.

"Three year old at the restaurant this morning. Who knew kids could screech that loud?!" Steve hadn't known. That wasn't something Gracie did even when she was upset or over-tired. Granted she was also older. "She wasn't breathing so I focused in on her..." He expects Danny can figure out the rest. The child's screaming wasn't solely why he's in the state he's in now and he expects Danny knows that to. Not sleeping the last several nights and besides a couple of hours on Thursday, he'd been without physical contact from his guide for almost a week. Plus the stress of the Charlie situation which Danny didn't know about yet. It all adds up and was more than what he was used to dealing with on his own, even if he was determined to adjust. "Wasn't doing too bad until we got back here. Something set me off as soon as I walked into your office. A scent..." He looks around and then sniffs but his sense are still off and nothing is glaringly obvious.

Thinking about Danny's proposal for a moment he then nods. "Yeah we can do that." Sleeping sounds like a good idea, but then he thinks about Grace and her wanting to see him for dinner. Sleep will have to wait for now. "Think Kono will keep Grace for a couple of hours? At least until we've had a chance to talk." He's aware of Eliot's concerns around meeting the little girl.

Re: Steve Call to Eliot

[a_very_distinctive]

Eliot nods acknowledgment of the thanks but doesn't answer as he pulls the drawer open and retrieves the bottle. He gets the lid open so Steve won't have to possibly struggle with it when he's not firing on all cylinders and passes it over, then disappears back out of the office in search of water. He doesn't need to stay there to hear what Steve's saying, after all. It also means he's not there for either man to see the way he grimaces when Steve mentions not knowing what scent set him off.

He pads back in and offers Steve the glass of water, then backs away a few steps as he finishes talking about one of their coworkers keeping Grace for a while so they can talk. "Pretty sure I know what set you off," he offers when Steve's done, because he might as well just get that over with. It might be proves to Danny that this isn't going to work.

Re: Steve Call to Eliot

[dann_0]

"I am pretty sure I overheard some talk of a girl's day so I think she should be good. I'll make it up to her." He smiles and gently urges Steve to take the pills Eliot provides. "There you go. It'll be better soon and yes they have some pretty impressive lungs when they are throwing a tantrum. Often it is just to get what they want."

Danny looks up at Eliot when he mentions his suspicion, raising an eyebrow. But he doesn't move, instead, he just strokes Steve's back gently. "Yeah? Is there something wrong in the office?"

Steve Call to Eliot

[super_seal]

"Tell her she can come in late Monday. She'll enjoy having the extra time to surf." Steve figures he's as much on the hook, if not more, for Kono's time after all.

Accepting the pills and the water from Eliot with a nod of thanks, Steve takes two pills and downs them with the water, drinking it all. Another nod at Danny's reassurance, and then he shrugs. "I didn't see if she got what she wanted after."

Taking a deep breath in, he tries not to shiver at the sensation of Danny rubbing his back. Instead he tries to focus on Eliot. He has a suspicion of what that something might be but not exactly as Danny's clothing shouldn't have triggered him like that, even that deeply mixed with Eliot's scent. Instead of questioning vocally though he just raises a curious eyebrow.

Re: Steve Call to Eliot

[a_very_distinctive]

Yeah, these two are functionally coparents, and Eliot's not sure how Danny thinks whatever connection they've made is supposed to stand up to that. Not when he's made it abundantly clear he wants Steve in every way. But he promised he'd talk it out, and part of that includes clueing them both in to what set Steve off.

He tucks his hands on his pockets to keep them still and tops his gaze up to the ceiling as he answers. "I I brought a couple things in ziplocks. For the scent. And I didn't think to close the bag up again this morning. It was a shirt we, uh... that we cleaned up with. After." He figures he doesn't have to be more specific than that, they should both be able to figure out what it smelled of.

Re: Steve Call to Eliot

[dann_0]

Danny blinks in surprise at that. That was not what he had expected. He opens his mouth to say something and then closes it. He shouldb't be surprised at that. He knows the scent helps them and Eliot had told him how much he likes Danny smelling of sex. He nods a few times and then gives Eliot a small smile. "I guess it could be worse." At least it wasn't dirty socks or something.

Then he licks his lips and looks over at Steve. "You think that was it?"

Steve Call to Eliot

[super_seal]

Ah yes. He could kick himself, he should have been able to figure that out. Thinking back, he touches on the memory of the scent he'd been so intently focused on. A touch of Eliot, a touch of Danny and sex, all mixed together. Steve nods. "Yeah, that was most likely it." Then he looks at Eliot. "You've put it away just after I zoned? I faded quickly and I'm a bit messed up now but I don't smell it. It was strong when I came in."

"I've smelt sex on Danny before, but having it sit like that, mixed with yours..." He offers Eliot a small smile. "Just enough to alter things for it to be both familiar and foreign." Clearing his throat he shrugs hoping that what he's about to say will release the tension he can see and feel in Eliot. "I sleep with Danny's dirty laundry when he's away. I get it."

Re: Steve Call to Eliot

[a_very_distinctive]

"Yeah. I zipped it up an' shoved it back in my duffel 'fore I called Danny." He doesn't mention the time he'd spent trying to help Steve focus, the feel of his breathing and heart rate syncing up with his. It's not really relevant.

"Not surprised," he admits, one corner of his mouth twitching up in something that's not quite a smile. "Scent's not really my focus, but it's still powerful." Still the thing that most identifies a person or place as safe, or home, to him. And the only thing he can hold on to when he's alone.

Re: Steve Call to Eliot

[dann_0]

Danny's eyes go wide. "When did you ... Oh Rachel... yeah..." He sighs "You do what with my laundry? What the ... " That is a bit much even for him. "Steve that's... " He glances back at Eliot. "Why didn't either of you tell me about that?"

He takes a deep breath and then licks his lips. He runs a hand over his face and shakes his head. "Does it help?"

Steve Call to Eliot

[super_seal]

"And when you came back from Portland," he says to Danny, but yes Rachel too. When he came home had just been a refresher. Then Steve has to chuckle lightly at Danny's reaction. "Gross? That's why I didn't tell you. Figured you'd figure it out eventually when your shirts went missing from time to time."

He doesn't even need to think about it. "Yeah. A lot. Direct touch is better, but your smell is right up there."

Steve Call to Eliot

[a_very_distinctive]

Eliot snorts quietly and rolls his eyes. "I figured you'd know 'cause of him," he points out. "Scent's ambient an' persistent. It's one of the only things we can use without needing t'have our anchor actually there... an' it makes a huge difference." Though, again, he's not going to elaborate. Not going to mention that he's slept better the last few nights, surrounded by Danny's scent, than he has in years. And that the office, so deeply steeped in his scent, had been almost as good as having him right there... even if he'd still refused to actually sleep in the same bed with him out of fear for his safety.

Re: Steve Call to Eliot

[dann_0]

"That's... Actually good to know. So if I have to go away for a bit, or when you go back to Portland, Eliot, that is something we can use?" He smiles softly at that. "I bet it works the other way too though? Right? Easily overwhelming."

He smiles and then gets up moving a little closer to Eliot. Steve seems mostly stable for now and he wants to make sure Eliot has what he needs too. Or at least as much of it as Danny can give him right here in the office.

Steve Call to Eliot

[super_seal]

"Remember the first time I got high off your scent and touch?" He's been careful not to do that since but it's definitely a possibility.

It's almost a relief when Danny steps away and moves to Eliot. Nothing has changed for him. He's still determined to do this on his own, or as much as possible and not interfere with their relationship. Having Danny sit right beside him, touching him through his clothes but not able to actually touch him was a slow burning torture. All he wanted to do was curl into him, fill all his senses with that of Danny and to find that relief he knew was waiting there. It was more than a want, it was a need, a hunger he craved with all his being. He was keeping it together, but barely. Holding himself rigid with his hands wrapped tightly around the glass, while trying to keep things light to show he was fine. It was sheer determination that was holding him together and pushing him through. As soon as he is able, he'll be going off on his own to try and center himself and get his senses back to functioning as they're supposed to be.

Re: Steve Call to Eliot

[a_very_distinctive]

Despite how obsessively distracting Danny's presence is, Eliot's devoting most of his attention to Steve. To how tensely controlled he is, how desperately he's clearly trying to hold himself together. And so when Danny approaches him he takes a half step back with a jerky shake of his head.

"You need t'take care of him." He tips his head towards Steve, and his voice is maybe a little tighter than normal, his posture a little tense, because it's hard keeping his distance like this. Especially now that he's let himself touch. "He's just puttin' up a front." And if he weren't there to distract him, Eliot's sure Danny would have realized that already too.

Re: Steve Call to Eliot

[dann_0]

Danny turns, studying Steve for a long moment, then he glances back at Eliot. "You alright with it?" Then he comes back to Steve and simply kneels on the floor in front of him and pulls him into a tight hug. Or at least tries to. He is maybe not as strong as either of the two sentinels but he makes up for it in determination. If Steve lets him he will let his fingers slide under the back of Steve's shirt to brush over the warm skin underneath.

"Steve... Don't lie to me about how you are. I don't like it when either of you two do that."

Steve Call to Eliot

[super_seal]

Glaring at Eliot, Steve mutters 'asshole' under his breath.

He doesn't have a lot of energy but he pulls back away from Danny as he tries to hug him. "No." Swallowing hard he puts everything that he has into pushing Danny away.

"I need to be fine. I'm fine!" Closing his eyes he turns his head. "Why don't you take Eliot out sight seeing?" Give him a chance to get his shit together. "I'll meet you at home. We'll talk. Until then..." He shakes his head. Until they talk and work things out Steve won't accept Danny's help.

Re: Steve Call to Eliot

[a_very_distinctive]

"I told you to deal with him, didn't I?" Which isn't the same as an answer to the question, but it's close enough.

He returns Steve's glare in kind, with the addition of baring his teeth at the insult. "Pull your head outa your damn ass," he snaps. "You're not even close t'fine, you got no damn clue how to handle this on your own an' you need his help!" He folds his arms over his chest and holds his ground. "All you're doin' is makin' you an' him both miserable, asshole."

Re: Steve Call to Eliot

[dann_0]

Being pushed back hurts but Danny swallows and hides it as best he can so he won't add to the tension in the room. It is bad enough already. He leans back, sighing and then rubbing his forehead. "He said no, Eliot. It's... I try to listen when you guys say that. I know things between Sentinels and Guides are off balance and I don't want that here." With either of them. He doesn't want them to feel powerless. He reaches to steady himself on the desk as he gets up and then leans on it, looking between them. "Is this a conversation that would be better to have when we're rested and relaxed?"