dann_0 | 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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

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.

From:

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.

From:

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?"

From:

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.

From:

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.

From:

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?"

From:

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."

From:

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.

From:

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?"

From:

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."

From:

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.

From:

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.

From:

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.

From:

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.

From:

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."

From:

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.

From:

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."

From:

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?"

From:

super_seal

"Then I'll figure it out," he says to Eliot. "It's better it's him and me that's miserable than you and him."

He's thankful Danny has that disposition because if he keeps pushing Steve won't be able to continue to fight him off. Drawing in a shaky breath he runs a hand through his hair. His eyes flick to Eliot, he's not sure this conversation can wait that long.

"I just need some time. Some distance. Until the pull isn't so strong." Danny was able to guide him before without having so much contact, he should be able to go back to that again. Where he won't need Danny's affection so much. Where he has faith he can control himself to take what's available and not push for more. "It was my mistake. I'm trying to fix it." His eyes move back to Eliot. "Please. Let me fix it."

From:

a_very_distinctive

"Jesus fucking christ, are you listening to the words coming outa your mouth?" he demands, still focused on Steve. "You're the man's god damn family. You live t'gether, you work t'gether, you're helpin' him raise his damn kid, and I'm twenty-five hundred damn miles away an' not gonna be around here at all, or even seein' him for more than a few days a month at best." If this even works out, which he's not expecting it to. "What part'a that makes it sound like me gettin' in between you two is gonna be okay?"

From:

dann_0

Danny looks between them, feeling the annoyance rise at being talked about like this. "Do I have a say in this?" He doesn't bother to hide the irritation. "Here is the deal. I need you both. And like it or not you both need me. Which means you two need each other. You need to stop fighting over who gets to be the martyr and start working together about what we can do to make this work. Because we need this to work, all three of us. Because if you up and leave Eliot, you'll be miserable, I'll be miserable and I know Steve well enough to it will affect him too. If you decide you're doing this on your own Steve then us living and working together is not going to work. Which again... Will affect all of us." He gestures at the three of them.

"We would have distance problem no matter what with Steve, Eliot and you knew that when we got involved. I can't just leave my kid. Steve, you might think that I am going to leave you because you can't bond but bond or not you're part of this. Yeah, Eliot and I dating complicates it, but all in all it doesn't change the basic facts of what we are and what we need."

From:

super_seal

"You're not getting in between us. I'm his best friend, not his romantic partner." He addresses Eliot first and then he turns to Danny. "I'm not trying to be a martyr. We were too close before. Too close to accommodate you being in a relationship. Which isn't fair to you, Eliot or Grace. I'm trying to back off but dialing things back isn't easy, Danny. Having you right there in front of me and knowing I can't have what I did a week ago..."

His voice catches and he looks back at Eliot. Anger is fueling his energy right now but he really doesn't have the reserves for this. "And that doesn't mean you should back off or try to accommodate. It was my mistake, I'm trying to fix it. That nice little happy scenario in your head is only part of the picture. I'm on borrowed time. At any moment Catherine is going to realize my abilities are back and I'll be returning to active duty - leaving him. Alone." He knows Eliot is aware of how his military service is likely that is going to end, sentinels don't reach retirement. "You both have a chance at long time happiness together. You both are able to bond. How many chances do you think are going to come up with you find a free sentinel or guide that you can trust? There's no way in hell I want to get in the way of what you two have. The distance is a problem now, but it won't be forever."

Leaning back, the anger and the energy he had is fading and it just leaves him more tired and frustrated than he was before. "I know I can't be without you. That I need help to manage, but I was able to manage on less before. I just wanna get back to that."

From:

dann_0

"Catherine is not going to know. Because if she as much as thinks about returning you to active duty I will stop her. I told you I have your back and I mean that. I am not saying you'll be in the way. I am saying I'd like you to be a part of what we have." There. Now that is in the open. He glances over at Eliot, worried that it will make him jealous. But he turns back to Steve, pointing to him. "You're the one who says you can't have things, not us, Steve. And what do you mean it won't be forever. You've made Hawaii my home."

The irritation softens and instead sounds almost pleading. "I don't want you to just survive and manage. Either one of you. I want you to be happy."

From:

a_very_distinctive

"Do you hear me fuckin' arguing about that?!" Eliot snaps at Danny, because god dammit, he wasn't bitching he was pointing out the fucking obvious to McGarrett, who's got his head so far up his ass Eliot's surprised he can smell anything but shit right now. "You're not movin' to Portland, I'm not movin' here, we pretty much established that. Which means there's not a helluva lot of backing off to do, 'cause I'm not gonna fuckin' be here." Which hurts, yes, but it's a simple god damn fact.

As for the rest... christ. It's okay. It has to be okay because, hell, it's not like it matters what he thinks of it anyway. He's known from day one this can't actually work the way Danny wants it to, he's just here for however long it lasts before the distance gets to be too much hassle. Which is preferable to Danny still being in the picture when he loses it and needs to be put down. So Danny wants to fuck his best friend. Who he lives with. And works with. All that's going to do is speed up how fast things fall apart on his end, it was always going to happen anyway.

"I never planned to even come here in the first damn place, an' I never fuckin' asked him t'back off anything with you!" Jesus... jesus, he needs to back off, back down, get his shit together before he loses it. He can feel his heart rate spiking, feel the world starting to go too sharp around the edges--too bright and loud and present--and he takes another step back and holds a hand up.

"You... you need t'give me five minutes. Talk your shit out an' give me five minutes." His gaze shifts, hyper-focused and intent, to Danny, and then quickly away again before he can lock in on him too hard. "I'm not goin' away, I just need five damn minutes," he repeats, and braces a hand against the wall as he turns for the door.

From:

dann_0

Danny is about to get up and walk to Eliot. He doesn't even fully understand why there is just something instinctual about being closer and helping him. But he pauses when Eliot braces himself against the wall.

"How about I help Steve to his office and you can stay here?" Since they both had mentioned scent being so important. "I can come back if you need me." He moves towards Steve to offer him a hand up. "A time out is good. For all of us, I think."