It doesn't mean John doesn't have the capabilities to put Gladio under so heavily he wouldn't know a thing, but there is a unique difference in being Bonded - the connection that goes back to John when he does it. A Sentinel will almost always instinctively fight going under, in particular if he's in a Rage, but Gladio can also feel John's true intentions in return. It will end up making true Rages easier for John to control than the unbonded Sentinels in the past, but he'll know every second of what's happening to that Sentinel.

It's harder to shoot a stranger than someone you care about, but it's also easier to help them.

Gladio rumbles with a sound of appreciation at the scrape of John's nails across his chest, leaving behind crimson lines to match the black. It's a flare of heat that pools down between his thighs, making him twitch even before John's fingers find him. That pulls out a full on groan, his eyes half-closing as he rolls his hips into that seeking hand.

John will swiftly be able to feel that Gladio is very well matched in size below to his large frame, with heat felt easily even through the thick leather pants. "Heh. You're the one helping the situation." His voice was a low tease, turning his head enough to lightly jaw the edge of bearded jaw against John's cheek, then brought up a hand so that he could start to work, albeit one handed, on those remaining shirt buttons.

"...I wanna see all of you."