Sentinels and Guides;

[inborn]

 

Sentinels and Guides Shipping Meme
A Sentinel!AU Meme

 

There are special people in the world: Sentinels--whose five senses are incredibly enhanced, sometimes to the point of overwhelming and who can easily lose themselves in fugue states--and Guides, the empaths with the ability to ground a Sentinel and focus them. Meant to be the protectors of the Guides, for every Sentinel there exists a guide that is their perfect match. In some universes, when matches are made, a Sentinel and Guide form a soulbond to fill the feeling of emptiness.

How easy was it for you to find yours? How are Sentinels and Guides treated in your universe? Or maybe you're one of the normal, unremarkable people. Do you fear Sentinels and Guides? Despise them?

 

Rules
1) Post with your character/canon in the subject header.
2a) Choose whether your character is a Sentinel or a Guide
or
2b) If you don't know or don't care, just leave it blank!
3) Information about Sentinels and Guides can be found here and here. Information on 'The Sentinel' which this meme comes from can be found here.

 

4) All the tagging! Have fun 8D

Prompts
oo1. The Meeting: 
How did you meet? Was it at an event organized specifically for finding your other half? By accident? Did you follow a mystical calling to them? Some other way?

oo2. The Bonding: 
Do Sentinels and Guides in your universe soulbond? How does it go down? Is there a ceremony or do you just retreat to the bedroom?

oo3. Rejection: 
Sometimes Sentinels or Guides propose a match but it's just not perfect. You don't feel the pull or maybe you think there is someone better or maybe you're already claimed. Maybe you were claimed and someone better came along?

oo4. Protection: 
Sentinels are meant to protect Guides, any Guides, but it's even worse when they feel their Guide is in danger. They go feral; blind to anything but stopping and killing whoever threatened their Guide or the bond. Maybe someone attacked your Guide or you haven't bonded yet and you feel threatened or maybe you're the one doing the threatening. Whatever the reason, Sentinels in a feral state are dangerous and only their Guides can stop them.

oo5. Lost: 
Sentinels often lose themselves in their senses. Either you're a Sentinel who has lost themselves or a Guide that has stumbled on one or a friend trying to draw them out. Unbonded Sentinels will find it hard to escape without a Guide. Or maybe you're bonded already which means you just need yours to come home.

006. Persecution: 
Sometimes normal people or the government fear the power of Guides and Sentinels. Guides are empaths, feeling the emotions and sometimes passing thoughts of others and it can make people feel violated. Sentinels often have enhanced strength, which can make them dangerous. So they scorn them, hurt them or in the case of governments, regulate them.

oo7. Death: 
Unbonded Sentinels and Guides eventually lose themselves to the empty cavern inside them. Torn apart from the inside by the feeling of something missing. Breaking the soulbond of a Sentinel and Guide is agonizing and horrifying, leading quickly to death for the remaining partner. 

oo8. Old-School: 
Guides used to be treated on the same level as slaves. Unable to work unless their Sentinel said. Not allowed out on their own. They used to wear collars and couldn't own land or inherit money. Maybe the old ways haven't completely fallen out of style. 

oo9. Unbonded: 
Nothing is worse than being an unbonded Guide or Sentinel. Always looking for your other half to fill that empty feeling but you probably have friends that aren't your match or who are trying to set you up with someone. Maybe you're skeptical about the whole love at first sight thing and haven't been looking.

o10. Wildcard: Some mish-mash of the above or anything else you can come up with!

Image from weheartit / original meme by imadeamistake 

Comments

At least he can sass with the best of them

[jumpthegun]

"Perhaps we ought to all sit down together," Ignis begins, but John cuts him off.

Treat the prince like anyone else and don't take any crap from him. He's dealt with more than one new recruit who decided they wanted to test the captain. His expression doesn't shift and, if anything, the tension only increases his confidence. He stands up straighter and his tone is light. "It's all right. Not a fan of blue, Your Highness?" John asks, gesturing to his suit. He reaches up and touches his hair. "Or is it the gray?"

sass off

[iwillshieldhim]

Gladio actually looks sharply over at his Guide and despite himself, there's a grin threatening hard at his mouth. Looks like his Guide has some real spine in there after all, and damn if he doesn't like it, a lot.

Noct even briefly looks surprised, most people won't talk to him like that when they first meet, and Prompto beside him has an open mouth. The prince almost sneers, but Ignis and Gladio, watching him, might catch the hint of a smirk there. "Both. Least with you 'round here, Gladio won't keep trying to get on Pr--"

"NOCT." Prompto's choked name cuts the prince off, looking hard at his friend. What in the hell!?

Gladio can recognize the brat in Noct testing John and he wants to walk over there and whap him in the back of the head for it, but he equally knows these two have to find their own ground with each other so he crosses his arms over his chest and watches.

[jumpthegun]

"I'll keep that in mind. Looking for something more chipper? I can do yellow." John smiles at Noct. "Or is it more 'black like my soul' around here for the dress code?" John glances over at Gladio for effect and shrugs, ignoring Noct's implication about Prompto. "Would've dressed for it if I knew there'd be a swimsuit portion to this interview."

He steps forward, but it's not toward Noct. John offers his hand to Prompto. "John Watson. Gladio and Ignis told me a bit about you on the way over, but I reckon we'll be getting to know one another better. Thank you for taking care of Gladio."

[iwillshieldhim]

As John walks over towards Prompto, Gladio finally gives in and gives a bark of a laugh, leaning over to Ignis beside him. "Think he'll fit in just fine," he said with a smirk clear in his voice, pleased at how John was handling the whole thing.

Prompto, clearly stunned by the whole exchange, ends up fumbling a little before a grin comes to his lips. Is he using his gifts as a Guide? Because everything just lightens up around him when he smiles, leaning on the back of the couch to take the offered hand and gives it a quick shake. "Nice to meet you, Doctor!" His eyes flicker over to Gladio and he gives a bit of a sheepish look, his voice going a little bit softer, just between them. "I did my best? He's.... a lot. So, uh, good luck??"

[jumpthegun]

"He seems to be handling it better than in the car," Ignis agrees quietly. There's a calculating air to him as he adds, "Immediate pressure brings out his better side, it would seem."

John, for his part, smiles back at Prompto. "Think I'll be able to manage... maybe with a bit of help." He lets go and turns his attention back to Noct, sobering a little. "I am sorry about the current situation. I wasn't expecting an Unbound Sentinel to step into my clinic office this morning. I'll do what I can to avoid distracting Gladio from any of his duties or service to you. I am a trained physician as Ignis mentioned. I thought, perhaps, entering into your employ under that guise might be easiest for everyone, but I'm fully capable of actually carrying out that service."

[iwillshieldhim]

"Not gonna complain. Never seen someone get Noct to look that gobsmacked." He keeps his voice low, just for Ignis to hear. It really is something to see John handling the situation with such ease, and getting Prompto to his side is a smart move. Get the Guide, got the Sentinel.

Noct clearly isn't as impressed as his Guide, his forearms folded on the back of the couch. He gives a quiet huff, then turns back around and grabs for the controller. "Long as you don't get in the way."

Gladio can't help the faint growl that leaves him at that, but really, he isn't completely surprised. Noct has always been a little standoffish with strangers and just bringing John into his life, with little choice, probably isn't doing any favors. Still, he looks sharp to Ignis before grunting. "Unless there's a reason you need us, I'm getting out of here with John."

Prompto, though, gives a quick nod. "That actually sounds like a good idea. We're all pretty miserable as healers except for Noct's potions. I dunno how healers do out in fights, though..." His brows pinch together, trying to puzzle that one out.

[jumpthegun]

"Indeed," Ignis replies, a faint air of amusement creeping in. "Rather a shame Prompto didn't have his camera at the ready."

John's ready to go along with Gladio and leave Noctis to stew about the current change in circumstances--at least John won't be alone there, he doesn't trust easily, either, and the current situation is testing his own limits--when Prompto's comment pulls him up short. The Guide glances to Gladio and Ignis for a moment before deciding just to be out with it.

"I'm an Army doctor and trained trauma surgeon. I just recently returned from three years in Afghanistan dealing with the Taliban and daemons in the area. The battlefield is where I work best. I understand you favor guns, Prompto? They're my weapon of choice, as well, along with short swords.

"I hope that'll suffice?" It's directed more at Noct. "I don't intend to be a rope around your Shield's neck, Your Highness. I've looked after myself and after my men in battle as their captain. I don't intend for that to change."

damn taliban AND daemons. that's scary af

[iwillshieldhim]

"Woulda paid for that pic," Gladio says with a grin, giving Ignis a nudge. "If I ended up with a stranger for a Guide... looks like I can pick 'em. Otherwise you'd still be stuck with the job." Given that Ignis practically did act like a Guide half the time, it isn't entirely a falsehood, either.

That, little surprise, completely gets Prompto's attention. The grin on his lips is wide, sunny, and he's leaning so far over the back of the couch if Noct hadn't been a counter weight, he would have toppled it already. "Really?! Yeah! I mean I'm no good swinging a sword around or anything but I'm pretty damn good with them." He mimes shooting with a pistol - not like most people might have with an index finger extended and their thumb up but with an invisible gun in hand, butt against his other palm and finger curled around a trigger. "We'll have to go shooting some time, right??" With a hopeful look to the others.

There might have been approval in the slant of Noct's eyes at John's words, but the prince only shrugs in response. "Depends on if you're good enough to back up those words. Wouldn't mind getting out of the city."

Gladio looks to Ignis on that, raising an eyebrow. "Think we could manage it?"

YEAH. I figure it's, like... really bad times over there in this mixed world.

[jumpthegun]

"I never have minded," Ignis says with a look at Gladio that likely speaks volumes. Gladio is a friend and a confidant. There are few people Ignis would feel more inclined to help in a moment of need.

John can't help a brief smile at Prompto for his miming. Now there's a proper gunman. It's a good sign, and the soldier in him approves.

At Noct's question, Ignis frowns slightly and mentally reviews their schedule. "You'll be in meetings all day tomorrow and the majority of Thursday. There are a few known hotspots outside of the walls that may prove feasible for a weekend trip before negotiations resume on Monday. Provided your own schedule is amenable, John."

"Uh... yeah." Wait. "No. Well, what time would we be leaving on Friday? I have a, um... a thing." A therapy thing he doesn't actually want to admit to with a lot of strangers.

Ignis gives him another look that feels like his cells are being reviewed and catalogued. "We can accommodate whatever schedule you'd like. Presumable we would depart in the late morning."

"As long as it's after nine, I can do that. Couple of days, then." He tries to regain his confidence and poise, and shoots a look over at Gladio. "Think you'll have time in your own schedule for a little sparring? It's been a while since I've practiced with anyone apart from a mirror."

Agreed. /also this tag is just... sorry. in a silly mood. XD

[iwillshieldhim]

The look Gladio gives back is matched in volumes. Those are well matched feelings between them and long understanding.

Your cells are being judged, John. Every one of them.

Gladio's eyes light up at John's request and he gives a grin that's nothing less than predatory. "Sure you want to take on the tiger first?" He's playing it up and it shows, or at least gets Prompto snickering nearby and a whispered, 'behemoth!' following. "Could take on the kitten instead." Jerking his thumb at the blond who stops laughing and gives a 'hey!' in protest... then meows before laughing again.

This. This is what Ignis has to put up with, John. Sure you want to stick around?

Never apologize for the silly

[jumpthegun]

John can't help snorting at the pair of them. Then, to make a point. "The tiger's injured. Think that'll give me enough of an advantage. And I'd rather not bring a sword to a gunfight." He smirks at Prompto.

Ignis pushes up his glasses at the reminder of Gladio's wound. "Should we adjust the timing of our excursion to account for his recovery, doctor."

Oh, right. No fighting for a week. "Only if you can't stay to one side and only come in for support if things get out of hand, Gladio. I'd rather not have you pull your stitches." Some light sparring should be all right as long as Gladio favors the injured side. An actual fight might be a little much.

<3

[iwillshieldhim]

"This tiger can handle anything." Gladio bears his teeth before the grin comes back easily into place. Right now, he feels better than he can remember feeling in years, injury or not.

Prompto mimes another shot before nudging his Sentinel gently. "He seems like a nice guy. Come on," he whispers to Noct, but Noct only gives John another hard look before turning back to the game. That brings out a frown on Prompto's lips, looking back and forth between them, not sure what's going on. He has no idea there might be a bit of jealousy going on.

"I've had worse scratches than this. I'll be fine. Want me to tie my hand behind my back and only fight with the one?" Meaning he could use that massive broadsword one handed?? He doesn't even seem like he wouldn't.

[jumpthegun]

"It's fine, mate." That's directed at Prompto with a shrug. He needs to prove himself. That's fine.

"I'd like you to let the rest of us take the lead and play back-up, tiger," John replies a little more seriously, turning his attention to his Sentinel. Not all of the playfulness is gone, though. His smile is challenging. "And you can do that yourself or I can make sure you do that." It's a reminder of what he can do to Gladio and a warning. Making the other man lie down and be calm in the clinic was just a taste of what he could really do. Pheromones clouding his senses and thoughts had made it easier for Gladio to break the Guide's control.

Of course, he isn't quite sure, yet how he'll interact with Gladio once the Bond has settled down from raging. "We can see where your stitches are at the end of the week and go from there, hmm?" And with that... "I would like to at least set my things down, if that's all right now?" He motions to the duffle still on his shoulder.

[iwillshieldhim]

The smile dies on Gladio's lips and he looks hard at John for a moment, something clearly not happy coming through his mind. He lets exactly one person boss him around and exactly one another order him around (Ignis and Noct, respectively) and Guide or not, he doesn't like that challenge- that threat- to him. John can, but they have to figure out that balance before it becomes a resentment.

Ignis glances between the two and the tension there, then gives a polite clearing of his throat before speaking. "Doctor, if you'll follow me? I think given the circumstances you would do best in Gladio's room." He steps forward, in the space between Guide and Sentinel, before heading towards the door as if that hadn't been intentional.

[jumpthegun]

That's one area for discussion, then. John's not used to having a Sentinel actually Bonded to him, and the blast of negativity across that connection is, once more, like a slap. He frowns back at Gladio as his own guilt rises at having upset his Sentinel. John doesn't particularly like this. He needs to be able to do what's best without feeling like he's making an ass of himself.

Some balance is going to need to be worked out. John's far more used to dominating the Sentinels in his unit than submitting to their wishes. Submission equals the chance for Bonding, after all. The friction there had been real, but he'd been the captain and the resident medic. People following his orders kept them safe and, by extension, the rest of the unit.

Before he can actually say anything or do more than reflect mild frustration back at Gladio, Ignis is stepping in. John blinks at the other man before nodding. "Yeah. Sure. I don't take up much space."

He doesn't ask if he'll be given his own room later. It's another boundary to establish between them when they sit down to talk in a bit... and finally touch again. Maybe that will help work some of this out, as well. He's still known Gladio for less than two hours, but even through the uncertainty, he's absolutely sure of one thing: John wants to be near the other man and hold him.

[iwillshieldhim]

There is a lot they need to discuss. More than they're even thinking about right now, but one step at a time. John's guilt helps to push away the feeling of frustration/annoyance/challenge that cropped up and Gladio lets out a breath, taking the cue from Ignis. He's used to being around the other three, the way they work, but John... it's a whole new factor in his life he needs to learn to handle. Neither of them feel exactly comfortable with it, but they're both soldiers. They know how to keep working through situations even when said situation becomes confusing, emotional, or dangerous.

Gladio follows out behind John and Ignis, casting a look towards Noct and Prompto and seeing Prompto talking inaudibly to their Prince, who still looks unhappy. One damn thing at a time. Right now, he wanted to get back to his Guide and handle the almost itch-like need to hold the man until it calms, then they could... talk.

Talk about something he knows he is terrible at.

Gladio's room is, given that he is a soldier of sorts, neat, with everything put away. There's one massive bed that isn't military precision perfect in being made, but it is. The partially open closet shows there's some kind of uniform tucked away in there along with a leather jacket with more substance than the vest-like one he has on now.

"Go ahead, put that stuff wherever. We'll get it sorted," Gladio says roughly, looking over to Ignis and flicking his eyes towards the door. He's got it. Just feel free to interfere if a blade comes out.

[jumpthegun]

Ignis gives Gladio a significant and searching look before stepping outside again. He'll be keeping an ear out for any trouble.

John looks around the room and finds himself at a loss for how he's really meant to fit in here. He's no stranger to one-night stands, but this is a little different, not to mention, most of those stands had been with women and none had been with a Sentinel. After a quick sweep of the room, cataloging the windows and other doors for exits, he sets his duffle down on a table.

There's a thunk as the shortsword and laptop inside meet the hard surface, and John winces slightly. He also has the sense to pull his gun out from the back of his waistband and set it on the table before they get started. It's not meant to be intimidating, just avoid having it digging into his back if and when they lie down.

He also pulls off his tie and undoes the top few buttons on his button down before turning back to the other man. John leans back on the table and watches him for a long moment. "Should we pick up where we left off in the clinic, then, or...?" Or talk.

They probably should talk first, but there's only a thin thread of propriety and self-restraint holding the doctor back from stepping over and rubbing himself up against Gladio like an overly friendly cat. He can hold onto it if the other man wants to, but the Bond is demanding a little less talk and a lot more action right now.

[iwillshieldhim]

Gladio's eyes remain firm on his Guide, watching every little motion. They are finally alone, somewhere his mind considered fairly safe, and it feels like his entire being is focused on John's movements. His eyes do flicker, briefly, to the gun, noting where it had been, but it's nothing to his interest in John's physical being. When John turns around, Gladio's words are a command, and not entirely an intentional one. "Coat. Off."

He at least has the sense to remove his boots, the jacket coming off after to pile on top. The tank top remains for now, but he moves all at once, coming towards John to pull him against him. John might be able to hold onto it, but every part of Gladio is screaming that this this is finally his, and he needs to mark it inside and out so that everyone knows that.

[jumpthegun]

The command is hardly needed. And John chooses to let it wash over him this time rather than reprimanding the Sentinel for trying to order him about. As soon as Gladio starts taking off his jacket, John is toeing off his dress shoes, and they're followed rapidly by the suit jacket and the cuffs on his button-down shirt. That's about as far as the good doctor gets before the other man is on him, pulling him forward.

While the Bond insists that's perfectly all right, that's brilliant, in fact, John pushes back reflexively. The urge to assert himself is still there, warring with a flood of pheromones that are telling him to just relax and let his new Sentinel take command. The doctor redirects the push so that he's walking Gladio backward toward the bed, if he can.

"Eager there, tiger?" John asks, aiming for playful, even as he can feel his heart start to race. If he can manage to get Gladio to actually back into the bed and sit down, the Guide will reward the good behavior with a burst of approval across the Bond and all but climbing into his lap, knees on either side of Gladio's hips, once more as he faces the man and nuzzles into the crook of his neck and shoulder.

[iwillshieldhim]

It's a moment of balance. Gladio's instincts to completely own the moment and his guide collide with his knowledge that it isn't a problem if his partner wants to take control, leaving him not quite frozen as John pushes back but hesitating, caught between two worlds of thought - the biological and the logical. The former does 'fight' back against the Guide, urging his Guide to allow him to assert his dominance, to take control, to own him. The logical part of Gladio would be less keen on doing so against John's will, but despite the pheromones pumping from him, he actually does take a step backwards. Then another.

The 'reward' on getting to the bed, thankfully for John, is enough satisfaction for the biological to stop the pour of pheromones from his Sentinel. Gladio's hands go to John's backside, pulling him in closer as he relishes in being able to glide his jaw against John's hair, tucking their heads in close. This close, John will be able to smell everything coming off of Gladio, the strongest scent at the neck, matching where it is in John.

[jumpthegun]

A sense of contentment settles in John's mind, and he feels the coil of tension that's been inside of him ever since they'd had to pull apart at the clinic start to unwind at last. "God, you're ten years too young for me, but you smell bloody good."

His hands are careful, resting on his Sentinel's shoulders. John turns his head after a moment and kisses along Gladio's neck where the scent is strongest before giving into what may be an incredibly inappropriate urge for a Guide and parting his lips to bite down hard. It's nothing compared to what Gladio did to him to give John his Bond Mark, but it's probably going to feel like something, especially when the doctor starts to suck. If John is going to get a mark to advertise to the world that he now belongs to someone, Gladio can deal with something a little more temporary to show that he's been claimed, as well.

[iwillshieldhim]

Gladio gives a snort of a laugh at John's comment on his age, his tone suggesting that John is ridiculous. "Age is just a number," he points out, enjoying still those words in John's accent. John is significantly older than he might have ever believed his Guide would be, but it doesn't bother him. There's fight in this soldier, someone who might, he hopes, understand that Gladio's duty comes before all else. A Guide who isn't some weakling he has to protect with no backbone... how can he not appreciate that, no matter John's age? He's not a bad looking man, to Gladio's eyes, very English. He can work with that, though.

But his thoughts are entirely cut short when John bites. A ragged sound, pulled out by surprise, leaves Gladio at the bite and his body tenses hard under John's hands, the sound turning into a growl that's almost threatening but yet he doesn't pull John away. The Sentinel in him protests the returned mark at such a sensitive place, but Gladio finds it unbelievably erotic. His head turns and lets John nestle in there more to make sure the mark remains, his fingers tight on the man's backside to keep him close.

"Bastard," he does breathe out at the end, eyes closed and breathing harder which only pulls on John's scent stronger.

[jumpthegun]

John just hums back cheekily before mirroring the way Gladio had licked and worried at his own mark. Let him have a little taste of what it was like to be the Guide. The growl doesn't particularly bother or scare him. If anything the general acquiescense is encouraging the doctor to test his boundaries a little more to see what he can get away with. That's still at odds with his nature to submit, but he'll have to think about that later.

Once he's put sufficiently care into ensuring Gladio will have a visible mark for a day or two, he relents. Holding him so closely, the Sentinel will likely be able to feel the line of John's cock through his trousers as it begins to stiffen once more. "How far are we going here?" John asks. That is important to establish before his teasing crosses a line.

The fully mature and rational part of his brain says kissing and maybe a little friendly groping is as far as it should go for a first encounter with a stranger that he's not waving goodbye to the next morning. His body wants to insist he's ready to just outright take the younger man right here and right now, though, claim and be claimed completely. They haven't even kissed properly and he's already thinking about that. It's been months since John's had any chance for or immediate interest in intimacy. Apparently that's switch had gotten flipped along with the one that turned off his need for the cane.

[iwillshieldhim]

They're both in a very similar state, both mentally and physically. There's no hiding the Sentinel's interest in his Guide, but more so the both of them will be able to scent it on the air, Gladio's own arousal a scent like a campfire, smoke and heat. Yet as he pulled back to look at John, a man who had been a stranger only hours earlier, who acted nothing like a normal Guide, he realized that there was some attraction there that had nothing at all to do with the man as a Guide. That aggression, the spine, the sass, the intelligence... while it might have originally led to a friendship, perhaps, hell even a one night stand, Fate has decided to do something different with them both.

But while John's more natural in his dominance towards Sentinels from years of experience, this is new territory for Gladio. It's old hand for him to lead the way, by his own nature and by his nature as a Sentinel, and everyone knows how Guides are supposed to act. More like Prompto, naturally submissively (though sometimes he thinks Prompto's got too much of that) and trying to please.

John's words force him to think on it, his hands smoothing up trousers and to John's back, spreading there. "...that depends entirely on you." His voice is low in the air between them, like it had been on the table back at the clinic. "I'll have you, right here and now, if you want it, but if that's going to make things awkward or you don't, say it now." Yet despite the growl in his voice, his eyes speak volumes. He means it. If John says no, or limits it, he'll keep it to that. His control can handle that; he's certain of it.

[jumpthegun]

There's a primal thrill that speaks to the Guide in him when Gladio offers to have John just like that, here and now. There's maybe just a touch of pleasure to have his ego stroked by someone who looks and smells like this. (Still got it, Watson.) Gladio will likely feel some of that over the Bond and John's scent grows stronger--that, at least, falls in line with a typical Guide. He's something softer than Gladio, like tea with a hint of cinnamon.

John lets one of his own hands shift, stroking along the beard on Gladio's jaw before grasping his chin. The doctor gives the Sentinel as rather appraising look, mock-serious. "Mm... think we can help each other along this first time. Wouldn't mind going farther next go around." John strokes his thumb across Gladio's lips. "Might even let you suck me off if you can impress me when we're sparring."

He's aware that's probably not quite what Gladio meant by 'have you.' If the Sentinel is going to let the doctor set how this progresses on a physical level, though, then he's going to have to work for any scrap of submission beyond what John can't entirely help thanks to his biology.

Maybe it's a bad idea to turn it into a game and a challenge straight off. It might be insulting or dangerous to get the Sentinel riled up and push back against his natural dominance... but John's never been one to run from danger. There's too much fun in it.