bakerstreet | Sentinels and Guides;

Entry tags:

[meme] shipping

Sentinels and Guides;

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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only | Expand All

That's a dangerous position. Hadn't he said he'd make Gladio prove himself before he'd let him... Well. This is only to be a brat about John's stature. "Cock." The doctor means it as an affectionate insult at Gladio, but realizes a second too late what the implication comes out as when the Sentinel is knelt like that in front of him. John's quick to correct as he flusters slightly. "You're a cock, I mean. Shut up."

The Guide grabs for the shampoo over Gladio's head and gets down to it quickly before the other man has much of a chance to comment or tease him. John's well aware it's coming, but he's going to try to stave it off as much as he can by vigorously massaging his Sentinel's scalp.

Edited 2017-04-20 20:28 (UTC)

Oh he certainly is about to get teased. Gladio laughs, though he does lean his head into John's hands, eyes closed to avoid the soap. "If you wanted me to get you off again, all you had to do is ask," he says playful, but he keeps his head down as he chuckles.

Besides, John's hands feel damn good. He can't help the quiet rumble that leaves him, pressing his head in more.

Well, now that's just a challenge not to get off. John regains some of his poise with that thought in hand to focus him and Gladio's rumbling. "I didn't ask for it because I don't need it, thanks. You young bucks. Always thinking with something below the belt. Just wanted to be sure you understood."

Young bucks. He probably shouldn't ask, but a part of him is wondering. "Just... how old are you?" Please let Gladio be at least over 21. And since it's probably going to come up anyway, "Just turned 35 a couple months ago."

"Not as bad as I thought," Gladio admits, tilting his head back into the spray to get the soap out of his hair and eyes. "23. Iggy's just turned it, too. Noct and Prom are both 20." Younger than my dad, not gonna complain. That probably would have definitely earned a glare from Clarus if that had happened, but it's not exactly like he can do anything about it. For better or worse, they're meant to be and now, are.

He slides a hand back through his hair, he likes his gods damned mullet John, deal, and grins up at the other. "I think with both swords, thanks."

John just enjoys the view as he lets his hands slide out of Gladio's hair and rest on the Sentinel's broad shoulders. Not as bad as he thought means Gladio probably thought he was something ancient. The gray hair and worn body probably lend themselves to that impression... and calling the man things like 'lad' and 'young buck.' It's a relief to know his Sentinel is more or less within the acceptable range of ages. The very, very low end, but still feasible for someone like him not to look like a completely desperate old lech around.

"But which is mightier?" he asks with a smirk before curling down and taking advantage of Gladio's upturned face to kiss him. He tastes, not unexpectedly, like soap, but that's fine. Everything is just fine for now. John pulls back and stands up again before speaking. "I think I like my chances with one over the other, at least. And I suppose I'll just have to pull the older and wiser card if it comes up."

Not ancient. Older, yes. The grey hair doesn't help the notion, but mostly because John speaks like a man older than his years. Gladio still will punch someone who suggests John looks like an old lech.

"I guess you're gonna be the one to decide that, mm?" He hums quietly into the kiss, then laughs before he slowlys tands, stretching himself up. "We're all used to Iggy pulling that card. At least the wiser card, but he's probably a hundred years older than the rest of us in soul or something like that." There are a few things John needs to learn about this group of friends, though, and just where the boundaries of their friendship lie. It might be different than he thinks.

Everything is likely going to jostle at his expectations once this honeymoon period of just being left to their own devices is finished. Noct is already very much not what he expected. Ignis is... well, an enigma, if he's being honest. The man is very stolid. Prompto is about what he'd expect from a young and fretful Guide, so that's something.

"We'll see how I feel after a few rounds of sparring... and a few more rounds on the bed. I might start feeling about a hundred years old, but I'll try to give you a decent run both ways." John's never been a particular powerhouse, but strategy? He can do strategy to figure out the best way to bring a larger opponent to heel. "I can give you a bit more of a demonstration for what I can do with my powers, as well, when we're sparring. Just so you have a better idea." Since it's not just about going up against each other. They're going to need to work as a team moving forward.

The doctor will stay where he is, waiting for Gladio to take his turn at washing John's hair. Fair is fair.

They've managed, and managed fairly well, so far in their lives together. They balance each other out, for the most part, but without Gladio having a Guide, there has always been a slight issue to that balance. John's got to figure himself out amongst the others, but it's definitely something that's been needed. Gladio is convinced that Ignis and John will end up getting along well, from everything he's heard so far. Prompto and John have a connection in their mutual Guide-ness and their love of firearms. ...It's Noct he isn't sure about. Noct's reaction to John hadn't gone as well as he'd hoped.

Gladio gives John a look full of heat before he takes the shampoo, taking his time to pour some out, then slide his hands back through John's wet hair. "Wouldn't mind both. Nothing quite like a good fuck after a spar." His smirk is filled with promise as he slowly starts sudsing it up, pads of his fingers against John's scalp. "Gotta admit, I'm curious about just what you know how to do with that power of yours. ...Might have to challenge you there, too."

John closes his eyes and tips his head forward toward Gladio. The heat of his gaze is getting John rather bothered again, and he's trying to pace himself. The Guide lets his hands track down the Sentinel's body, from his shoulders to his chest to his waist, before they settle on his hips.

"I think you might be in trouble trying to challenge me to Guiding," he teases, knowing that's not what Gladio meant. "But I can try Sentineling at you for good measure. Give me a day or two to find a pair of platform shoes and a muscle suit, though."

Edited 2017-04-22 04:26 (UTC)

The joke, as terrible as it is, earns John a chuckle out of Gladio as he works his fingers slowly through John's hair. The new-born Bond sung quietly with the contact, a pleasant background hum that makes him feel good right to the core of his bones. This... he could get to enjoy.

"I think I'd make about the world's worst Guide." He is very aware of his short comings in personality. "Could you imagine? A hulk like me being Guide to a Sentinel a foot shorter? Everyone would end up mis-diagnosing us every time." It's an amusing image, though, as Gladio runs his thumbs over John's temples before pulling his hands back.

John follows those hands, ending up with his forehead pressed to Gladio's chest for a moment before shifting to get under the stream of water from the faucet. He rinses his hair as he considers the image of Gladio backing him as his Guide. "Well, there's nothing wrong with breaking stereotypes, is there? Might be a nice trick, too. People are expecting you to go into a Rage on them, so they focus attention on you, I hop to while they're distracted and take them all out. Clever way to do it."

But he shrugs. "Honestly, if I had to pick it one way or the other, I think I'd rather just be a normal bloke." John lets his hand run down his neck to settle on his Bond Mark. "This is a sign. I like it. It's from you, and I like it, but all I could think before actually being Bonded was 'if anyone sees this, they'll look at me differently.' I can hide it and maybe still pass for normal if you don't have your scent on me. But I want it."

His brows furrow. "Is it a well-known fact that you're a Sentinel, too? Not just Noctis."

"Suppose it's clever," Gladio says with a tone of agreement, but he couldn't exactly imagine it. He generally had an easy enough way with people, but his entire existence is to keep people away from Noctis. Being a Sentinel has everything to do with that, in a lot of senses, as far as Gladio's concerned. It's why they use Sentinels to guard the royal family.

His eyes follow John's hand, a certain flare of pride moving through him at hearing those words. But I want it. He brought up a hand to cup John's face, turning it up to touch their lips together. Mine. "I don't care if you choose to hide it, as long as you don't act ashamed of it. Sometimes, you'll have to be a 'normal bloke' and I won't have my scent on you, but know when we get back to somewhere safe I will make sure you get marked all over again." The corner of his mouth lifted before he reached out, turning off the water.

"No one really knows what Noct is. Most people think Prompto is Iggy's, and we're fine with that. Everyone knows exactly what I am, intentionally or otherwise."

The jolt of possessiveness comes through the Bond loud and clear along with that kiss. Yours. But also, he'll reflect some of it back. And you're mine, too. Because this isn't a relationship that flows one way. Even if Guides aren't meant to be possessive and protective of their Sentinels, Gladio's going to have to just deal with that now as a matter of course. Of course, John can't be excessively clingy, and that's where the command not to act ashamed might chafe in the future between them. They would have to see. Mostly, it would depend on how other people reacted to John, Gladio, and their Bond.

"You lot do a decent job wrangling the press if no one's figured out what's what apart from you." John pushes open the door and grabs for some towels from a nearby shelf, tossing one of them to Gladio. "And you're obvious, you're right. Is there a bit paparazzi issue?"

He wants that. That feeling that his Guide wants him as much as he wants his Guide. Why should that be wrong? To the hells with those who would think otherwise, who might think something's wrong with John for being protective. He'd find he isn't alone, either. Gladio's seen Prompto be protective and possessive in his own way, even if it's more subtle than John is but it's almost a turn-on. He couldn't imagine having some kind of weak-willed Guide.

He catches the towel and gives himself a brisk dry off before rubbing it into his hair. There's a grunt to the question on the paparazzi, rolling his shoulders. "Unfortunately, it's a part of life when you're worth anything. We do a lot to try and minimize it, but the public's seen Ignis and I with him for years, and we weathered bringing in Prompto pretty minimally. Latest things I've read just say that Noct's got his friends, he's not like his father, and mostly that girls find him cute." Snort.

John snorts as well. "S'pose they would. He's very emo boy band. Don't suppose he sings and plays guitar?" There's a smirk, but he lets that fall away as he dries himself briskly, as well. The doctor steps out into the main room and checks that it's still clear on instinct before heading over to his duffle and pulling out some more casual clothes.

He pauses and glances toward Gladio, considering if he does want to have the man for another round before they leave off. He hasn't actually brought the much in the way of clothing, so mucking up another set is on his mind if Gladio's just going to grab him and get him going. They'd been teasing each other enough in that shower, and John certainly doesn't have any other outstanding obligations.

"D'you have condoms, by the way?" It's asked much to casually to be casual, as he fetches his folded suit from the bed. "And, um... can we send out for a cleaning service or is there a dry cleaner nearby? This is my only suit. If I have to attend any sort of meetings or whatever, I should probably at least get my shirt and trousers cleaned."

"Trust me on this - you don't wanna hear Noct sing. He's not terrible, but he's no song bird either." He throws the towel around his shoulders, not shy about his body as he followed after John. "Prompto is surprising good, if you can get him to bother. A few drinks - lightweight - and throw a microphone in front of his face." There is a laugh to follow as he goes for his bag, stretching out slow and easy to watch the stitches at his shoulder. "Or wait until he's bored and you'll never hear him shut up." There clearly is an old feeling there about that, but it's an affectionate grump.

Slowly Gladio looks to his Guide on the question about condoms, brows lifting, before he just laughs. Not what he had been expecting. "Yes, I got condoms." Not exactly something this group ever did without. "And lube, just to be clear." Smirk. "As for your suit, don't worry about it. Iggy'll have it at the dry cleaners, and you'll probably get carted off for a professional fitting. The last thing he'll want is for any of us to look anything but our best if there's the threat of cameras."

He smiles at the description of Prompto, looking forward more than he had been to talking with the younger man on his own. The lad should be entertaining, if nothing else. The raise of brows only gets a returned pair of raised brows. John hadn't been thinking about the need for lube just yet, but it's good to know they have it when it's wanted. Condoms just mean less mess... and John's not really willing to do what's on his mind without a condom just get.

His more carnal thoughts are sidetracked by financials, though. Fitted suits cost gil. A lot of gil, usually. He might buy something off the rack and have it tailored later, or take care of alterations himself. "How much..." He trails off, looking away from Gladio and back toward his duffle as he pretends to search for something. The Sentinel will probably be able to sense the uptick in anxiety as John clears his throat. "How much does a fitting cost? I have some savings. I can pay for everything." He probably can't. Just looking at this place, looking at Ignis and the general opulence, he can't. But there are loans he can take out. Or the down payment on the bedsit when he gets that back. If he gets it back when he has to break his lease.

Edited 2017-04-24 05:50 (UTC)

Condoms and lube just go together as far as Gladio's concerned - if you've got one, you might as well have both. They had been going to go on a trip to England, and at the time he had been unconnected to anyone so he'd planned on maybe seeing what England had to offer but... well, things had certainly changed as far as those plans. Besides, he wants to see what John has to offer.

Gladio's look, one that suggests he's about to go rub himself on John because now they're clean and his scent is completely gone from John, but the question and the 'offer' leave him surprised. There's a quiet snort and he shakes his head. "You won't be paying for it." As if it's just that simple. He hadn't expected John to when he made the statement; Ignis won't ever let them look anything less than impeccable in front of cameras (though it's happened a time or two, though anyone who cares tends to think they're just four young men out having fun. Mostly true.). John's not going to be any different.

The snort and easy dismissal make John absolutely bristle. He turns around to face Gladio and his mouth is a thin line of irritation. Ella would tell him this is stubborn pride, that he doesn't need to fight here, and there will be other places where he can afford to pay his own way. He just needs to be patient. But this is also the woman who told him to be patient about his limp and tremor and now they've simply vanished thanks to the Bond. The Bond, which is currently telegraphing the Guide's displeasure to his Sentinel in stereo.

"I can afford it," John insists, then gestures to the room. "You're already housing me." And that's bad enough. "I don't need to be kept. I can pay for things." Should be paying for things as the older man here, his sensibilities offer up as justification. It doesn't matter about the Guide and Sentinel business. That's not it. John would want to be the one supporting his partner simply because he's older. He'll go down fighting on that excuse.

Edited 2017-04-24 14:22 (UTC)

Blink. Gladio stares at John, honest to the Six confused about that whole reaction. He never had to deal with it before so he doesn't even understand it while he listens, trying to puzzle it out. What in the hells? "You're not being kept," Gladio says, that confusion still in his voice. "We all got fitted for suits just before we came out here; it's part of being involved in the Prince's life. You gotta look good sometimes. Wait until you see the full uniforms the rest of us have to wear when it's Royal business, something you'll probably end up with, too." Similar, though not the same.

His brows come together, a hand braced against his hip. "What's gotten into you?"

"Nothing's gotten into me." It's snapped. He should have told Gladio more about things, should he mentioned the irrational anger that come on at times. Except this isn't irrational, he tells himself. This is fully justified when Gladio is just waving away his insistence that he can do this, that he doesn't need to be paid for. It feels entirely rational.

"I'm just saying I can pay for it. I can pay for anything I need to get for this job." He doesn't know what else that might entail, but he's going to find a way, come hell or high water. "You don't need to pay for my dry cleaning or my clothes or... any of it. I can manage. I managed before you lot."

Oh something sure as hell has gotten into John. Gladio crosses his arms over his chest, his confusion turning into anger as he listened. John is just being.. stubborn. Stupid and stubborn. "I'm not paying for it. You're literally working for Royalty - they're paying for it. Army supplied you with a uniform, didn't it? With gear? Think about it the same way!"

This is not rational, John, and the Sentinel is glaring.

"We pay for our first issue." Yes, he is going to be stubborn and determined on this. "No one just handed me clothes and told me to turn up at basic. I signed a contract and was sent to the depot to buy what I needed. You get an allowance after that. I haven't even been hired, yet." They're talking like it's a done deal, and maybe it is, but in John's mind, he didn't actually impress Noctis, and there's no law compelling him to hire the doctor simply because Gladio acquired him as a Guide.

This is a ridiculous argument to be having in the buff, and while John's not typically shy about his body, he does have enough of a sense of modesty to secure the towel he has around his waist now they've hit this roadblock. He puts his own hands on his hips and glares right back at Gladio.

"It's not about being hired, damn it!" Gladio's hand comes up and digs into his own hair, his teeth grit as he glared. "This isn't just a job. It's... it's like a family. You don't need to worry about money or getting the shit you need. What is your problem all of a sudden!?" He threw out a hand towards John, thinking this was ridiculous.

"You're not going anywhere."

The declaration draws John up short.

Family.

Family is an alcoholic sister and parents who don't actually give a damn as long as he isn't actively causing them problems. Family is sinking his emotional energy and meager finances into Harry for years to try to get her on the straight path, only for her to fall off again and again. Family is a double-funeral with him not even being able to summon the will to cry for show, let alone for real, even while Harry sobbed beside him, too far into her cups to be coherent. And family is the military, a rank and order and brothers and sisters... who turned him away and out as soon as he wasn't useful anymore.

'You're not going anywhere' is something different. That's not family. That's... well, he doesn't know what it is. There are still mates he has in the service. Bill Murray, Major Sholto, some of the other lads. Would they have made the call to keep him, if it had been their choice? James Sholto had made the decision to keep him. To not court martial him for lying about his status as a Guide. The same sense of something comes over John now, that warmth that makes his heart beat faster in a way that has nothing to do with a Bond. Although, his hand does move to his neck to rest on his mark, and his eyes track down to the bite he'd left on Gladio's neck.

"I don't..." John licks his lips, and his aggressive stance falls as he leans back against table and lets the edge dig into his backside to keep him grounded. "I take care of things. That's how it's been. That's how it is. Other people don't do that for me. I don't know how to..." 'accept it?' Is that how he wants to put it. "It doesn't feel right. Like I'm taking advantage. I barely know you. I'm older than all of you. I shouldn't have to rely on- if something happens, I need to be able to manage."

He frowns as he realizes just what it is that's bothering him as he talks. "This is all too good to be true. You're too good. Things like this don't happen to me. I don't know what to do with it. If I get used to it..." It will all go away. Somehow. Like the Army.

Edited 2017-04-25 02:07 (UTC)

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

WOW THAT WAS A LOT OF TYPOS IN THAT LAST TAG. sorry. ._.

Don't worry!!!!

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject