David and Neds story - The Right Guide 1
Jul. 18th, 2005 07:27 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dimity_blueDedicated to Doctor Nancy. Congratulations on graduating med school, Nancy!
This is set in my "Wrong Guide" universe, which is based on Susan Foster's GDP series, only without the GDP themselves. David, Neds and the Cascade Clan are entirely Susan's creation, and I thank her for letting me borrow them.
Various well-recognisable characters belong to PetFly, while the rest of 'em are mine.
Please see the end of the last part for warnings.
The Wrong Guide:
The Right Guide
(a David and Neds story)
by Arnie
David sighed as the class ended and the tutor left the room. Sometimes he didn't think he'd ever be a Guide, for all that he was studying in Guide School. Maybe Dexter Pierson, resident bully of Rainier University's associated Guide School, was right; maybe he should just quit. Tipping his books into his bag, he picked up his folder of sketches and headed to his next class.
Break came all too soon, but he managed to get out of the building without coming face to face with Dexter - which was how he liked it. Settling himself down on a bench, far out of sight of the main building, he pulled out his sketch book and pencils and lost himself in recreating what he could see.
Just over an hour later, he stopped and stretched, rolling his head on his neck to ease the tension. Glancing at his watch, he jumped up and carefully tucked his latest sketch into his folder; if he went back in now, he could grab a drink before his next scheduled class.
"David! Hey, David!"
David turned his head and smiled and waved at the group of students hollering at him. Paying for his drink, he grabbed it and hurried over. They looked excited about something.
Harriet grabbed his arm as he sat down, her excitement fluttering against his barriers like a butterfly. "Did you hear? Do you know who's going to be at the mixer tomorrow night?"
For a second his dismay was broadcasted loud and clear, then he pulled back hurriedly. He'd forgotten about the mixer. Oh well, it wasn't like he had much else to do anyway. "No, who's going to be there?"
"Well," Aled leaned across the table and spoke confidentially, "we were told that some of the Cascade Clan are coming, along with..." he paused dramatically for effect, "the guy who's slated to be the next Sentinel Prime when he bonds!"
Jo Mathers chimed in, her voice coolly cynical, "Just imagine how much excitement there'd be if the rumour mill had the Senior Sentinel Prime coming to the mixer."
Harriet grinned. "Have you seen the Senior Sentinel Prime? He's gorgeous!" In spite of her words, all David could feel from her was the sympathy she was channelling to him via the hand on his arm.
Jo grinned back at her. "Well, we can discount you being picked by the possible Prime - he'd hate to have you swooning all over the Senior!"
Making a face at her, Harriet laughed. "It would be pretty embarrassing, wouldn't it?"
"Not that it matters to us," Aled put in. "Dexter's determined that he's going to get Sentinel Edwards."
"And he's only settling for him because the Senior Sentinel Prime doesn't lower himself to attend mixers here," Jo commented sarcastically, her dislike for the ambitious Guide zinging in the air.
"Sentinel Edwards won't bond with him!" Harriet protested, although David wondered how she knew for sure. "He's about as empathic as a cabbage!"
"You never know," David put in, his voice quiet. "Sentinels choose the weirdest Guides sometimes."
"Yeah!" Aled agreed. "Remember when Sentinel Anderton bonded with Wyler?"
They all pulled a face at that memory.
"That was a disaster waiting to happen," Jo said, the sharp tone gone from her voice. "You can't say that Wyler is the poster boy for good mental health."
"I'm surprised they let him in here." Harriet's face was sombre.
Aled looked knowing. "Daddy's money."
"Of course! Pity Sentinel Anderton was too impressed by his contacts to actually take note of what kind of person he was."
"Jo!" Harriet's dismay replaced the sympathy she'd been sending to David, then she removed her hand from his arm, throwing him an apologetic look. "He couldn't have known!"
"He's a Sentinel," Jo retorted, firmly. "He's supposed to know!"
"Well, it turned out all right in the end," David pointed out. "Sentinel Anderton's bonded to Carrie Paige, and Wyler's living the high life."
Aled dumped his drink carton in the nearest trashcan, a sour look on his face. "And they say that bonds can't be broken."
"It doesn't count with Wyler - he's another one who bought his way into Guide School!" Jo snapped.
"Anyway..." Harriet dragged the conversation back to its starting point, "I don't believe that Sentinel Edwards will go near Dexter."
"In which case, he'll be hell to live with." Aled gazed sympathetically at David. "Maybe you should take the next couple of days off."
~'~
Sitting in his tiny room that night, listening to his roommates and their extremely loud choice of music, David turned Aled's advice over in his mind. Maybe rather than take the next couple of days off, he should quit. He could always get a job and study art at night school, although God alone knew what his father would say.
A tight hand squeezed his heart at that thought. If he went to art school he could never go home again, he knew that. His father's disappointment, not to mention his vitriolic anger, would be hard to bear; it had been difficult enough when he announced his intention to go to Guide School.
Sighing, he hugged his folder to him. Not that 'home', such as it was, would be that much of a loss, although he'd miss his siblings. Well, Elizabeth and Harry, anyway. He glanced up as the music clicked off. Maybe his roommates had finished for the night and he could get some sleep.
~'~
Edwards grimaced as he massaged his aching temples. There was no doubt about it, he hated vision dreams. If there was one drawback to being a Sentinel, and, he considered, there were a lot of drawbacks, it was visions. Spirit guides couldn't just give you a note or a memo, nicely laid out with all the important points highlighted. Oh no, they had to give you riddles and half-remembered dreams that left you feeling unsettled all day.
And that one had been a doozy.
As he got up and staggered to the bathroom, aiming to grab the Tylenol before hitting the head, his mind, refusing his directive to just ignore the whole damn thing, replayed the images that had brought him shuddering to consciousness.
He closed his eyes as the memory of the deer's back, torn by vicious claws, surged to the forefront of his mind. Why the hell would a hawk attack a deer? It had looked like a deliberate attack too, an attempt to drive the deer away from the herd. It didn't make sense.
~'~
Grinning to himself as he saw his prey, Dexter carefully angled his approach as he moved down the corridor. If he got it just right, he could push Sutherland's face into the locker and no one would be any the wiser. One quick shove and a thud told him he'd done it again.
He smirked as he sauntered away. Another few days and Sutherland would be ready to give up and admit that he was not meant to be a Guide.
Sitting in class fifteen minutes later, Dexter yawned and stared out of the window, ignoring the tutor who was droning on and on about how to bring a Sentinel out of a zone out. Who cared? There were always chemical boosters available if a Sentinel zoned too deeply. He yawned again, reflecting on what a waste of time the class was, before glancing around at the other students. Naturally, Sutherland was taking notes.
Annoyance replaced his boredom. Sutherland was such a swot, and how the teachers loved him. When Dexter was Guide Prime, his first course of action would be to make sure that geeks like Sutherland learned their place in the world. He smirked and leaned back in his chair, reflecting on the approaching mixer. A Sentinel like Edwards needed a strong Guide, someone who could show that he was ready to fight for his place. And no one was better at fighting than Dexter.
~'~
As always, time marched on, relentless and unending; one of the few constants in an ever-changing universe.
Aware of time's passage, David watched the clock. He really didn't want to go to this mixer. It was bad enough that he had to endure Dexter during the day; having to spend an evening watching him swagger around the room, acting like he owned the place, was even worse. Plus, if Dexter lived down to his usual standards, he'd undoubtedly find some way to humiliate David.
Had the Jell-O incident been at the last mixer, or the mixer before? The ticking clock was abandoned for a moment as David thought it over. Nope, it had been the time before. The last mixer had been marked by Dexter's 'accidental' tipping over of the punchbowl.
He turned his attention back to the clock then sighed as the class ended. Maybe he could hide out in the cafeteria for a while?
With that in mind, he tucked his pencil case into his pocket. He'd keep himself busy by sketching, at least until the mixer was in full swing and he could slide in unnoticed.
~'~
Dexter smirked as he saw Sutherland sneak off in the direction of the cafeteria. It was obvious that the guy didn't want to bond - if he had, he'd have been pushing his way into the mixer even now. But no, there was Sutherland, scurrying away to hide out for a while. Dean Edwards should give him a medal for doing the Guide School such a favour.
As he turned the corner not far behind Sutherland, his eyes lit up. That was Sentinel Edwards by the door! Quickening his step, he slammed his shoulder into Sutherland's, and grinned even more as he heard the sound of the loser's pencil case hitting the floor, the pencils bouncing and scattering.
His intended Sentinel turned at the noise, his gaze focussing and narrowing, the dark stare having the intensity of a laser beam. With a triumphant smile, Dexter moved forward to meet him, raising his head to expose the long line of his neck to his Sentinel. He'd done it, he'd actually done it. He was going to be the new Guide Prime.
~'~
The sound of a clattering metal case caught Edwards' attention and aggravated the dull throbbing in his temples. He'd known this was a mistake. Turning to glare at the clumsy idiot before storming out and going home to take more Tylenol, he stopped, riveted by the sight. The hawk swept towards him, its claws dripping with the blood of its victim as the deer stood, stricken and wounded.
He blinked, and the hawk disappeared to be replaced by a smirking, dark-haired, beak-nosed Guide who seemed to think that he was the next Senior Guide Prime. But behind him, further up the corridor, was the deer. For a second, green eyes met his, then the Guide, his Guide, sank to his knees to gather up the pencils that were there.
Edwards gasped as his lungs constricted, demanding that he start breathing again. Then, stalking past the irritating nonentity, the Sentinel moved to stand over his Guide.
~'~
David blinked back tears as he gathered up his pencils. That was it, he'd had enough. It was time that he admitted that this really wasn't for him. If nothing else, at least he'd be spared the sight of Dexter smirking, day in, day out. And if Dexter did bond with Sentinel Edwards, his life would be even worse, he was sure of that. The Guide Prime would take every opportunity to humiliate him.
A horrific thought occurred to him and he almost rocked back on his heels. If Dexter became Guide Prime and David bonded with another Sentinel of the Cascade Clan, he was positive that Dexter would use every ounce of power he had to ruin David's Sentinel. Biting his lip, he shook his head. No, it was better that he leave, quit Guide School, and go do something else with his life.
Highly polished black shoes stepped into view and David paused, then followed the legs up to look at the powerfully-built man, the Sentinel, standing over him. For a moment he thought his heart had stopped beating as he was caught in the dark gaze that stared down at him, then strong hands grabbed his arms and lifted him to his feet.
"Guide."
The word was growled softly at him, and David felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. "Sentinel?"
He was moved backwards as the Sentinel stepped over his fallen pencils and continued forward, his eyes fixed firmly on David's face.
"S-Sentinel?"
One arm was released as the Sentinel reached past him to open a door, then David was pushed over the threshold, and held still as the door was securely locked. Glancing over his shoulder, he was alarmed to see that they were in a bonding suite. Turning his eyes forward again, his gaze was captured by the Sentinel's. He didn't look as if he'd be a pushover for Dexter and his manipulative ploys; in fact, he looked as if he could take care of himself.
David's newly-made resolve to avoid bonding crumbled. In a small corner of his mind, he realised, vaguely, that he didn't have any choice about bonding now that he was in a locked bonding suite with a determined looking Sentinel, and he made no attempt to break free as he was pushed down on the bonding platform and pinned in place. Instead, he tilted his head back to allow the Sentinel full access to his throat.
A pleased growl and a sharp nip to his throat was the result.
The Guide gasped as endorphins began to race through his bloodstream, heading towards his brain at a rate of knots. There was another bite, a deeper one, to his neck, and he felt hot and dizzy, then sweat broke out on his forehead and the room spun even more as his mental barriers fell.
Immediately, the Sentinel swooped into his mind and took control, merging and bonding until David wasn't sure where his thoughts ended and his Sentinel's thoughts began. Even with his Sentinel's steadying grip on his mind, the room continued whirling, and David's eyes fluttered shut as he tried to steady himself. Instantly, the hold on his mind eased a little, his Sentinel soothing his tumultuous feelings, then darkness surged up and carried him away.
~'~
As he felt his Guide slip into unconsciousness, Edwards relaxed his grip and moved to examine his Guide. With a shock, he realised that he had no idea what the kid's name was and he suspected that the kid didn't know his name either. For the rest....
He leaned on one elbow and looked the young man over. His Guide was shorter than himself, and slenderly built, the width of his shoulders showing that he'd always be on the lean side, and dark hair and dark eyebrows added distinction to a pale face that looked younger than Edwards guessed him to be. He already knew that the shy green eyes betrayed a sharp intelligence but, right now, the long lashes lay still on the cheeks and the eyes were hidden. With a sudden grin, Edwards thought that if the kid could see him, he'd assume he was a horse being looked over for defects.
The grin faded as Edwards focussed his gaze on the red mark on his Guide's forehead. Had the kid hurt himself or -
The image of the hawk returned to his mind and his anger rose, then was quashed rapidly as his Guide stirred in his sleep, a distressed whimper escaping from him. With his barriers totally destroyed, the kid was wide open to whatever emotions his Sentinel was feeling.
Pushing his fury away, Edwards turned the pliant body onto its side then spooned up behind him and buried his nose in the kid's hair, sniffing appreciatively at his Guide's musky scent. His headache was gone, his senses were totally under his control and his Guide was safe beside him; the Sentinel could rest now.
~'~
A quiet knock at the door roused him and Edwards glared in the direction of the door before getting up and moving over to it. Opening the door a couple of inches to find Sentinel Collins on the other side, he made sure to block any possible view of his Guide.
"The mixer's over and the janitor's waiting to lock up. Do you want a ride home?"
Edwards nodded. "Just give me a minute."
Collins smiled. "Congratulations."
He couldn't help it, he grinned back. "Let me wake him up and we'll be good to go."
"Okay. By the way, I picked up the ki - your Guide's things."
"Thanks." Edwards glanced at the backpack as he accepted it. There was no way his Guide was having this back stinking of another Sentinel. "We'll be out in a minute." He shut the door firmly then regarded the bag in his hand before glancing over at the bonding platform; his Guide was waking now that his Sentinel had left him. Blushing slightly as he gave in to his Sentinel side, Edwards took off his jacket and stuffed it into the backpack. By the time his Guide unpacked it, the only scent in there would be Edwards' own.
Bending over the platform, he touched the kid's shoulder gently, then paused as the heat of a bruise made itself known. It was enough to bring his Guide to consciousness however, and the sleepy green eyes opened and peered at him.
"C'mon, kid, we've gotta move or be locked in all night."
The kid blinked, trying to wake himself up. For a moment, Edwards thought he'd failed, then the kid pushed himself up into a sitting position, and scrubbed his hands over his face. It appeared to help and the Guide stared up at him, a startled look on his face. "I don't know your name!"
He grinned. "I'm Edwards...but you can call me Neds."
"I'm David. David Sutherland."
"Nice to meet you, David."
He got a dazzling smile in response, then it disappeared as the kid yawned and began blinking again.
"Okay, let's get out of here."
~'~
Yawning, David snuggled down under the covers. He was warm, deliciously warm. He yawned again, revelling in the unusual feeling. His room was never this warm...maybe the landlord had fixed the heating at last?
"Morning."
That didn't sound like one of his roommates.
Forcing his eyes open, he blinked up at the stranger, then sat up in a panic before he remembered.
"It's all right, just keep calm. We bonded yesterday, remember?"
He relaxed back against the pillows and felt his face redden. How stupid was he? "I forgot. Sorry...Sentinel."
"My name's Edwards but -"
David smiled. "I can call you Neds." He did remember that bit, although a lot of the night before was fuzzy in the extreme. He remembered waking up in the bonding suite, sort of... and he was sure he'd ridden in a car at some point but the rest of it was a blank.
"That's right." His Sentinel smiled down at him, and David thought it suited him, softening the stern face. "And you're David."
His smile widened. At least his Sentinel remembered his name.
"The bathroom's the next door along. I'll be in the kitchen making breakfast when you're ready."
"Okay." Shyly, David waited until the Sentinel, his Sentinel, had gone, then threw back the covers and got out of bed. Glancing down at himself, he frowned. Had he managed to undress himself to his boxers and a t-shirt that was definitely too large for him? He didn't think so. He felt his face redden and tried to feel nonchalant about the whole situation; the guy was his Sentinel, after all. In spite of that, he could feel his face burning.
Grabbing his clothes, he hurried into the bathroom and turned on the shower. He hoped Neds wouldn't mind him using his soap...and what on earth was he going to do for a toothbrush? Washing himself quickly, he grabbed the towel and hurriedly dried himself off. He'd have to use his finger and some toothp -
David smiled as he saw the brand new, still-packaged toothbrush laid prominently in sight on the basin. He could feel his face reddening again, but this time it was with pleasure. He felt rather silly, after all, it was just a toothbrush, but the thought behind it was nice and he hugged the feeling to himself. His teeth brushed, his face washed, he scrambled into his clothes, pausing to make a face at his underwear. However, he couldn't go commando and there was no way he could ask the Sentinel to lend him some. Apart from anything else, they'd never stay up on him.
Dashing back into the room he'd slept in, he hurriedly made the bed; he wanted to put the Sentinel out as little as possible. He didn't know how much time Neds was going to want to spend with him, as some Sentinels preferred to only see their Guides when they absolutely needed them, although he personally had a lot of doubt as to how much of a bond they had. In any case, he didn't want to do anything that might aggravate his Sentinel, or stop them from, hopefully, becoming friends too. Smoothing the edge of the top sheet back over the blankets, he smiled to himself and hoped that his Sentinel, Sentinel Edwards, would agree to meet his friends. After all, he'd want them to meet his Senti -
His heart leapt into his throat, and his panic was worsened by the sound of pounding footsteps in the hall. Spinning, he faced his Sentinel, Sentinel Edwards, as the next Sentinel Prime came diving into the room, a spatula clutched in his hand.
"What's the matter?!"
David pointed at him, horror strangling his vocal chords. "Y-you're S-S-S-Sentinel Edwards!"
"Yeess?" The word was drawled questioningly as the Sentinel, his Sentinel, moved towards him slowly.
Only one thought was filling David's head, and he blurted it out, unthinkingly, "He's going to kill me!"
~'~
Instantly, the Sentinel dropped the spatula which he'd been holding, grabbed his Guide and pulled him firmly to his side. Tucking his Guide safely behind himself, the Sentinel used his senses to sweep the room and the apartment, a growl rumbling in his throat, as he searched for the mysterious 'he' who was threatening his Guide's safety.
Realising that there was no one else present, the Sentinel tugged his Guide forward and stared into his face. "No one's going to kill you!" Tightening his grip on the arms, he demanded, "Who's threatened you?" The memory of the hawk returned to him even as David began an automatic denial.
"I-I didn't...I mean -"
"That other Guide, who is he?"
David shook his head. "No - no one...he's...I just -"
Edwards touched the fading red mark on David's forehead. "What's the name of the Guide who did this to you?"
Bingo; David's body rhythms went berserk, even as he shook his head again in an attempt to lie to his Sentinel.
"David." While Edwards didn't want to push his new Guide, he was not prepared to tolerate anyone threatening his Guide. Therefore his tone contained a warning.
It was enough. The capitulation showed in David's face before he even opened his mouth. "Dexter Pierson - but he hasn't threatened me! I just meant that he's going to be furious that we're bonded!"
"Oh?" Edwards relaxed his grip on the kid's arms, not wanting to leave bruises. "And what's it to him that we're bonded?"
David's gaze slid away from his, betraying his reluctance to answer, then slowly slid back as Edwards waited silently. Finally, there was a mumbled, "He was planning on bonding to you himself."
Edwards' eyebrows shot skyward; he hadn't expected that answer. "Well, he was doomed to disappointment, wasn't he?" He scowled as the implications sank in. "And now that you're bonded to me, he'll try to make your life hell."
He got a shrug. "It's okay."
Gritting his teeth, Edwards made a mental note to track down this Dexter Pierson and explain things to him in a very easily understandable way that threatening his Guide was not allowed but, to David, he said nothing about that. "You won't be seeing him again anyway, David. It's highly unlikely that he'll be joining the Cascade Clan and you'll be leaving Guide School now that you're bonded."
"I-I will?"
"Of course you will, David. You're a bonded Guide now."
"Oh."
As David gazed at him, a nonplussed look in his eyes, Edwards slipped an arm around his shoulders and turned him towards the door. "Never mind thinking about that now. How do you like your eggs?"
Part 2.
This is set in my "Wrong Guide" universe, which is based on Susan Foster's GDP series, only without the GDP themselves. David, Neds and the Cascade Clan are entirely Susan's creation, and I thank her for letting me borrow them.
Various well-recognisable characters belong to PetFly, while the rest of 'em are mine.
Please see the end of the last part for warnings.
The Wrong Guide:
The Right Guide
(a David and Neds story)
by Arnie
David sighed as the class ended and the tutor left the room. Sometimes he didn't think he'd ever be a Guide, for all that he was studying in Guide School. Maybe Dexter Pierson, resident bully of Rainier University's associated Guide School, was right; maybe he should just quit. Tipping his books into his bag, he picked up his folder of sketches and headed to his next class.
Break came all too soon, but he managed to get out of the building without coming face to face with Dexter - which was how he liked it. Settling himself down on a bench, far out of sight of the main building, he pulled out his sketch book and pencils and lost himself in recreating what he could see.
Just over an hour later, he stopped and stretched, rolling his head on his neck to ease the tension. Glancing at his watch, he jumped up and carefully tucked his latest sketch into his folder; if he went back in now, he could grab a drink before his next scheduled class.
"David! Hey, David!"
David turned his head and smiled and waved at the group of students hollering at him. Paying for his drink, he grabbed it and hurried over. They looked excited about something.
Harriet grabbed his arm as he sat down, her excitement fluttering against his barriers like a butterfly. "Did you hear? Do you know who's going to be at the mixer tomorrow night?"
For a second his dismay was broadcasted loud and clear, then he pulled back hurriedly. He'd forgotten about the mixer. Oh well, it wasn't like he had much else to do anyway. "No, who's going to be there?"
"Well," Aled leaned across the table and spoke confidentially, "we were told that some of the Cascade Clan are coming, along with..." he paused dramatically for effect, "the guy who's slated to be the next Sentinel Prime when he bonds!"
Jo Mathers chimed in, her voice coolly cynical, "Just imagine how much excitement there'd be if the rumour mill had the Senior Sentinel Prime coming to the mixer."
Harriet grinned. "Have you seen the Senior Sentinel Prime? He's gorgeous!" In spite of her words, all David could feel from her was the sympathy she was channelling to him via the hand on his arm.
Jo grinned back at her. "Well, we can discount you being picked by the possible Prime - he'd hate to have you swooning all over the Senior!"
Making a face at her, Harriet laughed. "It would be pretty embarrassing, wouldn't it?"
"Not that it matters to us," Aled put in. "Dexter's determined that he's going to get Sentinel Edwards."
"And he's only settling for him because the Senior Sentinel Prime doesn't lower himself to attend mixers here," Jo commented sarcastically, her dislike for the ambitious Guide zinging in the air.
"Sentinel Edwards won't bond with him!" Harriet protested, although David wondered how she knew for sure. "He's about as empathic as a cabbage!"
"You never know," David put in, his voice quiet. "Sentinels choose the weirdest Guides sometimes."
"Yeah!" Aled agreed. "Remember when Sentinel Anderton bonded with Wyler?"
They all pulled a face at that memory.
"That was a disaster waiting to happen," Jo said, the sharp tone gone from her voice. "You can't say that Wyler is the poster boy for good mental health."
"I'm surprised they let him in here." Harriet's face was sombre.
Aled looked knowing. "Daddy's money."
"Of course! Pity Sentinel Anderton was too impressed by his contacts to actually take note of what kind of person he was."
"Jo!" Harriet's dismay replaced the sympathy she'd been sending to David, then she removed her hand from his arm, throwing him an apologetic look. "He couldn't have known!"
"He's a Sentinel," Jo retorted, firmly. "He's supposed to know!"
"Well, it turned out all right in the end," David pointed out. "Sentinel Anderton's bonded to Carrie Paige, and Wyler's living the high life."
Aled dumped his drink carton in the nearest trashcan, a sour look on his face. "And they say that bonds can't be broken."
"It doesn't count with Wyler - he's another one who bought his way into Guide School!" Jo snapped.
"Anyway..." Harriet dragged the conversation back to its starting point, "I don't believe that Sentinel Edwards will go near Dexter."
"In which case, he'll be hell to live with." Aled gazed sympathetically at David. "Maybe you should take the next couple of days off."
~'~
Sitting in his tiny room that night, listening to his roommates and their extremely loud choice of music, David turned Aled's advice over in his mind. Maybe rather than take the next couple of days off, he should quit. He could always get a job and study art at night school, although God alone knew what his father would say.
A tight hand squeezed his heart at that thought. If he went to art school he could never go home again, he knew that. His father's disappointment, not to mention his vitriolic anger, would be hard to bear; it had been difficult enough when he announced his intention to go to Guide School.
Sighing, he hugged his folder to him. Not that 'home', such as it was, would be that much of a loss, although he'd miss his siblings. Well, Elizabeth and Harry, anyway. He glanced up as the music clicked off. Maybe his roommates had finished for the night and he could get some sleep.
~'~
Edwards grimaced as he massaged his aching temples. There was no doubt about it, he hated vision dreams. If there was one drawback to being a Sentinel, and, he considered, there were a lot of drawbacks, it was visions. Spirit guides couldn't just give you a note or a memo, nicely laid out with all the important points highlighted. Oh no, they had to give you riddles and half-remembered dreams that left you feeling unsettled all day.
And that one had been a doozy.
As he got up and staggered to the bathroom, aiming to grab the Tylenol before hitting the head, his mind, refusing his directive to just ignore the whole damn thing, replayed the images that had brought him shuddering to consciousness.
He closed his eyes as the memory of the deer's back, torn by vicious claws, surged to the forefront of his mind. Why the hell would a hawk attack a deer? It had looked like a deliberate attack too, an attempt to drive the deer away from the herd. It didn't make sense.
~'~
Grinning to himself as he saw his prey, Dexter carefully angled his approach as he moved down the corridor. If he got it just right, he could push Sutherland's face into the locker and no one would be any the wiser. One quick shove and a thud told him he'd done it again.
He smirked as he sauntered away. Another few days and Sutherland would be ready to give up and admit that he was not meant to be a Guide.
Sitting in class fifteen minutes later, Dexter yawned and stared out of the window, ignoring the tutor who was droning on and on about how to bring a Sentinel out of a zone out. Who cared? There were always chemical boosters available if a Sentinel zoned too deeply. He yawned again, reflecting on what a waste of time the class was, before glancing around at the other students. Naturally, Sutherland was taking notes.
Annoyance replaced his boredom. Sutherland was such a swot, and how the teachers loved him. When Dexter was Guide Prime, his first course of action would be to make sure that geeks like Sutherland learned their place in the world. He smirked and leaned back in his chair, reflecting on the approaching mixer. A Sentinel like Edwards needed a strong Guide, someone who could show that he was ready to fight for his place. And no one was better at fighting than Dexter.
~'~
As always, time marched on, relentless and unending; one of the few constants in an ever-changing universe.
Aware of time's passage, David watched the clock. He really didn't want to go to this mixer. It was bad enough that he had to endure Dexter during the day; having to spend an evening watching him swagger around the room, acting like he owned the place, was even worse. Plus, if Dexter lived down to his usual standards, he'd undoubtedly find some way to humiliate David.
Had the Jell-O incident been at the last mixer, or the mixer before? The ticking clock was abandoned for a moment as David thought it over. Nope, it had been the time before. The last mixer had been marked by Dexter's 'accidental' tipping over of the punchbowl.
He turned his attention back to the clock then sighed as the class ended. Maybe he could hide out in the cafeteria for a while?
With that in mind, he tucked his pencil case into his pocket. He'd keep himself busy by sketching, at least until the mixer was in full swing and he could slide in unnoticed.
~'~
Dexter smirked as he saw Sutherland sneak off in the direction of the cafeteria. It was obvious that the guy didn't want to bond - if he had, he'd have been pushing his way into the mixer even now. But no, there was Sutherland, scurrying away to hide out for a while. Dean Edwards should give him a medal for doing the Guide School such a favour.
As he turned the corner not far behind Sutherland, his eyes lit up. That was Sentinel Edwards by the door! Quickening his step, he slammed his shoulder into Sutherland's, and grinned even more as he heard the sound of the loser's pencil case hitting the floor, the pencils bouncing and scattering.
His intended Sentinel turned at the noise, his gaze focussing and narrowing, the dark stare having the intensity of a laser beam. With a triumphant smile, Dexter moved forward to meet him, raising his head to expose the long line of his neck to his Sentinel. He'd done it, he'd actually done it. He was going to be the new Guide Prime.
~'~
The sound of a clattering metal case caught Edwards' attention and aggravated the dull throbbing in his temples. He'd known this was a mistake. Turning to glare at the clumsy idiot before storming out and going home to take more Tylenol, he stopped, riveted by the sight. The hawk swept towards him, its claws dripping with the blood of its victim as the deer stood, stricken and wounded.
He blinked, and the hawk disappeared to be replaced by a smirking, dark-haired, beak-nosed Guide who seemed to think that he was the next Senior Guide Prime. But behind him, further up the corridor, was the deer. For a second, green eyes met his, then the Guide, his Guide, sank to his knees to gather up the pencils that were there.
Edwards gasped as his lungs constricted, demanding that he start breathing again. Then, stalking past the irritating nonentity, the Sentinel moved to stand over his Guide.
~'~
David blinked back tears as he gathered up his pencils. That was it, he'd had enough. It was time that he admitted that this really wasn't for him. If nothing else, at least he'd be spared the sight of Dexter smirking, day in, day out. And if Dexter did bond with Sentinel Edwards, his life would be even worse, he was sure of that. The Guide Prime would take every opportunity to humiliate him.
A horrific thought occurred to him and he almost rocked back on his heels. If Dexter became Guide Prime and David bonded with another Sentinel of the Cascade Clan, he was positive that Dexter would use every ounce of power he had to ruin David's Sentinel. Biting his lip, he shook his head. No, it was better that he leave, quit Guide School, and go do something else with his life.
Highly polished black shoes stepped into view and David paused, then followed the legs up to look at the powerfully-built man, the Sentinel, standing over him. For a moment he thought his heart had stopped beating as he was caught in the dark gaze that stared down at him, then strong hands grabbed his arms and lifted him to his feet.
"Guide."
The word was growled softly at him, and David felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. "Sentinel?"
He was moved backwards as the Sentinel stepped over his fallen pencils and continued forward, his eyes fixed firmly on David's face.
"S-Sentinel?"
One arm was released as the Sentinel reached past him to open a door, then David was pushed over the threshold, and held still as the door was securely locked. Glancing over his shoulder, he was alarmed to see that they were in a bonding suite. Turning his eyes forward again, his gaze was captured by the Sentinel's. He didn't look as if he'd be a pushover for Dexter and his manipulative ploys; in fact, he looked as if he could take care of himself.
David's newly-made resolve to avoid bonding crumbled. In a small corner of his mind, he realised, vaguely, that he didn't have any choice about bonding now that he was in a locked bonding suite with a determined looking Sentinel, and he made no attempt to break free as he was pushed down on the bonding platform and pinned in place. Instead, he tilted his head back to allow the Sentinel full access to his throat.
A pleased growl and a sharp nip to his throat was the result.
The Guide gasped as endorphins began to race through his bloodstream, heading towards his brain at a rate of knots. There was another bite, a deeper one, to his neck, and he felt hot and dizzy, then sweat broke out on his forehead and the room spun even more as his mental barriers fell.
Immediately, the Sentinel swooped into his mind and took control, merging and bonding until David wasn't sure where his thoughts ended and his Sentinel's thoughts began. Even with his Sentinel's steadying grip on his mind, the room continued whirling, and David's eyes fluttered shut as he tried to steady himself. Instantly, the hold on his mind eased a little, his Sentinel soothing his tumultuous feelings, then darkness surged up and carried him away.
~'~
As he felt his Guide slip into unconsciousness, Edwards relaxed his grip and moved to examine his Guide. With a shock, he realised that he had no idea what the kid's name was and he suspected that the kid didn't know his name either. For the rest....
He leaned on one elbow and looked the young man over. His Guide was shorter than himself, and slenderly built, the width of his shoulders showing that he'd always be on the lean side, and dark hair and dark eyebrows added distinction to a pale face that looked younger than Edwards guessed him to be. He already knew that the shy green eyes betrayed a sharp intelligence but, right now, the long lashes lay still on the cheeks and the eyes were hidden. With a sudden grin, Edwards thought that if the kid could see him, he'd assume he was a horse being looked over for defects.
The grin faded as Edwards focussed his gaze on the red mark on his Guide's forehead. Had the kid hurt himself or -
The image of the hawk returned to his mind and his anger rose, then was quashed rapidly as his Guide stirred in his sleep, a distressed whimper escaping from him. With his barriers totally destroyed, the kid was wide open to whatever emotions his Sentinel was feeling.
Pushing his fury away, Edwards turned the pliant body onto its side then spooned up behind him and buried his nose in the kid's hair, sniffing appreciatively at his Guide's musky scent. His headache was gone, his senses were totally under his control and his Guide was safe beside him; the Sentinel could rest now.
~'~
A quiet knock at the door roused him and Edwards glared in the direction of the door before getting up and moving over to it. Opening the door a couple of inches to find Sentinel Collins on the other side, he made sure to block any possible view of his Guide.
"The mixer's over and the janitor's waiting to lock up. Do you want a ride home?"
Edwards nodded. "Just give me a minute."
Collins smiled. "Congratulations."
He couldn't help it, he grinned back. "Let me wake him up and we'll be good to go."
"Okay. By the way, I picked up the ki - your Guide's things."
"Thanks." Edwards glanced at the backpack as he accepted it. There was no way his Guide was having this back stinking of another Sentinel. "We'll be out in a minute." He shut the door firmly then regarded the bag in his hand before glancing over at the bonding platform; his Guide was waking now that his Sentinel had left him. Blushing slightly as he gave in to his Sentinel side, Edwards took off his jacket and stuffed it into the backpack. By the time his Guide unpacked it, the only scent in there would be Edwards' own.
Bending over the platform, he touched the kid's shoulder gently, then paused as the heat of a bruise made itself known. It was enough to bring his Guide to consciousness however, and the sleepy green eyes opened and peered at him.
"C'mon, kid, we've gotta move or be locked in all night."
The kid blinked, trying to wake himself up. For a moment, Edwards thought he'd failed, then the kid pushed himself up into a sitting position, and scrubbed his hands over his face. It appeared to help and the Guide stared up at him, a startled look on his face. "I don't know your name!"
He grinned. "I'm Edwards...but you can call me Neds."
"I'm David. David Sutherland."
"Nice to meet you, David."
He got a dazzling smile in response, then it disappeared as the kid yawned and began blinking again.
"Okay, let's get out of here."
~'~
Yawning, David snuggled down under the covers. He was warm, deliciously warm. He yawned again, revelling in the unusual feeling. His room was never this warm...maybe the landlord had fixed the heating at last?
"Morning."
That didn't sound like one of his roommates.
Forcing his eyes open, he blinked up at the stranger, then sat up in a panic before he remembered.
"It's all right, just keep calm. We bonded yesterday, remember?"
He relaxed back against the pillows and felt his face redden. How stupid was he? "I forgot. Sorry...Sentinel."
"My name's Edwards but -"
David smiled. "I can call you Neds." He did remember that bit, although a lot of the night before was fuzzy in the extreme. He remembered waking up in the bonding suite, sort of... and he was sure he'd ridden in a car at some point but the rest of it was a blank.
"That's right." His Sentinel smiled down at him, and David thought it suited him, softening the stern face. "And you're David."
His smile widened. At least his Sentinel remembered his name.
"The bathroom's the next door along. I'll be in the kitchen making breakfast when you're ready."
"Okay." Shyly, David waited until the Sentinel, his Sentinel, had gone, then threw back the covers and got out of bed. Glancing down at himself, he frowned. Had he managed to undress himself to his boxers and a t-shirt that was definitely too large for him? He didn't think so. He felt his face redden and tried to feel nonchalant about the whole situation; the guy was his Sentinel, after all. In spite of that, he could feel his face burning.
Grabbing his clothes, he hurried into the bathroom and turned on the shower. He hoped Neds wouldn't mind him using his soap...and what on earth was he going to do for a toothbrush? Washing himself quickly, he grabbed the towel and hurriedly dried himself off. He'd have to use his finger and some toothp -
David smiled as he saw the brand new, still-packaged toothbrush laid prominently in sight on the basin. He could feel his face reddening again, but this time it was with pleasure. He felt rather silly, after all, it was just a toothbrush, but the thought behind it was nice and he hugged the feeling to himself. His teeth brushed, his face washed, he scrambled into his clothes, pausing to make a face at his underwear. However, he couldn't go commando and there was no way he could ask the Sentinel to lend him some. Apart from anything else, they'd never stay up on him.
Dashing back into the room he'd slept in, he hurriedly made the bed; he wanted to put the Sentinel out as little as possible. He didn't know how much time Neds was going to want to spend with him, as some Sentinels preferred to only see their Guides when they absolutely needed them, although he personally had a lot of doubt as to how much of a bond they had. In any case, he didn't want to do anything that might aggravate his Sentinel, or stop them from, hopefully, becoming friends too. Smoothing the edge of the top sheet back over the blankets, he smiled to himself and hoped that his Sentinel, Sentinel Edwards, would agree to meet his friends. After all, he'd want them to meet his Senti -
His heart leapt into his throat, and his panic was worsened by the sound of pounding footsteps in the hall. Spinning, he faced his Sentinel, Sentinel Edwards, as the next Sentinel Prime came diving into the room, a spatula clutched in his hand.
"What's the matter?!"
David pointed at him, horror strangling his vocal chords. "Y-you're S-S-S-Sentinel Edwards!"
"Yeess?" The word was drawled questioningly as the Sentinel, his Sentinel, moved towards him slowly.
Only one thought was filling David's head, and he blurted it out, unthinkingly, "He's going to kill me!"
~'~
Instantly, the Sentinel dropped the spatula which he'd been holding, grabbed his Guide and pulled him firmly to his side. Tucking his Guide safely behind himself, the Sentinel used his senses to sweep the room and the apartment, a growl rumbling in his throat, as he searched for the mysterious 'he' who was threatening his Guide's safety.
Realising that there was no one else present, the Sentinel tugged his Guide forward and stared into his face. "No one's going to kill you!" Tightening his grip on the arms, he demanded, "Who's threatened you?" The memory of the hawk returned to him even as David began an automatic denial.
"I-I didn't...I mean -"
"That other Guide, who is he?"
David shook his head. "No - no one...he's...I just -"
Edwards touched the fading red mark on David's forehead. "What's the name of the Guide who did this to you?"
Bingo; David's body rhythms went berserk, even as he shook his head again in an attempt to lie to his Sentinel.
"David." While Edwards didn't want to push his new Guide, he was not prepared to tolerate anyone threatening his Guide. Therefore his tone contained a warning.
It was enough. The capitulation showed in David's face before he even opened his mouth. "Dexter Pierson - but he hasn't threatened me! I just meant that he's going to be furious that we're bonded!"
"Oh?" Edwards relaxed his grip on the kid's arms, not wanting to leave bruises. "And what's it to him that we're bonded?"
David's gaze slid away from his, betraying his reluctance to answer, then slowly slid back as Edwards waited silently. Finally, there was a mumbled, "He was planning on bonding to you himself."
Edwards' eyebrows shot skyward; he hadn't expected that answer. "Well, he was doomed to disappointment, wasn't he?" He scowled as the implications sank in. "And now that you're bonded to me, he'll try to make your life hell."
He got a shrug. "It's okay."
Gritting his teeth, Edwards made a mental note to track down this Dexter Pierson and explain things to him in a very easily understandable way that threatening his Guide was not allowed but, to David, he said nothing about that. "You won't be seeing him again anyway, David. It's highly unlikely that he'll be joining the Cascade Clan and you'll be leaving Guide School now that you're bonded."
"I-I will?"
"Of course you will, David. You're a bonded Guide now."
"Oh."
As David gazed at him, a nonplussed look in his eyes, Edwards slipped an arm around his shoulders and turned him towards the door. "Never mind thinking about that now. How do you like your eggs?"
Part 2.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2005-08-09 04:24 pm (UTC)I'm having a bad feeling for David. That Smedley is up to no good. *growls*
(no subject)
Date: 2005-08-10 01:28 pm (UTC)LOL! Do you have Sentinel blood in you, by any chance?!
(no subject)
Date: 2005-08-10 03:56 pm (UTC)