The Inevitable Post-Outcast Fic
Feb. 2nd, 2008 01:25 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
thegrrrl2002Oh come on, like I could resist!
Home
When John finally steps back through the gate it's late afternoon in Atlantis, and the sunlight is streaming in. The control room is awash in glowing blues and greens and golds and at last he lets out the breath, the breath that he's been holding for what feels like forever.
"Colonel," Carter greets him solemnly. "How are you?" She asks with intent, eyes searching his face for a clue.
John shrugs. "I'm fine," he answers, because he is, things aren't any different. He and his father are still not on speaking terms, and hey, no danger of that changing now.
Carter nods and John suspects she doesn't believe him. "Take a few days before coming back on duty, okay?"
John shakes his head. "If it's all the same, I'd rather not."
He feels her eyes on him as he leaves the gateroom, as he nods in response to the murmured condolences of the gateroom techs, and it's all very nice but he's fine, and he just wants to do is get back to work . It's been the longest week of his life and now it's over and its' time for him to be suited up on a mission, traveling through some heavily forested planet looking for the bad guys.
"John."
John turns to find Teyla hurrying down the corridor to catch up with him. "Are you all right?" she asks quietly. "I heard what happened--there was a replicator on earth?"
She's all breasts and belly now, and John tries not to stare but it's actually kind of fascinating. "Yeah," John says with a wave of his hand, fixing his gaze on the floor. "I'm okay. It's all taken care of."
"And you met with your brother?" she prompts carefully.
Ronon returned only an hour or so before him, and but clearly he's been busy. "We talked. It was...fine. We're okay. I guess. Hey, how are you feeling? Baby still kicking up a storm?"
Teyla immediately smiles, then ducks her head as if maybe it's an inappropriate moment for her to be so happy. "Yes. Very much so. I believe he will be a great fighter." Her hand goes to her stomach, resting there.
"Just like his mom," John says, then worries that maybe said the wrong thing, bringing to mind the baby's missing father by comparing possible contributions.
But Teyla only nods and looks pleased. "I am glad you are back," she says, and takes a step toward him. "And again, I am sorry for your loss."
John panics, because he has no idea how to hug her with that whole pregnant thing going on, not to mention the breasts but Teyla only puts her hands on his shoulders and bows her head, waiting.
With great relief John ducks his head and touches his forehead to hers.
It's nice custom. He likes it.
"Be well, John," she says softly.
He nods, and heads for the transporter.
When he finally reaches his room, the doors close behind him and he drops his bag, closing his eyes with a deep sigh.
He's home.
He kicks off his boots and collapses on the bed, grunting as he stretches his hands out over his head, bruised ribs complaining. It's never any fun being tossed around by a replicator, but it's a hundred times better than funerals and brothers and ex-wives. He stares at the ceiling, the familiar patterns in the tile, listens to the sound of the ocean lapping at the edge of the city and he has a report to write, and emails to read, missions to be rescheduled and the least he could do is unpack but the bed is comfortable and maybe it's more than just his ribs that hurt and if his father was truly sorry for what happened between them, why the hell couldn't he just say so?
A quick knock on his door distracts him.
"You're back," Rodney says as the door slides open.
John turns to gaze at Rodney, whose shoulders fill the doorway. "Yes, Rodney. I'm back."
"I heard--the replicators and all." Rodney looks disgusted. "You'd think we were finally done with them."
"Yeah." John thinks about getting up, but the thought of moving is overwhelming at the moment.
Rodney's eyes narrow. "You okay?"
"I'm fine." John lifts a hand, then lets it fall back down on the mattress. "Just tired."
"How did things go with your brother?"
John sighs. He is going to kick Ronon's ass next time they spar.
Well, maybe not. But if he could, he would.
"I don't know. We talked. That's more than we've done in a long time."
'Yes, well." Rodney shifts on the balls of his feet. "Families," he says, like it explains everything.
"Hell yeah," John agrees. "Hey, so how are things on M7G677?"
"All fixed. The EM field is back up and running. By the way, Keras sends his regards."
"How's he doing?"
"Great. Making kids. They all are. The planet is infested with babies." Rodney lifts his hands and waggles his fingers. "It's--nightmarish."
"I'm sorry I missed it."
Rodney wrinkles his nose in disgust. "Yes, well, next time you're welcome to go in my place." He falls silent, looks at his hands, then drops them down to his sides. "Well," he says again, glancing up at John with mournful eyes. "I should let you rest?"
"No," John says, reaching a hand out.
In an instant, Rodney is there, hand is clasped in John's. "I'm sorry I couldn't come," Rodney whispers. He hesitates as if still uncertain of his welcome, but John tugs him down on the bed.
"I know, Rodney."
This thing between them is new and maybe they haven't figured everything out but the way Rodney hurts for him makes John's throat tighten and his breath catch in his chest, especially when Rodney leans down kisses him, achingly tender and delicate.
John touches his fingertips to Rodney's cheek and kisses him back, then cups a hand around Rodney's neck and pulls him in, making the kiss rougher, more like they're used to and finally, he can breathe again.
"It sucks," Rodney says moving to kiss John's cheek. "Your family. All of it." He kisses John's forehead, then stretches out on the bed beside him.
John nods in agreement, rolling to lay half on top of Rodney, face pressed into Rodney's chest. He breathes deep, flushing the smell of stables and pine oil and funereal flower arrangements out of his system. "I'm out of the will, you know."
"Hmm?" Rodney rubs John's back. "What?"
"I was written out of my father's will. So if you're looking for a sugar daddy, you're just going to have to go elsewhere." John raises his head at Rodney's indignant squawk and grins for the first time in a week.
"Oh, ha ha. Very funny." Rodney gently cuffs the side of John's head.
John drops his head back down on Rodney's chest, and Rodney's hand follows, fingers sliding through John's hair, drawing aimless patterns. It's hypnotic and John's eyes blink shut of their own accord.
Then Rodney's hand goes still.
"You're the best person I've ever known," Rodney says, and there's anger in his voice. "Do they know that? Any of them? Do they really know who you are? Because they should."
"Rodney," John sighs. "It doesn't matter what they think. And no--you can't go and talk to them."
Rodney huffs and falls silent.
"But I appreciate the thought." And John honestly does, to an extent that surprises him. He's not used to any of this, god--all of them but especially Rodney and he doesn't know what to do with himself so he squeezes his eyes shut and nudges Rodney's arm, once, twice. After a moment, Rodney starts moving his hand again, running it through John's hair.
John presses his cheek to Rodney's chest and breathes.
Home
When John finally steps back through the gate it's late afternoon in Atlantis, and the sunlight is streaming in. The control room is awash in glowing blues and greens and golds and at last he lets out the breath, the breath that he's been holding for what feels like forever.
"Colonel," Carter greets him solemnly. "How are you?" She asks with intent, eyes searching his face for a clue.
John shrugs. "I'm fine," he answers, because he is, things aren't any different. He and his father are still not on speaking terms, and hey, no danger of that changing now.
Carter nods and John suspects she doesn't believe him. "Take a few days before coming back on duty, okay?"
John shakes his head. "If it's all the same, I'd rather not."
He feels her eyes on him as he leaves the gateroom, as he nods in response to the murmured condolences of the gateroom techs, and it's all very nice but he's fine, and he just wants to do is get back to work . It's been the longest week of his life and now it's over and its' time for him to be suited up on a mission, traveling through some heavily forested planet looking for the bad guys.
"John."
John turns to find Teyla hurrying down the corridor to catch up with him. "Are you all right?" she asks quietly. "I heard what happened--there was a replicator on earth?"
She's all breasts and belly now, and John tries not to stare but it's actually kind of fascinating. "Yeah," John says with a wave of his hand, fixing his gaze on the floor. "I'm okay. It's all taken care of."
"And you met with your brother?" she prompts carefully.
Ronon returned only an hour or so before him, and but clearly he's been busy. "We talked. It was...fine. We're okay. I guess. Hey, how are you feeling? Baby still kicking up a storm?"
Teyla immediately smiles, then ducks her head as if maybe it's an inappropriate moment for her to be so happy. "Yes. Very much so. I believe he will be a great fighter." Her hand goes to her stomach, resting there.
"Just like his mom," John says, then worries that maybe said the wrong thing, bringing to mind the baby's missing father by comparing possible contributions.
But Teyla only nods and looks pleased. "I am glad you are back," she says, and takes a step toward him. "And again, I am sorry for your loss."
John panics, because he has no idea how to hug her with that whole pregnant thing going on, not to mention the breasts but Teyla only puts her hands on his shoulders and bows her head, waiting.
With great relief John ducks his head and touches his forehead to hers.
It's nice custom. He likes it.
"Be well, John," she says softly.
He nods, and heads for the transporter.
When he finally reaches his room, the doors close behind him and he drops his bag, closing his eyes with a deep sigh.
He's home.
He kicks off his boots and collapses on the bed, grunting as he stretches his hands out over his head, bruised ribs complaining. It's never any fun being tossed around by a replicator, but it's a hundred times better than funerals and brothers and ex-wives. He stares at the ceiling, the familiar patterns in the tile, listens to the sound of the ocean lapping at the edge of the city and he has a report to write, and emails to read, missions to be rescheduled and the least he could do is unpack but the bed is comfortable and maybe it's more than just his ribs that hurt and if his father was truly sorry for what happened between them, why the hell couldn't he just say so?
A quick knock on his door distracts him.
"You're back," Rodney says as the door slides open.
John turns to gaze at Rodney, whose shoulders fill the doorway. "Yes, Rodney. I'm back."
"I heard--the replicators and all." Rodney looks disgusted. "You'd think we were finally done with them."
"Yeah." John thinks about getting up, but the thought of moving is overwhelming at the moment.
Rodney's eyes narrow. "You okay?"
"I'm fine." John lifts a hand, then lets it fall back down on the mattress. "Just tired."
"How did things go with your brother?"
John sighs. He is going to kick Ronon's ass next time they spar.
Well, maybe not. But if he could, he would.
"I don't know. We talked. That's more than we've done in a long time."
'Yes, well." Rodney shifts on the balls of his feet. "Families," he says, like it explains everything.
"Hell yeah," John agrees. "Hey, so how are things on M7G677?"
"All fixed. The EM field is back up and running. By the way, Keras sends his regards."
"How's he doing?"
"Great. Making kids. They all are. The planet is infested with babies." Rodney lifts his hands and waggles his fingers. "It's--nightmarish."
"I'm sorry I missed it."
Rodney wrinkles his nose in disgust. "Yes, well, next time you're welcome to go in my place." He falls silent, looks at his hands, then drops them down to his sides. "Well," he says again, glancing up at John with mournful eyes. "I should let you rest?"
"No," John says, reaching a hand out.
In an instant, Rodney is there, hand is clasped in John's. "I'm sorry I couldn't come," Rodney whispers. He hesitates as if still uncertain of his welcome, but John tugs him down on the bed.
"I know, Rodney."
This thing between them is new and maybe they haven't figured everything out but the way Rodney hurts for him makes John's throat tighten and his breath catch in his chest, especially when Rodney leans down kisses him, achingly tender and delicate.
John touches his fingertips to Rodney's cheek and kisses him back, then cups a hand around Rodney's neck and pulls him in, making the kiss rougher, more like they're used to and finally, he can breathe again.
"It sucks," Rodney says moving to kiss John's cheek. "Your family. All of it." He kisses John's forehead, then stretches out on the bed beside him.
John nods in agreement, rolling to lay half on top of Rodney, face pressed into Rodney's chest. He breathes deep, flushing the smell of stables and pine oil and funereal flower arrangements out of his system. "I'm out of the will, you know."
"Hmm?" Rodney rubs John's back. "What?"
"I was written out of my father's will. So if you're looking for a sugar daddy, you're just going to have to go elsewhere." John raises his head at Rodney's indignant squawk and grins for the first time in a week.
"Oh, ha ha. Very funny." Rodney gently cuffs the side of John's head.
John drops his head back down on Rodney's chest, and Rodney's hand follows, fingers sliding through John's hair, drawing aimless patterns. It's hypnotic and John's eyes blink shut of their own accord.
Then Rodney's hand goes still.
"You're the best person I've ever known," Rodney says, and there's anger in his voice. "Do they know that? Any of them? Do they really know who you are? Because they should."
"Rodney," John sighs. "It doesn't matter what they think. And no--you can't go and talk to them."
Rodney huffs and falls silent.
"But I appreciate the thought." And John honestly does, to an extent that surprises him. He's not used to any of this, god--all of them but especially Rodney and he doesn't know what to do with himself so he squeezes his eyes shut and nudges Rodney's arm, once, twice. After a moment, Rodney starts moving his hand again, running it through John's hair.
John presses his cheek to Rodney's chest and breathes.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2008-02-02 07:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-02-02 07:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-02-02 07:36 pm (UTC)I haven't posted mine yet, but oddly, it also has Keras and making babies... hmmm, great minds...?
Oh, and Rodney running his hand through John's hair will never be anything but endearing. So loving, so natural.
no subject
Date: 2008-02-02 07:46 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-02-02 07:54 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-02-02 07:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-02-02 08:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-02-02 08:08 pm (UTC)And if I can get tangential for a sec, I loved this line: She's all breasts and belly now, and John tries not to stare but it's actually kind of fascinating because yeah, people just so rarely get to look at other people in a way that's out of exploration and curiosity, rather than sexuality or disdain of some kind. (This was something that was quite new to all of us going through school, learning to look at and touch people, and that it was okay.) I'm sure John's completely fascinated (and a little freaked) by these changes in his friend, and just doesn't know what to do about that curiosity.
So many other bits that I love. But especially this: "You're the best person I've ever known," Rodney says, and there's anger in his voice. "Do they know that? Any of them? Do they really know who you are? Because they should."
Beautiful, all of it.
no subject
Date: 2008-02-02 08:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-02-02 08:40 pm (UTC)And I've been waiting for a quiet moment to read your fic, I'm so gleeful about it, it's like hording a little treasure, waiting to take it out and play with it.
no subject
Date: 2008-02-02 08:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-02-02 08:41 pm (UTC)And yes, I do want to have my hands in that hair. Guh. But I'll have to settle for Rodney's.
no subject
Date: 2008-02-02 08:42 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-02-02 08:42 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-02-02 08:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-02-02 08:44 pm (UTC)::adds sparkles to the hearts::
no subject
Date: 2008-02-02 08:47 pm (UTC)And sometimes I think John always felt like she was another one of the guys, and is now completely taken aback by all that unavoidable femaleness.*g*
I'm glad you enjoyed the fic!
no subject
Date: 2008-02-02 08:48 pm (UTC)Thank you!
no subject
Date: 2008-02-02 08:56 pm (UTC)Oooh, yes, yes. I totally see that.
Lovely, lovely story. You just know if Rodney had gone with John, he would've had Words with Dave.
no subject
Date: 2008-02-02 09:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-02-02 09:00 pm (UTC)Hee! Yes, it's wonderful what we get to experience through Rodney... and John!
no subject
Date: 2008-02-02 09:07 pm (UTC)*flails quietly in her little corner* oh, oh, boys.
no subject
Date: 2008-02-02 09:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-02-02 09:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-02-02 09:15 pm (UTC)