FIC:SGA:Checkmate The Road Home Pt.5: Listening
Title: The Road Home, Part 5: Listening
Series:Checkmate ‘Verse
Author: Beadattitude
Pairing: John/Rodney
Rating: For mature audiences only. (NC-17)
Betas: The lovely sheafrotherdon, who helps me with flow and character and not making an ass of myself. The fabulous yin_again, who graciously edited my “just getting it down at 3 am” unpolished slap-together and helped me get it up to code. This would be a lesser fic without either of them, and they have my deepest and mostly sane, nice of you to ask, thanks, now that the whole thing is done. Whew. Bless Their Hearts. Honestly.
Warnings: Animal transformation, angst, schmoop, romance, sexual situations
Disclaimer: These characters were not created by me, and I intend no harm and pursue no financial gain by their use.
Author's Notes: Here we are at the last of this arc, loves. It’s been a fantastic, wonderful ride. Many thanks to you all for such incredible feedback, and I promise that one day, it’ll all be answered.
Many thanks for the incredible original art, manipulatons and cartoons and fanfic! And pictures of black kitties! So blown away by all of that, guys.
There will be more Adventures of Lt. Col. Kitty, including "The Ninja Kitty sings songs of Looooove," which was my personal favorite title. There is no set schedule for these adventures; they'll just come to me when they come to me. XOXOXOX
Summary: Rodney and John get some time alone together before they return to Atlantis. They have a chance to process what’s happened to them, and to their friendship.
Teaser: Ronon took John away into the sleeping room, over Rodney’s protests, but Teyla shushed him, led him inside and helped him with his over shirt like he was a toddler.
“You are as wet as if you had joined us in the river, she said firmly.
“Everyone is so nice to me today,” Rodney said plaintively. “It’s unsettling.”
“All is well,” she said, hearing the worry under his words, “let us take care of you. Rest.”
“But I don’t need a nap,” he said, confused.
_._~*~_._
Before Rodney could really process what was happening, all four of them were bundled upriver to the guest houses. Teyla and Ronon were given thick white cotton-ish robes like John’s with which to dry off, a cross between a caftan and a cloak that fastened with ties, easy for tired or cold hands to work.
The fabric was soft under Rodney’s fingers, damp where it clung to John’s skin. When he stumbled slightly, Rodney put a steadying hand on his back, and blushed to feel the heat of his skin through the wet fabric. John smiled at him, slow and gentle, and Rodney blushed again.
He really hadn’t been expecting this. And he didn’t have words to describe how he felt, which was rare, but it was so big he didn’t think his body could hold it all. He left his hand on the small of John’s back, drunk with possibility.
Teyla said something about checking in with Elizabeth and letting John get some rest before going back. Rodney stopped wondering if he could get away with holding John’s hand to listen.
“I fear there will be a great deal of excitement and medical testing, and I do not think you are up to it, Colonel.”
“God, no.”
Teyla beamed. “Then it is settled. I will check in with Elizabeth.”
Another disjointed set of moments: a platter of food passed by them into the guest house he’d shared with John last night; Shanara patted him on the cheek and told he was a fine man; Gata’nah grinned approvingly, ruffled John’s hair and kissed him proudly, like a son. John ducked his head, smiling. Ronon took John away into the sleeping room, over Rodney’s protests, but Teyla shushed him, led him inside and helped him with his over shirt like he was a toddler.
“You are as wet as if you had joined us in the river, she said firmly.
“Everyone is so nice to me today,” he said plaintively. “It’s unsettling.”
“All is well,” she said, hearing the worry under his words, “let us take care of you. Rest.”
“But I don’t need a nap,” he said, confused.
“Yes, you do,” Ronon rumbled, amused, a bundle of cloth in his hand. “And someone should stay with John.”
Electing not to think about the wow of that right now, Rodney pointed at him. “You called him John.”
Ronon shrugged, a little half-grin on his face. Rodney smiled back, bouncing a little. Teyla snorted.
“I believe I will bid John a good rest,” she murmured.
Ronon threw him a bundle of cloth. “Strip, then eat something.”
Rodney goggled.
“You’re wet, and it’s about time you had food.”
Rodney thumped down and struggled with his shoes. Oh. That might explain some of the lightheadedness. “You notice that?”
“Hard not to.”
Teyla bustled back into the room. Rodney blinked at her. Teyla didn’t bustle. She just flowed from place to place at different speeds.
“You were to help him,” she fussed at Ronon, and knelt to help Rodney with his shoes.
“You don’t have to - oh hey, Teyla.”
“Rodney,” she said with gentle exasperation. “Put on dry clothes and go to John before he falls asleep. Quickly.”
“Oh,” he said. ”Oh!” and stuck out his other foot, ripped his t-shirt off and fumbled for a dry one in the pile Ronon had given him. Teyla wrestled off his shoes and stood, putting at gentling hand on his shoulder.
“I will take my leave now,” she said, her eyes sparkling, and lowered her forehead to his. “I am so happy,” she whispered, grasping his shoulders. “Happiest of all for you and John.”
“Thank you,” he whispered back.
Ronon leaned over, grabbed a honeynut pastry and stuffed it in Rodney’s mouth. “Leave the shirt off,” he advised, clapped him on the shoulder, and left with Teyla.
_._~*~_._
It took Rodney two tries to get out of his pants without falling over, but he managed it, and slipped on the loose white pants the Gata had left him. He glanced at the shirt, wrestled briefly with his conscience then slipped it over his head.
Hesitantly, he walked into the sleeping room and over to the bed. John was sprawled on his back, one hand flung up over his head. The covers were thrown back on the side opposite, as if he were waiting for Rodney. Or as if someone had turned them down for Rodney.
Teyla and Ronon had abandoned subtlety. He ventured a step closer.
John inhaled sharply and opened his eyes. “Hey,” he smiled, stretching, his body arching toward Rodney.
It was both familiar and so shockingly, sexily new, Rodney’s mouth went dry. “Hi,” he croaked. “Um, need anything? There’s food.” He pointed vaguely to the next room
John’s hand spread across the empty side of the bed, dark against the sheets. “Would you,” he asked shyly, “would you mind staying awhile? Maybe until I fall asleep?”
“No, no, that would be…” he elected to just shut up when John pulled the blankets back a bit farther and just slid in, turning on his side toward John.
John mirrored his position, and slid his hand over Rodney’s. “Hey,” he said again. “Sorry I’m so beat.”
“It’s okay,” Rodney realized this was true. “Gives me time to process.” He linked his fingers with John’s. “I, uh, wasn’t expecting this.”
“Smartest guy in two galaxies,” John drawled sarcastically.
When Rodney looked over at him,he caught an expression on John’s face that again, just as on the riverbank, was hauntingly familiar. “You’ve been trying to tell me,” he said slowly, squinting thoughtfully.
John sighed and drew their clasped hands to his chest. “Yeah,” he said, and nibbled Rodney’s fingers. “Mostly since you tried to kick me out.” His eyes drifted shut.
“I’m such an idiot.”
“Yeah,” John’s voice was sleepily indignant. “’m an awesome roommate.”
“Thought I was going to lose this,” Rodney confessed. “Lose you. The friendship. Everything.”
“Not a chance.” John murmured, then woke up enough to untangle his hand from Rodney’s and grumpily maneuver them until they were tangled together, John’s nose tucked in his favorite spot between Rodney’s shoulder and neck. He sighed like he was settling in for a long while.
“Make yourself at home,” Rodney groused, delighted.
“Kissing you, later,” John informed him, throwing his arm over Rodney’s chest.
“Whatever,” Rodney murmured, burying his smile in John’s hair.
“Mmmrrph!” John huffed. His belly twitched in indignation against Rodney’s side, reminiscent of when he was a cat.
Rodney snorted helplessly until John reared back and glared at him, then stifled his chuckling to stroke John’s back in long strokes until he fell asleep, heavy and warm and evidently, his.
_._~*~_._
When Rodney woke up, the shadows had shifted considerably across the ceiling of the bedroom, meaning he’d slept a lot longer than he thought. (Meaning, “at all.”)
He wasn’t going anywhere; John had shifted, one surprisingly heavy leg pinning him to the bed and a single hand fisted in his shirt. He was twisted slightly away, but hanging on as if to pull Rodney with him.
It was good that John was trapping him so firmly, otherwise, Rodney felt strange and unreal, fascinated by the way John’s lashes fanned against his cheek and the lush curve of his lower lip. It was easier to focus on one bit of him at a time. He’d forgotten how beautiful John was.
From some angles, Rodney could see the cat in John’s pointed chin, his long, elegant body, sleek hair, and of course, the boneless way he sprawled. He still didn’t have an answer to whether the cat had been John-like or the other way around, especially since he’d seen the same soft, shyly affectionate look on both faces.
Rodney realized he was borderline terrified of the way he felt now - now that something more was possible, probable and hello, very likely to happen soon, what with the bed they were sleeping in and all - and that John, god, John was putting his heart in his hands. But, he reasoned, this was nothing he hadn’t already started on; this was a different part of John to translate and learn and be with. As terror went, this was probably the best kind of terror he’d ever felt.
Oh, he’d no idea how much he really wanted this. He thought he’d known, but lying here watching John sleep, knowing John wanted him. The reality was very different from any fantasy.
John’s head was tilted back on the pillow, long throat exposed, utterly abandoned to sleep. Rodney’s palms burned to touch; rumple his crazy, floppy hair and press his lips to the pulse ticking gently in the hollow of John’s throat. Crazily, he wanted to try sticking his nose in John ears, snuffling and nibbling, just to make him laugh.
But, maybe John didn’t want to go too fast, which was understandable, because of the being a different species for a month. It would certainly make the transition from platonic to more a little awkward, as well as something that sounded like a headline for “News of the Weird.”
Actually, a lot of life in the Pegasus Galaxy had had been like that.
“Grrrmph.” John growled, yanking on Rodney’s shirt. “Stop it.”
“What?” Rodney yelped, startled.
“Gimme minute.” John held up one finger, and yawned hugely.
Rodney had a sudden personal space freakout, trying to figure out how to politely extricate himself from their extremely compromising position without embarrassing both of them, particularly since parts of his body were waking up with John and so very happy that parts of John were warm and close and oh god oh god -
John twisted his upper body and yanked at Rodney’s shirt so that suddenly they were nearly nose to nose. Rodney gulped.
“Hey,” John said, frowning. “No second guessing.
“I wasn’t -”
John let go of the shirt and patted Rodney’s chest. He stifled a yawn. “Um-hmm. Cut it out.”
“I -“ Rodney melted a little under John’s hands. He still felt slightly bewildered and off-kilter.
John pushed himself up on his elbow and smiled down Rodney affectionately. He stroked Rodney’s cheek with the pads of his fingers as he kissed his brow and the edge of his cheekbone. “I should have done this sooner,” he whispered, smiling into Rodney’s eyes. Still smiling, he leaned in, gently brushing his lips over Rodney’s.
“Oh,” Rodney breathed, “I -“
“Shh,” John was keeping it light, easing into kissing with gentle licks and nips and slow sweet brushes across Rodney’s mouth. “Rodney.”
“Mmm?” Rodney cupped John’s cheek, trying to get John’s mouth to linger against his.
“At the river?”
“Mmm-hmm?”
“Meant it.”
Rodney gasped, about to reply, but John just sank into him, cradling his face with one hand while he took Rodney’s mouth, sweeping inside with devastating care. He shifted, covering Rodney with his body, and Rodney, sighing in agreement, spread his legs for John to settle against him.
“Oh god.” John’s breath feathered over his cheek, his cock rubbing against Rodney’s through their soft pajamas. Rodney felt dizzy as John pressed closer, kissing him so tenderly, which eased something tight and uncertain still coiled inside Rodney’s chest.
Instinctively, he rocked up into John’s weight and stroked his hands slowly down his sides, surprised when John tore his mouth from his to let out a long, low moan. He tucked his head in Rodney’s neck and shivered.
“The way you,” John whispered, and shivered again, his hips grinding down. John leaned up to kiss him, more demanding this time, making broken, excited noises against Rodney’s mouth.
“Hey,” Rodney managed to say between kisses, fighting against the pull of letting John just take over, “the way I what?” He threaded one hand into John’s hair and tugged lightly, wanting an answer.
John arched, pushing his head into Rodney’s hand - such a familiar, yearning response to his touch - that Rodney complied with the order, running his hand through the silky, too-long hair, distracted momentarily by its softness and the long, golden column of John’s throat.
He watched, fascinated, as John stretched and nudged insistently against his hand,humming with pleasure as Rodney scratched his nails lightly across his scalp. Rodney followed the curve of his ear with his fingers and slid his hand down John’s neck to his chest.
“Mmm,” John sighed, his eyes half-lidded, his gaze unfocused.
Rodney tapped him lightly on his collarbone. “The way I what?”
John’s eyes were shining, and he wore the humble, open expression that Rodney had recognized earlier. The depth of John’s gaze shook him.
“You talk with your hands,” John explained shyly. “The way you…touch me?” He ducked his head, bashful, into the safety of Rodney’s neck. “Still talking.”
Rodney’s whole body flushed with pleasure. “Yeah?” Wrapping his arms around John, he palmed his neck briefly before sliding his hand down John’s back.
“Yeah,” John sighed, wiggling happily. It was ridiculously sexy.
“I hear,” Rodney whispered, turning his head to breathe against John’s ear, “it’s even better if I actually touch your skin.” He ran his hand under John’s shirt and teased the fine hairs at the small of his back.
John snorted against his collarbone and shivered as Rodney covered every inch of his body with long, luxurious stroking.
Propping himself up, John started devoting his attention to Rodney’s neck and shoulder, delivering teasing, biting kisses that got progressively more possessive until Rodney was growling with appreciation, two steps away just rutting against John right there.
“Clothes off, off, now,” he managed to say, trying to wrestle John onto his back.
“You have to let go,” John huffed desperately between kisses, trying unsuccessfully to haul off Rodney’s shirt.
John finally sat up, straddling Rodney’s legs, and Rodney followed him, pushing John’s shirt up as John stripped Rodney’s from his body. Inching John backward, Rodney licked and bit at John’s nipples as he fumbled with the drawstring on John’s pants, managing to strip them off and get John on his back pretty much simultaneously. Rodney knelt up over John, staring, his own rush to get naked suddenly derailed.
“What?” John panted, looking wrecked. His lips were kiss-swollen and red and he was stretched out for Rodney like a feast, golden skin and black hair and eyes bright green in the afternoon light.
Rodney shook his head and grounded himself by holding on to John’s ankle. “I can’t believe we’re here.” He gestured between them. “Just one of those moments of, you know….” He waved his hand in a circle, helplessly. “Momentary abstraction.”
John grinned with understanding and sat up, cupping Rodney’s hip with one hand. He worked the drawstring free of Rodney’s pants with the other. “Mmm-hmm,” he said slipping his hand inside and stroking Rodney lightly. “Not abstract.”
“Not abstract,” Rodney echoed, voice breaking a little. His eyes fluttered closed as John trailed his fingers entirely too lightly over his cock, leaving quicksilver trails of pleasure in their wake. Suddenly the touch was gone, and John was leaning back on his elbows, spread out and waiting.
Rodney pushed his pants down his thighs to his knees and crawled out of them as he made his way up John’s body. He slid his hands up John’s thighs, enjoying the feel of crinkly hair and hard muscle. Keeping his eyes on John, he bent his head and buried his nose in the crease between John’s leg and belly, inhaling deeply. John moaned softly, his thighs tensing beneath Rodney’s hands. “Not going to last if you…”
“Shh,” Rodney said, backing off to stroke John’s legs slowly to conjure up relaxation. John’s eyelids fluttered and he shifted, uncoiling and slipping fully onto his back. Rodney lengthened his touches to include John’s hips and lower belly, steering clear of his cock, though he longed for a taste of it; this was about John feeling good for as long as possible.
Kneeling between John’s legs, he waited until John muscles softened and his breath slowed. Rodney lightened his strokes gradually until he was gliding his hands over John’s hips and down the outside of his legs, before traveling back up over John’s knees to trail his thumbs up John’s inner thighs, caressing the soft skin of his balls every so often.
When John’s hips shifted in anticipation of the touch, Rodney waited. John’s movements became even more restless, and on the next upward pass, Rodney leaned down, licked a broad, wet swath up John’s cock from balls to tip and closed his mouth around the head, sucking softly.
John lifted halfway off the bed with a strangled shout. Palming John’s hips, Rodney anchored him, and worked his mouth down John’s shaft, tongue swirling. John’s thighs shook under Rodney’s hands as he fought not to thrust up, fisting the sheets and moaning.
“Rodney, I’m…please.” Johns hands feathered over Rodney’s hair, his jaw, fingers stroking.
Easing his hold on John, he relaxed his jaw and swallowed as much of his cock as he could. John’s hips flexed once, twice and he came with a long, low groan that had Rodney scrambling to pinch the base of his own cock, trying to prevent himself from following over the edge.
Rodney pulled away gently, giving the head of John’s cock one final, soft-mouthed kiss, and relaxed a little, resting his head on John’s hip. John was looking down at him with a dazed smile, breath still a little ragged.
“Wow. That was…wow.”
Rodney grinned and kicked his feet casually against the bed. “Good.” He ran his hand up and down John’s leg. “I could make you come again. Would you let me…um?” Rodney stopped, shaking through a wave of pure lust. “I could fuck you,” he offered, his voice rasping.
John’s eyes gleamed, “Wow. Or,” his voice lowered into a growling purr. “I could take care of you. For a change.”
If John kept talking in that voice, Rodney wasn’t going to need any help. He shifted restlessly against the sheets. “Wait, huh?”
“I want to take care of you,” John said softly, his voice still low, but he had a kind of an intent, dangerous look. “Let me.”
Confused but willing, Rodney sat back on the bed. He hesitated as he started to lie down. “Am I missing something?”
“Yeah,” John said with fond exasperation, prowling up the length of his body. “This isn’t happening,” he said, pausing to kiss him gently, “because you took care of me.” John leaned past Rodney’s cheek to whisper directly in his ear, “Though you were beyond fantastic.” He lingered a moment, attending to the shell of Rodney’s ear with his tongue, following it up with a slow, sucking bite to his earlobe.
He leaned back and smiled wolfishly at Rodney, “Got your attention now?”
Rodney nodded enthusiastically.
“Good,” John wrapped one big hand around Rodney’s cock and stared deeply into his eyes. “Not payback. You need to get that.”
“Okay,” Rodney said shakily, his arousal roaring back to full strength. “I -“
John kissed him quiet, pulling on Rodney’s cock with slow, strong, perfectly-timed strokes. “I wanted you. Before. Long before.”
“Oh…”Rodney whined, high in his throat, his hands scrabbling for purchase on the bed as he rocked up into John’s fist. He could hardly think. John had wanted him? “When?”
“Dammit, Rodney,” John hissed, frustrated. “I’m going to touch you. Just listen.”
With a strangled sound, Rodney strained up into John’s hands, trying to obey. John plundered Rodney’s mouth, making him light-headed with kisses that were by turns passionate, tender, demanding, gentle and longing. Rodney clutched at John’s arms, keening for more. Continuing to devour Rodney’s mouth, John worked Rodney’s cock, adding a twisting, upward stroke and rubbing his thumb over and over in one tiny, maddening spot, right where is foreskin met his cock and oh god -
“Come on, you can do it, buddy. Let go,” John urged, speeding up his strokes. “Look at me.”
Rodney forced his eyes open and found John hovering just above him, his eyes not soft this time, but fierce and protective, aching and hungry.
“Making me talk about my feelings, dammit…”
Rodney laughed helplessly, feeling that tight, uncertain place in his chest break apart. “John,” he said, wondering, watching John’s eyes. John nodded and kissed him, eyes open, mouth so sweet.
”John.” Rodney clutched at John, knowing he just might shake apart.
“I’ve got you,” he breathed against Rodney’s lips, “just let go.” Rodney finally broke into pieces on the cusp of white light and overloaded nerves, his ears ringing as he came with a hoarse, soft cry.
When he could see again, John was curled on his side, watching him with a sleepy smile. Rodney realized had semen on his own chin.
“Huh,” he said, wiping it off. He looked down at his spent cock in some surprise.
John grabbed one of their shirts off the floor and wiped Rodney’s chest and belly dry. “Pretty impressive, there,” he agreed, smirking with entirely justifiable pride.
“Hey,” Rodney said softly, reaching for him.
“Hey,” John smiled. “You okay?”
“Mmmph,” he said fervently, wrapping his arms around John, who draped himself contentedly over Rodney’s chest, yawning.
“More nap?”Rodney sank his fingers into John’s hair.
“More nap, ”John agreed, rubbing his cheek against Rodney’s chest.
They drifted for a while. “I wish you could still purr.”
John gnawed sleepily on Rodney’s neck, chuckling.
“Liking the biting thing,” he mused, rubbing John’s back. “Really like the biting thing.”
“Mmm.” Pressing his face happily into Rodney’s neck, John snuffled in agreement.
“Hey,” Rodney murmured, pressing the small of John’s back, “John.”
“Mmm?”
“I meant it, too.”
John leaned back and touched his face gently. “I know.”
_._~*~_._
Series:Checkmate ‘Verse
Author: Beadattitude
Pairing: John/Rodney
Rating: For mature audiences only. (NC-17)
Betas: The lovely sheafrotherdon, who helps me with flow and character and not making an ass of myself. The fabulous yin_again, who graciously edited my “just getting it down at 3 am” unpolished slap-together and helped me get it up to code. This would be a lesser fic without either of them, and they have my deepest and mostly sane, nice of you to ask, thanks, now that the whole thing is done. Whew. Bless Their Hearts. Honestly.
Warnings: Animal transformation, angst, schmoop, romance, sexual situations
Disclaimer: These characters were not created by me, and I intend no harm and pursue no financial gain by their use.
Author's Notes: Here we are at the last of this arc, loves. It’s been a fantastic, wonderful ride. Many thanks to you all for such incredible feedback, and I promise that one day, it’ll all be answered.
Many thanks for the incredible original art, manipulatons and cartoons and fanfic! And pictures of black kitties! So blown away by all of that, guys.
There will be more Adventures of Lt. Col. Kitty, including "The Ninja Kitty sings songs of Looooove," which was my personal favorite title. There is no set schedule for these adventures; they'll just come to me when they come to me. XOXOXOX
Summary: Rodney and John get some time alone together before they return to Atlantis. They have a chance to process what’s happened to them, and to their friendship.
Teaser: Ronon took John away into the sleeping room, over Rodney’s protests, but Teyla shushed him, led him inside and helped him with his over shirt like he was a toddler.
“You are as wet as if you had joined us in the river, she said firmly.
“Everyone is so nice to me today,” Rodney said plaintively. “It’s unsettling.”
“All is well,” she said, hearing the worry under his words, “let us take care of you. Rest.”
“But I don’t need a nap,” he said, confused.
_._~*~_._
Before Rodney could really process what was happening, all four of them were bundled upriver to the guest houses. Teyla and Ronon were given thick white cotton-ish robes like John’s with which to dry off, a cross between a caftan and a cloak that fastened with ties, easy for tired or cold hands to work.
The fabric was soft under Rodney’s fingers, damp where it clung to John’s skin. When he stumbled slightly, Rodney put a steadying hand on his back, and blushed to feel the heat of his skin through the wet fabric. John smiled at him, slow and gentle, and Rodney blushed again.
He really hadn’t been expecting this. And he didn’t have words to describe how he felt, which was rare, but it was so big he didn’t think his body could hold it all. He left his hand on the small of John’s back, drunk with possibility.
Teyla said something about checking in with Elizabeth and letting John get some rest before going back. Rodney stopped wondering if he could get away with holding John’s hand to listen.
“I fear there will be a great deal of excitement and medical testing, and I do not think you are up to it, Colonel.”
“God, no.”
Teyla beamed. “Then it is settled. I will check in with Elizabeth.”
Another disjointed set of moments: a platter of food passed by them into the guest house he’d shared with John last night; Shanara patted him on the cheek and told he was a fine man; Gata’nah grinned approvingly, ruffled John’s hair and kissed him proudly, like a son. John ducked his head, smiling. Ronon took John away into the sleeping room, over Rodney’s protests, but Teyla shushed him, led him inside and helped him with his over shirt like he was a toddler.
“You are as wet as if you had joined us in the river, she said firmly.
“Everyone is so nice to me today,” he said plaintively. “It’s unsettling.”
“All is well,” she said, hearing the worry under his words, “let us take care of you. Rest.”
“But I don’t need a nap,” he said, confused.
“Yes, you do,” Ronon rumbled, amused, a bundle of cloth in his hand. “And someone should stay with John.”
Electing not to think about the wow of that right now, Rodney pointed at him. “You called him John.”
Ronon shrugged, a little half-grin on his face. Rodney smiled back, bouncing a little. Teyla snorted.
“I believe I will bid John a good rest,” she murmured.
Ronon threw him a bundle of cloth. “Strip, then eat something.”
Rodney goggled.
“You’re wet, and it’s about time you had food.”
Rodney thumped down and struggled with his shoes. Oh. That might explain some of the lightheadedness. “You notice that?”
“Hard not to.”
Teyla bustled back into the room. Rodney blinked at her. Teyla didn’t bustle. She just flowed from place to place at different speeds.
“You were to help him,” she fussed at Ronon, and knelt to help Rodney with his shoes.
“You don’t have to - oh hey, Teyla.”
“Rodney,” she said with gentle exasperation. “Put on dry clothes and go to John before he falls asleep. Quickly.”
“Oh,” he said. ”Oh!” and stuck out his other foot, ripped his t-shirt off and fumbled for a dry one in the pile Ronon had given him. Teyla wrestled off his shoes and stood, putting at gentling hand on his shoulder.
“I will take my leave now,” she said, her eyes sparkling, and lowered her forehead to his. “I am so happy,” she whispered, grasping his shoulders. “Happiest of all for you and John.”
“Thank you,” he whispered back.
Ronon leaned over, grabbed a honeynut pastry and stuffed it in Rodney’s mouth. “Leave the shirt off,” he advised, clapped him on the shoulder, and left with Teyla.
_._~*~_._
It took Rodney two tries to get out of his pants without falling over, but he managed it, and slipped on the loose white pants the Gata had left him. He glanced at the shirt, wrestled briefly with his conscience then slipped it over his head.
Hesitantly, he walked into the sleeping room and over to the bed. John was sprawled on his back, one hand flung up over his head. The covers were thrown back on the side opposite, as if he were waiting for Rodney. Or as if someone had turned them down for Rodney.
Teyla and Ronon had abandoned subtlety. He ventured a step closer.
John inhaled sharply and opened his eyes. “Hey,” he smiled, stretching, his body arching toward Rodney.
It was both familiar and so shockingly, sexily new, Rodney’s mouth went dry. “Hi,” he croaked. “Um, need anything? There’s food.” He pointed vaguely to the next room
John’s hand spread across the empty side of the bed, dark against the sheets. “Would you,” he asked shyly, “would you mind staying awhile? Maybe until I fall asleep?”
“No, no, that would be…” he elected to just shut up when John pulled the blankets back a bit farther and just slid in, turning on his side toward John.
John mirrored his position, and slid his hand over Rodney’s. “Hey,” he said again. “Sorry I’m so beat.”
“It’s okay,” Rodney realized this was true. “Gives me time to process.” He linked his fingers with John’s. “I, uh, wasn’t expecting this.”
“Smartest guy in two galaxies,” John drawled sarcastically.
When Rodney looked over at him,he caught an expression on John’s face that again, just as on the riverbank, was hauntingly familiar. “You’ve been trying to tell me,” he said slowly, squinting thoughtfully.
John sighed and drew their clasped hands to his chest. “Yeah,” he said, and nibbled Rodney’s fingers. “Mostly since you tried to kick me out.” His eyes drifted shut.
“I’m such an idiot.”
“Yeah,” John’s voice was sleepily indignant. “’m an awesome roommate.”
“Thought I was going to lose this,” Rodney confessed. “Lose you. The friendship. Everything.”
“Not a chance.” John murmured, then woke up enough to untangle his hand from Rodney’s and grumpily maneuver them until they were tangled together, John’s nose tucked in his favorite spot between Rodney’s shoulder and neck. He sighed like he was settling in for a long while.
“Make yourself at home,” Rodney groused, delighted.
“Kissing you, later,” John informed him, throwing his arm over Rodney’s chest.
“Whatever,” Rodney murmured, burying his smile in John’s hair.
“Mmmrrph!” John huffed. His belly twitched in indignation against Rodney’s side, reminiscent of when he was a cat.
Rodney snorted helplessly until John reared back and glared at him, then stifled his chuckling to stroke John’s back in long strokes until he fell asleep, heavy and warm and evidently, his.
_._~*~_._
When Rodney woke up, the shadows had shifted considerably across the ceiling of the bedroom, meaning he’d slept a lot longer than he thought. (Meaning, “at all.”)
He wasn’t going anywhere; John had shifted, one surprisingly heavy leg pinning him to the bed and a single hand fisted in his shirt. He was twisted slightly away, but hanging on as if to pull Rodney with him.
It was good that John was trapping him so firmly, otherwise, Rodney felt strange and unreal, fascinated by the way John’s lashes fanned against his cheek and the lush curve of his lower lip. It was easier to focus on one bit of him at a time. He’d forgotten how beautiful John was.
From some angles, Rodney could see the cat in John’s pointed chin, his long, elegant body, sleek hair, and of course, the boneless way he sprawled. He still didn’t have an answer to whether the cat had been John-like or the other way around, especially since he’d seen the same soft, shyly affectionate look on both faces.
Rodney realized he was borderline terrified of the way he felt now - now that something more was possible, probable and hello, very likely to happen soon, what with the bed they were sleeping in and all - and that John, god, John was putting his heart in his hands. But, he reasoned, this was nothing he hadn’t already started on; this was a different part of John to translate and learn and be with. As terror went, this was probably the best kind of terror he’d ever felt.
Oh, he’d no idea how much he really wanted this. He thought he’d known, but lying here watching John sleep, knowing John wanted him. The reality was very different from any fantasy.
John’s head was tilted back on the pillow, long throat exposed, utterly abandoned to sleep. Rodney’s palms burned to touch; rumple his crazy, floppy hair and press his lips to the pulse ticking gently in the hollow of John’s throat. Crazily, he wanted to try sticking his nose in John ears, snuffling and nibbling, just to make him laugh.
But, maybe John didn’t want to go too fast, which was understandable, because of the being a different species for a month. It would certainly make the transition from platonic to more a little awkward, as well as something that sounded like a headline for “News of the Weird.”
Actually, a lot of life in the Pegasus Galaxy had had been like that.
“Grrrmph.” John growled, yanking on Rodney’s shirt. “Stop it.”
“What?” Rodney yelped, startled.
“Gimme minute.” John held up one finger, and yawned hugely.
Rodney had a sudden personal space freakout, trying to figure out how to politely extricate himself from their extremely compromising position without embarrassing both of them, particularly since parts of his body were waking up with John and so very happy that parts of John were warm and close and oh god oh god -
John twisted his upper body and yanked at Rodney’s shirt so that suddenly they were nearly nose to nose. Rodney gulped.
“Hey,” John said, frowning. “No second guessing.
“I wasn’t -”
John let go of the shirt and patted Rodney’s chest. He stifled a yawn. “Um-hmm. Cut it out.”
“I -“ Rodney melted a little under John’s hands. He still felt slightly bewildered and off-kilter.
John pushed himself up on his elbow and smiled down Rodney affectionately. He stroked Rodney’s cheek with the pads of his fingers as he kissed his brow and the edge of his cheekbone. “I should have done this sooner,” he whispered, smiling into Rodney’s eyes. Still smiling, he leaned in, gently brushing his lips over Rodney’s.
“Oh,” Rodney breathed, “I -“
“Shh,” John was keeping it light, easing into kissing with gentle licks and nips and slow sweet brushes across Rodney’s mouth. “Rodney.”
“Mmm?” Rodney cupped John’s cheek, trying to get John’s mouth to linger against his.
“At the river?”
“Mmm-hmm?”
“Meant it.”
Rodney gasped, about to reply, but John just sank into him, cradling his face with one hand while he took Rodney’s mouth, sweeping inside with devastating care. He shifted, covering Rodney with his body, and Rodney, sighing in agreement, spread his legs for John to settle against him.
“Oh god.” John’s breath feathered over his cheek, his cock rubbing against Rodney’s through their soft pajamas. Rodney felt dizzy as John pressed closer, kissing him so tenderly, which eased something tight and uncertain still coiled inside Rodney’s chest.
Instinctively, he rocked up into John’s weight and stroked his hands slowly down his sides, surprised when John tore his mouth from his to let out a long, low moan. He tucked his head in Rodney’s neck and shivered.
“The way you,” John whispered, and shivered again, his hips grinding down. John leaned up to kiss him, more demanding this time, making broken, excited noises against Rodney’s mouth.
“Hey,” Rodney managed to say between kisses, fighting against the pull of letting John just take over, “the way I what?” He threaded one hand into John’s hair and tugged lightly, wanting an answer.
John arched, pushing his head into Rodney’s hand - such a familiar, yearning response to his touch - that Rodney complied with the order, running his hand through the silky, too-long hair, distracted momentarily by its softness and the long, golden column of John’s throat.
He watched, fascinated, as John stretched and nudged insistently against his hand,humming with pleasure as Rodney scratched his nails lightly across his scalp. Rodney followed the curve of his ear with his fingers and slid his hand down John’s neck to his chest.
“Mmm,” John sighed, his eyes half-lidded, his gaze unfocused.
Rodney tapped him lightly on his collarbone. “The way I what?”
John’s eyes were shining, and he wore the humble, open expression that Rodney had recognized earlier. The depth of John’s gaze shook him.
“You talk with your hands,” John explained shyly. “The way you…touch me?” He ducked his head, bashful, into the safety of Rodney’s neck. “Still talking.”
Rodney’s whole body flushed with pleasure. “Yeah?” Wrapping his arms around John, he palmed his neck briefly before sliding his hand down John’s back.
“Yeah,” John sighed, wiggling happily. It was ridiculously sexy.
“I hear,” Rodney whispered, turning his head to breathe against John’s ear, “it’s even better if I actually touch your skin.” He ran his hand under John’s shirt and teased the fine hairs at the small of his back.
John snorted against his collarbone and shivered as Rodney covered every inch of his body with long, luxurious stroking.
Propping himself up, John started devoting his attention to Rodney’s neck and shoulder, delivering teasing, biting kisses that got progressively more possessive until Rodney was growling with appreciation, two steps away just rutting against John right there.
“Clothes off, off, now,” he managed to say, trying to wrestle John onto his back.
“You have to let go,” John huffed desperately between kisses, trying unsuccessfully to haul off Rodney’s shirt.
John finally sat up, straddling Rodney’s legs, and Rodney followed him, pushing John’s shirt up as John stripped Rodney’s from his body. Inching John backward, Rodney licked and bit at John’s nipples as he fumbled with the drawstring on John’s pants, managing to strip them off and get John on his back pretty much simultaneously. Rodney knelt up over John, staring, his own rush to get naked suddenly derailed.
“What?” John panted, looking wrecked. His lips were kiss-swollen and red and he was stretched out for Rodney like a feast, golden skin and black hair and eyes bright green in the afternoon light.
Rodney shook his head and grounded himself by holding on to John’s ankle. “I can’t believe we’re here.” He gestured between them. “Just one of those moments of, you know….” He waved his hand in a circle, helplessly. “Momentary abstraction.”
John grinned with understanding and sat up, cupping Rodney’s hip with one hand. He worked the drawstring free of Rodney’s pants with the other. “Mmm-hmm,” he said slipping his hand inside and stroking Rodney lightly. “Not abstract.”
“Not abstract,” Rodney echoed, voice breaking a little. His eyes fluttered closed as John trailed his fingers entirely too lightly over his cock, leaving quicksilver trails of pleasure in their wake. Suddenly the touch was gone, and John was leaning back on his elbows, spread out and waiting.
Rodney pushed his pants down his thighs to his knees and crawled out of them as he made his way up John’s body. He slid his hands up John’s thighs, enjoying the feel of crinkly hair and hard muscle. Keeping his eyes on John, he bent his head and buried his nose in the crease between John’s leg and belly, inhaling deeply. John moaned softly, his thighs tensing beneath Rodney’s hands. “Not going to last if you…”
“Shh,” Rodney said, backing off to stroke John’s legs slowly to conjure up relaxation. John’s eyelids fluttered and he shifted, uncoiling and slipping fully onto his back. Rodney lengthened his touches to include John’s hips and lower belly, steering clear of his cock, though he longed for a taste of it; this was about John feeling good for as long as possible.
Kneeling between John’s legs, he waited until John muscles softened and his breath slowed. Rodney lightened his strokes gradually until he was gliding his hands over John’s hips and down the outside of his legs, before traveling back up over John’s knees to trail his thumbs up John’s inner thighs, caressing the soft skin of his balls every so often.
When John’s hips shifted in anticipation of the touch, Rodney waited. John’s movements became even more restless, and on the next upward pass, Rodney leaned down, licked a broad, wet swath up John’s cock from balls to tip and closed his mouth around the head, sucking softly.
John lifted halfway off the bed with a strangled shout. Palming John’s hips, Rodney anchored him, and worked his mouth down John’s shaft, tongue swirling. John’s thighs shook under Rodney’s hands as he fought not to thrust up, fisting the sheets and moaning.
“Rodney, I’m…please.” Johns hands feathered over Rodney’s hair, his jaw, fingers stroking.
Easing his hold on John, he relaxed his jaw and swallowed as much of his cock as he could. John’s hips flexed once, twice and he came with a long, low groan that had Rodney scrambling to pinch the base of his own cock, trying to prevent himself from following over the edge.
Rodney pulled away gently, giving the head of John’s cock one final, soft-mouthed kiss, and relaxed a little, resting his head on John’s hip. John was looking down at him with a dazed smile, breath still a little ragged.
“Wow. That was…wow.”
Rodney grinned and kicked his feet casually against the bed. “Good.” He ran his hand up and down John’s leg. “I could make you come again. Would you let me…um?” Rodney stopped, shaking through a wave of pure lust. “I could fuck you,” he offered, his voice rasping.
John’s eyes gleamed, “Wow. Or,” his voice lowered into a growling purr. “I could take care of you. For a change.”
If John kept talking in that voice, Rodney wasn’t going to need any help. He shifted restlessly against the sheets. “Wait, huh?”
“I want to take care of you,” John said softly, his voice still low, but he had a kind of an intent, dangerous look. “Let me.”
Confused but willing, Rodney sat back on the bed. He hesitated as he started to lie down. “Am I missing something?”
“Yeah,” John said with fond exasperation, prowling up the length of his body. “This isn’t happening,” he said, pausing to kiss him gently, “because you took care of me.” John leaned past Rodney’s cheek to whisper directly in his ear, “Though you were beyond fantastic.” He lingered a moment, attending to the shell of Rodney’s ear with his tongue, following it up with a slow, sucking bite to his earlobe.
He leaned back and smiled wolfishly at Rodney, “Got your attention now?”
Rodney nodded enthusiastically.
“Good,” John wrapped one big hand around Rodney’s cock and stared deeply into his eyes. “Not payback. You need to get that.”
“Okay,” Rodney said shakily, his arousal roaring back to full strength. “I -“
John kissed him quiet, pulling on Rodney’s cock with slow, strong, perfectly-timed strokes. “I wanted you. Before. Long before.”
“Oh…”Rodney whined, high in his throat, his hands scrabbling for purchase on the bed as he rocked up into John’s fist. He could hardly think. John had wanted him? “When?”
“Dammit, Rodney,” John hissed, frustrated. “I’m going to touch you. Just listen.”
With a strangled sound, Rodney strained up into John’s hands, trying to obey. John plundered Rodney’s mouth, making him light-headed with kisses that were by turns passionate, tender, demanding, gentle and longing. Rodney clutched at John’s arms, keening for more. Continuing to devour Rodney’s mouth, John worked Rodney’s cock, adding a twisting, upward stroke and rubbing his thumb over and over in one tiny, maddening spot, right where is foreskin met his cock and oh god -
“Come on, you can do it, buddy. Let go,” John urged, speeding up his strokes. “Look at me.”
Rodney forced his eyes open and found John hovering just above him, his eyes not soft this time, but fierce and protective, aching and hungry.
“Making me talk about my feelings, dammit…”
Rodney laughed helplessly, feeling that tight, uncertain place in his chest break apart. “John,” he said, wondering, watching John’s eyes. John nodded and kissed him, eyes open, mouth so sweet.
”John.” Rodney clutched at John, knowing he just might shake apart.
“I’ve got you,” he breathed against Rodney’s lips, “just let go.” Rodney finally broke into pieces on the cusp of white light and overloaded nerves, his ears ringing as he came with a hoarse, soft cry.
When he could see again, John was curled on his side, watching him with a sleepy smile. Rodney realized had semen on his own chin.
“Huh,” he said, wiping it off. He looked down at his spent cock in some surprise.
John grabbed one of their shirts off the floor and wiped Rodney’s chest and belly dry. “Pretty impressive, there,” he agreed, smirking with entirely justifiable pride.
“Hey,” Rodney said softly, reaching for him.
“Hey,” John smiled. “You okay?”
“Mmmph,” he said fervently, wrapping his arms around John, who draped himself contentedly over Rodney’s chest, yawning.
“More nap?”Rodney sank his fingers into John’s hair.
“More nap, ”John agreed, rubbing his cheek against Rodney’s chest.
They drifted for a while. “I wish you could still purr.”
John gnawed sleepily on Rodney’s neck, chuckling.
“Liking the biting thing,” he mused, rubbing John’s back. “Really like the biting thing.”
“Mmm.” Pressing his face happily into Rodney’s neck, John snuffled in agreement.
“Hey,” Rodney murmured, pressing the small of John’s back, “John.”
“Mmm?”
“I meant it, too.”
John leaned back and touched his face gently. “I know.”
_._~*~_._