The Physics of Ferris Wheels - J/R SGA EP ficlet for Zinnith
This is an Entangled Particles ficlet written for zinfic, just because. It is a mini-epilogue to my previous fic set in Zin's lovely 'verse, Subtle Realignment.
Title: The Physics of Ferris Wheels
Author: the_cephalopod
Category: AU, McKay/Sheppard, established relationship
Rating: G
Spoilers: None
Word count: ~900 words
Disclaimer: Sadly the boys aren't mine and the wonderful EP 'verse is zinfic's. You should definitely read all of Zin's stories set in it! You can find them all here.
The Physics of Ferris Wheels
Rodney trudges up the stairs to John's apartment with his hands laden with parcels. He grumbles under his breath about the sheer audacity of broken elevators and the thoughtless disregard of boyfriends who insist on keeping their own places, but his litany of complaints is, by now, more force of habit than anything else. As he reaches John's floor, Rodney juggles his parcels and manages to free up one hand to fumble in his pocket for his set of keys. He pulls out his key chain and finally manages to locate the one which will unlock John's apartment. The door swings open and Rodney steps inside with a sigh of relief.
“John?” Rodney calls out, but there is no reply. Good, Rodney thinks to himself, he's managed to get here before John. Grinning to himself in anticipation, Rodney makes his way over to the kitchen with his supplies.
John's flat is really more of a bedsit than a true apartment, with a living room-cum-bedroom, a tiny kitchen and an even smaller bathroom. Nevertheless, it is entirely John's, and Rodney knows just how much it has meant to John to have something that he has earned for himself in his new life outside the Air Force. Besides which, Rodney genuinely likes John's apartment, not that he'd ever admit it to anyone of course. It certainly isn't anywhere near as comfortable or luxurious as his own place, but being here is almost as good as being with John. Everywhere he looks he can see the signs of John's quirky personality, from his Johnny Cash poster and atrocious collection of country music albums, to the surf board and guitar propped up in opposite corners of the room, and the piles of comic books interspersed with maths journal stacked messily on the coffee table.
Rodney unpacks his bags quickly, sorting things out into groups so that he can organise his preparations efficiently. A quick check of his watch shows him that he has about twenty minutes before John is due to arrive home, which should give him more than enough time to prepare. In reality, there's not much to do at all; John is not really too difficult to please, and Rodney has made it his business to know exactly what John Sheppard likes. Humming happily to himself, Rodney gets to work.
By the time he hears John's key in the door, everything is in order. He has two perfectly made turkey sandwiches, complete with potato chips and dill pickle on the side, a six-pack of beer cooling in the fridge and his gift to John neatly wrapped and waiting beside the food on the living room coffee table.
“Rodney?” he hears John call as the front door closes. “You here, buddy?”
“Yeah,” Rodney replies, pausing only to grab a couple of beer bottles and then making his way out of the kitchen to go kiss John hello.
John melts happily into the kiss, humming his pleasure into Rodney's mouth. “To what do I owe this visit?” he asks with a grin.
“Oh, nothing really,” Rodney says, handing over one of the beer bottles to John and then waving his now free hand in a dismissive gesture.
John twists off the top of his beer bottle and then walks over to collapse on the sofa, pulling Rodney along with him. “Hmm,” he says as he takes in the food, slanting another glance at Rodney. “Nothing, huh? You sure about that, buddy?”
“Well,” Rodney starts. “It has occurred to me that I might not have been as... well, um... considerate as I could have been of late... what with the book launch and then nearly canceling on you and the Youth Centre to do that debate and...well, anyway, I wanted to say how sorry I am and... so... um... here,” he finishes in a rush, thrusting his gift into John's hands.
John raises an eyebrow at Rodney in inquiry, but his mouth curves into a surprised smile at the present in his lap. Rodney watches with anxious anticipation as John carefully starts to unwrap the parcel. John deals with the present as he always does, in a manner which never fails to infuriate Rodney - peeling back the sticky tape and unfolding the creases in an unhurried fashion that ensures that the wrapping paper comes away in near pristine condition. Finally, however, he's done and he stares down at the book in his hands for long moments, before looking up at Rodney with wide eyes.
“I hope it's okay,” Rodney stutters nervously, unsure of what to make of John's silence. “I mean, it's a bit of a departure from my normal style, but I thought, you know, after the career's day talk and everything that it might be something you could use with the kids...”
“Rodney,” John interrupts his nervous babbling, reaching out a hand to cup Rodney's face. “It's absolutely perfect. I love it,” he whispers softly, leaning forward to press his mouth to Rodney's.
As their kiss deepens, Rodney's gift falls to the floor, forgotten for the moment. The Physics of Ferris Wheels and other things by M. R. McKay.
~fin~
Read the sequel ' Reciprocity'.
Title: The Physics of Ferris Wheels
Author: the_cephalopod
Category: AU, McKay/Sheppard, established relationship
Rating: G
Spoilers: None
Word count: ~900 words
Disclaimer: Sadly the boys aren't mine and the wonderful EP 'verse is zinfic's. You should definitely read all of Zin's stories set in it! You can find them all here.
The Physics of Ferris Wheels
Rodney trudges up the stairs to John's apartment with his hands laden with parcels. He grumbles under his breath about the sheer audacity of broken elevators and the thoughtless disregard of boyfriends who insist on keeping their own places, but his litany of complaints is, by now, more force of habit than anything else. As he reaches John's floor, Rodney juggles his parcels and manages to free up one hand to fumble in his pocket for his set of keys. He pulls out his key chain and finally manages to locate the one which will unlock John's apartment. The door swings open and Rodney steps inside with a sigh of relief.
“John?” Rodney calls out, but there is no reply. Good, Rodney thinks to himself, he's managed to get here before John. Grinning to himself in anticipation, Rodney makes his way over to the kitchen with his supplies.
John's flat is really more of a bedsit than a true apartment, with a living room-cum-bedroom, a tiny kitchen and an even smaller bathroom. Nevertheless, it is entirely John's, and Rodney knows just how much it has meant to John to have something that he has earned for himself in his new life outside the Air Force. Besides which, Rodney genuinely likes John's apartment, not that he'd ever admit it to anyone of course. It certainly isn't anywhere near as comfortable or luxurious as his own place, but being here is almost as good as being with John. Everywhere he looks he can see the signs of John's quirky personality, from his Johnny Cash poster and atrocious collection of country music albums, to the surf board and guitar propped up in opposite corners of the room, and the piles of comic books interspersed with maths journal stacked messily on the coffee table.
Rodney unpacks his bags quickly, sorting things out into groups so that he can organise his preparations efficiently. A quick check of his watch shows him that he has about twenty minutes before John is due to arrive home, which should give him more than enough time to prepare. In reality, there's not much to do at all; John is not really too difficult to please, and Rodney has made it his business to know exactly what John Sheppard likes. Humming happily to himself, Rodney gets to work.
By the time he hears John's key in the door, everything is in order. He has two perfectly made turkey sandwiches, complete with potato chips and dill pickle on the side, a six-pack of beer cooling in the fridge and his gift to John neatly wrapped and waiting beside the food on the living room coffee table.
“Rodney?” he hears John call as the front door closes. “You here, buddy?”
“Yeah,” Rodney replies, pausing only to grab a couple of beer bottles and then making his way out of the kitchen to go kiss John hello.
John melts happily into the kiss, humming his pleasure into Rodney's mouth. “To what do I owe this visit?” he asks with a grin.
“Oh, nothing really,” Rodney says, handing over one of the beer bottles to John and then waving his now free hand in a dismissive gesture.
John twists off the top of his beer bottle and then walks over to collapse on the sofa, pulling Rodney along with him. “Hmm,” he says as he takes in the food, slanting another glance at Rodney. “Nothing, huh? You sure about that, buddy?”
“Well,” Rodney starts. “It has occurred to me that I might not have been as... well, um... considerate as I could have been of late... what with the book launch and then nearly canceling on you and the Youth Centre to do that debate and...well, anyway, I wanted to say how sorry I am and... so... um... here,” he finishes in a rush, thrusting his gift into John's hands.
John raises an eyebrow at Rodney in inquiry, but his mouth curves into a surprised smile at the present in his lap. Rodney watches with anxious anticipation as John carefully starts to unwrap the parcel. John deals with the present as he always does, in a manner which never fails to infuriate Rodney - peeling back the sticky tape and unfolding the creases in an unhurried fashion that ensures that the wrapping paper comes away in near pristine condition. Finally, however, he's done and he stares down at the book in his hands for long moments, before looking up at Rodney with wide eyes.
“I hope it's okay,” Rodney stutters nervously, unsure of what to make of John's silence. “I mean, it's a bit of a departure from my normal style, but I thought, you know, after the career's day talk and everything that it might be something you could use with the kids...”
“Rodney,” John interrupts his nervous babbling, reaching out a hand to cup Rodney's face. “It's absolutely perfect. I love it,” he whispers softly, leaning forward to press his mouth to Rodney's.
As their kiss deepens, Rodney's gift falls to the floor, forgotten for the moment. The Physics of Ferris Wheels and other things by M. R. McKay.
~fin~
Read the sequel ' Reciprocity'.