Evil Author Day Post 4

[popkin16]

Title: Kid McShep
Notes: I wanted to write this fic that spanned years, where John and Rodney meet as children and grow up as best friends. They fall out of contact for several years, until they're reunited in Antarctica.

*
Rodney snuck away from the party after what he deemed was an acceptable time. The after-party was in full swing, the drinks flowing, and nobody would notice the best man sneaking off. Rodney went straight for the library, his feet carrying there with little input from his mind, the path well-known to him.

John was married. To Nancy. Rodney knew John liked her well enough, but Rodney was aware he was only marrying her to please his father. Rodney shook his head. He'd known John for years and had never been able to please his father; a person would think John would give up. Then again, John had been pretty close to his father before his mother's disappearance - perhaps he wanted to reclaim that connection. Rodney wouldn't know - his relationship with his own father had always been strained. Parental approval had never been a goal for Rodney.

The library was empty, as expected, though the fire was going and all the lights were on. Rodney took a moment to breathe in the smell of the room, which had always said comfort and happiness to Rodney. This was, after all, the place he and John and spent most of their childhood. It was full of good memories, unlike the house Rodney's mother still lived in.

Rodney wandered past the floor-to-ceiling shelves, running his fingertips over some of the books. He paused briefly over the corner full of science fiction books that John had collected over the years, which Rodney had also contributed to. Rodney smiled wanly. At least when John had children the books would be put to use.

Rodney settled in at the piano, hands resting gently on the keys. When he began to play, it was with no specific song in mind, just a meandering course through the classical. He wasn't sure how long he'd been there, playing idly, lost in thought, when he sensed someone behind him. Rodney paused playing the piano only momentarily, as he got over his initial surprise. Rodney knew it was John.

It was always John.

Without speaking, Rodney scooted to the side, making room for John on the bench. John settled in next to him and Rodney could smell the alcohol. Still, he didn't speak, and adjusted his playing to fit with his new seating. After a few minutes, John slumped sideways, into Rodney, the press of his body making it difficult for Rodney to move, to play. Still Rodney said nothing, enjoying the warmth of John next to him, and Rodney closed his eyes so he could better soak the other man in.

John smelled good. He was the best friend Rodney has ever had, would ever have, and even if his marriage changes nothing about them, Rodney still feels as though he's saying goodbye to some part of their relationship. He has to share John, now. Nancy will get to see all the parts John keeps so carefully hidden away.

When John's face pressed against his neck, a shiver coursed through his body, and Rodney's fingers twitched on the piano keys, a jarring, discordant sound jerking him out of his thoughts. John nuzzled, following the line of his jaw, rubbed his nose against Rodney's. Rodney sighed. John drunk meant John with his walls down, meant a John who felt relaxed enough to be physically affectionate.

Rodney has to remind himself that none of it means anything. He knows John loves him, but not as one would a lover, no matter the nuzzling. He wraps an arm around John's waist, pulls him close, and presses a kiss to his forehead.

Soon Nancy would come looking for him, and they'll leave to go on their honeymoon. For now, Rodney has this; John pressed warm and affectionate against his side. It was enough.

It'd have to be.

/end

Title: Ass Smacking
Notes: I don't know.

*
The first time it happened, Rodney was so startled he dropped his tablet. By the time Rodney turned to look at John after picking it up, the Major had already turned away and was talking idly with a couple of his marines. Feeling more flustered than he could remember in recent memory, Rodney had hidden in his labs for the rest of the day, feasting on power bars during mealtimes. It wasn't until Rodney passed the marines using one of the large, open rooms as a place to play something very like basketball that Rodney remembered. It was quite common for men to tap each other on the ass during games, though Rodney wasn't sure the squeezing the Major did was strictly necessary. But perhaps they did that too - what did Rodney know? It wasn't as though he were ever anything approaching a jock, had no idea what social folkways these types had. But watching as one of the marines scored a point and was treated to much inappropriate ass smacking, Rodney decided Sheppard had clearly only meant to include him in this frankly stupid tradition.

Really, as hands off as the Major normally was, chances were he wouldn't do it again. Or often.

*
But he did do it again, repeatedly, usually after Rodney saved them from certain death. Teyla and Ford seemed to think nothing of it, so Rodney was uncertain whether he should even mention it. Ford was a card-carrying member of the jock brigade, but Teyla was new to their ways, and he had to wonder if she'd asked somebody about it - perhaps Sheppard? Rodney would have paid to be a part of that conversation. But she, too, never bat an eye when Sheppard smacked his ass, and so Rodney let the matter go. It became just one of those things, and soon Rodney was rolling his eyes at Major Smack Ass. (Heh. Doctor Smartass and Major Smackass - Rodney should mention that to Sheppard sometime - he'd find it amusing, Rodney was sure.)

Rodney grew used to the occasional inappropriate touch, came to expect it, and stupidly he began to miss it when Sheppard stopped. They had tapered off during the siege, and for some time after the disappearance of Ford - which was understandable. Rodney missed Ford, and he had never had the easy comraderie with the young man that Sheppard had had. It was hard to muster the motivation for a "good job" ass smack when you were feeling down about a friend missing, Rodney reasoned.

Still. Rodney had grown used to it.

He was pleased when the Colonel began again, which was a feeling Rodney never thought he'd experience - thank you for smacking my ass, Colonel, he thought, embarrassed. Fewer and far between, but the Colonel had been distant since he'd been promoted - like now that he thought he was of a higher rank, he should try acting like it. At least, that's the way it seemed to be before Ronon joined the team.

Ronon, like Teyla, had had to learn the ways of the 'Lanteans, but he seemed to pick it up fairly quickly. And no surprise, given how much time he spends with the marines, he soon adopted the ass smack as a way of showing approval. And Rodney's ass was sadly not a Sheppard-only zone. Not in any manner, a fact that disappoints Rodney daily. (Was it too much to ask that the man who touched you most often show a little attraction to the body part his hands couldn't seem to stay away from? Rodney despaired.)

Ronon didn't seem to understand the meaning of the word "go easy", so his smacks tended to leave Rodney's ass stinging for hours after. And maybe it was just Rodney's ass growing more sensitive, but it seemed to him Sheppard was smacking with more force too. Rodney chose not to think about why brushing his fingers over the sensitive, tingly skin made him shiver.

/end

I have a couple more ideas that I only have a paragraph written for, and I've decided not to include them.