We Really Should.
Disclaimer: I do not own Stargate SG1 or Stargate Atlantis or any of its characters or other property. I write only to entertain not never make profit from this work or any of my other works.
Pairings: Rodney/ Sheppard friendship
Warnings: child abuse, nightmares
START
Their rooms were always close.
Even when rooms had been reassigned for one reason or another. Maybe a flood or some electrical issues...
When off world, they shared a tent. It had become a comfort for them. Always knowing the other was close if the worst was to happen.
Tonight both boys were tossing and turning, stuck in near identical nightmares. Both struggled against invisible captors, Rodney, his father and John, an enemy in the war he fought not long enough ago.
He struggled against the larger figure. The figure smirked. That was not good. He shuffled back, creating as much space as he could with the evil figure.
Of course he knew that it was useless. It always went like this. The sadistic bastard would mess with his head. Knowing the impact of his actions and words, the bastard would take his time. Making sure every hushed word would be terrifying, every ghosted touch full of hidden malice.
The tense build up was almost worse than the physical beatings. Almost...
When the bastard smirked, it was the cue that things were going to change rapidly.
With no other warning, the blows rained down. Kicks to his stomach or whatever got in the way, punches to his face and whatever got in the way...the occasional slap.
Yelling. Angry short tempered yelling. The spit flew from the bastards mouth.
"Weak"
"Worthless"
"Bitch"
"Useless"
"Good for nothing"
It was easy to ignore the first time but after long enough, you believed it.
Just as he was starting to feel faint from the pain..."Pay attention, you little shit!"
Head slammed against the wall.
Then blinding pain. Blinding pain and a gross wet feeling on his neck. "Do. You. Understand."
It takes his concussed mind some time to process...
Too long. Another fist to his jaw.
It hurts like hell but he nods.
The bastard laughs like this is all a joke. Like all your friends (if he even had any) would emerge from under his bed or his closet and cheer "surprise!". Just what he always wanted!
"Don't you forget it!" the bastard says before a final kick to his bruised ribs. Then all is dark.
Rodney woke covered in sweat and breathing hard. He forced his mind to think of a complex physics problem. Force his fathers face from the mind. Back to his unconscious mind where it belonged.
He pulled the soaked bed sheets aside, throwing them in a pile. He went where he always did when he had a nightmare. Johns room.
The door to Johns room opened easily for him. Atlantis he supposed taking care of her favourite sons. The practically ancient and the one who saved her.
"Sheppard?" called Rodney.
John was recovering from his own nightmare. If it were anyone else, he would have made them leave. But Rodney understood him, different as they were. The soldier and the scientist. Yet they understood each other like brothers.
"You too, huh? Come" John said easily.
Rodney smiled back. "The war again?" he asked lightly as he sat by his team leader.
John nodded. The pair put an arm around the other. "Your father?" he asked.
Rodney nodded.
"You should tell Heightmeyer" John said, before laughing.
Rodney laughed at the inside joke. As if they would tell her!
John let his head drop onto Rodney's shoulder. Rodney drew him closer. "We really should..." Sheppard said seriously.
"I know" echoed McKay.
The ritual was familiar and comforting. Sometimes it was Sheppard that seeked out McKay but still it was the same words and same actions.
AN: R and R.