Todd had quickly become used to John Sheppard and his presence, partly, he was sure, as a result of his feeding and the Gift of Life. Those were procedures that could quite easily bind two minds, willingly or not. Thus, he also liked to believe that the Colonel had become accustomed to his person in turn, not avoiding him, stepping back or flinching when they were close.
But Sheppard was human and a link like the one between Todd and his kin was not really an option. Instead, their connection was built upon the instinctive trust that came with the knowledge of truly being safe, of not being in danger, of not being threatened, after having worked together for some time, for better or worse, on their good and bad days likewise.
It had started innocently enough with a clap on his back following a successful mission or a guiding hand on his arm whenever they were walking through Atlantis' halls. And even before that, the Colonel was one of the few humans able and willing to look him in the eyes.
Then Todd cautiously started to reciprocate. And when Sheppard had offered him his hand in the aftermath of a joint mission that could have gone horribly wrong, but ended with a half-full ZPM and nothing more than a few bruises due to exceptionally good cooperation, it didn't feel like some kind of special milestone, but rather like another simple step on their shared road.
By that time, it already came almost naturally to invade each other's personal space bubble, something the Colonel had once berated him for, but what he now seemed to enjoy when being able to poke and tease him. Apparently, though, his team was not as happy about it.
"Todd, may I have a word with you?" Teyla glanced from him to Sheppard walking by his side and added, "in private, please."
Of course, that only sparked the man's curiosity. Todd could see the glint in his eyes as Sheppard stopped dead in his tracks, getting him to pause as well. But then the Colonel just shrugged, an eyebrow raised. "You'd tell me if something was wrong, right?"
The athosian woman nodded with a tight-lipped smile. "It's nothing too serious, John, I can assure you."
"Yeah, good luck with that", Sheppard offered and patted him lightly on the shoulder before he quickly went on his way and around the next corner, practically fleeing from the place.
Todd watched him go and then turned to the Colonel's team member, trying not to let his confusion show. "What is so important that we need to talk about it, yet not important enough to inform Sheppard?"
"I'd just rather not embarrass the Colonel. I imagine he has planned to have this talk with you himself, but seeing how he can apparently not find the right words, it seems to be necessary someone else does this to save the two of you some pain." The athosian leader held her head high, the usual air of calm confidence around her, but when he looked her up and down, he noticed her fingers twitched ever so slightly.
"Ah. Well, you might want to tell me what this discussion is about, so that I can participate." Todd tilted his head questioningly, curious as to what the woman in front of him thought Sheppard might not be comfortable talking about with him. And how, exactly, a talk might prevent them from suffering any as of yet non-existing pain.
Teyla took a deep breath. "I do not want you to get the wrong impression, as we can all see that John is more at ease ever since this alliance is actually working and he doesn't have to worry about one party betraying the other." She shot him a glance as if to make sure he indeed did not plan to deceive them anytime soon or was not doing so at the very moment.
"So, yes, we welcome that you two have come closer to one another, because you both are great leaders, intelligent tacticians and strong warriors working together, and we appreciate your help and even your company. We all support you in your relationship, but maybe you should talk to him about affectionate behavior in public first. There were certain rules on earth until recently and your gestures might still lead to some unease." The human female rushed those last sentences out like they were burning her and Todd had to admit he needed a few moments to make any sense of them.
He realized he had probably stared at Teyla too intently in his attempt to figure out the meaning behind her words as she hastened to elaborate, "Not that there is principally anything wrong with the way you are leading him around or patting his shoulder or keep rubbing his back and caressing his arm - it just appears to be a bit much all at once, even if he is the one who initiated this contact, since I believe his actions happen unconsciously, while he is much more aware of it all when you are the one touching him."
"I see." Todd slowly nodded his head, comprehension dawning on him. At least in so far as that he could understand why Sheppard might not want to have a discussion like this, seeing how he felt inexplicably uncomfortable in his own skin at that very moment.
He had not purposely or even knowingly increased their contact that much, just reacting in ways similar to the Colonel's behavior. To have it pointed out to him this bluntly was disconcerting, considering it must have been obvious for a long time for anyone to dare approach him and talk about his manners.
"I assume you suggest I keep my hands off him, is that it?" Todd couldn't help that this supposedly simple question sounded much more like a growl he would have used to express dissatisfaction on his Hive than one fit for a conversation with a female leader, human or not. It was beyond him how he even came to feel this unwarranted discontent. He nevertheless attempted a less threatening tone when he continued, "If you feel justified asking me to do so, I will try to act accordingly. However, I am not responsible for the Colonel's actions."
"No, of course not. Thank you for your consideration, though." When Teyla smiled this time, it was just as reserved, the tension in the air just as palpable, as if she was doubting his honesty or her success, but she also appeared relieved, most likely glad to have gotten this over and done with.
Later, after Sheppard had found him in the cafeteria, Todd followed his every move with his eyes and just for curiosity's sake counted the number of times the man touched him. He was intrigued to find him initiating different kinds of contact eleven times in about half an hour, more or less obvious. A subtle brush here, a gentle nudge there, but this time he didn't respond in kind. It was startling how difficult that was.
"Are you okay? Did something happen?" Sheppard suddenly asked him, eyes narrowed. Despite the low tone to avoid attracting any more unwanted attention, Todd could sense that the Colonel was willing to risk a confrontation, now probably even more inquisitive since Teyla's approach.
So he countered, "Am I making you feel uncomfortable?" That certainly wasn't what he had intended. And he actually had to force himself to continue breathing steadily and to keep a straight face as he waited for an answer, somewhat nervous that he might have strained their relationship.
Frowning, the human leaned back, his lips pressed tightly together. For a moment they just stared at one another. But Sheppard shook his head. "No." Then he crossed his arms somewhat defensively. "Are you trying?"
"No." Todd was perplexed. Why would he consciously endanger their connection when they were just starting to get to know each other? When they were finally a functioning unit and not struggling with responsibilities or blaming the respective other party and arguing about whose fault something was.
The Colonel was still leaning back, away from him, but the tension in his shoulders had loosened. He wasn't looking as skeptical anymore, so Todd took that as a good sign when questioned, "Then what made you think you were doing it? I mean, I haven't given you that impression, have I?"
Chuckling, he wound his hands around his glass to keep them still. "No. I've just been informed about some of your people's special regulations, apparently concerning the level and amount of attention to show, particularly when in public."
"You've heard - what?" Sheppard blinked, then opened his mouth, but closed it again without saying something and blinked again. Eyebrows high on his forehead, he pushed his food tray away, before he leaned forward, clasping his hands. "Okay. Teyla said something, right? What did she say?"
