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After the massive storm and raid by their new foes, the Genii, John speaks with Elizabeth and Rodney to assess the damage. They didn't come out unscathed, but the city is still intact, thanks mostly to McKay's plan. Using the lightning rods to harness enough energy from the shield, protected them from the Tsunami.
John can't let himself think about how scared he had been when he thought he might lose Rodney, in fact he can barely bring himself to meet the other man's eyes.
That Genii bastard, Kolya, had hurt Rodney. John knows Rodney probably feels bad about revealing the plan. But Rodney had handled himself well, activating the intercoms and tipping John off. Then Rodney had managed to save Elizabeth's life when Kolya had sworn to kill her.
When John had been on his own in the abandoned city, taking on the Genii soldiers, it had felt like Rodney was there with him. He had talked himself through it, 'Okay. What would McKay do?'
In Rodney's lab, John saw a sign propped on some boxes. It read, 'Really Really Dangerous Don't Touch -McKay'. He could almost feel Rodney there about to scold him. John tried to put himself in his friend's shoes and come up with a brilliant plan to save the day. And it came to him. Power. McKay would go for the power source and take it out.
Right now, John can't look at McKay, he keeps his focus on Elizabeth. He doesn't want to betray how much emotion he feels over the fact that Rodney is safe… or how close he came to losing it when he thought Rodney might die. Instead, he stands away aloof and disinterested.
Rodney tells them that Beckett is suffering from a concussion, as he and Teyla were attacked in the Jumper Bay. Rodney points to a bandage that has been applied over his jacket, "I mean look at this. I had to do this myself."
It is probably just a scratch knowing McKay; the guy doesn't have much a tolerance for pain, John doubts that Kolya did much lasting damage. Still, he burns with rage thinking of anyone hurting Rodney. It felt good to sink those 2 bullets into Kolya's chest as he fell back into the wormhole. When John is done checking the status reports, he will come take a look at Rodney's arm himself.
Then Rodney finally catches John's eye and gives him a weak smile, he looks unsure of himself. Probably still feeling bad about giving the plan away to Kolya... John will definitely look in on him later.
After finishing up with Elizabeth and making sure their personnel are returning home, John circles back to find Rodney, grabbing a med kit along the way. It will be a while before the all the evacuated personnel are back and someone should look at his arm.
When John spies him, Rodney looks sad, alone, stooped over a console. The bandage over the jacket looks a little too bloody. Rodney starts when John walks in. His eyes look sad.
"Let's get you looked at." John walks up reaching for Rodney's arm, the part that isn't hurt.
"Uh, who's going to look at it?" Rodney is flustered, the way he always is when John touches him.
"I once dated a field medic." John shrugs.
Rodney looks at him dubiously.
"I do know basic first aid. I can put on a Band-Aid." John adds.
Rodney glares but doesn't move from under John's touch. John pulls the gauze off his jacket.
"Careful," Rodney winces, "it really..." he stops talking as John's hands move softly over his arm.
Gingerly holding the arm in place while unwrapping the make shift bandage, John inhales sharply when he sees the blood pooled on the jacket. He looks at Rodney a little guiltily.
"Ouch, that's gotta hurt."
"Yes, thank you, it hurts." Rodney makes a face.
"We gotta get this thing off." John eyes the jacket. He reaches his hand up tugs on the front.
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Oh God. John did not just tell him to take off his jacket? Rodney flushes and closes his eyes.
"Here." Rodney feels John pulling on the zipper.
He looks up at John startled. But John is focused on the jacket, he has it completely unzipped now. Rodney's mouth is dry as John starts moving the jacket off the uninjured arm and Rodney cooperates, moving easily out of it.
"You ready?" John walks behind Rodney and lifts the collar gently on the other side.
Rodney nods as John slowly peels the jacket down to the elbow.
"Okay, just like a Band-Aid," John places his other hand on the sleeve, we'll-"
Son of Bitch, that hurt!
"Ow, ow, ow, ow," Rodney complains loudly as John dabs at the wound.
"This might hurt a bit." John stops, frowning. He hands Rodney the loose gauze and gets something out of the medical case.
"Just make it quick." Rodney says holds the padding under his arm.
Holding Rodney's wrist in his fingers, John looks at him. Those green eyes are so unreadable but the way John is looking at him makes Rodney forget about the pain.
John just keeps looking at him and Rodney feels nervous.
Is he upset because Rodney fucked things up with Kolya? He doesn't look that upset.
He feels the heat of John's fingers on his wrist. Rodney loves the way it feels when John touches him.
"Okay." John blinks softly with those long lashes and looks down at the wound.
Oh Jesus. Sweet Jesus. Rodney braces himself. This hurts worse than when they carved him up. He bites his lip and tries to be brave.
He hates seeming weak in front of John, something that happens far too often. While John cleans it up, he winces and lets out some soft whines but keeps from doing anything too embarrassing.
"Okay buddy," John moves his grip and captures the back of McKay's hand in his palm, he straightens out Rodney's arm into the light, "That looks pretty bad. You might need some stitches, and some..."
Waiting for the rest, Rodney gazes at John's face. He doesn't feel as vindicated as he hoped he would. Mostly, just defeated and sad about letting everyone down.
"Hey." John squeezes his hand.
Rodney blinks at him.
John's face is so inscrutable, there is something deep in those eyes, but Rodney can't place it. John's voice is soft, "You did a good job there."
As Rodney starts to roll his eyes, John squeezes his hand again, "I've been captured by the enemy before."
When he looks back into John's eyes, they are stormy. John's voice is a little hoarse, "I've been tortured and I don't blame you for doing whatever you needed to survive. I understand."
Sighing, Rodney wishes he knew more about John's past, more about what goes on behind those eyes. Rodney looks at the mysterious Major. John's face reveals acceptance not judgment.
Hesitantly, John places his other hand on Rodney's shoulder, and moves it across his back in soft, uncertain strokes.
And then Rodney sees something unmistakable.
A flash of pure desire in John's eyes. Whoa. Okay.
Rodney's mouth falls open.
"Thanks." He stares up at John in wonder.
John's face has slipped back into its' easy mask as he escorts Rodney to the infirmary, to wait for the other medical staff to return. But Rodney knows what he saw, even if it was just for a moment.
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The next few weeks are a whirlwind. Nothing bad happens. It's just the rush of being with John makes Rodney feel lightheaded lately. Rodney lets himself indulge completely in his fantasies at night.
The two of then practically spend every spare moment together now.
Tonight John wants to take Rodney to the gun range and teach him to 'handle his weapon properly'. Not the kind of thing Rodney would normally be doing, but he can barely contain his excitement as he makes his way down. John looks so sexy in his long sleeved black shirt.
And Rodney could swear he is being sultry with his expression. John has seemed to take every opportunity to touch Rodney these days and tonight is no different.
John gives instructions physically as well as verbally. He positions Rodney and stands behind him. He leans in close, folding his arms around and holding the gun with his hands on top of Rodney's.
Trying to keep the gun steady at the target, Rodney inhales shakily. John moves his hands to the rest of Rodney's body, shifting his weight. He bends his knee into Rodney's to show him how to stand. Rodney blinks happily. Then John's hands move away and Rodney feels heavy earmuffs go over his head.
It's okay, John doesn't need words to communicate what he wants from Rodney. John puts an ear set on his own head and returns behind Rodney again.
His body is pressed up so close, his arms hugging against Rodney's. And the hands, the hands moving over Rodney's hands… He feels John moving the gun angle and then his finger presses Rodney's, letting him know to squeeze the trigger.
Rodney pulls and recoils into John's chest. John lifts the earmuffs off of Rodney's head and explains verbally how to breathe into it and keep his arms steady instead of pulling away as soon as he fires. Returning the earmuffs, John physically positions Rodney again.
Every touch radiates through him, he feels so relaxed. He can do this. John is holding him and Rodney lets himself press back into John instead of pulling the trigger again. John doesn't object.
They just stand there. And Rodney lets his body move just enough to lean in and enjoy the sensation of John up against him. He can feel John's bulge pressing up against his ass. Not fully hard, but definitely there. Oh, this feels so good.
John's hand closes over his again and brushes against Rodney's trigger finger. Rodney exhales deeply and pulls.
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