Becoming Connor Davids
Chapter 25 : Listening
Author's Notes :
- Spoilers for Search and Rescue.
- Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Duit : Happy St. Patrick's Day
- Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig ort : St. Patrick's Day blessing, sorta a traditional greeting.
- St. Patrick's Day toast is Irish and not written by me.
- People seemed to be okay with the Evan/Teyla pairing, so I moved ahead with that.
Re-post and re-edit : 3/30/10
"Take a shower with me." John whispered into his boyfriend's ear. Connor had burrowed under the blankets, so John had burrowed underneath with him.
"Already took one." Connor mumbled and curled into John.
"By yourself." He ran a hand down the linguist's chest, drifting down over sensitive areas. "I'll make it worth your while." He promised. "Please?"
"Jo-ohn." Connor whined softly. "Why are you torturing me?"
"Please." John repeated before rolling out of bed. He went into the bathroom, grabbing his toothbrush. He heard the blankets rustle behind him and a few moments later warm arms wrapped themselves around his waist. John brushed his teeth and Connor laid his head against John's back. The older man bent to spit and added an extra wiggle to his hips, causing his boyfriend to groan. John pushed down his boxers, noting Connor's already naked body behind him. Atlantis started the shower and John gently pulled Connor into the stream of water.
The younger man leaned into John, resting his head against John's shoulder. "You're not falling asleep are you?" John asked, amused. Connor shook his head. "Good." A few minutes later the linguist was much more alert and his hands were traveling down John's back to rest on his butt, gently squeezing. John moaned and leaned down, capturing the younger man's lips in a kiss. Connor obediently opened his mouth for John's tongue. John's arms wound tightly around Connor and pressed their bodies together. John gasped at the sensation and slowly pulled his tongue out to lick at the linguist's lips before sucking in Connor's lower lip.
When they broke apart they were both panting hard and Connor leaned forward again to rest his head against John's shoulder. John felt as the younger man took one hand off of him to reach for something. The scientist came back with a hand full of soap and gently pushed it in between their bodies. His hand reached for John's erection when John shot out a hand of his own to catch his boyfriend by the wrist. "I want to watch you for a while." He said, directing the younger man to his own body.
Connor blushed a deep crimson and looked up at John, but began to do as John asked, his hand slowly moving up and down his shaft. Occasionally the back of his fingers would graze John's body. John felt Connor's breathing increase as the seconds ticked by and minutes later when Connor reached for John, abandoning his own body, the older man didn't stop him. Instead John reached behind him to soap up his hand and worked it between their bodies and settled it on Connor's erection and began to match the speed the younger man had going.
John pulled Connor in for a heated kiss, plunging his tongue in and out of his boyfriend's mouth, slowly, then sucking on Connor's proffered tongue, loving the taste of the younger man. The left hand resting on his butt slowly moved towards the middle and the linguist dipped a finger shallowly into the space between each cheek, rubbing lightly. A second later, John was coming hard, stars dancing in his vision. He pulled away from Connor's mouth as his body shook, gazing into the younger man's eyes. Connor's eyes were turning a deep blue and John knew the younger man was close as well. He sped up his hand and soon enough the linguist was shaking against him and warm liquid hit his hand only to be quickly washed away by the shower stream.
Connor collapsed against him for a second and John held him tight. Then John was being pushed under the water stream and Connor had stepped behind him. "Close your eyes." The younger man whispered into his ear. John obeyed and hands landed in his hair, gently massaging the shampoo in. The older man felt soap run down his face and he squeezed his eyes closed a little tighter. The hands pulled away and water washed the shampoo away. Seconds later a washcloth was moving up and down his body with a hand following in it's wake.
John kept his eyes closed as his boyfriend washed him. He would probably never admit it to anyone, but he loved showering with Connor. It gave him a sense of intimacy that John had never felt with anyone else. John thought that Connor probably understood even without hearing the words.
"All done." Connor whispered and almost immediately the shower shut off. John pulled down two towels from the top of the shower door and handed one to Connor who accepted with a grateful smile. They toweled off quickly and John wrapped his towel around his waist, and glanced back to see Connor doing the same. "How's your leg?" He asked, worried. It had been almost two weeks since the incident with the mine and the linguist's leg had been very slowly healing.
"Fine." Connor offered softly. John thought his boyfriend would probably say he was fine even if he was on fire.
"Tea?" He offered, not pressing the issue.
"With milk?" Connor asked, beginning to sound sleepy again.
"If you want." The younger man nodded and John led them out the bathroom and deposited the younger man in his chair. He went about setting the water to boil and moved back to stand by Connor's seat as he waited. "I'm gating out in a couple hours to the planet that future McKay said Michael's lab is on." He offered, carding a hand through Connor's wet locks.
"Just your team?"
"No." John shook his head. "Lorne's coming with, and a couple Marines."
"Just Evan?"
"Yeah. Carter wanted to switch it up or something, I wasn't really paying attention." He admitted.
"I…" The younger man started, then hesitated. "Never mind, it's nothing."
John frowned lightly. "What is it?"
"It's dumb." Connor said with a shake of his head.
"It's not dumb." John countered.
The linguist gave a quiet laugh. "You don't even know what it is."
"It's you, and unless it involves standing on a stool to go poking around the ceiling looking for an animal… it's not dumb."
"I just… I have a really bad feeling about today."
"About the mission?"
"Yeah."
John paused. "I promise to be extra careful." He said quietly.
Connor reached out and gently laid a hand on John's leg, playing with his towel. "I know." He mumbled. "I just… worry about you. It's my job."
"It's your job to worry?"
"Yep." The kettle went off and John disentangled them to fix the tea. He grabbed some milk from their mini refrigerator and poured some into a mug, putting the rest back. He slowly added water to the milk as well as another mug, dropping tea bags in each. He walked back to the waiting linguist and reached over Connor to set the mugs down on the table. John pulled up a lazy Connor who held on tight to the front of his towel, before settling back down on John's lap. He curled sideways into John, resting his head on John's shoulder. The older man handed him a mug and Connor blew across the top to cool it.
"So is it my job to make you worry?" John asked, continuing their conversation.
"It's your job that makes me worry." Connor countered.
John frowned lightly. "I worry about you worrying."
Connor pressed a kiss to his neck. "I know. And I worry about you worrying about me worrying."
John gave a smile at that. "It's a never ending cycle I guess."
Connor was silent for a moment. "But you promise?"
John moved his empty hand to rest on Connor's thigh, gently rubbing it up and down. "I promise."
"Thank you." Connor said quietly.
"So what are your plans for the day…?"
"Evan!" Connor yelled up to the other man. "Wait up!" His best friend turned around and paused in his walking, a smile on his face.
"Hey, Doc." He greeted. "Isn't it a little early for you?" He teased.
"I can be up if I need to." The linguist defended, nearing him.
"So why do you need to?" Evan asked curiously. Connor reached his side and they kept walking.
Connor shrugged and saw Evan watching him closely. "I wanted to catch you before you go off world."
"Well, you've caught me." Evan said with a grin. "How can I help you?"
"I, um… do you have to go today?"
Evan frowned. "Colonel Carter assigned me to the mission, and in the military we don't really have an opt out clause."
"What if you were suddenly sick? Could you stay behind then?"
Evan paused in his walking and Connor followed suit. The major turned to look at his friend. "What's wrong?" Evan asked gently.
Connor shrugged and bit his lip before answering. "I have a bad feeling about today." He said quietly.
Evan looked around the busy hallway before reaching out for Connor's hand and tugging him into an empty room. "A bad feeling about the mission?"
"Yeah." Connor agreed. "I've had it since this morning and it's only getting worse."
"Did you ask Colonel Sheppard to stay behind?"
The linguist shook his head. "You know I can't."
"So you're asking me instead?" He asked confused.
"Um, I've actually already talked to Teyla and Ronon… and those other two Marines scheduled for today." Connor admitted.
"You've already--wait, what?"
"I've asked them to, uh, stay behind."
"Did any agree?"
"No." Connor said remorsefully. "But they all promised to be extra careful."
"You know, Doc, where I come from this might be considered mutiny."
Connor quirked a half smile at him. "Yes, well, John never has good things to say about Indiana." He joked.
Evan mock pouted. "I'll have you know it's the best state in the country!"
"John says it's California… or Hawaii. They have the best surf."
"Does Colonel Sheppard know you're trying to convince people to stay?" Evan asked, going back to the topic at hand.
"Yeah." The linguist nodded.
"And he let you do it anyways?"
Connor glared at Evan. "John doesn't let me do anything. I do what I want."
The other man held his hands up complacently. "Sorry, I'm sorry." He offered. "I didn't mean it like that. I just wondered if he knew what you were doing and didn't mind."
"He laughed and told me to go for it." Connor admitted.
Evan shook his head. "Well, I promise to be extra careful." He said seriously.
Connor swallowed thickly and nodded. "Thanks." He responded softly.
"Are you going to talk to Dr. McKay?"
"He, um, he doesn't like me." Just then Atlantis sent him an image of John asking for Evan. "Oh, you've got to go, I've kept you, I'm sorry." Connor apologized.
Evan frowned. "I'm not late for anything, Doc."
"Oh, um, John is looki--" The door to the room opened, cutting Connor off. John stood in the doorway with a brow arched.
"You coming out of the closet, Major?" He asked with a smirk. Connor looked around and sure enough the small room was a closet, complete with cleaning supplies in the corner.
Evan coughed nervously. "No, sir. And, um, I thought you weren't supposed to ask, sir."
John grinned. "Well, let's pretend I didn't. I need you to go get Daly and Johnson and review the mission with them."
"Yes, sir."
"And make sure they're ready to gate out in half an hour." John added.
"Yes, sir." Evan turned to him. "See you later, Doc."
"Remember you promised." Connor reminded him as he headed for the door.
He turned around and offered Connor a reassuring smile. "I know." With that he was gone.
"Should I be worried?" John asked with a smirk, stepping into the room so the doors would close behind him. Connor mentally locked them.
"Definitely." Connor teased. "Evan and I are planning on running away together."
"Is that so?" John asked, moving closer and wrapping his arms around Connor's waist, pulling their hips together.
"Yup. It's too bad you caught us."
"Well I guess I'll just have to fight for you."
The linguist lifted a brow. "You think you could take Evan and me?"
John gave him a serious look. "If it's for you, the only option is winning." He bent his head down and captured Connor's lips, gently teasing them with his tongue. Connor let his mouth open slowly and softly pushed his tongue into John's mouth and the other man greedily sucked it.
Connor was panting when they parted and he happily leaned his forehead against John's. He wanted to say so many things to the other man. Don't go. Stay with me, please John, just stay. You don't have to go on this one. But he couldn't say anything of those things. Instead he swallowed and looked the other man in the eye, his hand coming up to rest on John's heart. "Come back to me." He begged.
John closed his eyes briefly before opening them back up to stare into Connor's. "I'll do my best." He vowed. But Connor didn't want his best, he wanted surety and for John to stay safe. "I'm sorry, Con. I wish I could offer you more." The older man pulled him into a tight hug and Connor buried his head in John's neck. "I love you." He whispered into Connor's ear. "God, I love you so much." Connor just squeezed him tighter. When they finally broke apart, Connor's hand was gently playing with John's jacket. "Come help me put on my vest."
The scientist nodded. "Okay."
Together they left the closet, with Connor trailing after his boyfriend.
"Lorne you got anything?" John asked his second in command over the radio.
"No, sir." He replied. "It looks like someone's been here, but isn't now. I wouldn't say it's abandoned yet."
"That's what I'm thinking, too." John agreed. "Alright, let's re-group in the main hall." Five minutes later everyone had trickled in to stand around him in the room. "Okay, here's what we're gonna do. McKay found some Wraith tech stuff that he wants to get a close look at, while he's doing that I want Teyla and Ronon to keep searching the grounds for any more clues on what this place is for. Daly, Johnson, one of you head back to the gate, radio Atlantis and tell them that no one's here, but we're going to have a look around; the other one of you will patrol the perimeter, stay about a click out so you can watch the sky for any ships. Lorne is with me and McKay. Everyone got it?"
"Yes, sir." Daly, Johnson and Lorne chorused. Teyla and Ronon just nodded, already walking away and Rodney had already headed back to the computer he had found. John chased after his teammates and he heard Lorne following behind him.
"What'd you find McKay?" John asked, leaning over the shoulder of the other man.
"Huh, it seems…" He drifted off, tapping on his tablet rapidly.
John waited for him to finish but it quickly became clear that he wasn't going to. "It seems what, McKay?"
"It seems…"
"McKay!"
"What? Sheppard! Ow! Do you have to yell in my ear?"
"What did you find?" John asked again.
"It seems to be Michael's research. It looks like he's making a Human/Wraith hybrid army."
"A Human/Wraith what?"
"An arm--" The machine began blinking Wraith symbols and Rodney turned to look at him eyes wide. "It's a self-destruct, we've got to get out of here!"
John had already tugged his sleeve and was following Lorne out the door. He raised his other hand to his radio. "Teyla, Ronon, the place is going to blow you need to get out now!"
"Understood, John." Teyla responded quickly.
John felt the ground around him shake and he heard several large explosions and the ceiling began to crumble around them a large beam fell in front of Lorne and John skidded to a halt before something landed on his head and blackness overcame him.
Evan groaned lightly as he slowly rose to consciousness. He hit his tongue to keep from crying out at the pain emanating from his leg. He looked down to see a mound of concrete bricks covering his left leg and waist. He pulled his arms out from the mess and coughed a little at all the dust floating around. He pushed the rocks he could reach off of him and looked around.
"Colonel Sheppard? Dr. McKay?" He coughed again. "Can you hear me?" He spotted Colonel Sheppard a few feet away with McKay lying next to him. "Colonel Sheppard?" He tried again. "Dr. McKay?" Evan hit his radio. "Teyla, Ronon, come in." Silence. "Teyla, Ronon, do you read?" Sill silence. "Daly, Johnson, do you read?" Static came back and Evan breathed a sigh of relief. The two men outside would gate back to Atlantis and bring back help. "Colonel Sheppard?"
McKay began twitching and Evan threw a small rock towards him. "Ow!" Came the grumbled response. "What happ---" McKay took in their surroundings. "Oh this is not good." He said. He sat up and Evan saw a trickle of blood move down his forehead. "My computer!" He began to scramble around the debris looking for his tablet.
"Doc!" Evan yelled at him.
The scientist turned to face him. "What?"
"The computer can wait, check on Colonel Sheppard first."
"Sheppard?" He turned to his right and saw the other man lying under a pile of debris. McKay's hands worked diligently to remove the rocks from the fallen man. "Sheppard!" He said loudly. "Wake up!" He kept digging. "John! John, can you hear me?"
Evan saw the colonel shift a little, moving an arm. "Mmm, McKay what?"
"You need to wake up, right now!" Evan watched him push the last large brick off of Sheppard's stomach.
"'M tired." He said in a daze.
"Oh no you don't! You wake up, right now! I don't want that karate chopping linguist of yours coming after me." Evan laughed and McKay's eyes shifted nervously to him. "You knew about that right?"
"The karate chopping?" Evan joked weakly from the pain. McKay glared at him. "Yes, I knew. And Colonel Sheppard is falling asleep again." He pointed out, gesturing towards the older man.
"John! Wake up and stay awake." McKay ordered.
"McKay?" Sheppard asked, sounding a little more alert. "What happened?"
"Michael fucking booby-trapped his computers, that's what happened." McKay groused, once again searching for his tablet.
Sheppard sat up and wrapped an arm around his stomach, blood oozing down his head. He lifted a lazy hand to wipe some away. "Lorne?"
"Here, sir."
"Teyla, Ronon?"
Evan was studiously trying not to think about what could have happened to either of them. "Their radios must be damaged."
Sheppard nodded and slowly stood, stumbling over to Evan's side, collapsing hard onto his knees. The military commander began to slowly dig Evan's leg out. "Is it broken?"
"I'm pretty sure it is, sir."
"Found it!" McKay declared and when Evan looked over he was already tapping away on it.
Evan felt the pressure on his leg slowly decrease as his commanding officer dug him out. A thought occurred to him and he gave a dry laugh. Sheppard looked up at him. "What?"
"Dr. Davids, sir. He had a bad feeling about today and got everyone but Dr. McKay to promise to be extra careful and it was Dr. McKay that set off the trap."
Sheppard laughed. "Well maybe this will give him incentive to stop avoiding Rodney." He frowned. "And did someone say something about a karate chopping linguist?"
Connor paced outside the waiting room. He was waiting anxiously. Evan had a broken leg that they were setting, John had a concussion as well as some internal bleeding that Keller was in the midst of operating on. McKay had mostly bruising and was already awake but Connor wasn't about to visit him. Teyla had broken an arm and Ronon had a dislocated shoulder that Connor had heard Keller yelling to him about popping back in himself. All in all, it could have been a lot worse, but until John was out of the infirmary, Connor would be waiting anxiously.
A nurse poked her head out. "Dr. Davids?" Connor stopped pacing and looked up at her. "We've finished with Major Lorne and Teyla if you want to see them."
"Yes, thank you." Connor offered before shuffling into the room. Evan and Teyla were both sitting up in beds next to each other with McKay on Teyla's other side typing away on his laptop. His two friends were talking quietly but both turned to look at him as he entered the room.
Teyla offered him a smile. "Connor, it is good to see you."
"Hey, Doc." Evan greeted.
"Hey Evan, Teyla. How's the, uh, arm… and leg?" He asked towards the correct recipients moving to stand in between their beds.
Evan gestured for Teyla to go first. "I truly cannot feel a thing." She offered. "They are releasing me in an hour, though."
"That's good." Connor smiled nervously. His hand went up to gently touch the dog tags hidden under his shirt.
"I'm here overnight, then I get a cool set of crutches." Evan informed him, gesturing at his leg, hidden within a cast.
"Can I, um, get you anything?"
"I'm good for now, Doc."
"I am as well." Teyla added.
Ronon chose that moment to walk in, his arm in a sling. Connor didn't think the sling would last long. "Irish." He greeted. He walked over and stole a brownie off of McKay's tray.
"Ronon! That was mine!"
"You weren't eating it." The Satedan argued, shoving the whole brownie into his mouth with a grin.
"I was saving it! I don't want to get brownie all over my laptop." McKay informed him.
"What are you doing anyways?" Ronon asked, peering down at the computer.
"Going over--" He slapped Ronon's hand away from the keyboard. "Would you stop that? I'm going over the data we got from Michael's lab."
"Anything useful?" Evan asked.
"Mostly medical research." McKay answered offhandedly.
"So has Jennifer released you, Ronon?" Teyla asked.
"No." He answered with a grin. "Released myself." Teyla frowned at him. "I'm waiting for Sheppard." The large man informed them. He pulled up a chair and sank heavily into it. Connor looked closely at his running partner. Ronon looked exhausted and tiny cuts and bruises were scattered about his skin. He suddenly looked his age to Connor, that is very young and the linguist fought the impulse to give him a hug.
As if on cue, Dr. Keller took that moment to step in. She looked around at the occupants before offering them a smile. "Colonel Sheppard will be just fine. They're finishing up on his as we speak. He'll have to take it easy for a few days, as I expect all of you to." She said, leveling her gaze with each of them, minus Connor. "We're going to keep him overnight, see how he does and probably release him in the morning before he can start badgering my nurses."
She left them and a few minutes later, John was rolled in. He was still unconscious from the surgery. Dirt was everywhere still, his hair was a mess and just like Ronon small cuts and bruises littered his skin. He was the most beautiful thing that Connor had ever seen. The linguist left his place between Evan and Teyla and walked over to John's bed, sparing a small glance for the nurse that was fixing John's IV. He started to reach a hand out but pulled it back, remembering where he was.
"He should be awake in a few minutes." The nurse offered him with a smile.
"Thanks." Connor returned and she moved out of the room. This time Connor didn't hesitate to run a hand through John's hair, shaking out some debris. He looked up at the others and Teyla and Evan had gone back to their conversation, McKay to his computer. Only Ronon was watching him and offered him a significant look towards the door before looking back at Connor. The linguist took that to mean that the Satedan would stand guard for them. Connor smiled his thanks before looking back down at his boyfriend.
He traced a hand down John's face and frowned at the dirt. He gave John's hand a squeeze and moved away and out of the room. He located a small basin, pouring some water in it from the sink. He picked up a towel on his way back into the room and set them down on the table by John's bed. He pulled a chair in close, taking a seat. Connor dipped the towel into the water and ran it gently across John's face, washing it.
When he finished with that he reached across his boyfriend and picked up one of John's hands, gently washing that as well. When that was clean he gently set it on the bed and reached for the hand nearest his. He was about halfway through cleaning it when John moved it a little. "John?" He asked softly. "Can you hear me?"
"Con…nor?" John slurred.
"Can you open your eyes for me?" He asked, reaching a hand out to brush it across the top of John's hair.
John seemed to struggle with the request, but eventually his eyes fluttered open and his head turned to look at Connor. The linguist set aside his washcloth and picked up the water glass on the bed, holding it out for John to take a sip. The older man gratefully drank the water, pulling away when he was finished. Connor set the glass back on the table.
"Ronon, Teyla?" John asked, starting to sit up.
Connor pushed a gently hand across his chest, leading him back down. "They're fine." He gestured Ronon over and the Satedan walked to the other side of John's bed.
"Hey buddy." John greeted.
"Sheppard." Ronon acknowledged.
"It is good to see you awake, John." Teyla offered.
Connor pushed a button on his bed to tilt it up so John could see his team. "Is everyone alright?"
"Evan has a broken leg, Teyla a broken arm, Ronon dislocated his shoulder." The Satedan glared at him. "And Dr. McKay was bruised, and cut his head." Connor offered softly. John's hand found his and entwined their fingers. A thumb rubbed the back of his hand gently and Connor gave John a small smile. "You had some internal bleeding that they've fixed, along with a concussion, which means you have to, um, stay overnight."
John faced him and smiled. "Lorne thinks this whole thing will get you to get over your dislike of Rodney." He said in a low voice so they wouldn't be overheard. Connor offered him a bemused look. "Well, you got everyone else to promise to be extra careful, and it's McKay's fault the building blew up."
Connor poked him in the shoulder. "You were supposed to be watching him."
"I was." John said, abashed. "I watched him…" He defended. Connor stared at him "…trip the booby-trap." John finished.
The linguist gave him a glare that neither man took seriously. "I'm glad you're alright." He said quietly.
"Really?" John asked, with a wiggle of his eyebrows. "Prove it." Connor blushed and looked around. Everyone seemed to be studiously avoiding looking at them so he rose from his seat a little and planted a small kiss on John's lips. He sat back down and John pouted. "I survive a building falling on me, and that's all I get?"
"There are people here." Connor whispered.
"So?"
Connor blushed an even deeper red. "Later."
John winked at him. "I'm holding you to that." The older man tugged an arm around Connor's neck and pulled his head down to rest on his chest. The linguist tried to protest because John was injured but his boyfriend was having none of it. Connor gently reached an arm across John and fingers worked their way through his hair.
Eventually Ronon would cough and Connor would sit up from his position as a nurse walked in, but for now, the linguist was content to rest atop his boyfriend.
John was watching Rodney out of the corner of his eye. He had been released from the infirmary earlier that week and now his team, plus Connor, Lorne and Keller were settling down to watch a movie. John was happy for Ronon but wished that the doctor had been unavailable. Her presence had changed their seating arrangement. Lorne was sitting on the far end of the couch with Teyla next to him and John next to the Athosian. Connor was sitting on the ground in front of the couch between Teyla and John's legs. Ronon, McKay and Keller were all on another couch with Keller in the middle.
Rodney had seemed a little sad when it became clear he was the only one there without a date. John could tell him best friend was trying not to let it show, instead watching intently as Ronon popped the DVD in. A movie that someone had left in the rec. room about a dancing penguin.
The lights lowered around them automatically as the Satedan re-took his place on the couch, an arm settling along the back of it, around Keller's shoulders. A discreet look to the right showed that Lorne and Teyla were holding hands between them. John sighed and Connor turned his head up to look at him a question in his eyes. John shook his head at the other man and the linguist frowned but turned back to the movie. He felt a warm body lean against his leg and a small smile came to his face. John let a hand fall lightly against Teyla's knee to rest his fingertips in Connor's hair.
A couple hours later the movie was over and John saw Keller sleeping against Ronon with Rodney pressed up against the arm of the couch as far from the couple as possible. Teyla's head was resting on Lorne's shoulder but John could tell she was still awake. Connor had shifted so his head was leaning against Teyla's leg and John couldn't tell if his boyfriend was awake or asleep. Teyla untangled herself from John's second in command and reached a hand down to land gently on Connor's head. She bent down to peer at him and smiled back up at John.
"I do believe he has fallen asleep." She announced softly.
With a glance at the still sleeping Keller, John bent over to gently rub one of Connor's arms. "Connor." He whispered loudly.
An arm batted at his hand. "Mmm, John, why do you never let me sleep?" Connor asked sleepily, giving no signs of waking.
He heard Lorne snicker and John leveled him with a glare before turning back to his partner. "Time to wake up."
"No it's not." Connor mumbled.
"Well, I think Teyla would like her leg back." John offered with a grin at the Athosian woman.
"Teyla?" John could see his boyfriend beginning to wake up.
"Yes, Teyla. You're sleeping on her leg."
Connor sat up quickly with a blush. He looked up at the woman he had been leaning against. "Sorry, Teyla."
"It is not a problem, Connor." She offered with a sparkle in her eyes.
John stood and reached a hand down for the younger man who took it gratefully. He pulled the scientist up and Connor stumbled into John's chest, the older man's hands going out automatically to catch him. "Careful." He whispered into Connor's ear. The linguist shivered and stepped away from John.
The military commander frowned when he noticed that Rodney was no longer in the room.
"He left shortly after the movie ended." Teyla offered, answering his unspoken question.
"We need to find him a new girl." John decided.
"Who a new girl?" Keller mumbled as Ronon shook her awake.
"McKay."
"What happened with Katie?" She asked sitting up.
"They broke up before Valentine's Day." John answered her. "Anyways," He said looking around at the room full of people. "Does anyone have any suggestions?" Silence reigned around them. "None?" Everyone shook their heads. "Well let's try and think of someone before movie night, next week."
"Are you certain we should be interfering in Rodney's relationships?" Teyla asked.
John nodded. "Definitely. He needs to get back in the dating game."
Connor poked his arm. "Isn't that for him to decide?"
"Nope." He responded, shaking his head. "I let him decide before and he hasn't done anything about it. It's time for a little intervention." He grinned. John clapped his hands lightly. "Dismissed everybody! Remember your homework." Ronon snorted as he passed them, following Keller out of the room. Lorne offered a wave to Connor and him before leading Teyla out, leaving him and the linguist alone together. John turned to the younger man. "Ready?" Connor nodded.
John noticed him limping a little as they neared the scientist's quarters. He waited until they were inside to say anything. Connor collapsed onto the bed, laying back. "Leg hurt?" John asked, sitting down next to him.
"A little." Connor admitted. John knew that mean it probably hurt a lot if Connor was willing to say something about it.
The older man reached down to pull off Connor's shoes before quickly unbuckling his pants. John pushed the trouser's off of his boyfriend's body and examined the long gash on his lower leg. His fingers gently dance around the edges. "It's bleeding a little." John noticed with a frown. The wound was red and angry and a few bruises were still scattered around it. "Let me get some bandages." He stood and retrieved his first aid kit, coming back to settle at Connor's side. "Do you want to go to the infirmary? Someone can probably give you something for the pain?"
"No, I'd rather just stay here." Connor mumbled. He hissed as John wiped an antiseptic pad over the cut.
"Sorry." John offered. He placed a piece of gauze over the bleeding wound and cut some medical tape with his teeth, securing it to the leg.
"You couldn't have used plasters?" Connor complained. John knew the younger man preferred band-aids that adhered better to his skin.
"It was too big." John explained, patting Connor's stomach lightly before cleaning up the mess. He stood up to put the first aid kit away. John grabbed some sleep pants and stripped out of his uniform, pulling them on. John glanced worriedly at his boyfriend while he brushed his teeth; Connor hadn't moved from his initial position on the bed. The older man rinsed out and the bathroom light turned off. "You gonna brush your teeth?" He asked, taking a seat on the edge of the bed.
"Did before the movie." Came his reply.
"What did Keller say about your leg?" John asked, rubbing the thigh carefully.
"To take it easy. Use the crutches if it starts hurting a lot."
John tugged on the bottom of Connor's shirt, pulling it off over the younger man's head. He leaned down to give him a kiss. He sat back up to help shift the linguist around on the bed. The older man laid down next to Connor and their hands met. The linguist hadn't been able to sleep in his usual position, with half of him resting on John, with his leg the way it was and both men were feeling the loss.
"I'm sorry I've been a bit short." Connor said quietly, after a long pause of silence.
"It's alright." John tried to assure him. "It's just… frustrating knowing that you're in pain and there's nothing I can do."
The linguist moved sideways a little to rest more against the other man. "John?"
"Hm?"
"Are you really going to try and set Dr. McKay up?"
John thought for a second. "He's just been so down since the whole Katie thing, it's hard watching him like this."
"John?"
"Hm?"
"Thanks for taking care of me."
"Comes with the territory, but you're welcome."
"John?"
"Hm?"
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Con."
Corporal Eric Johns, the youngest member of SGA-4, was pacing outside of Dr. Connor Davids' office, waiting for the older man to arrive. He looked anxiously at his watch again. 1042. He had been waiting for almost an hour. His shift started at noon and he was hoping he would have time to talk to the linguist before he had to go on. He stopped pacing as he heard footsteps near him.
Connor was limping towards him with Colonel Sheppard by his side, holding an arm for support. "Do you even know where the crutches are?"
"That's a --ah! dumb question, John." The other man gasped out, clearly in pain. Eric's eyes bugged out a little at the sound of an Irish accent coming from his normally American sounding friend.
"So where are they?"
"I don't need them." Connor protested he looked up and spotted Eric. He subtly tried to push the colonel away but the older man held on.
"Yes you do. And you also need to sit down and stay off that leg."
"And I will… just as soon as I get to my lab."
At the pace they were going, Eric thought that might take all day. "Now why don't I believe that?"
When they finally reached him, Colonel Sheppard offered him a nod as Eric saluted him and a lazy salute in return. The doors swished open without any code from Connor and Eric frowned. He knew the doors had previously been locked. Connor gestured him in as Colonel Sheppard led the scientist to his couch, gently depositing him on the cushions. "Which books do you need?" The older man asked, gathering up Connor's laptop.
"The two that are open and the blue one sitting next to them." The books were piled onto the laptop along with a notebook and a couple pens and handed over to the linguist.
"Lorne's getting you lunch, right?"
"It's Tuesday." Connor replied. Eric didn't know what that meant but it seemed to satisfy his commanding officer.
"Call someone if you need help."
"I will."
"I mean it, Connor." And for some reason hearing his CO call his friend by his first name shocked Eric a little. "Teyla and Ronon have both volunteered to help."
"I said 'I will'." He repeated in an amused tone.
"Yes, but I know you."
"Go." Connor said with a wave of his hand. "Do Colonel-ly things. Save planets, kill Wraith, shoot bugs."
Sheppard glared at him. "For the last time, it was a huge bug and it was going to attack us."
The linguist laughed softly. "Uh-huh. Bye, John." He waved.
The colonel rolled his eyes. "Later, Doc." And with that the other man was gone leaving Eric alone with the linguist.
Connor stood up and limped over to a water kettle, filling it up. "Tea?" He asked, shifting back into his American accent.
"Um, sure. Should you be standing?"
The linguist shrugged. "I'm fine." He put the water on to boil, bringing out two mugs and laying two tea bags next to them.
"Colonel Sheppard didn't seem to think so." Eric protested.
"John just, um, worries too much." Connor smiled. "So how can I help you today, Eric?"
"I was just wondering if you had some time to talk, Doc." He replied. The older man pointed him towards the couch and Eric took a seat. Connor rested on the arm as he waited for his water to boil.
"About anything in particular?"
Eric shifted nervously. "You won't repeat anything I tell you, right?"
Connor frowned. "Of course not. Unless you tell me something like… you've planted bombs throughout the base."
The younger man gave a nervous laugh. "No, it's nothing like that."
"Alright then, what can I, uh, help you with?"
"I like someone." Eric blurted out.
"So what's the problem?"
"This person barely knows I exist. In fact, I'm not sure that they even do."
"So a scientist." Connor guessed. He stood as the water began to boil. Eric watched his pour water into two mugs, adding the tea bags. Connor handed one to him and slowly limped back to sit on the couch, careful not to spill his tea.
"How'd you guess?"
"Evan and John say we, um, tend to live in our own little worlds." He smiled. "So how do you, uh, know you like this person if they don't know you?"
"I've spoken to them a couple times. Mostly like 'Excuse me' or 'Sorry', but they always seem to be around."
"Can you tell me who it is?" Eric chewed on his lip and shook his head. "Alright then, let's call this person… Alex."
Eric swallowed. "Okay."
"So what is it you, uh, like about… Alex?"
"Alex is funny… and smart. Really smart. Um, maybe not the nicest person though."
Connor raised a brow at that. "How so?" He asked, taking a sip of his hot tea.
"Alex yells a lot and thinks everyone is dumb."
The linguist looked at him and his eyes softened and suddenly Eric felt very, very naked; like his friend could see right through him. "I'm not sure he's gay, Eric." He said softly.
Eric swallowed and looked at Connor with wide eyes. "G-gay?" He stuttered. "Why… uh, why would you say that?" He asked nervously.
The older man smiled kindly at him. "Your avoidance of pronouns, your overall nervousness since I've arrived… the fact that you came to talk to me."
The younger man swallowed. Connor was all but confirming that he was gay, something Eric had only suspected. "Are you sure?"
"About Dr. McKay? No." Connor shook his head. "But until recently he had been dating a woman for a few years. I could probably find out…"
The younger man fidgeted nervously and shook his head. "It's a dumb crush. I just need to focus on something else."
Connor took a sip of his tea. "Can I ask a personal question?"
"Sure."
"How long have you, um, known you were gay?"
"Since I was about fifteen." Eric admitted.
"And you still joined the Marines?" The linguist asked, astonished.
"I've wanted to serve my country for longer." He replied quietly. "For me it was never a choice."
"So you've…"
"Never acted on it? No. I did what I had to so I could get where I am today." Eric said taking a sip of his tea.
"And you've never regretted it?"
"I have. Once. And I do right now. But my job means so much more to me."
"I used to, um, sorta be like that. Consumed by the job. But then I fell in love and nothing else mattered as much as it did before." Connor looked him in the eyes. "I didn't think I could be this happy." Eric looked away from his eyes. "I think you should think about this. You must like him a lot to come talk to me."
"I do." Eric confirmed softly. "I don't know why, but I do."
Connor moaned as John's hand moved up and down his erection. Water was pelting them both from the shower and his boyfriend stood behind him, and arm wrapped around his waist, taking some of the pressure off his leg. John's own hardness was pressing firmly against Connor's lower back. The linguist tilted his head back to rest on John's shoulder. He came with a cry and John's hand squeezed him a few more times before going around his waist, to help him stand.
"Good morning." John whispered into his ear, pressing a kiss to his neck.
Connor felt John's hand leave his waist and move around to Connor's back. He felt the rhythm John's hand made as it jerked the older man off between their bodies. A few minutes later John was coming, and both arms wrapped around him again. John's head leaned forward to rest on Connor's shoulder.
"Is Dr. McKay straight?" Connor asked.
"What?" John asked, bemused.
"Dr. McKay. Is he straight?" Connor repeated.
"You're asking me now?"
The linguist frowned. "Um, yes?"
"So much for the afterglow." John groused. "Just be glad you're cute. As far as I know he's only dated women."
"Oh."
"Why? Are you running off with him now too?" John asked in reference to Connor's comment a week ago.
"In a dashing ménage a trois." Connor teased.
"Seriously. Why?" John asked. He had grabbed a washcloth and was moving it over Connor's body.
"Just wondering."
John thought for a second. "That night he got really drunk he said he should look for a man like I did since it worked for me."
"Do you think he was serious?"
"I think he was drunk." John answered. "And lonely."
"Oh."
"Now you are going to tell me what's with the twenty questions." The older man stated.
"I am?"
"Yep."
Connor hesitated. "I might know someone who likes Dr. McKay."
"A male someone?"
"Yeah."
"Hm, well, I'm not sure what to tell you, Con. I can try and see if Rodney was kidding." He offered.
"Discreetly?"
"I am nothing if not stealth." The younger man turned in his arms to look up at him skeptically. "Well, I can be stealth." John re-phrased.
"Tá grá agam duit." Connor said out of nowhere to him.
John tightened the arm around his stomach. "I love you, too."
"Good morning." Evan whispered in a voice husky from sleep.
"Good morning." Came his sleepy reply. Slowly eyes blinked open at him and a smile graced Teyla's face. "What time is it?" She asked.
Evan glance at his watch. "0616."
"It is early yet."
"For me." He grinned. "You're usually up by now."
"I am also usually in bed by 2200 hours." She pointed out.
"That's true." Evan rolled on top of her, his arms resting on either side to support his weight. "But neither of us has any place to be until 0800."
She wrapped a leg around the back of his. "I suppose I can skip my morning mediations." She offered with a smile.
"Really? Well in that case…" He bent down to capture her lips in a kiss, a hand moving up her naked body as her hands ran down his bare back.
They were both seven minutes late for their morning meetings.
"Sheppard! Stop touching everything!" Rodney yelled at him as something else he was holding lit up. "We don't know what all of those do! It could explode for all we know!"
John set the Ancient artifact back on the table. "Sorry, Rodney." He said with a smirk.
"Uh-huh. Sure, Sheppard. Here," He said thrusting a metal square into his hands. "Touch this." The square lit up and Atlantis sent a warning feeling to him. John immediately dropped the object and it shattered as it hit the ground. "Ack! What did you do that for?"
"Something was wrong with it."
"What do you mean wrong with it?" McKay asked, bending to pick up the pieces.
"It was bad."
"Bad? You're not making any sense Sheppard." He stood back up and dropped the shards into a box.
"Look, Rodney. Something was wrong with it, I felt it."
"Felt what?!" He asked exasperated.
"I don't know. Just something wrong." John tried to explain.
Rodney threw up his hands. "Whatever, Sheppard. Keep your explanations to yourself. Touch this." He pushed something else into John's hands.
John concentrated on the artifact. "It's a flashlight."
"Ha! Eat that Zelenka!" Rodney yelled across the lab. The Czech doctor shot a string of foreign words at McKay.
"And this?" He pushed something else into John's hands.
He concentrated. "Um, kid's toy?"
Rodney looked interested at that. "Really?"
"I think so." He handed it back.
"Look, McKay, I didn't actually come here to play light-switch."
"Touch this." Something else was handed to him.
"Personal heater. Listen, I was wondering if you've ever…" John paused, unsure of how to ask the question.
"If I ever what?"
"So have you only dated women?"
Rodney dropped what he was holding. "What?!"
"I was just wondering." John defended.
"Why? Not content with your boy toy?" He gathered up the artifact handing it to John.
"What? No! And notebook! Will you stop shoving things into my hands?"
McKay took the artifact back. "Then why are you asking?"
"You mentioned something when you were drunk the other night."
"Whatever I said you can't hold against me." Rodney immediately defended. "Unless I solved the mysteries of the universe."
"No mystery solving. So no interest at all?"
"Why this sudden need to knew all my interests?"
"Not all, just some." John defended.
Rodney looked around nervously. "Well, maybe the thought has passed through my head once or twice."
"Just a thought?"
"Yes. We don't all turn gay for the first man we see." He jabbed.
"So you have no interest?" John clarified.
"Well, I didn't say that. And you still haven't told me why you care."
"Just want to see you happy, buddy. It worked for me." John grinned.
"Yes, well, even bugs are attracted to you."
"Why is it always the bugs with everyone?" Rodney just looked at him. "Well, whatever. Are you interested or not?"
"Interested in what?"
"A date."
"A date with who?"
"Someone who has expressed interest."
"Someone who?"
John tried to look reassuring. "A male someone."
"Yes, Sheppard, I got that part."
"Look, Rodney, I'm not exactly sure, it's not like anyone on the base will be coming to me to confess they like a man."
"So how do you know someone even likes me?" The scientist asked with a skeptical look on his face.
"I have sources."
Rodney snorted. "Uh huh."
"So what do you say?"
"Fine, Sheppard. It can't possibly be any worse than I am now." He sighed.
"Awesome." John grinned.
Rodney shoved something else into his hands. "Now, touch this."
"So I got Rodney to agree to a date." John said later that night.
"You what?" Connor propped himself up on an elbow in bed to look down at his boyfriend.
"I asked him and he admitted to a small interest in men."
Connor looked nervous. "Um, well, I'm not sure my friend is ready for a date."
John pushed himself up level with Connor. "Not ready?"
"Well, he's never been on a date."
The older man laughed. "What, is he twelve?" A hurt look flashed across Connor's face but the linguist quickly hid it. "Shit, Con. I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that."
Connor sank back down into the mattress and he faced the ceiling. "It's fine." He said in a small voice.
"It's not. I shouldn't have said that."
"I'm fine, John." He said stiffly. "Anyways, I'll talk to my friend."
The older man peered down at his boyfriend. "I'm sorry." He repeated. He reached a hand out to gently cup Connor's face, turning his head to face John. "I'm sorry." He said again. "I love that I'm the only person you've dated. I wish you were the only person I've dated." He told the other man, voice full of regret.
"So tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day." Connor stated, changing the subject.
"Okay." John said hesitantly. Connor reached up to grab the hand on his face, clasping it tightly within his smaller hand.
"And, um, there's another Irish person on base."
"Your people are taking over." John said lightly.
Connor hit him in the arm. "Anyways, it's my boss and he's invited me over for a drink tomorrow night."
"A drink?"
"The thing we Irish are famous for?"
"Okay." John drawled.
"Um, so I'm telling you because I might come back pissed."
"Angry?"
"Drunk."
"Ah. How drunk?"
"Um, if I'm not back by one you might need to come find me."
"Find you?"
"Why are you repeating everything in question form?"
"I don't know. What do you mean, find you?"
"When drunk I tend to, um… wander."
"Wander?"
Connor hit him again. "Stop it."
"Ow! Alright, I'll come get you." John agreed. "This is partner abuse." He said rubbing his arm with his free hand.
Connor stared at him wide eyed. "Partner?"
John swallowed. "I… I meant boyfriend."
"Oh." Connor said in a quiet voice. "Okay."
They laid there in silence, holding hands while John's mind raced. "I lied." He said finally. "I meant partner." Connor didn't say anything, but John was sure he was still awake. "You've got to know by now that you're it for me, Connor. The person I want to spend the rest of my life with."
"Promise?" The younger man whispered.
"I promise."
"I promise, too." And something inside of John clicked into place and he felt complete.
"Hey, Doc. You wanted to see me?" Connor looked up as Corporal Eric Johns stuck his head into his lab. Connor gestured him in. The corporal walked over to lean against his desk. "So, what's up?"
Connor mentally locked the door. "So I, um, did some fishing around. I know you told me not to bother…"
"With Dr. McKay?" The younger man asked quietly.
"Yeah."
"Oh. So what'd you find?"
"There's interest."
"In me?" Eric asked shocked.
Connor shook his head. "He doesn't, uh, know it's specifically you. There's interest in a date with a man."
Eric looked nervous all of a sudden. "I don't know, Doc. So many things could go wrong…"
"And something could go right." Connor countered. "Look, I don't know him very well, but I think he'd be discreet."
"Discreet?" Eric laughed softly. "Have you ever even met the man?"
Connor laughed with him. "I know. He's normally so loud, but I know he can be quiet."
"Can I think about this?"
"Absolutely."
He pushed himself off of the desk. "Thanks, Doc. For everything."
"You're welcome." Connor smiled.
"I'll be in touch."
"Okay."
The door chimed. Connor mentally unlocked it and John walked in with a food tray.
"Sir." Corporal Johns saluted.
John shifted his tray to return the salute and Connor could see the annoyance in his eyes. "Corporal."
"I'll see you later, Doc."
"Bye, Eric." He gave a small wave and the younger man was gone.
John walked over to him and set the tray down next to the linguist's laptop. "You need to make more non-military friends. I can't take everyone saluting me."
Connor laughed at his boyfriend. "I'll get right on that. What's all this?" He asked, gesturing to the tray.
"Lunch."
"Lunch? Already?"
"It's 1500, Connor." John said.
"Oh. Really?"
"Yes, really." John pushed some of the food over to Connor's side. "Eat." He commanded.
Connor grinned and saluted him. John gave him a mock glare and the younger man laughed as he picked up the sandwich. "Thanks." He offered before taking a large bite of the sandwich on his plate.
John heaved himself up to sit on the desk next to the tray and grabbed a French fry, sticking it in his mouth. "So whatcha working on?"
"More medical stuff." He took a sip of the water on the tray.
"Still?" John asked, stealing another fry.
Connor nodded as he chewed. "Yeah."
"Don't you ever get tired of doing the same thing over and over?
Connor frowned. "But it's not the same thing."
"It's still translating."
"But translating different things." He said confused.
John shook his head. "Never mind."
"Um, okay." Connor said lightly, taking another bite of his sandwich. "I talked to my friend. He's going to think it over."
"Think it over?"
"Yeah. Just needs a little time." John pushed some food towards him and Connor took another bite.
"Okay. So…" John took a sip of Connor's water. "What would you think about a trip to Earth?"
Connor looked up at him, still chewing and frowned. "Earth?" He asked swallowing.
"Yeah, Teyla and maybe Ronon too. Thought we could show them around. And I believe I promised you a trip in a helicopter and a Ferris wheel ride in Santa Monica?" He asked for confirmation.
Connor nodded. "I didn't think you'd remember that."
"Well," John grinned. "You're not the only one with an amazing memory."
The scientist blushed. "When?"
John stole another fry. "I'm thinking in a couple months maybe for a week or two." He popped the stolen food into his mouth.
"You put in the request?"
"Yeah, a few months back."
"Oh. Wow. You've been thinking about this."
John nodded. "I'm sorry that it can't be just the two of us."
Connor waved his concern away. "Ronon and Teyla are okay with coming?"
"Well, I haven't passed it by Chewie yet, but Teyla seemed excited at the prospect."
The younger man smiled at him. "Sure. I'd love to get some more tea."
"So you want to go to Earth to get more tea?"
"And ride in a helicopter." Connor teased.
"Just you wait, it'll be awesome." John proclaimed.
"I'm sure." He smiled and John leaned down to give him a kiss, one the linguist readily accepted.
"I've got to get back to work. Happy St. Patrick's Day." He offered.
"Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Duit." Connor replied.
"I'll see you tonight." John said with a smile over his shoulder as he left.
"I hope so." Connor mumbled.
"Ah! Dr. Davids, m'boy, come on it!" Dr. O'Suileabhain gestured him into his quarters. "Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig ort!"
"Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig ort." Connor offered back. "I brought some whiskey." He said, holding up a full bottle.
"Excellent! Excellent." Connor was sure his boss had a head start on the drinking. "Let me get you a glass." Connor took a seat on the couch, noting the array of alcohols on the table before him. There was beer, wine, whiskey, rum and vodka. "Here's you go!" A small glass was thrust into his hands. Connor set his whiskey on the table next to the other whiskeys. "Help yourself." The older man gestured, pouring more rum into his own glass.
Connor selected some vodka, pouring a shot into a small glass. "Sláinte." He said, gesturing with the glass towards his boss. The older man returned the cheer and Connor knocked back a shot. He poured another.
Two hours later Connor couldn't remember how much he had had to drink and most of the bottles on the table were empty. His face was flushed and he was laughing at something his boss had said.
"Connor, m'boy, it's time for us to remember our country!" Connor was pretty sure they had been doing that all night. "St. Patrick was a gentleman!" He began and Connor smiled.
The linguist joined in. "Who through strategy and stealth, drove all the snakes from Ireland, here's a toasting to his health!" They clinked glasses and took a long drink before continuing. "But not too many toastings," Connor shook his head, grinning. "Lest you lose yourself and then, forget the good St. Patrick, and see all those snakes again!"
They laughed together and Connor downed the rest of his drink.
John was a little nervous. It was 0044 and Connor still hadn't come back. The military commander was still in his uniform, prepared to go find his partner when he watch chimed 0100. He had only seen Connor drunk once and he was fairly sure that would be nothing compared to how drunk the younger man would be when he finished. A while back John had asked about St. Patrick's Day and Connor had excitedly told him all about it in his home country. A week long celebration, almost three days of straight drinking, parades, dancing, singing and more. John couldn't really imagine his shy boyfriend doing any of those things, and hoped one day in the future that he could travel with Connor back to the linguist's home country and experience it.
At 0058 the door slid open and John stood up. Connor stumbled into the room and looked up at John with a flushed face and relaxed eyes. John walked over to help the younger man into the room, locking the door behind him. Connor held on to his boyfriend as John led him to the bathroom.
"Have fun?" John asked.
Connor nodded enthusiastically. "I t'ink we drank ta whole base." He said, accent slurred and heavy.
John pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Well you certainly smell like you did." He said with a grin. The shower turned on and John reached out to stop the scientist from climbing in fully dressed. "Clothes, Con." He said.
"Oh yeah!" The linguist turned to look at him. "You are so smart, John. T'smartest of t'em all!" He giggled.
John gave him another kiss, this time on the lips. He reached for Connor's clothes and started undressing the younger man. Connor rested his hands on John's shoulder as the older man worked. The older man prodded him to lift his legs, and the other man stepped out of his pants and shoes. John reached for his shirt, pulling it up over his head. He gave the linguist a gentle push towards the shower and perched himself on the counter.
"You're not coming?" Connor pouted, turning around.
"In the morning, if you're up." John countered. "Remember the 'no sex when drunk' rule?"
"Ohhhh yeah. Am I drunk?"
"Definitely." John grinned. "Now take a shower."
"Alright." Connor agreed happily. John watched as his partner stepped into the shower, closing the door behind him. He laughed quietly to himself when he heard Connor start singing lightly. Most of it was in another language, interspersed with English words. John didn't think it was Irish and thought maybe he heard some French words coming from the younger man.
Ten minutes after it started the shower turned off. John hopped down and grabbed a towel. Connor opened the door and stood there dripping wet, no more sober than when he started. John opened the towel and the linguist stepped forward for John to dry his off. The older man gave him another kiss. "Ready for bed?"
"Mmm-hmm." He stumbled as he stepped forward and John reached out to catch him. John wrapped an arm around Connor's waist and patiently waited as the linguist brushed his teeth before leading him to bed.
"Stay." John ordered.
"Aye, aye, Colonel!" Connor grinned and mock saluted him.
John rolled his eyes before turning away to change strip out of his clothes, leaving him in his boxers. He rooted through the drawers to grab another pair of boxers for Connor. He threw them at the Irish man who held them up and studied them.
"They're for wearing, Connor." John smiled as he sank into the bed next to the younger man. Connor shot him a large smile as he tugged the boxers on. John saw a wince as they moved over his leg. His boyfriend curled up into him, resting his head on John's chest. "Con, you probably shouldn't sleep like this, your leg will hurt in the morning." He said softly, carding a hand through the linguist's wet hair.
"I don't care."
"I do."
"I miss hearing your heart." Connor said softly.
"It will still be here when your leg is better."
"It might not." The younger man countered quietly.
John felt a pain in his chest at that. "You're right." He swallowed. "It might not."
Connor didn't move and John, although his brain said he should, didn't push the younger man into a more comfortable position. The younger man was quickly falling asleep, but John wasn't ready to stop watching him. Connor's breathing began to even out.
"John?" Connor mumbled and John thought that perhaps he was already sleeping.
"Hm?"
There was silence for a while and the older man began to fall asleep himself. "Marry me." He heard mumbled into his chest.
Johns eyes shot open and he sat up a little to look at the man in his arms. "What? Connor?"
There was no reply and Connor remained soundly asleep.
The next day found John off world, exploring with his team. The planet appeared to be deserted, but Teyla was assuring them that the people liked it that way. John thought that the planet had been culled, and his other team members probably did as well from the doubtful looks he was receiving; but no one wanted to say that out loud.
"So," Rodney said, sidling up to him. "Whatever happened with this interested date?" He asked between bites of a Power Bar.
"He's thinking about it." John said distractedly. He couldn't get last night out of his mind. John kept hearing Connor's voice asking him to marry him.
"Hello?" Rodney asked, waving a hand in front of his face. "Atlantis to Sheppard? Anyone there?"
John slapped the hand away. "What, McKay?"
"I said, thinking about what?"
John turned to look at him. "He's military I think."
"So?"
"US military."
Rodney's face fell a little. "Oh."
John understood perfectly. "Yeah, 'oh'."
"So what's eating you, Sheppard?" Rodney asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you've been extra quiet today."
"What the fuck, McKay? Is there a word limit I need to meet?" John asked annoyed, he wanted to go back thinking about last night.
A hurt looked flashed across his best friend's face before the other man hid it. "Fine, be quiet. I don't care." He walked away from John to catch up with Teyla.
"He's right." John heard from his left. He looked to see Ronon in step with him.
"Right about what?"
"You've been quiet. What's up, Sheppard?"
"What? I'm not allowed to be quiet?"
"Not anymore." Ronon said mysteriously and John decided not to try and figure that out.
"I just have a lot on my mind."
"The Daedalus?" The Satedan asked.
"What? Oh, no." John denied. The ship was coming next week and John had a lot of stuff to do in preparation.
"So?"
"So… what?" John asked.
"What's on your mind?"
"It's private."
Ronon snorted. "Please, Sheppard." He said as if there were nothing private between them. John thought he might actually have a point.
He shook his head. "It's nothing, Ronon, really." The larger man looked doubtful but walked off as well.
"Is there anything you would like to talk about, John?" Teyla asked ten minutes later as she walked beside him. John turned and wondered how long she had been next to him for. He also wondered when his team had turned into a group of therapists.
"No." He said annoyed. "Why does everyone think I have something to talk about."
"We are just concerned."
"Well there's no reason to be." John defended.
Teyla reached out to touch his arm gently and John stopped walking to look at her. Her eyes searched his face. "I sense you are troubled about something. Does it concern young Connor?" She asked intuitively.
John sighed and looked away. His eyes tracked Ronon and McKay about ten yards away, both had stopped and were looking at something on the ground. "Last night he came home really drunk." John started.
"And you believe something is wrong with him?" She furrowed a brow.
"No, no, nothing like that." He said with a shake of his head. "Connor warned me in advance he'd be drunk. Yesterday was St. Patrick's Day, an Irish holiday, big where Connor's from. So he and his boss, another Irish man were up all night drinking." He paused. "But that's not what's important. When he finally came back we were lying in bed and I'm positive he was sleeping but he," John swallowed. "He said my name and asked me to marry him." He finished softly.
Teyla's frown disappeared. "And what did you say?"
"He was sleeping, Teyla. And I couldn't talk to him this morning about it because he was still sleeping when I left."
"Would you have said yes?" She asked.
John didn't hesitate. "Yes."
She smiled at him. "It is good to know that you have found someone, John. For many years I worried about you."
"Really?"
"Yes. You always seemed quite… alone. Connor has changed that."
John smiled. "Yeah, he really has."
"So you will discuss this with him tonight?"
"I don't know. I'll ask him if he remembers saying it."
"Have you had a chance to talk to him about perhaps bonding in the ways of my people?"
John shook his head. "I didn't want to move to fast. We've only been together six months, Teyla."
"Time, I have found, holds no meaning where the heart is concerned." She offered wisely.
"Yeah, I guess you're right." John admitted. "I'm just scared."
"You should not be." She advised. They began walking again towards the other half of their team. "And you will apologize for being short with Rodney."
"Do I have to?"
Teyla shot him a stern glare. "Yes."
John pouted. "Fine."