Carson leaned against the railing, resting his head on his arms, and staring out at the churning waves.
So much had happened over the past week. The bug, getting over Perna's death, and ...
...Rodney.
Carson finally let the voice in his head win. He had definite feelings about McKay, and most of them went well beyond the bounds of friendship. He could still feel the brush of Rodney's lips against his forehead, the warmth of his arms. Sighing, Carson shook his head - not in denial, but confusion. All the men and women in Atlantis, and Carson had fallen in love with Rodney McKay. He wasn't sure why that should surprise him that much - after all, aside from bickering with each other, the two were well known as the best of friends.
Which was, Carson realized, the problem.
Carson sighed, pulling his jacket closer against the cool evening breeze. He wasn't sure how to face Rodney now, whether he should tell his friend about these new feelings - or keep them a closely held secret.
Engrossed in his thoughts, Carson didn't hear the balcony door slide open.
"Coffee?"
Carson jumped, then eyed Rodney warily. "Isn't this how we got in trouble the first time around?"
"No, we got in trouble because the Ancients keep horrible records about what they keep in their damn boxes," Rodney replied.
Carson couldn't argue with that logic. He took the coffee.
For a while, the two sipped their drinks in silence, each lost in his own thoughts. It was Carson who finally broke the silence.
"Rodney? Can I ask you something?"
"Yeah, sure."
Carson cleared his throat nervously. "During the test, you - ah - you said something about losing someone you love. Who were you talking about?"
Rodney was silent. Thinking that maybe he hadn't been heard, Carson opened his mouth to ask again.
"You."
The word was so soft, barely above a whisper, that Carson almost missed it. When he finally realized what Rodney had said, his heart skipped a beat. "Me?" he finally croaked. "You meant, as a friend, right?"
Rodney shook his head. "I - um - well, the thing is - "
Suddenly, to Carson's eternal surprise, Rodney leaned in, took Carson's chin in his hand, and planted his lips firmly on Carson's.
All too quickly, he pulled back, looking upset. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have-"
His apology remained
unfinished, as Carson stepped forward. "Don't," he said
firmly, before brushing his lips across Rodney's. Their kiss
deepened, grew more passionate, until Rodney blushed from his toes to
his hairline. Finally, reluctantly, Carson pulled away. "Don't,"
he repeated.
"Don't?"
Carson stepped back, looking at his friend critically. "Don't tell me you shouldn't have done that, and don't apologize, otherwise you're going to ruin a perfectly good kiss."
Rodney swallowed. "Something tells me we need to talk."
"Aye, about a few things..." Carson smiled. "Starting with us."
FIN
