Title: Breathe
Waking up it was to warm skin under his cheek, soft snoring just above his head and possessive arms wrapped around him. Body still pleasantly languid after an extensive night of sex, he took in the scent from their nocturnal activities and from the man next to him as it hung heavy in the air. A hand gently traced the hairs on the pale chest and slowly skimmed down deliciously heated skin, passed ribs, down onto the flat plane of stomach and over to the rise of a hip that simply did peculiar things to his stomach and his cock.
Sex last night had been frantic,desperate and passionate, a needed release after such a harrowing mission. They'd been fuck buddies for several months now, each taking what they needed; a release from the constant tension and a good lay. It was about getting off and that didn't change how they worked together, how they snarked and snarled and argued with each other as they had since first arriving to Atlantis.
But last night had been different.
Underneath the hot fucking had been a desperate plea in those hazel-green eyes, eyes that took him in with both awe and trepidation and asked that one question all night long.
How?
How did Rodney know the natives hadn't killed John off, for all intents and purposes his dead body displayed on the alter where they worshipped?
A tremor raced though Rodney's hand, causing him to squeeze that hip a little too tightly.
A hitch in breath told him John was awake. "I'm right here." Whispered so lightly, reassuringly.
And in the following quiet of the early morning, listening to the steady thumping of John's heart just under his ear, Rodney discovered the answer.
"I felt you breathe."
Soft laughter followed, one hand feathering through Rodney's hair. "I do that a lot."
"On the planet."
John's breath caught a little. "Oh." Sensing Rodney about to move, John's grip increased to keep him there. It was impossible that Rodney couldn't hear his heart picking up speed and took a deep breath. "I'm glad."
Eyes as blue as Earth's sky looked up at him in shock. "You're glad?"
John smiled one of those rare, open smiles. "Very glad."
end.