"I hope this is what someone would wear to a housewarming party," Rodney asked as we walked up to Carson's door later that evening with John, Elizabeth, and Teyla.
Behind him Elizabeth mumbled to Teyla, "Yeah, if it is the housewarming party of someone you want to impress." And indeed, the jeans the were tight in just the right places as well as the pale blue button down shirt seemed a little, well, showy.
"Well, here it goes." Rodney took a deep breath and rang the bell. It was only a few seconds before Carson opened the door: wearing the same very comfortable jeans from the previous day that had Rodney almost in a fit, a sweater vest that hugged him just right with a white button down underneath, and an almost finished beer in his right hand.
"Rodney! Guys! I was afraid ye might not be comin'! Come on in! Glad you could make it!"
It did not escape the very shrewd notice of one John Sheppard that Carson had said this all while looking at Rodney.
"Thank you for inviting us," Teyla said. "Is there a place we might put our coats?"
"Oh, right. This way. You can put them in my room." Carson led them to a door at the end of a very short (almost non-existent) hallway off of the living room. "Just but them over Mr. Bone-Jangles' arm."
Everyone was slightly confused until they saw a life size skeleton standing in one corner with its arm extended, like it was reaching for something. "You have a skeleton in your room?" John exclaimed as he did indeed put his jacket over Mr. Bone-Jangles arm with a quiet thanks.
"Aye. What's wrong with that?"
"Nothing, its just a little odd," John replied as he looked around the rest of the room. Carson just shrugged.
"I'm impressed. You've been here a week and you're already unpacked," said Elizabeth.
"I was unpacked the first night we were here. I couldn't fall asleep knowing there were still boxes that needed to be unpacked. So, do you guys want anything to drink? Or do you want to stay here and avoid my mum?"
"Actually, I would like to meet your mom. After what Rodney told me about dinner last night," John said with a smile on his face. Rodney gave him a glare.
Carson turned to Rodney quickly. "You weren't bad mouthing me mum were you?" he asked with a glare.
"Of course not! I like your mother!" Carson continued to look at his friend wearily until John reassured him that nothing bad had been said.
"Carson, what are you doing hiding in your room? And who are all these people? Hello again Rodney," Peg said as she came into the room.
"Mum, this is John, Elizabeth, and Teyla. Guys, this is me mum, Peg."
"It's a pleasure to meet you all. I hope to talk to you more later tonight. But right now my boss wants to meet Carson, so if you'll excuse us," Peg said as she eyed gestured to her son.
"Oh, sorry guys. There are drinks in the kitchen. Rodney can show you. I'll talk to you later?" he asked as he edged towards the door.
"Its fine, Carson. Go, charm the boss," John said with a shake of his hand towards the door. Carson smiled (at Rodney, John noted) and left, following his mother.
"Well, I for one do not want to pass up the opportunity for some under age drinking. Shall we?" John asked.
"Oh, right. Kitchen's this way." Rodney led them out and through a small crowd of people into the kitchen, where, to their surprise, there was a full bar along with a sink full of ice and various beers. John went straight for the beer while Rodney and the girls went for the bar where they were more than surprised to get a Rum and Coke (Rodney) and wine (Elizabeth and Teyla).
John, Teyla, and Elizabeth watched in wonder as Rodney quickly downed his drink and went back to get another, much to the amusement of the bartender.
"Okay. What was that for?" asked John when Rodney came back with his second drink, which he was drinking at a much slower rate.
"Nothing."
"That was not for nothing, Rodney. What happened?" Elizabeth asked.
Rodney sighed. "Nothing really. I just thought I could use a little something extra when I asked Carson if I could stay the night."
John raised an eyebrow and asked, "Parents kick you out again?" Rodney nodded. "You do realize you could stay at my place."
"Yeah, I might have to take you up on that if Carson says no."
"Carson will let you stay," Teyla stated. "He will not throw a friend out in need."
Just then, Carson entered the kitchen and grabbed another beer out of the sink. "Sorry 'bout that. But he pretty much paid for this party to happen, so…"
"Say no more, its alright," said Elizabeth.
"Are you guys having fun so far?"
"As much fun as you can have in what? Ten minutes," John answered with a smile.
"Me mum really would like to talk to you guys later. She asked me to apologize for not talking to you earlier."
"Its alright, really. How many drinks have you had tonight?" John asked.
"Uh, I think this is my third. Why?"
"Rodney has something he would like to ask you, doesn't he?" John stated with a significant glare at Rodney. Carson turned to Rodney with a questioning look on his face.
"Uh, I was wondering if I would be able to stay here for the night," he finally stammered out.
"Of course, but what for?" asked Carson.
"Uh, I'll tell you later." Rodney quickly finished his drink and when to get a third.
While Rodney was at the bar, Carson turned to John with a raised eyebrow and obviously expected answers.
"Its really his story. But the heart of the matter is, is that he doesn't really get along with his parents and they keep kicking him out of the house. Sometimes its only for a day, sometimes its for longer. And that's his third drink of the night that he's getting," answered John to the unasked question.
"Ah." When Rodney came back, Carson quickly took the drink from Rodney's hands, grabbed his hand and pulled him into the crowd to 'meet some people.'
"So," John started.
"I think our little Rodney has a crush," Elizabeth said with a smile.
"That obvious, huh?" John asked.
"Well, the fact that he asked Carson if he could stay here after a fight with his parents instead of saying with you was a huge give away," stated Elizabeth.
"So, are we going to try and set them up or not?" asked John.
"I think we should wait. We don't know Carson's feelings on the matter and they have only known each other a week," said Teyla.
"You should also talk to Rodney about this," said Elizabeth. John just waved a hand at her. "You really need to. Give him words of encouragement and say that we'll always be here for him."
John rolled his eyes. "Alright. I'll talk to him."
There was a pause before Teyla said, "Elizabeth and I would like to do Arsenic and Old Lace."
"Rodney and I had the same thought. He also said Carson wanted to do that play as well. Rodney also told me that Carson said he wanted Rodney to play Teddy," said John with a smirk.
"I can see that. I can also see you playing Jonathan and Carson playing Mortimer," Elizabeth said with her own smirk.
"And who would you play?" asked John.
"Why, Teyla and I would play the aunts, of course!"
"Of course." The trio then wandered into the family room where there was quite a crowd. They spotted Carson and Rodney over by the back door talking to a couple. They also noted that Rodney had his drink back in his hand. John also noted, before they made their way over towards their friends, that Rodney's hand had a tendency to wander to Carson's back.
The rest of the party continued with equal amounts of socializing and people trouncing or getting trounced on the foosball table that was in the den. For Rodney, John, Elizabeth, and Teyla, it was an eye opener to who exactly their new friend was. They learned that no one could beat him at foosball and that when he drank a little too much, he started to get affectionate. With Rodney. Not that Rodney noticed, but John certainly did. For Rodney, the only awkward moment came the next morning when he woke up in Carson's bed. With an arm draped over his chest and a head right next to his.
Rodney looked over at his current bedmate and friend. He knew he should get up before Carson woke up to avoid the awkward moment, but he was really comfortable and who knew when this was going to happen again. It was with the last thought that Rodney knew he was thoroughly screwed. So it was with quite a bit of reluctance that he managed to get out of bed without waking Carson.
When he arrived in the kitchen, he was surprised to see Peg already there making breakfast. She looked up when he entered. "Carson didn't make you sleep in the guest room did he? I hope not since there really is no place to sleep there yet."
"No, he didn't."
"Good. Now, do you want some tea or should I start a pot of coffee for you?"
"Coffee would be great."
Peg nodded and turned away from the stove to start a small pot of coffee. "So, have you lived here all your life?"
"Uh, no. We moved here when I was six from Canada."
"Another foreigner. We must ban together," Peg answered with a smile.
"We should. But we can't tell my friends. Only John knows I would be against them."
"Your friends don't know you're Canadian?'
Rodney shrugged. "I was born in Vancouver. They think Washington, not British Columbia. I'm rather private about my life."
"And yet you're telling me," Peg stated with a raised eyebrow.
Rodney shrugged.
Just then Carson wandered in, eyes still shut.
"Good morning, luv," Peg said, pouring a cup of coffee and setting it in front of Rodney.
"Mornin' mum." was the reply as he sat down next to Rodney and laid his head on the counter.
"Good morning, luv," Rodney said with a smile.
"Mornin', Rodney," Carson answered head still down. Then he quickly sat up and looked at his friend.
"Not a morning person are we?" Rodney asked with a smirk.
Carson continued to stare at his friend until his mother set a cup of tea in front of him with the command to drink. Peg was amused to note that there was a blush appearing on her son's face as he buried it in his teacup.
There was once again silence until Peg said, "Breakfast is up" as she placed two plates in front of the boys in front of her.
"Thank you."
"Its no problem, hun. It's actually nice to make breakfast for three again. I haven't done that since Keith died."
Carson looked up. "Mum…"
Rodney looked over at his friend. "Keith was your husband?"
Ignoring the look from her son, Peg answered, "Aye. He died ten years ago in a car accident."
"I'm sorry to hear that." Rodney looked to his right and noticed that Carson was just sitting there, moving food around on his plate. He reached over and squeezed Carson's shoulder.
"What are your plans for the day boys?" Peg asked as she sat down next to her son.
"Teyla and Elizabeth want to go on a picnic," Carson replied.
"That sounds like fun."
Rodney snorted. "Teyla and Elizabeth have some weird ideas about picnics."
Carson looked very worried now. "Like what?"
"They like to go to the middle of the park and get everyone to do some very random and crazy things. One of their favorites is to get John and I to yell very odd things when there are groups of small children around."
"Sounds like fun. You are going, aren't you Carson?" asked Peg.
"I don't know if I want to anymore," he answered, more than a little worried.
"Its usually fine. And they might not make you do anything too bad since it will be your first picnic. You might just have to record everything."
"They record it!"
"Of course. How else do you think they can get John and I to do whatever they want when they want."
By now, Carson was looking very worried. He looked over to his mother for help.
"Don't look at me. I want you to go."
"Thanks mum."
"Ah, come on. It really is fun. Unless they…" Upon seeing the look on his friends face, Rodney felt it wise not to finish that sentence. "Don't worry too much. I'll protect you. And I'm sure John will as well," he hastily added.
"You're sure they won't make me do anything too bad?"
"Positive."
"Alright. But I'm holding you too that."
"Of course."
It turns out Rodney was actually right. The girls, knowing that Carson had only known them a week and they wanted to keep him as a friend, had a very tame (at least in their standards) picnic. The worst they did was make everyone play the 'penis' game. To which they got a few glares from some of the mothers that were walking through that the time with their small children. They did warn Carson that the next picnic they had, would be a little better. Which Rodney translated for Carson as meaning a little more embarrassing for them all.