The look on John's face was almost enough to make Carson burst out laughing. If it hadn't been for the seriousness of the matter they discussed, he didn't think he would have been able to stop himself. John Sheppard, the man he loved, the man adored by half the galaxy… yet every time a new admirer presented themselves, he didn't see it coming. It was one of his most endearing expressions, the look of confusion, followed by slow realisation, and even in these circumstance, Carson felt his chest twist. But no, he had to explain, had to persuade John that what he was suggesting could be a good idea.
John couldn't believe it. McKay? It was only the look on Carson's face and the way that the pieces fitted in so neatly in his mind, explaining the changes he had noticed in the man lately, that allowed him to contemplate it. Rodney, in love with him? He'd never considered it before. OK, he had to admit, it wasn't so unusual for him to find himself the object of other peoples' affection, even though the admirers were always a surprise, but McKay? He had always thought the scientist was too sensible to be interested in some dumb flyboy. Too uptight, to be frank, too straight.
He knew that Carson had fallen for Rodney when the two worked so closely in Antarctica, and the only reason that he had thought of that the two hadn't got together, was that Rodney wasn't interested in men. John allowed himself a smile – he had to admit, he might be a bit biased about Carson's attractions. It had never occurred to him that Rodney simply wasn't interested in Carson. Although, knowing Rodney, he was probably just too distracted by all the new technology and his own experiments to see what was being offered to him.
And now Carson was assuring him that Rodney loved him. He didn't know what to do. It wasn't something he had ever sought. He was happy with Carson, the two complemented each other, Carson's intensity for his work contrasting with his own more easy-going manner, the scientist's nervousness bringing out his own protective nature. He hadn't wanted more, he was more than happy with what he had.
But now that he thought of it, he had to admit that he was flattered, John would do that and more than that, wasn't going to object to Carson's suggestion. He realised that the affection that he felt for Rodney, which he had interpreted as growing friendship, could well be more than that, and it was certainly something he was willing to explore. He suspected that he hadn't allowed himself to realise the truth because he had been afraid of hurting Carson. He had been concerned for his lovers' feeling, not just at the thought of a rival being introduced, but also that the mention of Rodney would bring back the painful memories of Carson's unrequited love since Antarctica. But now here was a way that, according to Carson, everyone could get what they wanted, and his ideas about what it was he did want were rapidly changing.
He wasn't sure. He had never been in a situation like this before. It was only the relative safety of Atlantis that had allowed him to be so open about his relationship with Carson. He wasn't sure, but he was certainly willing to give it a try…