Major Evan Stephen Lorne is typically an early riser. He is methodical and efficient. He wakes fast, goes for a brisk jog, and brushes his teeth in the shower. He is in the mess by 07:35 on the dot with some eggs and a strong cup of coffee every single day.
The routine comforts him, as much as being back on Atlantis, back in the Pegasus galaxy does. It all feels right and there are things to do, places to go, people to help. When they were (briefly) on Earth, the IOA and government agencies fighting over the right to dismantle his city for parts, their teams all broken up and sent to menial desk jobs, there was a routine as well, but it was stagnant, unmoving, suffocating. He saw a lot of his friends fall into a restless depression, itching to go out and do something, but being unable and not allowed to do much of anything beyond tests and paperwork.
When the city was finally released, free to return back to New Lantea, he had breathed a sigh of relief that was months in the making.
Like most days, today Evan was sitting in the office he shared with his CO, Colonel John Sheppard, their tables butting together and stacks of reports demanding attention. The inventory reports he was reviewing now from the Quartermaster were paperwork too, but even paperwork feels more alive in another galaxy. He was fully engrossed in the spreadsheet review when the room was filled with Chuck's voice sounding an unscheduled off world activation. Being the highest ranked military commander on site at the time, it was Major Lorne's responsibility to attend, since Sheppard was out on some recon mission to M23-6X3 with his team. Sure, it's almost always nothing, but being here in the Pegasus galaxy and hearing that phrase tensed the muscles in his arms. It may have been a while since their last foothold but he will be darned if he lets his guard down and is responsible for another.
By the time he got to the gate room, the connection was established, an energy shield shimmering over the event horizon. Chuck calls out "Incoming communication" and once Woolsey approved the connection, an image of a wraith flickered on their screens and Lorne's hand instinctively went to the butt of his M9.
"Greetings Richard Woolsey " the wraith drawled, looking smug even through the flickering connection.
To his credit, Woolsey was unaffected and returned a tight lipped smile to their caller.
"Hello Todd, hope you're doing well. What can I do for you?"
The wraith bared his teeth in a friendly gesture - he's had enough experience by now interacting with humans that he seems professional and calm.
"I am informing you of my intent to visit to meet with John Sheppard, regarding our continued discussions of the scientific progress our teams have made together, and how we can continue to move forward in the alliance."
Lorne listens to the smooth and even voice and thinks Todd would make a hell of a diplomat, even with the odd emphasis he seems to put on his CO's name. The way the wraith rolls the r in Sheppard resembles the rumble of a cat purring, stretching out in a sun beam contently. He has a brief mental image of Todd, stretching in a sun beam and purring, and has to cough to suppress his sudden laugh. He misses Woolsey's monotone reply but tunes back in to hear Todd announcing that he will arrive at 19:00 before the connection breaks off.
"Major Lorne, would you be so kind as to keep Todd company later tonight until Col. Sheppard returns? I explained to Todd that he would be unavailable until 23:00 but he insists on just waiting here for John's return".
"Sure thing Sir!" Lorne returns with his trademark smile. He turns to leave, contemplating an early lunch, when Woolsey is beside him suddenly.
"One more thing, Major? I've got this meeting with a nut oil salesman who we suspect may have leads on some type of new spacecorn as well - but I need those mission reports on my desk for the SGC by the time I'm out. John said they were almost done before he left."
"Of course Sir, I'll wrap them up for you today" Lorne chirped. Woolsey nodded in affirmation and went into the meeting room.
Evan stood in place a few more seconds, remembering that John In fact has not started those reports at all, before gently shaking his head and going back to their shared office. So much for an early lunch snack, but maybe he could grab one of those power bars with the marshmallow bits that John stockpiled and hid around their office "for emergencies". It was the least his CO could do for him, for once again neglecting his duties.
An hour and a half later, his stomach growling and vibrating angrily proved to be too distracting for the Major (John must have eaten his stash of hidden snacks) and he decided to break for lunch. A flash of dimples and he secured himself the very last slice of key lime pie to go with his BLT. "Today must be my lucky day" he thinks to himself, savoring his prize.
He returned to the office, reenergized enough with the memories of pie and his hot cup of coffee to deal with a backlog of emails and dive back into these reports. After he's done those, he may even have time to go back and finish up his inventory report and be able to clock out of his 10 hour shift with enough time to work on his latest painting. Lorne smiled to himself.
A/N: Thank you for reading. This is gonna be a slower burn fic for me. It is loosely inspired by chapter 3 of The High Art of Flirting, by PalatineDreams on AO3