Ronon's gruff voice fills the office,
".. got here, didn't see any people. McKay tripped on a root. There was some rocks. We came back. End of mission report."
Lorne is sitting in his chair, breathing hard, and his pants are suspiciously tight.
That last loop really threw him for a loop (ha ha). Him and Todd, on a secluded beach, hands and mouths entangled was not what he was expecting, but it was... Sadly already fading from his memory. Lorne isn't quite sure why he has so much trouble remembering the end of the loop when a new one starts, but at least his earlier ones are coming back to him. It's like living a full week of five hour days, except you have to do the same thing each time, over and over.
That train of thought reminds Lorne that he's gotta send his reports.
He considers asking Todd to set up some sort of computer routine to send the reports automatically, but it would just reset and not actually be helpful in any way. Although his memories (sort of) come over with each individual loop, nothing else ever seems to change. He picks up a stapler and looks at his reflection in the shiny metal part of it. He is the same Major Evan Lorne as yesterday, visibly at least. He carefully checks his neck for hickeys and his cheeks are flushed, but the neck is unmarred and blemish free. That would be an interesting thing to explain to Woolsey...
Lorne finishes up in his office and saunters over to the mess; he's in a good mood. It's still early for dinner but there are people prepping the food in the kitchens, and he finds Stalnaker, a pretty blonde who's peeling a large vat of potatoes. A heavy dose of flirting, his trademark smile, and the promise of literally anything she would ever want, and he trots back to his quarters with two freshly cooked medium rare steaks from Woolsey's private reserve and a bottle of sparkling water.
He hopes the loop continues so he doesn't actually have to carry out any of those promises.
The major pops the steaks into the microwave to keep them warm in the insulated chamber and chastises himself for how excited he is to see Todd. Todd, who doesn't even remember their make out session, and who may not even be interested. Though, the wraith did, on several occasions, seem quite alright with getting touchy feely, so maybe it will all be fine?
Lorne heads to the gate room, and right as Woolsey turns to him, rubbing his oily hands and looking at him with a lingering disdain he reserves for any military personnel, the major chimes in with a "Hey there Mr. Woolsey! The reports are in your inbox and on your desk as well. I'll be sure to say hello to Todd for you when he arrives, we're going to have dinner and watch a movie."
This throws the older man off, and he looks like he's not quite sure where he is for a second.
"Ughnn... yes.. uh, that's right, uh thank you Major Lorne, yes, quite right. I've got an SGC check in, so uh, yes I'll go do that." He flees quickly after.
Lorne thinks it's hilarious, how unsettled people get when you're giving them responses to questions they haven't had a chance to ask yet. He walks down the stairs and posts himself near the gate, just a few feet beyond the vortex bubble radius to wait for Todd.
Don't grin like an idiot when you see him, he thinks to himself.
He is unsuccessful and earns a suspicious brow ridge raise from the wraith.
Todd looks different, somehow. Lorne almost asks him if he's gotten a haircut, but realizes at the last moment that he's not trying to get murdered, and stays silent.
They exchange formal pleasantries and head to Lorne's private quarters. If not for the time loop, the major meeting the wraith so publicly every day at the same time and then taking him immediately to his room would be extremely suspicious. Of course, no one bats an eye.
Except Todd.
When they get to his room, Todd immediately moves to sit on his usual side of the couch, but Lorne grabs his wrist and directs him to the small dining table tucked behind the couch, near the kitchenette. It's up against the window and they can see the expansive glimmering ocean of New Lantea. However, Todd seems very thrown off by this and tilts his head, as if processing this new, previously unexplored area of the major's quarters.
But that shouldn't be the case, right? Isn't this Todd's first time here?
Lorne chooses to not think about that right now, and waves for Todd to sit in one of the small chairs while he pulls their steaks out of the microwave. They are barely warm. Lorne gets some sparkling water out of the fridge, pouring them each half a glass.
"Evan, it looks like you have been expecting me," Todd muses.
Evan just laughs and rubs the back of his head.
"Well you did call ahead, earlier. It's the least I could do for such a distinguished guest."
Todd inclines his head to the side in a silent thank you, and they have a quiet meal. The silence makes the major nervous. How is it that they have happily eaten all sorts of scraps he scavenged together (Lorne remembers now the obsession with his sandwiches and how he almost hissed at the other military personnel who dared lay eyes on them) but this nice meal he managed to secure leaves them so awkward and formal feeling. Lorne isn't entirely sure what it is he's looking for though, or what he wants.
He looks at Todd's graceful form and tried to figure out how he feels. Is it a crush, brought forth by extremely unlikely circumstances? Is it just lust, because he's been too busy and too moody to have a relationship with anyone, so it's been a long time? Is it more?
"Evan, why do you not eat your bovine slab?"
"I guess I'm not really hungry."
"But this is a meal of great value in your culture, no?"
"It is. I had to do a lot to get it," Lorne winces, remembering the promises, "but really, it was more for you."
"But I don't get sustenance from this type of food," Todd purrs, amused.
"Well, then I guess I was just trying to impress you. I don't know."
The major is back to smiling to ease the tension like he had to the first few times they spent the loop together. Forcing a smile on his face briefly makes him feel like his old self.
"Wanna watch TV?"
They leave their plates and half eaten steaks and move to the couch, where Todd sits in the middle, not on the end closest to the wall like before. Evan puts in the Back to the Future DVD and turns back to the wraith, who's got his long arms on the back of the couch, leaving him no choice but to sit with Todd's arm around him.
Evan picked this movie cause he knows Todd would understand all about the time travel, but the wraith isn't even paying attention. The entire time machine DeLorean explanation goes by without a single comment, and when the major glances at Todd, he realizes the wraith is asleep. His breaths are deep and even, and it's Evan's chance to explore without judgmental yellow eyes following his every move. He maps Todd's face mentally, without touching it, trying to remember every detail, every nuance, the way his sensory pits flare and how the tip of his nose tapers down, looking so much more like a snake than the Iratus bug from which the wraith supposedly developed. Evan is leaning in closer, slowly, carefully, making sure the wraith stays asleep. He's fascinated that Todd has a beard but has no other facial hair at all, no eyebrows, no fine hairs. There are no blemishes in the smooth skin, and the veins show through prominently, suggesting it's a thin dermal layer. Another slight scoot closer, and suddenly Todd's hand slips off the back of the couch, Lorne's shoulder now propping it up at the elbow. The major thinks this, for sure, would wake the wraith up, so he feigns interest in the movie again, but the breathing stays even and there's no further movement. Except now Todd's heavy arm is on him, warmth seeping through the jacket. Evan turns to lift the arm back and realizes it's the feeding arm. He's got his hand on Todd's wrist, holding the wraith's right hand, feeding slit closed, and it's right there, and he's so curious.
He pokes at the seam lightly.
The fingers clutch reflexively and relax. The wraith seems to continue sleeping. Lorne runs the pad of his index finger along the edge of the now closed opening, where the smaller pore-like holes circle the dangerous organ. The hand flexes again, but more like a slow lazy stretch, compared to the initial reflexive reaction. Todd seems to be making some rumbly noise that's somewhere between a snore and a purr. Evan wonders if the light touches feel good. The major can feel the hooks under the skin that are holding the slit closed, and it feels similar to a cat's retractable claw, which makes sense, all things considered. There seem to only be three of those. He drags his blunt fingernail across the closed off seam, and immediately gets jostled as the whole arm closes around him. Evan finds himself in a half hug, with Todd looming over him.
"Major Lorrrne, can I assist you?" The wraith inquired.
"Uhmm.. Well you see, I'm just a curious explorer!" The major grinned at him.
"You do not fear the organ?"
"Should I?"
"Millions of people across this galaxy and others do," Todd says seriously.
"Well, I trust you"
The wraith's face softens and he suddenly looks mischievous.
"How much do you trust me?"
Evan's heart is pounding.
"'Gullible' is my middle name"
Awkward silence.
Todd looks at him quizzically and says, "What's a middle name?"
Lorne guffaws like an animal, tears in his eyes. He thought it was a pretty good joke, but the nice moment is ruined. He leans forward on the couch, coughing from laughing so hard, and has trouble catching his breath. Todd looks concerned and confused.
"A little bit of human humor," Lorne chuckles, waving off Todd's concern and trying to get himself under control. "Most humans have three names, their first name is the one given by the parents, like mine is Evan. The last name is a family name, so everyone in my family has the last name of Lorne, and if I got married, my wife would take the last name of Lorne in addition to her first name. The middle name is one that goes between the first and last, so mine is Stephen. It can be selected by the parents, or be some sort of tribute in honor of another family member. You can also use middle names in expressions like `discretion was her middle name` to express that someone always behaves with a great deal of a particular quality."
Todd "Hmmm"s in understanding.
"Anyway I thought you were asleep, but sorry for poking at ya. I've just never seen one so close up before."
"It's quite alright, Evan." They're sitting companionably next to each other on the couch, and Todd holds his feeding hand, palm up, and presents it to the major. "You can look all you wish."
Lorne looks as the three little claws unhook and the seam pulls open. The claws seem to reach out, looking for something or someone to grab onto.
The interior appears to glow a bit in a pulsing pattern, probably synched up with Todd's heartbeat.
"What happens if I touch it?"
"Nothing. I control how much life force is taken, or how little.. Or.. how much life force is given."
"Ah.. That makes sense."
"Do you want to test it on yourself? You said you trust me," Todd smirks at him.
"Yeah ok," Lorne blurts out before he even realizes what he's just agreed to.
Todd clearly wasn't expecting that and inhales sharply. His pupils dilate and the glow from his hand intensifies a bit.
"Lorrrne, are you certain?"
The major turns to face the wraith and nods. He's blushing furiously. He unzips his uniform jacket and untucks the thin black material of his undershirt. Todd turns to face him, trying to reassure him with a slight smile. He can't hide the raw hunger in his eyes, but it doesn't scare Evan.
Todd's hand lifts up the hem of the shirt and rests flat against Lorne's stomach. The major is sure that he's going to catch fire and burn away at any second, and then the wraith glides his hand up, under the shirt, his nails gently scraping the sensitive flesh. Todd's looking into his eyes and it's overwhelming, so Evan shuts his eyes and tries to breathe steady against the wave of electricity radiating across his skin. Todd's hand pauses right over his heart, which is desperately trying to break through the rib cage to be closer to it. He feels the hooks grab on to his skin for purchase, but it doesn't hurt, they don't even break the skin. Where the actual slit of the feeding hand contacts with his chest, it feels like a massive pile of worms squirming and writhing, but then he feels a light suction, like a gentle tug and pull on his essence itself. Lorne is a bit shocked, it's nothing like what he had heard, there's no pain burning in his veins. It feels a bit like donating blood, but faster. But just thirty seconds later, he feels a trickle of energy, which quickly turns into a waterfall. Evan feels the sudden manic energy rushing into his chest, spreading like a fever, reaching and warming all parts of him. His desire spikes and even through closed eyes, he can sense Todd smirking as he pants, and he's drowning in the feeling. He thinks he just might lose himself when the flow slows to a trickle and then stops.
He wants more.
Lorne opens his eyes and the world looks brighter. He feels like he could run 12 miles, but at the same time he doesn't want to move at all. He suddenly wants to wrap himself around Todd like a snake and just lay together, skin on skin.
Todd looks like a cat who's just had a saucer full of warm milk, smug and content. His hand still rests on the bare skin of Lorne's chest, under the shirt.
"That wasn't at all like how I thought," Lorne muses out loud. He's feeling an overwhelming desire to get closer to Todd.
"As I said, I am in control of how much life force is taken and given, and how quickly. The feeding process doesn't have to be painful, it can even be pleasurable for both parties. As is the gift of life."
"Why did you give me the gift of life, Todd?"
Todd is quiet for a second.
"Because you trusted me fully, Evan. Even when I took, you did not flinch."
"Was that why you gave the gift to Sheppard?"
Todd hisses.
"That was different. I needed him to stay alive so that I could survive. The gift was not a choice then, and it's bonded me to him, a man who does not trust, one who looks for betrayal in every breath." Todd looks aggravated and withdraws his hand. Lorne feels the void as if Todd took a part of his soul away as well.
"Evan, I chose this. You chose this as well. There was no danger, it was purely voluntary for both parties. Do you have regrets?"
Evan was feeling the opposite of regret.
"Wait, does this mean we're bonded now?"
Todd's mouth twitches and Lorne is unsure if it's in annoyance or amusement.
"Yes. You may experience certain.. Inclinations towards me due to the process. They will pass with time."
"Oh." The major had been subconsciously shifting closer to Todd, but now he pulls back, disappointed that the feelings he has towards Todd right now are a direct hormonal reaction to their little wraith feeding experiment.
The movie ends, they both haven't watched any of it.
"Lorrrne" Todd grumbles dejectedly. "Have I upset you?"
"No of course not," the major lies. He's unsure why it is that he's so upset. He finally has an answer on the exact nature of Todd and Sheppard, and he's shared something special and intimate with the wraith himself. But now he's left with the unsettling notion that everything he's felt has been false, like an implanted memory. He smiles at Todd, but it's empty, and he's also zipping up his jacket at the same time, withdrawing into the safety of layers. Being around Todd for this much, in such a high concentration, has really made him feel raw and exposed. He gets up and goes to clean up their leftovers, still on the dining table from earlier.
"Lorrrne..."
The major turns on the water in the sink and starts scrubbing the plates.
"Major Looorrrrrrrrne, you're not being a very good host," Todd pouts.
The guilt trip works wonders.
Lorne abandons the dishes and goes back to the couch.
"What do you desire, Honored Guest" Lorne drawls sarcastically with a small bow.
"Host's choice" Todd replies, eyes twinkling, with his own return bow.
Lorne has just the activity to keep the wraith from invading his personal space. He quips, "Follow me," and they're on their way down to the training bays.
Once they arrive in the large, mostly empty room, Todd snickers, "You just be angry indeed, to bring me here to fight."
But Lorne isn't in the mood for fighting, or anything involving close quarters or physical touch. He rolls out a bifold table and unfolds it, raising the short net in the middle.
"This is a sport called ping pong, or table tennis. You use this paddle" he tosses one to Todd " to hit this ball. On the first turn, the ball must land on your side of the table first, during the serve. After that, if it doesn't hit the table or me, you lose the round. But if you bounce it off the table and I miss returning, the point goes to you. Want to try?"
"Hmmm... These paddles are quite flimsy and the ball is also frail. This is an activity humans enjoy?"
"Yep, a few of the Marines insisted that the Daedalus bring this table to Atlantis for us. They even have monthly tournaments."
"Hmmm... I am agreeable to these rules."
"Alright, I'll serve first, and then we switch off every two points. Game is to 11 points, but you have to win by 2. Oh, and.. Please don't hit the ball with full strength and destroy it... We have a limited supply haha."
Lorne serves the ping pong ball, nice and easy, directly at Todd. The wraith is at the ball immediately, and the hits in the right direction, but the ball ends up bouncing so high afterwards that it hits the ceiling.
"Gentler than that, but nice instincts!" Lorne encourages.
The ping pong ball falls to the floor finally, with a dent in it. Lorne gets a backup from a pouch dangling off the side of the table.
By try #2, Todd has picked it up and they manage to keep the round going for a few back and forth volleys. Another few practice rounds, and they start counting points, but by that point, the wraith is so good that Lorne loses to him, 3-11. He definitely has much better instincts than the major, but Lorne is just out of practice. The second match is closer, with Todd only winning 11-7.
"This is an acceptable activity, Evan, I've been enjoying it" the wraith announces after the third match, where Lorne lost only 9-11.
The major, meanwhile, is getting in more of a workout than he anticipated, and he's taken off his jacket and has sweat in a fine sheen on his forehead. He wonders briefly if he will have time for a shower tonight.
After winning one match 12-10 and then losing the last one, Lorne is wiped out. Playing with Todd is like playing against 2 child prodigies. He sits on the floor leaning against the wall, and the wraith comes to join him. Lorne leans his head on Todd's shoulder and says "Good game." They split a bottle of water.
Everyone else is in the mess hall for dinner, so they are alone, though Lorne thinks many people would have been impressed at Todd's aptitude for this new sport, and would have loved to play him.
Maybe next time.
If Todd remembered how much he enjoyed it.
If Todd retained anything from these loops.
Lorne says it this time, "It's almost time for you to go."
Todd nods knowingly, "I would stay if I could. I've quite enjoyed our time together."
Lorne finds himself wishing Todd would stay. They are silent until the loop takes him again.