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sga_flashficTitle: The Entire Truth (1000 words)
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
corinna_5
Rating: PG
Challenge: This Is Not Happening
Summary: The mind is its own place.
Rodney's mother had been a biology major in college, and when he started out as a scientist, she used to tell him that he had to be especially careful about double-checking his results. "A mind like yours, Rodney," she'd say, "it'd be all too easy to talk yourself into seeing what you want to see." But his mother -- well, she wasn't an idiot, she provided half of his genetic material, but she didn't know what the hell she was talking about.
True, there'd been a few times when he'd proven her right, though he'd like to think that even the destruction of most of a solar system ended up being small potatoes next to the number of times he's saved the entire Milky Way. But more often than not, his intellect works the other way around: it forces him to see the entire bitter truth.
Nights like this, for example. Their team had gated to P35-477 for the first time this morning, and found a beautiful warm day, with a sky so clear and blue even Rodney was amazed by it. Sheppard was automatically in a good mood just from standing under that sky, and they spent the whole walk to the village contentedly bickering about nothing, about what they'd had for dinner the night before and whether Cadman and Beckett are good for each other.
Sheppard is good for Rodney. Rodney knows that as certainly as he knows the atomic structure of naquadah. Sheppard has made Rodney a better man -- a braver one, more resourceful, more reliable. It's because of Sheppard that Rodney knows what it is to risk your own life for someone else's, to do it over and over again willingly, and to know that he'd do the same for you.
Simply put, Sheppard makes Rodney happy. He comes by with videos, with snacks, with lessons in weaponry and tactics, and he makes sure Rodney doesn't work too late when there's no imminent disaster. He sits with Rodney in the mess hall without thinking about it, without looking first to see if there's somewhere else he'd rather be, and he knows Rodney loves the blue Jello, though Rodney's never told him why. He takes Rodney along with him when he explores the city. Sheppard doesn't want to beat Rodney to publishing the results of their adventures: he just thinks it's cool. He makes Rodney want to list him as second author. He makes Rodney want to do a lot of things.
Sheppard isn't as easy with anyone else on Atlantis, not that Rodney has seen, and for a long time Rodney let himself believe that meant something. That Sheppard was just biding his time, waiting for the perfect moment to kiss Rodney's mouth, to let Rodney touch him the way he aches to. But Rodney knows better now.
It wasn't Chaya and that ridiculous glowy voodoo she worked on Sheppard that made him realize it; that was something else entirely, and Rodney's never held it against Sheppard, not really. Instead, it was a mission about three months later, a completely successful and uninteresting trip to a world where they had tava beans to trade. The leader of the village had been a woman named Nadora, a dark-haired beauty with wide, intelligent eyes and a sensual smile that made poor Ford blush just to look at her. Sheppard hadn't come back to the inn until it was his turn to take last watch, and he'd unapologetically sported a hickey the size of Rhode Island under the collar of his BDUs.
The next evening, they'd returned to Nadora's home for another dinner. Sheppard had been given the seat at Nadora's right, and Rodney the next one over. At dinner, Sheppard was usually the one making jokes, keeping the conversation lively, but tonight he was talking mostly to Nadora, laughing with her about all the hundred and one uses for the tava bean. It was the sort of conversation Rodney had had with him a thousand times -- in fact, it was pretty much the exact same conversation they'd had during the mission briefing -- but when Sheppard had it with her, it was different. His voice was more intimate, the sounds of secrets and honey mixed in with his usual flat drawl, and that look he had, the one that made Rodney feel like he was in on some private joke, was more intense when he looked at her, like it was just the two of them alone at the big round table. Rodney hated that world.
He hasn't been back, and neither has Sheppard. In time, Rodney has let himself stop thinking about what he learned there, but now it's P35-477 and it's all sickeningly familiar. This time, her name is Rielene, but she's tall and slim and long-haired and beautiful, just like Nadora was. Even Teyla watches her with something like awe, and no one has ever looked at Rodney the way Sheppard looks at Rielene, not even once. Rielene smiles at Sheppard, and he makes a joke in a low smooth voice. Her laughter is bubbly and bright, and Rodney hates her so much he can't breathe.
"Hey, don't wait for me going back to camp, OK? Ronon's got first watch, he'll get you back safe," Sheppard says. "Rielene has some ideas for how they can protect themselves when the Wraith come. I want to go over them with her."
Rodney just nods.
Maybe Sheppard knows and he's trying to spare Rodney's feelings. Maybe he just thinks he's being discreet. It doesn't matter. When it's Rodney's turn to take watch, he sits by the fire, looking up at the clear night sky. It's always better to know the truth: fewer false results that way, fewer mistakes down the road. Rodney doesn't let himself think about how quiet the night is without Sheppard's snuffling half-snore, there's no point to it. He stirs the embers of the fire, keeping it warm, and braces himself for the inevitable morning.
Author:
corinna_5Rating: PG
Challenge: This Is Not Happening
Summary: The mind is its own place.
Rodney's mother had been a biology major in college, and when he started out as a scientist, she used to tell him that he had to be especially careful about double-checking his results. "A mind like yours, Rodney," she'd say, "it'd be all too easy to talk yourself into seeing what you want to see." But his mother -- well, she wasn't an idiot, she provided half of his genetic material, but she didn't know what the hell she was talking about.
True, there'd been a few times when he'd proven her right, though he'd like to think that even the destruction of most of a solar system ended up being small potatoes next to the number of times he's saved the entire Milky Way. But more often than not, his intellect works the other way around: it forces him to see the entire bitter truth.
Nights like this, for example. Their team had gated to P35-477 for the first time this morning, and found a beautiful warm day, with a sky so clear and blue even Rodney was amazed by it. Sheppard was automatically in a good mood just from standing under that sky, and they spent the whole walk to the village contentedly bickering about nothing, about what they'd had for dinner the night before and whether Cadman and Beckett are good for each other.
Sheppard is good for Rodney. Rodney knows that as certainly as he knows the atomic structure of naquadah. Sheppard has made Rodney a better man -- a braver one, more resourceful, more reliable. It's because of Sheppard that Rodney knows what it is to risk your own life for someone else's, to do it over and over again willingly, and to know that he'd do the same for you.
Simply put, Sheppard makes Rodney happy. He comes by with videos, with snacks, with lessons in weaponry and tactics, and he makes sure Rodney doesn't work too late when there's no imminent disaster. He sits with Rodney in the mess hall without thinking about it, without looking first to see if there's somewhere else he'd rather be, and he knows Rodney loves the blue Jello, though Rodney's never told him why. He takes Rodney along with him when he explores the city. Sheppard doesn't want to beat Rodney to publishing the results of their adventures: he just thinks it's cool. He makes Rodney want to list him as second author. He makes Rodney want to do a lot of things.
Sheppard isn't as easy with anyone else on Atlantis, not that Rodney has seen, and for a long time Rodney let himself believe that meant something. That Sheppard was just biding his time, waiting for the perfect moment to kiss Rodney's mouth, to let Rodney touch him the way he aches to. But Rodney knows better now.
It wasn't Chaya and that ridiculous glowy voodoo she worked on Sheppard that made him realize it; that was something else entirely, and Rodney's never held it against Sheppard, not really. Instead, it was a mission about three months later, a completely successful and uninteresting trip to a world where they had tava beans to trade. The leader of the village had been a woman named Nadora, a dark-haired beauty with wide, intelligent eyes and a sensual smile that made poor Ford blush just to look at her. Sheppard hadn't come back to the inn until it was his turn to take last watch, and he'd unapologetically sported a hickey the size of Rhode Island under the collar of his BDUs.
The next evening, they'd returned to Nadora's home for another dinner. Sheppard had been given the seat at Nadora's right, and Rodney the next one over. At dinner, Sheppard was usually the one making jokes, keeping the conversation lively, but tonight he was talking mostly to Nadora, laughing with her about all the hundred and one uses for the tava bean. It was the sort of conversation Rodney had had with him a thousand times -- in fact, it was pretty much the exact same conversation they'd had during the mission briefing -- but when Sheppard had it with her, it was different. His voice was more intimate, the sounds of secrets and honey mixed in with his usual flat drawl, and that look he had, the one that made Rodney feel like he was in on some private joke, was more intense when he looked at her, like it was just the two of them alone at the big round table. Rodney hated that world.
He hasn't been back, and neither has Sheppard. In time, Rodney has let himself stop thinking about what he learned there, but now it's P35-477 and it's all sickeningly familiar. This time, her name is Rielene, but she's tall and slim and long-haired and beautiful, just like Nadora was. Even Teyla watches her with something like awe, and no one has ever looked at Rodney the way Sheppard looks at Rielene, not even once. Rielene smiles at Sheppard, and he makes a joke in a low smooth voice. Her laughter is bubbly and bright, and Rodney hates her so much he can't breathe.
"Hey, don't wait for me going back to camp, OK? Ronon's got first watch, he'll get you back safe," Sheppard says. "Rielene has some ideas for how they can protect themselves when the Wraith come. I want to go over them with her."
Rodney just nods.
Maybe Sheppard knows and he's trying to spare Rodney's feelings. Maybe he just thinks he's being discreet. It doesn't matter. When it's Rodney's turn to take watch, he sits by the fire, looking up at the clear night sky. It's always better to know the truth: fewer false results that way, fewer mistakes down the road. Rodney doesn't let himself think about how quiet the night is without Sheppard's snuffling half-snore, there's no point to it. He stirs the embers of the fire, keeping it warm, and braces himself for the inevitable morning.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 06:28 pm (UTC)Very nicely done.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 06:57 pm (UTC)And now I want Sheppard to catch space syphilis, the bastard, even though it doesn't read like he's being deliberately cruel. Ouch.
Good story.
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Date: 2006-04-09 06:49 pm (UTC)I really, really liked the way Rodney figured out that Sheppard wasn't interested in him. It was very real, well crafted image. I also liked the intro about Rodney's mother. I could hear Rodney saying that.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 09:21 pm (UTC)Thanks for the comments, and I'm glad it felt realistic to you!
(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 06:51 pm (UTC)Poor Rodney.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 09:24 pm (UTC)(no subject)
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Date: 2006-04-09 06:52 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 09:25 pm (UTC)*Loves*
Date: 2006-04-09 06:53 pm (UTC)I can totally see that. Rodney wanting, not having, and being able to live just fine that way.
(I still wanna sit with him at that fire and commiserate about what a blind little hetero Sheppard's being, tho.)
Re: *Loves*
Date: 2006-04-09 09:40 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 06:57 pm (UTC)very well done.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 09:41 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 07:21 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 09:41 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 07:21 pm (UTC)It's always better to know the truth: fewer false results that way, fewer mistakes down the road.
Nicely done!
(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 09:49 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 07:27 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 09:50 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 07:38 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 09:44 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 08:11 pm (UTC)Oh, Rodney IS in love.
I love this Rodney characterization, as he gathers evidence and tries to rationally think himself out of being in love. I was hoping for something a little more lighthearted for my packing break, but this was excellent.
I have something fun to read when I'm done packing.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 09:26 pm (UTC)You totally understand!
How much packing can there be to do? You haven't even unpacked from the last time!
*ducks*
I will be interested to hear what you think of the other -- I got a belated beta on it right after posting this...
(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 08:15 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 09:53 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 08:19 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 09:51 pm (UTC)Also, enjoyable. But he'll never admit it. *g*
(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 08:19 pm (UTC)Very well done, and . . . quiet.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 09:53 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 08:42 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 09:54 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 08:49 pm (UTC)This is very realistic and sad and wonderful. And I'll second what everyone else said about the quote from Rodney's mother being a great way to start this story off.
Off to read some porny slash now *g*.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 09:39 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 08:50 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 09:43 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 08:52 pm (UTC)PS: And I want John to get dumped and catch some horrible space STD, which I realize is very immature and yet? Make that dumped, beat up AND a space STD. While Rodney walks off. SO there!
(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 09:29 pm (UTC)I'm glad the situation feels real, nonetheless, and that you hated it, in the good way!
(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 08:55 pm (UTC)Beautifully written.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 09:35 pm (UTC)So do we all! Except the space babes. *g*
Thanks for the kind words!
(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 09:19 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 09:37 pm (UTC)I'm glad you enjoyed it; thanks for commenting!
(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 09:50 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 09:56 pm (UTC)Thanks for commenting, and for defending poor John's honor!
(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 10:05 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 10:18 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 10:14 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 10:19 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 10:21 pm (UTC)Even Teyla watches her with something like awe, and no one has ever looked at Rodney the way Sheppard looks at Rielene, not even once.
Okay, *ow* (and nice phrasing - I don't think this would have as much effect without the mention of Teyla's reaction). It's not easy being clear-eyed, is it?
(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 10:39 pm (UTC)I'm really glad the story works for you -- and yeah, I hadn't realized it, but you do need that moment of Teyla in there to make the reaction really work. At the time, I was just worried about whether she'd appear in the story at all!
(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 11:18 pm (UTC)And sometimes yeah, you can be blinded by the gorgeous guy, but you might have the person who you need standing right next to you who you miss. So, I read this story and think, well...poor Rodney, hopefully he won't pine for long and find that somebody.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-09 11:22 pm (UTC)(no subject)
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