Home by Jae Kayelle [Family Challenge]

[jaekayelle.livejournal.com]

Title: Home
Author: Jae Kayelle
Rating: PG, genfic, Teamfic (McShep if you stand on one leg and touch your nose)
Disclaimer: MGM and Sci Fi own the characters. No copyright infringement intended. No profit made from this work of fiction.
Spoilers: Outcast
Word count: 725
Summary: sometimes it's better to let it happen.





The city was quiet by the time John returned from Earth, weary and heartsore. He shied away from thinking too much about his father; he and introspection were not on close terms, but that moment he'd taken to pay his respects beside Patrick Sheppard's coffin had opened a tiny crack in his soul, that seemed to be widening despite his best efforts to keep it firmly shut. He had been grateful for the distraction of tracking the Replicator, and for Ronon's quiet support. There was only so much iron control he had at his call, only so many times he could confront his past and emerge unchanged. Seeing Dave and Nancy, just being at the estate had dredged up memories and emotions he preferred to ruthlessly squelch.

Now he wanted only to hit his bunk and sleep until sunrise, and not think, especially the not thinking part.

He got as far as outside his quarters when he saw Rodney, Ronon and Teyla waiting for him. He wasn't surprised, and not so deep down he was kind of glad to see them.

"Hey, guys," he said.

"We wanted to be here when you returned, thinking perhaps you could accept our company," Teyla explained, lightly touching John's arm. He instinctively turned and lowered his head so that she could greet him in the Athosian manner. He managed a genuine smile for her, warmed by her presence, by the support of all of them.

Ronon clapped him on the shoulder. "You okay?" he rumbled.

"Yeah. I'm fine."

Rodney had been hovering just outside their little circle. "You sure?" he asked, worried. John met his eyes and nodded jerkily. Rodney being kind, showing the real, sweet man that hardly anyone ever got to see, always did funny things to John's insides.

"I'm good."

A tiny furrow of doubt lined Rodney's brow, but he didn't argue.

"Look, I'm just gonna go," John gestured towards his door. "Think I'll turn in."

Teyla reached out and gripped his hand. "John. You should not be alone. Let us be with you, for a little while?"

It was always difficult to refuse Teyla anything and John found he didn't really want to right now. The thought of being alone right now did not seem appealing. He looked from her dark, knowing eyes to Ronon's steady gaze to Rodney's concerned face.

"Yeah," he nodded. "Come on in for a bit."

He waved his hand over the door sensor and signalled them in ahead of him. Rodney stopped him from following Ronon and Teyla.

"Wait."

John stopped and waited. "What is it, buddy?"

Flushing, Rodney glanced at the floor and then raised his eyes to look directly at John.

"I realize this isn't something that we do, but before you left for your father's funeral, I – you looked like you needed this. So just don't freak out, okay?"

"What are you talk --?"

Rodney stepped closer then and wrapped John in a loose embrace. When John didn't respond Rodney began to draw back. John's hands shot out and caught him by the elbows.

"Yeah. C'mere." He slid his arms around Rodney's shoulders and sort of let Rodney support some of his weight. John wasn't ever very good at the hugging thing, but stuff like this, like almost talking about feelings, and allowing touching, and touching back, was easier with his team.

Nose prickling and maybe, maybe his eyes stinging a little, John tightened the embrace, grabbing handfuls of Rodney's shirt while he fought that ever-widening gap in his composure. There was a long pause while he struggled for control, filled by one or two hitching breaths and the need to press his face into the cotton of Rodney's shirt and just be, and just accept Rodney's strong arms around him. Before he could start thinking about what he was doing, before he could think a warm hand on his back and another on his shoulder guided him into his quarters. Teyla was on one side of him, Rodney on the other and Ronon leading them all from behind, both of his big hands covering John's shoulders.

"I’m okay." He was. His eyes were dry and the pervasive weariness had lifted a bit. When he looked at them his team – his family – smiled gently in response.

"We know," Ronon said simply.


# end

Comments

[equusentric.livejournal.com]

*weebles happily*

[jaekayelle.livejournal.com]

*weebles with you*

:)

[tex.livejournal.com]

Really sweet story. Of course, the team would be there for John. That's how I imagine it, too!

[jaekayelle.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I can't see it any other way, except maybe them going to him one at a time. Eventually, they'd all be there for him.

[gaffsie.livejournal.com]

Awww, his family came through for him. :)

[jaekayelle.livejournal.com]

They love him. :))

[winter-elf.livejournal.com]

wonderful and sweet.

[jaekayelle.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[beadattitude.livejournal.com]

Oh team. Oh Rodney. That was such a brave thing for him to do

[jaekayelle.livejournal.com]

It seemed obvious to me that he really wanted to do that before John left, but respected John's need not to fall apart right then.

:)

[kensieg.livejournal.com]

awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!

[jaekayelle.livejournal.com]

Yay!

[jennytork.livejournal.com]

Okay, this was WONDERFUL!

[jaekayelle.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[mecurtin.livejournal.com]

This is completely true in every respect.

[jaekayelle.livejournal.com]

Yeah? Thank you!

[sffan.livejournal.com]

Hugs! Very awesome.

:D

[jaekayelle.livejournal.com]

It seemed obvious that Rodney really wanted to do that before John left for the funeral. Boys. :)

[mellyna.livejournal.com]

Beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

[jaekayelle.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)

[http://users.livejournal.com/_kiden/]

Oh, team. And poor Sheppard. ♥
Thank you.

[jaekayelle.livejournal.com]

You know he had to have a wobbly moment at some point. *pets him*

Glad you liked it. :)

[alleonh.livejournal.com]

*sniffle*sniffle*snuffle*

That was so sweet. This might be the PMS over-emotion talking, but I've got tears in my eyes.

Such a sweet hug, such a sweet team.

[jaekayelle.livejournal.com]

Aww *hands you a box of tissues*

I was all snifflysnuffly this morning too, after reading family fic. Great challenge. Hard on the emotions, though.

I'm pleased you enjoyed my wee ficcie. :)

[less-star.livejournal.com]

Short and sweet and wonderful! Love how the team sees through John's defenses and gives him what he needs. And great hug (I thinks those are hard to write).

[jaekayelle.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! Yeah, the hug was a bit tricky to write. I didn't want John to come across as overly emotional, but I did want him to break just a little.

[mukanshin.livejournal.com]

Awww~ Very sweet.

[jaekayelle.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[graffitiegg.livejournal.com]

Awwwwww is the word running on repeat through my mind! Very cute moment. :)

[jaekayelle.livejournal.com]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you. :))

[bluflamingo.livejournal.com]

Aw, I love fics with hugging, that was really nice.

[jaekayelle.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :) There needs to be more hugging in fics and onscreen.

[berlinghoff79.livejournal.com]

*happy sigh*

[jaekayelle.livejournal.com]

Yay!

[lysambre.livejournal.com]

I deeply love team!fics, and the way you wrote this ? Fantastic :)

Thanks

[jaekayelle.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much. :)

Um, did this story get rec'd somewhere? Three new comments out of the blue...

[lysambre.livejournal.com]

Somebody asked for it on sgastoryfinders : here (http://community.livejournal.com/sgastoryfinders/1651332.html)

storyfinders

[archaeodancer.livejournal.com]

Aww perfect!

My return to reading fanfic has been fueled by this (thanks?! :p)

Seriously, awesome.

Re: storyfinders

[jaekayelle.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much!