Stairs by James (PG-13)

[cynic2022.livejournal.com]

Show: Stargate Atlantis

Rec Category: McKay/Sheppard/Beckett
Characters: Rodney McKay, John Sheppard, Carson Beckett
Pairing: McKay/Sheppard/Beckett
Het/Slash/Gen: Slash
Warning: None
Author on LJ: gilascave
Author's Website: Gila's Cave
Link: Stairs

Why this must be read: This fic is sweet and funny without feeling insincere. An established relationship between the three men faces the same inevitability that most relationships face, the 'are we getting married' issue, but with a rather amusing premise. Carson's mum thinks they're married already and sends along a wedding quilt for their bed. Hilarity, mostly in the form of an endearingly incredulous Rodney, ensues.

"What the hell is with that quilt?" Rodney suddenly asked.

Carson stared at him for a moment, wondering if the touch of John's mouth on his hand had disoriented him that much. "Quilt?"

"On our bed. That your mother sent."

"What about it?" Carson had put everything away when the boxes had arrived, knowing that Rodney wouldn't even notice the new pairs of socks or the refilled tin of tea. John would simply never get around to completely unpacking anything, so Carson had taken to putting everything away without bothering to let them know what they'd got.

"He means," John said, "that it appears to be more than just a quilt. Like why would your mother send us your grandmother's wedding quilt?"

Carson blinked. Perhaps his brain really wasn't functioning just yet. "You...don't like it?" He'd grown up used to seeing it at his grandparents' home. He remembered being scolded for spilling food on it more than once, and for using it -- unsuccessfully -- as a parachute on one rather memorable occasion.

"It's very lovely," Rodney snapped. "That isn't the point. Why is your mother using the word 'wedding' to refer to a family heirloom she's passing on to us?"

Perhaps it was Rodney's brain that wasn't functioning, Carson thought. He could warm up the scanner and take a quick peek at Rodney's skull. "Because that's what it's called?" Carson looked from Rodney to John. They both seemed rather concerned about a simple comforter. Then he realised what was probably wrong. He smiled, and shook his head. "Did you happen to notice the pattern of big coloured circles?"

"Yeah." Rodney and John were both looking at him like they suspected a trick.

"That's the quilt pattern. It's called 'double wedding ring.'" Carson crossed his arms, and waited. Rodney and John exchanged a look, clearly debating if they believed this explanation.

"It's just the name of the quilt?" John asked.

"It is," Carson confirmed. "She's working on enlarging a second one, I think it's the log cabin quilt -- and no, it doesn't mean she thinks we ought to build one."

"Oh, thank god," Rodney breathed. "So she doesn't.. I mean...your mother doesn't think we're married."

Carson rolled his eyes, giving Rodney just enough time to relax completely, then said, "Of course she does. We've been living together for over a year, now. What else would she think?"