stargateficrec | The Seventh Circle of Hell by telperion

Show: SGA
Rec Category: Sheppard/McKay
Characters: John Sheppard, Rodney McKay, Teyla Emmagan, Ronon Dex, Elizabeth Weir
Pairing: Sheppard/McKay
Het/Slash/Gen: Slash
Warning: violence
Author on LJ:

telperion_15
Author's Website: AO3, Fic listing on LJ
Link: The Seventh Circle of Hell

Why this must be read:

As corny as this sounds, this fic illustrates that love conquers all. Even though John is "reprogrammed" by homophobic Pegasus natives to think that his relationship with Rodney is disgusting, his memories (with a little shove by Atlantis herself) start to reemerge. I know that description is completely inadequate to describe how completely fantastic this fic is. The characterization rings so true; the emotions are stunning and deep. The sheer writing talent of telperion takes you on a journey of discovery, recovery, and love. Definitely a great fic to spend a cold February day with.

Story Summary: While on an off-world mission, John is punished by the conservative race of the Nimaani for his 'unnatural desires'. But it isn't until the team return to Atlantis that John and Rodney discover that the punishment has only just begun...

John was stiff in his arms, and Rodney suddenly realised his hands had settled on John's back. "Oh crap, sorry, sorry," he babbled, shifting them quickly up to John's shoulders. It made the hug a little more awkward, but Rodney was determined to persevere.

"Don't ever think you can make decisions about this for me," he admonished in John's ear. "Because I won't ever accept them."

But John was still tense, and Rodney sighed. He drew back, looked John firmly in the eye for a moment, leaned in…

…and suddenly found himself reeling backwards across the room, only narrowly avoiding falling on his ass as he struggled to keep his balance.

"What the hell are you doing?" he squawked.

"What the hell am I doing? What the hell are you doing?" John all but shouted, his expression shocked and – Rodney blinked – disgusted?

"It's called a kiss, you moron! What did you think I was doing? Carson's clearly let you out of the infirmary way too early if you can't recognise that."

"But why would you do that?" John looked like he was contemplating wiping his mouth with the back of hand, even though their lips hadn't even connected.

"Hello? Did Carson give you stupid drugs this morning or something? You and me. Me and you? Ringing any bells? God, anyone would think you'd forgotten all about…"

A trickle of ice slid down his spine, and he just looked at John for a long moment, his mouth hanging open slightly. Then, "Oh my god," he whispered. "You have, haven't you? You don't…what did they do to you?"

"McKay, I really have got no idea what you're talking about, but I think you'd better leave, right now."