The Theory of Light by teh_helenables (G)

[annieb1955.livejournal.com]

Show: SGA

Rec Category: McKay/Sheppard
Characters: John Sheppard, Rodney McKay, Ronon Dex, Teyla Emmagan, Todd
Pairings: John/Rodney
Categories: Slash, deathfic
Warnings: deaths of major characters
Author on LJ: teh_helenables
Author's Website: teh_helenables
Link: The Theory of Light

Why This Must Be Read: I didn't think I'd want to read this when it was recced on my Many Roads rec list. i don;t tend to read death fics. But this is an absolute little gem of storytelling told through the eyes of Todd the Wraith. It brought tears to my eyes but I ended it feeling happy that they were all together for so long and that in his own way, Todd too became part of the Lantean family.


It begins slowly (as age always does), creeping up unnoticed and quietly, stealthy like Sheppard used to be.

He isn’t so stealthy anymore—his joints pop, his bones creak, and he huffs too much during jogs with Ronon, but he’s still graceful. It’s interesting to see how he drapes himself over things and flops into chairs, driving Rodney, who’s often stiff and inflexible, absolutely crazy. But despite this natural gift (the man’s sixty-five years old, Rodney says. He shouldn’t be able to do that), Sheppard can’t quite work off the soft bit that formed around his belly and never left. He can’t run nearly as fast, either, or break in the new Marines.

Todd watches this. He counts the deep laugh lines around Sheppard’s eyes, and the number of extra vitamins he needs to take every morning.