Complimentary Colors, by yin_again (Teen & Up)

[brumeier.livejournal.com]

Show: Stargate Atlantis

Rec Category: AU
Characters: John Sheppard, Rodney McKay
Categories: Pre-slash, AU, First Meetings
Warnings: Mention of past homophobic behavior
Author on LJ: yin_again

Link to Fic (AO3): Complimentary Colors

Why This Must Be Read: This is a quiet, moody piece that just really sucks you in. It takes place primarily in Rodney's apartment/art studio, so it's a very self-contained fic as well. Rodney is very much in character here, focused on the work and little else. But he slowly gets to know his new model, John, who is fresh from an Air Force discharge and is clearly ill at ease with the whole modeling process at first.

The art details in this are very nice - Rodney mixes his own paints, stretches his own canvas, and is incredibly particular about lighting and curves vs. lines. The slow progression of his friendship with John is lovely, and his finished pieces - done for an art show - are a wonderful tie-in to the series. I really love this story!

( Snippet Under Cut )