Respite by Tazmy (G)
Aug. 30th, 2023 01:20 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cassiope25 posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
stargateficrecShow: SGA
Rec Category: Rodney McKay
Characters: Rodney McKay, John Sheppard, Jeannie Miller, Madison Miller, Team
Pairings: Rodney McKay & John Sheppard
Categories: gen, friendship, nightmares, emotional hurt/comfort
Warnings: no warnings apply
Word count: 12,734
Author's Journal:sgatazmy
Author's Website: Tazmy on AO3
Link: Respite
Author’s summary: Some time after Sunday and Phantoms, nightmares plague Rodney. Unable to sleep and seeing ghosts everywhere, he returns to Earth with John in tow. Madison draws pictures to help him feel better and even gives him a lovey. It's a story about recharging that takes place with a Halloween backdrop.
Why This Must Be Read: This is a wonderful, sensitive tale that I really want more people to know and enjoy.
It’s about Rodney’s friendship with John, about a supportive team and family, and how, especially, the genuine, childlike view of four-year-old Madison worms its way into Rodney’s mind, which is dealing with all the pressure, angst and grief that life in Atlantis has put him through.
It will make your heart ache with Rodney’s feeling of sadness about losing people he cares about but also make you bounce with pure squee about Madison’s lovely (included) drawings, and how they smooth the way for Rodney to get his feet back on the ground.
Elizabeth grants the leave without hesitation.
John isn't so understanding. He eyes Rodney carefully, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed but his expression impassive. "We could camp out on another world."
"Right, because getting bit by alien insects that contain who know how many diseases while trying to keep at bay ferocious animals with fangs larger than my forearm is a great way to relax."
"Okay, asking Ronon to choose a world to camp at last time was a mistake. There are still dozens of worlds we could choose from that have been determined safe after several visits."
"Only because we haven't figured out what they're hiding yet."
"Fine. Not another world then. How about a pier?"
Rodney hesitates. The piers are far away and quiet but he can still hear Atlantis's low hum. They still feel like home.
He glances at the wall where he keeps dreaming Madison's picture hangs. He still feels bad about not being there for her and he wonders what she's like. He misses his sister and he misses cats and he misses Earth. "Not this time."
"What about hanging around the lab only? Didn't you say that was relaxing?"
Rodney knows what John is really saying even if John will never come out and use the actual words. He needs to keep Rodney nearby where he can see he is okay. What's more, neither of them will use the word lonely but it's how both of them will feel. John and Rodney keep each other sane in all the madness that Pegasus throws them. John's not ready to face a month without Rodney hanging around.
Rodney almost invites John along because he's not sure he can stand a month away either. Ever since Carson passed, Rodney has needed John's company more than he cares to admit. Movie nights are no longer a luxury but a need. Friendship is everything and Rodney still can hardly believe this is his life. He is a real-life action hero complete with a family and close friends.
Ghost Carson smiles from behind John. Rodney quickly pushes the image away.
The action-hero's life is overrated. Too much pain. Too much death. Too little rest.
In the end, he never does invite John but somehow John shows up a few days later at his quarters wearing jeans and a black t-shirt. He carries a duffel on his shoulder and a grin on his face.
"Elizabeth says the city can do without us for a month," he explains.
"I don't recall asking you to come."
"You're going to a house full of vegetarians with a 4-year-old kid. Radek's started a betting poll on how long you'll last."
"And somehow this explains you coming because why?"
John's gaze says because you'll need me. Because I'm worried. Aloud he says, "I'll be staying at a nearby hotel. We can grab some steak together when you can't take it anymore."
"I don't get a choice in this, do I?"
"No, you don't."
Rec Category: Rodney McKay
Characters: Rodney McKay, John Sheppard, Jeannie Miller, Madison Miller, Team
Pairings: Rodney McKay & John Sheppard
Categories: gen, friendship, nightmares, emotional hurt/comfort
Warnings: no warnings apply
Word count: 12,734
Author's Journal:
sgatazmyAuthor's Website: Tazmy on AO3
Link: Respite
Author’s summary: Some time after Sunday and Phantoms, nightmares plague Rodney. Unable to sleep and seeing ghosts everywhere, he returns to Earth with John in tow. Madison draws pictures to help him feel better and even gives him a lovey. It's a story about recharging that takes place with a Halloween backdrop.
Why This Must Be Read: This is a wonderful, sensitive tale that I really want more people to know and enjoy.
It’s about Rodney’s friendship with John, about a supportive team and family, and how, especially, the genuine, childlike view of four-year-old Madison worms its way into Rodney’s mind, which is dealing with all the pressure, angst and grief that life in Atlantis has put him through.
It will make your heart ache with Rodney’s feeling of sadness about losing people he cares about but also make you bounce with pure squee about Madison’s lovely (included) drawings, and how they smooth the way for Rodney to get his feet back on the ground.
Elizabeth grants the leave without hesitation.
John isn't so understanding. He eyes Rodney carefully, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed but his expression impassive. "We could camp out on another world."
"Right, because getting bit by alien insects that contain who know how many diseases while trying to keep at bay ferocious animals with fangs larger than my forearm is a great way to relax."
"Okay, asking Ronon to choose a world to camp at last time was a mistake. There are still dozens of worlds we could choose from that have been determined safe after several visits."
"Only because we haven't figured out what they're hiding yet."
"Fine. Not another world then. How about a pier?"
Rodney hesitates. The piers are far away and quiet but he can still hear Atlantis's low hum. They still feel like home.
He glances at the wall where he keeps dreaming Madison's picture hangs. He still feels bad about not being there for her and he wonders what she's like. He misses his sister and he misses cats and he misses Earth. "Not this time."
"What about hanging around the lab only? Didn't you say that was relaxing?"
Rodney knows what John is really saying even if John will never come out and use the actual words. He needs to keep Rodney nearby where he can see he is okay. What's more, neither of them will use the word lonely but it's how both of them will feel. John and Rodney keep each other sane in all the madness that Pegasus throws them. John's not ready to face a month without Rodney hanging around.
Rodney almost invites John along because he's not sure he can stand a month away either. Ever since Carson passed, Rodney has needed John's company more than he cares to admit. Movie nights are no longer a luxury but a need. Friendship is everything and Rodney still can hardly believe this is his life. He is a real-life action hero complete with a family and close friends.
Ghost Carson smiles from behind John. Rodney quickly pushes the image away.
The action-hero's life is overrated. Too much pain. Too much death. Too little rest.
In the end, he never does invite John but somehow John shows up a few days later at his quarters wearing jeans and a black t-shirt. He carries a duffel on his shoulder and a grin on his face.
"Elizabeth says the city can do without us for a month," he explains.
"I don't recall asking you to come."
"You're going to a house full of vegetarians with a 4-year-old kid. Radek's started a betting poll on how long you'll last."
"And somehow this explains you coming because why?"
John's gaze says because you'll need me. Because I'm worried. Aloud he says, "I'll be staying at a nearby hotel. We can grab some steak together when you can't take it anymore."
"I don't get a choice in this, do I?"
"No, you don't."
