Get It Right [PG-13]: Warning for consensual spanking, mild D/s
Get It Right: Rodney's feeling guilty about something, but John just doesn't get it. Eventually he does though. Warning for mentions of character death and slightly AU. Spoilers for 3x20, 4x01. ~2200 words.
Author's Note: So awhile ago, popkin16 had mentioned the astounding lack of sub!Rodney fics and I thought to myself hey, self. Why don't you go ahead and write one? So I did. I have absolutely no idea if this is what she had in mind, as I've never written a fic that was supposed to be D/s. Hell, I don't even know if this makes sense because it's been so long since I've written anything. All I know is that this fic was written with lots of love! Just don't hold the actual content against me!
It takes awhile before John actually gets it, which is nothing new because John is always the last to get anything. Especially when it comes to Rodney.
The whole city had been watching as Rodney slowly spun more and more out of control, while John just ambled along, never seeing exactly what was in front of him. He blamed it on the loss of Elizabeth, the change of command and the need to assert himself as reigning leader of the science department. John, along with everyone else, just watched, so sure that Rodney would snap himself out of it at any moment.
It wasn’t until a particularly brilliant screaming match with Samantha Carter that it clicked and John finally understood.
He felt like the world’s biggest asshole for not getting it sooner.
“I don’t know what’s gotten into him, Colonel, but I need someone to figure it out and the way I see it, you’re the perfect man for the job.”
She wasn’t asking and John wasn’t telling, but he saluted her and trotted off to make arrangements.
This was going to take more than an uncomfortable conversation about feelings to fix.
~.~
It takes another five days before John gets his chance.
Five days of belligerent, angry Rodney which is really no different from the regular version except the part where he is. His rants have taken on a malicious tone and once, before John can stop him, he makes Teyla cry.
John kicks himself for letting this go on so long.
“McKay, with me,” he says, tray of food untouched as he stands up. He’s halfway out of the mess hall before he stops and looks back; Rodney hasn’t moved an inch.
Clenching his teeth, he stalks back over to the table and leans over so that his mouth is merely inches away from Rodney’s ear.
“You have two seconds to drop the attitude, or I can promise you’re not going to like what I’m going to give you.”
Rodney tilts his chin stubbornly, blue eyes glaring at John, but clearly, he sees something there that gives him pause.
“Whatever,” he mutters after a moment and he stands, chair scraping loudly at the floor.
John doesn’t miss the collective sigh of relief from everyone in the vicinity as Rodney stomps out.
~.~
Rodney is silent all the way back to John’s quarters, but John can see that it’s a struggle. His square jaw is clenched and his hands are balled into fists at his sides and as John palms the door open, he has a fleeting thought that he’ll be lucky if Rodney doesn’t deck him as soon as they get inside the room.
He doesn’t though. Instead, he turns, eyes blazing accusingly. “After all this time, you think you can just order me around?” He bellows. “You’re the one who didn’t want to do this anymore, you asshole! You’re the one who told me it was too risky and, and, and...!”
“Rodney,” John says helplessly. He wants to deny it but he can’t, because it’s true. While Elizabeth had always turned a blind eye to his relationship with Rodney, he hadn’t been so sure that Carter would be willing to do the same.
“Just... just shut up and leave me alone, John,” he says and he’s halfway to the door again when John calls out and stops him.
“Don’t you walk out that door, Rodney,” he says and Rodney knows it isn’t a request, but an order.
He turns and looks at John, as if waiting for the next order, and John knows right away that he’s played this just right.
“On your knees,” he says and just like that, Rodney bends fluidly, hands clasped behind his back as he drops his chin to his chest.
Rodney’s broad shoulders are trembling slightly, probably from the exertion of holding himself still as John circles him slowly, studying the tense lines of his body. He’s missed this more than he’s admitted to himself over the last few weeks and already, he can feel his cock stirring in his pants at the thought of what’s to come.
But first...
Well, first he needs to fix Rodney.
“I should have seen this sooner,” John says, more to himself than anything. He stops behind Rodney and reaches out, threading his fingers through his soft hair. Rodney shivers at the touch and rocks back into it, practically purring. Sometimes, John almost forgets just how much Rodney needs this.
“Please John,” Rodney mumbles. “I need... I need...”
“Tell me what you need, Rodney.”
Rodney swallows hard and shakes his head. “No. No, this is stupid and I, I, I won’t get back into this for you to just end it all the next time someone else is in charge. No. I’m going.”
He moves to stand, but John clamps a hand down on his shoulder, blunt nails digging into his skin. “You aren’t going anywhere except to my bed,” John says. He can feel Rodney shiver under his hand.
“You can’t make me,” Rodney says, voice barely above a whisper. John hears the challenge in it.
Reaching out, he grips Rodney’s chin roughly in his hand, hazel eyes boring into Rodney’s. “I know that I made a mistake in letting things get this far out of control, and Rodney, I’m sorry for that. But if you really don’t want this anymore, then you’re going to have to say it, because I’m not playing these bullshit games with you. Not again.”
He releases Rodney from his grasp and nods at the bed. “Now I’m giving you a choice. You either get on that bed and let me do what I should have done weeks ago, or you walk out that door, but so help me, if you leave...”
The threat hangs in the air between them and for a second, neither of them makes a move. Almost grudgingly, Rodney climbs to his feet and trudges over to the bed, sprawling out face down on the mattress.
“Good,” John says. “That’s good. Now,” he sits down on the edge of the bed beside Rodney,“I want you to tell me what you need from me.”
“You’re so smart, you figure it out,” he mutters, voice muffled by John’s pillow.
John knows what he’s doing; this is a game they’ve played before, except tonight, John’s not playing.
“I’ve already figured you out,” John growls. He reaches out and loops his fingers through Rodney’s belt, tugging him closer. Rodney goes without much protest.
“What are you doing?”
“If it’s punishment you’re looking for, I’m not giving you the satisfaction of the cane or the paddle.”
“But... but...”
“Strip.”
“But...”
“Strip, Rodney. You’re really trying me tonight. I’m not going to tell you again.”
Rodney scowls at him, but stands and shucks his clothes off quickly. It isn’t long before he’s standing in front of John, naked as the day he was born, cock drooping limply between his legs.
“What am I punishing you for tonight?”
Rodney huffs and rolls his eyes. “Why do we always have to go through this?”
“Because I want to know that you know exactly why we’re doing this.”
Rodney shifts from one foot the other and finally, he settles on a sullen “because I yelled at Teyla.”
John thinks it’s a start, but not quite what he’s looking for. It doesn’t matter though, because he knows that before tonight is over, he’ll have his answer.
He reaches out and tugs Rodney over, settling him across his lap. It’s awkward and uncomfortable because a solid guy like Rodney doesn’t quite fit over his knee, but they make do. John slides one arm around his waist to hold him in place and without warning, he brings the other hand down to connect with Rodney’s ass.
Rodney yelps and wiggles and tries to pull away, but John tightens his grip and smacks him again.
John smacks him over and over and only after his hand begins to sting does he question Rodney again. “Tell me why you think you need this.”
“B... because of Sam,” Rodney gasps, fisting the bed sheets in his hands as John delivers another blow. His ass is red now and John’s hand hurts like hell, but they aren’t there yet.
It seems like hours pass before a hoarse sob finally tears from Rodney’s throat. He’s long since stopped trying to swallow back his moans, but it’s the first cry that escapes him.
“Tell me why I’m punishing you, Rodney,” John says.
“No!”
Another smack. “Say it.”
“John,” Rodney cries.
“Say it!”
Smack. Smack. Smack.
“Because I killed Elizabeth!”
John’s hand freezes before it connects with Rodney’s ass. On his lap, Rodney’s panting and gasping in between choked sobs and for a moment, John hates himself for doing that to Rodney.
“I’m... I’m... I’m so sorry, John,” he manages, pressing his hot face against the mattress.
They sit like that for awhile; Rodney sprawled out on John’s lap while John awkwardly strokes his back. There’s so much he wants to say, but right now, he knows that Rodney isn’t going to hear him anyway, so he just sits and waits.
After what feels like forever, long after John’s legs have gone to sleep, Rodney pushes himself up and swipes awkwardly at his face. In all the time they’ve been doing this, Rodney’s only reacted that way once; immediately after Doranda.
“I uh... thank you for that,” Rodney says, oddly formally. “I should... I should go, I think.”
“No,” John says, grabbing Rodney’s wrist when he goes to stand. “Let me take care of you tonight. You look like you could use it.”
Rodney starts to protest, but John doesn’t loosen his grip. Instead, he tugs Rodney until he’s laying on the bed, and then he stands, heading into the bathroom. When he returns less than a minute later, he kneels on the bed beside Rodney and opens the tube of cream before smearing it lightly on Rodney’s bright red ass.
He cries out at the touch, but John soothes him gently. “I know it hurts right now, but it’ll feel better soon,” he promises. “Just relax. Let me take care of you.”
Rodney closes his eyes and sighs quietly, fingers gripping the edges of the pillow as John finishes up. Once he’s done, he wipes his hands on the cloth he brought with him and tosses it to the floor before settling himself against Rodney’s side.
“How are you feeling?” He asks quietly, settling one arm around Rodney’s waist again. He scoots closer, burying his face against Rodney’s broad shoulder. “Are you okay?”
“I... I feel better than before,” Rodney responds quietly. “Mentally, at least. Did you have to hit me so hard?”
John rolls his eyes and pinches Rodney’s hip gently. “You know I hated every minute of that.”
“But I needed it.”
“No you didn’t Rodney. You might have felt like you did, but what happened to Elizabeth wasn’t your fault. You had no way of knowing.”
“I should have prepared for something like that. It was my stupid idea to re-activate the nanites.”
“No, it was Keller’s stupid idea to re-active them. You just went along with it.”
“But I shouldn’t have.”
“No, but I understand why you did. You wanted to save her. We all did.”
“And in the end, she died anyway,” he says.
“That’s life, Rodney. You can’t always save everyone, no matter how much you want to, or how hard you try. You did everything you could for Elizabeth, and--”
“--And it didn’t matter anyway.”
“But the point is, you tried. You didn’t deserve this tonight, but I know you. You never would have stopped punishing yourself if I hadn’t done it for you.”
“Shoulda done it a long time ago,” Rodney says, and John knows he’s right.
He’s screwed up before when it’s come to Rodney, but he’s never let things get this out of hand before now. Pulling him closer, John sighs as Rodney tucks his head under his chin.
“Does this mean we’re okay now?”
“Yeah,” John says, pressing a kiss to the top of Rodney’s head. “Yeah, we’re okay now.”
“Good. Don’t go away like that again, okay?”
“I’ll try,” John promises. “But you know...”
“What?”
“Just because we’re okay doesn’t mean the rest of the city is. And if Teyla tries to kick your ass tomorrow, I might just have to let her.”
John feels Rodney shudder against his chest. “Just don’t let her actually kick my ass, okay? I’m pretty sure I won’t be able to sit for days.”
John snorts at that.
He screwed up these last few weeks when it came to Rodney. He let things go unchecked for far too long and because of that, the final outcome was more painful than it should it have been.
But now, feeling Rodney settle in for the night against his chest, John knows that things are going to be alright and he’ll make sure that next time, he doesn’t make the same mistake of assuming that Rodney’s okay when really, he’s anything but.
:
Author's Note: So awhile ago, popkin16 had mentioned the astounding lack of sub!Rodney fics and I thought to myself hey, self. Why don't you go ahead and write one? So I did. I have absolutely no idea if this is what she had in mind, as I've never written a fic that was supposed to be D/s. Hell, I don't even know if this makes sense because it's been so long since I've written anything. All I know is that this fic was written with lots of love! Just don't hold the actual content against me!
It takes awhile before John actually gets it, which is nothing new because John is always the last to get anything. Especially when it comes to Rodney.
The whole city had been watching as Rodney slowly spun more and more out of control, while John just ambled along, never seeing exactly what was in front of him. He blamed it on the loss of Elizabeth, the change of command and the need to assert himself as reigning leader of the science department. John, along with everyone else, just watched, so sure that Rodney would snap himself out of it at any moment.
It wasn’t until a particularly brilliant screaming match with Samantha Carter that it clicked and John finally understood.
He felt like the world’s biggest asshole for not getting it sooner.
“I don’t know what’s gotten into him, Colonel, but I need someone to figure it out and the way I see it, you’re the perfect man for the job.”
She wasn’t asking and John wasn’t telling, but he saluted her and trotted off to make arrangements.
This was going to take more than an uncomfortable conversation about feelings to fix.
~.~
It takes another five days before John gets his chance.
Five days of belligerent, angry Rodney which is really no different from the regular version except the part where he is. His rants have taken on a malicious tone and once, before John can stop him, he makes Teyla cry.
John kicks himself for letting this go on so long.
“McKay, with me,” he says, tray of food untouched as he stands up. He’s halfway out of the mess hall before he stops and looks back; Rodney hasn’t moved an inch.
Clenching his teeth, he stalks back over to the table and leans over so that his mouth is merely inches away from Rodney’s ear.
“You have two seconds to drop the attitude, or I can promise you’re not going to like what I’m going to give you.”
Rodney tilts his chin stubbornly, blue eyes glaring at John, but clearly, he sees something there that gives him pause.
“Whatever,” he mutters after a moment and he stands, chair scraping loudly at the floor.
John doesn’t miss the collective sigh of relief from everyone in the vicinity as Rodney stomps out.
~.~
Rodney is silent all the way back to John’s quarters, but John can see that it’s a struggle. His square jaw is clenched and his hands are balled into fists at his sides and as John palms the door open, he has a fleeting thought that he’ll be lucky if Rodney doesn’t deck him as soon as they get inside the room.
He doesn’t though. Instead, he turns, eyes blazing accusingly. “After all this time, you think you can just order me around?” He bellows. “You’re the one who didn’t want to do this anymore, you asshole! You’re the one who told me it was too risky and, and, and...!”
“Rodney,” John says helplessly. He wants to deny it but he can’t, because it’s true. While Elizabeth had always turned a blind eye to his relationship with Rodney, he hadn’t been so sure that Carter would be willing to do the same.
“Just... just shut up and leave me alone, John,” he says and he’s halfway to the door again when John calls out and stops him.
“Don’t you walk out that door, Rodney,” he says and Rodney knows it isn’t a request, but an order.
He turns and looks at John, as if waiting for the next order, and John knows right away that he’s played this just right.
“On your knees,” he says and just like that, Rodney bends fluidly, hands clasped behind his back as he drops his chin to his chest.
Rodney’s broad shoulders are trembling slightly, probably from the exertion of holding himself still as John circles him slowly, studying the tense lines of his body. He’s missed this more than he’s admitted to himself over the last few weeks and already, he can feel his cock stirring in his pants at the thought of what’s to come.
But first...
Well, first he needs to fix Rodney.
“I should have seen this sooner,” John says, more to himself than anything. He stops behind Rodney and reaches out, threading his fingers through his soft hair. Rodney shivers at the touch and rocks back into it, practically purring. Sometimes, John almost forgets just how much Rodney needs this.
“Please John,” Rodney mumbles. “I need... I need...”
“Tell me what you need, Rodney.”
Rodney swallows hard and shakes his head. “No. No, this is stupid and I, I, I won’t get back into this for you to just end it all the next time someone else is in charge. No. I’m going.”
He moves to stand, but John clamps a hand down on his shoulder, blunt nails digging into his skin. “You aren’t going anywhere except to my bed,” John says. He can feel Rodney shiver under his hand.
“You can’t make me,” Rodney says, voice barely above a whisper. John hears the challenge in it.
Reaching out, he grips Rodney’s chin roughly in his hand, hazel eyes boring into Rodney’s. “I know that I made a mistake in letting things get this far out of control, and Rodney, I’m sorry for that. But if you really don’t want this anymore, then you’re going to have to say it, because I’m not playing these bullshit games with you. Not again.”
He releases Rodney from his grasp and nods at the bed. “Now I’m giving you a choice. You either get on that bed and let me do what I should have done weeks ago, or you walk out that door, but so help me, if you leave...”
The threat hangs in the air between them and for a second, neither of them makes a move. Almost grudgingly, Rodney climbs to his feet and trudges over to the bed, sprawling out face down on the mattress.
“Good,” John says. “That’s good. Now,” he sits down on the edge of the bed beside Rodney,“I want you to tell me what you need from me.”
“You’re so smart, you figure it out,” he mutters, voice muffled by John’s pillow.
John knows what he’s doing; this is a game they’ve played before, except tonight, John’s not playing.
“I’ve already figured you out,” John growls. He reaches out and loops his fingers through Rodney’s belt, tugging him closer. Rodney goes without much protest.
“What are you doing?”
“If it’s punishment you’re looking for, I’m not giving you the satisfaction of the cane or the paddle.”
“But... but...”
“Strip.”
“But...”
“Strip, Rodney. You’re really trying me tonight. I’m not going to tell you again.”
Rodney scowls at him, but stands and shucks his clothes off quickly. It isn’t long before he’s standing in front of John, naked as the day he was born, cock drooping limply between his legs.
“What am I punishing you for tonight?”
Rodney huffs and rolls his eyes. “Why do we always have to go through this?”
“Because I want to know that you know exactly why we’re doing this.”
Rodney shifts from one foot the other and finally, he settles on a sullen “because I yelled at Teyla.”
John thinks it’s a start, but not quite what he’s looking for. It doesn’t matter though, because he knows that before tonight is over, he’ll have his answer.
He reaches out and tugs Rodney over, settling him across his lap. It’s awkward and uncomfortable because a solid guy like Rodney doesn’t quite fit over his knee, but they make do. John slides one arm around his waist to hold him in place and without warning, he brings the other hand down to connect with Rodney’s ass.
Rodney yelps and wiggles and tries to pull away, but John tightens his grip and smacks him again.
John smacks him over and over and only after his hand begins to sting does he question Rodney again. “Tell me why you think you need this.”
“B... because of Sam,” Rodney gasps, fisting the bed sheets in his hands as John delivers another blow. His ass is red now and John’s hand hurts like hell, but they aren’t there yet.
It seems like hours pass before a hoarse sob finally tears from Rodney’s throat. He’s long since stopped trying to swallow back his moans, but it’s the first cry that escapes him.
“Tell me why I’m punishing you, Rodney,” John says.
“No!”
Another smack. “Say it.”
“John,” Rodney cries.
“Say it!”
Smack. Smack. Smack.
“Because I killed Elizabeth!”
John’s hand freezes before it connects with Rodney’s ass. On his lap, Rodney’s panting and gasping in between choked sobs and for a moment, John hates himself for doing that to Rodney.
“I’m... I’m... I’m so sorry, John,” he manages, pressing his hot face against the mattress.
They sit like that for awhile; Rodney sprawled out on John’s lap while John awkwardly strokes his back. There’s so much he wants to say, but right now, he knows that Rodney isn’t going to hear him anyway, so he just sits and waits.
After what feels like forever, long after John’s legs have gone to sleep, Rodney pushes himself up and swipes awkwardly at his face. In all the time they’ve been doing this, Rodney’s only reacted that way once; immediately after Doranda.
“I uh... thank you for that,” Rodney says, oddly formally. “I should... I should go, I think.”
“No,” John says, grabbing Rodney’s wrist when he goes to stand. “Let me take care of you tonight. You look like you could use it.”
Rodney starts to protest, but John doesn’t loosen his grip. Instead, he tugs Rodney until he’s laying on the bed, and then he stands, heading into the bathroom. When he returns less than a minute later, he kneels on the bed beside Rodney and opens the tube of cream before smearing it lightly on Rodney’s bright red ass.
He cries out at the touch, but John soothes him gently. “I know it hurts right now, but it’ll feel better soon,” he promises. “Just relax. Let me take care of you.”
Rodney closes his eyes and sighs quietly, fingers gripping the edges of the pillow as John finishes up. Once he’s done, he wipes his hands on the cloth he brought with him and tosses it to the floor before settling himself against Rodney’s side.
“How are you feeling?” He asks quietly, settling one arm around Rodney’s waist again. He scoots closer, burying his face against Rodney’s broad shoulder. “Are you okay?”
“I... I feel better than before,” Rodney responds quietly. “Mentally, at least. Did you have to hit me so hard?”
John rolls his eyes and pinches Rodney’s hip gently. “You know I hated every minute of that.”
“But I needed it.”
“No you didn’t Rodney. You might have felt like you did, but what happened to Elizabeth wasn’t your fault. You had no way of knowing.”
“I should have prepared for something like that. It was my stupid idea to re-activate the nanites.”
“No, it was Keller’s stupid idea to re-active them. You just went along with it.”
“But I shouldn’t have.”
“No, but I understand why you did. You wanted to save her. We all did.”
“And in the end, she died anyway,” he says.
“That’s life, Rodney. You can’t always save everyone, no matter how much you want to, or how hard you try. You did everything you could for Elizabeth, and--”
“--And it didn’t matter anyway.”
“But the point is, you tried. You didn’t deserve this tonight, but I know you. You never would have stopped punishing yourself if I hadn’t done it for you.”
“Shoulda done it a long time ago,” Rodney says, and John knows he’s right.
He’s screwed up before when it’s come to Rodney, but he’s never let things get this out of hand before now. Pulling him closer, John sighs as Rodney tucks his head under his chin.
“Does this mean we’re okay now?”
“Yeah,” John says, pressing a kiss to the top of Rodney’s head. “Yeah, we’re okay now.”
“Good. Don’t go away like that again, okay?”
“I’ll try,” John promises. “But you know...”
“What?”
“Just because we’re okay doesn’t mean the rest of the city is. And if Teyla tries to kick your ass tomorrow, I might just have to let her.”
John feels Rodney shudder against his chest. “Just don’t let her actually kick my ass, okay? I’m pretty sure I won’t be able to sit for days.”
John snorts at that.
He screwed up these last few weeks when it came to Rodney. He let things go unchecked for far too long and because of that, the final outcome was more painful than it should it have been.
But now, feeling Rodney settle in for the night against his chest, John knows that things are going to be alright and he’ll make sure that next time, he doesn’t make the same mistake of assuming that Rodney’s okay when really, he’s anything but.
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