Control (Amnesty 2007, Secret Superpower)
Title: Control
Author: skeddy_kat
Characters: John and Rodney
Rating: PG
Summary: John has a secret
John Sheppard wears affability like a good luck charm. Women want to sleep with him. Men want to be him and, sometimes, want to sleep with him. The world loves John Sheppard. John smiles, but keeps the world at arm’s length.
John has a secret: he has magical, terrible powers. He discovered them like this: When he was ten he lost his temper at school, hit a classmate, and got sent home. His mother, wearing her disappointed face, had talked with John about anger and not letting it control him. His normally easy-going father had expressed disapproval by applying a belt to John’s tender behind, then sending him off to bed without supper. Hungry, hurting, and still angry, young John had screamed that he hated them and wished they were dead. Two days later they were - wiped out by a drunk driver.
John never loses his temper again. Not when his friends die under enemy fire. Not when the brass punish him and all but end his career for doing what he still believes was the right thing to do. Not even when Sumner looks John in the eye and wills him to pull the trigger. He never loses his temper. Not until Rodney asks for his trust and they almost lose their lives.
So after Doranda when Rodney searches for him, trying to apologize, John makes himself scarce. Rodney, being Rodney, is undeterred and, oblivious to danger, corners John outside a transporter. John crosses his arms, lifts an eyebrow, and struggles for control because the only people his powers ever hurt were the ones that mattered.
He needs distance.
Author: skeddy_kat
Characters: John and Rodney
Rating: PG
Summary: John has a secret
John Sheppard wears affability like a good luck charm. Women want to sleep with him. Men want to be him and, sometimes, want to sleep with him. The world loves John Sheppard. John smiles, but keeps the world at arm’s length.
John has a secret: he has magical, terrible powers. He discovered them like this: When he was ten he lost his temper at school, hit a classmate, and got sent home. His mother, wearing her disappointed face, had talked with John about anger and not letting it control him. His normally easy-going father had expressed disapproval by applying a belt to John’s tender behind, then sending him off to bed without supper. Hungry, hurting, and still angry, young John had screamed that he hated them and wished they were dead. Two days later they were - wiped out by a drunk driver.
John never loses his temper again. Not when his friends die under enemy fire. Not when the brass punish him and all but end his career for doing what he still believes was the right thing to do. Not even when Sumner looks John in the eye and wills him to pull the trigger. He never loses his temper. Not until Rodney asks for his trust and they almost lose their lives.
So after Doranda when Rodney searches for him, trying to apologize, John makes himself scarce. Rodney, being Rodney, is undeterred and, oblivious to danger, corners John outside a transporter. John crosses his arms, lifts an eyebrow, and struggles for control because the only people his powers ever hurt were the ones that mattered.
He needs distance.