Fic: Relieving the Tension (McKay/Sheppard, R)
Title: Relieving the Tension
Author: x_varda_x
Recipient: shaddyr
Pairing: John/Rodney slash, with small parts for Teyla and Ronon
Rating: R for sexually graphic content
Disclaimer: "Stargate" and all related characters are the property of MGM Television Entertainment. No copyright infringement intended.
Summary: The team visit a planet which has an arousing effect on human males. Is it just something in the air, or something deeper? First time/AMTDI.
Author’s Note: Word count is about 5,500. It’s a bit PWP, but that’s fun, right? I hope you like it!
"It's far too hot here,” Rodney grumbled from behind John as the team tracked through the rainforest. “If I wanted to die of heatstroke, I'd get you to fly a Jumper towards the nearest star!"
John smiled and adjusted his voice to the tone of scientist-baiting sarcasm as he said, "Energy reading, remember? Strange and wonderful discoveries! ZPMs."
"I know, I know. But why does all the best stuff have to be hidden away on planets so unbearable! And why couldn’t we have stayed and enjoyed the aircon in the Jumper?”
“Space gate,” John drawled. “Nowhere to land within a mile’s radius of the energy reading.”
"Suck it up, McKay," Ronon said as he hacked another branch out of the way where he led the group and cleared a path. "At least we already know there’s something here, and it's not raining… Yet."
"Oh, wonderful! Well, when the rain does come, don't complain to me about your wet hair and how it weighs so much."
Ronon turned and glared past John at Rodney. John thought it too good an opportunity to miss, to see Rodney's face at this moment, so he turned too. Teyla was glancing around them all from behind Rodney, and her expression was as unreadable. But Rodney's face was set in anger, which quickly fled to become bewilderment when he lost the glaring match with Ronon. John smirked and felt a deeper feeling as he studied Rodney's sweaty face and sturdy, smooth jawline.
Rodney sighed and shifted between his feet awkwardly. His eyes tightened and he grimaced as though he were in pain. John was ready to chalk Rodney’s visible discomfort up to the planet's atmosphere not being the most tolerable thing ever. That was until Rodney shifted his eyes onto John and said, "Can you guys wait a minute? I… uh… I need to take a leak."
John narrowed his eyes, but Rodney’s face was set in silent pleading with him, and it was not something he could take for very long before relenting. "Alright, but stay close."
"Make sure nothing bites you," Ronon added with a smirk.
Rodney's eyes darted around the overgrown plants they were walking on, and then he let out a small huff before limping off around the nearest tree.
John went over and used his life signs detector to make sure he was close, and, tempting though it was not to, he allowed Rodney some privacy. Teyla and Ronon stood nearby, talking quietly about the planet and what was around them and whether it really posed a threat or if it was Rodney being his usual skittish and paranoid self.
John suddenly heard a strangled gasp and a whimper. He immediately gripped his gun and called out, "You alright, McKay?"
His reply was a very flustered and somewhat breathless, "Yes, fine. I'm fine."
John relaxed the pressure on the trigger on the P90, but kept hold of it anyway, just in case.
When Rodney appeared around the tree, his face was redder than before and he was sweating profusely. The musky scent of Rodney permeated the air, even managing to overpower the smell of the trees and plants. John released an involuntary growl of approval in his throat. He longed to get close enough to press his nose into Rodney's skin to inhale that intoxicating sweetness as deeply as possible, in all its intensive glory. Rodney sent it out without even seeming to realise how crazy it drove John.
John edged nearer to Rodney and sniffed eagerly. Rodney frowned and gave him a peculiar look, but kept his mouth firmly shut. John had no choice other than to reluctantly back off with a low feral moan of desire, so as to not upset or scare away his quarry. The perspiration was alluring, being so close to the source, and the air was so hot, that it sent his cock twitching wildly before it straightened and started to become painful pressing against the crotch of his pants.
John quickly turned his back on the rest of his team to hide the arousal and said, "You know what? I think I need to take as leak too. It must be the heat." (Which wasn't being completely untruthful after all…)
The moment John was safely behind the tree, he didn’t wait a moment longer to unzip his fly and start working his cock with his hands. He moved in a desperately fast motion to try and alleviate the tension as quickly as possible so that he didn’t worry his team into looking for him.
Is this what Rodney had just done?
Thoughts of the scientist made John gasp silently and close his eyes as his hand slipped up and down his now slickened shaft and his balls tightened in readiness.
Images and thoughts flashed through his mind. All centred on a certain arrogant man standing just a few metres away, completely oblivious to the lust he created in John's gut, which grew stronger as he swiftly approached orgasm.
He imagined Rodney's hands - strong and nimble fingers dexterously stroking and caressing a piece of technology in his lab. John imagined those same hands doing unspeakable things to his own body in the same way, and he had to stifle a grunt.
John imagined Rodney's broad shoulders next, his slightly bulging belly and muscled arms, the way his small nipples would perk up under his shirt when he was cold or excited so that they were erect and visibly protruding through the material. The way Rodney’s chest hair would sometimes peek out at the collar of his shirt in its over eager growth.
John had yet to see Rodney shirtless, but he could imagine, oh so imagine, what it would be like to bury his face into that flesh and feel how soft and warm it was. He was hoping there was a good layer of hair on the rest of Rodney’s chest and body that he could use for a pillow.
John's thoughts went to Rodney's mouth last, the way his tongue would wet his lips just before he spoke. The slightly crooked slant of his lips and the speed at which that jaw could work when he was excited. John lost it then, and try as he might not to make any sound, he couldn’t help the small grunt he released as he splattered the nearest tree in white fluid.
Teyla heard him from the other side of the tree and asked in concern, “Do you require assistance, Colonel?”
Sheppard struggled not to laugh as he said, “No, I’m done, thanks.”
He hastily zipped up and wiped his hand on his trousers before he composed himself and rejoined his team, heading towards the energy reading.
As they proceeded, John took point, and Teyla slowed to allow Rodney to pass her and joined John at the back of the group. She lowered her voice and asked, “Does Dr McKay seem alright to you?”
“Yes. Why?”
“I am unsure, but he seems… agitated.”
John watched as Rodney swatted at an insect on his arm and growled. John turned to Teyla and said, “He’s always agitated.”
“I mean, more so than usual.”
John chuckled and brushed her off; “It’s just the heat.” But John could feel that he was also getting annoyed and was having difficulty keeping it hidden. He was damn horny too, despite his recent release, which didn’t seem to have eased any tension at all.
Ronon also went to relieve himself before they reached the village. But Teyla seemed unaffected and slightly confused by what was happening. She gave John a baffled look as Ronon came back, sweatier than before and reeking of sex just as Rodney had and John knew that he himself did.
---
“Oh, my…” Rodney said breathlessly when they got to the village. “What is that thing?!”
John’s eyes trailed up the large, ornate carving in the centre of the ground-based dwellings gathered around it. There was no mistaking it though.
Teyla raised her eyebrows and her cheeks flushed. “It is very… phallic,” she said diplomatically.
“That’s an understatement,” Ronon grumbled with his expression guarded.
Rodney looked down at his scanner and John shifted his eyes from the penis sculpture onto the scientist’s face to revel in the reaction. Rodney was wide-eyed and sweaty. His face was bright red and John grinned at him indulgently.
Rodney spotted him and looked up angrily. He spat, “What do you want, Sheppard?”
“Nothing, nothing, “John replied innocently. “Where’s the energy reading and where are all the people?”
Rodney frowned and shifted between his feet uncomfortably. He turned his back on them and pointed with the scanner. “The reading’s fifty metres that way. And all the people are hiding out in the very advanced mud hut things they have going on here.”
John could see that Rodney’s hands were shaking quite badly and sidled up to him and asked, “Seriously, are you sure you’re alright, McKay?”
“Hmm, yes,” was the distracted reply.
“Really?” John drawled. “I’m the best scientist on Atlantis.”
“I know, I know,” Rodney replied vacantly as he blinked slowly down at the small screen. Sweat stained his brow and ran down his face to drip onto the ground.
John could taste the saltiness of Rodney’s skin on his tongue at this proximity and licked his lips. It was like something was enhancing his senses and arousing him. He needed to know what it was in case it was dangerous or compromised him or his team in any way. And Rodney really didn’t look that well, his speech only proving it.
John turned around and called out, “Hello? I’m Lieutenant Colonel John Sheppard and this is my team. We’ve come a long way to visit your settlement.”
There was silence and John exchanged a puzzled look with Teyla, who shrugged and spoke loudly, “We are interested in the study of culture and to seek possible trade.”
Ronon was brooding and grinding his teeth. When John looked again, Rodney was swaying slightly and staring at the ground like he was about to fall down.
The corner of one of the flaps of a hut twitched and then lifted, revealing a scantily clad man, who was followed by two more equally attired men. He was wearing nothing but a loincloth, and that looked like it was about to fall off too.
He smiled at them and said, “Welcome, welcome. Forgive us, it is so long since we have had visitors. I am Gaivan, and this is Dorsfard and Verrsee.”
John indicated each team member in turn and introduced them all.
Gaivan said, “Forgive our delay in responding, but you caught us in the middle of the midday Joining Ceremony. We have to continue it to completion or bad things will happen.”
“Joining Ceremony?” Rodney asked.
“Yes,” Gaivan turned to Rodney and narrowed his eyes. “We must partake of the Ceremony at least twice a day to stave off the wasting sickness.”
“What sickness?” Teyla asked in concern.
“For those who refuse to join.” Gaivan sighed and his fellows, which John was starting to consider his guards more and more with each minute. “You see, we have more men than women here. Women remain unaffected, and many have started to grow weary of the ceremony and refuse to take part.”
“Oh, you’re talking about sex!” Rodney said triumphantly.
“I think we got that about five minutes ago, McKay,” John said and watched as the eager brightness in Rodney’s face rapidly drained away.
“I would’ve thought there would be more people here if you have this... this Joining Ceremony that many times a day,” John said.
Rodney visibly gulped and his face went beet red.
“We have found a way to prevent the passing of diseases and unwanted seeding of our women. It is the membrane of a plant which grows everywhere. It forms a very effective barrier.”
“Contraception,” Ronon grumbled.
“I think we got that too,” Rodney snapped. “I’m picking up an energy reading nearby, what is it?”
“Our hallowed shrine you mean?”
Rodney rolled his eyes and opened his mouth, but John cut him off before he could make any of his comments, “Yes. Can you show us?”
“No. Absolutely not. It is hallowed ground and no-one but the most holy of each tribe may go there.”
Rodney grumbled about unwanted guardians always hanging around his precious energy readings, while John kept a smile plastered on his face. That was, until Rodney’s diatribe faltered and then stopped entirely.
He turned just in time to see Rodney crumple to the ground and become still. Teyla rushed to his side and pressed her hand against Rodney’s neck. “He is still breathing, but his pulse is quite fast.”
Gaivan and his guards spoke briefly before the leader turned. “It is the first stage of the wasting sickness.”
Ronon asked, “Why’s he like it when we’re fine?”
“Some are more affected than others. Most do not survive. If he does not go through the Joining Ceremony within a brief passage of time, he will die too.”
John angered, “Die?! What is this place?”
Gaivan replied equally hotly, “It is how things have always been, and how they always shall be.” Gaivan turned to Teyla, “Perhaps you could assist him?”
Teyla frowned and her mouth opened. She looked down at Rodney, but John cut her off, “There will be no ‘assisting’ of anyone. What’s going on here?”
Gaivan ignored the question and gestured at the surrounding huts, “If that is the case, then we have many women here.”
“We didn’t come here for this, Sheppard,” Ronon said quietly. “If McKay dies…”
“He’s not going to die,” Sheppard said flatly. “I’ll help him.”
“Another man?” Gaivan asked with raised eyebrows. “That is not possible, the parts are not correct.”
John blushed, “Well, it still works.”
Gaivan and his fellows talked excitedly and when he returned he said, “Are you able to show us? This would solve many problems here.”
John started and shook his head, “Sex is very private where we come from. We don’t share.”
“What if I asked that in return our holy tribe member could be persuaded to grant you passage to the shrine?”
“Yes,” came a hoarse reply from the ground nearby.
John looked down to see that Rodney was awake and had been listening. “Yes, do it.”
“Rodney?” Teyla warned. “You are unwell and do not have to do anything you do not wish to do.”
“But I do. Want to do it, I mean.” He looked up at John and his blue eyes sparkled, “Please.”
John smiled and looked at Gaivan, “Okay then. Take us through the ceremony.” He glanced at Teyla and Ronon and lowered his voice so that only they could hear him, “Be careful and don’t let any of them touch you.”
They both nodded back at him and Ronon moved protectively closer to Teyla.
---
John helped Rodney into one of the huts and eased him down onto the bed. It was cooler inside and despite John assuming the floor would be overgrown and leafy, it had been covered with a sheet of what looked like thick plastic and was quite dry with an earthy smell. It was much cooler inside and Rodney started to feel a little bit better.
The Joining Ceremony had no guidelines really, just for two people to be together. Gaivan had also assured them that he would be the only one observing and would watch discretely. John glanced around the hut, but couldn’t see anything immediately obvious as a means to spy on them, but there could’ve been a hidden hole in the wall.
Rodney murmured and looked at John with his eyes wide in fear. John grabbed a cloth from his vest and damped it down inside the hollowed out shell of water nearby. He pressed and held it against Rodney's forehead and the man released a small moan and closed his eyes contentedly.
"How're you holding up?” John asked.
"Better now, but it's still not enough. It won't be enough. I can already feel it coming back."
Rodney sat up suddenly, making the cloth slip away from his face. He grabbed the front of John’s vest in a desperately tight grip and said, “Don’t do this. Not if you don’t want to. I don’t want you thinking this is just another way of saving the scientist and protecting the civilian as usual.”
John grasped Rodney’s hand and pulled it away from himself, “Is that what you think this is?”
“I don’t know,” Rodney said sadly and sunk back to lie flat on the bed again.
“Well, it’s not.” John ran the cloth over Rodney’s forehead again and then down the side of his face in comfort.
Rodney smiled crookedly and closed his eyes as he said dreamily, “You know, that feels kinda nice.”
Rodney’s eyes suddenly flew open and he all but sprung off the bed and backed away. He held up his hands as John cautiously approached and Rodney became very flustered and embarrassed as he said, “Can’t we just go back to Atlantis? Carson could fix me I’m sure. But this is too much, I don’t think I’m ready for this.”
“It’ll be too late by then. It’s at least half an hour back to the Jumper, then an hour to the Gate. Then more time for Carson to figure out what’s wrong with you and work out an antidote. If it works as quickly as Gaivan says, you don’t have that much time.”
“Oh, okay. But slowly. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life limping.” Rodney looked down at the ground.
John dropped the cloth back in the water bowl and placed both hands on Rodney’s chest. He pushed him up against one of the sturdy walls of the hut and held him there while he squirmed and held onto John’s wrists. John licked along Rodney’s jawline and up his cheek and grinned at him when Rodney raised one eyebrow in a question.
“Do you find me attractive?” John asked, as he manoeuvred his thigh into Rodney’s groin, he could feel that Rodney was still soft, so ever so gently ground his leg against the man’s crotch.
Rodney closed his eyes and drew in a sharp breath. “Sh-Sheppard!” He opened his eyes and looked at John, who could feel the increasing speed of Rodney’s breaths through the hitching chest motions beneath his hands where he held Rodney pressed against the wall and helplessly pinned. The undeniable arousal and erotic energy between them was almost palpable, but John still needed to be sure.
“Sexually, I mean.”
“Y-y-yes!” Rodney gasped.
John smiled and leant forwards. He held the sides of Rodney’s head firmly, and Rodney’s hands slipped down to rest by his sides, and then pushed against the wall behind him. John grabbed the lower lip of Rodney’s crooked mouth between his teeth and gave it a playful tug. Rodney moaned and wriggled, so John leaned back. The hair on Rodney’s head was short and spiky and slightly damp with perspiration. It was so pleasing to touch and run his hands through, once, and then twice, before he stopped and let go.
He kept eye contact with Rodney as he used his hands to slowly unzip Rodney’s tac vest, which was soon on the floor. John then worked his hands under the hem of Rodney’s shirt, and still they kept their eyes locked with each other. Rodney’s blue eyes darkened and his breaths sped up as John lifted the shirt up without touching his skin. He pulled it over Rodney’s head and dropped that on the floor to join the vest.
John ran his hands down over Rodney’s chest and stomach, making Rodney pant, close his eyes and let out a keening moan from deep within. He was so much paler and softer than John could ever have imagined as he gently caressed and massaged the sensitive, lightly haired skin and revered the wide expanse of Rodney’s belly. He traced his hands over each small, pink male nipple in turn and Rodney trembled. He moved one of his hands lower and pushed it underneath the waistband of Rodney’s pants until he felt the curls of hair. He withdrew his hand when Rodney jerked forwards and upwards sharply. Then he placed his hand over Rodney’s groin on top of the bulging material and rubbed lightly.
Rodney writhed and his breaths became jerky and uncontrolled. “Please…” he whispered.
The arousal and tension went through the roof and the smell of Rodney was now so strong it sent John mad with desire. Powerful pheromones flooded John’s nostrils and overwhelmed his senses and he groaned in lust.
He leant forwards and captured that lopsided mouth in his own and pried Rodney’s lips apart with his tongue. He could feel Rodney fumbling at his vest and let go for long enough for him to lose it.
John’s shirt went next, and Rodney’s hands shook so much that they only ghosted over the hair covering John’s chest, but it was still enough to tickle and send shivers of delight down John’s spine.
He nibbled and licked as he kissed Rodney and felt relieved at the reciprocation. He needed more though. It was not enough just to touch and kiss and have that returned. He needed to really feel Rodney. To have him pressed against him, to feel his weight and heat and scent all over him.
John licked along the rough stubble on Rodney’s chin and murmured in approval as the lust coiled tighter in his chest and nether regions. John then used his lips to trail a line of kisses down the side of Rodney’s exposed neck, he nipped the tender skin there, but without leaving a mark, until Rodney became breathless.
He eased the zipper of Rodney’s trousers down and removed them along with Rodney’s boxers. He had to be gentle to manoeuvre the material over Rodney’s swollen erection.
He broke apart from Rodney for a moment and glanced down. Rodney’s penis was a sight to behold, his arousal so much that the tip was already leaking. John smiled hungrily as he looked up into Rodney’s face. Rodney appeared shy and cautious as though he was worried about revealing himself in case John didn’t approve. John leant forwards and kissed Rodney on the lips and then said breathily, “Whoa, you kept that quiet!”
Rodney relieved John of the rest of his clothing next, and grinned down at Sheppard’s revelation too.
He grabbed Rodney and drew his arms around the man’s back and pulled him into a hug. Their erections clashed and rubbed together in the embrace and they both moaned. John felt Rodney’s hot breaths all over him as he stepped backwards and spun Rodney around before John sat down on the bed and then lay back. John grabbed his vest and retrieved some lube from the medical kit, along with a condom. He rolled it on and then coated it in lube in front of an almost salivating Rodney. He gestured for Rodney to sit down and to spread his legs wide apart and straddle John’s thighs backwards.
John reached around Rodney and pressed the palms of his hands into Rodney’s belly. His hand strayed down lower and ran over the head and down the shaft of Rodney’s penis just once and Rodney relaxed back against him with a shudder, like John hoped he would.
“Are you ready?” John asked.
“Uhm, probably not, but go ahead.”
John squeezed Rodney’s midsection in a firm hug and asked again, “Seriously, are you?”
“Yes.”
John used his fingers to tease open Rodney’s rear passage gently. He widened Rodney as much as he could to have him ready for what was to come, because he didn’t want to hurt him, but knew that he probably would anyway.
John used both hands to pry apart Rodney’s supple buttocks and lifted him up slightly, Rodney assisted with his legs bent and hands on the bed underneath as John eased Rodney down and entered him.
Rodney tensed up and grunted. “Ouch!”
“Sorry, sorry! Does it hurt?”
“What part of ouch…” Rodney panted, “…do you not understand? The pain’s more oooooh! now though.”
“You sure you’re okay?” John asked breathlessly as he felt the warmth of Rodney enveloping him and the sheer weight on his pelvis pinning him down.
“Yes, it was just ouch there for a moment, but it seems better now.”
John gritted his teeth as he thrust upwards and Rodney leant right back so that he was pressing against the length of John’s body. Rodney’s sweet-smelling, sweaty hair was in John’s face and he inhaled deeply between his own exerted pants.
Rodney was now completely impaled upon John’s ramrod straight penis. When Rodney squirmed to try and remove himself as John continued to thrust, John reached up and hugged both arms around Rodney’s soft and slightly hairy belly, securing him in place so that he couldn’t escape from the pleasure pain of what John was doing.
He ran his hands up and over Rodney’s chest, he could feel Rodney’s heart beating wildly under his palms and knew that his own was pumping just as frantically along with the motion of his hips and pelvis as he pounded himself as deeply as possible into Rodney. When he ran his hands back down over Rodney’s nipples and belly, he could feel the happy quivering of Rodney’s flesh as the man released a series of breathy moans interspersed with rapid ‘oh’s in time with each thrust.
John moved his hands down and used one hand to stroke Rodney’s shaft in time with each roll of his hips. He used the leverage of his bent knees between Rodney’s legs to widen him further apart, so that he could work the fingers of his other hand between Rodney’s legs to fondle and caress his perineum and balls. The tension coiled tighter within John as he approached orgasm.
He realised then that Rodney was completely exposed to the air, and should anyone walk in on them now, they would get quite an eyeful of fully aroused, naked Rodney McKay. But that turned John on even more and he increased the pace of his movements, his hips violently and involuntarily snapping upwards. Rodney’s hands were bunched into fists in the bed material and he was grunting with every dip of John’s penis in and out of him.
John felt Rodney’s passage tighten around him as a penetrating thrust against Rodney’s prostate caused him to stiffen his whole body. John cried out then as he tensed up in orgasm and emptied himself. He worked his hand faster along Rodney’s penis, until Rodney squirmed too and liquid spurted upwards from him onto his chest.
Rodney rolled over and John was too spent to stop him this time. In the narrow bed Rodney lay pressed flush against the side of John’s body in warmth and slick with sweat, as they both got their breath back and shook in aftershocks. John pulled off the condom and used the cloth and water to clean himself down.
He rolled onto his side and grinned at the sticky mess on Rodney’s chest. He leant forwards and licked Rodney clean, so that a little of him was inside John as he had placed a portion of himself inside Rodney, although not permanently.
Rodney smiled up at him when he had finished lapping it all up and said, “Shall we check out that energy reading now?”
John smirked, “Sounds good.”
---
The leader was so grateful for what he had seen that he allowed the whole team to visit the shrine with the holy tribesman.
Rodney was no longer ill and Teyla had had a chance to speak with some of the women. What was done there was not forced upon them, but they had grown weary of the ceremonies lately. They were especially interested when Teyla spoke of worlds not governed and enslaved by the necessity for every man to have sex many times every day or suffer and die. They had heard tales of far away tribes in recent years that did not have the same need, and dissent had arisen.
The team entered the temple, which was just a larger hut built to cover the distance between four trees in an exact square. Inside it was candlelit but still quite dark. In the centre there was a small raised platform, and on that was a purple and red device with several lights.
Rodney exchanged a knowing glance with John and he nodded back. The technology was quite clearly Wraith in origin.
The tribesman left them alone to meditate within the shrine.
Rodney plugged his tablet into an outlet while Ronon and Teyla blocked him from view in case the man came back. John went over and waited for Rodney’s analysis, which was swift as usual.
“It’s releasing something into the atmosphere. I’d need to get Carson to properly analyse it, but it appears to be a pheromone targeted towards males. Hmm…”
John frowned, “So this is a Wraith experiment of some sort?”
Rodney said, “It’s not so strange that the Wraith experiment on breeding programs to make their ‘herd’ multiply more swiftly.”
John frowned. “You make it sound like you’re okay about this.”
Rodney folded his arms over his chest defensively. “It’s done on Earth.”
“That’s different.”
“If you’re a Wraith, then not really. I suppose the Hive that did this forgot about it or will wait longer before they come back.”
Teyla said, “But it failed because of contraception.”
Ronon asked, “Can it be turned off?”
John looked around at them all, “But the question really is, do the sex mad denizens of this wonderful world want it to be turned off?
Rodney smirked at him, “Because who wouldn’t want to have compulsory sex three times a day?”
Teyla said, “I am unsure about the men, but I believe the women would be most grateful.”
Rodney frowned at his computer and tapped a few buttons, “Well, it’s losing power anyway, but I can’t see why it can’t be sped up along the way.” He looked at Sheppard for approval first.
“Do it. Everyone can still have sex, but will be able to choose when, and with whom.”
“Okay, I’ll siphon off just enough so that there’s only a day’s worth of power left. That should give us plenty of time to get out of here.”
Once Rodney had finished, they thanked the holy tribesman for his assistance and then walked back to the village. Gaivan requested they stay for food and rest, which John graciously declined, they really needed to get back in case Rodney started getting ill again.
There were the usual complaints about heat and bugs and allergies from Rodney on the way back to the Jumper. But he did not speak about what had happened in the hut, and John said nothing either.
---
Carson checked the team over when they returned. Teyla was immediately cleared, and John, Ronon and Rodney had slightly elevated testosterone levels, but nothing dangerous.
It was several days before Rodney confronted John about what had happened. Their daily routines kept both men busy in different sections of the city, and Rodney, as usual, skipped the mess hall at meal times as he worked himself to exhaustion in the labs every day.
John was just about to turn in for the night when his door chime sounded. He sighed wearily and went over. When the door swished open, he was confronted by an extremely nervous looking Rodney McKay and felt a jolt of surprise and lust in his heart.
Rodney shifted uncomfortably and stuttered, “Uh, hi! I thought we hadn’t spoken for a while. So, uh, you know, what’s up?”
John smirked, “You know. The usual. Idiot marines, Teyla with sticks, Ronon with wooden swords.”
Rodney’s face melted a little and he nodded knowingly, “And I still have the same crayon toting infants in the labs.”
“Do you want to come in?”
Rodney nodded at the invitation and stepped over the threshold sheepishly. The door slid shut behind him. John knew that they needed to talk about what happened, but he didn’t really know what to say now that his feelings for Rodney were finally out in the open.
Rodney walked over to the bed and sat down. He blushed and looked away as he said, “You know, even though we were both under the influence of yet another Wraith experiment gone wrong… I enjoyed it.”
He glanced up at John still standing by the door, for approval or acknowledgement, but John kept silent.
Rodney used his hands to gesture wildly and slightly luridly as he continued, “I’d like to do it again.” He looked at Sheppard in painful nervousness as he stuttered, “Th-that is if you want to of course.”
John smiled and went over to the bed. He sat down next to Rodney, as close as he could get without touching the other man, but just enough that the waves of warmth emanating from Rodney’s body made his insides twist and squirm with desire.
John suddenly leant forwards and pressed his mouth against Rodney’s, and the other man’s lips parted easily in surprise. John took the opportunity to push his tongue into that welcoming mouth and taste the coffee and chocolate and maleness within. When he withdrew he said, “Is that a good enough answer?”
Rodney grinned at him and then pulled John into a tight hug and they fell sideways onto the bed together entwined in their warm embrace.
Fin
Author: x_varda_x
Recipient: shaddyr
Pairing: John/Rodney slash, with small parts for Teyla and Ronon
Rating: R for sexually graphic content
Disclaimer: "Stargate" and all related characters are the property of MGM Television Entertainment. No copyright infringement intended.
Summary: The team visit a planet which has an arousing effect on human males. Is it just something in the air, or something deeper? First time/AMTDI.
Author’s Note: Word count is about 5,500. It’s a bit PWP, but that’s fun, right? I hope you like it!
"It's far too hot here,” Rodney grumbled from behind John as the team tracked through the rainforest. “If I wanted to die of heatstroke, I'd get you to fly a Jumper towards the nearest star!"
John smiled and adjusted his voice to the tone of scientist-baiting sarcasm as he said, "Energy reading, remember? Strange and wonderful discoveries! ZPMs."
"I know, I know. But why does all the best stuff have to be hidden away on planets so unbearable! And why couldn’t we have stayed and enjoyed the aircon in the Jumper?”
“Space gate,” John drawled. “Nowhere to land within a mile’s radius of the energy reading.”
"Suck it up, McKay," Ronon said as he hacked another branch out of the way where he led the group and cleared a path. "At least we already know there’s something here, and it's not raining… Yet."
"Oh, wonderful! Well, when the rain does come, don't complain to me about your wet hair and how it weighs so much."
Ronon turned and glared past John at Rodney. John thought it too good an opportunity to miss, to see Rodney's face at this moment, so he turned too. Teyla was glancing around them all from behind Rodney, and her expression was as unreadable. But Rodney's face was set in anger, which quickly fled to become bewilderment when he lost the glaring match with Ronon. John smirked and felt a deeper feeling as he studied Rodney's sweaty face and sturdy, smooth jawline.
Rodney sighed and shifted between his feet awkwardly. His eyes tightened and he grimaced as though he were in pain. John was ready to chalk Rodney’s visible discomfort up to the planet's atmosphere not being the most tolerable thing ever. That was until Rodney shifted his eyes onto John and said, "Can you guys wait a minute? I… uh… I need to take a leak."
John narrowed his eyes, but Rodney’s face was set in silent pleading with him, and it was not something he could take for very long before relenting. "Alright, but stay close."
"Make sure nothing bites you," Ronon added with a smirk.
Rodney's eyes darted around the overgrown plants they were walking on, and then he let out a small huff before limping off around the nearest tree.
John went over and used his life signs detector to make sure he was close, and, tempting though it was not to, he allowed Rodney some privacy. Teyla and Ronon stood nearby, talking quietly about the planet and what was around them and whether it really posed a threat or if it was Rodney being his usual skittish and paranoid self.
John suddenly heard a strangled gasp and a whimper. He immediately gripped his gun and called out, "You alright, McKay?"
His reply was a very flustered and somewhat breathless, "Yes, fine. I'm fine."
John relaxed the pressure on the trigger on the P90, but kept hold of it anyway, just in case.
When Rodney appeared around the tree, his face was redder than before and he was sweating profusely. The musky scent of Rodney permeated the air, even managing to overpower the smell of the trees and plants. John released an involuntary growl of approval in his throat. He longed to get close enough to press his nose into Rodney's skin to inhale that intoxicating sweetness as deeply as possible, in all its intensive glory. Rodney sent it out without even seeming to realise how crazy it drove John.
John edged nearer to Rodney and sniffed eagerly. Rodney frowned and gave him a peculiar look, but kept his mouth firmly shut. John had no choice other than to reluctantly back off with a low feral moan of desire, so as to not upset or scare away his quarry. The perspiration was alluring, being so close to the source, and the air was so hot, that it sent his cock twitching wildly before it straightened and started to become painful pressing against the crotch of his pants.
John quickly turned his back on the rest of his team to hide the arousal and said, "You know what? I think I need to take as leak too. It must be the heat." (Which wasn't being completely untruthful after all…)
The moment John was safely behind the tree, he didn’t wait a moment longer to unzip his fly and start working his cock with his hands. He moved in a desperately fast motion to try and alleviate the tension as quickly as possible so that he didn’t worry his team into looking for him.
Is this what Rodney had just done?
Thoughts of the scientist made John gasp silently and close his eyes as his hand slipped up and down his now slickened shaft and his balls tightened in readiness.
Images and thoughts flashed through his mind. All centred on a certain arrogant man standing just a few metres away, completely oblivious to the lust he created in John's gut, which grew stronger as he swiftly approached orgasm.
He imagined Rodney's hands - strong and nimble fingers dexterously stroking and caressing a piece of technology in his lab. John imagined those same hands doing unspeakable things to his own body in the same way, and he had to stifle a grunt.
John imagined Rodney's broad shoulders next, his slightly bulging belly and muscled arms, the way his small nipples would perk up under his shirt when he was cold or excited so that they were erect and visibly protruding through the material. The way Rodney’s chest hair would sometimes peek out at the collar of his shirt in its over eager growth.
John had yet to see Rodney shirtless, but he could imagine, oh so imagine, what it would be like to bury his face into that flesh and feel how soft and warm it was. He was hoping there was a good layer of hair on the rest of Rodney’s chest and body that he could use for a pillow.
John's thoughts went to Rodney's mouth last, the way his tongue would wet his lips just before he spoke. The slightly crooked slant of his lips and the speed at which that jaw could work when he was excited. John lost it then, and try as he might not to make any sound, he couldn’t help the small grunt he released as he splattered the nearest tree in white fluid.
Teyla heard him from the other side of the tree and asked in concern, “Do you require assistance, Colonel?”
Sheppard struggled not to laugh as he said, “No, I’m done, thanks.”
He hastily zipped up and wiped his hand on his trousers before he composed himself and rejoined his team, heading towards the energy reading.
As they proceeded, John took point, and Teyla slowed to allow Rodney to pass her and joined John at the back of the group. She lowered her voice and asked, “Does Dr McKay seem alright to you?”
“Yes. Why?”
“I am unsure, but he seems… agitated.”
John watched as Rodney swatted at an insect on his arm and growled. John turned to Teyla and said, “He’s always agitated.”
“I mean, more so than usual.”
John chuckled and brushed her off; “It’s just the heat.” But John could feel that he was also getting annoyed and was having difficulty keeping it hidden. He was damn horny too, despite his recent release, which didn’t seem to have eased any tension at all.
Ronon also went to relieve himself before they reached the village. But Teyla seemed unaffected and slightly confused by what was happening. She gave John a baffled look as Ronon came back, sweatier than before and reeking of sex just as Rodney had and John knew that he himself did.
---
“Oh, my…” Rodney said breathlessly when they got to the village. “What is that thing?!”
John’s eyes trailed up the large, ornate carving in the centre of the ground-based dwellings gathered around it. There was no mistaking it though.
Teyla raised her eyebrows and her cheeks flushed. “It is very… phallic,” she said diplomatically.
“That’s an understatement,” Ronon grumbled with his expression guarded.
Rodney looked down at his scanner and John shifted his eyes from the penis sculpture onto the scientist’s face to revel in the reaction. Rodney was wide-eyed and sweaty. His face was bright red and John grinned at him indulgently.
Rodney spotted him and looked up angrily. He spat, “What do you want, Sheppard?”
“Nothing, nothing, “John replied innocently. “Where’s the energy reading and where are all the people?”
Rodney frowned and shifted between his feet uncomfortably. He turned his back on them and pointed with the scanner. “The reading’s fifty metres that way. And all the people are hiding out in the very advanced mud hut things they have going on here.”
John could see that Rodney’s hands were shaking quite badly and sidled up to him and asked, “Seriously, are you sure you’re alright, McKay?”
“Hmm, yes,” was the distracted reply.
“Really?” John drawled. “I’m the best scientist on Atlantis.”
“I know, I know,” Rodney replied vacantly as he blinked slowly down at the small screen. Sweat stained his brow and ran down his face to drip onto the ground.
John could taste the saltiness of Rodney’s skin on his tongue at this proximity and licked his lips. It was like something was enhancing his senses and arousing him. He needed to know what it was in case it was dangerous or compromised him or his team in any way. And Rodney really didn’t look that well, his speech only proving it.
John turned around and called out, “Hello? I’m Lieutenant Colonel John Sheppard and this is my team. We’ve come a long way to visit your settlement.”
There was silence and John exchanged a puzzled look with Teyla, who shrugged and spoke loudly, “We are interested in the study of culture and to seek possible trade.”
Ronon was brooding and grinding his teeth. When John looked again, Rodney was swaying slightly and staring at the ground like he was about to fall down.
The corner of one of the flaps of a hut twitched and then lifted, revealing a scantily clad man, who was followed by two more equally attired men. He was wearing nothing but a loincloth, and that looked like it was about to fall off too.
He smiled at them and said, “Welcome, welcome. Forgive us, it is so long since we have had visitors. I am Gaivan, and this is Dorsfard and Verrsee.”
John indicated each team member in turn and introduced them all.
Gaivan said, “Forgive our delay in responding, but you caught us in the middle of the midday Joining Ceremony. We have to continue it to completion or bad things will happen.”
“Joining Ceremony?” Rodney asked.
“Yes,” Gaivan turned to Rodney and narrowed his eyes. “We must partake of the Ceremony at least twice a day to stave off the wasting sickness.”
“What sickness?” Teyla asked in concern.
“For those who refuse to join.” Gaivan sighed and his fellows, which John was starting to consider his guards more and more with each minute. “You see, we have more men than women here. Women remain unaffected, and many have started to grow weary of the ceremony and refuse to take part.”
“Oh, you’re talking about sex!” Rodney said triumphantly.
“I think we got that about five minutes ago, McKay,” John said and watched as the eager brightness in Rodney’s face rapidly drained away.
“I would’ve thought there would be more people here if you have this... this Joining Ceremony that many times a day,” John said.
Rodney visibly gulped and his face went beet red.
“We have found a way to prevent the passing of diseases and unwanted seeding of our women. It is the membrane of a plant which grows everywhere. It forms a very effective barrier.”
“Contraception,” Ronon grumbled.
“I think we got that too,” Rodney snapped. “I’m picking up an energy reading nearby, what is it?”
“Our hallowed shrine you mean?”
Rodney rolled his eyes and opened his mouth, but John cut him off before he could make any of his comments, “Yes. Can you show us?”
“No. Absolutely not. It is hallowed ground and no-one but the most holy of each tribe may go there.”
Rodney grumbled about unwanted guardians always hanging around his precious energy readings, while John kept a smile plastered on his face. That was, until Rodney’s diatribe faltered and then stopped entirely.
He turned just in time to see Rodney crumple to the ground and become still. Teyla rushed to his side and pressed her hand against Rodney’s neck. “He is still breathing, but his pulse is quite fast.”
Gaivan and his guards spoke briefly before the leader turned. “It is the first stage of the wasting sickness.”
Ronon asked, “Why’s he like it when we’re fine?”
“Some are more affected than others. Most do not survive. If he does not go through the Joining Ceremony within a brief passage of time, he will die too.”
John angered, “Die?! What is this place?”
Gaivan replied equally hotly, “It is how things have always been, and how they always shall be.” Gaivan turned to Teyla, “Perhaps you could assist him?”
Teyla frowned and her mouth opened. She looked down at Rodney, but John cut her off, “There will be no ‘assisting’ of anyone. What’s going on here?”
Gaivan ignored the question and gestured at the surrounding huts, “If that is the case, then we have many women here.”
“We didn’t come here for this, Sheppard,” Ronon said quietly. “If McKay dies…”
“He’s not going to die,” Sheppard said flatly. “I’ll help him.”
“Another man?” Gaivan asked with raised eyebrows. “That is not possible, the parts are not correct.”
John blushed, “Well, it still works.”
Gaivan and his fellows talked excitedly and when he returned he said, “Are you able to show us? This would solve many problems here.”
John started and shook his head, “Sex is very private where we come from. We don’t share.”
“What if I asked that in return our holy tribe member could be persuaded to grant you passage to the shrine?”
“Yes,” came a hoarse reply from the ground nearby.
John looked down to see that Rodney was awake and had been listening. “Yes, do it.”
“Rodney?” Teyla warned. “You are unwell and do not have to do anything you do not wish to do.”
“But I do. Want to do it, I mean.” He looked up at John and his blue eyes sparkled, “Please.”
John smiled and looked at Gaivan, “Okay then. Take us through the ceremony.” He glanced at Teyla and Ronon and lowered his voice so that only they could hear him, “Be careful and don’t let any of them touch you.”
They both nodded back at him and Ronon moved protectively closer to Teyla.
---
John helped Rodney into one of the huts and eased him down onto the bed. It was cooler inside and despite John assuming the floor would be overgrown and leafy, it had been covered with a sheet of what looked like thick plastic and was quite dry with an earthy smell. It was much cooler inside and Rodney started to feel a little bit better.
The Joining Ceremony had no guidelines really, just for two people to be together. Gaivan had also assured them that he would be the only one observing and would watch discretely. John glanced around the hut, but couldn’t see anything immediately obvious as a means to spy on them, but there could’ve been a hidden hole in the wall.
Rodney murmured and looked at John with his eyes wide in fear. John grabbed a cloth from his vest and damped it down inside the hollowed out shell of water nearby. He pressed and held it against Rodney's forehead and the man released a small moan and closed his eyes contentedly.
"How're you holding up?” John asked.
"Better now, but it's still not enough. It won't be enough. I can already feel it coming back."
Rodney sat up suddenly, making the cloth slip away from his face. He grabbed the front of John’s vest in a desperately tight grip and said, “Don’t do this. Not if you don’t want to. I don’t want you thinking this is just another way of saving the scientist and protecting the civilian as usual.”
John grasped Rodney’s hand and pulled it away from himself, “Is that what you think this is?”
“I don’t know,” Rodney said sadly and sunk back to lie flat on the bed again.
“Well, it’s not.” John ran the cloth over Rodney’s forehead again and then down the side of his face in comfort.
Rodney smiled crookedly and closed his eyes as he said dreamily, “You know, that feels kinda nice.”
Rodney’s eyes suddenly flew open and he all but sprung off the bed and backed away. He held up his hands as John cautiously approached and Rodney became very flustered and embarrassed as he said, “Can’t we just go back to Atlantis? Carson could fix me I’m sure. But this is too much, I don’t think I’m ready for this.”
“It’ll be too late by then. It’s at least half an hour back to the Jumper, then an hour to the Gate. Then more time for Carson to figure out what’s wrong with you and work out an antidote. If it works as quickly as Gaivan says, you don’t have that much time.”
“Oh, okay. But slowly. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life limping.” Rodney looked down at the ground.
John dropped the cloth back in the water bowl and placed both hands on Rodney’s chest. He pushed him up against one of the sturdy walls of the hut and held him there while he squirmed and held onto John’s wrists. John licked along Rodney’s jawline and up his cheek and grinned at him when Rodney raised one eyebrow in a question.
“Do you find me attractive?” John asked, as he manoeuvred his thigh into Rodney’s groin, he could feel that Rodney was still soft, so ever so gently ground his leg against the man’s crotch.
Rodney closed his eyes and drew in a sharp breath. “Sh-Sheppard!” He opened his eyes and looked at John, who could feel the increasing speed of Rodney’s breaths through the hitching chest motions beneath his hands where he held Rodney pressed against the wall and helplessly pinned. The undeniable arousal and erotic energy between them was almost palpable, but John still needed to be sure.
“Sexually, I mean.”
“Y-y-yes!” Rodney gasped.
John smiled and leant forwards. He held the sides of Rodney’s head firmly, and Rodney’s hands slipped down to rest by his sides, and then pushed against the wall behind him. John grabbed the lower lip of Rodney’s crooked mouth between his teeth and gave it a playful tug. Rodney moaned and wriggled, so John leaned back. The hair on Rodney’s head was short and spiky and slightly damp with perspiration. It was so pleasing to touch and run his hands through, once, and then twice, before he stopped and let go.
He kept eye contact with Rodney as he used his hands to slowly unzip Rodney’s tac vest, which was soon on the floor. John then worked his hands under the hem of Rodney’s shirt, and still they kept their eyes locked with each other. Rodney’s blue eyes darkened and his breaths sped up as John lifted the shirt up without touching his skin. He pulled it over Rodney’s head and dropped that on the floor to join the vest.
John ran his hands down over Rodney’s chest and stomach, making Rodney pant, close his eyes and let out a keening moan from deep within. He was so much paler and softer than John could ever have imagined as he gently caressed and massaged the sensitive, lightly haired skin and revered the wide expanse of Rodney’s belly. He traced his hands over each small, pink male nipple in turn and Rodney trembled. He moved one of his hands lower and pushed it underneath the waistband of Rodney’s pants until he felt the curls of hair. He withdrew his hand when Rodney jerked forwards and upwards sharply. Then he placed his hand over Rodney’s groin on top of the bulging material and rubbed lightly.
Rodney writhed and his breaths became jerky and uncontrolled. “Please…” he whispered.
The arousal and tension went through the roof and the smell of Rodney was now so strong it sent John mad with desire. Powerful pheromones flooded John’s nostrils and overwhelmed his senses and he groaned in lust.
He leant forwards and captured that lopsided mouth in his own and pried Rodney’s lips apart with his tongue. He could feel Rodney fumbling at his vest and let go for long enough for him to lose it.
John’s shirt went next, and Rodney’s hands shook so much that they only ghosted over the hair covering John’s chest, but it was still enough to tickle and send shivers of delight down John’s spine.
He nibbled and licked as he kissed Rodney and felt relieved at the reciprocation. He needed more though. It was not enough just to touch and kiss and have that returned. He needed to really feel Rodney. To have him pressed against him, to feel his weight and heat and scent all over him.
John licked along the rough stubble on Rodney’s chin and murmured in approval as the lust coiled tighter in his chest and nether regions. John then used his lips to trail a line of kisses down the side of Rodney’s exposed neck, he nipped the tender skin there, but without leaving a mark, until Rodney became breathless.
He eased the zipper of Rodney’s trousers down and removed them along with Rodney’s boxers. He had to be gentle to manoeuvre the material over Rodney’s swollen erection.
He broke apart from Rodney for a moment and glanced down. Rodney’s penis was a sight to behold, his arousal so much that the tip was already leaking. John smiled hungrily as he looked up into Rodney’s face. Rodney appeared shy and cautious as though he was worried about revealing himself in case John didn’t approve. John leant forwards and kissed Rodney on the lips and then said breathily, “Whoa, you kept that quiet!”
Rodney relieved John of the rest of his clothing next, and grinned down at Sheppard’s revelation too.
He grabbed Rodney and drew his arms around the man’s back and pulled him into a hug. Their erections clashed and rubbed together in the embrace and they both moaned. John felt Rodney’s hot breaths all over him as he stepped backwards and spun Rodney around before John sat down on the bed and then lay back. John grabbed his vest and retrieved some lube from the medical kit, along with a condom. He rolled it on and then coated it in lube in front of an almost salivating Rodney. He gestured for Rodney to sit down and to spread his legs wide apart and straddle John’s thighs backwards.
John reached around Rodney and pressed the palms of his hands into Rodney’s belly. His hand strayed down lower and ran over the head and down the shaft of Rodney’s penis just once and Rodney relaxed back against him with a shudder, like John hoped he would.
“Are you ready?” John asked.
“Uhm, probably not, but go ahead.”
John squeezed Rodney’s midsection in a firm hug and asked again, “Seriously, are you?”
“Yes.”
John used his fingers to tease open Rodney’s rear passage gently. He widened Rodney as much as he could to have him ready for what was to come, because he didn’t want to hurt him, but knew that he probably would anyway.
John used both hands to pry apart Rodney’s supple buttocks and lifted him up slightly, Rodney assisted with his legs bent and hands on the bed underneath as John eased Rodney down and entered him.
Rodney tensed up and grunted. “Ouch!”
“Sorry, sorry! Does it hurt?”
“What part of ouch…” Rodney panted, “…do you not understand? The pain’s more oooooh! now though.”
“You sure you’re okay?” John asked breathlessly as he felt the warmth of Rodney enveloping him and the sheer weight on his pelvis pinning him down.
“Yes, it was just ouch there for a moment, but it seems better now.”
John gritted his teeth as he thrust upwards and Rodney leant right back so that he was pressing against the length of John’s body. Rodney’s sweet-smelling, sweaty hair was in John’s face and he inhaled deeply between his own exerted pants.
Rodney was now completely impaled upon John’s ramrod straight penis. When Rodney squirmed to try and remove himself as John continued to thrust, John reached up and hugged both arms around Rodney’s soft and slightly hairy belly, securing him in place so that he couldn’t escape from the pleasure pain of what John was doing.
He ran his hands up and over Rodney’s chest, he could feel Rodney’s heart beating wildly under his palms and knew that his own was pumping just as frantically along with the motion of his hips and pelvis as he pounded himself as deeply as possible into Rodney. When he ran his hands back down over Rodney’s nipples and belly, he could feel the happy quivering of Rodney’s flesh as the man released a series of breathy moans interspersed with rapid ‘oh’s in time with each thrust.
John moved his hands down and used one hand to stroke Rodney’s shaft in time with each roll of his hips. He used the leverage of his bent knees between Rodney’s legs to widen him further apart, so that he could work the fingers of his other hand between Rodney’s legs to fondle and caress his perineum and balls. The tension coiled tighter within John as he approached orgasm.
He realised then that Rodney was completely exposed to the air, and should anyone walk in on them now, they would get quite an eyeful of fully aroused, naked Rodney McKay. But that turned John on even more and he increased the pace of his movements, his hips violently and involuntarily snapping upwards. Rodney’s hands were bunched into fists in the bed material and he was grunting with every dip of John’s penis in and out of him.
John felt Rodney’s passage tighten around him as a penetrating thrust against Rodney’s prostate caused him to stiffen his whole body. John cried out then as he tensed up in orgasm and emptied himself. He worked his hand faster along Rodney’s penis, until Rodney squirmed too and liquid spurted upwards from him onto his chest.
Rodney rolled over and John was too spent to stop him this time. In the narrow bed Rodney lay pressed flush against the side of John’s body in warmth and slick with sweat, as they both got their breath back and shook in aftershocks. John pulled off the condom and used the cloth and water to clean himself down.
He rolled onto his side and grinned at the sticky mess on Rodney’s chest. He leant forwards and licked Rodney clean, so that a little of him was inside John as he had placed a portion of himself inside Rodney, although not permanently.
Rodney smiled up at him when he had finished lapping it all up and said, “Shall we check out that energy reading now?”
John smirked, “Sounds good.”
---
The leader was so grateful for what he had seen that he allowed the whole team to visit the shrine with the holy tribesman.
Rodney was no longer ill and Teyla had had a chance to speak with some of the women. What was done there was not forced upon them, but they had grown weary of the ceremonies lately. They were especially interested when Teyla spoke of worlds not governed and enslaved by the necessity for every man to have sex many times every day or suffer and die. They had heard tales of far away tribes in recent years that did not have the same need, and dissent had arisen.
The team entered the temple, which was just a larger hut built to cover the distance between four trees in an exact square. Inside it was candlelit but still quite dark. In the centre there was a small raised platform, and on that was a purple and red device with several lights.
Rodney exchanged a knowing glance with John and he nodded back. The technology was quite clearly Wraith in origin.
The tribesman left them alone to meditate within the shrine.
Rodney plugged his tablet into an outlet while Ronon and Teyla blocked him from view in case the man came back. John went over and waited for Rodney’s analysis, which was swift as usual.
“It’s releasing something into the atmosphere. I’d need to get Carson to properly analyse it, but it appears to be a pheromone targeted towards males. Hmm…”
John frowned, “So this is a Wraith experiment of some sort?”
Rodney said, “It’s not so strange that the Wraith experiment on breeding programs to make their ‘herd’ multiply more swiftly.”
John frowned. “You make it sound like you’re okay about this.”
Rodney folded his arms over his chest defensively. “It’s done on Earth.”
“That’s different.”
“If you’re a Wraith, then not really. I suppose the Hive that did this forgot about it or will wait longer before they come back.”
Teyla said, “But it failed because of contraception.”
Ronon asked, “Can it be turned off?”
John looked around at them all, “But the question really is, do the sex mad denizens of this wonderful world want it to be turned off?
Rodney smirked at him, “Because who wouldn’t want to have compulsory sex three times a day?”
Teyla said, “I am unsure about the men, but I believe the women would be most grateful.”
Rodney frowned at his computer and tapped a few buttons, “Well, it’s losing power anyway, but I can’t see why it can’t be sped up along the way.” He looked at Sheppard for approval first.
“Do it. Everyone can still have sex, but will be able to choose when, and with whom.”
“Okay, I’ll siphon off just enough so that there’s only a day’s worth of power left. That should give us plenty of time to get out of here.”
Once Rodney had finished, they thanked the holy tribesman for his assistance and then walked back to the village. Gaivan requested they stay for food and rest, which John graciously declined, they really needed to get back in case Rodney started getting ill again.
There were the usual complaints about heat and bugs and allergies from Rodney on the way back to the Jumper. But he did not speak about what had happened in the hut, and John said nothing either.
---
Carson checked the team over when they returned. Teyla was immediately cleared, and John, Ronon and Rodney had slightly elevated testosterone levels, but nothing dangerous.
It was several days before Rodney confronted John about what had happened. Their daily routines kept both men busy in different sections of the city, and Rodney, as usual, skipped the mess hall at meal times as he worked himself to exhaustion in the labs every day.
John was just about to turn in for the night when his door chime sounded. He sighed wearily and went over. When the door swished open, he was confronted by an extremely nervous looking Rodney McKay and felt a jolt of surprise and lust in his heart.
Rodney shifted uncomfortably and stuttered, “Uh, hi! I thought we hadn’t spoken for a while. So, uh, you know, what’s up?”
John smirked, “You know. The usual. Idiot marines, Teyla with sticks, Ronon with wooden swords.”
Rodney’s face melted a little and he nodded knowingly, “And I still have the same crayon toting infants in the labs.”
“Do you want to come in?”
Rodney nodded at the invitation and stepped over the threshold sheepishly. The door slid shut behind him. John knew that they needed to talk about what happened, but he didn’t really know what to say now that his feelings for Rodney were finally out in the open.
Rodney walked over to the bed and sat down. He blushed and looked away as he said, “You know, even though we were both under the influence of yet another Wraith experiment gone wrong… I enjoyed it.”
He glanced up at John still standing by the door, for approval or acknowledgement, but John kept silent.
Rodney used his hands to gesture wildly and slightly luridly as he continued, “I’d like to do it again.” He looked at Sheppard in painful nervousness as he stuttered, “Th-that is if you want to of course.”
John smiled and went over to the bed. He sat down next to Rodney, as close as he could get without touching the other man, but just enough that the waves of warmth emanating from Rodney’s body made his insides twist and squirm with desire.
John suddenly leant forwards and pressed his mouth against Rodney’s, and the other man’s lips parted easily in surprise. John took the opportunity to push his tongue into that welcoming mouth and taste the coffee and chocolate and maleness within. When he withdrew he said, “Is that a good enough answer?”
Rodney grinned at him and then pulled John into a tight hug and they fell sideways onto the bed together entwined in their warm embrace.
Fin