Fic: About Face (No Precious Time Series, 25/28)
Title: About Face (No Precious Time Series, 25/28)
Author: The Time Being/SGAtlantisLight
Fandom: Stargate: Atlantis
Genre: Smutty angst, H/C
Rating: NC-17 overall, though some chapters are lower
Author's Notes: Part of the No Precious Time Series. Beta and encouragement from a lot of people, but especially lapislaz, mice1900, and inkscribe.
Warnings can be found here for those who can't read without them. These contain plot spoilers so do not read unless you can't live without knowing.
Disclaimer: I own them all! But, alas, not in this universe.
Previous chapter
"God has given you one face, and you make yourself another." - William Shakespeare
"Are you sure you're okay to fly?" Elizabeth asked nervously.
John shrugged. "Rodney and Carson will be with me. Either of them can take over if need be." He looked anxiously toward the jumper. It seemed like years since he'd gotten to fly and he needed it in ways he couldn't articulate. He had no official rank or duties here on Atlantis, so he was doing this entirely on the good graces of Elizabeth and Colonel Lorne.
"We all just really need to get out," Rodney said. "Carson's done nothing but work and, er, well, other things for the last couple weeks."
"And you're thinking a change in scenery and a break might do him some good."
"Yeah," they both said.
"And someone needs to explain this thing to the rescuees anyway," Rodney pointed out. "They trust Carson."
Elizabeth nodded. "Okay. Just be careful."
"We will be," John promised, fighting the urge to impatiently bounce on the balls of his feet. He looked over to where Amaro and Lenoir were saying goodbye. They'd obviously worked something out, though John had no idea what. Veza and Ri entered, followed by Carson, lugging a medical bag. Amaro and Lenoir shared one last kiss then parted reluctantly.
John gave Amaro a sympathetic look and headed into the jumper, letting his three fellow former slaves and two lovers sort their seats out as he ran through a diagnostic, smiling at the feel of the jumper's interface, cool and responsive, against his mind.
"So, how is the work on the cure coming?" Amaro asked.
"That's part of the reason I'm going, son," Carson answered. "You'll have to wait for an explanation till we get there."
***
"Because each cure has to be targeted for each carrier, it's going to take a wee bit longer," Carson explained, looking at the faces around him. Under the Athosian's 'pleasure tent' system, they all seemed to be a doing a bit better-- more rested, less pain in their eyes. He was glad of it, but hopeful he could finally, finally offer a true end to their constant suffering. "For the first run, I'd like to test only a couple of people to make sure it's not a wild goose chase. I'm willing for it to be anyone except Veza and Amaro-- because of possible complications-- and myself-- because if it doesn't work, I'm the one going to have to fix it."
There were murmurs of understanding among the rescuees. Veza's condition wasn't easily hidden, especially among those who saw her naked on a frequent basis. Amaro was still recovering from his injuries, but Cortes had reluctantly released him to the Mainland where his viral-induced pain could be better managed.
"I think it should be Marna and Jastain," Ri spoke, "so they can go home if it works."
"But what if it doesn't work?" Veza asked. "We could be sacrificing their one chance to go home."
Several people nodded. Jastain spoke up. "Maybe John should go first, so Carson is not distracted by him being ill?"
"But if it were to go badly for him, would Carson be able to continue working?" Amaro asked.
"I've got Rodney and Carson taking care of me," John said. "It would be better to treat someone less fortunate, who doesn't have anyone, though I... hate to lead from the rear."
Carson sat back and listened as the discussion flowed, glad that everyone seemed to understand his concerns and agree with them and were willing to work for what was best for each of them.
***
"How are you feeling?" Carson asked, smiling down at his patient. The last two days had been nervewracking as Asan and Nikal's temperatures had skyrocketed, but now both young men were recovering.
Asan gave a shy smile in return. "At first I thought I was suffering some sort of numbness, like it was when we were first taken off the drugs. But then I realised it just didn't hurt. I... I'd forgotten what it's like."
Carson squeezed his arm. "And how does it feel?"
"Strange. I keep waiting for it to come back."
Carson sat down in the chair. "You remember what I said about viruses, right? How they can go dormant and reappear months or years later?"
Asan nodded.
"Those attacks may be rare or significantly different than the initial infection, but you need to be on your guard for them."
"But even if they're bad, they're not going to stay, right?"
"Right."
Asan's smile brightened. "Then I can live with that."
***
"Hey."
Radek startled and turned, wide-eyed. "Oh. John. You surprised me. Rodney isn't here."
"I know," John answered, staying in the doorway. While Radek had started socialising with him again, it was always in company and John wasn't going to push him. "I got an answer back on our little project."
"Really?"
John grinned, holding up his notebook computer. "Really."
Radek motioned him in and then took the computer, pushed his glasses up, and began reading. He made an exclamation and smiled at John. "Congratulations."
John stuffed his hands in his pockets. "Keep going. Next email."
He watched Radek's face as the man read, seeing surprise and excitement. "This... This is big."
"Yeah. Really big. If it gets approved, of course."
"But, you?"
John shrugged. "I understand General O'Neill might have put in a good word."
Radek nodded. "I hope it works out for you, then." He handed the notebook back. "Have you told Carson and Rodney yet?"
John shook his head. "Not yet."
"But you are going to?"
"Yeah. Eventually. I just... You know... Until I can go, um, why stir up trouble, right?"
Radek frowned. "Don't wait too long, John."
***
Rodney shuffled back to bed, yawning, and dropped his earpiece on the bedside table. In his absence, John and Carson had wrapped themselves around each other. He stopped for a moment just to admire them. In a couple of hours, they'd be among the last carriers to be given the cure. The nightmare was nearly over.
And it had certainly been a nightmare. But for some reason, the closer the day got, the more filled with trepidation they all seemed to be. Rodney couldn't put his finger on it, but there was something about John-- a withdrawal, a silence-- that he didn't like. What would happen to him hung over their heads, never acknowledged. Carson had tried to broach the subject, but neither Rodney nor John wanted to discuss it.
John stirred, reaching his hand out without opening his eyes. "All fixed?"
"Yeah," Rodney answered, sitting on the bed, John's hand in his.
John grunted, pulling on Rodney's hand as he scooted back to make room for Rodney in the middle. "Good. Come back to bed."
Rodney climbed over Carson, who muttered and shifted to accomodate him, chest to Rodney's back, arms slipping around him as soon as he was settled. John settled against him, hand curled around Rodney's hip, leg slipping between Rodney's. Rodney gave him a quick kiss and lay studying John's face, the new worry lines, the dark circles under his eyes, the hollows under his cheeks.
John's eyes slid open. "Go to sleep, Rodney."
"We'll find a way for you to stay," Rodney whispered.
"Let's not worry about it right now."
"When are we going to worry about it?"
"Later."
"John, we can't just--"
John kissed him. "Later."
"But--"
"Later." John shifted closer to him, hands sliding along his side, pressing his hardening erection against Rodney's hip.
"Yeah, okay," Rodney whispered, distracted as always by the press of John's body, smelling of sex and promises. "Later."
***
Carson was pulled from sleep by the scent of his lovers' arousal, the sound of kissing and breathy moans and gasps. He opened his eyes, turning to watch. Rodney lay atop John, one hand holding John's wrists above his head. Their bodies moved against one another, cocks rubbing, as they kissed.
He reached out and stroked down Rodney's back. "So beautiful, both of you."
Rodney groaned at the touch and then shifted down John's body, still holding John's wrists. "Hold him open for me."
"Oh, aye. That would be lovely."
John shifted, pulling his legs up and Carson took hold of the leg he could reach, keeping it up while Rodney positioned himself. John was still slick with Carson's come from earlier in the night and Rodney didn't bother to lube up, but merely pushed forward into John's body. Carson felt the tremor of tension in John as Rodney pushed past the tight ring and then John whimpered as Rodney seated himself deep.
Carson let go of John's leg and reached for the lube.
Rodney looked over at the click of the lube opening. "What are you going to do? Do you need us to move?"
They'd done just about everything they cared to, time and again and Carson's mind was filled with some of his favourite memories-- he and Rodney taking John's arse and mouth at the same time, John taking Rodney from behind while Rodney sucked Carson, John and Rodney trading off in fucking Carson. "I want to fuck your arse, love, while you're fucking John."
Both his lovers shivered. "Yeah," Rodney gasped. "Sounds good."
Carson took his time stretching Rodney out while dropping kisses on his back and shoulders and John's feet and legs until he could stand it no more and positioned himself behind Rodney and pushed in. Rodney moaned into John's mouth, pushing back against him, taking him deeper.
They paused, panting, and then Rodney pushed forward into John and then back again to impale himself on Carson. John and Carson picked up his rhythm. They didn't speak, the only sounds that of flesh on flesh and the wordless expressions of pleasure that fell from their lips.
Rodney, taking pleasure from both lovers, came first with a loud groan, muscles clenching around Carson's cock as Rodney filled John with his semen. He knelt, clutching John, as Carson's thrusts grew ragged, letting out a gasp as Carson pushed in deep and spilled into him.
Carson slid off to the side, slipping his hand between John and Rodney's bodies to curl around John's still-rigid cock. John pulled his hands from Rodney's loose grasp and curled them around Rodney's hips, pulling him forward. Rodney seemed to get the idea and scooted up, straddling John's cock. Carson watched, stroking them both, as Rodney sank down on John, as his lovers moved together, bodies sheened with sweat, until John gasped out, "Oh, fuck!" and arched upward into Rodney's body. Carson watched as semen-- his and John's both-- ran out around John's cock as he made several more thrusts into Rodney and then went still, softened cock slipping out.
Rodney slid off to John's other side. They lay quietly, catching their breath.
"Do you think we'll do this after you two are cured?" Rodney asked.
"Of course we will," Carson answered.
"Just not as often," John said, voice already heavy with sleep. "And probably not for a couple weeks."
"Aye," Carson agreed. "I could do with a break." And wasn't that something he never thought he'd say? "For a while, Rodney love, you may find yourself the most libidinous of us."
"Good thing I've got two of you, then," Rodney said, smiling.
John went suddenly very still.
"John?" Rodney asked, tension in his voice.
"We can talk about it later."
"No, we can't," Carson objected, feeling panic well up inside him. "What is it, John?"
They were all awake now, John looking tense and wary, Rodney worried. Carson expected he looked frightened as well.
"There's a... a job back on Earth with the SGC..."
Next Chapter
Author: The Time Being/SGAtlantisLight
Fandom: Stargate: Atlantis
Genre: Smutty angst, H/C
Rating: NC-17 overall, though some chapters are lower
Author's Notes: Part of the No Precious Time Series. Beta and encouragement from a lot of people, but especially lapislaz, mice1900, and inkscribe.
Warnings can be found here for those who can't read without them. These contain plot spoilers so do not read unless you can't live without knowing.
Disclaimer: I own them all! But, alas, not in this universe.
Previous chapter
"God has given you one face, and you make yourself another." - William Shakespeare
"Are you sure you're okay to fly?" Elizabeth asked nervously.
John shrugged. "Rodney and Carson will be with me. Either of them can take over if need be." He looked anxiously toward the jumper. It seemed like years since he'd gotten to fly and he needed it in ways he couldn't articulate. He had no official rank or duties here on Atlantis, so he was doing this entirely on the good graces of Elizabeth and Colonel Lorne.
"We all just really need to get out," Rodney said. "Carson's done nothing but work and, er, well, other things for the last couple weeks."
"And you're thinking a change in scenery and a break might do him some good."
"Yeah," they both said.
"And someone needs to explain this thing to the rescuees anyway," Rodney pointed out. "They trust Carson."
Elizabeth nodded. "Okay. Just be careful."
"We will be," John promised, fighting the urge to impatiently bounce on the balls of his feet. He looked over to where Amaro and Lenoir were saying goodbye. They'd obviously worked something out, though John had no idea what. Veza and Ri entered, followed by Carson, lugging a medical bag. Amaro and Lenoir shared one last kiss then parted reluctantly.
John gave Amaro a sympathetic look and headed into the jumper, letting his three fellow former slaves and two lovers sort their seats out as he ran through a diagnostic, smiling at the feel of the jumper's interface, cool and responsive, against his mind.
"So, how is the work on the cure coming?" Amaro asked.
"That's part of the reason I'm going, son," Carson answered. "You'll have to wait for an explanation till we get there."
***
"Because each cure has to be targeted for each carrier, it's going to take a wee bit longer," Carson explained, looking at the faces around him. Under the Athosian's 'pleasure tent' system, they all seemed to be a doing a bit better-- more rested, less pain in their eyes. He was glad of it, but hopeful he could finally, finally offer a true end to their constant suffering. "For the first run, I'd like to test only a couple of people to make sure it's not a wild goose chase. I'm willing for it to be anyone except Veza and Amaro-- because of possible complications-- and myself-- because if it doesn't work, I'm the one going to have to fix it."
There were murmurs of understanding among the rescuees. Veza's condition wasn't easily hidden, especially among those who saw her naked on a frequent basis. Amaro was still recovering from his injuries, but Cortes had reluctantly released him to the Mainland where his viral-induced pain could be better managed.
"I think it should be Marna and Jastain," Ri spoke, "so they can go home if it works."
"But what if it doesn't work?" Veza asked. "We could be sacrificing their one chance to go home."
Several people nodded. Jastain spoke up. "Maybe John should go first, so Carson is not distracted by him being ill?"
"But if it were to go badly for him, would Carson be able to continue working?" Amaro asked.
"I've got Rodney and Carson taking care of me," John said. "It would be better to treat someone less fortunate, who doesn't have anyone, though I... hate to lead from the rear."
Carson sat back and listened as the discussion flowed, glad that everyone seemed to understand his concerns and agree with them and were willing to work for what was best for each of them.
***
"How are you feeling?" Carson asked, smiling down at his patient. The last two days had been nervewracking as Asan and Nikal's temperatures had skyrocketed, but now both young men were recovering.
Asan gave a shy smile in return. "At first I thought I was suffering some sort of numbness, like it was when we were first taken off the drugs. But then I realised it just didn't hurt. I... I'd forgotten what it's like."
Carson squeezed his arm. "And how does it feel?"
"Strange. I keep waiting for it to come back."
Carson sat down in the chair. "You remember what I said about viruses, right? How they can go dormant and reappear months or years later?"
Asan nodded.
"Those attacks may be rare or significantly different than the initial infection, but you need to be on your guard for them."
"But even if they're bad, they're not going to stay, right?"
"Right."
Asan's smile brightened. "Then I can live with that."
***
"Hey."
Radek startled and turned, wide-eyed. "Oh. John. You surprised me. Rodney isn't here."
"I know," John answered, staying in the doorway. While Radek had started socialising with him again, it was always in company and John wasn't going to push him. "I got an answer back on our little project."
"Really?"
John grinned, holding up his notebook computer. "Really."
Radek motioned him in and then took the computer, pushed his glasses up, and began reading. He made an exclamation and smiled at John. "Congratulations."
John stuffed his hands in his pockets. "Keep going. Next email."
He watched Radek's face as the man read, seeing surprise and excitement. "This... This is big."
"Yeah. Really big. If it gets approved, of course."
"But, you?"
John shrugged. "I understand General O'Neill might have put in a good word."
Radek nodded. "I hope it works out for you, then." He handed the notebook back. "Have you told Carson and Rodney yet?"
John shook his head. "Not yet."
"But you are going to?"
"Yeah. Eventually. I just... You know... Until I can go, um, why stir up trouble, right?"
Radek frowned. "Don't wait too long, John."
***
Rodney shuffled back to bed, yawning, and dropped his earpiece on the bedside table. In his absence, John and Carson had wrapped themselves around each other. He stopped for a moment just to admire them. In a couple of hours, they'd be among the last carriers to be given the cure. The nightmare was nearly over.
And it had certainly been a nightmare. But for some reason, the closer the day got, the more filled with trepidation they all seemed to be. Rodney couldn't put his finger on it, but there was something about John-- a withdrawal, a silence-- that he didn't like. What would happen to him hung over their heads, never acknowledged. Carson had tried to broach the subject, but neither Rodney nor John wanted to discuss it.
John stirred, reaching his hand out without opening his eyes. "All fixed?"
"Yeah," Rodney answered, sitting on the bed, John's hand in his.
John grunted, pulling on Rodney's hand as he scooted back to make room for Rodney in the middle. "Good. Come back to bed."
Rodney climbed over Carson, who muttered and shifted to accomodate him, chest to Rodney's back, arms slipping around him as soon as he was settled. John settled against him, hand curled around Rodney's hip, leg slipping between Rodney's. Rodney gave him a quick kiss and lay studying John's face, the new worry lines, the dark circles under his eyes, the hollows under his cheeks.
John's eyes slid open. "Go to sleep, Rodney."
"We'll find a way for you to stay," Rodney whispered.
"Let's not worry about it right now."
"When are we going to worry about it?"
"Later."
"John, we can't just--"
John kissed him. "Later."
"But--"
"Later." John shifted closer to him, hands sliding along his side, pressing his hardening erection against Rodney's hip.
"Yeah, okay," Rodney whispered, distracted as always by the press of John's body, smelling of sex and promises. "Later."
***
Carson was pulled from sleep by the scent of his lovers' arousal, the sound of kissing and breathy moans and gasps. He opened his eyes, turning to watch. Rodney lay atop John, one hand holding John's wrists above his head. Their bodies moved against one another, cocks rubbing, as they kissed.
He reached out and stroked down Rodney's back. "So beautiful, both of you."
Rodney groaned at the touch and then shifted down John's body, still holding John's wrists. "Hold him open for me."
"Oh, aye. That would be lovely."
John shifted, pulling his legs up and Carson took hold of the leg he could reach, keeping it up while Rodney positioned himself. John was still slick with Carson's come from earlier in the night and Rodney didn't bother to lube up, but merely pushed forward into John's body. Carson felt the tremor of tension in John as Rodney pushed past the tight ring and then John whimpered as Rodney seated himself deep.
Carson let go of John's leg and reached for the lube.
Rodney looked over at the click of the lube opening. "What are you going to do? Do you need us to move?"
They'd done just about everything they cared to, time and again and Carson's mind was filled with some of his favourite memories-- he and Rodney taking John's arse and mouth at the same time, John taking Rodney from behind while Rodney sucked Carson, John and Rodney trading off in fucking Carson. "I want to fuck your arse, love, while you're fucking John."
Both his lovers shivered. "Yeah," Rodney gasped. "Sounds good."
Carson took his time stretching Rodney out while dropping kisses on his back and shoulders and John's feet and legs until he could stand it no more and positioned himself behind Rodney and pushed in. Rodney moaned into John's mouth, pushing back against him, taking him deeper.
They paused, panting, and then Rodney pushed forward into John and then back again to impale himself on Carson. John and Carson picked up his rhythm. They didn't speak, the only sounds that of flesh on flesh and the wordless expressions of pleasure that fell from their lips.
Rodney, taking pleasure from both lovers, came first with a loud groan, muscles clenching around Carson's cock as Rodney filled John with his semen. He knelt, clutching John, as Carson's thrusts grew ragged, letting out a gasp as Carson pushed in deep and spilled into him.
Carson slid off to the side, slipping his hand between John and Rodney's bodies to curl around John's still-rigid cock. John pulled his hands from Rodney's loose grasp and curled them around Rodney's hips, pulling him forward. Rodney seemed to get the idea and scooted up, straddling John's cock. Carson watched, stroking them both, as Rodney sank down on John, as his lovers moved together, bodies sheened with sweat, until John gasped out, "Oh, fuck!" and arched upward into Rodney's body. Carson watched as semen-- his and John's both-- ran out around John's cock as he made several more thrusts into Rodney and then went still, softened cock slipping out.
Rodney slid off to John's other side. They lay quietly, catching their breath.
"Do you think we'll do this after you two are cured?" Rodney asked.
"Of course we will," Carson answered.
"Just not as often," John said, voice already heavy with sleep. "And probably not for a couple weeks."
"Aye," Carson agreed. "I could do with a break." And wasn't that something he never thought he'd say? "For a while, Rodney love, you may find yourself the most libidinous of us."
"Good thing I've got two of you, then," Rodney said, smiling.
John went suddenly very still.
"John?" Rodney asked, tension in his voice.
"We can talk about it later."
"No, we can't," Carson objected, feeling panic well up inside him. "What is it, John?"
They were all awake now, John looking tense and wary, Rodney worried. Carson expected he looked frightened as well.
"There's a... a job back on Earth with the SGC..."
Next Chapter