Lorne Fest!!!!
Title: The One That's Not a Date
Author: spacedogfl
Fandom: SGA
Pairing: Evan/Rodney (pre-slash)
Rating: G
Warnings: none
Word Count: 1658
Summary: Lorne Fest prompt: Lorne/McKay - Teach me
Notes: Lots of love to clwilson2006 who made this AWESOME pic to go with the story.
"More than anything, you know what I miss?"
"No, Major, I don't. And somehow, I’m certain I'm not really going to care."
"I miss going on dates."
"Really? I happen to know there are a number of people, in the sciences anyway, who are chomping at the bit for a shot at you."
"Really?"
"You didn’t know that," Rodney asks not hiding his surprise.
"No," Evan chuckles. "But I don’t mean just going out with anyone. What I like is going out with someone special, just the two of us. Someone who I'm interested in that might be the 'one.' Just...the hope and dream of the future with that person."
"Well, I'm sorry for you. I never had time for trivial things like that."
"You've never been on a date?"
"Not as such. Just meals with women who were moderately interesting."
"But I thought you and Dr. Brown..."
"Except for that first night when Cadman was inhabiting my body, we've never had an actual date. We just get together when we can."
"Well, we'll just have to fix that."
---one week later---
"Radek! I need the results from the simulation now!"
"Yes, yes, yes," Radek sighs. "They have been in your inbox for over an hour. Have you opened the letter yet?"
"What letter?"
"The one I gave you when you came in this morning."
Rodney looks around before his eyes light on the small envelope lying on the corner of his desk. He vaguely recollects Radek passing it to him upon entering the lab.
"Who is it from?"
"That is why you need to open it," Radek says slowly. "I do not know. It was here when I arrived."
Rodney huffs before snatching up the envelope and tearing it open. Inside is a small note card.
Dr. Rodney McKay,
I would be honored if you would accompany me for dinner tomorrow evening. I will pick you up at 1900 for our date.
Evan
Though Rodney rolls his eyes, he can't help the smile playing at the corner of his lips.
"I'll be back," he announces as he walks out of the room in search of Evan.
"What is this," he demands after locating the soldier in the office he shares with John.
"An invitation," Evan says slowly.
"I know that. Why?"
"Because you said you had never been on a date. I thought it would be fun. Granted, I don't know you that well, but I think you might enjoy it."
"Well, if you were blonde and had," Rodney begins to gesture at his chest before rethinking the idea. "If you haven't noticed, Major, we're both male."
"Yes, McKay, I realize that,” he grins. “Look, I'm not doing this to get in your pants, or anything like that. I told you, I just want to go on a date, and since you haven't had a proper one, I thought we could kill two birds with one stone. This way, you'll know how to treat Dr. Brown when you ask her for one."
Rodney appraises him, thinking it over. "What's involved with this 'date'?"
"You'll just have to accept the invitation to find out," Evan grins mischievously.
"Fine." Though he’s glaring at Evan, there is a half smile on Rodney’s lips. He sighs as he turns to leave the room.
"And wear some nice civvies," Evan yells to his retreating form.
---
The next day, Rodney consciously leaves the lab early. Back in his room, he frets over what to wear, mentally berating himself in the process for being so uncharacteristically concerned. Too soon, he hears the knock at his door.
"Good evening, Dr. McKay," Evan says when the door opens. "Wow. You look nice."
Rodney has decided on a light blue dress shirt and a pair of black slacks. The effect enhances the bright twinkling of his eyes. Evan is in a purple shirt, black blazer and jeans.
"Thanks," Rodney blushes. "You…you look good, too." For some reason he is more nervous than when he had to defend his first thesis.
"Ready?"
"Sure. Where are we going?"
"To have dinner."
"In the mess? Like this?"
"Unless you know of somewhere else in Atlantis that serves food."
"I mean, dressed like this, people are going to think we're on a date." Evan gives him a look. "A real date," he rolls his eyes.
"This is a real date, Rodney. The only difference is that we probably won’t end up in bed together. Think of it as a training exercise. Trust me, it'll be fun."
"Fine."
They enter the mess hall and make their selections. As they move through the line, they ignore the stares of others in line with them. When they sit at a table away from everyone else near a window, the room practically falls silent as people try to comprehend the idea of the two of them obviously on a date.
"First rule," Evan says, grimacing at Rodney shoveling food in his mouth. "Talk more than you eat. Without food in your mouth," he adds as Rodney begins to say something. "This is the time when you learn something about your date. Ask questions."
“Like what? By this point, I’d know anything of value if I were going out with someone.”
“Ask about semi-personal things. For instance, do you know what I like to do during my time off?”
“I don’t know. Shoot things? Blow things up? Beat up Marines?”
“See, you might have left this table without learning that I paint, and actually have a work on display back home. I also love classical music and have an electric piano in my room that I play for fun. And since I know you also play piano, my inviting you back to my room later so you can play for a bit could be a way to foster some intimacy between us. If I wanted to get in your pants,” he adds with a smile.
“You play piano?” Rodney gives him a skeptical look.
“Yep. My sister and I were required to learn an instrument, in addition to being forced to paint. Mom was an art teacher,” he explains. “I chose piano, my sister chose cello. As we got older, I began accompanying her for her recitals. It was a great time.”
“Sounds like you two got on well. My sister and I were always pitted against each other competitively.” Rodney then relates the story of their upbringing ending with their split over her marriage to Caleb Miller.
Finished with dinner, they are leaving the table when John approaches them.
“Rodney, Major.” He fixes Evan with a direct stare. “Can we talk for a minute?” Without waiting for a response John turns and walks into the hall. Shrugging, they dispose of their trash and follow him outside. “Look, I like you guys - you’re my friends - and what you do in private is not anyone’s business. But I’ve gotten a number of complaints about the two of you openly being on a date. Honestly, I didn’t believe it, but now that I see this…”
Evan and Rodney look at each other before laughing.
“John,” Rodney begins, “it’s not a date. Well, it is, but it isn’t.”
“I’m teaching Rodney how to behave when he takes Katie - or someone else - out,” Evan explains. “He’s never had a date before.”
“Ok, the not ever having a date, I believe. But why are you teaching him?”
“Why not? Granted, I don’t have a degree, but I have been on a few dates myself. Hopefully that’s enough for me to be qualified to teach him. It’s actually been kinda fun.” Evan gives Rodney a genuine smile.
“You know, I’m enjoying myself as well,” Rodney returns the smile.
John grimaces at them, eyes moving between the two men. Of all the people in the city, these two were the least likely in his mind to ever be close friends.
“Alright then,” he says. “Have fun on your ‘date.’ But if I hear about you giving him kissing lessons, I’m kicking both your asses.” He turns to leave.
“Guess I’ll just have to make sure we’re in my room for that,” Evan says to John’s departing back.
“So, where were we,” Evan asks as they begin walking toward the living quarters.
“You were taking me back to your room to wave your big instrument at me, hoping that I’ll play with it for a while.”
“Was that a double entendre, Dr. McKay?”
“Double what?” Rodney tries for innocent, earning a laugh from Evan.
They arrive at Evan’s room and both take a seat on the piano bench.
“What are you going to play for me,” Evan asks.
“I haven’t played in years! It’s your keyboard, you should play something for me!”
“Oh, I’m sure you could still play something.” He nudges Rodney with his shoulder. “Just go for it. I’m sure it’ll be great.”
“Fine,” Rodney sighs.
He sits a moment in silence as he tries to remember some pieces he might now be able to play. Choosing one, he begins playing a piece by Debussy.
“That was nice,” Evan whispers in his ear when he’s finished. “Keep playing.”
Rodney obliges with a smile. Though it’s been years since he’s played, he works through his limited repertoire with few mistakes.
Once he’s finished, he turns his head and sees Evan smiling at him. There is something in the air Rodney can’t define. Seeing Evan lean toward him, Rodney is drawn forward as well. Their lips meet softly in a simple, but powerful, kiss.
“See,” Evan says softly when they break apart, “by generously complimenting your date, making him comfortable, and ensuring he is doing something he likes, you’re sure to get that great first kiss.”
“Nice. Very nice.” Rodney licks his lips. “Since we’re in your room, and obviously you know what you’re doing, can we start those kissing lessons? I think you could teach me a lot in that area.”