SGA Ficlet: Downtime (Sheppard/Zelenka. PG.)
Title: Downtime
Author: tigs
Pairing: Sheppard/Zelenka
Rating: PG
Spoilers/Warnings: None
Disclaimer: So not mine.
Summary: "I believe it is time to call it an evening, yes?"
Author's Notes: For visionshadows.
It is not early, exactly, when Radek wraps up his work for the evening-already a few hours past dinner time-but Rodney still looks at him as he stands up from his workbench. Stares at him until Radek says, "I believe it is time to call it an evening, yes?" and then Rodney stares a moment longer still, a knowing look on his face, before he half-rolls his eyes and says, "Yes, yes. I'll see you tomorrow. Have a good evening." Radek watches as he turns back to the computer in front of him, apparently losing himself in his work again, but not entirely, because he continues speaking when Radek reaches the door. "Also, if you would, tell Sheppard that I don't think I'll be needing him for those Jumper tests until 10 tomorrow."
He says it casually, innocently, as if it is truly an afterthought, but still Radek is smiling as he nods, as he leaves the labs and heads back towards the living quarters.
At this time of the evening, the halls are-not busy, no, but are more alive than at any other time during the day or night. Doors are open, music filtering out-what Lorne calls 'indie rock' and rap and classical and country all intermingling-and there is much talking, too, and much laughter. When Radek passes rooms, he sees people sitting at tables, or on the floor, playing games of cards, watching movies, and many people notice him, too, calling out greetings. A few invite him to join them.
He declines.
A month ago, people gave him curious looks as he headed this way, asked, 'What are you doing down here, Doc?' because his room, yes, is not down this hallway. It is, in fact, in pretty much the opposite direction.
Now they nod in understanding.
John's door, when he reaches it, is closed, but he only must knock once before it slides open to let him in. John is not standing on the other side, though. Nor is he in his chair or on his bed, because the door to John's balcony is open, too, and that is where Radek heads.
The air outside is night-cool, fresh, and Radek is already breathing deeply as he steps through the doorway. John looks back at Radek as he moves to the spot next to him, smile wide and lazy; he is leaning forward, too, his elbows on the railing, but Radek just wraps his hands around it. After only a moment, though, John stands up straight and turns around, leaning backwards-in a way Radek will never feel comfortable doing, not outside, so many stories above the water-and close enough that his hip presses to the side of Radek's hand.
"I see you managed to sneak out early," John says, as if it has not been dark for many hours already, but he knows Radek, and yes, this is early, so Radek nods.
"Yes, I reached a stopping place," Radek says. "To continue on would have meant hours more. I decided that tomorrow will be soon enough."
"Good choice," John says, bumping his shoulder against Radek's. He opens his mouth, as if to say more-perhaps to suggest ways they might fill their time-but Radek has not yet relayed Rodney's very important message, so he rushes on.
"Also," Radek says, "Rodney asked me to tell you that he will not need you in the Jumper Bay until 10 tomorrow." He glances at John as he speaks the words and sees John raise an eyebrow, watches as the other man's grin turns sharp for a moment.
"Even better," John says.
Radek means to say, 'yes, it is,' but before he can, John moves his hand so that it is covering Radek's own, his fingers cool against Radek's skin. Then John is standing, tugging at Radek's hand, pulling at him until he is away from the railing and heading back towards the room. They do not touch as they head through the doorway, but once they are inside again, John's hands go to Radek's waist, fingers working their way under the hem of Radek's shirt, and John's grin is moving away from cocky and more towards heated.
"So you're sure that McKay won't be looking for either one of us until 10 tomorrow, right?" John asks as he backs towards the bed, and Radek says, "No, he will know better."
At that, John's grin, if possible, grows even wider. "Good," he says, and then talks no more.
Author: tigs
Pairing: Sheppard/Zelenka
Rating: PG
Spoilers/Warnings: None
Disclaimer: So not mine.
Summary: "I believe it is time to call it an evening, yes?"
Author's Notes: For visionshadows.
It is not early, exactly, when Radek wraps up his work for the evening-already a few hours past dinner time-but Rodney still looks at him as he stands up from his workbench. Stares at him until Radek says, "I believe it is time to call it an evening, yes?" and then Rodney stares a moment longer still, a knowing look on his face, before he half-rolls his eyes and says, "Yes, yes. I'll see you tomorrow. Have a good evening." Radek watches as he turns back to the computer in front of him, apparently losing himself in his work again, but not entirely, because he continues speaking when Radek reaches the door. "Also, if you would, tell Sheppard that I don't think I'll be needing him for those Jumper tests until 10 tomorrow."
He says it casually, innocently, as if it is truly an afterthought, but still Radek is smiling as he nods, as he leaves the labs and heads back towards the living quarters.
At this time of the evening, the halls are-not busy, no, but are more alive than at any other time during the day or night. Doors are open, music filtering out-what Lorne calls 'indie rock' and rap and classical and country all intermingling-and there is much talking, too, and much laughter. When Radek passes rooms, he sees people sitting at tables, or on the floor, playing games of cards, watching movies, and many people notice him, too, calling out greetings. A few invite him to join them.
He declines.
A month ago, people gave him curious looks as he headed this way, asked, 'What are you doing down here, Doc?' because his room, yes, is not down this hallway. It is, in fact, in pretty much the opposite direction.
Now they nod in understanding.
John's door, when he reaches it, is closed, but he only must knock once before it slides open to let him in. John is not standing on the other side, though. Nor is he in his chair or on his bed, because the door to John's balcony is open, too, and that is where Radek heads.
The air outside is night-cool, fresh, and Radek is already breathing deeply as he steps through the doorway. John looks back at Radek as he moves to the spot next to him, smile wide and lazy; he is leaning forward, too, his elbows on the railing, but Radek just wraps his hands around it. After only a moment, though, John stands up straight and turns around, leaning backwards-in a way Radek will never feel comfortable doing, not outside, so many stories above the water-and close enough that his hip presses to the side of Radek's hand.
"I see you managed to sneak out early," John says, as if it has not been dark for many hours already, but he knows Radek, and yes, this is early, so Radek nods.
"Yes, I reached a stopping place," Radek says. "To continue on would have meant hours more. I decided that tomorrow will be soon enough."
"Good choice," John says, bumping his shoulder against Radek's. He opens his mouth, as if to say more-perhaps to suggest ways they might fill their time-but Radek has not yet relayed Rodney's very important message, so he rushes on.
"Also," Radek says, "Rodney asked me to tell you that he will not need you in the Jumper Bay until 10 tomorrow." He glances at John as he speaks the words and sees John raise an eyebrow, watches as the other man's grin turns sharp for a moment.
"Even better," John says.
Radek means to say, 'yes, it is,' but before he can, John moves his hand so that it is covering Radek's own, his fingers cool against Radek's skin. Then John is standing, tugging at Radek's hand, pulling at him until he is away from the railing and heading back towards the room. They do not touch as they head through the doorway, but once they are inside again, John's hands go to Radek's waist, fingers working their way under the hem of Radek's shirt, and John's grin is moving away from cocky and more towards heated.
"So you're sure that McKay won't be looking for either one of us until 10 tomorrow, right?" John asks as he backs towards the bed, and Radek says, "No, he will know better."
At that, John's grin, if possible, grows even wider. "Good," he says, and then talks no more.