TEAM MCKAY: alive and kicking, "Angular Momentum"

[fluffyllama]

Title: Angular Momentum
Author: rustler
Team: McKay
Prompt: alive and kicking
Pairing: McKay/Sheppard
Rating: PG
Warnings: Some thoughts about death, if that bothers you.
Summary: He doesn't know why now of all times, after all the crazy disasters they've averted, the impossible odds they've beaten, that he seems to have reached his breaking point.

Comments

[skitz_phenom]

Wow, this is fantastic. Everything about it is so sharp and has a desperate edge that's just so compelling. I love the recurrence of the 'click' - it's chilling - and then the switch to a 'bang' in Rodney's dream makes it that much more shocking.

For some reason, these lines were what really got me though: Sheppard blinks a couple of times, taking in Rodney’s t-shirt, boxers and bare feet with the kind of sleepy equanimity Rodney has come to expect from him. It manages to make Rodney feel slightly less ridiculous for standing at Sheppard’s door in the middle of the night. Loved that little bit - just so defining of those two. And as others have said, the ending lines are brilliant.

[rustler]

What a lovely, thoughtful comment - thank you so much! You really got everything I intended, which is nice to hear. I liked those lines too, so thank you for picking them out! I really appreciate this feedback. :)

[hoktauri]

Wow. Very nice set-up and a great pay-off. I'd love to just quote that entire first passage, from the first line to Rodney's obvious lie, but I'll just tell you to go read it again, b/c *that* is how a story should open. The mood was set so perfectly, so raw and powerful.

And you never let up. The real sense of Rodney's regret and terror at going out like the winking of a distant star is palpable.

I also loved this line: His heart is racing and his brain tumbles in an incoherent rush of unacceptable.

Love that John just totally gets it, too. He may not be so free in expressing emotion, but he's not an emotional dolt either, and you portayed that very well. Thanks for this!

[rustler]

Thank you so much! This comment made my day. :) You really got just about everything that I was going for here, I'm so glad it all worked for you. I appreciate it!

[kisahawklin]

Oh, very nicely done. I love the recurring click, and most of all that John actually gets what Rodney means, and makes the first physical move to match Rodney's first emotional one.

[rustler]

Thank you so much! I'm so glad it worked well for you. :)

[eccentricweft]

This is beautiful. So glad John is able to respond.

[rustler]

Thank you!

[popkin16]

Gorgeous.

[rustler]

Thank you!