Coming Home
By Xanthe
Part Fifteen: Sharing a Plate

John paused for a moment, to feast on the sight of his submissive. Rodney looked so damn good lying there, naked save for the glinting metal of the collar around his throat; the collar that bore his own name.

John moved slowly down onto the blankets, and pressed his naked body against that of his collared sub. Rodney had been his from the moment John had first taken him, but this was different. Now Rodney wore his collar. He had never collared a sub before so he had no idea that he'd feel like this but he felt a wave of strong emotion – combined possession and protectiveness, mingled with a fierce, overwhelming love.

Rodney's reaction to being collared had been everything he could have hoped for, and more. He'd worried that it was too soon, that Rodney would hand the collar back to him, still boxed, but instead his sub had come to him, knelt before him, and bent his neck to take his collar, and that moment had meant everything to John.

The snap of the clasp, the feel of sleek metal against warm skin, and the look in Rodney's eyes when John had raised his head to meet his gaze….

Now it was time to complete the moment, and seal the collaring with a claiming. John pinned Rodney beneath him, covering his sub's body with his own. He could feel his own cock, hard and leaking pre-come, pressing against Rodney's soft belly.

Rodney's cock was still flaccid, but he could detect it hardening a little, and he smiled to himself. He wanted to take his time, wanted to make love to Rodney for hours on end, and he was sure that Rodney would be fully hard again by the time he allowed his sub to come.

"Now we're back to the rules," John whispered, nuzzling Rodney's ear. "You can't come until I've come. Understand?"

"Yes."

Rodney nodded, his eyes wide with a look John had never seen in them before. Rodney was always transparent but he could also be wary. Now that he was collared, it was as if he was finally allowing John to see everything.

John basked in the warm glow from the fire as he slowly, so very slowly, made love to every single part of his sub's body.

He kissed Rodney's shoulders, his elbows, and each of his fingers, sucking gently on each one. Then he wafted light kisses over Rodney's chest, and paused to suck down a little harder on his sub's nipples, making Rodney gasp and shiver with pleasure. He licked a line down Rodney's chest to his now reviving cock, and lingered for a moment on Rodney's balls. He sucked on them, just gently, then blew on the warmed flesh, making Rodney shiver again. John continued moving down down, kissed each of Rodney's knees, and licked the tips of his toes, before moving back up again. He felt like a panther, lithe and sinuous, feasting on his sub's body as if he was the most delicious prey, and all the while that collar glinted at him, glowing orange in the light of the fire.

"Turn onto your front," John commanded, and Rodney obeyed, instantly, like the good, collared sub that he was. "Open your legs," John ordered and Rodney did that too, opening up wide.

John paused for a moment, and just enjoyed the sight of a naked, spread Rodney, his perfectly plump ass waiting for his top's attention. Rodney looked exquisite in the firelight, his creamy skin so inviting…and again John's attention was drawn to the collar around his sub's neck. Rodney was his. Collared, and naked, and lying here in the most abject, abandoned position, just waiting to be taken.

John forced himself to concentrate, trying to ignore the growing ache in his hard cock. He wanted to take his time, and truly enjoy feasting on his sub's body. His gaze was drawn to the dark, puckered opening between Rodney's legs, and John settled between those spread legs, and parted Rodney's buttocks with his hands. He licked his way over Rodney's firm butt cheeks, and darted his tongue between the round globes of flesh. He loved how Rodney smelled, and how his sub gasped and mewled whenever he was rimmed. He loved the feel of the puckered hole beneath his tongue and the way it glistened, moist with his saliva, when he drew back.

He teased Rodney for a long time, relishing the sounds of his sub's moans, and then he moved his head, and pressed his lips against Rodney's ass.

"Your marks have faded," he murmured. "I think you should always be marked on this beautiful ass. I like to think of you walking around with my mark on you. So I'm going to bite you again. Hold still, Rodney."

He reached out, and held Rodney down with his hands and his own bodyweight, because he knew Rodney would wriggle when he was being bitten, however hard he tried to be still. Rodney was gazing back at him over his shoulder, his eyes dark with arousal, and John knew that Rodney liked being marked as much as he liked marking him.

He found a nice, juicy spot on Rodney's ass, and nuzzled at it. Then he kissed it, and then he licked it with his tongue, before sinking his teeth gently into the flesh. Rodney gave a little muted holler and writhed beneath him, and John held him down, keeping him pinned there, naked and vulnerable under his fierce caress.

He deepened the bite now, and Rodney suddenly went limp and submissive in his arms. That aroused John even more, and he growled into the bite, holding it for a few seconds longer, and then, finally, he released his sub. Rodney immediately reached back to touch the bite mark, and John moved his hand away.

"No touching," he whispered, lapping at the red mark with his tongue to soothe away the pain. It looked beautiful – the most perfect mark, standing out vividly against Rodney's pale flesh. Rodney looked dazed but happy, and John liked him that way.

He reached for the lube he'd thrown onto the blanket earlier, and smoothed it onto his fingers, and then knelt down between his sub's thighs again. It didn't matter how many times he entered Rodney's tight hole, he could never get enough of it. He burned and ached for his sub when he wasn't with him, and fantasised about being inside him.

John slid his fingers into Rodney's hole, teasing the lube around the rim and then slipping inside the tight ring of muscle. Rodney was relaxed and ready for him, but John took his time anyway, finger fucking his sub for several minutes, just enjoying the sight of Rodney lying beneath him, his legs open, his body so enticing.

Then it was time. "Turn over," John said, kissing Rodney's shoulder affectionately. Rodney turned, and his collar flashed in the firelight as he did so. John kissed the collar, and then kissed Rodney's neck, before settling himself between Rodney's thighs again.

"Lift your legs onto my shoulders," he said, and Rodney did as he was told, immediately, without question. John grinned down on his sub. He knew this new, silent Rodney wouldn't last and he didn't want him to, but he loved how responsive his sub was being now that he was wearing a collar.

"We'll go nice and slow," John purred, stroking Rodney's now semi-erect cock with his hand. He took Rodney's buttocks in his hands, and slid his hard cock into Rodney's lubed entrance. "Lie back. Just watch me take you," he said, and Rodney relaxed into the blankets and gazed up at him, his eyes still wide and aroused, completely obedient to John's will.

John entered Rodney slowly, inch by inch. He loved watching his own cock disappear into Rodney's body, loved the way it seemed to open Rodney up, making his body quiver, and causing him to make those beautiful little mewling sounds at the back of his throat. Rodney's body was as accommodating as ever – sometimes John found it hard to believe that his big, blunt cock could fit so perfectly inside Rodney's tight, puckered opening, but it always did, so smoothly.

He slid in as far as he could go, savouring the sensation of Rodney's warm tightness enveloping his hard cock. Then he paused, looking down into Rodney's dazed blue eyes, drinking in the sight of his collared sub beneath him. Finally, he moved his hips back and then thrust them forward again, angling his cock, hoping to hit Rodney's prostate. Rodney's eyes flashed and he let out a moan of pleasure so John figured he'd been successful, and he aimed the same way with each subsequent thrust.

He went slowly – although his need was urgent, he wanted this to last for as long as possible. Every now and then he lowered his head and caught Rodney's lips in his own for a deep, loving kiss. "You're mine now," he said, thrusting inwards. "Collared." He thrust again. "I love you," he added, with a fond smile, moving his hips faster now. "God I love you."

Rodney lay there, arms stretched out on the blanket, just gazing up at him with an expression of naked adoration on his face. He didn't reply – he didn't have to – his answer was written all over his face.

John lost track of time. The fire was still burning, warming their naked skin in the sultry night air, painting their naked bodies in hues of gold. He could hear the sea, and smell the fresh salty air, combined with the scent of his sub, and it was all so good. So incredibly good.

The inky night seemed to caress them, wrapping them in its darkness, while the moons bathed them in their silky silver light. Every now and then, the faint moonlight would catch the white gold metal of Rodney's collar, and whenever that happened John would lean forward and kiss the collar, and then Rodney's lips.

He couldn't hold on any longer. He was moving fast now, slamming his hard cock into his collared sub, making Rodney pant and mewl with every deep thrust, and then he was coming, shouting Rodney's name the way he often did. Just seconds later he saw Rodney's come spurt out too.

John rested for a moment, his forehead against Rodney's forehead, both of them breathing in time as they recovered from their orgasms, and then John gently withdrew from the tight, warm heat of Rodney's body, and settled down beside him, taking his sub in his arms. They lay there, naked and content, top and sub, Rodney's head resting on John's shoulder, gazing up at the stars, the sweat cooling on their warm bodies.

"Have we named this beach yet?" Rodney murmured. "All those mapping expeditions your marines do. Did they name this beach?"

"Mmm. I don't think so," John replied, kissing Rodney's hair. "I don't let just anyone name things y'know."

"Would you let me name this beach?" Rodney asked.

"Depends. What you gonna call it? Sheppard Sands? Rodney's Point?" John asked.

Rodney snorted, and then giggled. "And you think other people shouldn't name stuff! I dunno. I was thinking something for both of us. Not sure what. McSheppard Beach maybe?"

"Hmmm." John kissed Rodney's hair again. "How about Collar Bay?" he asked, his fingers finding the smooth metal on Rodney's neck, and tracing over the engraving of his name. It gave him such a thrill to find it there, nestled so close to Rodney's skin.

"Yeah," Rodney said softly. He turned his head and gazed at John, his eyes bright and happy. "Yes. That's it. Collar Bay."

 

~*~

Rodney woke to find the first rosy hints of dawn on the horizon. He was wrapped up in a blanket, his body nestled into John's, both of them entwined, John’s hands clasped protectively around his waist. Beside them, the fire had burnt itself out, and the table and chairs a few feet away looked kind of lost and forlorn now that the romance of the night was over.

Rodney moved his head, and heard the sound of his collar chinking. He smiled and reached up immediately to touch the smooth metal, remembering the sultry events of the previous night. He glanced at his top to find John lying there, eyes open and watching him, hair lifting in the light, morning breeze, a little smile on his face.

"Hey. Do you like it?" John asked, reaching out to touch the collar himself, his fingers trailing over Rodney's neck at the same time, as if he couldn't keep his hands off either the collar or Rodney. "The collar is a family heirloom – my parents gave it to me when I was twenty-one and it's sat in the box ever since, waiting for the right person to come along. The identity tag is brand new - I got the engraving on it done by an Athosian artisan yesterday afternoon."

He traced his fingers over the elegant lettering. John Sheppard.

“I didn't want it to say "belongs to", or "property of", like they often do," John continued. "You know what you are to me. Besides, I thought the underside said it well enough – and that's just between you and me."

Rodney ran his finger along the underside, his finger spelling out the single word written there.

"It's perfect," he said, because it was. Perfect and classy.

John leaned over and kissed him, and Rodney’s body responded the way it always did to John’s touch. There was no time for sex though - the sun was now a glowing ball on the horizon, and it was time to get back to the city. Reluctantly, the two men stood up, both naked and shivering slightly in the cool morning air. Rodney pulled his clothes on quickly and then surveyed the remains of the previous night's meal.

"Leave it," John said, grabbing the blankets. "I'll come back and clear away later."

He took hold of Rodney’s hand, and they walked up the beach together towards the jumper. Rodney paused when they got to the grassy verge at the top, and glanced back. The beach curved around, broad and sandy, and the sun was glinting brightly on the tops of the waves, making everything sparkle.

“We’ll come back,” John said, wrapping an arm around his waist. “A lot.”

“Yeah. If the Wraith don’t get us, or we don’t end up in a Genii prison cell…or worse, one of us ends up trapped somewhere, and the other is halfway across the galaxy powerless to help them and we’re separated….” Rodney trailed off, suddenly realising that this kind of intense love brought with it a whole raft of new things to be scared of.

“Ssh.” John placed a quiet kiss on the back of his neck. “There’s nowhere you could be that I wouldn’t come looking for you. I’d take on the whole universe if I had to.”

Rodney shivered because there was a tone of such intensity in John’s voice. He remembered the way his top had been a couple of days ago, and knew that however jealous he might get of Hicks, and all the people who routinely threw themselves at his top, he would never, ever underestimate the depth of John’s love for him. It had a dark edge, but Rodney could handle that. In fact, it helped him relax knowing that John’s emotions ran so deep. In the past, Rodney had never been able to let himself go and truly surrender himself to anyone because he doubted them too much. You couldn’t doubt John. He was the real deal.

They turned, and walked the rest of the way back to the puddle jumper and then flew across the ocean towards the bright lights of the city. John walked him to the door of his quarters, and then kissed him again.

“I’m gonna take a shower and get changed. I’ll drop by and pick you up in about half an hour so we can go to the mess hall,” he said.

“I guess it’d be easier if we were living together,” Rodney murmured, gazing at his top thoughtfully. He knew John wanted that, and he knew that he did too on some level, especially now that he was collared, but still he wasn’t quite there yet.

Giving up his quarters would mean losing the last aspects of his independence, and he wanted some time to get used to being collared before he committed to that. He suspected that being a collared sub brought changes enough of its own – changes that he might not always find easy.

“Yeah, it would, but I’m not hassling about that. In fact, I’m just going to leave that up to you,” John told him. “I won’t mention it again – just let me know when you’re ready.”

Rodney nodded, feeling a surge of gratitude towards his top. He never compared John to Bates, because the two tops were so completely different in their view of how to treat a sub, but he knew plenty of tops who wouldn’t be happy living apart from their collared sub. It meant a lot to him that John wasn’t going to press that issue.

Rodney took a shower and then wandered out into the bedroom, still naked, his hair dripping. He turned, and, catching sight of himself in the mirror, he paused, his eyes going to the flash of metal at his neck. He stopped and took a good look at himself. He looked completely different – to his own eyes at least. His body was more relaxed and loose-limbed than he’d ever seen it – usually he held himself in a stiff, tense way. His skin looked like it was glowing, and there was a perfect red bite mark on his ass. He ran his fingers over it, looking over his shoulder into the mirror. It looked beautiful – his top had placed it on his skin to serve as a constant reminder that he now belonged to the man who had collared him. Rodney tingled just looking at it. He turned and looked at himself more closely, and a collared sub stared back at him, lips curving into a happy grin as he trailed his fingers over his collar.

“Idiot,” he told himself, because this kind of ridiculous behaviour wasn’t something he expected of himself, but he couldn’t help it. He had never expected to be collared, but it had happened, and he felt so good about it he couldn’t stop himself from smiling.

He got dressed in his uniform, and surveyed himself again. The sleek metal collar glinted, clearly visible just above the open neck of his shirt. Nobody would be able to miss it. The engraving on it was clear and bold as well – you wouldn’t even have to get too close to see who had collared him.

He was still smiling when John dropped by ten minutes later. They walked to the mess hall together, side by side, arms touching, and when they got there, John grinned at him, and pushed him towards the food, while he went and sat down at a table.

Rodney felt ridiculously self-conscious as picked up a tray. When he got to the food he realised, with a wave of panic, that he had no idea what kinds of things John ate for breakfast. His top seemed to know exactly what *he* liked but Rodney had never paid much attention to what John liked. In the end, he decided to heap his tray full of a variety of everything, taking far more than even both of them would be able to eat. Then he walked back over to where John was sitting and put the tray in front of him. John gazed at it, and then burst out laughing.

“I know we used up a lot of calories last night but this is ridiculous,” he said. “Are you really this hungry?”

“Nope. Just…oh I have no idea what you eat,” Rodney sighed.

“This is so scarily you,” John said, still surveying the tray, still laughing.

At that moment Teyla came up, bearing her own tray. She sat down beside them and her gaze immediately fixed on the collar around Rodney’s neck. She inclined her head.

“Dr McKay, Colonel Sheppard. I offer you my warmest congratulations. I had wondered when you would collar Dr McKay,” she said to John. “I am pleased that it has happened. Our missions will be much simpler now, I think.”

Rodney snorted at that. He glanced at the tray, wondering when the hell John was going to start feeding them both.

“Thank you, Teyla.” John inclined his head towards her in return. “As for the missions – hopefully, but I think we both have some work to do on that.”

“Wait a minute…” Rodney said. “You were wondering when John would collar me? You *knew* about us?”

“Of course. I have watched Colonel Sheppard struggle with his feelings towards you for some time now,” she told him. “I have tried to teach him some meditations and simple physical routines to help him cope with his emotions but collaring you was always the best option. I am sure that he will find it easier now.”

“Right.” Rodney glanced at his top. John just shrugged.

“That time…you know, the planet of the sex-starved tops,” he said. “Teyla figured it out from there.”

“It took me several hours to bring him down after that expedition,” Teyla said, with a little smile in John’s direction.

“What she means is that she kicked my ass all around the practice room until she’d worn the fight out of me and then, when I was too exhausted to argue, she told me I had to tell you how I was feeling.” John made a face at him. “So I did.”

“I also told him he had to apologise for his behaviour towards you. I am sure that it must have been very puzzling for you, Dr McKay,” Teyla said.

Rodney didn’t reply to that because he was too busy focussing his attention back on the tray, thinking that if he’d been feeding himself he’d probably be done by now. What the hell was taking John so long? It was perfectly possible to talk and eat at the same time!

At that moment Ford bounced up. He sat down beside them, and flashed Teyla one of his boyish grins. Rodney rolled his eyes – all of Ford’s boyish grins had so far failed to melt Teyla’s heart so he had no idea why Ford kept bothering.

“Man, you must be hungry, Colonel,” Ford said, glancing at John’s tray. Then he paused, and glanced back again, noticing how the two men only had one tray between them. “Oh shit. Holy freaking shit!” he said, a wide grin spreading from ear to ear. “You’re sharing a freaking plate!” His gaze flickered over the collar around Rodney’s neck, and then he grabbed John’s hand and shook it enthusiastically. “Congratulations sir, although…you know, Rodney?” He made a face. “I think you could’a done better,” he said in a conspiratorial undertone that Rodney caught all the same.

“Thank you, Ford,” John drawled, in that slow, deadly, ironic way he had. “But I doubt that.” He glanced at Rodney with a look that took all the sting out of Ford’s words.

“Okay. I’ll take your word for it,” Ford said. “Way to go, Rodney. Landing the colonel here.” He sat back down and stuck a forkful of sausage into his mouth. Rodney envied him.

“If the congratulating is out of the way, can we eat now?” Rodney asked plaintively.

John grinned at him and reached for his fork. “Am I too slow for you?” he said.

“Well, seeing as how you’re about the slowest eater I’ve ever met, Colonel, and McKay is the fastest, I’d have said you two are gonna have some fun mealtimes,” Ford grinned.

Rodney glowered at him, and then gazed back at the tray with a meaningful expression on his face. Finally - *finally* - John pushed some eggs onto his fork. He was just about to hold it up to Rodney’s mouth when Carson arrived.

“Hey Doc.” The fork remained on the plate as Carson sat down beside them and John turned to greet him. Rodney sighed. Carson’s blue eyes missed nothing of course - he immediately took in the sight of Rodney’s sleek metal collar, and his face broke into a big smile.

“I can see you wasted no time at all, Colonel!” he beamed. “Congratulations to you, laddie. This is the best news!”

He got up and insisted on wrapping John in a big bear hug. Rodney scowled as the fork was now abandoned while John and Carson shared a little toppy celebration. Then Carson was advancing around the table on him and, after a glance to John for permission, was forcing him into a big bear hug too.

“Rodney, I’m so happy for you!” he said, overcome with emotion. “Damn it, why do I always get so misty-eyed when a collaring has taken place?” He wiped the sleeve of his white coat over his eyes. “Honestly, and when I think of the pair of you just a few months ago, sitting at this very table and swearing blind that you were neither of you interested in either collaring or being collared. You, laddie.” He fixed John with a fierce glare. “You said it was more trouble than it was worth. And you, laddie.” He turned to Rodney and subjected him to an equally fierce glare. “You said it was a total waste of time. And now look at the pair of you! Sitting here, sharing a plate.” He gave another of those beaming smiles, his eyes looking suspiciously glassy.

“Yes, well, it isn’t a big deal,” Rodney said testily.

“Absolutely not,” John agreed, nodding, and looking faintly alarmed by Carson’s very public display of sentimentality. “I just thought a collar would keep him out of trouble.”

“Really?” Ford grinned around his mouthful of food, sounding utterly incredulous. “Because, you know, this is McKay we’re talking about here.”

“Yes, thank you, Ford,” Rodney glowered.

“Was it a romantic moment?” Carson asked, with a little sigh, one hand on each man’s shoulders. “I do love hearing about romantic collarings.”

John and Rodney glanced at each other, and Rodney felt John’s foot press very firmly on his toes under the table.

“Not really,” they both said, shaking their heads.

“Nah. We don’t really go in for all that hearts and flowers type stuff,” John added.

Rodney gazed at him across the table, remembering a candlelit table on a beach, a roaring fire, and the stars overhead as they made love, waves lapping gently on the seashore just yards away.

“Yeah. Not our style. Not a romantic bone in our bodies, remember?” Rodney said.

“Hmm.” Carson gazed at them both suspiciously. “Okay, lads, if that’s the way you want to play it.” He clapped them both on the shoulders again.

Rodney’s eyes lit up as he saw John pick up the fork once more, and he didn’t notice Carson getting up to stand on his chair until it was too late.

“Listen up, people – there’s been a collaring!” Carson hollered to the entire mess hall. “Brave man that he is, our own good Colonel Sheppard has decided to collar the redoubtable Dr McKay!”

He started clapping his hands, and a ripple of applause went around the room. People started to get up and come over, and Rodney’s heart sank as they were surrounded by a crowd wanting to shake John’s hand, and take a look at Rodney’s collar. Now there was no chance of breakfast as they dealt with the tumult around them.

Carson settled down at the table again, pushed his spoon into his bowl of cereal, and fixed Rodney with a beaming smile. “Well, if you will lie to your doctor, laddie, you must accept the consequences,” he said, and then he broke out laughing at Rodney’s glowering response.

Rodney never did get to eat his breakfast. He ended up grabbing a donut on his way to the lab, and rushed in half an hour late for work, grinning at everyone on his way to his workstation because, despite missing breakfast, and the embarrassment of everyone standing around looking at his neck, it *had* been pretty damn cool to show off to the world that *he* was now Colonel John Sheppard's collared sub.

Miko glanced up, as she always did when he entered the room, and started to give him one of her respectful little bows – and then paused as she caught sight of the metal around his neck. She gave an audible gasp, got up, and went into one of the most elaborate bowing rituals Rodney had ever seen her give.

“Dr McKay! Oh…Dr McKay! You have been collared. I am so happy for you. Who is the person you have honoured with your submission? Oh…I see it is Colonel Sheppard!”

Rodney detected a note of disappointment in her eyes and wondered whether that crush she had on his brain might also have extended to his body, or whether she just didn’t think John was worthy of him. Although, judging by the look in her eyes, he doubted she thought *anyone* was worthy of him.

“I do hope that you and the colonel will be very happy,” she said. “And if you are not then you must not stay with him,” she added firmly.

“Yes, thank you. I’ll be sure to bear that in mind,” Rodney replied, wondering if he was going to be able to avoid a repeat of all the fuss that had just taken place in the mess hall.

It was not to be. Those of his staff who hadn’t been in the mess hall all came up to congratulate him. Now that he was collared, nobody shook his hand or touched his arm, and he noticed the difference immediately. It gave him a tiny little thrill. His body was now the very public property of John Sheppard. The collar proclaimed it, and the rules of their own society acknowledged it. Nobody would touch him from now on without seeking John’s permission first.

“Yes, yes, yes, thank you everyone but could we please get back to work!” Rodney announced, after it had all gone on for long enough in his view. Much as he enjoyed being the centre of attention he wasn't used to it, and it freaked him out a little. Plus - he was starving! The crowd around him finally dispersed and he reached for his donut longingly, his stomach now rumbling alarmingly – and then caught sight of Radek, gazing at him steadily from his work station.

“Did you want to congratulate me too?” he growled.

“Not really.” Radek gave a tight little smile, and Rodney felt vaguely insulted. “I mean, is good if belonging to another person is what you want.” He gave a dismissive little shrug.

Rodney frowned. “Hello! Sub!” He pointed at himself.

“Yes, yes. I know.” Radek shrugged again. “Toppy sub who terrorises all under his command,” he muttered to himself as he turned away.

“Radek, do you have a problem with me?” Rodney asked, surprised by Radek’s tone. Radek turned back to him, his expression softening.

“No, no I do not. I just…you said many times you were not interested in top in your life and now...poof!” Radek threw up his hands dramatically. “I thought maybe you were one of the more sensible ones, despite many indications that you are complete raving madman most of the time. No, please, do not listen to me. This is happy occasion, yes? Congratulations, Rodney.”

Rodney leaned in close, trying to keep their conversation as private as possible. He was surprised to find that Radek’s lack of enthusiasm actually hurt him a little. He hadn’t realised how much he’d come to view Radek as a good friend.

“Did you have your eye on John yourself?” he asked, with a little grin, trying for some humour.

“No. Am not sub,” Radek told him.

“Well you sure as hell didn’t have your eye on me,” Rodney snorted.

“No.” Radek rolled his eyes. “Am not top, either. Or switch. Also, not interested in men. Only women.” He said that in a defiant little whisper, as if scared of Rodney’s response. Rodney rocked back on his heels, finally figuring it out. It didn’t bother him at all – hell, after his upbringing he was hardly one to judge.

“Ah. I see. Pervert,” he grinned, defusing the situation with a joke. Radek shook his head and gave a little snort of laughter, visibly relaxing.

“I tell Colonel Sheppard you go around hugging us all today,” he said. Rodney’s grin faded.

“Don’t even joke about it,” he said.

“Or that you are rude to Lady Elizabeth. That you like to polish Miko’s shiny boots. That you disobey his orders when he is not around. Yes?”

Rodney snorted, and shook his head. “Man, I’m so screwed, you pervy little blackmailer.”

Radek grinned at him, and Rodney grinned back. He might not identify with Radek’s frankly weird sexuality, but he hadn’t realised how much the Czech scientist’s good opinion mattered to him. Radek was one of those people who crept up on you – one minute he was just Rodney’s lab dogsbody, and next he realised the guy was one of his closest friends.

Elizabeth dropped by the lab later that morning.

"Busy?" she asked him, her gaze flickering to the collar around his neck, although she made no mention of it. Something about the way she asked the question made it abundantly clear that unless the city was under attack then the right answer to her question should be "no".

"Always," he replied instead. "But I can spare you half an hour."

"I'm honoured." She inclined her head towards him with a little smile. He expected to go to her office, but she walked him instead down to the east pier. They stood there, looking out over the sunlit ocean, and Rodney wondered what this was all about. She didn't say anything for a long time, and he found himself fidgeting nervously. Then, finally, she turned to him, and her eyes were serious.

"Rodney, you're not one of my submissives, but I've always had a special soft spot for you, as you know," she said.

"Uh, not really," he murmured, surprised. She frowned at him.

"Rodney," she said softly, in a chiding tone. They went back a long way, she and him. She'd always championed him, even when he'd been deeply unpopular with the SGC. Despite his brilliance, they found him a nuisance, and he'd had run-ins with various high-ranking officials who hadn't taken too kindly to his manner. Elizabeth had seen past that, and it had been at her express command that he'd been appointed Head of Science on this expedition.

"Okay. Yes," he agreed,