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kageygirlAt some point, you just have to trust your beta. ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
maching_monkey assured me it didn't suck, and she rocks, so...
McKay/Sheppard, PG, vignette (for those who consider that a warning--which I pretty much do *g*).
Summary: Statements of intent.
Immoveable/Irresistible
***
Rodney is used to wanting what he can't have.
He could blame his parents for that, for never really loving him, but that kind of New-Age tripe is a waste of time and energy. It's just a recurring behavior pattern he's developed. Some sort of inherent inability to accept the limitations imposed by social exchange theory.
Intellect being superior to emotion, he has accepted this state of affairs: he will want something that's beyond his reach, but he won't get it.
Unfortunately, this understanding doesn't keep him from wanting those things anyway.
He wants Major John Sheppard. He will not have him. Clearly. The man is a highly skilled pilot and tactician, possessing undeniable physical appeal, charming in a simplistic sort of way. Far more intelligent than a member of the military establishment has any right to be--and look how well that worked out for Rodney before.
He's also edgy enough to dish back whatever vitriol Rodney aims at him. And that's what gets Rodney, every time. More than the face or the body, he's always fallen for a sharp wit.
Lately, Sheppard's wit has been particularly sharp. He almost seems to be baiting Rodney, trying to force a response, to make Rodney take their sparring to the next level. "Almost" meaning "Rodney must be delusional," and "the next level" meaning--
Well, it doesn't matter what it means, because--see: "Rodney's delusional." It would be completely and utterly fruitless to dwell on something that's never going to happen.
He keeps telling himself that. He does. He has to, because Sheppard keeps... focusing on him. Paying attention while Rodney goes on a conversational tangent involving some scientific principle. Covering a smirk when Rodney mutters an aside that everyone else ignores. Snarking back at Rodney as if...
As if he knows that's the best way to make Rodney want him.
But he knows that Sheppard doesn't really have feelings for him. Rodney's not his type. Oh, Rodney knows he's got his assets, intelligence and articulacy among them. But he's seen what turns Sheppard's head, and he's not like them--not strong and composed and quietly commanding. There are plenty of people around here like that, and Sheppard will eventually turn to one of them. Rodney is just a passing fascination, appealing only because he's new and different. Part of that "geek chic" that never seems to apply to actual geeks.
Which means that Rodney's going to have to wait Sheppard out.
The smart thing to do, the quick and easy thing, would be to just give in and let Sheppard have his way with him. That way, the major can exhaust his curiosity, grow bored, and move on.
And it's not like Rodney wouldn't enjoy the sex. There hasn't been nearly enough of that lately.
But Rodney's not going to do that.
Rodney is used to wanting what he can't have, but Sheppard? Sheppard has clearly never had to learn to live with disappointment. It will take him a while to accept the inconceivable--that Rodney's resisting his advances. And in the meantime, Sheppard will keep up his pursuit.
This way, Rodney won't have screwed up their working relationship, or, even worse, their improbable friendship. And, pointless as it may be, he'll be able to enjoy the attention a little bit longer.
Even geniuses can fool themselves, for a little while.
~
Rodney's used to wanting what he can't have.
That's pretty obvious--for all of his complaining, there's always a sense of resignation there. Like he's going through the motions, like he knows he's going to be disappointed, but he keeps trying anyway.
John finds that kind of determination intriguing. It's not so hard to climb a hill when you can see the summit. Walking up a slope with no end in sight takes grit.
Rodney's used to wanting what he can't have, so he's good at hiding his real feelings. Puts up a wall of barbed retorts and intellectual superiority, bitches about the little things. That Rodney wants John is just an instinct, but good pilots have good instincts. And John is an excellent pilot.
Rodney's forthright about what he thinks. To the point of bluntness, if John's not feeling charitable. But John appreciates honesty. He likes knowing the terrain.
Rodney does his best to avoid danger, but he comes through in the clutch. He convinces himself of his limits, and then doesn't realize when he's surpassing them.
Rodney talks a mile a minute. John has always liked going really fast.
Rodney's used to wanting what he can't have. Boy, is he in for a surprise.
maching_monkey assured me it didn't suck, and she rocks, so...McKay/Sheppard, PG, vignette (for those who consider that a warning--which I pretty much do *g*).
Summary: Statements of intent.
Immoveable/Irresistible
***
Rodney is used to wanting what he can't have.
He could blame his parents for that, for never really loving him, but that kind of New-Age tripe is a waste of time and energy. It's just a recurring behavior pattern he's developed. Some sort of inherent inability to accept the limitations imposed by social exchange theory.
Intellect being superior to emotion, he has accepted this state of affairs: he will want something that's beyond his reach, but he won't get it.
Unfortunately, this understanding doesn't keep him from wanting those things anyway.
He wants Major John Sheppard. He will not have him. Clearly. The man is a highly skilled pilot and tactician, possessing undeniable physical appeal, charming in a simplistic sort of way. Far more intelligent than a member of the military establishment has any right to be--and look how well that worked out for Rodney before.
He's also edgy enough to dish back whatever vitriol Rodney aims at him. And that's what gets Rodney, every time. More than the face or the body, he's always fallen for a sharp wit.
Lately, Sheppard's wit has been particularly sharp. He almost seems to be baiting Rodney, trying to force a response, to make Rodney take their sparring to the next level. "Almost" meaning "Rodney must be delusional," and "the next level" meaning--
Well, it doesn't matter what it means, because--see: "Rodney's delusional." It would be completely and utterly fruitless to dwell on something that's never going to happen.
He keeps telling himself that. He does. He has to, because Sheppard keeps... focusing on him. Paying attention while Rodney goes on a conversational tangent involving some scientific principle. Covering a smirk when Rodney mutters an aside that everyone else ignores. Snarking back at Rodney as if...
As if he knows that's the best way to make Rodney want him.
But he knows that Sheppard doesn't really have feelings for him. Rodney's not his type. Oh, Rodney knows he's got his assets, intelligence and articulacy among them. But he's seen what turns Sheppard's head, and he's not like them--not strong and composed and quietly commanding. There are plenty of people around here like that, and Sheppard will eventually turn to one of them. Rodney is just a passing fascination, appealing only because he's new and different. Part of that "geek chic" that never seems to apply to actual geeks.
Which means that Rodney's going to have to wait Sheppard out.
The smart thing to do, the quick and easy thing, would be to just give in and let Sheppard have his way with him. That way, the major can exhaust his curiosity, grow bored, and move on.
And it's not like Rodney wouldn't enjoy the sex. There hasn't been nearly enough of that lately.
But Rodney's not going to do that.
Rodney is used to wanting what he can't have, but Sheppard? Sheppard has clearly never had to learn to live with disappointment. It will take him a while to accept the inconceivable--that Rodney's resisting his advances. And in the meantime, Sheppard will keep up his pursuit.
This way, Rodney won't have screwed up their working relationship, or, even worse, their improbable friendship. And, pointless as it may be, he'll be able to enjoy the attention a little bit longer.
Even geniuses can fool themselves, for a little while.
~
Rodney's used to wanting what he can't have.
That's pretty obvious--for all of his complaining, there's always a sense of resignation there. Like he's going through the motions, like he knows he's going to be disappointed, but he keeps trying anyway.
John finds that kind of determination intriguing. It's not so hard to climb a hill when you can see the summit. Walking up a slope with no end in sight takes grit.
Rodney's used to wanting what he can't have, so he's good at hiding his real feelings. Puts up a wall of barbed retorts and intellectual superiority, bitches about the little things. That Rodney wants John is just an instinct, but good pilots have good instincts. And John is an excellent pilot.
Rodney's forthright about what he thinks. To the point of bluntness, if John's not feeling charitable. But John appreciates honesty. He likes knowing the terrain.
Rodney does his best to avoid danger, but he comes through in the clutch. He convinces himself of his limits, and then doesn't realize when he's surpassing them.
Rodney talks a mile a minute. John has always liked going really fast.
Rodney's used to wanting what he can't have. Boy, is he in for a surprise.
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no subject
Date: 2004-10-14 09:56 pm (UTC)heh. cool. Like a big game of cat and mouse. Rodney thinks he's the cat, John knows Rodney's the mouse. (erm, except dismemberment isn't going to be the end of the game - I was gonna say "eating" but that led to all kinds of guttery entendres so I changed it)
Intellect being superior to emotion, he has accepted this state of affairs: he will want something that's beyond his reach, but he won't get it.
Unfortunately, this understanding doesn't keep him from wanting those things anyway.
Ow. I was getting a little maudlin tonight anyway, and that struck kinda close to home. Oof.
Part of that "geek chic" that never seems to apply to actual geeks. Amen.
He convinces himself of his limits, and then doesn't realize when he's surpassing them. good insight into Rodney "I'm Not Superman" McKay. :)
I was listening to U2s "Elevation" while reading this...
Date: 2004-10-14 11:43 pm (UTC)I love this. It's such a beautiful little mental snapshot and has such wonderful promise to it. I loved it while I was betaing it, and I love it even more now. You have a world within a nutshell here, and I can't wait to see you start expanding the boundaries of it, and starting the cat-and-cat game in ernest.
Great stuff. So glad you posted!
Love ya,
Leah
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Date: 2004-10-15 05:15 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-10-15 05:50 am (UTC)Very sweet, Kagey. Although I'm not sure why this: But he's seen what turns Sheppard's head, and he's not like them--not strong and composed and quietly commanding. Put sudden thoughts of Sumner/Sheppard into my head...(Out! Out, damn you!)
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Date: 2004-10-15 07:15 am (UTC)Don't you? Don't make me have to hurt you.
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Date: 2004-10-15 07:19 am (UTC)Intellect being superior to emotion, he has accepted this state of affairs
Poor Rodney. Poor delusional Rodney... The very fact that part of the reason he's resisting is so he can keep having Sheppard's attention is his emotion winning over his logic.
and look how well that worked out for Rodney before.
Interesting - is that a reference to Sam, or to some deep dark tragic love affair gone awry? Possibly involving whip cream and an unfortunate spelunking incident. <- Sorry, too much sugar already this morning.
"Almost" meaning "Rodney must be delusional," and "the next level" meaning--
Well, it doesn't matter what it means, because--see: "Rodney's delusional."
You give great McKay voice. Especially this part I thought. Even his thoughts have reference/footnotes. Hee!
because Sheppard keeps... focusing on him.
I'm grabbing this line, but really this refers to everything - the thing I really like about this story is that you are describing what we see on TV (ie their snarking and their focus on each other even when they should be focusing on other things) and bring these aspects out in a slashy sense where it all works perfectly together. That's really cool. :)
Part of that "geek chic" that never seems to apply to actual geeks.
Ouch! Except the part where other geeks find geeks appealing. And I think Sheppard could be a closet geek. He likes Star Trek after all, and it's a slippery slope after that.
Rodney's used to wanting what he can't have. Boy, is he in for a surprise.
Heh. Nice last line!
Except... You know, I'm not sure who's playing who. McKay knows he could have a fling with Sheppard, he just doesn't think there could be more to it and he's holding out because he wants more than that. While I wasn't sure from the Sheppard part what Sheppard is offering... something, but I'm not clear on what. And if it's purely sex, then McKay knows already and is resisting because Sheppard isn't actually offering him what he wants/doesn't think he can have. So... I'm actually left in a little bit of am ambiguous place. That's cool, to not be certain though. :)
Re: I was listening to U2s "Elevation" while reading this...
Date: 2004-10-15 07:22 am (UTC)Hey have you heard U2's Vertigo yet? Edge's guitar rocks!
Sort of topic-y again:
Speaking of rocking, love the icon!
no subject
Date: 2004-10-15 08:16 am (UTC)*raises hand* me too.
Me Three!
Date: 2004-10-15 12:45 pm (UTC)I think.
Completely off topic
Date: 2004-10-15 12:48 pm (UTC)Speaking of rocking, love the icon!
Thank you! It's one of my favourites, but I don't want to use it where people might think it was a comment on them.
Re: Completely off topic
Date: 2004-10-15 01:04 pm (UTC)You only get country music radio?! Wow. That sucks, and not in a good way!
Dammit! I was gonna be so good at work today.
Date: 2004-10-15 02:16 pm (UTC)***
It's bad enough that, after hand-picking his team for this mission, he got saddled with some pissant flyboy who thinks orders are more like suggestions. Some hotshot who thinks he's special because his rare gene got him out of serving his time at the ass end of Antarctica, who lounges and smirks and always stops just short of being insubordinate enough for Sumner to bust his ass.
No, the son of a bitch has to be pretty, too. Goddammit.
Dr. Weir says they need Sheppard, and General O'Neill has been real clear that this is her show, not Sumner's. He's got no problem with her doing her job, as long as he's allowed to do his. But he's been with the SGC long enough to know that wrangling scientists is like herding cats. Cats with no survival instincts.
And now, he's been stuck with a de facto second-in-command who's never been through the gate--never seen the damn thing before--let alone seen action on an alien world. His attitude tells Sumner that discipline is going to be a problem. That's exactly the kind of thing he doesn't need when they're about to gate to a whole other galaxy, with who-the-fuck-knows what kind of threats.
And Sumner should be focused on all of that, but every time Sheppard gives him that smirk after a briefing, Sumner wants to shove him up against a wall and fuck some respect into him, the UCMJ be damned.
***
Oops! Time to go home. *g*
no subject
Date: 2004-10-15 03:07 pm (UTC)Re: Completely off topic
Date: 2004-10-15 03:38 pm (UTC)(Bet we're really driving poor Kagey nuts with this discussion, eh? Sorry, Kagey!)
I'd love an MP3! Only my hotmail addy will not accept something so large, I'm certain. I'll send you a different address, okay?
Thanks!
Leah
Re: Dammit! I was gonna be so good at work today.
Date: 2004-10-15 04:11 pm (UTC)absofuckinglutely perfect. *eg*
no subject
Date: 2004-10-15 07:42 pm (UTC)Er, that's a bad thing? *g*
This absolutely did not suck.
Thanks, miera. I was really iffy on this, despite the Monkeysupport.
Re: I was listening to U2s "Elevation" while reading this...
Date: 2004-10-15 07:46 pm (UTC)smack upside the headgentle nudging, Leah! You're such an incredible sweetheart--er, I mean, stern taskmaster. Yeah.Re: Completely off topic
Date: 2004-10-15 07:50 pm (UTC)Oh, yarg. *g* It's the song they play in the IPod commercial currently showing, too. And it IS an excellent song.
I don't want to use it where people might think it was a comment on them.
Hee. I love that you know that it doesn't phase me.
Re: Completely off topic
Date: 2004-10-15 07:53 pm (UTC)Honestly? It really doesn't bother me at all. :) I kinda groove on watching the common interests come together in harmony. (zenkagey!)
no subject
Date: 2004-10-15 07:58 pm (UTC)sudden thoughts of Sumner/Sheppard into my head...
... because you've got excellent taste? *g* (Pretty men with firearms--there is no bad here.)
Re: Dammit! I was gonna be so good at work today.
Date: 2004-10-15 08:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-10-15 08:09 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-10-15 08:12 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-10-15 09:20 pm (UTC)(Do I claim "mature themes"? Or just 'fess up about changing something and forgetting to fix the rating?)
And wow, that's 2 completely different parenthetical tangents coming off of one 3-word sentence...
About which I was impressed... *g*
Possibly involving whip cream and an unfortunate spelunking incident.
LOL! Oh, please--never apologize for making me laugh. And I was thinking Sam, but didn't want to rule out, y'know, reams of hot sex in Rodney's past.
Except the part where other geeks find geeks appealing.
Oh, absolutely. I'm a complete geek, went to all-geek college, and--funny thing, there was a lot of sex being had all around. It torques me off when anyone (badly) characterizes geeks (like, say, McKay) as being undateable/virginal just because they're geeky. I just get annoyed by "geek chic" being applied to, like, a yuppie with a pair of glasses and an IPod.
That's cool, to not be certain though. :)
Heh, thanks. Not to be obnoxiously coy, but I'm not convinced Sheppard knows what he's offering.
Thanks, fanaddict! (btw, I am going to respond to your responses to my episode geekfest--I just wanted to wait until I had good time to sit down and ponder, because--er, I'm a giant dork and I love talking TV. *g*)
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Date: 2004-10-15 10:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-10-16 06:27 am (UTC)Even better! Rodney thinks he knows what's going on with Sheppard. Sheppard thinks he knows what's going on with Rodney. And neither of the them see the "Danger! True Lurrrve!" sign ...
no subject
Date: 2004-10-16 07:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-10-19 09:25 pm (UTC)I love it! My GOD, that is so him! He's such a man's man he can fuck 'em and not even bat an eye...
Boy do you channel Marine, sweetheart. I'm all gooshy. Snerk.
Leah
PS: Thank you so much for your praise! I'm just so damn happy to be able to help you. Your stuff is so good.
no subject
Date: 2004-10-19 09:45 pm (UTC)And, you so totally deserve accolades. My word speaks only truth.