Priceless

by boilerbmw

URL: http://www.area52hkh.net/asb/boilerbmw/priceless.php
Summary: Christmas on the run for John and Rodney

John felt an insistent patting and tried to burrow deeper under the covers. He could tell that it was dark and cold and he could think of absolutely no reason to wake up and face reality.

"John..John are you awake?"

Well, maybe one reason. Rodney McKay was nothing if not tenacious; John knew that Rodney would pat, poke, and prod him until he got what he wanted. Apparently what he wanted was for John to wake up.

Blearily, John opened an eye and regarded his lover. What he saw surprised him enough to wake him up completely and even brave the chill in the air.

Rodney looked excited..happy even. It was not a look that had been seen on anyone's face recently. Six months ago they had been forced to leave Atlantis. Unable to withstand the latest Wraith attack, Weir and Sheppard had jointly decided to evacuate and destroy the gate. The members of the expedition had fled to a friendly world and John counted it as a victory that they had not lost a single person.

In the dark days that followed, it had actually been, of all people, Rodney McKay that had re-established hope. He came up with a story good enough to fool both military and scientists alike regarding information about an Ancient device that could give them enough power to send them home: kind of a super ZedPM. At least John thought it was a story. Neither he nor Elizabeth had ever asked and Rodney had never told.

After changing planets a few times, they had established a base on a planet rich with resources and a population recently culled by the Wraith. For once they actually had houses and food and at least a semblance of safety. They were re-grouping slowly but surely.

Rodney and John, without saying a word, had moved into a house together. No one acted surprised or dismayed. John decided that once you'd been chased by life sucking aliens and had to destroy your best chance at a way home, the ranking military leader sleeping with the chief scientist paled in comparison.

Bringing his mind to the present, John had to smile at the sight of his usually sober and intense scientist grinning like a loon.

"Come on, Major. Up and at 'em! It's morning!" Rodney pulled John up and wrapped him in a blanket. John smiled to himself. Rodney definitely fit the saying that actions speak louder than words. He didn't talk about his feeling often but he was always bringing John food or drink or warmer clothes. He seemed to thrive on doing things for John.

They went down to the first floor together and John stopped at the foot of the stairs and gazed in amazement at what had been done to their simple dwelling. Somehow Rodney had found a dozen or so candles and placed them all around the small room. The fire was giving off a rosy glow and..was that a potted tree by the fire? John realized that it was decorated with berries and a few paper ornaments. On the top of the tree was the infamous green turtle personal shield.

John laughed in delight at the sight and turned to a gently smiling Rodney. "What is going on you crazy Canuck? This looks like Christmas." His voice trailed off as Rodney flushed and started to fidget. "Talk to me, Rodney."

Rodney sighed deeply and seemed to gather his courage. " Actually, it is Christmas at home..I checked the calendar. Didn't seem to be much point in telling everyone. We have plenty of food but so much is uncertain right now. Anyway, I wanted to tell you..to talk to you. Oh hell, I suck at this." Rodney growled in frustration then seemed to recover.

"The thing is John, my family life wasn't great but in the early years, Christmas was this magical time. We'd get up so early and open gifts and eat and talk. Great fun, really. It turned bad when I was around 10 and really..never got better. I found that working over the Holidays got me one step up over my rivals so I've pretty much worked every Christmas of my adult life. There was never a spouse or lover important enough to change that..until now. I started thinking of how I'd spend Christmas if we were at home. And..I.. ah.. I'd want to spend it with you." Rodney's face was flushed and his eyes didn't quite meet John's.

John was pretty sure that this was the most Rodney had ever shared with him. He had learned early on not to push Rodney when it came to discussing emotions. When he pushed forward, Rodney retreated. So he accepted the loving touches and gestures and learned to live without the words; Rodney was worth it. He knew that silence right now would allow Rodney to continue.

"Anyway, I thought about it and..well here are your presents." Rodney went to the tree and picked up a handful of nothing and placed it in John's lap. John looked at Rodney's blushing, hopeful face and grinned, charmed by the unexpected whimsy.

"Hey it's a big one..wonder what it is?!"

Rodney actually closed his eyes in relief and then gave an answering grin. "Black leather jacket. It'll look great with your jeans and black shirt! Here's a small one to go with it."

"Hey, matching gloves, right?" John actually felt excitement bubble up at the idea that Rodney had planned out all the gifts he'd like to give him.

"Yep, but don't stop there- you have a lot more to go." And so it went. Rodney bringing each 'gift' to John, telling him the size and shape. John happily pretended to open books and CD's, a silver picture frame and a wallet. Warm flannel pajamas, satin sheets and a pair of green silk boxers followed these gifts.

"My God, Rodney you're spoiling me!" laughed John as he pretended to look for a space to put his latest gift. "I'm pretty sure I haven't been that good! And I didn't get you anything." Rodney had set the scene so well that John actually felt a twinge that he had nothing to give.

Rodney just looked at him, smiling gently. "Yes, John you have been that good. You have been without doubt, the best thing that has ever happened to me. You are beautiful, kind, generous of spirit and brave of heart. Most amazing of all? You love me for who I really am, not some person that you want me to be. That is the one gift I was sure I'd never receive. I know I don't say it often..well at all actually, I love you, John. I love all of you, the real you. The Major Sheppard who made a tough decision and led his people to safety, and the John who still has nightmares and blames himself for waking the Wraith. I love that you are so strong, such an incredible leader. And I love that you can give yourself to me without reservation or hesitation. You are so true to yourself that I feel like a coward holding back how I really feel. So, my last Christmas gift to you."

Rodney lay down in the nest of blankets and pillows and pulled and pushed until John was in his arms. Holding John's face in his hands and looking into eyes that were none to dry, Rodney kissed him. Gently at first then increasing in passion. When John was panting and slightly out of breath, Rodney pressed a small box into his hands. It took John a moment to realize it was real.

"You are the best part of me, John. I love you more than words could say. That is a lousy excuse for not telling you that you are loved, but you know I don't always do too well discussing emotions. So..this is a reminder from me to you that you are priceless to me. John, you are loved more than you could possibly know."

John slowly opened the plain wooden box and felt his heart skip a beat. It was a ring: a plain silver looking ring. Speechless, he took it out and noticed that there were markings inside the band. He knew enough Ancient to realize the word was the equivalent of the English word 'Priceless'. There were also the initials JS and RM.

"You don't ah actually have to wear it. I just wanted you to know that even if we were safe on Earth, I'd want to be with you." Rodney's face was pinkish and John could sense the retreat.

"Rodney, I want to wear this ring and I would wear it even if we were safe on Earth." John's face was a bit red as well as he heard the shaky quality of his voice. He felt as if Rodney had finally opened to him and he'd be damned if retreat was an option.

Slipping the ring on his finger, he grabbed Rodney and rolled them so John was on top, preventing a physical retreat. Now to stop the emotional retreat from happening. "Rodney, please believe me that this is the best Christmas I have ever had. Love you, so damn much!" John didn't try to keep the emotion out of his voice or the tears from his eyes. He began pressing light kisses over Rodney's face and neck.

Slowly he removed Rodney's shirt and continued the soft teasing kisses. Throat, chest, nipples..all were treated to his lips and tongue. He kept up his litany of praise and love. "Love you, want you..swear I will never leave you! Want all you'll give me. God, means everything that you did this for me! Since you think of me as your gift..you can unwrap me! Make me yours."

Between the loving words and playful kisses, Rodney was speechless with passion. Almost growling, he rolled them back so he was once again on top. He removed John's nightclothes quickly and efficiently. His tongue thrust into John's mouth with the same rhythm that his erection pressed into John's matching hardness. Finesse went out the proverbial window as John reached for the lotion they kept by the fireplace. One finger then two, Rodney prepared John.

"God, I love watching you." Rodney groaned. He was making contact with John's prostate with every thrust of his fingers.

It was always an internal battle: make John come while Rodney prepared him or make him wait until Rodney was buried deep within John's body? Sometimes the answer was..both! Rodney leaned down and took John in his mouth, sucking firmly, keeping up the internal pressure with three fingers now.

John was beyond pleasure and he came with a long drawn out groan. The sound rose to a near shriek as Rodney pushed into his body, holding still until John adjusted. Then Rodney pistoned into John's body with an almost painful intensity. John knew that he'd have bruises from the firm grip on his hips. The raw emotion in Rodney's eyes, the tears that rolled down his cheeks and the word of loved that- finally- poured from his lips, all served to push John back up to the heights of passion. He felt so full, so much damn pleasure. Rodney was angled so that every thrust hit John's still sensitive prostate. John clenched his internal muscles and heard Rodney cry out wildly. The rush he felt as Rodney spent himself in his body triggered his second orgasm and he felt his back arch, and his eyes roll back and the world actually dim for a moment. The pleasure was so intense he almost feared it as he trembled through the aftershocks.

As he drifted back to reality, John felt himself wiped off with a damp cloth and tucked beneath warm blankets. He was held firmly in Rodney's arms and their fingers were twined together. Rodney brought their hands to his mouth and kissed John's ring, murmuring softly, "Priceless, John and loved so, so much."

As he cuddled up with his lover, feeling safe and warm and loved, he wondered if he could figure out a way to get a ring for Rodney by Valentines Day! He had just decided on the inscription as he finally drifted off to sleep.