Chapter Text
The team eat together happily Rodney talks with Lorne and the marines. John sat with Ronon and Teyla also joined by Radek who was rather quiet “Did see how different McKay looks lately?” Said a curious Ronon eyeing the scientist from afar.
John sees what Ronon is talking about, “Now that you mention it, I have.” Rodney looked buff he wore his short sleeve black top, with the black uniform jacket. His hair was slicked back looking very rakish, and in his hand, he held an apple his leg up on a chair.
Seeing Rodney with the marines was different, Teyla speaks. “I heard he been training with Lorne and the marines he even goes running.”
John has questions now, “Why?” Feeling like saying his opinion Ronon speaks, “No one knows for sure he certainly looks fitter.”
He gets distracted seeing Rodney getting noticed. “With DADT gone, I see Rodney is getting a lot of male attention.” Said Teyla seeing Lorne puts his hand on McKay’s shoulder. A while ago Lorne said to Sheppard he was gay. This looked like he was trying too hard cozy up to Rodney.
“Gonna do anything about it, Colonel?” Said Ronon in a smug voice he wanted to punch Ronon for bringing it up. It took a minute before John responds, “I don’t think he likes me that way.” He pouts looking sad not wanting to face it.
Radek wasn’t shocked to hear Sheppard say that, Ronon talks again “You kidding. I’ve seen him check you out on missions he likes you.” Ronon shoves food in his mouth looking justified.
What! He said to himself wondering when Rodney checked him out. He checked and looked at Rodney’s ass before John hoped it wasn’t too late “When did Rodney check me out? I don’t seem to recall him doing that.” He said trying not to sound surprised by what Dex said.
“I see him look at you when he thinks you’re not looking.” This earns a smirk from Radek who was talking to Teyla. They listened to Ronon and John going back and forth as Radek speaks. It pained him to think Rodney thought he had to change to please people.
“I noticed changes in Rodney, I think it’s because of gossip.” It broke his heart thinking that Rodney changed for gossip sucks,
“What did he hear about” John stares his cute-looking puppy eyes at Radek as he takes a bite of his sandwich.
“Gossip from scientists even marines comment about him all the time.”
“In what way?” John said more sternly this time losing patients. “Saying how awful he is, how not good-looking Rodney is compared to his team.” Ronon and Teyla’s faces fell at that comment crap thought Sheppard. “That’s crazy Rodney doesn’t care what people think.”
“I think he does by evidence of his appearance.” Radek looks at Rodney making the marines and Lorne laugh. “You should talk to him.”
“Yeah, I should um, excuse me.” John gets up and walks over to Rodney and the marines. He hears part of the conversation Lorne speaks up.
“McKay, want to come to my quarters tonight, we can eat and I can show you some new moves.” Damn! Lorne moved in fast John coughed to make his presence aware. “Hey, Rodney?” Rodney turns around smiling at John with the apple still in his other hand.
“Sheppard come to join us?” Said Lorne keeping his hand on McKay’s shoulder.
“Ah, no I just wanted to pull Rodney away to talk.”
“No problem we’ve got some paperwork to do see you later McKay.” Lorne grins while squeezing Rodney’s shoulder earning a smile from Rodney.
John wanted to wipe the smile off his face, and he watches them leave he quickly pulls Rodney out into the hallway after they are gone out of sight.
“Major what’s wrong?” Said Rodney curiously.
“Nothing we need to talk quarters ok.”
“Fine.” He pulls Rodney to the transporter to the rooms heading to Rodney’s.