fic: Alpha Centauri 7.5 -- Mutual Thing

[hth]

Mutual Thing
by Hth
part of the Alpha Centauri series

NOTES AND WHATNOT: I can't finish the freaking series until the new season starts, not so much because I'm afraid canon will screw me up (it always does, so why sweat it?), but because there's stuff coming up that fits so well into what I planned to do with 8 that it would be a crime not to use it. Meanwhile, it occurred to me that at the end of 7, I said some things were going to happen that, on further reflection, y'all might like to actually see happen, rather than just take my word for it. Thus, this bright and uplifting little breakup story, which takes place shortly before "Michael" and contains very minor spoilers for that episode and for "The Tower," as well as a whole mess of references to everything previous to this in the Alpha Centauri universe. Seriously, don't even think about starting with this one.

Comments

[bakarti.livejournal.com]

That hurt. It was really well done. I kept trying to deny what was happening, but it was inevitable. I don't know how this can be made right, but I have faith in you. And now I have another reason to look forward to the start of the series.

I was wondering if John even remembers what he said when he was all drugged up in the aftermath of the bug-thing? Where he ordered Ronon to tend to Rodney. And where he implied that he (John) had sex with Rodney so that Rodney would be nicer to be around. Does John realize how much that hurt Rodney?

[hth-the-first.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I appreciate the vote of confidence!

I think John was way, way too doped up to remember any of that. But the odd thing about that scene is that, in his own stripped-raw and high-as-a-kite way, I do think it shows his affection for Rodney. He genuinely wants -- and through the series, consistently wants -- Rodney to be happy, to be happy with Ronon, if that's what it takes. Except for the way it's framed, there's really not all that much difference between John in Contagious saying he did it so Rodney would relax and not be so highstrung and John in this story remembering that he did it to help Rodney cope and to make him more comfortable with himself. And the flashbacks in Commitment, although admittedly they show that there was an element of boredom mixed in, are also a lot about John being concerned about him and wanting to do something to help. John's romantic feelings for Rodney really did grow out of his friendship; I think he tells Ronon about it while he's drugged because he knows that Ronon would understand that, them both being on the same page in terms of wanting to -- well, tend Rodney, in the figurative if not the literal sense. Anyway, I think that scene in Contagious is sad because Rodney clearly doesn't understand what's being said there -- can't translate from drugged-John into normal-human to see that what John is saying is, I've always tried to take care of Rodney, and when I can't, I trust you to.

Anyway, the whole series is a mess of bad communication, more than anything else. Somebody is going to have to become bilingual in this relationship. *g* I'm glad you're looking forward to the next one!

[bakarti.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the insight into what John was feeling. I feel a lot better about that scene now. Sometimes I think I'm too hard on John just 'cause I'm way too protective of Rodney.

Somebody is going to have to become bilingual in this relationship. Very true!
:)