omg_wtf_yeah | SGA Fiction: The Long Engagement (Pt. 16/16), NC-17

Title: The Long Engagement, 16/16
Rating: NC-17
Fandom: Stargate Atlantis
Pairing: McKay/Sheppard (McShep)
Secondary Pairings: background McKay/Keller (predating McShep), Teyla/Ronon
Words: about 51,222
Summary: McShep Steampunk!Atlantis AU. Acrobat John Sheppard of Sheppard Circus Co. unintentionally navigates his troupe into Lantean territory and runs afoul the mistrustful leader of Atlantis, Dr. Rodney McKay. While the troupe plays shows for the Lanteans, Rodney proposes that he and John's adopted sister, Jennifer, get engaged. To get his way and John's blessing, Rodney has to convince John that he's good for John's sister, but his plans go awry as the men get closer and what Rodney wants begins to change.
Notes: My SGA Big Bang entry. Thank you, my superawesome betas:

ishie and

teenygozer, my friends:

kay_greatness,

mad_lynn, and

murderdetective, and my artists:

fractalreality,

saldemonium, and

cynicatlantis.
Art: I was fortunate to get three artists who created amazing companion art for the story. I was blown away by what they came up with, it was so perfect and amazing. I completely, totally love them. So, please, check them out!
Full Story on the SGA Big Bang server

Sixteen

It was a month before it stopped raining, and two months after that that the flood waters began to recede. In the end, the valley had become a swollen lake on which, they'd planted Atlantis. The city perched on its spider-like stilts. By the time the rainy season was over, the engagement was also at an end.

In the office Grodin had acquired for Elizabeth in the main tower, Weir had clasped her hands on the edge of her desk and had told John: "It's nearly time,"

John had understood and swallowed. His heart hammered in his fists as he'd clenched them in his pockets and nodded his head.

The week before the troupe packed up was bright and sunny. A breeze rose from the east and rolled across the prairie. The sky was a clear blue overhead, dotted with radiant clouds as white as clean linens that caught the sunlight. The troupe spread trunks and crates out on the black soil and inspected the cargo that had gone so long without sun.

John spread the tents out on the ground, and sunned the mildewed fabric. Across the field, the crew was doing the same as he was, and the prairie looked like a patchwork quilt with the many-colored tents spread out.

Sweat beaded on his brow and his bare back as he worked, wearing just black trousers tucked into his black boots and work gloves. The wind rustled over the fabric and as John and Teyla unrolled the cobalt-colored wardrobe tent, the fabric caught the breeze and billowed in the air.

The corners of Teyla's eyes wrinkled as she laughed aloud, shaking her head and John chuckled, weighting the edges down with rocks.

As John knelt on the cobalt fabric, Teyla's eyes seized on something behind him, and her smile mellowed. John, focused on the tent beneath him, didn't notice. "I think I will get some water for myself and…." She laid a hand on the modest curve of her stomach, smiling.

John looked up at her and squinted against the light. "Okay."

Teyla nodded and took a step back. Turning on her heel, she walked back to the mess, the only tent left standing upright.

A soft footfall sounded on the crushed grass behind John. "Do you ever wear clothes?" Rodney's voice issued from behind.

John turned his head and shielded his eyes from the sun. It had been a week since he'd seen the scientist. He paused, calming the rising beat of his heart as he shrugged a shoulder. He dropped his hand onto the tent beneath him and looked up at McKay with furled eyebrows.

Rodney stood with the sun at his back in a light gray waistcoat and matching trousers. His white shirt sleeves were rolled to the elbow. He had his hands in his pockets as he looked down at John on the ground. The fabric of his pants rippled in the wind.

"I mean," He lifted his eyes to the horizon and idly scratched his crinkled brow. "Is this a practicality thing or is it an aesthetic choice? Because the other people in your troupe don't have this problem—"

John settled back onto the ground and scowled playfully. "I'm not feeling friendly, Rodney."

McKay hummed lowly in his throat and cast a glance at John's bare chest. "Too bad."

John swallowed his surprise and squinted up at the scientist, flicking a shoot of grass from his knee.

"So…." McKay cast a look around the wide field and the tents arranged around. His sandy hair fluttered in the breeze. "Moving out…?"

John's heart fell and he nodded, resting his hands on his bent knees. "Elizabeth wants us to head out day after tomorrow."

McKay turned his face to John and his brows met. His mouth curved down in a grimace. He paused and John swallowed, keeping his eyes on Rodney.

"Doesn't take long, does it?" The scientist asked finally.

John shrugged his shoulders and stood. "Not too long," he agreed. He walked around the edge of the tent and skirted its perimeter, coming to a large trunk nearby.

McKay paused then followed at his back. "And what are you going to do?" he asked.

John's throat felt tight and his heart was low. "Same as always," he said, "move on." He opened the trunk and shuffled through the contents. Beside him, McKay shifted restlessly.

"Look, wait," Rodney said. He laid his hand flat on the lid of the trunk and closed it, shouldering into John's view. His blue eyes passed over John's features and John furled his brows, cocking his head aside impatiently. His heartbeat hastened at the closeness of Rodney's frame. He could smell the scent of soap on Rodney's skin and he remembered the contours of his body beneath his clothing. "Yeah?" he asked.

"You can't go," Rodney said.

John shook his head, narrowing his eyes on the other man. "I've gotta go, Rodney. It's my name on the sign."

Rodney's mouth sagged, and he looked helpless. "So what?" he asked, "Isn't Jennifer going?"

At his sister's name, John's head lifted and he stared intently at McKay. "Yeah."

McKay gestured with one hand before dropping it back to the lid of the trunk. "It's her name, too." John stared at him silently for a long moment before laughing into his chest.

Rodney's eyes moved over John's profile. "Anyway, you can't leave," he finished decisively.

John shook his head, lifting his hazel eyes to Rodney. "Yeah?" he asked. "Why's that?" The pressure in his chest abated as he looked at McKay.

"Who else is going to test-fly the air ship?"

Again, John chuckled in surprise. He scanned the horizon, where the members of his troupe unfurled the tents in the breeze and beyond them, where the red-orange Torii stood, lopsided and muddy from the flood. "It's really simple for you, huh?" he asked.

McKay shifted, shaking his head vaguely, and John sobered. "I'm part of the troupe," he said.

At his words, McKay looked up. "You're Lantean," he argued.

John shook his head and propped his hands on his sweat-slick hips. He raised his face to the sky and thought of what had brought them there – he thought of McKay and Jennifer, of the time Rodney and he had spent together, how they'd fought. Despite how hard he'd pushed him, McKay had always pushed back. John's heart pained him as he contemplated the road away from Atlantis and McKay.

"And…," McKay began lowly.

"And?" John asked.

McKay shook his head dismissively and impulsively wrapped his hand around the inside of John's elbow, pulling him in. John nearly stumbled and found Rodney's hand on the side of his face. Their bodies brushed, from chest to hip bone, and John narrowed his eyes, his gaze moving over McKay's face. Heat flooded his skin and suffused his features with color. Rodney's eyes were bright and emotive.

"This," he said.

He pressed their lips together.

John lifted his hand to push Rodney away, but when he touched his shoulder he found the impulse had passed. He opened his mouth to Rodney's kiss and slid his hand up the scientist's neck, holding him fast. A pang of desire ran through John's body as he pressed closer, holding onto McKay.

When they broke apart, John was short of breath. He swallowed. "Pretty compelling argument," he muttered, wetting his lips with his tongue.

McKay shrugged, his hand still lightly wrapped around John's arm. "I'm really convincing when I need to be," he replied.

John ran a hand through his hair, glancing sidelong around the plain for open observers.

"So?" Rodney asked expectantly.

John's heartbeat filled his body and heat filled his face. "Sure. Maybe. We'll see how it works out."

When he turned back, McKay grinned and John rubbed the back of his gloved hand over his mouth to conceal his smile.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The troupe moved out early on a Sunday; the sky was pale blue with large white clouds like sails spread out. A cool breeze came from the South. Ronon and Teyla, like John, had decided to stay in Atlantis. Unexpectedly, Esposito and Grodin had decided to move on with the troupe. It was Elizabeth who most surprised John with her decision to move on, but she wouldn't take leave of her duty until she'd made sure that her troupe returned to Europe safely.

The Lanteans and circus assembled in the field among the packed wagons to say good-bye. John and Rodney were among them.

Jennifer had come to speak with him in Atlantis after Rodney had kissed him in the field. He hadn't needed to tell her about them – it was clear from her expression that she'd already heard. Gossip had passed through the city like an electrical current and by that evening, everyone had known. Though the look in her eyes was equal parts understanding and pain, she didn't want to talk about it anymore than John did.

She'd pressed her lips and lifted her round blue eyes to her brother. "I have to distinguish myself as an individual," she'd said. "And I feel like I can't do that here."

John tried to convince her to stay but Jennifer was steadfast. He had laid a hand on her arm and swallowed hard. "If that's what you need to do…if you're sure," he'd said.

"I'm sure."

As she spoke, John felt a sharp pang of regret. He didn't know if he could right what had happened between them. But Jennifer didn't seem angry with him anymore; she seemed, in part, to understand. John let it go.

Jennifer clasped his hand as they packed up, and at her shoulder Aiden Ford looked down. John embraced both of them and watched as they boarded Jennifer's wagon (Jennifer inside and Ford on the box). For a long time, Jennifer stood at the railing on the small balcony and the siblings talked before Jennifer's eyes filled with tears and she said, "I have to put some things away before we get underway."

John nodded his head and watched as she closed the door behind her, casting a last glance at John.

Nearby, Ronon and Teyla were embracing Weir, talking lowly. Weir's features conveyed confidence and happiness despite the situation. She laid a hand on Teyla's stomach and smiled at the parents-to-be.

John turned as she moved on from saying good-bye to Teyla and Ronon and stopped beside him. Her tall, thin frame was swathed in a long red coat.

"John," she said, smiling. John nodded and Elizabeth sighed. "I don't know what I'll do without you around," she said.

John nodded to Aiden. "Ford knows what to do. He can get the job done." The man in question ducked his head and looked touched.

"I know he will," Elizabeth replied, "but we'll miss you."

John shrugged uncomfortably. His chest was tight with emotion. At length, he nodded his head. "Us, too," he admitted quietly.

Weir nodded, smiling and John blinked, sighing. "Can you do me a favor while you're in Europe?" he asked.

Elizabeth nodded. "Of course," she replied. "What is it?"

John cast an indecisive glance at Rodney where he stood ten meters away. He turned back to Elizabeth and pulled a letter from inside his black vest. "Can you deliver this for me?" he asked.

John held out a white envelope. Its edge flickered in the low breeze. Elizabeth cocked her head, looking at John curiously as she took it. Her blue eyes ran over the address and her brows knit. She looked up at John.

"Jeannie Miller?" she asked curiously.

John lifted a shoulder, pursing his lips cryptically.

Elizabeth narrowed her eyes, the corners of her lips rising. "Okay, John," she replied, "If you can't give me answers, I'll find out on my own."

John smirked and, rising on the balls of his feet, he pulled a hand from his pocket to point at the letter. By the assembly of wagons, Rodney was frowning, nodding grimly to Carson Beckett. The Scotsman's eyes gleamed with tears. John caught their figures in the corner of his eye and grinned. "Make sure you get that to her," he said.

Elizabeth tucked the envelope into the inner pocket of her riding jacket and suppressed a smile. "Aye, aye," she replied playfully, frowning severely. Then she met John's eyes and her features lightened. "I will."

John nodded. "All right," he said. His voice was grainy and low.

Elizabeth smiled at him, decisively nodding her head. She seemed to understand his silence. "I won't say good-bye," she said cleverly, "but I will say, 'Until next time.'"

John's throat tightened and he swallowed, nodding his head. "Take care of my guys," he told her.

"I will," Elizabeth promised.

John could see in her expression that she would. He nodded and pushed his hands into his pockets, frowning into the sun.

After Beckett and Miko and the others had climbed into their wagons and were settling on their seats, Elizabeth looked around the assemblage with clear blue eyes and yelled, "Head out!"

Rodney ambled over to John's side and stood at an angle. In his periphery, John could see the early sunlight gild the line of his cheekbone as he looked out at the wagons.

"Hmm," Rodney murmured and hooked his hand into his pocket. As he did, the side of his palm brushed John's and his long, thin fingers slipped briefly into the cup of John's hand.

John ducked his head and smiled. The breeze carded through the tufted stands of his dark hair.

Elizabeth climbed onto the back steps of her wagon and stood beneath the awning, her hand curved on the rail. She swayed and kept her bearing as the wagon lurched beneath her, and began to roll. "Look for us next summer," she called.

Rodney and John nodded, John smiling and Rodney frowning wistfully. Elizabeth's stare lingered on them then rose to the east where Atlantis gleamed in the sunlight. She took in a breath and nodded her head, opening the door behind her. She slipped inside and disappeared from sight.

"See you then," John said.

The End

So that was it! Hope you liked it -- I had a hell of a time writing it. Thanks to anyone who reads it. ♥