aesc: (yes and yes)
aesc ([personal profile] aesc) wrote2007-10-07 08:31 pm

.ficlet: Fine - John/Rodney (Nantucket)

Fine, Nantucket AU (~480 words)

Sketch for Bead, who helped me out of my own uffdahness by asking what Nantucket Rodney would do when faced with uffdah!John. Also, she told me that there is such a thing as Green & Black's ice cream. asdlkjf *flails*

PS for Jenn: I don't really know when this takes place--it could be any time, really!


Most times John is fine. Happy--really, bone-deep happy, a concept that's been, at least until recently, mostly foreign to Rodney. He fits Nantucket and Nantucket fits him, a summer-slow grace to both of them (warm, rough, content to let days and nights draw out), balanced as they are at the edge of a chaotic ocean that brings waves and wind that John can ride like he was born to either one.

At times, though, John hovers between lethargy and a strange restlessness, which manifests itself in movement and impatience that have no focus. Like now, he's swept half the living room floor, then abandoned the cat hair, dog hair, and dust for a walk down the street. Even when he's gone, dissatisfaction fills their small house, makes the air trace chilly paranoia down Rodney's neck.

Rodney goes over the events of the past few days and can't find any reason for John's moodiness. Their morning walks with Cash, John spending most of those days the air, Rodney’d had a conference call with morons from MIT one day and exchanged violent emails with Zelenka the next, John going for a run after work, pizza for dinner both nights, and the second night John had reached for him at two in the morning and Rodney had been sleepy and surprised.

So there's nothing, nothing, except it seems that there is, when John stalks back in a few minutes later still bristling with undirected, unhappy energy. Rodney hovers at his computer, torn between looking at the screen and looking at John, who's glaring death through the kitchen window. Soft, exasperated sigh and yeah, Rodney knows that feeling--something unaccountable, maybe the voice of reality breaking through to say don't get comfortable or it’s not enough, but nothing he can see or touch or tell to stop.

And it could be any one of a thousand things, but John doesn’t tell and Rodney doesn’t ask. They work on inference and silence most of the time, and most of the time it works. They work.

Eventually he wanders out to the living room, where John is sitting on the couch, elbows on his knees, drawn and tense. His posture warns against hovering, which is Rodney's first instinct--he always hovers when he's nervous--but he makes himself sit down close by John and makes his hands stay still, although they want to paint their agitation in the air and he really really really wants to say something.

He stays silent, silent, biting down on What's wrong?, not that he likes talking about these things but because he desperately needs to talk because he's getting nervous, and then, then--just before he cracks and breaks the rules and begs John to tell him, John sighs.

Different this time, a loosening, and his shoulder is warm where John leans against him.

[identity profile] sheafrotherdon.livejournal.com 2007-10-08 12:45 am (UTC)(link)
asdjhflasdfh oh I want to go curl up with them both.

[identity profile] aesc.livejournal.com 2007-10-08 12:53 am (UTC)(link)
Boys!

They will probably be curled up together on the couch, as soon as John decides he isn't emo anymore :>

[identity profile] sloganeer.livejournal.com 2007-10-08 01:01 am (UTC)(link)
I think this is, like, the definition of why I love Nantucket stories. This is where they can just be in each other's space and there are no words necessary.

[identity profile] aesc.livejournal.com 2007-10-08 02:18 am (UTC)(link)
*meeep* Thank you so much!

[identity profile] dogeared.livejournal.com 2007-10-08 01:06 am (UTC)(link)
Oh I just love how much Rodney knows John's moods, knows how to navigate around him, even when he's concerned and worried about maybe doing the wrong thing, and their little routines, and finally, finally, loosening and leaning . . . *sigh!*

[identity profile] aesc.livejournal.com 2007-10-08 02:19 am (UTC)(link)
and their little routines

*flails* They have routines now, Jenn! asdljkf

This seems like kind of a big deal :D

(And yis, looking through it again it does go much better after "Fall.")

[identity profile] adafrog.livejournal.com 2007-10-08 01:51 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, wonderfully done.

[identity profile] aesc.livejournal.com 2007-10-08 02:13 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you so much! :D

[identity profile] tex.livejournal.com 2007-10-08 01:59 am (UTC)(link)
Ooh, this was kind of worrisome. John out of sorts concerns me, too. But I love that you included a little glimpse into their week - John running, walking on the beach with Cash and Rodney, middle of the night sex. Nantucket wasn't so peaceful this time, was it? But you'll make it better, right?? *hearts*

[identity profile] aesc.livejournal.com 2007-10-08 02:21 am (UTC)(link)
Nantucket wasn't so peaceful this time, was it? But you'll make it better, right??

They will always be okay! Though I think we still need to figure out what's bugging John :>

[identity profile] stillwaters11.livejournal.com 2007-10-08 02:37 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, this worried me too. I'm quick to adopt Rodney's paranoia don't get comfortable or it’s not enough,.
That John can lean on Rodney at the end is such a relief!

[identity profile] aesc.livejournal.com 2007-10-08 03:22 am (UTC)(link)
I'm quick to adopt Rodney's paranoia

Oh, me too. I'm one of those people who worries if there isn't at least a bit of doom and gloom in her life.

That John can lean on Rodney at the end is such a relief!

*happy sigh!!!*

[identity profile] girlnamedpixley.livejournal.com 2007-10-08 02:54 am (UTC)(link)
Oh wow. I wasn't prepared for Nantucket angst! But this was gorgeous and so utterly...palpable. (Is that a really bizarre adjective to use in this situation?) But I just really *felt* the tension in that house and I love Rodney knowing what he needs to do, even if it goes against everything he wants to do. (also I want him to make it better now!)

Love this. As always.

[identity profile] aesc.livejournal.com 2007-10-08 03:29 am (UTC)(link)
Oh wow. I wasn't prepared for Nantucket angst!

It's like the Spanish Inquisition :D No one expects it!

But I just really *felt* the tension in that house and I love Rodney knowing what he needs to do, even if it goes against everything he wants to do

Oh, Rodney :> He is very brave, isn't he? And I'm sure he'll make it better... (Though I still don't quite know what's bugging John.)
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[identity profile] beeej.livejournal.com 2007-10-08 03:35 am (UTC)(link)
Aw. *hugs them both*

[identity profile] aesc.livejournal.com 2007-10-08 03:54 am (UTC)(link)
*snorfles you!*
siria: (Default)

[personal profile] siria 2007-10-08 06:41 am (UTC)(link)
Oh noes akehrkajghekrgh :O Boys!

[identity profile] aesc.livejournal.com 2007-10-08 01:17 pm (UTC)(link)
Boyyyys! But they will be okay, I'm sure of it!
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[identity profile] syntaxe.livejournal.com 2007-10-08 08:35 am (UTC)(link)
Lovely! Whenever I feel bad for our boys, I tuck them into Nantucket.

[identity profile] aesc.livejournal.com 2007-10-08 01:18 pm (UTC)(link)
It is a very happy-making place! :> Thank you!

[identity profile] gaffsie.livejournal.com 2007-10-08 03:29 pm (UTC)(link)
Everything in this series feels so real, and I love it.

[identity profile] aesc.livejournal.com 2007-10-08 04:11 pm (UTC)(link)
*smooshes* Thank you so much! :D

[identity profile] psyko-kittie.livejournal.com 2007-10-08 05:22 pm (UTC)(link)
Lovely fic :)

[identity profile] aesc.livejournal.com 2007-10-08 05:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you! :D
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[identity profile] the-oscar-cat.livejournal.com 2007-10-08 08:17 pm (UTC)(link)
Wow. Incredible sense of tension. A classic example of 'dealing with people you love is hard!' because sometimes it really is.

<3

[identity profile] aesc.livejournal.com 2007-10-08 09:53 pm (UTC)(link)
*snuffles* Thank you!!! And it is, isn't it? *sighs*

[identity profile] aesc.livejournal.com 2007-10-12 06:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks :)

[identity profile] aesc.livejournal.com 2007-10-12 06:36 pm (UTC)(link)
:D Thank you!

[identity profile] beadattitude.livejournal.com 2007-10-18 03:58 am (UTC)(link)
Came by to read again. Hmmm. So dear.

[identity profile] aesc.livejournal.com 2007-10-26 03:46 am (UTC)(link)
*snorfles youuuu* Silly boys they are!