Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"I'm still not seeing anything on the map." Rodney whined as he walked, head down as he studied the small ancient device in his hands.

John absently wondered how the man was able to walk blindly through the wooded path without tripping over some random root when he could trip over his own feet walking through Atlantis.

The genius wiped at his forehead with his shirt sleeve and frowned at the big alien leading them down the path. "Come on Ronon…. We've been walking for over an hour now. When are we going to get to this awesome, must see, paradise anyway?"

Ronon didn't even look back, just shrugging his large shoulders, his hand on his sweet pulse gun. Rodney grumbled some more and John was glad that he was bringing up the rear so that Rodney wouldn't see him grinning.

Thankfully, Teyla managed to distract both men before things got too 'rumble in the jungle', keeping them both occupied until they emerged from the thick tree line unto a breathtaking sight.

Ronon grinned as he watched Rodney's hand go slack around the ancient device he was holding, his mouth gaping open as he stared at the calm blue waters of the alien ocean. Pristine white sand stretched along the coast line for miles in either direction, separating the lush green of the dense forest from the crystal clear waters.

"Told you it would be worth the walk." He brushed his shoulder against the other man's, leaning in low to speak against the shell of his ear. Rodney nodded slowly, his eyes wandering up to the twin suns that hung high in the sky.

Ronon chuckled and placed a hand on Rodney's shoulder, pushing him along gently to where John and Teyla were already taking off their shoes and hanging their weapons on a nearby fallen tree trunk.

Making sure that the genius was situated in the middle of them all, he began to strip as well, leaving himself bare but for the long knife strapped to his thigh. He heard Rodney sputter behind him.

"We're skinny dipping? No one told me about the skinny sipping."

"You got a problem with nudity, Mckay?" John paused from where he had been unzipping his fly, his dog tags bright against his hairy chest. "Cuz I know we've all seen each other naked a bunch of times on missions."

"Of course not." Rodney made a face, "I work with the three hottest people on Atlantis, I have absolutely no problem with nudity." He jabbed a sharp finger at the suns. "I have a problem with melanoma though. Do you know how easy it is to get skin cancer? If someone had warned me I would have brought along extra sunscreen for everybody."

Teyla shared a confused look with Ronon then turned back to her friend and team mate. "Skin…. Cancer?"

"Didn’t Carson brief either of you on this?" Rodney gave her a disbelieving look. At both Teyla's and Ronon's confused expressions, he turned and gave a helpless look at their team leader. "John."

Shephard nodded seriously. "I'll look into it when we get back."

Somewhat mollified, Rodney dug into one of the pockets of his vest, pulling out six little silver packets, handing one each to John and Teyla, two to Ronon and kept two for himself.

"Malignant Melanoma is a type of cancer that develops  in pigment containing cells in the body called melanocytes. It's what gives human skin it's complexion. It's mainly caused by UV rays which comes from direct exposure to sunlight."

Ronon gave a disbelieving huff. "Sunlight…. Can kill you?"

"Everything can kill you. " Rodney retorted, stripping out of the last of his clothes and folding them neatly on the tree trunk. He gestured as one of the little packages, tearing it open and squeezing out the white liquid inside. "The trick is to avoid being is a vulnerable position. Prevention is better than cure."

He cocked his head, "I can't believe no one in medical ever went over this with either of you. I have to talk to Carson about this. With all that I complain about his bone rattle and sheep's blood, simple protective measures should be taken for anyone going through the gate."

"I agree." John nodded, already slathering the cream on his body and rubbing it in. "I didn't even think about packing sunscreen in my gear. All teams should have it. Or at least put it on before each mission."

Teyla, who had been looking at John's motions carefully, also tore open her packet and squeezed out the lotion. Rodney glanced over.

"Dot little spots all over your body, then rub them in. a little goes a long way. John, get her back and I'll do Ronon's. Make sure to get as much coverage as you can. We don't like cancer but sunburn is a major issue as well."

"Thank you, Rodney" Teyla smiled and got to work. Ronon copied, feeling a bit stupid but was willing to humour his teammates if they thought it was a legitimate concern. He'd never heard of someone getting 'skin cancer' but there was a lot about the universe he still didn't know.

The liquid was cool against his skin and he rubbed until the white streaks disappeared. Then Rodney's hands were on his back, warm and strong as they tried to cover all of his broad shoulders down to just above the crack of his ass.

"Thanks" he grunted as the hands pulled away, voice gruff because he hadn't had someone touch him like that in a long time.

"No problem" Rodney's voice was a bit breathy and low and he cleared his throat as he stepped away. The genius then turned around, handing him the pack over his shoulder. "Do me."

Ronon barked a laugh and stepped closer, warming the liquid on his hands before putting it to the man's skin. "Don't mind if I do."

He smiled to himself as he saw a flush crawl up Rodney's neck and around to his back. Ronon's cock twitched and he willed it still. There'd be time for that later… if Rodney really was interested.

Ronon was a patient man. He would wait until they were in a more private place before approaching the man about sharing blankets. The genius was practical minded, often talking about missing sex and Ronon knew that the other man had taken several partners on Atlantis.

On Seteda, the warriors often shared their bodies with each other. It brought them closer and satisfied their sexual appetites. It was different on Atlantis, earth people were such prudes.  He'd approached John one time but the man, though thoroughly flattered, flummoxed and embarrassed at the offer, had politely declined and explained about the myriad of earth ways which made it a bad idea.

In the end though, John admitted that he didn't feel comfortable having relations with someone under his direct command and since he was the military leader, it narrowed his options greatly. That and the fact that he was something called Demisexual, which meant that he didn't find anyone sexually attractive unless he formed a strong emotional connection.

Ronon had been a bit confused but John had been patient in his explanations of the sexual spectrum. That kind of made all of Rodney's 'kirk' complaints baseless but John said it gave him a chuckle to hear Rodney bitch about it.

With all of them suitably protected from the sun, they waded into the cool waters with varying expressions of pleasure and joy. The sea was calm and so clear he could see the detail of his toe nails. John whooped and dove, swimming along the seabed until he came up on their other side.

Teyla was doing graceful strokes, the clear waters sluicing off her firm, naked body as she cut through the water. Ronon could see the holster of his knife, dark against his thigh and he ducked under the water a few times to get his locks wet through.

Rodney was making faces at the water and Ronon swam over. The genius was examining a piece of smooth stone which looked dull in his palm but when he pulled it under water, it began to glow. He repeated the move a few times mumbling about ancient sea glass and other science stuff.

Ronon carefully cupped the other man's hand in his and turned it so that the small stone dropped into the water and sank. Before Mckay could sputter about it, Ronon pulled the wrist closer and pressed his mouth to Mckay's pulse point.

"Science later. Rest and Relaxation now."

The genius huffed. "Who taught you about R&R?"

Ronon pressed his lips to Mckay's shoulder, tasting the salt of the sea and the faint tang of sun screen. "I hang with marine's all day. I pick up stuff."

"Very well then…" Rodney's eyes were as blue and the waters around them, pink dusting his cheeks. "Race you to Teyla. Loser has to carry whatever stones I pick up later to study."

He dove away on the last would, making broad strokes to where Teyla lay floating. Ronon blinked a bit as the scientist's playfulness before growling and diving after him.

He wasn't going to be lugging a ton of glowy rocks back to the gate. No fucking way. 

Chapter Text

The rain looked pretty against the city's shield, even though they only had it up for a few hours a day. Even with the two full ZPMs they did have, they couldn't afford to run them down over a bit of rain. Well, not a bit of rain per say but a solid two weeks of steady downpour.

Thankfully they'd had more than a month's warning from the city, when what seemed to be meteorological labs had powered up all by themselves. Seeing that the city hadn't done that kind of thing before, Rodney had made it a top priority and set a crack team of scientists on it immediately.

The geeks had reported back that every twenty eight years, the planet's weather systems reached a break point and essentially had a rainstorm to end all rain storms. At that particular set of news, Rodney had exchanged a tired look with Zelenka, both men hissing a selection of soft curses under their breaths.

Then they got to work.

The linguists and translators were redirected to translate everything they could on the storm while the rest of the science division prepared the city for a complete lockdown.

The geeks in charge of Hydroponics were in near hysterics that the deluge of rain would upset the pH balance of their gardens but with the extra ZPM in place, the city had been able to show them how to secure the gardens.

Rodney led the team to open and flush all the water collections and treatment facilities, dedicating a full day to the effort. When asked for his reasoning, he explained how not only would concentrating on that area help them with their potable water problems but it would help flush the miles and miles of old systems under the city.

There was also the slight concern that if they didn't have enough proper drainage, the city could become waterlogged and sink under the ocean. And with the shield only having enough power to stay up for a little more than 60 hours continuously , they would all drown before they could solve the problem efficiently.

Shepard had the goons running around the city, battening down the hatches as all the ATA positive pilots shuttled the Athosians and most of their possessions off the main land and though the gate to the alpha site.

Teyla and a few of her people stayed, mostly to stand witness of the storm and tell the tale of its passing to the rest of their people. The meteorological team, or the weathermen as they were called amongst the city dwellers, had predicted that the Athosian village would be all but washed off the mainland, the water table expected to rise way above the ground level. The Athosians had been both alarmed and sad at the news but they were Pegasus born so they rolled with it.

Weir had ordered  a portion of their supplies to the alpha site as well as some non-essential personnel. They had also sent a message back to earth informing them of the upcoming storm.

The command team had been working almost non-stop, making sure that this storm didn't turn out like the last one. Zelenka had been in charge of making sure all the grounding stations were up and running, installing at least half as much more so that the expected lightning wouldn't harm the city. Rodney had already had plans from to harvest most of the energy and disperse the excess harmlessly out to sea. The approaching storm just brought the timeline up on them that's all.

With all of this going on, Ronon had been left to his own devices. He helped the goons with their grunt work, schlepped stocks and stores with the Athosians. He'd brought coffee to the geeks, especially Rodney, who he secured the best snacks and extra MREs for and coaxed him to eat and sleep as the genius worked himself into the ground.

They didn't get to spend much time together during that month, Rodney usually passing out whenever his head hit the pillow. Ronon didn't mind though, his lover and mate was protecting their home. He was working hard to protect their tribe.

Rodney wasn't the typical caregiver/ provider type, turning off most others with his acerbic tongue and intolerance for stupid bullshit. But Ronon wasn't most others. The smart mouthed genius reminded him so much of his mate on Seteda, a real firecracker and fierce warrior.

When he'd lost his whole world and been made a runner, he never thought that he would have that kind of love again. But Rodney Mckay was a man full of surprises and he'd shouldered his way into Ronon's heart in that tactless yet endearing way of his.

They were currently a week into the two week time frame and people were starting to go stir crazy. Hieghtmeyer had instigated a schedule of swapping people out for those at the alpha site as the steady downpour of rain falling from dark grey clouds had proven relentless and oppressive for some and they needed some time under clear blue skies.

Ronon had stayed on the city because Rodney had stayed. The rest of his team had stayed as well, though others came and went. He loved the rain personally. He loved the sound of it on the windows and along the piers. He loved how it looked on the slick grey metal of the city as well as how it blossomed into little yellow florets when it hit the activated shield.

He especially loved the look of it over the ocean from the view of his room. He'd moved his mattress over to the windows, collecting all of his blankets, pillows and cushions in to a giant nest. He'd placed one of the ancient space heaters he'd traded for off planet, and that Rodney had suped up for him, nearby; turning it on. It glowed a soft honey yellow that made the room glow when all the other lights were turned off.

He had a tray of snacks at the ready and reached over to grab his laptop, setting up one of those crackling fireplace background noise tracks wired to the speakers in his room. Rodney had set it up for him, allowing him to immerse himself in some of the beautiful and haunting earth music that reminded him of home.

When John had heard about Ronon's sweet set up, he'd bugged the resident genius to the same for him so that he could enjoy his Jonny Cash in surround sound. Frankly, Ronon thought that Shepard's favourite singer sounded like a frakhorn with its tail cut off.

John had looked offended when he'd told him so, frowning as Teyla choked on her juice. Thankfully, he didn't know exactly was a frakhorn was and why getting its tail cut off was so hilarious but he'd been distracted by Rodney thumping his tray down on the table, snagging all their attention with some crazy close call he'd just skillfully diverted. Teyla had traded a catty look with Ronon and he gave her a quick grin. No one would ever explain it to Shepard if they could help it.

He took one more look at his room, nodding in approval at the set up. He only needed one more thing for everything to be perfect. As if on cue, his door chimed and opened, his mate striding in with one hand to his comm unit and a white knuckled grip around his tablet.

Rodney ground out a terse few words the tossed his comm unit across the room with s snarl. His tablet got flung unto the thin padded frame of Ronon's bunk and he walked straight into his lover's arms without breaking stride. Ronon grunted as he braced for impact, wrapping his arms around the other man as Rodney smushed his face into Ronon's massive pecks.

"Everyone on this god forsaken city can go take a long walk off the shortest pier." The genius mumbled against his mate's chest. "If one more person complains about some unimportant piece of tripe while I'm trying not to let this city sink to the bottom of the fucking ocean, I'm going to beach the whole thing on the mainland and see how they like living on a mudflat."

Ronon chuckled, rubbing his hands up and down his lover's broad back, trailing a line of soft, open mouthed kisses down Rodney's cheek, jaw until he claimed that pouting mouth.

"Come on… You're overdue for your downtime. Zelenka and Miko will cover for you for the next 24 hours straight. I have something for you that will make you forget all of those assholes."

He bundled Rodney into the shower, sucking him off and fingering him until the man was lax and pliant against him. Drying him off tenderly, he brought the man to the nest and watched as his expression softened at the sight.

They ate the snacks and drank the sweet mulled wine that the Athosians made, soft fleece blankets and furs wrapped around their naked shoulders.

Once he had his lover warm, dry and sated, he lifted his lover by the hips and lowered him inch by inch unto his hard, leaking cock. Rodney keened against him, grasping at his shoulders and scraping bitten low nails along his back as they were so intimately joined. With the steady pour of the rain outside their windows, the warmth of the heater, the soft touch of the nest and the wet, sucking heat of Rodney around him, Ronon knew true happiness.

He rolled them over, laying his mate gently unto the piled furs as he continued to rock into him, swallowing the soft sighs and whimpers that fell from his lover's lips. Maybe one day Rodney would allow Ronon to pup him. They were sure to make beautiful, smart and strong babies.

Rodney wasn't ready for that, maybe he never would be. Ronon would never push. Bringing new life to Pegasus was a hard decision, one to be made by the bearer in the end. But if they did had children, born to them both and raised on Atlantis with Rodney's brains and Ronon's strength; he knew in his heart of hearts that they would be survivors.

But that was talk for the future. In this moment he had a different goal. Working Rodney's body and pulling pleasure from him until he was boneless, blissed out and at peace within his ever turning brain. As his lover shuddered through what would be the first of many orgasms that night, Ronon could swear he could hear Rodney's comms unit bleating weakly.

He ignored it, rocking into his mate as he chased his own release. Zelenka and Miko could surely handle whatever problem had cropped up. Whoever was calling would soon get tired of trying to get Rodney and call one of the other two.

And if they didn't and came knocking on his door, looking to disturb his lover's well deserved rest? Well, he'd make sure that they understood just how stupid of an idea that was.

Outside, the rain poured on.

Chapter Text

Ronon knew a lot of gate addresses by heart. He'd had to as a runner. He'd had to know which planets he could seek shelter on, which planets to lose his wraith pursuers on, which ones to find food on.

He also had to know which ones never to dial. Which ones lead to poisonous atmospheres or to enemies just as bad as the wraith. He had to keep them all in his head and keep them straight because one small mistake could lead to death, or worse.

When he came to live on Atlantis, and had come to learn of Rodney's voracious lust for knowledge, Ronon had decided to compile a list of address with little notes and annotations on what he knew of the planets that lay beyond.

The genius' eye had gone wide when Ronon had presented it to him as a courting gift, torn between racing to the labs to compare it to the database and jumping Ronon's bones right then and there. Thankfully for Ronon, sex won out and they'd tumbled into bed for a night of enthusiastic lovemaking.

Ronon had been smug for months after, every time Rodney brought up the list in meetings; advocating reasons to visit one planet over the other. It made him feel that visceral sort of satisfaction to know that he'd provided something for his mate that he took great pleasure and pride in.

Ronon wasn't a scholar but he wasn’t exactly open about his education either. It helped people underestimate him. It let them speak in front of him without censoring themselves, thinking him no smarter than the wall he was leaning against.

Rodney had been one of the first to suss him out, after Teyla of course. He'd waited until Ronon was ball deep inside of him and half way to losing his mind in pleasure before going in for the kill.

"You're smart aren't you?" he'd panted, his ass squeezing mercilessly on Ronon's cock as he rolled his hips deeply. "You can read ancient and you understand more in the labs than you let on, don't you?"

Ronon had been helpless to resist, nodding jerkily as he came hard. Then it was Rodney's turn to be smug for a month, though he agreed to keep his discretion. It was Ronon's choice to slot into the warrior's role but that didn't stop him from ranting to his lover in the privacy of their rooms without having to dumb things down.

Well, most of the time. Rodney was still light years ahead of Ronon and spoke in such terms that sounded like music to the man's ears but made no sense whatsoever.

One day, Rodney stalked into the room where Ronon was doing in morning katas and, after stopping and staring at Ronon's naked and sweaty body, had told him to prepare for a trip though the gate in an hour.

Ronon had nodded, smiling as Rodney trailed gently fingertips across his bare chest before slipping the digits into his mouth with a moan of pleasure. He wanted to pull the scientist to him so badly, to direct that talented mouth to his own. He would then guide Rodney gently to his nipples, which were already hardening, then further down.

But alas, Rodney tore his gaze away and stepped back towards the door, taking a deep and ragged breath and adjusting himself in his pants. He made Ronon promise to meet him in the hanger in an hour and stumbled from the room, leaving the man aching with need and no lover to indulge that need with.

A quick and very cold shower, he was geared up and walking into the hanger. Rodney was alone at the jumper, nervous and flushed when Ronon crooked an eyebrow.

"Where's Shepard and Teyla?"

"They're not coming today." Rodney waved him into the jumper and dropped himself into the pilot's chair. "It's just the two of us. I wanted to show you something."

Ronon only nodded as they descended into the gate room and Rodney started dialing. He recognized that address and frowned. The genius spoke before he could protest though.

"We've been able to replicate science drones in the city. Like the battle drones but these are smaller and collect data, transmitting it back through the gate. We've been sending them to the no go addresses on your list. Most of them are uninhabitable like your notes indicated but some of them are space gates. We found this one a week ago and all the astronomy geeks are over the moon. "

Rodney chuckled at his own pun as he deftly maneuvered them to the event horizon and Ronon inhaled sharply. "I wanted to show this to you because we wouldn't have even found this address without you. There's no sign of it in the database."

They emerged into wonder and Ronon leaned forward to gape at the sight before them. A massive nebula was sprawled around them, swirling and curling clouds of space dust and brilliant colour that took his breath away, spotted with bright stars that look close enough to reach out and touch.

Rodney ducked towards the back, tinkering with something until he called Ronon's attention away from the window. He was standing in the empty stern of the ship, nervously fidgeting. There was an Athosian blanket laid out on the floor, a hand woven basket of food and a few bottles of the sweet juice made from some weird earth fruit call pineapple. It was one of Ronon's favorites and he always tried to keep a few in the chiller in his room.

Rodney sank to his knees and extended his hand towards his mate and lover. When Ronon knelt before him, he pressed a series of buttons on his tablet and the ship around them flickered and disappeared. Rodney's calming hand stopped Ronon from flinching too hard.

"It's a hologram. It's not real. I just took the footage from outside the ship and projected it on the inside."

Ronon blinked, looking up at what appeared to be hard space, the nebula cresting above, around and below them. He reached out his arm and felt along the sides of the ship, the image flickering where his fingers trailed.

"Like Star Trek? The holodeck thing?"

Rodney laughed, his blue eyes bright. "Exactly like that."

He proceeded to crawl into Ronon's lap, gabbing about how he and Miko had been working on this project on the side and how he'd thought it a perfect idea to try it out here first with Ronon. A picnic, which Ronon loved. In this stunningly beautiful space, which Ronon helped them find.

He smiled at his mate as the scientist gestured, getting lost in the technical specs of the project. The only real option was to kiss him silent. Rodney moaned into the kiss, hips bucking as this lover's large hands slid down his broad back to grab his ass and squeeze.

Ronon pushed the basket aside, quieting Rodney's half hearted protests for food with kisses that left him breathless.

"Sex now, food later" Ronon growled, effectively stripping his mate's clothes off as he explored the exposed skin with his hands and tongue.

The genius looked glorious, laid out so perfectly for him on the blanket, his pale skin glowing from the colours of the nebula all around them. The whole world was beauty and colour and he lost himself to the hazy pleasure of sex with his mate.

Rodney was already slick and welcomed him into that wonderful, distracting heat that made Ronon shudder at the sensation. He bucked into his lover, tasting the salt of his skin and feeling that firm muscle under the man's softer curves.

He loved how Rodney gave everything, holding nothing back as he arched up into the thrusts, panting open mouthed and making little noises that should really be illegal in several galaxies.

Holding him carefully, Ronon rolled them until he was on his back, Rodney sitting astride him. Bracing his hands on his mate's hips and making sure that Rodney had his hands steady on Ronon's chest; he started fucking up into his mate steadily, keeping his strokes slow and deep.

Rodney shook, his head thrown back as he cried out from the change of angle and slow pace. His skin all but glowed, the nebula stretching out behind him to encompass the whole sky as if he was the centre of Ronon's universe.

Those blue eyes looked electric in the swirling colours, that pale skin glowing as if his mate was some kind of celestial body made flesh just for Ronon to hold, to fuck, to love. They came together, holding each other close and trembling as bliss swept them away across the universe.

They ate the food Rodney had packed and drank the sweet juice; Rodney softly pointing out various interesting features of the vast space anomaly that surrounded them. Ronon grunted where needed, content to just lay there with his mate in his arms.

They made a love a few more times, Ronon working his mate's body until the man was weeping and begging for release. Kisses were sweet and sticky of pineapple and the jam filled pastries and Ronon smiled and licked along the row of hickeys he'd sucked along Rodney's inner thighs.

They stopped off at the uninhabited planet with a natural  hot springs, another of Ronon's addresses; and they bathed and made love in the healing waters.

"I love you." Rodney whispered against Ronon's skin as he came, "I love you so fucking much. You don't even know."

Ronon tipped his head up and kissed him deeply, catching those blue eyes with his so that the genius would know who serious he was.

"I know." he murmured against that wonderful crooked mouth. "I love you too. You are Di Na Nwunye."

Rodney tried to sound out the words with a tilt to his head. "Dye Nah Nuh woo…? Is that Setedan?"

"It's Sedanwe, a pre cursor to Setedan language. It's been dead long ages but we still used certain words and phrases In modern times."

"Oh" Rodney's arms wrapped around his neck and pulled him close. "I keep forgetting that Seteda had such a long history before the wraith."

Those blue eyes looked up at him earnestly. "Will you tell me more about it sometime? Only if you want to, of course. I talk so much about earth that I forget that your people had built a unique and complex society of their own."

Ronon kissed him deeply, conveying his gratitude and affection for the compassion that very few people knew that Rodney possessed.

"Say it for me again please."

"Di Na Nwunye"

"Dye Nah Nuh- won -ee ay. I'll get it eventually." Rodney huffed. "What does it mean?"

"One whose soul intertwines with mine."

Rodney stilled at those softly spoken words, heart racing as he stared up at his lover's serious brown eyes. Ronon seemed to be waiting for him to respond, a soft wariness in his gaze. Rodney swallowed, utterly moved and deeply touched by the admission.

"Say it for me again. Please."

"Di Na Nwunye."

"Di … Na… Nwunye."

Ronon's soft smile was somehow incandescent and Rodney's heart twisted with the amount of emotion that the sight of it welled up in him.

"Does this mean we're space married now? I've been in an entirely different galaxy for too long and I would really like to get space married."

Ronon laughed loud and care free before claiming his mate's mouth with a filthy kiss that left the genius flushed and panting. "I do know of a planet where sharing a plate of fruit jelly constitutes as getting married. They have a conclave shielded by a ZPM and spend all day eating cake and drinking wine."

Rodney huffed a laugh. "Oh wow, perfect. You give me the address and I'll talk Elisabeth and John into going on a mission there. Easy peasy."

Ronon just chuckled and kissed his mate once more.

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Rodney knew the moment the water started trickling in, that they were in serious trouble. He'd been in this kind of situation before. Trapped under water in a container that proved to be less than perfectly water proof. He'd been of the opinion that being trapped in a damaged puddle jumper at the bottom of the ocean had been the worst situation but this one was steadily proving him wrong.

He looked down at the man at his feet. Ronon had taken the brunt of the impact when the floor had collapsed beneath them, breaking his leg and injuring his head which was still bleeding sluggishly through the bandage Rodney had managed to put around it.

He'd stopped hearing John's and Teyla's voices a while ago and was fearing the worst.  They hadn't been trapped in the cave in so there was a chance that they could still make it back to the gate to dial Atlantis for help. That is if the steady rain and flash flooding the villagers had predicted as being weeks away, hadn't swept his team mates away in the sudden deluge.

That that was the last time he was trusting locals about complicated meteorological patterns and events. He would have to tweak the science drones to record weather patterns as well. The city had already opened the Met labs and such strides were already being made in weather prediction. He kicked himself for not including more of that tech into the modified drones used as UAVs. Stupid Rodney.

There was an inch of water along the cave floor now, soaking Ronon's pants as he sat leaned against the smoothest wall. Rodney pushed down his anxiety. This was not the time to lose his head to panic. He had his injured mate to see to and that natural imperative seemed strong enough to override his usual fear response.

He cupped Ronon's face, rubbing his thumb against the flaking dried blood and pressed a finely trembling kiss to his slack mouth.

"I'm going to get you out of here." he whispered the promise against those soft lips. "Don't you worry. I'm the smartest man in two galaxies and this will not be our end. I promise you, Di Na Nwunye."

His heart twisted when his mate didn't respond, still unconscious as the waters crept higher. Rodney took a breath and looked around, taking in every crack, crevasse, nook and cranny for something that would change their dire circumstance.

"Okay, Mckay. Time to prove to your friends that you're worth a damn."

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

Ronon woke groggily, a sure sign that he'd been given the good drugs. He normally forwent pain medication on the city, not wanting his body to get accustomed to the comfort it provided. He needed to be able to push through the pain as he did when he was still a runner. Life on Atlantis may be a good one, but he was Pegasus born and until every wraith was dead and their bodies left to rot on poisonous worlds, he would not let himself go soft.

He blinked, grunting as his eyes watered against the harshly light of the infirmary and let out a breath when they dimmed immediately. He looked up to Teyla's smiling and serene face.

"It's good to have you back." she said softly, fussing with his blanket. "Rodney's fine. He's sleeping on the next bed over. He's not injured, just a few scrapes and bruises. Do you remember what happened?"

He rolled his cotton stuffed head to look at where his mate slept, sprawled over the next medical cot over like a man exhausted. He was dressed in a set of scrubs, a laptop cradled in his arms like a benaari.

"What happened?" his voice croaked and Teyla helped him sip some cool water.

"The cave system the locals told us about collapsed and you took the brunt of the fall. You and Rodney were trapped in an underground facility while John and I went back to the gate for help because the heavy rains started, causing flash floods. We had to comeback with Puddle jumpers and two more teams to get you out before the cave you were in filled with water and drowned you both."

Ronon grunted, as nodding made his head pound. He glanced over at his mate once more.

"He really ok? He doesn't do well in water like that."

Teyla gave a small chuckle. "You actually have Rodney to thank for both of your survival. He not only found the secret ancient base that we had been looking for in the first place, but managed to manipulate the shielding into keeping the water out. He then expanded it upwards so that it breached the surface and allowed us to fly a jumper down the shaft and extract you."

She just shrugged at his look of surprise. "I' m not sure how he did it either. But I'm glad he did. We lost the ancient outpost when the shield eventually gave way and it flooded but since Rodney doesn't seem to broken up about it, none of the other scientists are complaining either."

She took his hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "All he cared about was getting you to safety. He's been at you bedside every free minute his has. Carson eventually had to give him a bed in here so that he would sleep."

Ronon smiled, looking over to where his lover snorted and turned over to his side, hugging the laptop closer to himself. He chuckled tenderly then turned back to Teyla.

"He wants to get space married. Said he's been here too long not too. We're planning to go to Morgavian to share a plate of Balerian Fruit Jelly. You should be there. You and John. To stand with us."

"That is wonderful, my friend. I am so happy for you both." Teyla's face brightened with joy. "It would be my honour to stand with you. John had told me about the many rules dictating partnership and mating on earth and I hope that one day we may stand in Rodney's homeland and witness your union there as well."

"Yeah, he's says Canada welcomes and recognizes life mates  of the same gender but that the USA still has problems with accepting it, especially in the military. He's trying to get everyone on the city brought under a protected treaty. It's slow going."

"Yes, Elizabeth has said as much. " Teyla gave him a thoughtful nod and squeezed his hand once more. "I look forward to the day you are sealed as one with your fated other half."

Ronon glanced once more at the sleeping genius and gave a pleased grin.

"Yeah, me too."

Chapter Text

As they stepped through the gate, Rondey gave a soft sigh, his face caked with so much dried mud that he couldn't even make an expression. Thankfully, protocol for return from MZ 83J0KU or Planet Mini Mud Volcano was Alpha Site first for de-mucking then back to Atlantis for debrief. Nobody wanted to be on cleaning duty in the gate room after the first few visits there.

The rest of the team looked like bog mummies as they trudged past the chuckling marines on duty, dragging their gear to the hosing station for the initial clean off then to the community showers for a much more thorough wash. Then came a breif check with the field infirmary, a trip to the mess for some grub then finally taking a jeep a few miles down a dirt road to the south.

The planet's natural hot springs were calling his name. They'd really lucked out with the alpha site and had built and maintained a forward operating base there as a buffer for the city itself. All new friends and visitors were given that address first and missions with higher risk embarked from there.

It also helped that the planet they'd chosen had various natural resources in plentiful supply and enough infrastructure to support a full battalion of troops if needed. There were also natural caves which made for great storage and emergency evacuation bunkers.

He sunk back into the hot water with a groan, relaxing against the folded up towel supporting his neck. Fuck, that felt good. All of his aching muscles loosened up as his tired body went limp. Slogging through sometimes thigh deep mud for hours to collect samples of "miracle muck" as the botany department called it, was fucking exhausting. That was why all the teams were put on rotation to do the once a month routine collections, not just the botanists. That meant SGA1 doing the trip twice a year or so.

He watched through hooded eyes as his Ronon ducked his head under the bubbling water once, twice, before working his finger tips against his scalp; John and Teyla's quiet conversation lulling Rodney into a half dozing state. An hour later he was as wrinkled as a prune and stepping into the city, refreshed and a ready for a few hours in the labs.

Though it seemed like just a random observation, the thought tumbled around Rodney's mind through a few days of scattered research, you tube videos downloaded during data dumps and questions for certain members of the expedition. Then came a much longer talk with Teyla and a mission for one of the Athosian trading teams.

When he was ready and confident enough in his skill he made arrangements for a visit to the alpha site and quietly requested Ronon's company. With his supplies tucked into his back pack and his laptop in hand, he stepped with his lover through the gate with a singular purpose in mind.

After checking in with Alpha Site command and signing out one of the off road jeeps, he took off down the familiar path, Ronon curious and relaxed by his side. He wondered off hand if the man knew how to drive and listened in wonder as the man spoke about all the cool as fuck crafts the Satedans had built.

As a specialist, it had been his duty to learn how to pilot, navigate and field repair all of them. Sadly, they'd been all but destroyed in the wraith bombardment but he knew of a few underground bunkers that should still be intact. Too bad they were probably all buried under bomb slag.

They then switched seats and Ronon drove the rest of the way while Rodney navigated. Though the taller man had made a face as the workings of the jeep, he took to it easily enough and drove with ease. Rodney smiled smugly at yet more proof that Ronon was highly intelligent and skilled and felt a deep satisfaction that this was his man, no other's.

He'd scoured the drone maps for this particular hot springs because it came with a waterfall and that served his purpose from all the research he'd done. It was also in a safe and stable quadrant with a far enough tree line to give enough warning of any  encroaching danger.

The look of surprise on Ronon's face as he began to unpack his back pack made Rodney grin, setting his supplies on a flat rock jutting out over the spring before stripping out of his clothes. His lover's kiss was enthusiastic as they embraced in the water, hissing slightly at the heat before relaxing. They made out languidly, touching and groping as they pressed closer, nothing but the white noise of the waterfall and distant birdsong.

Wading over to the bottles and vats Rodney had lined up along the stone, he explained each one and it's contents to an intrigued and amazed Setedan.

"This is a clarifying shampoo. It's residue free so waxes and heavy oils don't build up. It's also sulphate free as that can dry out your scalp. This particular brand also claims to tighten up locks according to the reviews."

He picked up another bottle. "This is a mix of coconut oil and tea tree oil as those help with moisture and shine while still being anti bacterial and anti fungal."

The last one was a palm sized carved wooden tub. "This one is balm pressed from the Cadri plant. Teyla said that it helps with twisting and makes the hair and scalp smell good."

Ronon swallowed heavily, his eyes dark with emotion. "My mother used to use cadri balm for my father's locks."

Rodney cupped his jaw with a gentle smile. "The databases mentioned it so I asked the Athosians too go out and look. They found some at the travelling market and traded one of my chocolate bars for it."

His lover pressed their foreheads together, his voice husky. "You traded chocolate?"

Rodney huffed a breath against his cheek, "You better be grateful Conan, I will not be doing that a second time. Even if I have to go back to Seteda and have the botanists dig one up to plant in the hydroponics lab. That was good 75% Cacao I was saving until the Daedalus came back."

The rest of his griping was swallowed by Ronon's fierce kiss, his hands clutching at those broad shoulders as he was pulled into the man's lap. Rodney moaned as their cocks rubbed together, Ronon's large hand reaching down to grip both shafts as his tongue explored his lover's mouth.

They rocked together, slow and steady, reveling in the sensation, in the heat both within them and around them. Orgasm stole over them like thieves, leaving them trembling in the hot water as they kissed lazily.

Ronon stood under the waterfall, letting the heavy pressure of the water pound on his head before letting Rodney work quick fingers along his scalp with the shampoo. They did that three times before rinsing under the falls once more. Then they sat at the edge of the pool, Ronon tucked between his lover's thighs as Rodney worked the oil into his scalp and into the new growth at the roots.

They snacked on fruits and pastries from the mess hall and a bottle of weak fruit wine that Radek made from the not quite peaches they traded from the planet overrun with the things that looked kind of like rabbits.

Rodney carefully twisted the roots and neatened the dreadlocks with the cadri balm, placing soft kisses against his lover's back and neck as the larger man truly relaxed against him.

They made it back to the alpha site before sunset, not wanting to stay out beyond the secure perimeter after dark and were back on Atlantis soon after, just in time for dinner at the mess. Teyla smiled and complimented Ronon on the carved and painted wooden beads and wire ornaments that now adorned his glossy and tightened locks while John gave him a fist bump of approval and proud looking Rodney a thumbs up.

Ronon just grinned and dug into his dinner. He needed to 'carb-load' if he wanted to show his lover his appreciation later. And boy did he feel appreciative.

For his lover to take time out of his immense list of duties on the city to prepare all of this for Ronon was a wonder. To see to his care so diligently, so carefully, so lovingly. To take something he'd lost joy for in his years as s runner and restore it for him… in him… was a gift he would be hard pressed to match.

And if he had to spend the rest of his days proving his love and devotion to the smaller man… he gladly would. Rodney was worth it.

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Rodney, being Rodney; set his genius intellect to the task of get space married as soon as they found their way back home from the alternate reality. They were lucky as fuck that the machine had a built in snap back fail safe and they'd been yanked from SG-1's company an hour later back to the remote lab.

John had ordered an immediate evacuation and Rodney had agreed readily, barely stopping to help Teyla gather up the memory cards that had spilled. They booked it back to the jumper and were off planet as fast as John could make the ship go.

They stopped at the alpha site first and briefed Atlantis before dialing the gate back to the planet and sending a MALP drone through. They still wanted data but wouldn't risk human life setting foot back in that god forsaken place. They didn't even know if the snap back was a regular fail safe or if they just got really fucking lucky.

Hours later and they were back on the city and in the post debriefing infirmary check. Then it was a pitstop at the cafeteria for food and some post mission sex before Rodney's evening shift at the labs. Leaning against the head of the bed, his laptop on his thighs and naked Ronon curled against his hip, he made a list of things they both wanted to happen.

He'd never really entertained getting married before. Even on earth. With his personality, his inability to tolerate most people and his 'clinically abnormal' Kin biology; he'd steered clear of all that nonsense. The idea of tying his life down to another person… shackling his freedom to another; being subject to foreign whims. No thank you and kindly fuck right off.

Since the day he'd presented as Kin he'd been herded, coerced, persuaded, into mating and having kids. Despite him wanting to go to school, to work and to be a change in the world with his high IQ. His biology had been used as a weapon against him for so long and by so many that he'd harboured a great deal of unacknowledged and unresolved trauma from it. Only after coming to Atlantis did he begrudgingly start chipping away at the whole mess with Heightmeyer but it was slow going and far more difficult than he'd thought it would be.

That's why Ronon was so different. The Setedan had truly seen Rodney for who he was, accepted  and loved him for his brilliant mind, his prickly nature and his mile wide mean streak.  And though he treasured Rodney as Kin, he also respected him for his skill as a warrior and a scientist and not just a baby maker.

After much thought, his hand gently resting on a sleeping Ronon's bare back as the orange haze of the Alteran sunset coloured the room through the large windows; he realized that he did, in fact, want a wedding with his lover. Not a big one... nothing fancy, but small, intimate. Something with his team. Maybe a few close friends. Carson, Elizabeth, Radek, Miko, Chuck, Lorne. Unfortunately, they couldn’t all go to jelly planet because of OpSec as having the entire base command off planet at the same time would be a security nightmare.

He also wanted to embrace that classic married by accident on a mission trope, as cliché as seemed, and he would totally cop to being a closet romantic on the subject. That left a two pronged approach. Go to jelly planet check the zpm with the core team, partake in the usual hedonistic feast, share a plate of accidental wedding jelly then come back to Athosian mainland to host a small reception.

When Ronon awoke the next day to a blow job, he was happy enough to agree with any ideas Rodney later put forth and even shared a few of his own desires that were rooted in Setedan wedding culture. Most of the day was making love and sharing a private dinner with the team on the large balcony of their quarters.

John and Teyla were also pleased with the plan, promptly dividing up tasks and trouble shooting issues that popped up during the discussion. Teyla would be in charge of the Athosians and setting up on the mainland, and would work with John on the food and any transport from the city. Rodney would approach Radek and his black market still for the booze. Chuck would be read in because of all the gate traffic to keep things under as much wraps as possible.

Ronon would take a solo trip off world for reasons on his own and even though the team didn't like the former runner going through the gate without them, they all knew that he was perfectly capable of taking care of himself out of them all.

All Rodney could do was kiss him desperately in their quarters and threaten under his breath to bestow the most epic case of blue balls the man had ever experienced if he came back hurt or dead. Ronon had just chuckled and kissed Rodney again and again until he left him breathless.

It was just as well that the man was off planet because Rodney had a secret mission of his own. The perfect way to show the other man how much he loved him. How much he'd come to appreciate and honour the ways Ronon's love and care had changed him, had filled the hollow in his heart.

The next couple of weeks were busy. Life on Atlantis didn't stop for anything… even a secret wedding. Meetings and missions and lab time and fucked up ancient technology going off the rails on any given day. Discoveries and new planets and the ever ongoing search for a way to charge the ZedPMs.

Secret wedding plans made and hashed out over team dinners and trips to the mainland. Checking in with the Athosian carpenters building the wooden wedding pavilion in a clearing near the sea, the perfect place to catch the stunning sunset.

Athosian cloth weavers arranging the drapes along the wooden beams, table cloths, place mats and napkins for the large table built just for the occasion. Hand dipped candles on stands made by the blacksmiths on MZ 7HGR5 and intricate glassware traded from the merchants on MZ 4DVR0.

Plates and serving trays from the Clay planet with all the naturally forming kilns. Fruits from MZ H7MN6 for Radek to make sweet wine and a couple of bottles of that strong shit that almost always knocked Chuck right off his feet by the second shot.

Handpicked flower rings woven by Athosian children and preserved in bloom somehow to brighten the table and ingredients brought in for the cooks to make the feast. How John got Staff Sargent Ramirez  to visit the mainland to run the wedding kitchen and teach the sous chefs he'd hand picked from the Athosians would forever remain a mystery to all.

Operation: Secretly Space Married was well on its way to success!

It wasn't an elopement. They weren’t eloping per say. It was just a careful planned accidental misunderstanding of local alien culture. It was a space marriage. Classic SGC protocol. It was easy to slip MX U8JE3 into the weekly mission briefing. Morgavian was due for a check up on their ZedPM anyway; Rodney just surreptitiously hiked their priority to the top of the list.

Elizabeth accepted his reasoning easily and the mission was a go, Rodney's only reaction being a soft pleased huff. He kept a remarkably solid poker face in the face of Carson's good natured teasing about wanting to go back to the planet to enjoy the food and hedonist lifestyle and a brief glance with John thankfully had the man stepping between them and making an excuse to pull Rodney away. He'd always hated keeping secrets… especially from his friends. Sure, he was good at it from all his years being part of classified operations but it still made him uncomfortable to lie… even by omission… to his loved ones.

Soon enough the day loomed and it was time to put the plan into action.

The day dawned bright and sunny with a shared steamy shower and quiet breakfast at one of the outdoor tables in the cafeteria. It was early enough for the place to be pretty empty so they had enough privacy. Rodney didn't believe in that 'not seeing each other before the wedding' bullshit and Ronon didn't even have that custom in his culture so it was no problem.

Sadly, it being a mission day meant that they couldn't have morning sex as the conclave was a bit of a walk from the gate and Rodney for one was not looking forward to doing so with an aching ass. Shower stuff was still really good though and the high of it lasted through their usual mission briefing and gearing up, and with a nod from Elizabeth and go ahead from Chuck, they stepped through the gate.

They were met by a solemn faced warriors, not at all looking like the usual laid back Morgov and their hands tightened on their guns for a second before Ronon stepped forward with a loud and boisterous greeting. John took a deep breath and relaxed by Rodney's side as Teyla let a small pleasant PR smile curl her lips. Rodney's sharp blue eyes took in al he could about the group, their patched together armor, their wicked looking guns, their scarred faces and arms.

How their stone cold faces cracked open with smiles as they passed Ronon around for back slaps and embraces. When his lover turned back to his team, Rodney was hit right in the heart by the light and happiness in Ronon's eyes. He stepped forward bravely when his lover gestured him closer, Teyla and John flanking as they were introduced.

The leader of the rag tag group was Ronon's old commander, a tall hulk of a man missing an eye and sporting a robotic hand that Rodney was all but chomping at the bit to ask to see. He knew better though and kept mum on the subject, making a note of asking Ronon more about it when they were back home. Ronon's knowing smirk made Rodney flush as the man grabbed his hand and pulled him closer.

The rest of the group were all Setedan, pulled together into a proper mercenary for hire crew by the commander since the devastating loss of their home world to the Wraith. They kept tight lipped about their new home base and the breadth of their services but they'd helped Ronon when they could throughout the years, not having access to the tech or medical expertise that would free their friend and former comrade from his fate. They'd been grateful to Atlantis for helping Ronon but had been wary of approaching the earthers any further.

They'd been disappointed when Ronon had declined joining them in order to stay in the city but had eventually accepted that his loyalty was now with his new team. Now they were here to stand at his wedding and, from Ronon's wide grin,  Rodney was truly grateful that they came to share in this special moment.

The Morgov welcomed them all with their usual exuberance, their rich silk draped forms surrounding and guiding them to the low tables laden with their usual daily feast. Cups of mulled wine were thrust into their hands as they were all herded into seating. Thankfully, Teyla had headed off the usual routine by greeting the reclining Grand Poobah and asking for an audience while Rodney extracted himself and John by stately baldly that he wanted to check on the ZedPM.

That got the attention of one of the shield technicians and she greeted Rodney with a hearty cheer and draining of her chalice before she led John and Rodney toward the shield bunker. He gave Ronon a wink and waved him back towards where his friends were already two cups deep. He figured that it was a close to a stag party as they would get and he wanted his lover to have that time with his people.

By the time they came back from the bunker, Teyla had already worked the situation like a boss and stood with the smiling Poobah, a plate of wedding jelly on a small table before them. Ronon was on the other side of the table, his eyes intense as he met Rodney's eyes across the celebration hall. Suddenly Rodney felt his breath catch in his chest, looking up the flower petal strewn path that led from the door to where his lover… no… his fiancé stood.

"… oh fuck" he exhaled under his breath, "I'm really about to get space married."

"Tell me about it." came John soft huff, his warm eyes meeting Rodney's nervous stare. He stuck his arm out and gestured for Rodney to take it. "Let's get you hitched, Mer."

Rodney stared at the arm, the looked up at where Ronon was waiting, crowned in the golden light coming through high hall windows. The man was smiling at him, that soft, heart breaking one he usually kept for Rodney alone and the genius' chest filled with a kind of buoyant feeling that made him think that he would just float away if he wasn't holding on to his best friend.

The ceremony was simple with Teyla standing for Ronon while John stood for Rodney, the Poobah smiling serenely as they presented the plate of deep red molded jelly cut into cubes. Various berries of different sizes and colours could be seen suspended in the jelly and the cubes were cool to the touch as both men fed each other, finishing the plate between them as loud cheers filled the hall.

Ronon wasted no time in pulling the genius into his arms and kissing him deeply, something he'd wanted to do since watching earth movies and talking to the marines around the city. The way Rodney all but melted against him with a sigh, tasting like wine and solid in his arms, made the Setedan want to throw the other man over his shoulder and retreat to one of the opulent Morgov tents for a solid week.

It took the loud clearing of his former commander's throat for Ronon to remember where he was and what he had planned, and he reluctantly pulled away from a panting Rodney, those blue eyes glazed over and his skin flushed pink.

Ronon bet back a groan and made himself step back, reaching into his vest to pull out a butter soft leather wrapped object. With a glance back at the Setedans watching on, he reverently unwrapped the object, revealing a wicked looking blade drawn from an intricately carved and embroidered leather sheath. The blade was black and deadly sharp on one side, while the other sported a sinister serrated edge. The flat of the blade was carved with Setedan words and Rodney recognized.

"Through skies of Fire…

through seas of passion…

through mountains of swords…

through fields of grain… "

Ignoring the startled gasps coming from the Setedans, he looked up into Ronon's eyes shining with tears and finished the quote in flawless Sedanwe. 

"In the vast expanse of time and space,

Where hearts intertwine and dreams embrace,

I find solace in the beauty of your soul,

A love so profound, it makes me whole."

"You… you remembered…" tears fell from his lover's… no… his husband's eyes and Rodney reached up to wipe them away with his thumbs.

"I memorized the whole ode. I was going to recite it for you… kind of like vows…"

The rest of his words were swallowed by the intense kiss Ronon pulled him into, his strong arms tight around Rodney to almost hurt. The larger man buried his face in Rodney's neck, still holding him tight as a fine tremble wracked his frame.

"Di Na Nwunye." [one whose heart intertwines with mine] he rasped huskily against the sensitive behind Rodney's ear and the smaller man shuddered from the sensation, his hands gripping Ronon's leather vest as he went up on his toes with a gasp.

"L'autre moitié de mon âme." [other half of my soul]

The next few hours are spent sharing a feast with the Morgov and the Setedans, talking and laughing, sharing stories and for the newly married couple, a lot of kissing and not so secret groping. Even though they both are tempted by the wedding tent the grand Poobah offered, they reluctantly declined. John had already done a check in back with the city and they were expected back on schedule.

The trek back to the gate was a smooth one, fully bellies and buzzed on sweet wine. Backpacks full of fruits, baked goods and bottles of wine that clanked as they strode towards the gate.

Ronon bid fond farewell to his people, promising to visit and being shoved around playfully and slapped on the back in congratulations on his nuptials. Rodney was also tentatively embraced by the Setedan Commander, the large robotic hand braced on his shoulder as the man gave him a solemn nod of approval. Ronon's grin at the gesture was pure and almost childlike and Rodney flushed with the feeling that he'd just been somehow been given the parental stamp of approval.

Being back on Atlantis felt like coming home and he could feel the city's happiness as they tromped toward medical for their post mission medical and debrief. Then to their quarters for a another shared shower that soon spilled to the bed. Their love making was slow and reverent, soft kisses and softer whispers as Rodney recited the rest of the poem against his husband's flushed and sweaty skin.

Your eyes, like stars that light up the night,

Reflecting a love that feels so right.

In their depths, I see a universe untold,

A world of love that never grows old.

Your touch, a gentle breeze upon my skin,

Ignites a fire that burns deep within.

Every caress, a symphony of desire,

Setting my heart ablaze, igniting the fire.

Your voice, a melody that soothes my soul,

Whispering words that make me feel whole.

In every word, a promise of forever,

A love that can withstand any endeavor.

He held his beloved and mouthed along his neck and shoulder as the man shuddered with release above him, his hips stuttering then pressing deep as if he wanted from crawl inside of Rodney, his breaths deep and ragged as if carved right out of his broad chest.

Together, we dance in the realm of dreams,

Bound by a love that knows no extremes.

In this sacred union, we find our home,

Two souls entwined, never to be alone.

So let us cherish this love we have found,

In this poem of love, forever renowned.

For you are the muse that sets my heart aflame,

And in your love, I’ve found my eternal flame.

They make love again soon after, making Rodney scream himself hoarse and wiping out any plan he had for passing by the labs before their trip to the mainland. He found that he didn't really mind. It was worth it to see Ronon lose control like that. It made all the days he'd spent learning the poem and the proper syntax and pronunciation of the Sedanwe ode.

It was one of Ronon's favourites and it had been an endeavor to secretly record him reciting it in order to learn how to say it properly. All the late nights alone in the lab listening to the recording over and over as he poured over the setedan language files stored in the archive they'd been building about the lost civilization and its people. It was worth it to show Ronon how much he appreciated who he was and where he'd come from.

They took two jumpers out to the mainland, those not in the know surprised but excited about the reason for the celebration. It was a joy to see their expressions as Ronon and Rodney announced their newly minted space marriage, laughing together and enduring the teasing, the questions, the mock outrage at not being invited off planet.

The feast was sumptuous, not to Morgavian standard but still delicious as the Athosian cooks under the Staff Sergeant, blended earth recipes with Pegasus ingredients and techniques. Radek's liquor selection was exquisite and soon enough Chuck was giggling and leaning on a smiling and indulgent Teyla. When teased about having their own space wedding, Teyla serenely retorted that she much preferred traditional Athosian wedding culture and didn't that sober up Chuck real fast, the poor man sputtering and red faced as his lover smiled enigmatically into her own glass of wine.

Rodney caught John trying not to choke on laughter as quickly buried his face into Ronon's neck so as not to guffaw out loud. Even Miko, pink cheeked and three glasses in, was snickering behind her hand as Chuck turned into a doddering idiot.

At sunset, Ronon took Rodney's hand and led him to the shore where they enjoyed the sweet ocean breeze. Fingers laced together, they walked along the sand, sometimes talking, sometimes in comfortable silence. Just enjoying each other.

Ronon explained the significance of the blade now carefully strapped to Rodney's thigh. How it was a traditional gift to symbolize the joining of fates, usually between two warriors. How he'd gone to his former comrades and arranged for them to go to the black smith planet to forge the blade and how the commander himself had made the sheath. How the first blood the blade had drawn had been Ronon's and how the words carved in the flat were from his own hand.

That he loved Rodney for the warrior he was, that all Pegasus natives had learned to be. That Rodney was Pegasus now, he was Setedan and Earther and Canadian and Kin all at once and down to his bones. That Ronon would spend the rest of his life ensuring that he was worthy of being the mate of such an incredible man. And together they would fight Wraith and anything else that came at them, together and to their finals breaths. This Ronon vowed solemnly with everything within him.

It was all Rodney to could do to kiss the man before him, pouring everything he felt tumbling inside him that he would never be able to fully articulate into the kiss. How he loved this man. This good, brave, noble, kind man who loved him back just as fiercely.

I would bear a child for this man, a soft voice inside him said, and Rodney found himself not as utterly put off at the thought as he'd usually had been in the past. It was a new kind of feeling, one of a fragile kind of hope he'd never really allowed himself to feel before and he carefully tucked it gently back so I could think about it with his big brain another time. Bringing a child to life, even on earth, would be a trail and a half; much less the active warzone that was Pegasus.

Even as much as he loved Ronon, it was still something that needed much more thought and discussion. Whether it be with Heightmeyer, his team, Carson or Ronon himself; it wasn't a decision that could be made easy.

As they walked back to the wedding pavilion, the sounds of warm  and lively celebration growing louder, Rodney let the thought go and looked at the man beside him. "For you are the muse that sets my heart aflame, and in your love, I’ve found my eternal flame."

Ronon's smile was incandescent as he pulled his husband in for a deep and devastating kiss.

"Apsem bre liom, Di Na Nwunye" the man breathed against his kiss swollen lips.

Rodney pressed their foreheads together in the Athosian way, warm and content in away he'd never known before. "Je t'aime aussi, L'autre moitié de mon âme… Je t'aime aussi." [I love you too]

In every word, a promise of forever,

A love that can withstand any endeavor.

Chapter Text

Being back on earth was weird after having spent so long in an amazing floating space ship city in another galaxy. The unending hallways of Cheyenne Mountain seemed to press down on him as he went from full body check up at the infirmary to meeting after meeting to lab then meeting. Thankfully, Ronon had come with him though he soon lost him to the training mats and gun range.

After talking himself hoarse in mind numbing debriefs with every one and their brother, he was finally able to grab his lover and make his way out of the mountain. And hadn't that been a whole other cat amongst the pigeons. The sole Kin scientist on Atlantis in a relationship with an alien… a Pegasus born… it didn't exactly make any the brass happy.

And that was just too fucking bad. Rodney was already pissed at the borderline invasive questions the doctor doing his medical tried to ask, much less the sorry attempts at interrogation during two of the redundant meetings. He'd finally snapped at them to mind their own fucking business of take it up with his lawyers. It was a threat they took seriously considering his history with litigation and the absolute sharks he kept on retainer.

He took a private plane up to Ottowa, blissfully ignoring the four man security detail that came with him and Ronon. He knew he was mission essential on Atlantis and appreciated all efforts to ensure his personal safety on earth. At least they'd given in to his request to visit his sister without much pushback.

Jeannie had sounded warm enough on the phone when he called her. Though he still didn't agree on her choosing to be a stay at home mom over having a brilliant career, they'd come to something of an accord as she's always supported his goals despite his status as Kin. She'd been the one to stand at his side against his parents, their teachers and most of the world who'd wanted Rodney to be the one barefoot and pregnant at home.

In the end, it was like they traded futures and both seemed happy enough with that.

His sister's face when he introduced Ronon as his lover was hilarious and the teasing smiles she gave him for the rest of the night spoke of a serious interrogation the minute they were alone. At least he didn't mind that one as much as those back at the SGC. Ronon got along with Caleb well enough and Rodney took the time to get reacquainted with his niece, Madison.

She'd grown so much since he'd last seen her and pictures and video sent over email didn't do the adorable little girl justice. He found himself staring fondly at her as she sat on his lap, gabbing away about her current dinosaur obsession which he totally agreed with. Every kid should go through a dinosaur obsession in life. It was only when Caleb got dispatched for last minute supplies and dragged Ronon along with him that Jeannie carefully broached the subject.

"You and Ronon… it's serious?"

"Yeah…" Rodney nodded easily, his hands around a mug of coffee. "I think he's it for me."

"I can see it. You're different somehow. I've also noticed… " She set carrot she'd been grating aside and wiped off her hands with a sigh. "You also look at Madison differently…."

She didn't ask the question but he knew exactly what she was asking about. His opinion about having kids of his own had been loud and clear since he was ten. He stared into his coffee, fidgeting with the cup for a few long moments before answering.

"He…" Rodney took a deep breath and looked up to meet his sister's gaze. "He makes me want to think about it."

Jeanie sat back on her stool, eyes wide. "Wow."

"I know… right?" he huffed and took a sip. "It helps that he doesn't pressure me at all. Doesn’t even try to make me choose."

She reached over and grasped his hand in her, giving it a squeeze as she smiled. "I am so happy for you, mer."

He smiled back. "I'm happy too."

She gave Ronon a big hug goodbye, whispering something into the taller man's ear that Rodney couldn’t hear. Considering the wicked grin the Setedan gave her in return, Rodney quickly surmised that it couldn't have been a good thing. They both laughed at his narrow eyed stare and the taller man stubbornly refused to divulge any information on the way back to the hotel. Even under threat of withholding sex.

To be honest, it hadn't been much of a threat because they made good use of the king sized bed in the penthouse suite almost until dawn and dozed off on the plane ride back. He never did find out what his sister had said to his lover that day to make him smile like that. It also kept him from feeling too guilty that he forgot to tell her about his space marriage in person. Oops. Maybe next time.

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

Talking to Brass was never fun, espcially those who still expected to drop his work at any moment and become a fifties housewife, even though he'd gone through hell and high water to get to Atlantis. As if he hadn't been the one to shove new laws and court mandates for Kin freedoms in both the US and Canada. Laws that were slowly and surely being adopted across the world as more and more Kin bucked against their 'traditional roles' in society.

They kept waiting for him to come to his senses and give up all the science nonsense and more than once they'd outright pitched him the 'privilege' of having a kid by O'Neill or John who would have his genius and their ATA gene. The baby, if not born Kin itself, could then take up the mantle and bring new discoveries and science back to earth from Pegasus. It had been laughable to hear it. And sickening to realize how many people believed it.

More than once during the trip Rodney had been grateful that Ronon had stuck to his side like glue on their return to the mountain. His quiet cave man shtick worked well enough to make the really eager ones bold and it tickled the genius to see them scared the fuck off by the taller man's imposing presence and wickedly sharp tongue.

One particularly obnoxious asshole had Rodney physically flinching back as Ronon's low growl stopped all conversation cold. Major Davis barely made it to them in time to stop the Setedan from starting an inter-galactic incident but Rodney was already pissed beyond measure and eviscerated the man loudly and verbally as Ronon hadn't been allowed to do it physically. He'd finally stalked out of the heavy silence of the room with his lover in tow, leaving the uniformed man pale and shaking.

He refused any 'meetings' and 'events' after that, choosing to spend his time in the labs before heading out to Area 51 for 'real science', Ronon and security detail along for the ride. He had fun arguing with Carter and correcting mistakes in everyone's work, leaving a lot of pissed off yet impressed people in his wake.

He and Miko had used scavenged wraith culling tech to build a device to store a whole bunch of supplies for Atlantis that he'd bought with a pool of personal funds. What the IOA and SGC command didn't know wouldn't hurt them when it came to parts, seeds and long list of stuff they'd all sat around and discussed for months. Including the herds of various livestock that would be released unto the main land for breeding by the Athosians. The thing was the size of a shaving kit so he disguised it as one, easily taking it in and out of the mountain as needed.

They combined his and Ronon's personal space on the ship and packed it to the brim with coffee, chocolate while loading some of Miko's super drives with movies, books, TV shows and games while lobbying hard with O'Neill for the ordinance and reinforcements John desperately needed. It was worth the week spent under the oppressive mountain and couple of visits to the White House to get John's wish list mostly filled. They'd gotten more that he'd estimated they'd get for the city so he was pleased.

He spent the entire trip introducing Ronon to earth food, enjoying the other man's delight even though  they had to be careful about his citrus allergy. That led to a few more shopping trips and more use of the wraith storage device, packing the thing to near capacity.

The trip back on the Daedalus was quiet and a nice change of pace from the bustle of the city and stress of the mountain. Rodney worked on his projects and papers, Ronon worked his way through several new e-books and Setedan translations. They spent their nights making love on the newly installed double bed in the ship's guest suite and sharing meals in the mess hall. The grey on the bridge took a liking to Ronon and the taller man could be found having a chat at random times about various subjects from both galaxies.

Being back on the city felt like taking a breath of fresh air and something in side Rodney settled and relaxed and the city greeted him faintly in his mind. Just a little nudge… a welcome back. He passed a hand along her wall, feeling the warmth pulse under his touch and smiled.

It was good to be home.

Chapter Text

Ronon shared a grin with a tired but happy Teyla as they watched Chuck rock and walk around the room, singing a sweet little French lullaby to his new born daughter. The man had been beside himself when he'd found out Teyla was with benaari, even more so than he been at their own space marriage.

Like Teyla had suggested, he'd gone the full Athosian courting route with ritual hunt and ceremonial cooking of the prey. He'd also done the complex traditions of gifts and service which impressed Ronon because it was fifty or so steps long. It was even more important as Teyla was leader of her people and represented a good part of the city's expanded population.

They now had five thousand people living on Atlantis, a delicate mix of Pegasus peoples and cultures that called the ancient city home. Elizabeth, John and the earther expedition were now core members of the governing council made up of representatives of the major players that made the big decisions for the city.

Ronon was now one of a few Setedans living there, people the commander had found and sent to him for safety. Unfortunately, the Mercs still chose to stay at their secret base but did visit the city more often for the huge market held there every month so he was able to see them more often.

They'd moved the city closer to the mainland where it could still be submerged in emergency but now white sails from boats could be seen on the blue waters between the city and the green mass that was the mainland. It freed up the puddle jumpers from having to ferry people to the settlement on the main land and made for an amazing view from their shared quarters.

The herds of various live stock had quickly adapted to Pegasus and now thrived along the plains of the mainland, providing food and other by products to the city without having to rely to much on trade. More farms had been opened around the city, growing a wide assortment of Pegasus and Earth native flora and fauna and though Rodney didn't care much for botany, he certainly loved the wider assortment of delicious food available. Ronon learned how to cook something beyond roast beast over an open fire in order to show his husband his love and the private and team dinners he cooked for were both memorable and enjoyable.

He looked up at the door as it swished open, Rondey striding in to make grabby hands at Chuck.

"Ok, its Uncle Rodney time… Hand over the kid."

Chuck frowned and twisted away "Hey, she's my daughter. I get dad privileges."

Rodney sucked at his teeth. "God-parent privilege overrides Dad as you have her most of the time. Rarity creates worth."

Chuck could only sputter as the genius deftly plucked the baby right out of her father's arms and began the same rock'n'walk the man had been doing before. Ronon could only chuckle as Chuck turned to pout pitifully at his wife and slump into a chair at her bedside. As Teyla comforted her man, Ronon took the time to gaze at his husband in quiet wonder as he began to sing a traditional Setedan lullaby.

His breath caught in his chest and his eyes began to sting as the song took him right back to childhood and his mother's sweet voice as she sang to his baby brother. The love he felt for Rodney in that moment was beyond anything he'd ever expereinced and he had to blink away tears as he tried not to let a love sick smile spread across his face.

He could tell he hadn't succeeded from the way both Rodney and Teyla giggled at him so he stood and  joined his love in looking down at the babe in his arms. The soft look on Rodney's face held a bit of yearning and though Ronon had made sure never to push… he couldn't help a small bubble of hope in his chest.

"You learned Selunae Sonael?" he brushed his knuckles softly against Rodney's temple, not even trying to hide the wonder in his voice. "How?… it's not in the database."

Rodney flushed, his neck and cheeks going pink as he ducked his head. "I asked one of the matrons sent by the commander. Lumora… she works a stall at the market. She's used to be a governess and is old enough to remember how it goes so she taught it to me in exchange for some of those red dyed leathers from the mainland…"

He cut himself off, his flush going deeper he buried his nose in the baby's swaddling cloth. Ronon smiled indulgently at the sight as he waited for his Di Na Nwunye to overcome his embarrassment. Rodney often babbled when nervous and it was utterly adorable to see do it with a benaari in his arms. It yanked something in Ronon's chest free and he took a deep breath to sate the fire that now blazed within.

He cupped the back of his beloved's head and pressed a chaste kiss to his mouth. "Thank you. It means a lot to me."

"Well, I figured I should learn it, you know…" Rodney's eyes were beyond blue and he smiled. "… just in case."

Ronon's heart skipped a beat. "Just… in case?"

That had Rodney's blush deepening as he looked away. "Yeah… just in case."

Goddess, Ronon wanted nothing more than to scoop his husband into his arms and spirit him away to the bedroom to start trying for 'just in case' but he managed to hold it together.

Just then, John saved the day by bursting into the room. "It's Uncle John Time!"

That got twin cried of denial from both Canadians while Teyla just laughed.

Ronon just sat back and watched the drama unfold, his mind at peace and his heart full for the first time since the devastation of his home planet. This was his home. Rodney and John and Teyla and Chuck. And now there was a baby that was blinking up at a smitten John as both Rodney and Chuck hovered over his shoulders, their faces just as adoring as his.

This city was his home. These people were his home. His heart. His peace and his life. He took Chuck's chair beside Teyla and reached out to take her hand, sharing a smile with her as she squeezed his. She knew what he was feeling… she felt it too. A sense of belonging so strong. A sense of safety. Of comfort and family.

The wraith weren't all gone. There were still a few hives hiding in the shadows of space but the coalition of worlds they'd formed had burned most of them out of existence. It would take a few more years but Ronon would eventually see the galaxy free of the scourge that plagued them for ten thousand years.

Maybe one day in the near future he'd be able to look at the sky and know no fear. And that day he'd have Rodney at his side, a benaari or two playing at his feet. That feeling inside him, the warmth filling his chest and rushing his blood. That was hope. For the first time in years… for the first time in his life… Ronon had hope.

Just then, Rodney looked up, his eyes bright and blue and smiled that genuine little crooked smile that never failed to turn Ronon's insides to mush. It was all the Setedan could do to smile back and hold out his hand to his husband. Soon Rondey was in his arms, a familiar and cherished weight and warmth.

He had the city as his home. He had his team as his family. He had his Di Na Nwunye as his heart.

Life in Pegasus… was good.