SGA Fic: Out Of Bounds - John/Rodney - NC-17 overall

[icarus]

An Out Of Bounds nibble. Just to keep the momentum going and not tease you with "almost there!" updates.

The story in one file up to an earlier chapter: Out Of Bounds.

Title: Out Of Bounds
Author: Icarus
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: John/Rodney
Summary: "This time you're allowed to fall if you want to."

A/N: Thank you once again to my tireless betas (we're having fun), rabidfan and roaringmice, and now tingler and mariamme, too.

Previously in Out Of Bounds: Known more for his jumps than his artistry, figure skater John Sheppard hires ex-skating champion and "artiste" Rodney McKay to be his coach. Their teasing friendship warms into something more. After a year of training and preparation... the U.S. Championships.

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Out Of Bounds
by Icarus


"There is one minute remaining in this warm-up," the announcer said, voice ringing across the arena.

Sweat beading in his hair, John stood at the boards with his head bent, water bottle dangling his hands. Rodney gave him an appraising look.

"So that's a negative... oh, let me see, carry the two...." Rodney wrote the math in midair, grinning.

"Shut up," John growled. "You set it up so I couldn't add any points."

"Always read the contract." Rodney smirked. "Try it one more time. This time you're allowed to fall if you want to. A freebie as it were."

John rolled his eyes, capping the bottle of water and handing it back to Rodney. Then steadied himself a moment and set his jaw. As he skated off, he looked back and shook his finger warningly at Rodney, an unspoken signal that read to them (and no one else) that Rodney was going to pay through the back door for this, just you wait. Rodney just beamed.

John took a small leap step and bounced once, turning. Then, gathering energy, he arced around the arena at full speed. Hitting the far end he dug in his toe pick and pushed into the air -- no, no, not high enough -- and twisted, one, two, three, almost four -- he found the ground and slid out on the landing, arms up, knee bent, and barely catching himself.

John skated around to Rodney, curving with both skates parallel. "Ha," John said with a little smug smile, preening.

"Mmm... well...." Rodney tipped his head back and forth in grudging appraisal. He ran his thumb along his lower lip.

John raised his eyebrows, daring Rodney to lie.

"All right," Rodney admitted. "That would have been perfect if you hadn't been worn out. Would have been," he emphasized. "Your concentration's improved."

"Gentlemen, this warm-up is completed," the announcer interrupted in a smooth feminine voice.

"I want to go through my choreography for the long program," John said with an eager light in his eyes. "I mean, outside the main run-through of the short."

Rodney winced. "No, um, you really should...." John gave him a pleading, puppy-dog look. No one withstood the pleading puppy-dog look. But Rodney was resilient. "The short is tonight," he insisted

"Rodney. Which needs it more?"

Rodney sucked in a breath through his teeth, eyes squinted as he tilted his head. "You need to steep in Surf Rider like a teabag. You have to embody that music."

John turned up the pressure with a sarcastic shrug, pursing his lips. "Yeah, you're right. No problem," he said in a dry voice, nodding. "I'm all set for Friday anyway."

Rodney squeezed his eyes shut, hand over his face. John was a long way from ready for his long program and Rodney knew it.

"Fine," Rodney snapped, giving in ungraciously. John slapped his knee in open celebration. His freeskate was way cooler than the short program. "But you do a full run-through with your music first, you got that?"

"Yes, sir," John said with a mock salute, willing to even be respectful if he got his way.

"Skating first is Frances Caliaro, to be followed by Michael Estey."

Eyeliner guy traveled out to center ice, arms held high for the small audience. The other skaters made room for him, continuing their own snatches of choreography.

Skating far ahead of them all, silver medalist Mike Estey flowed across the ice with effortless grace and speed. John took a moment to admit that Estey was an elegant skater who outclassed everyone here today, even though he'd been having a terrible season. He shouldn't be in this flight; wouldn't be, except for one bad fall.

John watched him for a long uncomfortable minute, then followed him on the ice.


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Comments

[melagan.livejournal.com]

*hugs you tight*

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

*feels hugged* We're almost there.

Here is the next part (http://icarusancalion.livejournal.com/873029.html#cutid1).