bakerstreet | Flirting

If you were a fruit, you’d be a CUTEcumber! [ This game of exchanging pick-up lines is FUN! ] Your turn, your turn!

“You look good enough to eat.”

John took a breath to retort. Sarcasm comes to him as easily as existing, but then the words sink in and he paused, looking a bit at a loss. Speechless? Perish the thought. Thrown off kilter? Absolutely.

"Haven't we already been down that road?" Is he supposed to be flirting? Wait, is Todd flirting? If that's the case, did he just insinuate something? Dammit. John can only flirt when he's not trying. "And by that road, I mean the whole eating thing. In a completely non-sexual way." He looked from side to side almost conspiratorially, lowering his voice. "That's what you were going for, right? I'm still not quite sure how you guys... you know." He gestured vaguely as if that should explain away his complete lack of clarity.

Todd made a non-committed noise like he could mean one or the other, but he grinned and softly chuckled, “Come now Shep-pard. Surely you’re old enough to know?” He teased.

But then he continued, “Apart from our Queens should she choose to create offspring, intimacy itself is the same as humans. Unless of course you evolved differently than to the humans in this galaxy.” To which his gaze very much flicked downward.

With this new context brought to light for him, the way Todd nearly purrs his name with that drawn out Wraith way, though normal for Todd, brings a host of new and confusing sensations to the Colonel. He made a subtle mock expression in response to the teasing as if saying 'yeah, yeah, whatever'.

"No, no. We evolved the same. I've been quite compatible with-- that's not important." A pause. Heavy consideration on John's part left him absolutely uncertain just what to do with both the information and the quite deliberate glance from Todd. He shifted and squared off more confidently, lifting his chin a bit despite his own briefly wandering gaze over the Wraith.

"Okay, look, of all the life-sucking aliens out there, you're probably the only one I hold any kind of respect for, so this is a bit... weird for me. We had a sorta moment or two that might have opened my eyes a bit and I wouldn't consider this with any other Wraith, but, y'know, if you're serious..." Why were words so hard sometimes? "What I'm trying to say is, there's no other life-sucking alien bug I'd rather test compatibility with." Did he do it? Was that a flirt?

Feeding was one of the worst experiences he'd ever felt and he'd stand by that claim, but the whole reverse-feeding was on the complete opposite end of the sensory spectrum. Let's just say that he could see why some would worship the Wraith. It also forged a tentative bond for him with Todd that allowed for a bit more trust in John's eyes.

Todd let him answer in his own time, eyes on him, raising a hairless brow when he mentioned being compatible with what he could only assume were other humans in this galaxy. Humans did get around didn't they?

His almost stumble of words told him a lot, but he listened without interruption, just mild amusement on his features, then, surprise.

"Indeed..." Their moment had been eye-opening for him too, though for different reasons. And why he kept coming back to Sheppard. His curiosity about the other was quite great, turning to something more than just an alliance.

"Very well..." He stepped a bit closer, arms length now, cause for concern in any other case, but his intentions were far from hostile. "In that case Shep-pard, your quarters or mine?"

Atlantis had become his home now, working tirelessly for weeks with Doctor Keller on a new gene therapy, now under careful watch to ensure what happened on his ship didn't happen again. So far, the results were holding up. He could be sustained on "normal" food. Three months, by now he'd typically feel that burn of hunger. But thus far, all was working as intended. Unlike last time, the feeding slit had not disappeared, so there was still the occasional tension if he got too close to people on the base.

Hey, humans didn't have the luxury of endless longevity. Neither did John have the sense to turn down a hot proposal when one was offered. By human or Ancient. ...and apparently now by Wraith. God, Rodney was right, he really was Kirk.

Most on the base still reflexively reached for a weapon when the Wraith would brush the boundary of personal space. There were trust issues, of course. Especially with the feeding slit still left in the palm. Some were waiting for the other shoe to drop, not believing for a second that this wasn't some kind of long con. Not John. He did stiffen, but he's been spending more time around Todd and though the fleeting rush of panicked adrenaline did try to scream 'danger', he didn't react more than to tense and flick his glance to Todd's feeding hand then back to his yellow eyes.

"You know, if I take you back to my quarters, someone will inevitably break down my door to make sure you're not feeding on me. My team's a little overprotective." Teyla and Rodney trust his judgement for the most part. It's really just Ronon that might barrel in guns blazing if he found out John and Todd were alone together in private. "Besides, I'm curious to see what you've done with your quarters. Do you guys have Wraith feng shui? I mean, you obviously have a fashion sense, or you wouldn't dress in tailored synthetic leather." You cannot tell him that those tight outfits with flowy bits were somehow more function than fashion. He'd call bullshit.

John trusted Keller's treatments and he trusted Todd enough to see how this would play out. Todd was a sort of fascinating enigma to him. The first Wraith to show genuine camaraderie towards what would be considered his food. It had told John quite a lot about the man. Sure, it was a mutually beneficial relationship at the start, but any other Wraith would have finished him off in the forest and left. Or so he thought. Todd taught him that there could genuinely be honour and decency among Wraith. Traits he didn't think they possessed prior.

He tapped his ear piece. "This is Sheppard; I'm turning in early." Which meant don't bother him unless there's an emergency. He then turned his radio off and gestured for Todd to walk with him.

"Can't have that now can we?" he chuckled lightly. The idea of the rest of his team finding them together would likely end with Ronon's gun in his face, a hair's breath from blowing his head off.

Best they keep this between them.

"I am not sure what feng shui is, but our clothing is created by way of the Hive. One steps into a pod, is scanned, and the clothing is grown to suit the Wraith's preference and tailored as you say to their size comfortably." It was also organic and held a certain amount of regeneration, which explained how after knife wounds and gun shots, the material would eventually reshape itself to how it was before.

A quick notification over communications and they were set. Well now, this evening just got far more interesting.

Todd walked beside Sheppard to the Wraith's quarters, passing a few people but apart from a glance-Todd was now a regular sight in the city-they went on with their own business.

They arrived shortly. His quarters weren't modified much, after all they didn't want any organic growths to start taking over, but he had made the place as comfortable as he could for himself while supplies had been easy to get when Atlantis was still in the San Francisco Bay.

The bed was more of a nest of blankets and pillows, with more blankets hanging over the curtain rods to darken the place. While Wraith didn't shrivel or shy from sunlight, they did primarily live on ships where the lighting was comparatively dim, and he'd done his best to mimic it.

There was also a desk with a couple notebooks on it for his daily log of the gene therapy, but he seemed to have a real thirst for books, as the bookshelf he had was packed and overflowing. Various subjects too. Much of it the history of Earth, but also some animal and plant guides, multiple ones on technology through the years, just whatever he seemed to get his hands on, even a small cookbook. He had a lot to catch up on when it came to this world and its people. Only thing noticeably lacking was any fiction. No stories or poetry or anything of the sort.

"It's uh..." How do you explain feng shui to an alien? "Never mind." Besides, the information about the Wraith wardrobe was far more interesting anyway. And honestly, that was a thought he never would have considered until just now. "Your..." he gestured up and down Todd's lanky frame with one hand. "that is all alive, like your ships?" Alive might have been a strong word, but it made more sense than saying 'grown' seeing as many human fabrics were grown but couldn't do what Wraith clothing and technology could do.

Sheppard paid no mind to those they passed. Todd had been a regular here for several months and John, being his strongest vouch along side Doctor Keller, was often in his presence. At first, it was to keep an eye on him, then it just became a routine to check in on Todd and hold light conversation.

Looking around when they arrived, he was genuinely curious what Todd had made of his quarters. John had tried to leave the space to him and not invade it when he'd been acclimatising himself. That Todd had offered the option of his or John's quarters told him that the Wraith was comfortable enough in his presence. The nest was amusing enough, but he understood the curtains and lower light settings. When he'd been infected with the retrovirus, he'd been changing into something similar to the Wraith, if not more primitive. The lights in the city had become far too bright for his eyes. He'd kept his own quarters dark near the end.

"I like what you've done with the place." Just a bit of banter, but the books did catch his eye. "I guess I didn't expect you to be taking in our history. We're a little divided. But that probably doesn't surprise you. Factions, territorial behaviour. You yourself said we weren't so different." He spoke, slowly glancing over the book selections. He stopped at the cookbook and didn't bother to hide the amusement. "I could get you a library card." It was only half a joke. He was sure Todd's access was probably limited and he could make arrangements for digital media to be sent his way. "I'm gonna be honest, I didn't know you could read." Rephrase, Sheppard. "English, I mean. My knowledge of the Wraith language is limited to the pilot display of a Dart, but they don't seem even remotely easy to translate between each other." That wasn't why they were here, though.

John took the radio off his ear and set it down on the desk so it wouldn't get accidentally turned on again. "Have you actually had sex with a human before?"

“History on Earth is very fascinating, I believe your world has had more wars and territorial disputes than all of Pegasus’ humans have combined.” He said.

He’d concluded this was likely largely because they assumed themselves the top of the food chain, were able to progress unchecked by a more powerful species, and it wasn’t until so very recently they had learned to explore outside their own galaxy. Earth and its people were contained within itself.

It was also interesting to read how diverse the people of earth were. They’d set down roots in pretty much every corner of the world regardless of climate. Humans of Pegasus by comparison usually did not stray too far from the gates, sticking close by them for travel and trade. Earth humans lived in countries separated by days or more by traveling, Pegasus humans were separated by planets but with only a couple hours most of travel.

The cookbook wasn’t of recipes but a book of cuisines around the world. With Todd’s palate now changed, he was intrigued by the seemingly infinite variety of food available. As well of course it’s history. Though he was personally limited to whatever was being served in the mess hall.

At his statement of not knowing he could read and amended his meaning, Todd gave a small shrug, “While speaking and reading a language are very different, I’ve been among your people and needed enough translated during our multiple collaborations that filling in the rest was relatively easy. With a little help” he indicated a well used copy of book on the English language.

Earpiece set aside and questions directed back on topic, Todd nodded, “Yes, though not for some time, and you’ll be my first who is not a worshipper.” Being a devout loyalist apparently came with other perks. They didn’t take partners with those they fed upon.

He stepped closer, slowly raising his feeding hand, letting Sheppard see clearly what he was doing so as not to scare him off. He turned it, palm facing himself and laid it against the man’s chest lightly if he so allowed. It was a simple but very powerful gesture of trust.

“Will you lay with me tonight, John Shep-pard?” He asked, meeting his gaze, confirming if this was what he truly wanted.

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John Sheppard | Stargate Atlantis | OTA

always got bring out the bug vampire for the colonel lol

I am always here for the bug vampire. This made my night

:D

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hope the small context is ok

Perfectly ok

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no subject

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