exastris_scientia | retired open post // will still tag in if threads are ongoing!

[ Day to day life in Atlantis has actually been really good. It's nothing to do with that. Just ---he tries not to dwell on the days between the last time he saw his friends alive and now. He knows none of them would want that. It isn't easy, and more than once in the past week he's woken up tangled in his bedsheets swearing he could feel sand and blood on his palms and between his fingers. That he could feel the dead weight of trying to drag one of his best friends out of an impossible situation. ]

Ouch. I've heard they are impossible to get away from once you win a round. They just keep pestering you until you cave so they can try to get their money back.

[ John still watches the waves as it laps away the beer just poured for those no longer with him into the ocean. It's a hell of a thing to spring on somebody, but how do you invite someone out to share a beer with you and some ghosts? It's a little awkward, and he's never quite managed it. Ronon was easier---he knew he understood it. McKay just didn't ask after he realized it, and they were usually out here anyways. ]

To buddies and views.

[ He nods, lifts the can, and takes another swig. ]

They would have loved the mainland. The waves out there. If I never see another desert, it'll be too soon. The only sand I like is the beach.

They also throw things. Really, I can't be involved in it.

[Evan listens, quietly, but does not appear to be uncomfortable with the situation at hand. He's not, actually, maybe even a little awed that Sheppard chose him to get out here and share.]

The waves, huh? All surfers?

That's really unsportsmanlike.

[ John makes a face at that, but then chuckles as he casts a glance over at Evan. ]

Oh no, one of them couldn't even swim before he met me. The beach was all my fault. It was just after I split with Nancy, and I had a bunch of leave days I was about to lose.

Hmmh. [Evan nods, thoughtfully, taking another sip.

If he's surprised at the second, really personal thing that's being brought up (Evan doesn't think they ever talked about women before; not even in a superficial way, not even about dating) he doesn't make a thing out of it. Sometimes you just need to talk. Without having it pointed out to you or the expectation to do it again the next day.]

Beach is a good choice for those, yeah.

[ He only really brings it up cause it's a part of the story. The split with Nancy, his buddies trying to get his head out of the dirt. So leave days and surfboards and watching Mitch eat sand on his way in from a really big wave. Cooking out on the beach, and camping out after dark to break the rules cause screw it. ]

Well, I'm pretty sure none of them were going to go climbing with me.

What were they like?

[It's as neutral of an offer as he can make. If Sheppard wants to talk to him he's signaling that he's ready and willing for the baggage. If not, he can give him two adjectives and be done with it.]

Not climbers, I take it.

Bunch of dumbasses and trouble-makers.

[ He says it with a chuckle. ]

Mitch might have tried, but Dex---he flew, sure, but I've never known a guy so terrified of heights that would still climb into a helicopter bitching the whole way.

[Evan snorts, amused, taking another swing from his bottle.]

What, like BA Baracus? What'd you do, tie him to his chair?

Could be. Threatened to creatively zip tie him, but lucky for us he was the kind of guy that would bury it when it came down to the mission.

All the way up to the end.

They sound great.

[They do. Evan can read between the lines, hear it in the unspoken, can feel the extent of everything that "all the way up to the end" entails.

And besides, everyone who's got the Colonel's respect is in his good books anyway.]

They weren't too bad. They'd give me so much shit about that alien gene thing if they were around and had clearance to know it. Tell me that's how I managed to be so good up there.

I cheated.

Huh.

[Evan's eyebrows go up and he tilts his head, mulling it over for a moment.]

The gene, huh? Never crossed my mind. [A beat and just the hint of a shit-eating grin underneath the impassive mask.] Always thought it's the looks.

[ That earns a hearty chuckle from John, and it warms him out from deep in his chest. He sees that hint of a grin and it's good to see. He nods. Ok. All right, sure. ]

Looks are pretty good in a dogfight. I mean I thought about asking the next Queen on a date, but I don't think she'd go for vegetarian.

[ He wouldn't, but there's always room for a disparaging joke or two at your own expense with a friend. ]

I know it's no painting, but I think I have a shot.

Mmh. [Lorne nods thoughtfully.] You need a wingman to ward off the Drones, gimme a call.

[Another swing from the bottle and he doesn't bother to hide the grin anymore.]

[ That next comment has him stopping, nearly spitting out his drink as he laughs. He brings his arm up to wipe at his face. He coughs, laughing harder. ]

I'll take that under consideration.

Always happy to have your six, sir.

[He joins in with a chuckle and amicably pats his back to help him out.]

I appreciate it, Major. I'll remember you offered.

retired open post // will still tag in if threads are ongoing!

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