Saturday, June 16th, 2007 10:56 pm
TITLE: Boundaries Marked In Oils
SUMMARY: There are always boundaries between professional men, no matter how personal the subject.
CATEGORY: angst
RATING: PG-13
DISCLAIMER: Not mine, never will be, ain't got no moooooooney, and nobody knows the trouble I've seen!
ORIGINAL THREAD : found here
NOTES: Written for [livejournal.com profile] verstehen in the Valentine's Day Challenge: she wanted Teyla/Lorne, or Teyla/Bates with the prompt, chains of command. I've changed the name of the fic, too, because my titles tend to suck. It used to be Boundaries Marked In Oils. Changed it back again.

I wasn't actually going to post this for a few days, but the story I just posted is kinda the prequel to this one. And I thought I should have this one easily accessible.

Boundaries Marked In Oils

The silence on the other side of the room is louder than an explosion.

Mark turns to find Sheppard paused in the act of flipping through the paintings he's piled in the corner.

Oh, shit.

It could be any portrait, any scene, any subject that the colonel's looking at. It could be, but it isn't.

Mark's first instinct is to cross the room and seize it back from the other man. Instead, he waits for the other man to speak - because this isn't something Sheppard's going to let pass by.

But it's a long moment before the other man speaks, lifting the painting up so the light falls over it more clearly, the warm tans and golds warming the room as surely as the subject's affection warmed the two men looking at her painting.

"Did you paint it from life?" It's a casual question, but dark currents lurk beneath.

"Yes."

He's sorry to do this to a man he respects; but all's fair in love and war. Mark asked, Sheppard didn't; Teyla said yes.

"It's beautiful." Sheppard turns enough that Mark can catch the line of cheekbone and brow, an oddly arrested pose for a man who's rarely still.

She was beautiful.

It was painted in one sitting - a two hour session when there were no interruptions, no duties, no emergencies over their earpieces. He lost himself in the painting, discussing…something with her. He's still not sure what. But she was smiling through most of it, so it can't have been that bad.

Teyla laughs out of the painting, looking over her shoulder at the viewer, the sheets of the bed in disarray around her. And the broad, satisfied smile on her lips leaves no doubt as to what Mark did to make her smile like that.

He made her laugh again, later. She welcomed him back into the bed, paint-stained fingertips and all.

But he won't tell the other man that.

Just like he won't offer Sheppard the painting, and Sheppard won't ask for it.

There are always boundaries between professional men, however personal the subject.

fin
Saturday, June 16th, 2007 05:31 pm (UTC)
Lovely. Just read both pieces; and really like the subtlety here. You've got a knack for writing teyla with just about anyone! Off to read the one w cam. Thanks! -Lis
Saturday, June 16th, 2007 08:14 pm (UTC)
I almost missed this, and the prequel, while going through my flist! I'd also completely forgotten I'd asked for it, so it was a nice surprise. I really like how the story is told through action and description; it's very understated and it works, especially since the stories revolve around a painting.

They're lovely, thank you!
Sunday, June 17th, 2007 12:13 am (UTC)
Might I point out that you've got Lorne's name as Evan in the first fic and Mark in this one? Very nice. Poor John...
Friday, June 22nd, 2007 10:48 am (UTC)
Yeah, we were talking about that the other night and I can't remember the reference that was cited for his name being Evan. [livejournal.com profile] skydiver119 would know. :-D
Tuesday, June 26th, 2007 04:01 pm (UTC)
Ouch! I love that you used Lorne's painting in this. One of the rare examples where we actually get to know a little something personal about the characters. I also love that Teyla isn't just waiting around for John to get on with it. She should be happy, too.
Friday, January 4th, 2008 10:43 pm (UTC)
Loved this one too. Nicely done :-) I really love Lorne and Teyla together and there can' be enough fic - so I'm glad I found yours
Friday, January 4th, 2008 10:43 pm (UTC)
Loved this one too. Nicely done :-) I really love Lorne and Teyla together and there can' be enough fic - so I'm glad I found yours