OMG! How did I miss THIS?!?! I love the progression of it, how they parse it out over time and then “No,” he says helplessly, “no,” and someone must hear him (love him), because the energy dissipates and Rodney’s shoulder is warm and solid under his hand poor John and he kind of breaks, which is just so lovely. And then POPSICLES and Rodney's ridiculous mouth. Nnnnnnngh. Man I love the way you write them. ♥