SGA Fic: Know Thyself for What Thou Art

[xparrot]

So, I rather loved "Broken Ties," and wanted to explore it a little further. And yes, there needs to be more Ronon and Rodney stories. And Ronon angst, apparently. This is my first time with Ronon's POV; he proved rather startlingly introspective.

SGA: Know Thyself for What Thou Art {~3,400 words}
PG; gen, angst; tag to 5x03 "Broken Ties"
Ronon knows guilt. What he doesn't know--what he didn't know, before this--is shame.

Read it on AO3

Comments

[snarkydame.livejournal.com]

♥

That's just gorgeous. I adore your Ronon voice -- and whenever you write Ronon with Rodney, it's golden.

[katikat.livejournal.com]

A very interesting take on it. I think that you're right, Rodney would probably relate to Ronon's feelings best. And Sheppard wouldn't hold a grudge against Ronon, he would be just happy that Ronon is okay again :)

[trystings.livejournal.com]

This proves that there is way too little Ronon&Rodney fic out there. Gorgeous! And oh my, how very bad they are at expressing themselves, but you managed it and kept them in character. ♥

[sholio]

Oh, wonderful! I love the acknowledgment that they have this in common, and the way they tiptoe around the things they can't quite speak; and I love what Rodney is willing to offer in order to help assuage Ronon's shame.

[greyias.livejournal.com]

Aww, yes! That is the exact kind of thing I was thinking when they showed Rodney's face during Ronon's withdrawal. That it haunts him, like it'll haunt poor Ronon. And double "aww!" to the fact that would share security feed of his own withdrawal to try to let Ronon understand how well he knows.

And yes, again I love your description of John: how Sheppard can do so much and not know why he does it, not admit even to himself what drives him. That is so John Sheppard.

ETA: (because I forgot in the initial squee) I love Ronon's definition of guilt and shame, and the difference between them. It rings so true for him, and well, for me as well.

[horridporrid.livejournal.com]

Perfect! Just a perfect look at the aftermath. How Ronon handles it -- he is so damn strong and so damn brave, and yes, I think he'd totally be that clear eyed in seeing exactly what burden he was carrying. And how his team reacts, John and Teyla giving him what he needs, but Rodney the one he trusts to give him the truth. Because Rodney doesn't know how to lie.

And I love that Ronon saw Rodney's soldier side (he does know guilt) and I really, really love how you tied this all back to Rodney's own trial with the enzyme.

So yes, perfect, perfect episode tag. :)

[unaccompanied-g.livejournal.com]

This is just gorgeous, and I love the way you write Ronon and Rodney. ♥

[water-soter.livejournal.com]

Nice, great tag, I loved the way you played Ronon and Rodney. Nicely done.

[trishkafibble.livejournal.com]

BEAUTIFUL. This rings so true, and satisfies so well! I love Ronon going to Rodney for the truth, even about himself, and needing courage for it. I love Rodney not being able to face Ronon in casual situations until he knows the truth about him. And Ronon's observations about John...I don't think of him that way, but I can see Ronon doing so. I can also definitely see John grinning and content, with his team once more intact! Great job.

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I'm so glad my Ronon works for you! ^^

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Watching the ep, I couldn't help but think that Rodney was remembering, knowing too well what Ronon was going through...

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Ahh, but the boys' (all three of them) utter failings at communication is part of their charm! ^_^

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

So glad you enjoyed it! I do love the way these boys care so much and yet are so, so bad at actually acknowledging it...

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Thank you! There wasn't any reference to "The Hive" in the script, but the way they were directing and the way DH portrayed his reactions...yeah, they weren't forgetting it. Or maybe I'm reading too much in, but...I was thinking it, anyway!

The guilt vs shame, yeah, that's where the story came from, actually; I was rewatching Avatar, and one ep references the two emotions as distinctly different spiritual challenges to overcome, which got me trying to settle in my mind what that difference was. And then Ronon was right here to be a convenient voice for my musings, so...

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I see Ronon as being very in touch with himself - I don't know how else he could've survived Running as mentally and emotionally intact as he is unless he's very spiritually balanced. And I love, too, how much faith Ronon has in McKay's science...when there's science that needs doing, Ronon's always the first to look at Rodney; so it's not too far a leap (hopefully) to extrapolate that trust to other things, the closer they all become...

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I'm so glad they both worked for you!

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

So glad you enjoyed it! They're much fun to play with...

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I am so glad it satisfied! For such a straightforward-seeming guy, Ronon's got a lot going on. And Rodney gets that, I think. And John, hah...I never know how I see John myself, he's an awful tricky character. If Ronon's take on Sheppard sounds like Ronon, then I did it right!

[jadesfire.livejournal.com]

Oh awesome. I love that you've addressed what the show never mentioned, and the awkwardness between them is so perfect. Your Ronon is so spot on, still strong but managing to be vulnerable at the same time, and Rodney is so much himself. *happy sigh* Just brilliant.

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

So very glad you enjoyed it! And that Ronon worked, strong for all his angst (he's got so much, even if it's rarely remembered...)

[danceswithgary]

What a great character piece! The voices felt so right and I could see both reacting exactly that way.

[perspi.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes--indeed this is gorgeous. I love introspective Ronon, and asskicking Teyla, and understanding Rodney!

[deaka.livejournal.com]

Wonderful. :D I was thinking about how watching Ronon go through withdrawal must have been difficult for McKay; it would have brought back a lot of memories, and it would be doubly painful to have to watch someone you care about experience something you know firsthand is a terrible thing to endure. Oh, and I love Ronon's voice here. You have a real knack for capturing his tone. Great work!

[ladyflowdi.livejournal.com]

This was absolutely fantastic. I loved the emotion all through the story, the wrenching *shame*. Beautifully done. Thank you for sharing it with us!

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Thank you, glad they sounded like themselves!