Summary: It's not always easy to meet expectations. Sometimes, it's even harder not to.
Probably Mistaken
John thinks that Rodney can fix everything.
Never mind whether it's a ten thousand year-old Ancient spaceship, or another victim of the John Sheppard school of computer repairs – if it's broken, Rodney can fix it. Because Rodney is a genius, although John will never, ever, say that out loud; and a genius' job is to be brilliant under all circumstances.
Rodney isn't perfect, though, and there are some things that even he can't repair. Like an overloading alien power source, and while he does manage to raise some peripheral shields – shutting out the rest of his team, shutting out John, because his priorities have changed over the last two years and his own survival is no longer the most important thing – he can't prevent the damn thing from blowing up in his face.
Which is why their first kiss is rather one-sided, and happens while John is doing his best to break Rodney's ribs.
~~~
Rodney thinks that John will always be there to save him.
It's not important if the cause for his current predicament is his being trapped on a Hiveship on its way to Earth, or an unfortunate offworld incident where the natives once again completely misunderstand Rodney's concern regarding all things citrus – if Rodney needs help of the "rescue mission, guns ablazin'" kind, John will be there. Because John doesn't leave his people behind, and Rodney trusts that, even though he has never mentioned it; and if anyone has ever been John's, it's Rodney.
But John has to follow orders, and sometimes even he can't get Rodney back. Like when Rodney is ordered back to Earth because he's the foremost expert on Ancient technology – suddenly he's not that expendable anymore, no longer a nuisance, instead needed in the war against the Orii – and John can't do anything to prevent him from leaving.
Which is why their second kiss is nothing but a short goodbye, and Rodney doesn't think there'll ever be a third.
~~~
Elizabeth thinks that John will always back her up, no matter how questionable her decisions may be.
Sam thinks that Rodney is smarter than her, but that she's the better scientist, because she knows which things are important.
Caldwell thinks that John doesn't follow military procedure, at all.
Dr. Lam thinks that Rodney's hypochondria is nothing but a cry for attention, even though some of his medical conditions are serious.
Teyla thinks that John can free the galaxy from the Wraith, once he starts taking things more seriously.
Cameron thinks that Rodney spends too much of his time complaining.
~~~
It's not always easy to meet expectations. Sometimes, it's even harder not to.
~~~
John thinks that Rodney could maybe send a note in the weekly data burst, if John's at least a little important to him.
Rodney thinks that John could maybe request some leave, if their kiss meant anything at all.
John thinks that now Rodney's back on Earth, he probably doesn't care, anyway.
Rodney wonders if John ever has.
~~~
It's half a year before they meet again.
John has finally lost his patience, deciding he hates leaving things unresolved. Rodney has finally convinced the SGC that his offensiveness isn't worth the effort, drawing quiet triumph from the fact that they'll send him home again.
Landry honestly thinks he's made the better deal.
John steps through the wormhole the day before the Daedalus is scheduled to leave. It saves them a month of waiting.
Which is probably why their third kiss is born from pure relief.
~~~
John has always thought that Rodney would babble during sex, that he would spill his multisyllable words in a helpless mumble while John maps soft pale skin with his tongue, licks his way between firm round cheeks, teasing and lapping until one of them breaks.
Rodney has always thought that John would be laid back in a relationship, that he wouldn't allow anyone to get too close, too proud to snuggle closer when they're both naked and panting and sticky and right on the verge of sleep.
They don't count their kisses anymore.
They know they don't have to.
~~~
Aren't you glad life's all about learning?
~~~
End.