Counting

"It's your move."

John shifts his gaze to the board, frowns. Rodney moved his bishop. At least John thinks Rodney moved his bishop.

"Could you please stop being so distracted? It's distracting," Rodney says.

"Sure," John says, half contemplating what to do with the pawn in front of his king, half counting.

"What are you--" Rodney turns around, looking where John's been looking, at Keller and Ronon sitting close together on the other side of the mess, his arm around her waist. "Are you jealous?" Rodney asks, shifting back to face John.

"Of course not."

"Yes, and?" Rodney says, moving his hand in a small circle.

"I was counting how many days it's been since I kissed someone," John admits, mostly becuase Rodney is the only friend he would ever admit it to.

"Too many," Rodney says.

"How would you know?"

"Because one day is too many, and if you're working that hard to count them, it's been way too long."

John grunts and moves his pawn.

***

Rodney follows John into his quarters and when John turns to ask him why, warm, slightly chapped lips press against his.

"Now you can start at one," Rodney says. He's out the door before John can say anything.

John lifts his fingers to his lips and smiles. Tomorrow will be one. He knows just how he'll keep it form becoming two.