&fic;

 

Huddle Formation

by sugargroupie

NC-17, 3247 words

Summary: he's a cheerleader in college, dating the star of the basketball team. He couldn't be more of a cliché if he tried.

Disclaimer: Not mine; O'Bannon, Henson, Kemper, et. al.

Notes: This is... how do I explain this? A Farscape basketball AU. Yeah, I don't know. AUs are fun and some liberties were taken in this story. No beta, mistakes are all mine.

.   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .

John pumps his arms in the air in celebration as the ball sinks into the hoop. "Nothing but net, baby!" he yells, his voice all but drowned out by the roar of the crowd.

The arena is filled to capacity with students, alumni and fans dressed in school colors and Lady Vols jerseys, stomping their feet in the stands and high-fiving each other as point guard Aeryn Sun hits her third three-pointer of the night.

Damn, she's on tonight, he thinks, just before his best friend Chiana says, "What the hell did you do to your girlfriend? She's on fire!" twirling her pom-poms for good measure.

John rolls his eyes, because this is his life. He's a cheerleader in college, dating the star of the basketball team. He couldn't be more of a cliché if he tried.

He starts a chant as the Vols run to the other end of the court for defense. The other cheerleaders join in immediately, and before long they've got a sizeable chunk of the crowd behind them singing along. It's going to be a great night, he can feel it.

By the end of the second half with five minutes left on the clock, The Vols are ahead enough that John and the rest of the squad start winding down. He sighs, crouching to the hard floor before grabbing his water bottle. He takes a few big gulps before sealing the cap and wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

It was a good game, but he's glad it's almost over. All he wants to do now is head back to the dorms, shower, and meet up with Aeryn later. And maybe not in that order; showers with Aeryn are always more fun.

For one split-second John meets Aeryn's eyes and she gives him a quick smile, but it's more like the sides of her mouth turn up slightly. Still, it's a smile during game time so he'll take what he can get and return the gesture.

Though, in all honesty, his smile is much bigger.

He turns to find Chiana looking his way and he can only shrug. She'll mock him for it later; tell him in that sing-song voice he hates that his nose is so wide open it's pathetic. But John's never needed convincing of his feelings for Aeryn. It's usually the other way around.

Waving her fingers in his direction, Chiana calls out, "Hey Crichton, where's your school spirit?"

John gives her the middle finger. It's his special spirit finger, in a way. "Fuck the spirit fingers."

Chiana laughs loudly. Ever since attending their first summer of cheer camp freshman year, the Bring it On in-jokes have been ongoing. John only regrets attending the weekly movie viewings that summer a little.

* * *

John notices Aeryn for the first time as he and Chiana are leaving the practice gym. Aeryn is warming up on the court, wearing a sports bra and a flimsy jersey, her shorts riding low on her hips. He can see her hair sticking to the sweat on her neck and the sides of her face, like she'd been practicing for hours. Later on he found out his assumption was correct.

He doesn't realize he's staring, that he's actually stopped walking to watch Aeryn's shots swish neatly through the net. It's only when Chiana flicks his ear with an annoyed huff that he drags himself away, but he can't help the quick glances he sends over his shoulder as they leave.

John looks back once more, only to find that Aeryn has turned to watch their retreat, the ball settled casually at her hip. She raises one brow and gives him a smirk that he'll quickly grow to love, and it startles him enough that it takes him a moment to realize she's looking at him. He absently holds the door open for Chiana, when what he really wants to do is return to court side and stare, maybe form words that turn into a conversation before Aeryn is fully immersed in basketball practice.

Chiana nudges his shoulder out of the way as she peeks back through the doors to see what's caught his attention. She clucks her tongue, sounding somewhat resigned when she says, "She's going to eat you alive."

John cants his head to the side and smiles. "You think?"

The thought turns him on as much as it intimidates him, but he's looking forward to the challenge.

* * *

Aeryn's mouth is still tinted pink from her ever-present tube of chapstick when she wraps her lips around his dick, and his only thought is a quick reminder to himself: Oh god, don't come.

It's not as if he's never had a quick blowjob in between classes or rushed before a roommate can drop in suddenly. He's learned how to maneuver his own hands and tongue efficiently when necessary. But Aeryn is afforded certain perks as an athlete of a team whose winning streak is putting others to shame. One of those perks being a single room where they don't have to worry about a roommate interrupting them. Their main concern is usually sneaking him out of the dorms past curfew, but even then they get some leeway if the person sitting at the front desk is willing to look the other way.

Most days -- when they can make time to see each other, that is -- they have moments like these, where John can close his eyes and enjoy an unhurried blowjob from his girlfriend.

She swirls her tongue around the head of his cock, then licks down to the base and nuzzles his balls. She knows it drives him crazy when she does that; makes him clench her ponytail in his fist and pull whimpers and grunts from his throat. John can't form words when she puts her mouth on him but he feels them take shape in his mind. They just seem to get lost in the translation.

Aeryn sucks him off until he comes slow and almost painful, biting his lip to keep quiet out of habit.

"No one can here you, John," she says, laying her head on his naked thigh for a moment before rising from the bed and entering the bathroom she shares with a suite mate.

"Yeah," he breathes.

Returning a few minutes later, Aeryn removes her gym shorts, leaving her clad in a pair of briefs and a fitted tank top. She climbs on the bed between his spread out legs and lifts them until they circle around her waist. John's breath catches as she rocks her hips forward, simulating fucking him, her hand hovering on his cock.

She leans down and presses her mouth against his jaw. "One day soon we're going to test how thick these walls are," she murmurs. She smiles down at him, and John is instantly reminded of why he's in love with her.

"I've got all the time in the world," he says lowly, feels her shiver just slightly above him as she nods. John cups her ass with both hands and tugs until she's pressed close, like she truly could fuck him in this position.

Aeryn rubs against him slowly and John chases her mouth with a deep kiss.

His nose really is wide open where Aeryn is concerned, but John is okay with that.

* * *

Sometimes, John will glance over at Chiana and wonder 'what if.' He's called her his best friend for as long as he can remember. He remembers the exact day when they were 12 years old and she decided to call everyone by their last name, because it sounded cool, but his was the only name she claimed with true affection.

It used to be a constant thought in his head when he dated her twin sister Karen. He lost his virginity and soon after his girlfriend, but his friendship with Chiana remained.

Hell, he helped her try out for the squad junior year of high school because she was a ball of nerves, and didn't have the heart to turn down a position on the squad because Chiana had convinced him of how much fun they'd have cheering together.

It only took a few games for John to realize he actually enjoyed cheering. He also got laid a lot his senior year.

So, yeah, there are passing moments when John wonders why he and Chiana haven't hooked up, when it seems like it makes the most obvious sense in the world.

And then she says shit like, "Crichton, just grab those balls you love holding so much and ask her out," in an exasperated whisper as they sit in the main campus library and 'what if' flies out the fucking window.

Her whisper echoes loud enough to not be considered a whisper at all, drawing the attention of the table of students behind them. John quickly digs his nose in his Trig book and pretends he can't hear her.

Chiana gives him an apologetic look and continues, "You know what I mean. I've never seen you like this before about a girl you like. What's up with that?"

John shrugs, looking away. "Aeryn is different. I can't explain it, Chi, she's just..." he trails off, seemingly lost in thought before his eyes meets hers. "She's different," he repeats.

"Oh," Chiana murmurs. "Oh, oh shit."

"What?"

"You've got that look in your eyes."

John frowns. "What look?"

"That looks that says you're smitten and it's just a matter of time before you're writing both your names in hearts on your Trapperkeeper," Chiana cackles.

John searches around for any lurking library staff then balls up a sheet of paper and throws it across the table towards Chiana, which only seems to make her laugh harder. He grins in response.

They're shushed by a few students nearby and quickly stifle their amusement, leaning closer to speak in hushed whispers.

"Look, we've talked a few times, but I kinda get the feeling that the asking out part should be her move."

Chiana quirks her brow. "Really? I like her already."

"Yeah," John sighs with a grin. He's so screwed already and he doesn't even know it.

"There's that look again Crichton," Chiana points her finger at him. "You looked the same way after Karen."

John nods sharply, flattens his mouth. "Bite me, Chi."

"Who says I haven't?"

And then she says shit like this, John thinks, and it really makes him wonder just which Shaw sister took his virginity.

*

John's instincts prove to be correct when Aeryn asks him out a week later.

He's a smug bastard about it all through practice, to the point where Chiana lashes out at him by throwing one of her pom-poms at his head. "Cut it out, Crichton!"

"What am I doing?"

"You know what," she huffs. "Stop grinning like that. It's fucking creepy."

John has to bite the inside of his mouth for the rest of practice to keep from smiling.

* * *

John loves eating pussy.

More importantly, John loves eating Aeryn's pussy, and he knows he should be a little embarrassed by how eager he is to duck his head between her thighs whenever he gets the chance.

Like right now, for example, when they've barely gotten through the door of her room, and John feels this urgency to taste her; his mouth waters just thinking about it.

John uses different tongue strokes to get her off, depending on her mood. Sometimes, his girl likes it quick and dirty, and so he goes straight for her clit until she's damn near squeezing his head with her thighs.

Other times, he likes to lay his tongue flat against her, lick her slowly until she curses him and begs for it.

And yeah, he thinks about it when he obviously shouldn't. The last time he relived a particularly vivid memory of eating Aeryn out on top of her desk, he sent her a text, asking her to meet him at his dorm. He kicked his roommate out and gave her head against the door.

When he licked his lips later, he could still taste her at the corner of his mouth.

*

John loves Aeryn's hair.

On their first date, he couldn't stop staring at it and wondering if it was as a thick and soft as it looked. When they kissed later that night he finally got the chance to comb his fingers through her hair as he cupped her neck and pulled her flush against him.

And she felt it - how hard he was, just from being around her. Things were way beyond his control, and he wanted Aeryn to feel it too, even if it was through his filter.

She feels it enough to make her entire body a tactile experience. She drags her hair down his chest before giving him head, doesn't mind when he wraps himself around her during sex. He's never wanted to get closer to someone when he's already buried inside them, when he can feel each breath she takes because she's tightening around his dick. John can't really wrap his head around falling so hard for Aeryn, so incredibly fast.

He almost can't quite believe that she's not running in the other direction, needing space or a moment to breathe because he's always there. She's a constant in his life, and he wonders if the same is true for her.

* * *

He says I love you for the first time at an away game when he knows she can't do anything about it.

It was a tight game against Rutgers, but the Vols made a comeback in the second half that's going to be talked about for days back home. Aeryn's focused on celebrating their win with her teammates, as she should be, and John wants to be the supportive boyfriend.

But he's also been holding back the words for weeks, probably months, and when she pulls him to the side for a brief moment alone before going to the locker room, he can't hold it in any longer.

He mumbles it against her mouth, just as she releases him from a kiss, and her wide smile fades. He can read the surprise on her face, and something else he can't name.

One of the assistant coaches pulls Aeryn away soon after, and they're both saved from an awkward silence.

When he tells Chiana what happened, she bumps his shoulder and says, "Idiot," under her breath. She's not wrong.

*

John is sitting in his hotel room after the game, contemplating taking Chiana up on her offer to sneak away to a bar for some heavy drinking, when the knock comes.

Aeryn is standing on the other side in a grey UTK hoodie and warm-up pants, her hair down and still damp. "Did you mean it?"

He gestures for her to come inside and locks the door behind her, some part of him not wanting her to leave until they've completely cleared the air.

Nodding, John says, "Yes," into the quiet and forces himself not to shift on his feet. He'd put the words out there and now there was no take-backs. At least he'd know how she felt.

"Good," she replies, but he can hear the slight unsteadiness in her voice.

John holds out his hand. "C'mere, Aeryn." Holds his breath and waits, hoping she doesn't reject him and that, despite her words, this isn't the end for them.

Aeryn's steps are slow, but when she finally lays her hand on top of his, he grabs hold tightly and gathers her in a hug that she fully returns. He sets his mouth against her neck and whispers, "Thank you," because he can't find the words otherwise.

They stand in the middle of his hotel room for a long while, until John drags his mouth up her jaw to her mouth, and Aeryn opens for him with no hesitation. She slips her tongue inside, curling around his, her kiss wet and uncoordinated and he loves it.

He's wondered when it would happen, when her control would fracture and she'd let someone in completely. John had hoped it would be him, because he's in love, and he wants so much for her to be in love with him back.

Aeryn breaks the kiss to pull her hoodie over her head, then they help each other undress.

John can wait for the words to come later; he knows Aeryn's exactly where she wants to be.

* * *

He tugs her nipple gently with his teeth before licking the sweat from her breast, groaning into her skin.

Aeryn tightens around him as she shifts in his lap, her legs boxed around his waist. She digs her heels into the bed behind him and thrusts down on his cock, and the lack of space between them is almost his undoing. They can't breathe without the other feeling it from the inside out.

John raises his head and kisses her chin, trails his fingertips down her spine to settle both hands on her hips. He grips her hard and lifts until he can cup her ass, fucks her down on him with abbreviated pumps because any more space between them is too much.

"Fuck," he gasps, and Aeryn returns the sentiment in his ear, followed by, yes, John, fuck me; hold on and fuck me.

This is how Aeryn chooses to celebrate her first championship with the Lady Vols. It's not a stretch for John to believe he has the best girlfriend ever.

Her hand is warm at the nape of his neck, her fingers steady as she draws them through his hair, massaging his scalp. She wraps her other arm around his back, kneading the muscle there as they kiss. Aeryn breathes him in and out, her mouth wet and sweet until she starts talking, and John is reminded that his girl has a fucking potty mouth.

And it turns him on more, if possible, like nobody's business.

John ducks his head and takes her breast into his mouth once more, and she somehow wriggles free enough to urge him back against mattress, the sheets cool against his skin.

She slides down his cock again, bracing her hands against his chest and rocks her hips in a slow rhythm. John feels it pulling at him with each stroke, and he reaches out blindly to hold onto damp skin, skimming his fingers down her back to eventually rest on her thighs. "Baby," he breathes, "come on." And maybe he's a little desperate right now but he's never wanted to come so badly in his life.

Aeryn leans forward, her long hair draping over their heads as she rides him, and John comes with a groan so deep in his chest he wonders if she can feel it.

He slips his hand between them and searches out her clit, rubbing until she lets go and his fingers are sticky with her release.

Before he realizes what he's doing, John hugs her tight and trails kisses up her neck before resting his cheek against hers. "You love me," he murmurs, "right?"

Aeryn takes a deep breath and gives him a short nod, followed by a drowsy, "Yes."

John grins and gives her a lingering kiss, then releases her from his embrace. He closes his eyes as they both lay there. Later, once he's saved up the energy, there may be a fist pump involved; maybe even spirit fingers.

After all, he is a cheerleader.

*

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