The thing is, the story isn't about that. It's not about John and Rodney. It's about Rodney and Atlantis, and the time he spent there, and what he does with everything he learned: from the city herself, from his team, and from John.

So, yeah, you know, sad, but not Willamakee sad.

The thing is, the story isn't about that.

That's a perfectly rational viewpoint. I am not coming from a rational place. I am coming from a DON'T HURT MY WOOBIES place.

Also, Emily's on my bench!

You know, I look at it, and I see it so much about John. John being the central character by virtue of his absence. He's not even named. Rodney's telling the story of seven years of his life, where John and Atlantis became his home; and I'm left to wonder if there's actually anything buried in that grave. Or if it's just a marker for something that was shut behind a gate.

I think there was a reference to the grave being empty.

Well, it would have to be, wouldn't it? Since the jumper blew up.

I don't actually think they let you engrave custom messages in Arlington National Cemetery anyway. You're stuck with the standard name, rank, dates, and possible religious symbol. No "to my own sweetie woobie" or even "Gone before".

Oh, Betsy, you kill me.

Bwah!

And for a change of pace, check out Trinityofone's Band AU: [link] A bit too much John-is-beautiful, but it's very fun, and the art is a hoot.