"Four Months", Jack/Daniel, rated PG

[sid]

Huh. This had been lurking in my Story Ideas folder for ages.  So long in fact that I must have decided I was never going to write it, and I deleted the entry.

And now it's written.  Huh.

Jack/Daniel, rated PG

Summary:  Daniel is breaking it off with Jack.

FOUR MONTHS

Jack rubbed a hand over his face with obvious weariness, and interrupted Daniel. "Why don’t you just cut to the chase?"

"I’m sorry?" Daniel said, after a moment of tense silence.

"Is there any real point in dissecting the whole thing? Just say what you’ve got to say."

"All right." Daniel’s lips tightened. "This isn’t working for me."

Jack was very still, his eyes on Daniel’s face. "I’m sorry you feel that way. Is there anything I can do to change that?"

Daniel felt pain, as he thought of how different things could have been. "I don’t think so, Jack," he managed to say.

Jack tilted his head. "You don’t sound very sure?" Daniel dropped his gaze. "Something I did that I shouldn’t have done? Something I didn’t do that I should have?"

Daniel shook his head jerkily. "There’s nothing you could have done differently. It isn’t your fault." Daniel had come to want more than just friendly sex, but that wasn’t Jack’s problem.

"You’d tell me? Because I’d just as soon keep this thing going, so if there’s something I should be doing differently…"

Daniel knew his sadness must show on his face. "This just isn’t what I want."

Jack rose smoothly to his feet. "Okay. Got it. I’m sorry it couldn’t work out better." He watched as Daniel stood up. "We still good?" he asked softly.

"Yes," Daniel answered quickly. "You…you’re still my best friend. I hope."

Jack smiled. "Sure. Don’t ever doubt it." He gestured towards the front door. Daniel began walking, dazed with a certain kind of relief. "Just not the love of your life." Jack opened the door and pointedly waited for Daniel to pass through it. "See you tomorrow, then."

Daniel found himself staring at Jack’s closed door with confusion. What had Jack just said?

~~

Jack was pouring himself a drink when Daniel walked hesitantly back into the room. "Forget something?"

"You’re taking this very calmly," Daniel said, fiddling with his key chain.

Jack lifted his chin. "It’s a knack." Daniel looked pointedly at the large portion of whiskey he had just poured. Jack flushed, and set the drink down with a sharp click.

Daniel could feel his palms sweating. "‘Love of my life’?"

"It was a joke, Daniel."

"Not really funny, though."

Jack shrugged. "So sue me." He shoved his hands into his pockets. "I’d hoped we were going to avoid all the rehashing."

"Yes. Well." Daniel felt uncertain, but pushed ahead. "I decided I need to tell you why I’m breaking this off."

Jack pulled one hand out, and picked up his drink, taking a large swallow. "Go ahead. Do what you have to do." He sounded resigned.

Daniel looked down at his key ring, and then dropped it into his pocket. "I just need something more." Jack winced. "Oh, don’t get me wrong," Daniel continued. "The sex was great, and we had a lot of laughs, and there was plenty of affection and mutual respect." Jack looked at him with troubled eyes. "Did I mention the great sex?" That got a small smile out of Jack. Daniel smiled back. "But it just isn’t enough for me."

Jack was looking into his glass, smile gone. "I hope you find what you’re looking for, Danny."

"I think maybe I already have."

Jack looked up in evident shock. "There’s someone else?"

Daniel shook his head. "Jack. I’ve been looking for the love of my life." Jack’s brow creased. "Are we anywhere near being on the same page yet?" Daniel asked with a nervous laugh.

Jack straightened. His eyes widened. Daniel smiled, blinking rapidly. Jack moved swiftly.

Daniel found himself crushed in Jack’s arms, Jack’s lips pressed against his with a hunger that he had never felt from the other man before. They had kissed when they were aroused, and they had kissed when their bodies were sated and relaxed. But they had never kissed like this, with such deep emotion. Jack murmured something against his mouth, and slid his cheek along Daniel’s, burying his face into Daniel’s neck.

A sound escaped Daniel’s throat that was nothing short of embarrassing. He tightened his grip on Jack. "That sounded awfully girly, didn’t it?"

Jack sniffed, and pulled away. "Don’t talk to me about girly," he said, wiping away suspicious moisture from the corner of his eye. Daniel reached up to tenderly touch Jack’s face, and Jack seized hold of his hand. "Let’s be absolutely clear about this, Daniel."

"Hmm?"

"You were breaking up with me because you wanted…" Jack raised his eyebrows.

"Oh!" Daniel said. "Um, to be loved." Jack waved his free hand in a circular motion. Daniel nodded. "By you."

"You are." Daniel had never seen Jack look so tender, and yet triumphant. "You are." A tug at Daniel’s hand, and Jack began to move slowly backwards. "Come with me, and I’ll show you how much." His voice broke on the last word.

Four months. Four months of trial and error, sharing new experiences, fooling around. Four months of getting to know every inch of each other’s bodies intimately, four months of shared orgasms, shared showers. Four months of sleeping alone, doubting, aching.

Tonight he and Jack would become lovers. It was simply and utterly astounding. It felt like the first time.

Only better.

THE END

Comments

[melovetv.livejournal.com]

I also just wanted to mention that I spend many many minutes at a time staring at your icon! I loved the scene in canon, but I love your version so much more! *sigh* Yeah!

[sid]

I'm always glad to get the opportunity to proclaim that my icon was made by Skatergater! (I stare at it too!)