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sidIt's so very quiet on LJ today that I decided to post one of my older stories.
5,138 words, PG, Jack/Daniel friendship. Well, it's really pre-slash, and there's a sequel to prove it, *g* which I'll post later after cleaning it up a little. I corrected a few errors on this and took out a ton of extraneous commas and changed two Dannys to Daniels. What can I say. I was young? Yeah, right. *g* No, I'd been writing less than two months, was on the very outskirts of the fandom, and never even considered trying to find a beta.
RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY
The people of P3X547 called themselves The People. Their planet was The World, and this city was The Capital. They had started out by calling the members of SG-1 The Visitors. That soon became Our Visitors. And after four days, Our Friends. And the Goa’uld were The Enemy. Colonel Jack O’Neill heartily approved of that designation. He liked these People very much. They had been cautiously welcoming, but shown no fear. They had great personal dignity, but weren’t stuffy or formal. They smiled a lot, and they seemed to like his sense of humor. And they made good beer.
The people of P3X547 called themselves The People. Their planet was The World, and this city was The Capital. They had started out by calling the members of SG-1 The Visitors. That soon became Our Visitors. And after four days, Our Friends. And the Goa’uld were The Enemy. Colonel Jack O’Neill heartily approved of that designation. He liked these People very much. They had been cautiously welcoming, but shown no fear. They had great personal dignity, but weren’t stuffy or formal. They smiled a lot, and they seemed to like his sense of humor. And they made good beer.
Dr. Daniel Jackson had been happily absorbed into the academic community, the happiness being on both sides. They loved teaching, and Daniel loved learning about new cultures. His first questions had been about their history, and specifically about The Enemy. For whatever reason, the Goa’uld had not been around for several centuries. This was excellent news as far as Jack was concerned. His team had been through one tough mission after another lately, and this trip promised to be a welcome break in that pattern.
Major Samantha Carter had joined Jack on tours of various industrial and municipal facilities. She had also spent time with the scientific community. In general, this planet lagged behind Earth in terms of development, but they did have some interesting things to offer. Medically, they could use Earth’s help. There were definitely possibilities for mutually beneficial trade agreements. Sam was finding all the people she met with to be very intelligent, and pleasant company as well.
Teal’c had been a huge hit with the children and young people. They had been drawn to him from the beginning and soon he was surrounded by crowds of children wherever he went. Daniel had learned the reason for this, but wasn’t sure that he wanted to tell Teal’c that he reminded them of a much loved illustrated storybook character. Teal’c had visited some of the schools, and had been invited to meals and parties by some of the older teenagers. He was enjoying himself immensely and Jack was getting a kick out of watching him.
Jack had been learning about the intriguing structure of this world’s military forces. There had been no attacks by The Enemy to deal with, and relations among the different continents and political sub-divisions of the planet had always been peaceful. But there had always been moderate-sized standing armies trained and ready in case The Enemy returned. Their role in peace-time was to fulfill the functions of police officers and firefighters, and to assist in times of natural disaster. There were smaller navies and air forces scattered around the world, which also primarily served as aid organizations. Jack found this approach both far-sighted and immediately practical.
The political body here in The Capital was The Council. It was a mixture of elected, appointed and hereditary members. There was a sort of religious element involved as well. The People didn’t seem to worship any thing or Being in particular. Perhaps this was a result of having been enslaved all those centuries ago by False Gods. But they did have moral ideals which could be preached about in front of a congregation, and sung about by choirs. Fellowship was an important part of their lives. Jack was reminded of the pot-luck dinners held at church when he was growing up in Minnesota. There was no church here, but these types of gatherings were held in The Hall. Which was also where The Council met, and where a reception for SG-1 was to be held tonight.
~~
The four members of SG-1 were all in the suite of rooms that they had been given for the duration of their stay, getting freshened up for the evening ahead. They had been loaned clothing to change into for the occasion. All the outfits were similar: comfortable dark trousers and short-sleeved shirts in jewel-tones. They still wore their military boots, but the trousers covered them pretty well. As Sam surveyed the final result, she was sure that someone had gone to the effort of picking out the most flattering color for each of them. She stroked the soft fabric of her shirt with pleasure. Or could it just be a coincidence? Maybe they had just grabbed the first thing they found that looked to be the right size. That could certainly be true in Teal’c’s case, in fact his shirt was a little tighter than anyone else’s. Her eyes left Teal’c’s bulging biceps, and looked at the other two men again. Daniel had been working out with Teal’c for quite a while now, and boy, did it show! When she remembered the young man she had first met, the change was astonishing. And the Colonel certainly had nothing to be ashamed of, either. She was one lucky woman, to work every day with such fine examples of masculinity…..
“Carter, whatcha smiling at?”
Sam raised startled eyes to meet the Colonel’s quizzical gaze. “Oh, just, uh, nothing.” She could feel her cheeks turning pink. “Is everybody ready to go?”
“Do we look all right?” Daniel asked her.
“Yes, Daniel, you all look fine. In fact that color really brings out your eyes,” Sam teased him.
Daniel’s eyebrows went up and then his eyes went down. “Uh, thanks. I think.”
Jack stepped in front of Daniel and said, “Let me see.” Startled, Daniel raised wide blue eyes to Jack’s face. “Why, Daniel, Carter’s right. That color really does bring out your eyes.” Daniel’s only response was to blink at Jack’s smiling face. His cheeks were as pink as Sam’s had been earlier. Jack laid a hand on his shoulder and gave a squeeze, before turning away to say, “Let’s party.”
~~
The reception was going along nicely. Dinner had been eaten and was now being digested. To Jack’s sorrow, the pitchers of beer had disappeared from the table when the food was removed, but the glasses of fizzy digestif liqueur that replaced them turned out to be very pleasant indeed. The beer had a very low alcohol content, but this small glass packed a more potent punch. Jack sipped contentedly. The Council member on his left, Anrik, spoke to him. “Friendship is very important to Our People, Jack. We would be pleased if you would join us in a brief ceremony to celebrate our newfound friendship with the people of Earth.”
Jack nodded his head. “Sounds good. Friendship is important to us, too.”
“We’ll have the ceremony in a little while then, when people start to get up from the table. I can tell that you and the other members of your team are all good friends. How long have you all known each other?”
“Well, I’ve known Daniel the longest. Met Carter over a year later, and Teal’c soon after that,” Jack replied.
“And how many years ago was that? That you and Daniel first met?” Anrik asked.
“Well, we’ve been SG-1 for about six and a half years, so it must be about eight years ago. Give or take.”
“And you have been friends all that time? How wonderful for you both.”
Jack grinned. “Well, I can’t honestly say we were friends from the minute we met. It took a few weeks.” He sipped some of his drink, and then said, more seriously, “And we were separated a couple of times. Daniel was…gone for over a year. Both times.”
“But you still thought of him as a friend during those times you were apart, did you not?”
“Absolutely,” Jack answered. “So it all counts then, right?” His smile was back, and the smile on Anrik’s face showed agreement.
~~
Soon people began to rise from the table, and Anrik told Jack, “I will go speak to Kel. He will be performing the ceremony. I will bring him over to you. Perhaps you could gather your people?”
Jack nodded and pushed back his chair. Teal’c, who was sitting across the table a few seats away, looked up at him. Jack held up one finger and scanned the room for Carter and Daniel. Daniel was still in his seat on Jack’s side of the table, and Carter was halfway across the room, talking to two of the female Council members. He pointed towards Carter. “T, round up Carter and bring her over here, would ya?” Teal’c inclined his head and rose. Jack walked down to where Daniel sat. He paused as he saw that Daniel was in the middle of what seemed to be an intense conversation, hands gesticulating, eyebrows punctuating, his audience intent on every word. And then Daniel, with a mischievous grin, said a few final words and dropped his hands into his lap. The people around him erupted with laughter.
Jack smiled and walked closer. Daniel caught sight of him and said “Whoops, speak of the devil.” Jack’s eyebrows rose. Daniel made a face at him.
“Hate to break this up, but I need you. If you’re through maligning me, that is?” Jack inquired smoothly. Daniel just grinned and got up from his seat, excusing himself to his companions, who were still quietly laughing.
“What’s up?” Daniel asked.
“Oh, they want to do some kind of ceremony, in honor of our new friendship.”
“Sounds good.”
“That’s what I said,” Jack replied, steering Daniel around a group of people. He saw Anrik up ahead with Kel and took his hand away from Daniel’s arm to wave at them. Carter and Teal’c caught up with them as they joined the two Councilmen. “There’s going to be a short ceremony in a few,” he explained briefly.
Kel smiled at them all. “Jack, we would be honored to have you participate, as the leader of your group.” Jack was trying, and failing, not to look smug, when Kel continued. “Daniel, we would like you to go through the ceremony as well.”
Anrik hastened to assure Sam and Teal’c that they were not trying to exclude them. Normally only the leader would go through the ceremony, but they had decided to invite Daniel in addition, for two reasons.
Kel explained, “First of all, we observed that when we initially met you, Daniel did much of the talking. Jack was leader, but Daniel served as spokesperson. And secondly, I have been made aware of your interest in our culture, Daniel. We thought that it would please you to experience one of our rituals firsthand.”
“Yes, thank you, I’m very interested in participating,” Daniel said eagerly.
As they stood talking, a space had been cleared around them. A small table was placed nearby and some items were laid on it. People were gathering around, smiling and talking quietly. Jack craned his neck, but couldn’t quite see what was on the table. Anrik said, “I will be going through the ceremony with each of you. We are prepared to begin. Which of you wishes to go first?”
“Jack?”
“Daniel.”
Daniel paused for a second and then said to Anrik, “I’ll go first.” Jack nodded, and followed Kel as he walked over to the table. Now he could see the contents. There was a bowl filled with ribbons of white material, a chalice filled with what appeared to be wine, and something that could only be a pair of scissors.
Anrik and Daniel stood together, shoulder to shoulder, facing the crowd of people. Kel took one of the white ribbons and Anrik said to Daniel, “Do as I do.” Anrik bent his arm at the elbow, and Daniel did likewise, so that their forearms were held together, parallel to the floor. Kel wrapped the ribbon around their wrists and tied it.
“The bond of friendship,” Kel said loudly. The People murmured and nodded approvingly. SG-1 watched, fascinated. Next Kel picked up the chalice and presented it to the two men, saying, “The cup of tomorrows.” Anrik lifted his free hand to grasp the chalice and Daniel did the same. Kel smiled at Daniel and explained quietly, “This symbolizes the many days yet to come, during which our friendship will endure and flourish. You may drink first, Daniel.”
Anrik helped Daniel lift the heavy cup to his mouth, and he swallowed a mouthful of the spicy wine. Then it was Anrik’s turn to drink. They handed the cup back to Kel, who placed it back on the table. Then he said loudly, “The kiss of peace.” Jack experienced a momentary shock. I’m glad Daniel went first, he thought.
Anrik turned to Daniel and slowly leaned forward, placing a soft kiss on the other man’s mouth. Then he turned to face forwards again. Daniel’s eyes went to his teammates. Teal’c had a calmly pleased look on his face, Sam gave him a smile, and Jack…looked a little freaked. The crowd was making satisfied noises.
Kel picked up the scissors and cut the ribbon, saying “Blessings be upon you.” The audience echoed him, “Blessings be upon you, “ and then applauded. SG-1 joined in the applause. Kel put a hand on Daniel’s shoulder and said, “Well done, my friend.” Then he turned and motioned to Jack to come forward. Daniel thanked Anrik and went to take Jack’s place with the rest of the team. As the two men passed each other, they exchanged looks. When Daniel joined Sam and Teal’c, several members of the audience reached out to pat his shoulder. He grinned in embarrassment at Sam and faced front to watch Jack’s performance.
Jack and Anrik were already shoulder to shoulder with their arms raised. Kel placed the ribbon and said, “The bond of friendship.” He handed them the chalice, saying, “The cup of tomorrows.” Both men drank, and the cup was returned to the table. “The kiss of peace.” Jack promptly turned toward Anrik, and his lips met the other man’s halfway. The crowd was very pleased by that, and there was a smattering of applause. Jack didn’t dare look at his teammates. Kel took up the scissors, and, cutting the ribbon, said, “Blessings be upon you.” The echo from the audience was louder this time and the applause lasted much longer.
Jack shook hands with Anrik and thanked Kel, then looked at his team for the first time. Carter was beaming like a proud parent at a piano recital, Teal’c inclined his head in a bow, and Daniel...was staring at the floor. A twinge of anxiety passed through Jack, and he started to head over to join the others when Kel stopped him.
“Jack, it has been brought to my attention that you and Daniel have a friendship of many years standing.” Jack’s startled gaze went accusingly to Anrik, who grinned at him, unabashed. “We would like to celebrate that friendship with you both tonight.”
“Celebrate?” Jack asked weakly.
“Yes, the ceremony is essentially the same, but the words are changed. We would deem it a great privilege if you would allow us to participate in this with you both.”
Jack opened his mouth and shut it again. How could he possibly say, let me check with Daniel? He looked over and saw Daniel talking to someone in the audience. As though aware that Jack was looking at him, Daniel turned to find Jack staring at him with a helpless look on his face. Daniel raised his eyebrows inquiringly. Anrik called out, “Daniel,“ and beckoned to him to come forward once again.
When Daniel reached them, he looked at Jack with concern. Jack shrugged at him, and Daniel’s eyebrows did a little dance. Kel took Daniel’s arm and explained to him that his long friendship with Jack was considered worthy of celebration, and they desired to repeat the ritual, if Daniel would agree. Daniel’s face took on a deer-in-the-headlights expression. He heard Jack clear his throat beside him, and glanced over to find Jack nodding his head, but not looking at him. “Yes, yes, of course, we’d be…I’d be delighted,” Daniel managed to stammer.
The crowd had not dispersed. They could tell that something more was going to happen and they were quite excited. Sam and Teal’c, on the other hand, were just confused. They had assumed the ritual was over. And the expressions on their teammate’s faces made them a bit uneasy. Just then, Kel turned to the audience and announced, “Jack and Daniel invite us to join with them in a celebration of their long-standing friendship.” The crowd burst into thunderous applause. Daniel looked shocked. Teal’c relaxed, and Sam laughed out loud. Jack looked over at them and shrugged. I’ll never live this down.
“Shall we begin?” Kel asked. Jack nudged Daniel with his shoulder, and raised his arm. After a second’s hesitation, Daniel did the same. It was his left arm, and he was wearing a watch. Kel reached out and tapped it, asking “Could you please remove your timepiece, Daniel?” Daniel found himself struggling with the buckle on the wristband. Nothing like having a roomful of people watching you, he thought with a touch of panic. He finally got it off and went to drop it in his pocket, only to freeze when he discovered that his borrowed clothing had no pockets. Anrik tapped him on the shoulder and held out his hand. Daniel dropped the watch into his palm with a look of deep gratitude. Jack stood and watched all this with a feeling of complete empathy. If he had been standing on the other side of Daniel, it would have been him struggling to remove his wristwatch.
Jack moved closer to Daniel and gave him a nudge with his shoulder again. The two men raised their arms simultaneously this time. Kel smiled and picked up a ribbon, placing it around their wrists and tying it. Then his hand returned to the bowl and removed a second ribbon. Jack and Daniel wore identical expressions of surprise. The second ribbon was tied further up their forearms. Another ribbon followed, and another, until eight ribbons bound their arms together from wrist to elbow. “I believe you said you and Daniel had been friends for eight years, Jack?” Kel asked.
Jack nodded his head, at the same time as Daniel said, “No, that’s not right.” He turned to Jack. “It’s been less than seven years, Jack.”
Jack said, “I was counting Abydos.”
Daniel looked surprised. “Abydos.”
“Yeah, I figure by the time I left we were friends, right?” Jack asked with a hint of anxiety.
Daniel stared into Jack’s eyes for a second, and then turned to Kel and said, “Jack’s right. It’s been eight years.” Jack nodded happily.
Kel announced loudly, “The many ties of a long friendship.” Daniel stared at the ribbons that bound them together. He had never had a friendship that lasted so long. He touched the seventh ribbon. A friendship that had survived long separations. He looked up quickly to find Kel offering the chalice to them. As they took it into their hands, he said aloud, “The cup of yesterdays.” Daniel heard the intake of Jack’s breath. He gazed into the wine. This cup held all their shared memories, good and bad. Loss and joy, pleasure and pain. He pulled gently, and Jack’s hand helped him raise the chalice to his lips. He drank deeply.
Jack watched Daniel drink from the cup and knew it would be his turn in a few seconds. He was half-afraid that he wouldn’t be able to swallow, his throat felt so tight with emotion. He watched Daniel’s throat muscles work, and couldn’t help gulping himself. Now Daniel was pulling the cup away from his mouth, licking an errant drop of wine from his lips and moving the cup towards Jack. As Jack raised the chalice, he remembered the first time he had seen Daniel, all those years ago. He would never have believed then, just how much that man he saw as a ‘dweeb‘ would come to mean to him. Jack drank.
An incessant murmur was running through the crowd. They were pressing closer to where Jack and Daniel stood. Some people moved from the back of the crowd to stand behind the two men, so that they, too, could get close. Sam and Teal’c were swept along with the crowd, friendly hands pulling them to the forefront. All traces of laughter had long since vanished from Sam’s face. This was...beautiful. Intense. Teal’c’s face was solemn, but his heart was glad for his brothers.
Jack and Daniel handed the chalice back to Kel, who put it down carefully. He laid his hands gently on the two men’s shoulders, then stepped away. “The kiss of eternity.”
Daniel turned toward Jack. His eyes were shining, and Jack was stunned into immobility. But when Daniel began to lean towards him, Jack reached out to grasp Daniel’s arm with his free hand, turning his head to meet Daniel’s lips. The kiss was firm, dry and brief. Daniel was the first to pull away, eyes lowered. Jack slid his hand down Daniel’s arm and squeezed his hand. Daniel squeezed back gratefully, and smiled into Jack’s eyes before facing front. The crowd was beaming their approval.
Kel picked up the scissors and cut the first ribbon. “Blessings be upon you,” he intoned. A few voices from the crowd echoed him. He cut the second ribbon. “Blessings be upon you.” More people responded this time. The third ribbon. “Blessings be upon you.” The response grew louder again. The crowd was pressing closer, reaching out. The fourth ribbon was cut. “Blessings be upon you.” Jack and Daniel felt hands touch them from the part of the crowd that stood behind them. And heard the voices that went along with the hands close to their ears, as the chorus swelled once again.
Kel cut the fifth ribbon. “Blessings be upon you.” The crowd in front had reached Jack and Daniel now, and as many as possible were touching them. The sound of the response seemed to reverberate inside Daniel’s head. He could feel his heart pounding. The sixth ribbon was cut. “Blessings be upon you.” Daniel pressed closer to Jack’s side, bracing himself against the noise and knowing it would grow even louder as the last two ribbons were cut.
Jack felt hands on his head, shoulders, back, arm, hand, stomach, chest. He felt Daniel trembling against him. Or was he the one trembling? He could feel cold sweat on his forehead.
Sam and Teal’c hung back from the crowd that had pushed forward to touch the two men. Sam was unashamedly clinging to Teal’c’s strong arm, needing the support. She felt weak at the knees. Teal’c was awed by the growing intensity of this ritual. It put all the Jaffa rituals he had ever participated in to shame. This was a moment never to be forgotten.
Kel cut the seventh ribbon. “Blessings be upon you.” The room seemed to rock as almost the entire crowd answered, “Blessings be upon you.” Daniel was gasping for air. The scissors were placed on the eighth ribbon. Daniel stared, and knew a surprising moment of regret. The blades flashed and the final ribbon fell away.
“Blessings be upon you both.”
And the entire crowd loudly proclaimed, “Blessings be upon you both!” The hands that touched Jack and Daniel all fell away. The crowd moved back to give them some room to breathe, to recover. There was no applause, only silent, smiling nods. The entire room still seemed to echo in Daniel’s ears. He found that he was clutching Jack’s sleeve and that Jack’s hand was lying on top of his. When did that happen, he wondered dazedly.
As the crowd fell back, the two men could see their teammates standing nearby. Teal’c stood behind Sam, his hands on her shoulders. Sam was smiling, but had tears running down her cheeks. Jack and Daniel still stood together, stunned. Kel stood smiling at them with great fondness. Anrik and another man brought chairs and helped them into seated positions. Daniel had not let go of Jack’s sleeve yet, and Jack’s hand was now on Daniel’s knee.
The ceremonial items that laid on the small table were taken away and the empty table was placed in front of Jack and Daniel. Anrik laid Daniel’s watch on it with a smile. A tray soon appeared, with large glasses of cool water, and small glasses containing a dark liquor that Kel assured them had ‘restorative’ properties. Daniel loosed his grip on Jack’s shirt and reached for the liquor. At the same moment, Jack raised his hand from Daniel’s knee and reached for the water. Their hands bumped, and the men looked each other in the eye for the first time since they had kissed. Jack grinned weakly and Daniel smiled back. His eyes were still shining. Jack changed his mind and reached for the liquor.
~~
SG-1 was back in their suite, getting ready to turn in for the night. Daniel was using this planet’s equivalent of a shower. Jack had already bathed and was in the night clothing that they had been given to wear. He had been impatient to wash off the sweat that had had his clothes sticking to him uncomfortably. He sat quietly in the common area, having a last nightcap. He would brush his teeth when Daniel was done. Or not. He felt exhausted.
Carter moved around the room, silently organizing things for their departure in the morning. None of them seemed to have much to say. Jack could see Teal’c through the open door of his sleeping chamber, seated on the floor, surrounded by candles kindly provided by their hosts. Jack envied him the peace that he achieved through kel’no’reem. He could use some of that himself, tonight.
The door of the bathroom slid open and Daniel emerged, clad in his night clothing, his hair still damp.. Jack met his eyes, and pointed at his glass, eyebrows raised. Daniel said, “Yes, a small one, thanks,” and went into his sleeping chamber to dispose of his armload of dirty clothes and toiletries. Jack rose from the curved sofa and went to the beautifully carved stand where bottles of various shapes held an intriguing selection of alcoholic and other beverages. He selected a glass from the shelf above the stand and poured Daniel a semi-small sample of the same thing he was drinking. Jack turned and offered the glass to the approaching Daniel, who accepted it with a nod of thanks, and sat down on the sofa.
“Carter? Can I offer you something?” Jack asked.
Sam straightened up and looked over at the Colonel. “No, thank you, sir. I think I’m just about done here, and all I want to do is hit the hay,” she refused with a smile.
“Okay. Goodnight, then,” Jack said, and turned back to the bottle in his hand, adding a splash to his own drink to make it even with Daniel’s.
“Goodnight, sir. Goodnight, Daniel.”
“Goodnight, Sam. Sleep well,” Daniel said, with a tired wave of his hand. Sam’s door slid shut behind her.
Jack walked back to the sofa and sat down near Daniel with a heavy sigh. Daniel smiled into his drink, took a mouthful, and leaned his head back comfortably, savoring the flavor of the liquor before swallowing. “Have we had this one before?” he asked.
“Hmm? No, I don’t think so. Came out of that green bottle with the curlicues on it.” Jack swirled the liquid in his glass and took another sip. “They make some really good stuff, don’t they?” he sighed. Daniel made a noise signifying agreement.
The two men sipped companionably for a few minutes in silence. Then Daniel said, “And never a hangover.”
“Amazing.” Jack’s eyelids drooped shut.
After another couple of sips, Daniel turned his head and opened his mouth, planning to say something about it being a shame they had to leave in the morning. But he was stopped by the sight of Jack’s sagging head, and loosening grip on his glass. Daniel leaned over and rescued the drink. This action brought him close to Jack’s face, and he watched the sleeping man for a few moments before leaning back in his seat. He put both of their glasses down on the round, low table that fit into the curve of the sofa. Then he stood up and called Jack’s name softly. Jack’s eyelids fluttered and his head came up with a jerk. “Bedtime, I think,” Daniel suggested.
Jack ran a hand around the back of his neck and rose from his seat. “Sounds like a plan, Dr. Jackson.” A huge yawn escaped him. “Yep, it’s a plan.”
They walked across the room to the doors of their respective sleeping chambers. Daniel turned to Jack and smiled. “Goodnight, Jack. See you in the morning.”
“Goodnight, Daniel. Sleep tight.”
They entered their rooms and the doors slid shut behind them.
~~
Jack lay in the darkness, staring up at the ceiling. His mind was replaying the events of the evening. Especially the kiss he had shared with Daniel. There had been no awkwardness, no regrets. It was Daniel. It had felt good, it had felt right.
He remembered the look in Daniel’s eyes. Eyes shining with happiness, and with something more. He had seen that look before. On his wedding day, when he lifted Sara’s veil to kiss her. Her eyes had held that same look.
Maybe that should make him feel uneasy. But it didn’t. This was Daniel. It felt right.
He rubbed his right arm slowly. He almost felt as though he had been through a marriage ceremony with Daniel. Or actually, more of a renewal of vows type of thing. After all, more than one person had told him that he and Daniel squabbled like an old married couple.
It was Daniel. It was all good.
Jack rolled onto his side, smiling, and waited for sleep to claim him.
~~
Daniel lay on his back in the darkness, looking up at the ceiling. He was slowly rubbing his left forearm. He could picture the way the ribbons had looked, could still feel the warmth of Jack’s flesh as it pressed against his own. He remembered the feel of Jack’s lips against his own. He remembered the way Jack had squeezed his hand after they had kissed; how he had welcomed the reassurance.
The kiss of eternity. All the tomorrows to come. Eternal friendship was what was meant, he assumed. Not eternal life, of course. Or eternal love. Although it would be nice, he thought sleepily.
He rolled over onto his side, smiling at his own foolishness. And Rome is the Eternal City. Shut up and go to sleep, Dr. Jackson. He could hear Jack’s voice inside his head, saying “Sounds like a plan.”
Still smiling, he slid gently into the realm of hopeful dreams.
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(no subject)
Date: Apr. 22nd, 2007 10:54 pm (UTC)it's so comforting! so lovely! thank you for posting this; it's just what i needed. with or without hawt sex, their love is canon and this fic captures that.
*happy sigh*
(no subject)
Date: Apr. 23rd, 2007 12:09 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: Apr. 23rd, 2007 12:14 am (UTC)Hope to elicit more happy sighs from you!
:-)
(no subject)
Date: Apr. 23rd, 2007 12:17 am (UTC)Stand by for more schmoop!
(no subject)
Date: Apr. 23rd, 2007 12:20 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: Apr. 23rd, 2007 12:42 am (UTC)Very impressed! :)
*feels totally amateurish*
(no subject)
Date: Apr. 23rd, 2007 01:01 am (UTC)Thanks!!
(no subject)
Date: Apr. 23rd, 2007 01:03 am (UTC)(you mean it doesn't show?)
Thank you!
The Sequel will be up in a few minutes. :-)
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Date: Apr. 23rd, 2007 05:38 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: Apr. 23rd, 2007 02:16 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: Apr. 23rd, 2007 04:39 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: Apr. 23rd, 2007 05:28 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: Apr. 23rd, 2007 10:57 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: Apr. 24th, 2007 01:01 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: Apr. 26th, 2007 06:10 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: Apr. 26th, 2007 03:46 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: Apr. 29th, 2007 02:58 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: Apr. 29th, 2007 03:30 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: May. 1st, 2007 09:11 pm (UTC)I really like this fic, so sweet and very them without being too in your face. Can't wait to read the sequel!!
(no subject)
Date: May. 2nd, 2007 12:46 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: Dec. 30th, 2008 04:41 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: Dec. 30th, 2008 05:01 pm (UTC)