[REPOST] Stargate SG-1 fic: Nothing More Perfect

 When looking death in the face, Daniel's life doesn't flash before his eyes. He just lives in one single moment until the end comes or he's pulled back from the brink.

(This story was originally written in 2011 and has been updated for composition and clarity in 2020.)

976 words | [PG]

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They say that your whole life flashes before your eyes when you are in a life-or-death situation. I’ve died enough times to know that isn’t true. Most of the time, death is chasing you down like a starving tiger, and you don’t have time to think of anything other than ‘this is going to hurt.’ Sometimes, though, there is opportunity to contemplate the upcoming death. It could be hours or minutes or a few stolen moments while exchanging knowing glances with your friends. In those times, I’ve found myself not dwelling on every minute detail of my life. No, I’m taken back to one absolute perfect moment.

The sun shines brightly this morning, glistening off the sand as it flutters in the wind. Sha’re looks beautiful as always—the thin fabric of her dress billowing around her body; the light of the morning giving it an iridescent glow and silhouetting her body. It’s early, but it’s already hot enough for beads of sweat to pop up on my forehead and slide down my sunburned neck. Or maybe it has nothing to do with the sun. I watch as she turns away, shooting me a coy look over her shoulder. I want nothing more than to follow her, but there’s work to be done, and her father is sitting just five feet away from me. I lick my parched lips and try to look away.

I have no illusions that she doesn’t know exactly what she is doing. She might not be a modern American woman, but she’s not stupid or simple. Next to me, Kasuf coughs indiscreetly. I pry my eyes away from the image of my wife. I’m sure I hear her laughter carried on the breeze. Kasuf is staring at me with a combination of amusement and warning.

“Go,” he finally says with a suffering sigh.

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