Stargate SG-1: The One About Feelings

[jennickels]

The One About Feelings
by jennickels (aka Jen Connelly)
Stargate SG-1
Jack & Daniel friendship
516 words
rating: PG
WARNINGS:

"There are things I want to talk about, things I'd like to tell him. Serious stuff." Daniel and Jack are spending some time at Jack's cabin but Daniel has other things on his mind than fishing. Not slash.

don't own... wish I did, but I don't. No infringement intended.

---

Jack sits across from me with his eyes closed. We're at his cabin in Minnesota—just the two of us—for some team bonding. Teal'c was supposed to be with us but he decided to go see Rya'c. I can't say anything bad about that. If Sha're were still alive I sure as hell would be on my way to Abydos any time I got a break. Sam chickened out at the last minute. Sure she said there was some symposium or something in L.A. But I still think she chickened out.

But it's not bad. We've been here three days and it's been quiet. Jack likes to fish. Sometimes he just sits on the dock with his bare feet dangling inches from the cool water, other times he takes out his little aluminum boat. I go with him, I don't go with him, he doesn't seem to care either way. It's a side of Jack I've rarely seen—completely relaxed, in his element... happy.

I watch him now, draped over the Adirondack chair, head tilted up to the last rays of evening sun, eyes closed. There are things I want to talk about, things I'd like to tell him. Serious stuff. I open my mouth a couple times but close it without uttering a sound. I take a sip of my beer—my fourth—and feel the liquid courage working in my gut. I'm about to blurt it out when he opens his eyes and stares hard at me. It's like he can sense when I'm going to get all sentimental and "touchy-feely."

I want to tell him he's my best friend, the only family I have left, and I don't know what I do without him. I want to tell him that he's like the big brother I never had, the one I wished was there when I was a kid and lonely. I want to tell him it's okay to hurt, to talk about Charlie and losing Sara, that I'll listen without judgment. I want to know his true feelings for Sam, and how I think he's crazy for letting the military get in the way of that. And that I'm proud that he's stuck his ground through it all.

I want to tell him he's finally taught me hockey and I kind of enjoy it. I want to tell him he's the strongest person I know and that every day of my life since I've met him I've tried to emulate that strength. I want him to know he's made me a better man. But most of all I want him to know how much I love him. He's the best friend I've ever had and I wouldn't have gotten through everything without him.

But I don't say any of that. Instead I say, "want another beer?"

Jack cracks an eye open and studies me then smiles. "Sure," he drawls, holding his empty out. I take it and go inside. I grab two beers out of the fridge. Maybe after one more I'll finally find the courage to say it all.

Comments

"The One About Feelings" Jack/Daniel friendship #Stargate fic by @justanotherjen

[campylobacter.livejournal.com]

Awww, Daniel <3 Jack already knows you love him.

Re: "The One About Feelings" Jack/Daniel friendship #Stargate fic by @justanotherjen

[madders-ahatter.livejournal.com]

This is just how I think of them. I've never shipped them, though I've read some very enjoyable slash fics. I prefer fics like this that celebrate their friendship, and the 'big brother' role in Jack. So typical Daniel that he feels it so strongly, yet finds it hard to express. But then such is a very human condition, we nearly always wait too long to tell people how we really feel.
Well written. Brava.

Re: "The One About Feelings" Jack/Daniel friendship #Stargate fic by @justanotherjen

[jennickels.livejournal.com]

My first version came out a lot shippier. And it worked but I, too, like to stick with their friendship so I whittled it down some (also had to shave word count for a challenge so something had to go).

I think I might write a companion piece from Jack's POV. I'm sure there are things Jack wants to say but can't find words for. They're both going to regret it when the other is gone and they never got around to saying anything.

Re: "The One About Feelings" Jack/Daniel friendship #Stargate fic by @justanotherjen

[jennickels.livejournal.com]

I knew you'd have your ship goggles on. I can't write a scene between Jack and Daniel without you seeing something else, lol.

Re: "The One About Feelings" Jack/Daniel friendship #Stargate fic by @justanotherjen

[campylobacter.livejournal.com]

Ya really wanna debate authorial intent? Because Art happens when the viewer gets to interpret a creation, and Art will continue to do so long after its artist isn't around to try to tell others what she thinks it means.

Re: "The One About Feelings" Jack/Daniel friendship #Stargate fic by @justanotherjen

[jennickels.livejournal.com]

Not debating, just noting. It's gotten to the point that when I'm writing Jack and Daniel in a scene I wonder how campy is going to see this as slash of some sort. Actually it's made me rethink a few lines here and there because I start seeing it as too slashy for what I'm going for. It all works out in the end and you can interpret it any way you want.

[ami-ven.livejournal.com]

Very nice! Don't worry, Daniel, Jack already knows...

[jennickels.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm sure he does.

[anna-sg1.livejournal.com]

bff's 5ever ♥

don't worry daniel, pretty sure jack has similar touchy-feely stuff he'd want to say to you but probably never ever will

[jennickels.livejournal.com]

Totally.