Storybook Childhood, by Sam Willow (PG)

Rec Category: Sam and Daniel friendship
Categories: episode related, angst, character study, pre-series
Warnings: none
Author on LJ: unknown
Author's Website: Sam Walker's Fanficton at the Grove
Link: A Storybook Childhood

Why This Must Be Read: In the wake of Crystal Skull, Sam and Daniel share a quiet conversation about Nick, the nature of Daniel's childhood, and how his experiences helped shape him into the man he would become. Sam is the perfect friend here, offering acceptance and acknowledgment rather than judgment or unwanted sympathy.

I like the way Daniel's old social service records serve as the backdrop for the slow recounting of the different foster homes he knew and his mostly-good memories of the families that raised him. The fic is more bittersweet poignancy than happy fluff, but it does feel right to me. Besides, any pre-series Daniel story that doesn't immediately leap onto the abused childhood trope is definitely worth a second read! :)

( snippet of fic... )