Closer to Fine, by Maimat the Rat (G)

[figs_sg1_rec]

Rec Category: Jack and Daniel friendship

Pairing: none

Categories: Jack and Daniel friendship, Jack O'Neill, Daniel Jackson, gen, character study, episode related

Warnings: none

Author on LJ: maimat

Author's Website: unknown

Link: Closer to Fine

 

Why This Must Be Read: This short, thoughtful piece, told entirely in Daniel's POV, is a wonderful slice of time after Fallen and Homecoming. Daniel, still uncertain of his abilities and place in the SGC, can't quite figure out Jack. But in the end, with a lovely insight that says so much about their friendship, Daniel finally realizes that the why is much more important than the how... and that for the time being, that's more than enough.

Daniel watches Jack scoop out the beans and put them in the grinder anyway. At least it smells good. “What kind?”

“You tell me, you’re the one who bought it.”

“Hacienda La Esmeralda.” The name feels right, even though Daniel has no idea what it means. “Did I do that a lot?”

“Snub my taste in coffee?”

“Come over.”

“Yeah, sure. Why?”

“I don’t know.” Daniel rubs his forehead again; he forgot to ask for-

“Advil?”

“Yeah, thanks.”

He watches Jack leave the room, and then studies the kitchen. Things are out of place. The toaster should be silver not white, the coffee maker should be on the left. The phone is missing. The coffee cup in his hand is... it was... he squints at it. It was Daniel’s cup that he kept on his desk at the SGC. He rubs his thumb over the chip in the handle before placing the mug back on the table.

Jack comes back with the Advil and looks at him with the same odd expression he’s had since Daniel met him eight years ago.