Downtime by Merry (G)

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Rec Category: Jack/Daniel
Pairing: Jack/Daniel
Category: pre-slash, humor
Warning: none
Author on LJ: merryish
Author's Website: http://anyroad.org/merry/
Link: http://anyroad.org/merry/downtime.html

Why This Must Be Read: The 2006 Jack/Daniel Ficathon produced a tremendous amount of first-class slash for Jack/Daniel fans. It's truly worth reading through the whole list. (And many thanks to greensilver for putting it on!) As the Jack/Daniel reccer this month, I'm going to try do the impossible task of picking a few favorites, without completely spamming the comm. Unfortunately, two of the very best won't be listed this month as they're WIPs, but I am eagerly awaiting their finishes.

Of the fics that will be listed, no one was more surprised than I to find that among all the wonderful smut and darkfic and angst on offer, it was a G-rated pre-slash story that was the absolute delight, the one that demanded immediate rereads. Several rereads, in fact.

In a nutshell, the team goes on a mission to help Narim and the Tollans, and there are a few bumps along the way. (Already I hear you saying, "Narim! Tollans!" Yes, Narim escaped the destruction! Worth the price of admission already, isn't it?) There is a series of low-key, wryly amusing adventures before everything wraps up on a high note.

There are numerous delightful character moments for each of the team, and other characters. Jack and Daniel get some time alone for their special brand of banter and connection, and Jack has an increasing realization of how much Daniel means to him. The growing potential for romance is all very subtle and understated. Teamy goodness and J/D friendship are the main notes. And humor, lots and lots of humor. This is the feel-good fic of the year and just cute as a bug's ear.

Excerpt:
"Hey," Jack said. "Are you...you're doing a different thing with your hair.

"What? Oh..." Daniel ran a hand through his hair, frowning. "I guess. I just... so?"

"You never really struck me as the kind of guy who, you know. Paid a lot of attention to his hair."

Daniel frowned even harder. "Thanks."

"No, I just mean --"

"You never really struck me as the kind of guy who pays a lot of attention to other guys' hair."

"I'm profoundly interested in my team."

"You didn't say anything when Sam changed her hair."

Jack blinked. "Carter changed her hair?"

Daniel's eyes narrowed. "Profoundly interested," he said.

"Hey," Jack said, "look, some more grass," and picked up his pace just a little. He heard a muffled laugh behind him, and grinned.

Comments

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New link for the story:
http://archiveofourown.org/works/177217