Descant by Destina (NC-17)

[green-grrl.livejournal.com]

Rec Category: Jack/Daniel
Pairing: Daniel/Sarah, Jack/Sam, Jack/Daniel
Category: Angst, Future
Warning: Sex, Language
Author on LJ: destina
Author's Website: http://lyricalmagic.com/sg1.html
Link: http://destina.livejournal.com/329542.html

Why This Must Be Read: A gorgeous exploration of "what if" Jack and Daniel were to go along with the happily-ever-after expectations of others, society and maybe even themselves. Both men go into their respective marriages with blind spots that do no one any favors in the long run. The story is set in the indeterminate future when Jack retires, and is constructed with alternating scenes set during that time and a few years later. There is plenty of angst to go around in both timeframes. The situations are treated as gently and respectfully as possible, but the dashing of illusions by real life is still painful. For the Jack/Daniel fan, though, the ending is slasher canon.

Excerpt:
When the meal was over, he picked up his glass and stood, watching Jack at the other end of the table. The half-smile on Jack's face propelled Daniel's words from somewhere in the back of his mind, in the place that still had charm and knew how to use it. A small part of him protested, but it wasn't the part the counted, not at that moment. He had an obligation. These were their friends.

The necessary words came easily, straight from the place of easy grace, but they bypassed his heart. He was just drunk enough to have managed that route, and it hadn't been easy.

"To Jack and Sam," he said, raising his glass. "May you have a long and happy marriage."

"Jack and Sam," the room echoed. The roaring was already loud in his ears when they toasted this inevitable thing, a thing that was so much like what they already were together, a unit formed of comradeship and teamwork and adoration that ran deeper than any blood any of them had ever shared with another living soul. The two of them looked comfortable together, gracious hosts of their own party, ready to buy a home and set up housekeeping and make a life together.

Teal'c was still looking at him, and Daniel had the sudden urge to run away, to turn and bolt from the house, from the scene of the crime, but there wasn't anywhere to go. He was stuck there, frozen in place, a reluctant witness.