Give and Take, by Jane Davitt (PG-13)

[sg-fignewton.livejournal.com]

Rec Category: Jack and Daniel friendship

Pairing: none
Categories: Daniel Jackson, Jack O’Neill, Jack and Daniel friendship, gen, character study, humor
Warnings: some language
Author on LJ: janedavitt
Author's Website: Jane's Stories
Link: Give and Take

Why This Must Be Read: Jane’s own summary puts it perfectly: “Jack's got Daniel in his face and in his space.”

Set just after Homecoming, Jane gives us a frustrated Jack, hosting a homeless Daniel and getting more irritated with each passing day. Daniel’s trying his hardest, but he’s also being himself!

There’s burned breakfast, Jack’s poignant story of Big Blue, and Daniel’s bemused reactions; there’s friendship, superb Jack-and-Daniel banter, and marvelous humor. Give and Take might be a short story, but it’s sure to leave you smiling for some time to come.

"Then we need to sort out some ground rules, because I can feel that I'm annoying you, and that bothers me."

"You're not doing anything I don't do," Jack admitted, staring down at his own mess of crumbs and smeared butter. "We're both slobs."

"Men," Daniel said. "We're allowed. It's charming."

"No, it's not," Jack said with a frown. "It's just laziness."

"Genetic."

"Stereotyping."

"When did you last dust?"

"Dust?"

"See?"

"All I see is your mess all over the place. I'm spitting toothpaste where you've spat, I'm pissing where you've tried and failed to hit the spot, I'm sitting on a couch covered with books, and pens, and they'll never replace cushions --" Jack stopped abruptly. "Okay, that came out all wrong."

"Or honest." Daniel scrunched up his face. "It's been three days, Jack. I'm going to be here a few weeks, if not more. We won't make it. I'm annoying you already, and I'm on my best behaviour."

Jack looked at him. Daniel. Back from the dead, or as close to death as made no difference. Daniel real, alive, and solid.

"Daniel? You annoy me living, dead, or in between. In my face, or thousands of light years away. It's what you do best."

Daniel nodded, looking resigned, not hurt. "Thought so. I'll pack."

Jack stood up and patted Daniel's shoulder before collecting their plates, just because he could, reminding himself of what he'd got back. "No way, Daniel."

Comments

[janedavitt.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for the rec and the kind words :;hugs::

[sg-fignewton.livejournal.com]

Oh, the pleasure is all mine! :) I know you don't write much gen fic, but I really love it when you do.