By Joy
J/D | Mature | AU/FT | 8 kb
Summary: Daniel's not quite with it yet, so Jack does something about it. Told from another person's perspective.
Daniel doesn't look good. Well, that's not exactly right. Physically, he looks great. He's beautiful. But emotionally, he's not well and it shows in his eyes, his demeanor.
He's just gone into the shower stall and though he's talked and smiled at everyone since he's come home, part of him is not here with us. I think he's forgotten what it's like to be human. He hasn't forgotten what it's like to care for his friends, though. He wouldn't be here otherwise. But he's just not here with us. He's been too nice. Too nice. Too considerate. That feisty pissy attitude isn't there. Even when he hasn't had his coffee. He's just...I don't know.
I've tried to talk to him, but it does no good. He smiles and tells me that things are fine, that he's fine. Fine.
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
I can't see Daniel's face any more. But I can see his blurry form through the side of the shower. I watch him as I shower, taking my time, making sure that he's okay. I'm also making sure that he's really there. I keep expecting him to disappear on me at any moment. He's been home almost two weeks now but I'm still not used to it. Neither is he. Damn, something's got to be done. Something's got to snap him out of this somnambulistic fog he's in.
Maybe I can help but...no, all I really want to do is hold him in my arms...in bed. Between my legs.
My god, that's it. That's one way to wake him up. Except, I...I mean, we were friends. Are friends. Good friends. Broke my heart when he died. Though people knew we were close, they expected me to carry on with the job. To just go. So for a year, that's what I've done. But I've fantasized about him every damn night, cried myself to sleep, and sometimes, not to sleep.
Daniel. My loving friend. Something's got to help you...and maybe, just maybe, some very close contact will do it. But if not me, then who?
Ahhh, here comes Jack. He's just glanced at Daniel in his cubicle. He's taken a long look, too. Jack doesn't look happy, but he does look better. Just as we all look better now that Daniel's home.
Actually, Jack looks more than better...he looks...well, animated.
That's it. He's the one who could help Daniel. Jack's been the one who's acted all year like Daniel's acting now. Going through the motions, not sure of what to do or say. Of course, we've all done that but Jack more so.
Jack's eyes are still on Daniel. He can't take his eyes off him, it seems. And I can't take my eyes off either one of them.
"Daniel, I think you've been at the mountain long enough," Jack says to him. "Come move into my house. Plenty of room. You did it before, you can do it again. It might take a little longer to settle but..."
Jack's paused because Daniel's probably not listening. He's done that a lot. He'll just zone out. Become preoccupied with whatever it is that's on his mind.
"Daniel?"
"I'm here, Jack."
Jack's given a huge sigh. "No, Danny, you're not."
Daniel's sighed this time. "Jack, just give me some time to get used to being...alive."
"Shit, Daniel..."
Uh oh. Jack's patience has finally worn thin.
Jack's gone to Daniel. Oh my God. He's opened the door and he's stepped into Daniel's cubicle. His blurry hand reaches across and touches Daniel's shoulder and Daniel's jumped as if he's been shocked.
"Jack, what the fuck? Do you mind?"
"Yes, actually. Talk to me. Tell me what's wrong."
"Nothing! God, will people just quit asking--"
"Daniel...you're not here. You're just going through the motions, as if you're sleepwalking, and everyone sees it. If you're not tuning us out, you're snapping at us for caring. Now, dammit, I'm giving you two choices. Either you admit that things aren't fine and talk to me, right here, right now, or I take matters into my own hands and wake you up."
"Oh please. Jack, you can't do anything but leave me alone and let me--"
Oh. My. God.
Jack's gone down on his knees and grabbed Daniel around the waist. Jack's feet are pressed up against the cubicle wall...the one attached to mine.
"Jack! What the fuck are...Jack, stop! What're you..."
Daniel's gone silent, except for a long, sharp inhalation.
"Jack...have you lost your...get your mouth off my..." Another sharp intake of breath. "Jack, nooooo...oh God..."
Daniel's lurched forward and his hands have grabbed the top of our connected cubicle wall. His knuckles are white with the force of it.
"Oh god...Jack, you c-c-can't....oh God oh God..."
Jack's moaning. God, I love that sound. He's moaning...and his mouth is so busy.
Daniel's gasping now, and pulling on the shower wall. Jack's blurry head is moving frantically back and forth and I can't see his hands. They're busy. I heard a pop of a cap, and...
"Ahhh....Jack...for fuck's sake...God, you're good at...Oh sweet jeezus, you're good..."
Strong panting now. Daniel's breathing and hitching and strangled gasps are beautiful to hear.
"Oh God, yes...oh yes, Jack...Oh God, suck me...that's it...that's...OH...OH...Ohmygod...Jack...what're you...ohmygod...your finger...ohmygod...ohmygod...ohmygod..."
His gasps have turned to short breathless cries.
"Yes...yesyesyes...do it...more...yes...fingers...more...yes...oh GOD..."
Slick, rapid movements now, from Jack's fingers, his mouth. The wall is vibrating as Daniel shakes through Jack's devout attention on him. Jack's moaning now, moaning encouragement. Daniel must be close.
"Jack...oh God, yes...yes...Ahhhhhh Goddamn...there...right there...do it...Ahhhhhh God, fuck me...suck me...that's it...there...ahhhhhhh, make me come, Jack...goddammit...make me...yessss...yes...OH FUCK!"
No more words. Only strangled, choking cries as he jerks the wall hard as he comes...and...comes. God, it's a powerful one.
I knew Jack could do it.
Daniel's hands have let go and they're sliding down the wall. Jack's holding him, murmuring words to him I can't understand but his voice is soothing, comforting.
"Time to come home, Daniel," I finally hear Jack say.
"You fucking bastard," Daniel replies, still out of breath.
There. He's alive. Daniel's finally come home.
~
End