Title:  Plenty of Time

Author:  Joolz

Feedback:  If you like J  [email protected]

Rating:  NC-17

Category:  Slash, First Time, H/C, Angst

Pairing:  J/D

Archive:  Please ask

Season/Spoilers:  any/none

Summary:  “Don’t you want to know how I feel about waking up in your arms?”

Challenge:  A little less conversation, a little more action.

Warnings:  graphic m/m sex

Disclaimer:  Not my lovely characters, just playing with them

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Plenty of Time

By Joolz

 

Jack held the door open as Daniel carefully maneuvered himself into the house, trying not to put too much pressure on any of the stitches.  He limped slowly toward the living room, then stopped.

 

Jack hovered next to him solicitously, and asked, “Do you want to sit for a while and have a cup of coffee, or head right to bed?”

 

The younger man’s exhausted eyes answered the question before he even spoke.  “Um, I think it would be good to just, you know, sleep for a while.”

 

“Right, buddy.  Let’s get you tucked in.”

 

As Daniel continued his slow journey toward the guest bedroom, Jack stayed close, just in case.  Doctor Fraiser had kept him in the infirmary for 24 hours, but Daniel had begged to be allowed to go home to convalesce, saying that he slept better in a real bed, with four walls and no needles.  The Doctor had relented, but with the usual condition.  Daniel wasn’t allowed to go to his home, but he was allowed to go to Jack’s.  She had every confidence that Jack would take good care of their patient, and she was right about that.

 

O’Neill slipped around the slow moving archaeologist and turned down the covers on the bed.  When Daniel caught up, Jack helped him unbutton and slide off his shirt.  Some of the wounds were covered with bandages, but more of them were left open to the air:  neat rows of stitches scattered over his arms, chest and back, along with scratches and bruises where the skin hadn’t broken.  Jack tried to focus on the practical tasks of his hands, rather than the evidence of his failure. 

 

Daniel slipped off his shoes, and Jack helped him with the socks.  Then came the trousers, sliding down over injured thighs.  Whoa, no underwear.  Jack supposed that they didn’t want anything binding to press on the gash on Daniel’s hip.  Jack held Daniel’s arm to steady him as he lowered himself gingerly to the mattress and scooted under the sheet and bedspread.  The quilt was a flowing patchwork of different shades of sky blue and gold, which had reminded Jack of his desert loving friend, and so had come to live on the guest bed the other man frequented. 

 

Jack tucked the quilt in around Daniel’s shoulders, withstanding the scrutiny of the tired blue eyes as he fussed.

 

“I’m fine, Jack,” came the expected soft assurance.

 

“I know you are, Danny.  Get some sleep.”

 

Daniel was already nodding off.  “‘Night.”

 

“Sleep tight.”

 

Jack stood by the bedside and watched as the lines of tension and pain smoothed away from the sleeping man’s face, struck again by the marvel of seeing the years drop from his friend’s countenance as he relaxed more deeply.  The soft lashes fluttering against smooth cheeks reminded him of his son.  Daniel often reminded him of his son.  Not in a fatherly way, but by being a constant source of wonder as he learned something new about the other man, or about himself through the other man, just as he had with Charlie. 

 

Though the eyes were closed now, Jack knew how they looked.  He was familiar with all the emotions that they could express, from narrowed in concentration, to hard with anger, to shining with pleasure.  The communicative blue eyes worked together with the thick, seldom still eyebrows to share the subtlest of feelings with those who knew how to read them. 

 

Jack saw the full, soft lips twitch slightly, pursed between the symmetrical plains of the tanned face.  Daniel looked like an angel when he was asleep.  The grief and sharpness and wariness that had been acquired over the years fell away, leaving only the gentleness and innocence of the man’s natural state. 

 

Standing by the bedside, Jack finally felt the reaction start to set in, a luxury he hadn’t allowed himself until now, and he began to shiver and feel ill.  It had been too close.  And too sudden.  And Jack’s fault.

 

As they entered the decaying temple, there had been clear signs that small animals were present, but after looking around the Colonel had given the all-clear, and Daniel had moved in to examine the remains.  Daniel had been doing his job, examining the walls and searching for artifacts.  It was Jack’s job to make sure that it was safe for Daniel to do that, and he hadn’t.  In truth, neither Teal’c nor Carter had noticed anything either, and now they were feeling just as guilty as their commander was, but Jack knew that bottom line, it was his responsibility.

 

There had been a nest of some animal none of them had ever seen before, like a cross between a cat and a ferret, behind a pile of rubble.  Daniel had innocently stepped too close, his eyes on the ancient symbols as his hand busily scribbled in his notebook, and they had been all over him in a second.  Teal’c and Jack had come running at the first sound of high pitched squealing, but by the time they entered the chamber Daniel was working in the beasts, small but fierce, were biting and clawing the intruder.  Daniel was rolling on the ground trying to dislodge the dozen or so attackers, which clung to him tenaciously. 

 

Jack had moved forward to bash at them with the butt of his gun, the animals being too small and mobile and close to Daniel to shoot, but Teal’c had commanded, “Stand back, O’Neill,” and Jack had obeyed.  The large man fired his staff weapon over the top of the swarming pack, close enough to singe the fur of the uppermost creatures, and succeeded in scaring them more than Daniel had.  In a flash the animals disappeared into the ruins, leaving a torn and bloodied human in their wake.  It had taken a minute for it to register with Daniel that the attack was over, but Carter calmed him and held him and applied dressings to many of the wounds, and then they had helped him straight back to the Stargate.

 

Now he was here; safe, relatively whole, trustingly asleep under Jack’s care.  But fear still twisted in Jack’s gut.  He had almost lost Daniel, and that very concept was intolerable, unimaginable, inconceivable.  Jack loved Daniel.  Loved him as a friend, admired him as one of the most amazing people he had ever met, thought he was beautiful, even enjoyed it when Daniel annoyed him.  He couldn’t imagine trying to live without him. 

 

What he did was impulsive, and reckless, but Jack would think of a way to explain it later.  He kicked off his shoes and lay down next to Daniel on the bed, on top of the quilt, and turned on his side to face the other man.  Jack gently nuzzled into the soft hair over Daniel’s ear and draped his arm lightly across his chest, the hand stretched open to follow the slow rise and fall of Daniel’s breathing.  He shifted closer, and lay his head on the uninjured shoulder next to him.  There was nothing in the world, no consideration more important at that moment, than listening to Daniel’s heart thump in his chest.  Jack savored Daniel’s scent, the rhythm of the life forces moving in his body, the solidity and tangible presence of flesh and bone.  This was what life was about.  This was worth living for.  Only this. 

 

Jack fell asleep holding Daniel close.

 

+++++++++++++++++++++

 

 

Daniel’s whole body ached, but there was also a warm presence all along one side.  He opened his eyes and was literally shocked to realize what was producing that warmth.  Jack was cuddled into him, head on Daniel’s shoulder, one arm draped across his waist.  Daniel was afraid to move, but not because of his stiffness.  He didn’t want anything to disturb this miraculous moment.  For all its unexpectedness, it felt so right to be lying together like this.  Daniel wanted to wrap his arm around Jack and pull him closer.  He wanted to reach up and run his fingers through he thick, graying hair.  But if he moved, the spell might be broken.

 

This closeness helped Daniel to put a name to the feeling that had been there for so long.  Love.  Yes, he knew that he loved Jack, but this was … more.  This was devotion.   This was transcendent.  As his groin stirred, he realized that this was desire, too.  He wanted to roll over on top of Jack and press him into the mattress with the weight of his body. 

 

Jack had never indicated that he wanted anything like that.  But what about now?  What about this intimate snuggling?  Wasn’t that a sign?  Daniel thought it was.  Jack wouldn’t do something like this unless he meant it.  Not that it would be that easy.  Daniel knew his friend well enough to guess what would happen next.  Jack would wake up and nonchalantly pretend that it didn’t matter.  He would hide his feelings. 

 

Daniel smiled.  --Not this time, Jack,--  He thought.  --This time we won’t let this get away.-- 

 

Daniel lay still, soaking in the sensation of Jack’s long, sturdy body pressed against the length of his own.  He began to drowse in the sense of comfort and security it brought him.

 

Then Jack snorted and shifted, beginning to wake up.  The arm across his waist tightened automatically, and Daniel took the opportunity to return the gesture.  Jack moved against him briefly, before his eyes flew open and his head came up.  As expected, he tried to pull away immediately, but now Daniel’s arm was around him, too, holding him in place.

 

“Good morning, Jack.”

 

The older man actually blushed.  “Uh, sorry.  I just lay down here in case you needed anything.  Must have rolled over in my sleep.”  He tried to shift away again.

 

Daniel held him firmly.  “Don’t be sorry.  It’s nice.” 

 

Jack looked up at him in surprise, and something flickered in his eyes.  Hope, maybe.  But still, he shifted back again, and managed to free himself from Daniel’s embrace.  He climbed off the bed and headed for the door.

 

“I’ll get some breakfast started and bring it in to you in a minute.”

 

“Not hungry.”  This called for drastic measures.  If Daniel let Jack get away now, without acknowledging what was happening, the barriers would come back up and they would return to ‘normal’.  This was such a god-awful big risk, but if he was wrong, Jack would forgive him.  If he was right, there was so much to gain.

 

“Jack,” he called commandingly, and his friend stopped in the doorway.  Daniel continued in a softer voice, “Don’t you want to know how I feel about waking up in your arms?”

 

Jack looked at the floor and considered his answer.  Finally he glanced up and said tentatively, “Yeah, sure.  Why not?”

 

Daniel grasped the covers and pulled them back, exposing his naked body and burgeoning erection.  “That’s how I feel about it.”

 

Jack stared at him with his mouth open, then the brown eyes raked over the expanse of skin exposed to his gaze.  His eyebrows jumped and his face contorted as he formed his response.  He breathed, “Beautiful.  Not the Doc’s needlepoint decorations, but you.  And that,” a finger twirled in the direction of Daniel’s groin, “is damn impressive.”

 

Daniel purred, “Thanks, Jack.  It’s yours if you want it.” 

 

The other man gulped and blinked.  Clearly an internal dialogue was being played out, and Daniel held his breath to see which way it would go.  Eventually, Jack sighed and closed his eyes.  His tightly held posture relaxed in acceptance.  Heart pounding, Daniel watched Jack carefully as he crossed the room again and sat on the edge of the bed. 

 

Jack reached out his hand and … pulled the quilt back over Daniel’s chest.  Disappointment must have shown on Daniel’s face, because Jack smiled gently at him, and carded his fingers through Daniel’s hair. 

 

“Daniel.”

 

“Jack.”

 

“Don’t get me wrong here, Daniel.  I admit that I … that we ….  I know that there’s something between us, and it’s important.  You have no idea how important it is to me.  You are.  That’s exactly why we’re going to go slowly.  Get used to the idea.  We have plenty of time, Daniel.   There’s no need to rush.”

 

Daniel’s heart was beating faster.  Jack was saying yes.  Not yes, right now, yes, but yes nevertheless.  This was going to happen.  Daniel was overwhelmed by the intensity of how much he wanted it.

 

“Speak for yourself, Jack.”  Daniel nodded at the tenting of the quilt over his groin. 

 

Jack glanced down and back up at him with a sly grin.  He said teasingly, “Well, seems someone is a bit tense.  Doc Fraiser did say that I was supposed to help you relax, didn’t she?” 

 

He slid his hand under the covers and over Daniel’s hip.  Daniel practically jumped through the roof when the strong, warm hand wrapped itself around his cock.  At the mere touch of Jack’s skin on his, Daniel found himself straining back into the pillow, gasping.  The fire, the need, the erotic charge of it blocked out any thought or sensation other than pleasure.  Jack’s hand moved on him with slow, sensual strokes that fueled his desire, escalating it to ecstasy.  “Oh, god.  Oh, god,” he gasped. 

 

Jack ran his thumb around the tip of Daniel’s penis, brushing the most sensitive areas.  Daniel’s hips jerked into the sensation, and he opened his eyes to see Jack watching his face intently.  As their eyes met and connected, Daniel came with a shout, pouring his seed out over Jack’s hand, and then collapsed again onto the mattress. 

 

As he regained his composure, Daniel found that Jack was still sitting by his side, smiling at him happily. 

 

“I am so looking forward to hearing what’s going on in that head of yours.”

 

Daniel’s voice was slightly slurred as he responded seductively, “Maybe what we need here, Jack, is a little less conversation and a little more action.”  He skimmed his hand over Jack’s leg and up along his inner thigh.

 

The other man captured his hand between his own two palms.  “I can hardly believe it’s me saying this, but not this time, Daniel.  This time we go slow.  You don’t get hurt, I don’t get hurt, we work this through right.”

 

Daniel protested, “But…” and tried again to reach for the bulge in Jack’s pants.

 

O’Neill sighed and looked at the ceiling.  “Lord give me strength.”  Capturing Daniel’s gaze once more he continued, “I want you too, Daniel, don’t think that I don’t.  But,” his voice softened even more, “I want the first time to be special.  When I make love to you, I want you at 100%, not injured and tender.  And I want us to be sure, to know what we’re doing.  Because there’ll be no going back.”

 

“I’m sure now.  Aren’t you?”

 

Jack nodded thoughtfully, “Yes, but we’re still going to wait.”  He leaned down and kissed Daniel softly on the lips, then stood and headed for the door again.

 

“Where are you going?” 

 

“To take a cold shower, hot-boy.  I’ll be back.”

 

After Jack left, Daniel shifted out from under the wet spot on the sheet, then relaxed into his pillow, the aches and pains in his body forgotten in the rush of endorphins.  He smiled.  He and Jack were actually going to get together.  Daniel let the sated lethargy overtake him, and drifted back to sleep.

 

++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

 

A couple of hours later, Jack set a piece of toast on the bedside table, and a cup of tea with dried mint crumbled on top of it, like Daniel had learned to drink it in Egypt.  He called his love’s name gently.  “Daniel…”

 

The first words out of the other man’s mouth as he awoke were, “I have to pee.”

 

Jack chuckled and grabbed the light blue terrycloth robe off the back of the door.  He steadied Daniel again as the younger man climbed stiffly out of the bed, then guided his arms into the robe and tied the belt at his waist. 

 

Daniel looked at him shyly, “Um, I can take it from here, Jack.  Thanks.”

 

“I’ll help you get dressed every day from now on, if you want.”

 

The shy grin deepened happily.  “I could get used to that.”

 

As Daniel shuffled off to the bathroom, Jack sunk into a chair to wait.  He was amazed at how calmly he was taking this whole thing.  His life was changing today, he should be a little more nervous.  But it was Daniel they were talking about, so it would probably be fine.  Better than fine.  As good as a very good thing. 

 

When Daniel returned, Jack helped to ease him back down into the bed, propped up against the pillows and the headboard.  As the other man munched on toast and drank his tea, Jack found that he needed to say something. 

 

“I’m sorry about what happened.”

 

Daniel froze mid chew and looked at him with raised eyebrows.

 

“No!  Not that.  I mean on the planet.  The animals.  It was my fault.  I should have scouted the place better than that.  Goa’uld booby traps aren’t the only danger to look out for.  I messed up.”

 

Daniel waved the toast at him.  “Come on.  It was just me wandering into trouble again.  When could you ever prevent that?”

 

Jack responded seriously, “I know you don’t want me to feel bad about this, but I am sorry.”

 

His friend nodded in acknowledgement and finished his breakfast.  They sat quietly for a minute, then Daniel broke the silence, “Jack, can I ask you something?”

 

“Of course.”

 

“Have you ever been involved with a man before?”

 

Jack steeled himself internally.  He was going to have to get used to answering Daniel’s questions honestly, rather than diverting them to more comfortable topics, so he spoke simply and directly.

 

“I’ve been attracted to men before, like crushes, you could say.  But they never went beyond that.  I’ve never been intimate with a man – had sex.  You?”

 

Daniel shook his head.  “No.  I’ve never been interested in another man before.  Am now, though.  It isn’t going to be a problem for us, is it?”

 

“Not between us it isn’t.”

 

Daniel sighed.  “But it isn’t just between us.  I guess there are a lot of things for us to talk about after all.” 

 

“We’ve got the rest of our lives to work it out.”

 

The deep blue eyes regarded Jack ponderingly.  “Okay, I agree to hold off on the hot-and-heavy, but would you hold me?”

 

Jack could physically feel his heart melt and run down into his gut.  This man was more of a good thing than he would have ever thought he deserved, but here he was anyway.  Jack would never hold back his love or anything else he could give Daniel again. 

 

“There’s nothing I would like better.”

 

Daniel settled down in the bed, and Jack climbed under the sheet with him.  The still recuperating man turned on his side and settled carefully against Jack’s chest.  Jack let one hand slide up into Daniel’s hair while the other appreciated the warmth of his body through the rough terrycloth material. 

 

Yes, they would talk.  They would talk a lot.  But they would spend plenty of time like this, too, just being together.  They had all the time in the world. 

 

 

The end

 

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