Title: Iris
Author: Psalm 136
Rating: K
Summary: And I don't want the world to see me, 'cause I don't think that they'll understand. When everything seems to be broken, I just want you to know who I am. Sparky.
Disclaimer: "Iris" (the song) doesn't belong to me, and neither does SGA.
Author's Notes: I was just introduced to the song, Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls, and it inspired this!
He thinks she's the closest to heaven he'll ever be as he holds her, some time past the death of the night. But he doesn't think anyone would really understand. He'd felt something like this before, but nothing like this. How could anything be like this? Whenever he sees her, he can only see images of houses and dogs and cuddling on couches. Whenever she speaks, he can't stop listening, and he doesn't want to.
"John?" She whispers, stirring gently in his arms. "Are you okay?"
"I don't know." He admits as images of all of his failures jump to the front of his mind.
Elizabeth turns to face him and gently touches his chin, running the pads of her fingers over his stubble. Her clear green eyes are gently illuminated by the light of several moons and they're filled with concern for him. He can't help but love her more than he did a moment ago. He holds her hand against his cheek, needing the physical touch and the comfort that only she could bring. He breathes in the scent of the soap she had used before climbing into bed with him and he relaxes.
"It's just…" The words claw at his throat, but he forces them out anyway. "Everything I could have done better."
And immediately, she understands. She holds him close against her chest. "I still love you, no matter what." She murmurs into his dark brown hair. "No matter what." She closes her eyes against the tears that well up. She loves this man. She loves him, and she hates when he feels this way. She doesn't like it how he hurts.
"I love you too." He breathes against her neck. "But if everything I did wrong led to this moment, then I must have done something right. You're… everything, Elizabeth. Everything good in my life."
She smiles against his shoulder and presses a kiss where his neck meets his shoulder. She'll never be alone, not as long as he's in her heart. She will never want for another, and she will never miss being alone. He is her protector and her comfort, the reason she laughs and what she needs to continue on.
He holds her close and allows his eyes to fall shut. Tonight, he'll sleep without any nightmares to interrupt his peace. Elizabeth will ward off his demons.