Those short stories were written for my 2017 stargate advent calendar.

English isn't my native language, so if you find some mistakes please forgive me and tell me, so i can improve.

Enjoy.

Teyla said no. She told Rodney, she told Dr. Keller, she told him, and no one listened. Well, maybe except Ronon. But Ronon was a great warrior that nothing impressed and especially not the pleading look of a child. Teyla said no, and yet they were all there, an eggnog in their hands, watching Torren enthusiastically tear up the multicolored wrappers of too much gifts for a single little boy. All of this because he had authorized a band of imploring marines to organize a Christmas party in the mess with tree, christmas balls and garlands - all and everything. Sergeant Pollard even managed to make a gingerbread Nativity scene, which apart for the donkey that had been stolen by a glutton, stood proudly on the table between hot chocolate and biscuits. They were in another galaxy, and celebrating Christmas was a bit like going home. It was good. There was no Christmas in Pegasus, and Torren, who had been marveling at the preparations, and even more so at the explanations he had been given, had since asked nonstop whether Santa Claus would also bring him presents. With utter disregard for his mother's orders, he had asked everyone, and with this power that his status as the only child of the city conferred to him, he had been granted his wish. After Rodney categorically refused the role, Zelenka had reluctantly agreed to wear the red coat, and John would never have confessed, but he was impressed by the performance of the scientist, whose swearing in Czech when his feet were taken in the hem of the far-too-long pants, had added a touch of unexpected authenticity.
And so, despite Teyla's embarrassed refusals, they had organized a big party and offered way too much gifts to Torren. If the child barely glanced at Rodney's plushie microscope - the physician now sulking away from the group -, the child had executed some sort of victory dance after unwrapping Lorne's firefighter costume kit. He had shown his best smile to Dr. Keller when discovering the human body album she gave to him, and Teyla seemed really happy with this fun and educational gift. The little remote-controlled car he had gifted, though, got him a hard look from the mother, to which he replied with a smirk and a shrug.
Half a dozen stuffed toys, two boxes of Lego, three books, six puzzles and two G.I Joes later, there was only one package left under the tree.
The child tore it up with as much enthusiasm as before, brandishing its contents barely a second before his mother, who had leaped like a tigress, tore it from his hands.
A shocked whisper crossed the room.
"Who offered my son a knife ?!" She shouted.
Only silence answered her, but just like her, he had a pretty precise idea of the author of the ill-advised present.
Ronon's scowl confirmed it.
"Ronon! What were you thinking ?! Torren is only three years old!" raged Teyla.
The Satedian scowled even more, arms crossed.
"All these toys are very good, but Torren is no Earthling, he is Athosian. He lives in Pegasus. All these stuffed animals, all these... things will not save him when wraiths will come", he answered in defence.
"He's three, Ronon! He will not defend himself against anyone!" she yelled, more and more furious, waving the long blade under the former runner's nose.
He had to calm the game. Ignoring the uncomfortable crowd staring at the altercation, he stepped forward, putting a soothing hand on Teyla's arm.
"He will not have to defend himself against anyone Teyla, because we will all protect him, won't we, Ronon?"
The Satedian glared at him.
"Today, yes, but one day, he will be a man, and neither you nor me nor John will always be there to protect him", Ronon replied, staring at the Athosian.
"Three years old, Ronon!" she argued, a bit quieter but still furious.
"My grandfather gave me this knife when I was his age. He himself received it from his father in his time."
"Oh", Teyla murmured, suddenly calmer.
She sighed, detailing the heavy hunting blade for the first time.
"It's a precious gift", she added, weighing it.
"Yes."
She sighed deeply, as she did every time a negotiation got on her nerves.
"I appreciate and fully recognize the value of this present, Ronon, and would make Torren aware of it too, but at the moment he is far too young to have a knife. I will give it to him when he will be able to understand what it represents and what it implies."
That decision seemed to satisfy the Satedian, who nodded briefly.
He allowed himself to relax.
"What if we had a taste of these cakes?" he suggested in a falsely cheerful tone.