Title: Hot ChocolateRating: G
Fandom: Stargate SG-1
Pairing: J/D
Words: 338
Summary: Jack comforts Daniel
Notes: I heard the first line in my head and it went from there. Answer to a challenge found here: http/ www. livejournal. com/ community/ fic(underscore)on(underscore)demand/ 321842. html (delete the spaces and add the underscores).

"I made some hot chocolate. You want some?"

Daniel glanced over his shoulder to see Jack standing with a steaming mug. He nodded, taking the porcelain cup by the thick handle, and turned back to the window. His breath fogged against the cold glass, then condensed to run down the pane in small rivulets.

"Thank you," he said eventually, when Jack didn't leave.

"You okay?"

"Fine."

Jack leaned against the back of his sofa, stuffing his hands into his pockets and looking at the floor.

"Did you want something?" Daniel asked, eyes never leaving the fallen snow outside.

Jack did not answer. Daniel did not ask again.

"It's beautiful," Jack said, right by Daniel's ear. Daniel had not realized he had moved.

"Yes," Daniel said.

"It's pure, untouched," Jack continued softly, his breath warming Daniel's neck. He slowly slipped his arm around Daniel's waist. When Daniel did not object, Jack hugged the stiff, unyielding body to his own. "There's nothing more beautiful."

Daniel began to shake, miniscule tremors wracking his body. The hot chocolate in the cup sloshed onto the ground. Gently, Jack took the off-white mug from his hand and set it down on the windowsill.

"Shh, it's okay, it's okay," Jack whispered, pressing his lips into Daniel's short hair.

"What's happened to me, Jack?" Daniel asked, voice cracking at the end. His question turned into a sob.

"Shh," Jack murmured again, turning Daniel in his arms so the archeologist could bury his head in Jack's shoulder. His shuddering shoulders and the wetness the seeped through the shoulder of Jack's shirt were the only things that gave Daniel away.

When Daniel had cried himself out, Jack led him around the couch to sit down on the cushions.

"Hey," Jack said softly. "Hey, look at me."

Daniel raised puffy, red-rimmed eyes to Jack's.

"Daniel, where it counts," Jack said, catching the other's eyes and holding them, "you haven't changed a bit."

And, with a small smile, Jack pressed against Daniel's chest.

Daniel managed a fleeting grin in answer.