AN: Sex! Be warned!
Jack walked into the lodge and found Daniel sound asleep on the bed. He quickly shed his clothing and washed up in the basin of water that rested near the entrance. It even had warm water. Buckets of water were left outside the lodge during the day to soak up the suns heat, and then quickly stored in clay jars for the night that stayed near the fire. Jack had to admit, the idea was absolutely genius. It sure made for more pleasant mornings.
Getting into the ceremonial leather clothes he had been given, he took a moment to look into the larger slab of rock that had been polished to almost clear, but somehow leaving a reflective surface. These people may have been a bit primitive, but they certainly didn't lack for much.
The tight pants, and knee high leather boots showed off his long legs nicely, but it was the tunic he was especially fond of. One of the hunter's wives had made it for him after hearing he was going on the hunt today. It was lighter than he expected, a light shade of tan. Beads were woven in an intricate design, with a V-neck that laced up the front. And there, attached to the shoulders, were what looked like two mink tails. White tipped with black. It was a symbol of status for him. He had joined the ranks of the hunters today, by making a kill. He had even endured the initiation of eating the liver raw. It was only a bite, and he'd been surprised how sweet it had tasted.
The other hunters had assured him it was even tastier cooked, and it would be a delicacy tonight. Morvi, the head hunter he had formulated a friendship with over the past weeks, looked as proud as though it had been his own son making the kill.
"You look handsome," Daniel remarked from the bed, having woken up and seen Jack staring at himself in what passed for a mirror here.
"Thank you." Jack turned around, and it was then Daniel noticed the tails.
He grinned. "You made a kill! Congratulations on your new status!"
Jack beamed a proud smile at him as he made his way to sit on the edge of the bed, noticing that Daniel had made no move to get up.
"Are you feeling all right? How did your talk with Chief Tomar go?"
"I'm fine. Just feeling a bit lazy at the moment. Was too busy enjoying the scenery. And Tomar was very informative. In fact, I think I know what we're looking for now."
Jack's eyebrows climbed up. "Oh yeah?"
"He told me a story, a legend. In it, a man was met inside a cave by two 'glowing gods'. Jack, these Trials, they're all within the powers of an ascended being. I think the 'treasure' is some kind of Ancient device," Daniel explained. "From what I could gather, the odds are very good that those Guardians are still there, so we should be prepared to deal with them as well. They may very well be the final test."
"Guardians, huh? So, you're thinking ascended beings? That means riddles and cliché's, right?" Jack huffed.
Daniel chuckled. "More than likely, yes."
Jack nodded smartly. "Right, well, that settles it then. You are not allowed to die on this planet, Daniel, 'cause there's no way in hell I'm going to get off of it without you."
Daniel laughed. As if Jack would leave him behind anyway. Seeing the knowing in Daniel's eyes, Jack beamed another smile at him, then rose, patting his leg.
"Come on, Lazybones. You've still got to get washed up and dressed too. Morvi's sister made a special tunic, just for you. She's very proud of it, and Morvi said it was some of her best work yet, which, apparently, is no small feat."
Daniel nodded and made the slow climb to his feet. He wished be could bend down the basin to wash his hair, but knew he would have to make do with simply pouring water over it.
Jack wrapped his arms gently around his lover, loving that Daniel didn't tense up. Something had changed that day in the ring. He knew Daniel was far from over his issues, but whatever he had seen that day had loosened something inside him.
"I have a surprise for you!" Jack whispered in Daniel's ear, delighting in the shiver that ran through his lover as his breath ghosted his ear. "The party starts in about three hours. It'll take about a half hour to get there, if you feel up to a ride."
Daniel turned, curious. "Ride?"
"Horses, Danny. Morvi lent me some so I could take you. They showed it to me today. Come on." Jack moved away and grabbed their bundle bag, knowing the new Tunic was already in there.
Daniel followed, wishing he had time to wash up first. Mounting the horse took a bit of effort, but once he was on, the ride went smoothly. The 'horses' he had seen around the camp were pretty close to the earth version, though their coloring was strange in that they were purely black, the snouts were shorter, and the ears were shorter.
Almost exactly a half an hour later, Jack stopped them in front of a wall of vines, and dismounted. Jack helped him down, and the proceeded to blindfold him. Daniel panicked for a moment, nothing good had ever come of his being in the dark. Then he felt Jack's reassuring hands on his arm, and the small of his back, guiding him.
"It's just me. Trust me," Jack soothed, aware of the heightened anxiety in his partner. He grabbed their things from the horses and led Daniel through the vine wall. Depositing their bag on a small ledge, he removed the blindfold. "Tah-dah!"
Daniel stared. Oh god, it was beautiful. A glade surrounded a pool of steaming water, leaves and grass lush and green. It felt so private, with trees closing in the area. As far as Daniel could see, the only entrance was through the vine wall. Birds flew overheard, as the sun bounced off polished rocks.
"Jack, it's- it's, ethereal!" Daniel exclaimed, not able to find any other word for the small paradise he was seeing. "It's beautiful."
"Yeah, it is," Jack whispered, watching Daniel's bright blue eyes widen in awe. "So beautiful."
Daniel turned to his partner, and flushed when he realized Jack was talking about him, not their surroundings. "Jack."
Grinning, Jack helped Daniel over to the pool. "It's a hot spring! Warmed from underneath. Morvi already talked to Arkaya, and she not only approved, but encourage a dip. She said it would help you keep up with activities tonight," he explained as he quickly stripped out of his clothes.
Daniel smiled and nodded, enjoying the sight of Jack getting naked before starting to remove his own clothes. He didn't make it much past toeing off his boots before Jack's hand over his stopped him.
Jack smiled as he leaned in and brushed his lips over Daniel's. He had been planning this all afternoon. He felt Daniel lean into the kiss, and pulled back, nipping along his jaw line.
"Please, Danny, let me undress you? Let me do this for you?" Jack pleaded.
Daniel nodded, too stunned to move. Yes, they'd had encounters before, but this, it felt different somehow. He felt Jack's lips brush across the skin on his throat and tilted his head back to allow him more access. He shivered when Jack found a sensitive spot and suckled lightly.
Jack felt the shiver, and decided he liked that spot, and would revisit it often. He felt Daniel's hands move to run through his hair, and lightly cup the back of his neck. Jack continued his investigation, memorizing Daniel's face with his lips. He had that image in his mind, he moved his feather light lips to Daniel's throat, finding that spot, and stroking it lightly with his tongue.
Daniel gasped, and then moaned softly when Jack's curious tongue found more and more of his skin. He was so far gone in the gentle sensations flowing through him that he never noticed Jack's hands expertly undoing the button of his fatigue pants, but leaving the zipper closed so that they hung off of his slim hips.
Jack took his time, exploring, and re-exploring until he felt Daniel's relax under his ministrations. Stepping back, he gently lifted Daniel's tee shirt, knowing he was going to have to be careful. He bent his leg, resting it on one of the many small ledges around the rock pool.
Bringing his lips back to Daniel's, he slowly encouraged his lover to follow him until he was straddling Jack's slightly raised leg, allowing closer quarters. Jack continued to worship Daniel's soft lips with his own, loving it when Daniel opened his mouth slightly in invitation, which he gladly accepted.
Moving slowly, Jack worked the shirt gently up Daniel's torso, found Daniel had raised his arms without pause or thought. He broke off from those luscious lips, swiftly but gently moved the shirt over Daniel's head, and had his lips on his lover's throat again before Daniel even registered what had happened.
Daniel moaned at the sensations washing over him. It was all so light, so gentle, and he was lost to it. He barely even realized his shirt was missing until he felt Jack press himself against him. The surge of energy that sparked from the skin to skin contact was enough to make his knees almost give out.
Jack felt it, and carefully eased them down to the grass, finding it soft and comfortable. He never let go of Daniel, held him tightly in his arms, feeling their hearts beat against each other in their chests, and never loosed the suction he had on Daniel's throat.
Every little sound coming from Daniel was going to straight to Jack's groin. He pulled back, loving the groan that came from Daniel, their chests panting. Daniel's head was back, his eyes closed, his kiss swollen lips slightly parted. It was a sight Jack knew he would never get tired of seeing. Feeling Daniel's fingers dancing lightly across the skin on his back made him feel more alive than he had in a very, very long time.
Realizing that Jack had stopped, Daniel opened his eyes. He was surprised to see brown eyes almost black with lust, Jack's lips as red and swollen as his own must be, his silver hair glinting in the lowering sun.
With a shaking hand, Daniel reached up to trace his finger lightly over Jack's face, able to see everything there. Jack was hiding nothing from him. And suddenly, it came to him.
"You're mine," Daniel whispered in awe.
Jack smiled. "All yours, Danny. Forever." He returned to mapping out Daniel's body with his lips, moving down to nip at his collar bone, lightly tucking his tongue into the small hollow there. This was all so new. Daniel had never let him touch him like this before. It had always been about Jack's pleasure, and now Jack couldn't help but savor every inch of the Adonis beneath him.
He moved to the erect nipples on the bare chest. He gently swiped his tongue over one, feeling Daniel arch beneath him. It was almost enough to make him blow right there and then.
"Jack!" Daniel cried out, panting, his fingers digging sharply into Jack's back. Oh god he had never felt anything like this before. He cried out again when Jack repeated it on the other side.
Jack moaned. He had never imagined Daniel would be so responsive. It was taking all of his control to keep this slow and easy. Moving away from the sensitive area, he continued to kiss his way down Daniel's abdomen, loving the gooseflesh that appeared wherever his lips traveled. He was learning what Daniel liked, and knowing he was responsible for every quiver and sound coming from his lover's sculpted body was incredibly erotic.
As he moved, Jack was pushing down Daniel's pants with his knee, proudly proving Daniel was not the only one who could multi task. Daniel's never even noticed until he felt his erection bob against Jack's chin.
Embarrassed, Daniel tried to move away, but Jack grabbed hold of his hips, holding him tightly. He'd waited so long for this, and now that he'd had a look at it, there was no way he couldn't taste the treasure in front of him.
Jack smiled, and ever so gently swiped his tongue over the leaking tip, immediately loving the taste that was uniquely Daniel Jackson.
"Oh... god..." Daniel gasped as Jack took another swipe with his tongue up the length of his shaft. Jack took his time exploring, bringing Daniel almost to the edge before backing off a little. He had plans, after all.
As Jack let Daniel's cock slip slowly from between his lips, he felt Daniel grab his hair, could feel the tension ridden body beneath him shaking. "Please, Jack... god..."
"Please what, Danny? What do you want?" Jack purred, as he nuzzled Daniel's groin, inhaling the scent of his lover, using it to buy time for both himself and Daniel. "Anything you want, Love. All you have to do it is tell me."
Daniel shook his head. He didn't know what he wanted. These sensations were already so far out of his realm of experience he couldn't even begin to think. He just knew he needed something, and that Jack could provide it. "Please," he whispered.
Jack moved to carefully line up their cocks, moaning at the friction between them as he thrust. Daniel cried out, and clung to Jack's shoulders, meeting his rhythm, pushing his own, and groaning in frustration when Jack kept an amazingly controlled pace.
Jack leaned in and grabbed Daniel's mouth with his own, kissing him fiercely. "I think I like it when you beg," he teased as he continued to thrust in that measured pace he knew was driving Daniel insane.
"Oh god, yes..." Daniel gasped. He wanted to finish, and soon. No, he needed to finish, before he went completely mad. "Please," he wantonly begged. He could feel the sweat pouring off both of them, could feel Jack's tight muscles as he struggled for control.
"Are you ready for more?" Jack whispered in his ear. Daniel nodded, and was surprised when Jack stopped, and rose onto his knees, reaching behind him for something. He growled impatiently. Then he felt Jack's hand cover his cock, warm and slick. Slick? The thought last for only a minute as Jack worked him as slowly and patiently as he had from the start.
He closed his eyes, lost in the blissful hell Jack was creating, until felt Jack's hand guide him. Oh. His eyes flared open and watched as Jack lowered himself carefully onto his shaft. Jack met his eyes, waiting for permission. Daniel could only nod.
Heat exploded around him and he cried out as Jack pushed back hard enough for Daniel to pierce through the tight ring of muscle, oddly enough, slicked as well. Jack lowered himself slowly, until his ass came to rest against Daniel's groin. There he rested, enjoying the slow burn from hasty preparations, the pleasure of the dull ache.
Both men were gasping. Daniel thought he might be delirious with it all. Within only a moment, Jack began to move himself up and down.
Jack closed his eyes. God, it was wonderful. It was an intimate connection, as if their souls were touching through the link of their bodies. He moved carefully at first, wanting Daniel to have time to get used to it, but his reserve was running out. The feeling of Daniel filling him, stretching him was overwhelming.
He moaned as Daniel lifted his hips to meet him on the next thrust. "Christ, Danny," he breathed, at last allowing himself to get lost in the sensations flowing through him, and quickened his pace. "Oh yes."
Jack opened his eyes when he heard Daniel's small whimper, and knew it couldn't last long for either of them. It was too much, this mind blowing sense of oneness. Daniel reached and grasped Jack's cock in a tight fist, wishing he had whatever it was Jack had used as lube. But this he knew, he knew how Jack liked it.
Daniel's hand moved surely on Jack's weeping cock, his fingers tightening and loosening as he worked him. Their cries were mingling together, any sense of rhythm gone as they each worked toward completion.
"God, Danny... Christ... yessss," Jack hissed as his balls tightened in anticipation.
"Come for me, Jack, let go," Daniel panted out. "I love you." That was all it took as Jack screamed out his lovers name, emptying himself onto his lover's chest. The resulting spasm in his ass made Daniel arch into a deep, final thrust, and Jack felt warmth fill his channel as Daniel gasped out "JACK!"
They stilled and remained they were, riding out the shudders of their orgasms together, still connected in a way Daniel had never known they could be. No words were spoken as they struggled to regain their breath.
Concerned for Daniel's ribs, Jack slowly eased off his lover, and lay beside him on the grass. Daniel was as quiet as he had been the first time he had given Jack head, but this time, Jack wasn't concerned. He knew Daniel was trying to take in the enormity of what they had done, of what Jack had given him, and what Daniel had given Jack.
Jack desperately wished they could cuddle, but there was no possible position that wouldn't compromise Daniel's ribs. Sighing, he stood up, reaching for Daniel as he did so, helping the slightly stunned young man to his feet.
Daniel was completely compliant while Jack manhandled them both into what he had named the Jacuzzi. Finding a ledge to sit on, he parked Daniel directly between his legs, allowing him to lean back. Ah yes. This was better. Still silence, but that was okay. Jack knew Daniel would need a little time.
Jack grabbed the soft cloth that the Iskat used as a wash cloth, rubbed some menthol smelling soap on it, and began to slowly wash his lover, taking the opportunity to caress the smooth skin as he went.
Jack had lost himself in the pleasure of doing something so simple when he felt Daniel move, lean on him a little more.
"You with me now?" Jack asked softly.
Daniel flushed. "Yeah. God, Jack, that was- amazing! Fantastic!"
"Glad to know you feel that way. I happen to agree, by the way," Jack chuckled.
"Have you ever- I mean, I know- but-" Daniel stuttered. Jack smiled and kissed his temple. It was probably a good thing he'd learned to understand Daniel-babble a long time ago.
"Have I ever given it up like that?" he clarified. Daniel nodded. "Only to one other person. In college, before I joined the Air Force. He was my first love. Showed me a thing or two along the way, too."
Daniel hummed with appreciation as he felt Jack's gentle washing. "Can I ask what happened?"
Jack moved to push him under water, getting his hair wet. When Daniel had repositioned himself, Jack began massaging the local shampoo into his hair, enjoying Daniel's little murmurs of pleasure.
"Pretty simple. I went off to the Academy. He wanted to try a long distance thing, but I made it clear what I wanted was to fly. No amount of loving him was ever going to change that. I'd never made a secret of my intentions. I knew what I wanted, what I was willing to give up to get it, and I let him know up front at the beginning. I had hoped to stay friends with him, pen pals. He spent three days shadowing me, trying to convince me not to go, that if I really loved him, I'd stay. I didn't consider it for a moment. I was on my way. He never showed up to see me off. I was on the plane when I realized how easy it had been to give him up, to lay him on the sacrificial altar of my career. I've never seen him again."
Daniel retreated below the water to rinse out his hair. He felt ten times better than he had in a week. "Thank you, Jack. And I'm sorry to hear things worked out like that."
Jack shrugged, then frowned, wanting to make sure Daniel understood something. "Danny, I wasn't willing to give up my career for him. But, please, believe me, I'd give it up in a heartbeat for you. I want to retire with you. You believe that, right?"
Daniel smiled and snuggled in closer to Jack, happy to feel those strong arms go around him, holding him tightly. "I believe you. I also believe we're going to be incredibly late for the party."
Jack snorted. "Way to stick in the mood, kid. How are your ribs? We can take a little longer to soak if you want. I washed up this afternoon with the hunting party."
"They're a little sore," Daniel admitted.
"I didn't hurt you, did I?" Jack asked in concern.
Daniel smiled. "If you did, I didn't feel it. I've never experienced anything like that. Which brings up another question. How did you manage to get- that- slicked up without me even noticing?"
Jack belted out a laugh. "You just had your dick up my ass and you can't even say the word?"
"Don't change the subject," Daniel argued as his skin flushed a deep red.
"Ah, a good magician never gives out his secret," Jack responded sagely. "Come on, we should go."
Next and Final Installment: Journey's End