Fic: Sleep Guardian (G)

[aurora_novarum]

Title: Sleep Guardian
Category: Character study. Ficlet. Drama. Gen.
Spoilers/Warnings: Set anytime with established SG-1; G rated (no warnings)
Word Count: ~200

Summary: Teal'c watches the younger man as he sleeps...

Author's Notes: Something I've been thinking about doing for a while, and reading a fic last night finally made me decide to write it. Unbetaed.



Teal'c gazed down at the younger man. He'd fallen asleep at his desk again, always working so hard, never resting when he thought he was needed. He thought no one knew this secret, but Teal'c had discovered it. He watched the somnolent figure slowly breathe, his features relaxed and easy, so different from the stressed, pinched look he often showed when awake. His piercing blue eyes, so full of intelligence and drive, were closed now, making him look younger still.

He was not what Teal'c expected for a warrior; his way was not the Jaffa way. But warrior the man was. A world of knowledge and wisdom, despite his lack of years. Perhaps that was a factor of humans shorter life cycles. O'Neill certainly knew much, and he was barely of warrior age.

Teal'c would watch over this young warrior as he slept. His people would need him again soon enough. So when Daniel Jackson came to General Hammond's door with a folder of papers, Teal'c silently directed him back. Not even his teammates would disturb Hammond's sleep. He deserved the rest.

Comments

[fignewton]

::giggles uncontrollably::

On the one hand, talk about playing on expectations! On the other hand - aw, this is really sweet. Because I do sometimes see Teal'c - as in First Prime Teal'c, on a par with Hammond's status - as looking at Hammond with bemusement and almost a kind of pity.

[aurora_novarum]

LOL. Yes, I was kind of evil, wasn't I? Of course, being me, instead of crack, it turned out to be a sweet character study on George.

To Teal'c, they're ALL younger men and women. And yeah, being a general sitting behind a desk is such a strange military construct to a warrior culture who has first primes leading battles for gods.

[princessofgeeks]

WOOT!

I love this. Way to surprise our expectations.

[aurora_novarum]

Hee! Yeah, I purposefully played on the trope. Glad you came along for the ride and more importantly, ENJOYED it!

[samantilles]

oooh!! you tricky writer you!! all along I was thinking it was Daniel, and bam! *squees in Teal'c & Hammond friendship love!!!!*

[aurora_novarum]

Hee. Glad the giveaway didn't happen too soon.

Teal'c and Hammond! Yay Hammond!

[sg_betty]

Lol!I was puzzled as I started, because I was thinking, hmmm, these aren't fan things that Aurora reaches for, the piercing blue eyes, the young man, then, Aha! I get it now! Well played, well played, indeed! And it is rather sweet.... :)

[aurora_novarum]

*wicked grin* Yes, I decided to play off the trope a little bit.

It turned out to be much sweeter than planned, but when the subject is Hammond, that wasn't difficult. Aw, Hammond.

[zats_clear]

I knew I would love this! And so few words to convey so much meaning! Bravo, betababe

*still lacks a Teal'c icon*

[aurora_novarum]

*bows*

Thank you so much.

(You really need to rectify this lack of Teal'c love in your icon groupings, missy.)

[pepper]

Ahaha! You had me going. *sporfles*

[aurora_novarum]

*snicker* :-D

[(Anonymous)]

Hee Hee Hee!

Both cute and poignant. Nicely done!

[aurora_novarum]

Aw, thank you very much!

[thothmes]

I've always wondered what Teal'c thought of serving as an ancient being in the world of the very young. I think it must be something very like this. How very Teal'c of him to guard the young man's rest.

But if O'Neill is barely of warrior age, then Teal'c has been letting Ry'ac be a child soldier...

And as for Hammond, I guess "Only the good die young" applies, huh?

[aurora_novarum]

Yes, they are all so young to Teal'c (even moreso now. *sniffle*)

I was thinking of O'Neill as like full warrior as opposed to the chal'til/apprentice stage Rya'c was in. I don't think Teal'c was too happy about how active Bra'tac had his son in the rebel movement, but desperate times...

And as for Hammond, I guess "Only the good die young" applies, huh?

Indeed. *sniff*

[thothmes]

Yeah, after I posted my comment and went down to cook dinner, it occured to me that you were probably thinking full investiture as a warrior, as opposed to warrior-in-training. And I can see that the Jaffa, who are taught that the weak are not worthy of continued survival ["It is a thing which all Jaffa know..."], and who have long lives in which to produce more strong sons, as being capable of risking their children in battle as apprentices. I hope that with freedom will come a greater value to individual lives, as opposed to service of the whole.

Now, see, that's what I like about this fic. It's short and sweet, but it made me think thinky thoughts!

I'd be curious to hear what you think of my take on early childhood in Jaffa society in my commentfic about a youthful transgression of Teal'c's here and in the comment immediately following But don't feel obligated. I just usually really don't have much to say about Jaffa culture, so it's a bit of a first for me.

See! You're not the only one who has trouble keeping short within comment length! My commentfics are often so affected, just like my five thingses. ;)

Edited to fix the link because my proof-reading skills are sleeping today. Sigh.

[aurora_novarum]

Hee! I never imagined my crackfic turned sweet character study would enlist such thinky thoughts! YAY! You made my day!

I am so glad you sent me to that comment fic link. That's one of the best Teal'c backstories I've read, and I've read some really good ones. I saw nanda's thursday thing but my brain went totally blank on it and never did go back to see the cute stuff people did. Look what I missed!

(BTW, if that had been on dreamwidth, totally would've fit in one comment so it's lj's fault, not ours for being...verbose. Heh. I think Sleep Guardian was my shortest fic EVER!)

[thothmes]

p.s.

Yes, they are all so young to Teal'c (even moreso now. *sniffle*)

It is my personal fanon that in addition to doing what he had to in order to save his comrades and the Asgard knowledge, that Teal'c considers the memories of those fifty years, the shared struggle, the sacrifices, and the opportunity to watch over them all as compensation. He would want to honor that, and should the necessity ever arise, he would be honored to bear witness to that.

[aurora_novarum]

Yes, this was set even before Unending, but that just magnifies it so much more.

(BTW, the fic my betas have been tearing into bitsy bitsy pieces for my own good I'm editing right now is all about thematically what you're saying as Teal'c's compensation and burden.)

[aelfgyfu_mead]

Okay, I knew Daniel would be too easy, so I'd ruled him out—but that left me with no suspects. Wish I had my Hammond icon over here too! Much fun!

[aurora_novarum]

LOL. You know me too well. Glad you enjoyed!

[(Anonymous)]

OoooH, Well Done!

Yup, you totally sucked me in, but in a great way. Excellent, fabulous way to turn expectations on their heads.

I love it!

[aurora_novarum]

LOL. Sorry for the suckering, but glad you loved it regardless! :-D

[mrspollifax]

Aww! You totally got me. It is sweet, in a very good way. And I like the implied history of how Teal'c's had to learn that the Jaffa way to be a warrior is not the only way. Love it. :)

[aurora_novarum]

LOL! Yes, I meant the gotcha to be a good, sweet way. (I'm the Glenda the Good Witch of Eval, I s'pose). And yes! Can you imagine Teal'c's culture shock? But no doubt Hammond had his respect. Thank you for the feedback!

[cesy]

I liked this.

[aurora_novarum]

Thank you!

[lotesse]

Oh, this is lovely. Hammond yay! And *nice* bait and switch!

[aurora_novarum]

Yay Hammond!

Glad you didn't hold the bait and switch against me. :-)

[discodiva76]

Fabulous!!....I was completely surprised!!...


Really enjoyed it....thank you...


Deeds xx

[aurora_novarum]

Hee! Thank you. So glad you enjoyed.

Sleep Guardian

[paian]

Just gorgeous, and I adore the turnabout on expectations.

Re: Sleep Guardian

[aurora_novarum]

Thank you very much, and glad you don't hold the turnabout against me. Hee!

(when you think of Jaffa v Human age...c'mon! They're ALL babies to him.)

[hivesofactivity]

Lovely, and very convincing! I, too, enjoyed the bait-and-switch, and a Teal'c pov.

[aurora_novarum]

Thank you very much! Glad you enjoyed!