TEMPORALITY: Whatever you want after 8x18 Threads
READING TIME: 5 minutes
TYPE: Sam/Jack romance
PUBLICATION DATE: 07/28/2023
TW: *Tone policing* *Gaslighting* *Sexism*
NOTES: Fanfic written for #SamJackShipDay
READING TIME: 5 minutes
TYPE: Sam/Jack romance
PUBLICATION DATE: 07/28/2023
TW: *Tone policing* *Gaslighting* *Sexism*
NOTES: Fanfic written for #SamJackShipDay
Jack: Love means never having to say you’re sorry.
Sam froze before retorting bitterly: That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard.
It wasn't their first fight, and they knew it was far from their last. He felt the frustration building inside him and decided to grab his jacket before he said or did something he would regret.
Jack grumbled: Fine.
At first stunned by his reaction, she frowned as she remembered her exes abandoning her like that in the middle of a conversation.
Sam alerted him firmly: If you go through that door, consider that we're done. (he froze in the doorway, frowned and turned to question her with his eyes. She tried to hold back her anger) I've had more than enough of this kind of misplaced pride. If you need time to think about it, say so, but don't ignore me. (she insisted harshly) Respect me.
He stared at her for a moment and perceived the hatred in her eyes. He became aware of all the times he had shunned emotionally intense discussions with her or with Sara, felt shame and guilt wash over him, but it was the fear of her decision to end their relationship and the consistency of her words that gave him the courage to change his own actions.
Jack moistened his lips nervously and confessed: I need time.
Sam, still coldly in order to imitate him: Fine (more calmly ) Likewise.
She placed her laptop in her lap and resumed her work as if nothing had happened. He looked at her for a moment, unsure of what more to do or add, and turned on his heels, only to stop again at the doorway.
Jack, apprehensively: I'm sorry.
She turned her head towards him but didn't answer. He grimaced and tilted his head slightly several times to emphasize his apology.
Sam squinted at him and almost challenged: For what?
Jack swallowed: For wanting to ignore you. (she continued to stare at him and he realized it wasn't enough. He breathed deeply to regain his courage) And for having already done so.
Sam moistened her lips in turn and accepted his apology: Call me.
She then looked away, which made him doubt the thoughts of the woman in front of him. Immersed in her work, her face tried to conceal a deep upset and he concluded that she must be feeling guilty for potentially having acted too excessively out of misplaced pride herself, or that her statement came across as some kind of emotional blackmail.
Jack leaned back in the doorway: You know, I'm rather proud of ya.
Sam looked up at him again, full of incomprehension: Uh?
Jack: Well... you set your limits.
Sam feigned nonchalance: Yeah. You're not as stupid as you pretend to be.
Jack half-smiled, amused by her insult-compliment: Thanks?
Sam resumed gently: Call me.
Reassured of their situation, he nodded and left.
Sam froze before retorting bitterly: That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard.
It wasn't their first fight, and they knew it was far from their last. He felt the frustration building inside him and decided to grab his jacket before he said or did something he would regret.
Jack grumbled: Fine.
At first stunned by his reaction, she frowned as she remembered her exes abandoning her like that in the middle of a conversation.
Sam alerted him firmly: If you go through that door, consider that we're done. (he froze in the doorway, frowned and turned to question her with his eyes. She tried to hold back her anger) I've had more than enough of this kind of misplaced pride. If you need time to think about it, say so, but don't ignore me. (she insisted harshly) Respect me.
He stared at her for a moment and perceived the hatred in her eyes. He became aware of all the times he had shunned emotionally intense discussions with her or with Sara, felt shame and guilt wash over him, but it was the fear of her decision to end their relationship and the consistency of her words that gave him the courage to change his own actions.
Jack moistened his lips nervously and confessed: I need time.
Sam, still coldly in order to imitate him: Fine (more calmly ) Likewise.
She placed her laptop in her lap and resumed her work as if nothing had happened. He looked at her for a moment, unsure of what more to do or add, and turned on his heels, only to stop again at the doorway.
Jack, apprehensively: I'm sorry.
She turned her head towards him but didn't answer. He grimaced and tilted his head slightly several times to emphasize his apology.
Sam squinted at him and almost challenged: For what?
Jack swallowed: For wanting to ignore you. (she continued to stare at him and he realized it wasn't enough. He breathed deeply to regain his courage) And for having already done so.
Sam moistened her lips in turn and accepted his apology: Call me.
She then looked away, which made him doubt the thoughts of the woman in front of him. Immersed in her work, her face tried to conceal a deep upset and he concluded that she must be feeling guilty for potentially having acted too excessively out of misplaced pride herself, or that her statement came across as some kind of emotional blackmail.
Jack leaned back in the doorway: You know, I'm rather proud of ya.
Sam looked up at him again, full of incomprehension: Uh?
Jack: Well... you set your limits.
Sam feigned nonchalance: Yeah. You're not as stupid as you pretend to be.
Jack half-smiled, amused by her insult-compliment: Thanks?
Sam resumed gently: Call me.
Reassured of their situation, he nodded and left.
Notes:
*In episode 7x15 Chimera, Pete sulks Sam after the conversation doesn't go his way. He doesn't take his calls afterwards*
*Jack behaves the same way with Sam several times, the most blatant being after Danaiel's death. When Charlie died and Sara needed him to talk about it, he shut himself away*
*I wanted to write this fanfic because when I read the suggestions for this year's challenge, the phrase "Love means never having to say you're sorry" irritated me. It's very common in our culture and for me, it's very important to apologize. Especially if it's to someone you care about. I hope you've understood my point of view on this kind of phrase, which is still all too common today*
*Jack behaves the same way with Sam several times, the most blatant being after Danaiel's death. When Charlie died and Sara needed him to talk about it, he shut himself away*
*I wanted to write this fanfic because when I read the suggestions for this year's challenge, the phrase "Love means never having to say you're sorry" irritated me. It's very common in our culture and for me, it's very important to apologize. Especially if it's to someone you care about. I hope you've understood my point of view on this kind of phrase, which is still all too common today*
Echoes:
*Love means never having to say you’re sorry. / I'm sorry.*
*the stupidest thing / You're not as stupid*
*Fine. (x2)*
*this kind of misplaced pride. / I'm rather proud of ya.*
*If you need time to think about it / I need time.*
*don't ignore me. / For wanting to ignore you.*
*Call me.(x2)*
*the stupidest thing / You're not as stupid*
*Fine. (x2)*
*this kind of misplaced pride. / I'm rather proud of ya.*
*If you need time to think about it / I need time.*
*don't ignore me. / For wanting to ignore you.*
*Call me.(x2)*