Summary
Vala has come to the realisation that Daniel will never have feelings for her. Moving on is easier said than done, especially if Daniel has anything to say on it.
My notes
I love how anti-climatic Vala’s ‘realization’ that Daniel will never want to be with her is. She doesn’t flee or do something dramatic, she just asks Cam to give her some space from Daniel at the SGC so she can try to get over him. That, of course, isn’t sustainable long-term, and Vala has noticed that, if anything, the distance is making things worse. This forces them into a conversation that is truly exceptionally written. The baggage they aired in Unending was necessary, and the author thoughtfully adapted it to suit this circumstance very realistically. I found the mundanity of this situation made this confrontation even more fascinating to see unravel.
There are some rushed parts, especially at the end when the life recap starts, but it’s a fun, thoughtful, and very immersive read.