[They don't quite get home, but they're on the way at least? =D]
he is dashing, you have to give him that
The thing that makes Jack truly strong is that he takes the blame for bad missions.
The rest of them have death to take the guilt from them. Jack alone doesn’t have that eventual comfort, and yet he insists on shouldering burdens that any of the rest of them could eventually lay down. That, Ianto thinks, is what makes Jack a true hero.
But it doesn’t mean the guilt doesn’t wear on Jack.
Ianto watches Jack on the cameras. Jack is standing atop the invisible lift, looking at the people hurrying by. When Jack, louder-than-life, flamboyant, theatrical Jack – when Jack goes still and seeks obscurity, Ianto knows that the weight of Jack’s guilt and that of countless others is pressing heavily on him. There is nothing that Ianto can do to remove that burden, because Jack refuses to let it be taken from him.
Sometimes, Ianto thinks that Jack is trying to atone for something. Ianto wishes Jack would realise that he’s done more than his share of penance.
Ianto switches off the monitors, puts his coat and scarf on, and heads out of the Hub. He takes the tourist entrance and walks towards the water tower so that Jack can see him approaching. The air around Jack shimmers with the instruction to look away, there’s nothing here, but Ianto knows there is and so he focuses on Jack, standing silent and still in the dancing air.
“It’s about time we got home,” Ianto says when he’s close enough not to get any strange looks.
Jack looks like he’s considering the statement.
“Let’s go,” Ianto says, and holds out his hand a little.
After a moment, Jack steps off the lift and down to where Ianto is. He slips his gloved hand into Ianto’s and laces their fingers together. Ianto raises their joined hands and presses a quick kiss to the back of Jack’s hand.
“I thought you didn’t like public displays,” Jack says with a crooked smile. “Aren’t they too undignified?”
“Torchwood has long since rid me of any dignity I had,” Ianto says, and tugs Jack a little closer. He brings their hands up between their chests, puts his other arm around Jack and draws them together.
“And besides, some things are worth it,” Ianto adds.
He doesn’t think he imagines the way Jack leans into his hold.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2010-12-27 01:50 pm (UTC)he is dashing, you have to give him that
The thing that makes Jack truly strong is that he takes the blame for bad missions.
The rest of them have death to take the guilt from them. Jack alone doesn’t have that eventual comfort, and yet he insists on shouldering burdens that any of the rest of them could eventually lay down. That, Ianto thinks, is what makes Jack a true hero.
But it doesn’t mean the guilt doesn’t wear on Jack.
Ianto watches Jack on the cameras. Jack is standing atop the invisible lift, looking at the people hurrying by. When Jack, louder-than-life, flamboyant, theatrical Jack – when Jack goes still and seeks obscurity, Ianto knows that the weight of Jack’s guilt and that of countless others is pressing heavily on him. There is nothing that Ianto can do to remove that burden, because Jack refuses to let it be taken from him.
Sometimes, Ianto thinks that Jack is trying to atone for something. Ianto wishes Jack would realise that he’s done more than his share of penance.
Ianto switches off the monitors, puts his coat and scarf on, and heads out of the Hub. He takes the tourist entrance and walks towards the water tower so that Jack can see him approaching. The air around Jack shimmers with the instruction to look away, there’s nothing here, but Ianto knows there is and so he focuses on Jack, standing silent and still in the dancing air.
“It’s about time we got home,” Ianto says when he’s close enough not to get any strange looks.
Jack looks like he’s considering the statement.
“Let’s go,” Ianto says, and holds out his hand a little.
After a moment, Jack steps off the lift and down to where Ianto is. He slips his gloved hand into Ianto’s and laces their fingers together. Ianto raises their joined hands and presses a quick kiss to the back of Jack’s hand.
“I thought you didn’t like public displays,” Jack says with a crooked smile. “Aren’t they too undignified?”
“Torchwood has long since rid me of any dignity I had,” Ianto says, and tugs Jack a little closer. He brings their hands up between their chests, puts his other arm around Jack and draws them together.
“And besides, some things are worth it,” Ianto adds.
He doesn’t think he imagines the way Jack leans into his hold.