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d8rkmessngrAuthor: d8rkmessngr
Pairing: Jack/OMC, Jack/?, Jack/Ianto eventually, het and slash
Rating: NC-17 (betaed)
Summary: He left Jack on the game station. Abandoned. But then…he came back…different. An AU look on what happens if things happened differently. Doctor Who 'verse with Torchwood later on. Be sure to read the warnings.
Warnings: Please read each chapter's individual warnings. Some parts down the road may briefly mention non-con, abuse, and/or violence. Dark in the beginning. Please note there are some dark thoughts as my boys are broken…for now. Each chapter will be labeled for your convenience.
Author's Notes: Please note this is an AU that will cross over DW to TW season one. I'm probably spoiling my own story, but it will eventually be Janto. There's a bit of a journey first. I hope you enjoy. I'm working on this and intend to post regularly every other day. And again, I always believe in happy endings. So without further ado…
Disclaimer: RTD and BBC owns them. I'm just borrowing them for a while.
Warning For This Chapter: The slash part of the story here. SMUT. Dark, suicide themes. You were warned. :)
Notes For This Chapter: Note there are parallels to TW's "Out of Time"
Prologue + Ch , Ch 2, Ch 3, Ch 4, Ch 5, Ch 6, Ch 7, Ch 8, Ch 9, Ch 10, Ch 11, Ch 12, Ch 13,Ch 14, Ch 15, Ch 16, Ch 17, Ch 18. Ch 19, Ch 20, Ch 21, Ch 22, Ch 23, Ch 24, Ch 25, Ch 26, Ch 27, Ch 28
Master Fic List: here
Chapter 29 "Out of Time"
Act I
Two weeks before Christmas…
"Christmas?" Jack echoed, his coffee cup stalled in mid-air. He stared blankly at Gwen, who was grinning back with an enthusiasm that gave him an ill feeling in his stomach. They had been talking about the odd Rift activity over the local airstrip when Gwen dropped the bombshell. He'd forgotten about Christmas.
Gwen beamed as she reached over for another pastry as she continued. "When I was a PC, we used to all go out for drinks, exchange gifts and that sort, but since we shouldn't leave Torchwood unmanned, I thought it might be nice to celebrate here."
Jack blinked as a plate of pastries was set by his coffee and…M&Ms? He looked up but Ianto was already moving around the room refilling everyone's cup. Ianto gave Jack an arched eyebrow when Jack poked at the little pile of chocolates, smiling to himself when Jack popped one in his mouth.
"I suppose we could do some kind of celebration," Jack replied, crunching thoughtfully. His eyebrows rose when he tasted something different. He once asked where Ianto was finding them, as all Jack could ever find were Smarties. Ianto would only murmur it was a trade secret. But the next day, there were little piles showing up on his plate and in the crystal dish on his desk that had been left empty since Alex Hopkins.
"You've never celebrated it before?" Gwen looked astounded.
A wiggling feeling curled in his stomach. "I always gave everyone the day off," Jack defended. He wished Gwen wouldn't look so shocked.
Owen grunted. "Better that way. We all had plans."
"My family always gets together in London," Tosh nodded as she picked apart her Danish. "This year too. Ianto? You mentioned you have family here? Are you seeing them?"
Ianto appeared uncomfortable. "Maybe," he hedged, avoiding Jack's eyes. "They're gathering Christmas Eve. I haven't decided yet."
"Everyone gets the day off and the day after," Jack pointed out. He puzzled over why Ianto appeared disappointed. Maybe he wanted more time off? "Can't spare anymore than that," Jack said to everyone, but his eyes were on Ianto.
Gwen looked like she wanted to ask something, but chagrin crossed her face. She ducked her head, but Jack knew what she wanted to ask.
Jack smiled darkly to himself. Of course he would cover Torchwood, who else would it be?
"You said nothing ever happened during the holidays," Owen griped. He grabbed the last chocolate biscuit before Tosh could. He crammed it in his mouth and grinned at her. "Nothing's going to happen this year either."
"Weevils don't take holidays. Nor does the Rift," Jack reminded him.
Gwen fidgeted in her seat, guilt on her face. "Maybe we should do shifts or—"
"It's fine," Jack interrupted. "No shifts."
"So you'll be here," Ianto said all of the sudden. "On Christmas?"
Jack frowned at Ianto's somber look. "I was last year. So?" What was the big deal? True, it was difficult being understaffed but it had been uneventful and Suz—someone had kept him company during the nights. The last Christmas he remembered ever celebrating was spent huddling in the trenches. He woke up Christmas day to find that every one of his men had frozen to death. Jack wasn't exactly keen on repeating that again.
"We could do a little supper here," Gwen said brightly. "All of us. Get a tree. Some decorations, too. We could celebrate Christmas with you, Jack."
Jack inwardly cringed. He waved his hands at her. Sometimes, Gwen's enthusiasm and humanity was a bit scary. "That's alright." Jack flashed her a toothy grin. "Maybe I'll hit the bars if I get bored."
Owen, for some reason, growled under his breath. Ianto glowered behind his mug.
Okay, what was the matter with everybody? Jack wanted to throw up his arms. Gwen's brow was furrowed, Owen was giving him a dark look, Tosh kept glancing over at Gwen, and Ianto was frowning as if he wanted to say something.
"If the world isn't ending, we could do dinner outside or something, okay?" Jack rolled his eyes.
"Who's paying?" Owen narrowed his eyes.
"Torchwood," Jack smirked. Figured that would be Owen's next question. "Pick a place! Ianto, just make the reservations for five, okay?"
Everyone's strange expressions eased somewhat and they began discussing possible candidates.
Jack tossed another M&M in his mouth. He could feel Ianto's eyes on him. Jack was confused. Was he supposed to be doing something else? His gut tightened, thinking about Ianto seeing his family. It was for the best, Jack thought glumly to himself as he drank his coffee. Ianto would see his family, realize his mistake with Jack and come to his senses instead of stubbornly holding on to something Jack knew could ruin him. It should only be just sex, damn it.
Jack lowered his cup. It was suddenly too heavy to hold up. He scowled at himself. If he was going to do this, then he needed to go ahead and do this. Ianto, for the past couple of weeks, had seemed unimpressed by Jack's behavior, the occasional throwaway remarks or lewd stories. One night, he commented to Jack that he didn't think every memory always had something to do with sex, interrupting Jack's recount about the acrobat twins. Before Jack could say anything more to refute him, Ianto distracted him. Very aptly.
Tosh mentioned her little brother and Jack smiled tightly. There was family waiting for Ianto, too. Jack had read his personnel file; he had to in order to hire Ianto for the Cardiff branch. Jack could imagine the boisterous event. Ianto was so young and there were years before him to fill his own house with family. How could he deny Ianto this?
Jack blinked as he felt Ianto walk behind him to refresh his cup, his fingertips light against the back of Jack’s neck, drawing him out of his gloom before he collected the spent dishes by his right hand.
"We spend enough time with each other anyway," Owen complained as he wiped his mouth and dropped the napkin on the table. "Now you expect us to spend even more time?"
"Just thought it would be nice," Gwen said defensively. "A little thing to do as a team that didn't involve aliens or work. It doesn't have to always be about work."
"It's Torchwood, of course it's always about work!" Owen grunted.
"Just a tree, maybe some garland and lights. We could put presents under the tree," Gwen coaxed, her eyes shifting to Jack. "It'll be nice."
"Lovely," Ianto deadpanned. "I'll put a vacuum under the tree. Should be festive enough." He scrunched up his nose and Jack bit back a snigger.
Owen glanced over to Jack, his lips pursed. "No mistletoe though," he declared. "Don't want to give our captain any ideas."
Jack brightened as he crunched on more chocolate. He remembered mistletoe. Tosh mentioned Owen had kissed her under it as they waited for a cab at the pub everyone had gone to. It also hung by the coatroom of the Astoria ballroom. He helped Estelle into her coat and she had looked up. Estelle had cocked her head at him impishly and—
Bitterness slammed that memory shut. Jack swallowed the sugary chocolate in his mouth. It had turned sour in his throat.
"See? See?" Owen was gesturing towards Jack. "Bet you he's already thinking about it! He'll have us snogging each other under that stuff." Owen glowered at each of them, his eyes drifting from Jack, then finally to Ianto.
Ianto looked up from collecting the dishes and caught Owen's smirk. He bristled.
"I rather eat the mistletoe than stand under it with you, Owen!" Ianto snapped.
"You're not exactly my first choice either, Jonesy."
"Jones."
"Whatever."
Jack frowned to himself. "I thought mistletoe's poisonous."
"Precisely."
Jack leered towards them in general. "I don't know, I think it might be kinda hot." He waggled his brows and sure enough, Owen snorted.
To his surprise though, Ianto shot him a look not of disgust, but of amusement.
"You would, sir." Ianto easily sat back down opposite Jack and lifted his cup up to his lips.
"Aye, he would," Owen complained. "Better watch it," he warned Gwen and Tosh. "He’d probably have you two girls snogging as well."
Gwen and Tosh looked at each other for a beat, then at Jack.
"Again?" Gwen drawled to Tosh, who merely shrugged.
Both Ianto and Owen sputtered into their coffees.
Jack snickered at Tosh's wink towards him. Owen threw some remark over and Gwen squabbled back. Soon, both the Rift and Christmas were forgotten.
Jack chuckled at their antics. He felt oddly relaxed listening to them. It reminded Jack of when he was traveling with Rose and him when he was…different. Jack once caught the Doctor smiling indulgently at him and Rose as they bickered over whether they should check out 21st century Cardiff or 42nd century Seattle. Rose won with a flip of a Gredarian coin and she looked so gleeful, Jack gladly conceded although he did scoff at her explanation that she needed to go back for her passport.
"Please tell me it was recorded on CCT—Ow!"
Owen reminded him of himself at times as he taunted Gwen and Tosh. Jack chuckled as the medic avoided a swat from Tosh. Gwen's, however, didn't miss. Tosh laughed and suddenly, Ianto chuckled. Even Owen snickered, chortling as he ducked another swat.
God, he missed Rose. He could hear her echoing in the room and for a moment, it was like the past year had never happened and they were on the way to another time and place together. His gut ached watching them yet he couldn't bring himself to look away.
Jack smiled blithely whenever they turned to argue their point to him, not really caring if he agreed or not. Sometimes it felt like they just wanted to fill the room with noise and when the situation wasn't dire, Jack reveled in the human chaotic rambles called life. In this noise, Jack could forget he was not like them. In here, he could forget that he sends them into danger, possibly shortening their lives while he always return unscathed. Here, as they teased and joked with him, Jack forgets about the thing corrupting him inside out and just lives.
Sometimes.
Noticing Ianto staring over his cup at him, Jack's smile faded. Ianto had only looked mildly exasperated rather than disgusted with his previous remarks. As the three argued, Ianto sat there calmly having his coffee, his eyes glued to Jack with the same intensity of many nights before.
Jack had woken up that night with Ianto draped over him, his arms firmly around Jack. He'd surprised Jack—a little voice whispered Ianto must have been doing research again—with the bold exploration of his body and almost possessive thrusts into him. Ianto had declared he was going to get rid of Jack's 'silly idea' and during that night, he almost did. There were points when Jack had grown lost, his mind silent of sneers for once, Ianto's liquid vowels filling his ears as he moaned his encouragement, his pleasure.
Ianto's body had gripped his cock, surrounding Jack as if forbidding him to leave, his body, his hands branding Jack's skin with a mark. It was an invisible tattoo Ianto seemed to be reading from across the table, his eyes unusually dark, disturbingly familiar yet the drumming in Jack's head didn't return. Rather, another odd beat rattled in his ears. It was new, alien, and surprised Jack so much he missed the question directed to him twice. It was only when Ianto lowered his mug, his lips now parted in concern, that Jack realized everyone was looking at him.
"What?" It was disconcerting to see everyone quiet and all frowning towards him.
"I asked about gifts for a Secret Santa?" Gwen repeated, her expression curious.
"Secret Santa?" Jack repeated, really wishing there was a translator for him at times. That wasn't something he had come across during his time here. Everyone knew the pagan cultural figure so why was he a secret?
"I'm not sure," Ianto suddenly said out of nowhere, "if I fancy randomly picking a name out of a hat to see whom I should buy a gift for."
Oh. Secret Santa. That made sense…sort of. Jack darted a quick smile towards Ianto, who shrugged one shoulder in reply.
"I also don't particularly care," Ianto went on, keeping everyone's eyes on him, "in trying to figure out what to get Owen if I get his name."
"A vacuum?" Tosh snickered.
"Kama Sutra?" Jack suggested with a smirk.
"Oi!"
The laughter around the table washed over Jack and he relaxed back into his chair as Gwen collected names to put in a cup. Jack looked over to Ianto and couldn't explain why the wink sent over his way made his face warm.
Must be the coffee.
It was transparent.
Ianto stopped himself from rolling his eyes whenever Jack made another lewd remark. But when Jack's smile shifted over to him, it faded to confusion. Whatever Jack was expecting to find on Ianto's face, he didn't find it. It disturbed him that Jack would think that whatever it was he was looking for, it would be found on Ianto's face. It didn't look like it would have been something nice.
After he had found Jack half-dressed and staring lost at the bottled hand that night, Ianto was determined to find out more about their mysterious captain. He wanted to know what or who had put that look there. He wanted to know what he could do to peel away the shadows in Jack's eyes. Ianto could feel Jack's pain, acute and tangible like a blade to Jack's bared throat. Even as Jack trailed hot nips along his body, tasting Ianto hungrily as if starved, there was still a bit of hesitation, as if fearing the consequences of complete submersion. Ianto could feel Jack struggling not to get lost in the writhing, twisting clamor of their bodies every night.
No. Ianto could sense Jack's pining for complete release. Ianto wanted to give him what Jack so willingly gave him every night; bringing Ianto to utter completion then gently gathering the remains, offering a serenity he didn't partake himself. Ianto suspected it was because Jack felt like he didn't deserve it and every time Ianto thought about it, the urge to shatter that ghoulish glass container grew stronger. He could feel Jack trying to slip into the role he thought everyone saw him in, expecting Ianto to pull away.
Bollocks.
He now understood Lisa's answer when he first asked her out; she'd often said Ianto didn't make it easy and thinking back, Ianto realized her visits to the library he studied in, always sitting next to him in class, were what prodded him to ask her out. When he did—just coffee and then a walk back to her dorm—Lisa had smiled teasingly and answered finally.
Ianto watched Jack, bemused as the captain good-naturedly listened to Gwen's impractical suggestions on the holiday. Jack had on a wistful expression that faded to something more haunted when he thought no one was looking. Ianto bit back a frown. The more he saw the myriad of sorrowful expressions swirling on Jack's face, the more Ianto knew he didn't want them on his captain any more.
Jack looked over, his head tilted when he caught Ianto's expression, his brow knitted, perplexed. He arched an eyebrow questioningly, relaxing a little when Ianto smiled and shook his head. Jack gave him a brilliant smile from across the table and Ianto found the room suddenly very warm. He returned the gesture.
Then, as if remembering, Jack broke eye contact and teased Owen about getting him the Kama Sutra.
Ianto resisted sighing. Jack kept looking over to see if it bothered him and frankly, it worried Ianto more than it disgusted him. Captain Jack Harkness seemed quite determined to let Ianto Jones have the apparent 'normal' life Jack thought he wanted.
Well. Ianto was going have to change his mind. Ianto Jones once again had a plan.
He was going to court Jack Harkness.
Act II
Additional Notes: Many thanks to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
soullessminion for betaing this chapter. And trtmx for her magic trick that saved my sanity! LOL.
Pairing: Jack/OMC, Jack/?, Jack/Ianto eventually, het and slash
Rating: NC-17 (betaed)
Summary: He left Jack on the game station. Abandoned. But then…he came back…different. An AU look on what happens if things happened differently. Doctor Who 'verse with Torchwood later on. Be sure to read the warnings.
Warnings: Please read each chapter's individual warnings. Some parts down the road may briefly mention non-con, abuse, and/or violence. Dark in the beginning. Please note there are some dark thoughts as my boys are broken…for now. Each chapter will be labeled for your convenience.
Author's Notes: Please note this is an AU that will cross over DW to TW season one. I'm probably spoiling my own story, but it will eventually be Janto. There's a bit of a journey first. I hope you enjoy. I'm working on this and intend to post regularly every other day. And again, I always believe in happy endings. So without further ado…
Disclaimer: RTD and BBC owns them. I'm just borrowing them for a while.
Warning For This Chapter: The slash part of the story here. SMUT. Dark, suicide themes. You were warned. :)
Notes For This Chapter: Note there are parallels to TW's "Out of Time"
Prologue + Ch , Ch 2, Ch 3, Ch 4, Ch 5, Ch 6, Ch 7, Ch 8, Ch 9, Ch 10, Ch 11, Ch 12, Ch 13,Ch 14, Ch 15, Ch 16, Ch 17, Ch 18. Ch 19, Ch 20, Ch 21, Ch 22, Ch 23, Ch 24, Ch 25, Ch 26, Ch 27, Ch 28
Master Fic List: here
Chapter 29 "Out of Time"
Act I
Two weeks before Christmas…
"Christmas?" Jack echoed, his coffee cup stalled in mid-air. He stared blankly at Gwen, who was grinning back with an enthusiasm that gave him an ill feeling in his stomach. They had been talking about the odd Rift activity over the local airstrip when Gwen dropped the bombshell. He'd forgotten about Christmas.
Gwen beamed as she reached over for another pastry as she continued. "When I was a PC, we used to all go out for drinks, exchange gifts and that sort, but since we shouldn't leave Torchwood unmanned, I thought it might be nice to celebrate here."
Jack blinked as a plate of pastries was set by his coffee and…M&Ms? He looked up but Ianto was already moving around the room refilling everyone's cup. Ianto gave Jack an arched eyebrow when Jack poked at the little pile of chocolates, smiling to himself when Jack popped one in his mouth.
"I suppose we could do some kind of celebration," Jack replied, crunching thoughtfully. His eyebrows rose when he tasted something different. He once asked where Ianto was finding them, as all Jack could ever find were Smarties. Ianto would only murmur it was a trade secret. But the next day, there were little piles showing up on his plate and in the crystal dish on his desk that had been left empty since Alex Hopkins.
"You've never celebrated it before?" Gwen looked astounded.
A wiggling feeling curled in his stomach. "I always gave everyone the day off," Jack defended. He wished Gwen wouldn't look so shocked.
Owen grunted. "Better that way. We all had plans."
"My family always gets together in London," Tosh nodded as she picked apart her Danish. "This year too. Ianto? You mentioned you have family here? Are you seeing them?"
Ianto appeared uncomfortable. "Maybe," he hedged, avoiding Jack's eyes. "They're gathering Christmas Eve. I haven't decided yet."
"Everyone gets the day off and the day after," Jack pointed out. He puzzled over why Ianto appeared disappointed. Maybe he wanted more time off? "Can't spare anymore than that," Jack said to everyone, but his eyes were on Ianto.
Gwen looked like she wanted to ask something, but chagrin crossed her face. She ducked her head, but Jack knew what she wanted to ask.
Jack smiled darkly to himself. Of course he would cover Torchwood, who else would it be?
"You said nothing ever happened during the holidays," Owen griped. He grabbed the last chocolate biscuit before Tosh could. He crammed it in his mouth and grinned at her. "Nothing's going to happen this year either."
"Weevils don't take holidays. Nor does the Rift," Jack reminded him.
Gwen fidgeted in her seat, guilt on her face. "Maybe we should do shifts or—"
"It's fine," Jack interrupted. "No shifts."
"So you'll be here," Ianto said all of the sudden. "On Christmas?"
Jack frowned at Ianto's somber look. "I was last year. So?" What was the big deal? True, it was difficult being understaffed but it had been uneventful and Suz—someone had kept him company during the nights. The last Christmas he remembered ever celebrating was spent huddling in the trenches. He woke up Christmas day to find that every one of his men had frozen to death. Jack wasn't exactly keen on repeating that again.
"We could do a little supper here," Gwen said brightly. "All of us. Get a tree. Some decorations, too. We could celebrate Christmas with you, Jack."
Jack inwardly cringed. He waved his hands at her. Sometimes, Gwen's enthusiasm and humanity was a bit scary. "That's alright." Jack flashed her a toothy grin. "Maybe I'll hit the bars if I get bored."
Owen, for some reason, growled under his breath. Ianto glowered behind his mug.
Okay, what was the matter with everybody? Jack wanted to throw up his arms. Gwen's brow was furrowed, Owen was giving him a dark look, Tosh kept glancing over at Gwen, and Ianto was frowning as if he wanted to say something.
"If the world isn't ending, we could do dinner outside or something, okay?" Jack rolled his eyes.
"Who's paying?" Owen narrowed his eyes.
"Torchwood," Jack smirked. Figured that would be Owen's next question. "Pick a place! Ianto, just make the reservations for five, okay?"
Everyone's strange expressions eased somewhat and they began discussing possible candidates.
Jack tossed another M&M in his mouth. He could feel Ianto's eyes on him. Jack was confused. Was he supposed to be doing something else? His gut tightened, thinking about Ianto seeing his family. It was for the best, Jack thought glumly to himself as he drank his coffee. Ianto would see his family, realize his mistake with Jack and come to his senses instead of stubbornly holding on to something Jack knew could ruin him. It should only be just sex, damn it.
Jack lowered his cup. It was suddenly too heavy to hold up. He scowled at himself. If he was going to do this, then he needed to go ahead and do this. Ianto, for the past couple of weeks, had seemed unimpressed by Jack's behavior, the occasional throwaway remarks or lewd stories. One night, he commented to Jack that he didn't think every memory always had something to do with sex, interrupting Jack's recount about the acrobat twins. Before Jack could say anything more to refute him, Ianto distracted him. Very aptly.
Tosh mentioned her little brother and Jack smiled tightly. There was family waiting for Ianto, too. Jack had read his personnel file; he had to in order to hire Ianto for the Cardiff branch. Jack could imagine the boisterous event. Ianto was so young and there were years before him to fill his own house with family. How could he deny Ianto this?
Jack blinked as he felt Ianto walk behind him to refresh his cup, his fingertips light against the back of Jack’s neck, drawing him out of his gloom before he collected the spent dishes by his right hand.
"We spend enough time with each other anyway," Owen complained as he wiped his mouth and dropped the napkin on the table. "Now you expect us to spend even more time?"
"Just thought it would be nice," Gwen said defensively. "A little thing to do as a team that didn't involve aliens or work. It doesn't have to always be about work."
"It's Torchwood, of course it's always about work!" Owen grunted.
"Just a tree, maybe some garland and lights. We could put presents under the tree," Gwen coaxed, her eyes shifting to Jack. "It'll be nice."
"Lovely," Ianto deadpanned. "I'll put a vacuum under the tree. Should be festive enough." He scrunched up his nose and Jack bit back a snigger.
Owen glanced over to Jack, his lips pursed. "No mistletoe though," he declared. "Don't want to give our captain any ideas."
Jack brightened as he crunched on more chocolate. He remembered mistletoe. Tosh mentioned Owen had kissed her under it as they waited for a cab at the pub everyone had gone to. It also hung by the coatroom of the Astoria ballroom. He helped Estelle into her coat and she had looked up. Estelle had cocked her head at him impishly and—
Bitterness slammed that memory shut. Jack swallowed the sugary chocolate in his mouth. It had turned sour in his throat.
"See? See?" Owen was gesturing towards Jack. "Bet you he's already thinking about it! He'll have us snogging each other under that stuff." Owen glowered at each of them, his eyes drifting from Jack, then finally to Ianto.
Ianto looked up from collecting the dishes and caught Owen's smirk. He bristled.
"I rather eat the mistletoe than stand under it with you, Owen!" Ianto snapped.
"You're not exactly my first choice either, Jonesy."
"Jones."
"Whatever."
Jack frowned to himself. "I thought mistletoe's poisonous."
"Precisely."
Jack leered towards them in general. "I don't know, I think it might be kinda hot." He waggled his brows and sure enough, Owen snorted.
To his surprise though, Ianto shot him a look not of disgust, but of amusement.
"You would, sir." Ianto easily sat back down opposite Jack and lifted his cup up to his lips.
"Aye, he would," Owen complained. "Better watch it," he warned Gwen and Tosh. "He’d probably have you two girls snogging as well."
Gwen and Tosh looked at each other for a beat, then at Jack.
"Again?" Gwen drawled to Tosh, who merely shrugged.
Both Ianto and Owen sputtered into their coffees.
Jack snickered at Tosh's wink towards him. Owen threw some remark over and Gwen squabbled back. Soon, both the Rift and Christmas were forgotten.
Jack chuckled at their antics. He felt oddly relaxed listening to them. It reminded Jack of when he was traveling with Rose and him when he was…different. Jack once caught the Doctor smiling indulgently at him and Rose as they bickered over whether they should check out 21st century Cardiff or 42nd century Seattle. Rose won with a flip of a Gredarian coin and she looked so gleeful, Jack gladly conceded although he did scoff at her explanation that she needed to go back for her passport.
"Please tell me it was recorded on CCT—Ow!"
Owen reminded him of himself at times as he taunted Gwen and Tosh. Jack chuckled as the medic avoided a swat from Tosh. Gwen's, however, didn't miss. Tosh laughed and suddenly, Ianto chuckled. Even Owen snickered, chortling as he ducked another swat.
God, he missed Rose. He could hear her echoing in the room and for a moment, it was like the past year had never happened and they were on the way to another time and place together. His gut ached watching them yet he couldn't bring himself to look away.
Jack smiled blithely whenever they turned to argue their point to him, not really caring if he agreed or not. Sometimes it felt like they just wanted to fill the room with noise and when the situation wasn't dire, Jack reveled in the human chaotic rambles called life. In this noise, Jack could forget he was not like them. In here, he could forget that he sends them into danger, possibly shortening their lives while he always return unscathed. Here, as they teased and joked with him, Jack forgets about the thing corrupting him inside out and just lives.
Sometimes.
Noticing Ianto staring over his cup at him, Jack's smile faded. Ianto had only looked mildly exasperated rather than disgusted with his previous remarks. As the three argued, Ianto sat there calmly having his coffee, his eyes glued to Jack with the same intensity of many nights before.
Jack had woken up that night with Ianto draped over him, his arms firmly around Jack. He'd surprised Jack—a little voice whispered Ianto must have been doing research again—with the bold exploration of his body and almost possessive thrusts into him. Ianto had declared he was going to get rid of Jack's 'silly idea' and during that night, he almost did. There were points when Jack had grown lost, his mind silent of sneers for once, Ianto's liquid vowels filling his ears as he moaned his encouragement, his pleasure.
Ianto's body had gripped his cock, surrounding Jack as if forbidding him to leave, his body, his hands branding Jack's skin with a mark. It was an invisible tattoo Ianto seemed to be reading from across the table, his eyes unusually dark, disturbingly familiar yet the drumming in Jack's head didn't return. Rather, another odd beat rattled in his ears. It was new, alien, and surprised Jack so much he missed the question directed to him twice. It was only when Ianto lowered his mug, his lips now parted in concern, that Jack realized everyone was looking at him.
"What?" It was disconcerting to see everyone quiet and all frowning towards him.
"I asked about gifts for a Secret Santa?" Gwen repeated, her expression curious.
"Secret Santa?" Jack repeated, really wishing there was a translator for him at times. That wasn't something he had come across during his time here. Everyone knew the pagan cultural figure so why was he a secret?
"I'm not sure," Ianto suddenly said out of nowhere, "if I fancy randomly picking a name out of a hat to see whom I should buy a gift for."
Oh. Secret Santa. That made sense…sort of. Jack darted a quick smile towards Ianto, who shrugged one shoulder in reply.
"I also don't particularly care," Ianto went on, keeping everyone's eyes on him, "in trying to figure out what to get Owen if I get his name."
"A vacuum?" Tosh snickered.
"Kama Sutra?" Jack suggested with a smirk.
"Oi!"
The laughter around the table washed over Jack and he relaxed back into his chair as Gwen collected names to put in a cup. Jack looked over to Ianto and couldn't explain why the wink sent over his way made his face warm.
Must be the coffee.
It was transparent.
Ianto stopped himself from rolling his eyes whenever Jack made another lewd remark. But when Jack's smile shifted over to him, it faded to confusion. Whatever Jack was expecting to find on Ianto's face, he didn't find it. It disturbed him that Jack would think that whatever it was he was looking for, it would be found on Ianto's face. It didn't look like it would have been something nice.
After he had found Jack half-dressed and staring lost at the bottled hand that night, Ianto was determined to find out more about their mysterious captain. He wanted to know what or who had put that look there. He wanted to know what he could do to peel away the shadows in Jack's eyes. Ianto could feel Jack's pain, acute and tangible like a blade to Jack's bared throat. Even as Jack trailed hot nips along his body, tasting Ianto hungrily as if starved, there was still a bit of hesitation, as if fearing the consequences of complete submersion. Ianto could feel Jack struggling not to get lost in the writhing, twisting clamor of their bodies every night.
No. Ianto could sense Jack's pining for complete release. Ianto wanted to give him what Jack so willingly gave him every night; bringing Ianto to utter completion then gently gathering the remains, offering a serenity he didn't partake himself. Ianto suspected it was because Jack felt like he didn't deserve it and every time Ianto thought about it, the urge to shatter that ghoulish glass container grew stronger. He could feel Jack trying to slip into the role he thought everyone saw him in, expecting Ianto to pull away.
Bollocks.
He now understood Lisa's answer when he first asked her out; she'd often said Ianto didn't make it easy and thinking back, Ianto realized her visits to the library he studied in, always sitting next to him in class, were what prodded him to ask her out. When he did—just coffee and then a walk back to her dorm—Lisa had smiled teasingly and answered finally.
Ianto watched Jack, bemused as the captain good-naturedly listened to Gwen's impractical suggestions on the holiday. Jack had on a wistful expression that faded to something more haunted when he thought no one was looking. Ianto bit back a frown. The more he saw the myriad of sorrowful expressions swirling on Jack's face, the more Ianto knew he didn't want them on his captain any more.
Jack looked over, his head tilted when he caught Ianto's expression, his brow knitted, perplexed. He arched an eyebrow questioningly, relaxing a little when Ianto smiled and shook his head. Jack gave him a brilliant smile from across the table and Ianto found the room suddenly very warm. He returned the gesture.
Then, as if remembering, Jack broke eye contact and teased Owen about getting him the Kama Sutra.
Ianto resisted sighing. Jack kept looking over to see if it bothered him and frankly, it worried Ianto more than it disgusted him. Captain Jack Harkness seemed quite determined to let Ianto Jones have the apparent 'normal' life Jack thought he wanted.
Well. Ianto was going have to change his mind. Ianto Jones once again had a plan.
He was going to court Jack Harkness.
Act II
Additional Notes: Many thanks to
soullessminion for betaing this chapter. And trtmx for her magic trick that saved my sanity! LOL.![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2008-06-03 01:05 am (UTC)*SQUEE*
THIS, I wanna see! Make Jack feel better, Ianto! *huggles Jack tightly*
no subject
Date: 2008-06-03 01:15 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-06-03 08:47 am (UTC)