[internet cafe] Roald Dahl Plass, Cardiff

[likesthecoat]

Ianto sits by the water tower, watching the passers-by.

He looks contemplative. Yes, even more contemplative than usual.

Comments

[lovethisplanet.livejournal.com]

Jack wanders up, hands in the pockets of his coat, round from the back entrance, rather than the perception-filtered lift, this time. This isn't exactly the time for the scenic route.

"Hey," he says quietly as he walks up.

[morethanteaboy.livejournal.com]

"Hey."

Well, that's out of the way. He crosses his ankles.

"It's not you I'm scared of."

[lovethisplanet.livejournal.com]

Greetings: done. Casualties: none. Excellent.

"That's good," he says. "Since I believe there's a word for a employer who terrorises his staff, and it is in fact 'bully.'"

Oh, look. Flippancy and angst in the same statement. Jack's just that good.

[morethanteaboy.livejournal.com]

Not one for mucking about with pleasantries, our Mr. Jones.

"You're not a bully."

He has no doubt Jack's aware of this, threats about throttling the staff aside.

[lovethisplanet.livejournal.com]

Be that as it may, threatening anyone when he knows he can't die sure makes Jack feel like a coward.

"Maybe."

Jack sits down slowly next to Ianto.

[morethanteaboy.livejournal.com]

"So." A dry chuckle. "I have no idea where to begin."

[lovethisplanet.livejournal.com]

Jack half-smiles, glancing over, then down again.

"No. There's an impressive number of places we could, I guess."

Torchwood: Emotional issue central.

[morethanteaboy.livejournal.com]

"Yes.

"I . . . know I lost Lisa a long time before . . . before."

[lovethisplanet.livejournal.com]

Jack looks down briefly, and nods.

"Yeah. Those things... Cybermen. They really do take everything."

And that's either heartbreaking, or merciful.

[morethanteaboy.livejournal.com]

"But it was her for so long," Ianto says. "I believed it was her. I never would have held on so long if I'd believed otherwise. I never would have--"

He stops himself and looks away.

"So. That's all."

[lovethisplanet.livejournal.com]

Jack nods quietly.

"She- remembered. I think Cybermen do, until it becomes irrelevant. But you couldn't have known she wasn't... her, not until she changed, and even then..."

She looked human, she still knew Ianto. She used him, but Jack doesn't let the twist of anger at that show.

"I understand why you tried."

Now he does.

[morethanteaboy.livejournal.com]

More nodding.

"You never answered my question." He clears his throat. "If you've ever--ever loved anyone enough to do anything for them."

[lovethisplanet.livejournal.com]

Jack is silent for a long time.

Perhaps a little too long, truth be told. When he speaks, his voice doesn't quite sound like him.

"I have. A long time ago. Which - It's part of the reason I feel so badly about how I treated you." He stops, and swallows. "Even then. I kind of knew, and yet..."

The look on his face is bleak, almost empty. He's lost them. He did- so long ago, but he still can't stop.

And even if he wanted to stop, what then?

[morethanteaboy.livejournal.com]

Ianto waits during the silence. He likes silence. He understands it.

And when Jack stops speaking again all Ianto can do is put his hand lightly on Jack's back.

[lovethisplanet.livejournal.com]

Jack glances over, unsmiling, and sighs - softly enough to be invisible, but tangible under a hand touching him.

"I'm sorry, Ianto."

He was right. It needed to be said.

[morethanteaboy.livejournal.com]

"Apology accepted, sir," Ianto says.

There's a flicker of a smile when he says, "Now what?"

[lovethisplanet.livejournal.com]

Jack takes a deep breath, and shrugs.

"Now," he says, "I guess we take the night off. What do you think?"

[morethanteaboy.livejournal.com]

"I think that could be very nice."

He pats Jack's back one more time and removes his hand.

"By the way," he adds in a lighter tone, "some of the blokes from the Cafe have decided we're doing an video-games-and-jam day at some point. You're invited."

[lovethisplanet.livejournal.com]

Jack almost laughs, crushing the regret at the loss of Ianto's hand on his back.

Not many people touch him, now. It had been odd for such a long time.

"Really?" he says. "Where are they doing that? Online, or someplace most people can gather?"

[morethanteaboy.livejournal.com]

"In person, supposedly. My place. Once Lorne gets back from his super-secret assignment.

"We'll settle once and for all which is better, coffee or apricot jam." He looks at Jack. "You'll be on my side, won't you?"