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Title: A Many-Splendored Thing
Author: [livejournal.com profile] sariagray 
Characters/Pairings: Jack/Ianto
Word Count:
~300
Rating: PG13
Spoilers: The whole series, with a focus on Cyberwoman and COE Day 4
Warning:
Angst. Canon character death. Language. Unbeta'd. 
Disclaimer: I do not own Torchwood. I do not make money off of Torchwood. In fact, it seems as though Torchwood owns and makes money off of ME. This is for entertainment purposes only.

Author’s Note: I haven't written anything new in a while. So I sat down to write a songfic just to...keep moving, I guess. I got two lines in when this happened instead. So, uh. Yeah. I'm still not sure how I feel about it. But, here. Have some angst. It's short, so you shouldn't suffer too much!

 
A Many-Splendored Thing


The darkness presses in around them, simultaneously suffocating and sheltering. Their breaths come in short pants, ragged and raw as though breathing is a newly discovered concept for their untried throats and lungs. Oxygen enters blood streams like a drug, though the two pairs of pupils are dilated mostly due to the lack of light.

The lids of Jack’s eyes flicker closed, then open, then closed again. Ianto can’t see the motion, but he can feel lashes rise and fall against his temple. He wants to swallow the past five minutes, digest them, and expel the remaining waste into some sewer to be trampled upon by a Weevil that he will then shoot in the face. But he can’t. All he can do is hope that Jack hasn’t heard them.

Jack takes a shuddering breath. “Did you…mean it?”

Fuck. Ianto shifts his head to look away, not that it matters. He bites his tongue; it feels right. Jack, however, won’t let the subject rest. As always, he pokes and prods it into submission.

“Ianto. Did you?”

He’s using his most authoritative voice and Ianto has to suppress a laugh. It turns into something that sounds like a strangled sob, instead, which is far worse given the current situation.

Yes. No. Yes. No. Yes. No. “Yes.”

“Oh.”

And while Jack doesn’t say anything else, Ianto does feel comforting arms drape around him and tighten with assurance; it’s all he can do to keep from screaming.

Twenty four hours later, the Hub reeks of metal and blood and the air has too many flavors of fear to distinguish any difference from one to the next.

----

“I love you,” Ianto reveals, surprised at the notion, though he vaguely recognizes that he really shouldn’t be.

“Don’t.”

He doesn't blame Jack. In fact, he's just superstitious enough to believe that it might work.

Of course, he's also just realistic enough to know that it won't.

The End.

Date: 2011-01-26 10:31 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] thebuttonontop.livejournal.com
I READ THIS AT WORK AND NOW AM SOBBING!!! damn you for bringing Day 4 to haunt me. I shoulda known better... you being in my triumverat of angst. *sighs*

all the same, i adore it. so much grit. and .... yes. just... yes.

Date: 2011-01-27 01:49 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] sariagray.livejournal.com
Hey, hey. I did put Day 4 in the spoilers. You coulda turned back! ;) Thanks, hun!

Date: 2011-01-26 10:36 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] thebuttonontop.livejournal.com
i think there needs to be a "button" rating system. a "do not read at work" rating... *sighs* though i dont think it would stop me anywya.

people are givign me funny looks now.

Date: 2011-01-27 01:49 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] sariagray.livejournal.com
No, it wouldn't. I try to warn you, and you jump off the cliff anyway. :)

Date: 2011-01-26 10:47 pm (UTC)
ext_49452: (Default)
From: [identity profile] analineblue.livejournal.com
Oh wow, I love the darkness here. *__* That's such an interesting twist for everything that happens during Cyberwoman, too.

And that last part. *sob* ;__; Has he just sort of blocked out the fact that he's said/thought/felt this before? I really love all the questions that I'm left with at the end of this. <3

And I hope that doesn't mean I'm missing the point completely? XD;

Date: 2011-01-27 01:52 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] sariagray.livejournal.com
You didn't miss the point, no! :) In my head, in this scenario, it's more to do with the whole dying bit. He's just...confused. I like the idea (in a twisted sort of way) that he'll only admit it when things come to a head. And it still surprises him because it's all just so strange. If that makes sense...I don't think I'm conveying this very well! :-/

But thanks! :) I'm glad you liked it!

Date: 2011-01-26 11:14 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] xrai-namere.livejournal.com
Oh, this was good.
I love it.
I've been searching for words to say how much I like this for over an hour. I'm sorry that this is all I can come up with but rest assured that I like it very, very much. *sheepish grin*

Date: 2011-01-27 01:55 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] sariagray.livejournal.com
Thank you! I'm glad you like it! Although, I'm sorry you wasted an hour on me! <3

Date: 2011-01-27 02:21 am (UTC)
lilferret: (Default)
From: [personal profile] lilferret
SADFICNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

*sniffle*

Short but sweet.

Date: 2011-01-27 09:22 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] sariagray.livejournal.com
Thank you! :) And yeah, I tend to go the route of...sad.

Date: 2011-01-27 01:03 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mcparrot.livejournal.com
Wow, so much story in such a few words. I'm in awe.
cyberwoman to day 4 - bam with everything in between.
Brilliantly realised and written

Date: 2011-01-27 09:23 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] sariagray.livejournal.com
Thank you so much! :) *Is blushing*

Date: 2011-01-27 04:10 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] nancybrown.livejournal.com
That's a really interesting juxtaposition you've written.

Date: 2011-01-27 09:23 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] sariagray.livejournal.com
Thanks! Gotta love juxtaposition.

Date: 2011-01-27 06:15 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] punkchick1995.livejournal.com
:') so beautiful!!

I am holding back the tears as my mum will ask whats wrong!

I may go up to my room and cry into my pillow!!

Still beautiful tho! :) xx

Date: 2011-01-27 09:24 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] sariagray.livejournal.com
Yay! Well, okay, cheering because I made you cry seems a bit unkind. But I'm sure you know what I'm getting at. :) Thanks!

Date: 2011-01-28 03:26 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] punkchick1995.livejournal.com
haha yeah i know what you mean :) and you're welcome!

Date: 2011-01-28 12:50 am (UTC)
bk_forever: (Oh Captain)
From: [personal profile] bk_forever
Meep! =(

Sad fic is sad! I should send Nosy to fluff at you!

Date: 2011-01-28 03:53 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] sariagray.livejournal.com
Hehe! Yes, feel free to send Nosy any time! Although I promise I'm not sad...sad things just come out of my brain, via my fingers. :)

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