A quick thought
So, let's take two steps back to before House of the Dead.
What if Jack was the one who was constantly sharing his feelings, saying "I love you" to Ianto a la this as a casual, everyday sort of thing, and Ianto was the emotionally closed one.
This isn't a new idea. I mean, at all. But most of the places I've seen have always been mild AU's, or ignoring COE. Re-read Day Four with that lens. Ianto is finally saying "I love you" and the thought doesn't occur to Jack to say it back, that's unnecessary. He's panicking and saying "don't" because THIS IS NOT WHAT IANTO'S SUPPOSED TO DO. Ianto's the stoic, sarcastic one. If he's confessing love, then this is real.
It doesn't change a all that much, but it is a slightly different palate with which to play with earlier canon. (Again, House of the Dead notwithstanding. I'm going to address that at some point. Still processing.)
Oh, and everybody has been inspired to write fic based on House of the Dead. Buuuut...I've been more inspired by Submission and I'm going to write a bunch of fics with Ianto and Carlie Roberts. Is that ok? Ok.
What if Jack was the one who was constantly sharing his feelings, saying "I love you" to Ianto a la this as a casual, everyday sort of thing, and Ianto was the emotionally closed one.
This isn't a new idea. I mean, at all. But most of the places I've seen have always been mild AU's, or ignoring COE. Re-read Day Four with that lens. Ianto is finally saying "I love you" and the thought doesn't occur to Jack to say it back, that's unnecessary. He's panicking and saying "don't" because THIS IS NOT WHAT IANTO'S SUPPOSED TO DO. Ianto's the stoic, sarcastic one. If he's confessing love, then this is real.
It doesn't change a all that much, but it is a slightly different palate with which to play with earlier canon. (Again, House of the Dead notwithstanding. I'm going to address that at some point. Still processing.)
Oh, and everybody has been inspired to write fic based on House of the Dead. Buuuut...I've been more inspired by Submission and I'm going to write a bunch of fics with Ianto and Carlie Roberts. Is that ok? Ok.