Ianto's Last Secret Epilogue
Title: Ianto’s Last Secret
Characters: Jack, Gwen, OC, and Ianto
Rating: 15 - mainly for themes and language.
Synopsis: Most people take their secrets to the grave with them, but not Ianto Jones.
Word count: 723
Disclaimer: Nope, I don't own Torchwood.
AN: Thank you so much for coming on this ride with me and I hope you enjoyed it...and like the way it finishes. Thanks to shamazipan, emyrldlady and kausingkayn for help, hand holding, general cheerleading and veiled threats through this.
Ianto almost collapsed under the force of Gwen, who, recovering from the shock, flew across the room to him. She threw her arms around his neck, holding onto him as if it was her life that depended on it. Pulling back she cupped his face in her hands and stared into his eyes.
She didn’t even need to voice her question.
“It’s me Gwen, I promise. It’s me.”
Gwen’s eyes were filled with tears and the pair just stared at each other for a moment, grinning madly. They were torn from each other by the man between them gasping into life.
Gwen reached out a hand to grasp Jack’s shoulder.
“It’s Ianto, Jack. It’s really him.” The joy escaped her in every syllable she uttered.
Jack stared up at Ianto, wanting so hard to believe, but not quite able to bring himself to. He tried to talk but emotion trapped the words in his throat. The word “Ianto” formed on his lips but got no further. But Ianto didn’t need words. He leaned forwards and pressed his lips to Jack’s, making sure that the other man felt every ounce of emotion that was coursing through his body and would be left in no doubt that this was his Ianto, back, here with him.
Gwen sat back on her heels giving the pair some space, but not being able to bring herself to move too far from them. As Ianto pulled back from Jack the pair held each other’s gaze, but Jack reached out a hand to grasp Gwen’s. His other was fisted tightly in Ianto’s jacket, with Ianto holding on just as tightly back.
Seeing Jack’s touch for the invitation it was Gwen happily moved to hold onto Ianto again. She needed to feel him; feel that he was real; really there.
Jack was still staring at Ianto, his gaze returned, still unable, or unwilling to say anything, just content seeing and being with the man that he loved.
“Ianto,” Gwen said softly. “Do you know what’s happened to you?”
Ianto nodded and swallowed thickly. “Yes. I do. I can’t really explain it, but yes. I know I died. But I know I’m back now.” He finally tore his gaze from Jack and looked at Gwen. “I have the feeling though like...” His voice trailed off and his gaze suddenly shifted to the middle distance. He shook his head as if to clear it. “It’s nothing really.”
“Coffee.” said Jack suddenly. Both Ianto and Gwen turned to stare at him. “We need to get Ianto coffee.”
“Jack, I really don’t need to have co...” he paused again, and his focus shifted minutely before he continued. “You’re right. We should have coffee. We’re Torchwood; it’s what we do.”
Gwen shook her head even as a laugh escaped her mouth, “Post-operation coffee. You’re right; it’s tradition.” Heaven forbid they actually talk about anything.
They walked quietly to the coffee shop, not really speaking, just smiling and laughing together; no words were suitable for the complete joy of this moment. Ianto walked between Jack and Gwen and they each had a death grip on him, as if they feared that if they let him go he would vanish from them again. Entering the shop for the second time in as many days Gwen approached the counter to order as Jack and Ianto weaved their way to a table. Before he sat down Ianto excused himself and headed for the small bathroom.
Closing and locking the door behind him, Ianto looked at himself in the mirror, arms folded, a wry expression on his face.
“You know, for this to work and for it not to get too crowded in there, you’re going to have to learn to stop talking over me. It’s hard enough dealing with suddenly being a telepath.”
He paused, then smiled warmly at his reflection.
“Of course I’m grateful, and yes Carys, I’m glad you’re still here.”
He paused again, his smile turning into a knowing grin as he smoothed down his suit and pulled at his cuffs.
“Oh, they’ll figure out the immortal body thing themselves in a minute.”
The unmistakable sound of coffee cups shattering against a wooden floor came from the other side of the door.
“See?”
With a final twist of his tie Ianto walked back out into the coffee shop.