Rebuilding 4/15 (maybe...)
Rebuilding
McRaider
Summary: They were all so angry at Jack, that none of them took the time to notice the subtle differences in his personality, how he reacted to things, and most of all how he couldn’t seem to look at any of them for longer than a few seconds without looking away.
Author’s Note: So I wasn't going to start posting this orginally until after Then there were Three, but I decided since I'm not sure of it's length yet, that would start posting and go from there (not something I normally do). We’ve all written the post-Last of the Time Lords story, but I feel like Jack gets lost somewhere in most of those. So, this is my take. Enjoy
Disclaimer: I have my own characters, I don’t feel the need to own these ones (that being said…if I did own it, Jack and Ianto naked…LOTS MORE!)
Rated: R (for now based on violence, suicide themes, gore, torture and eventually NC-17 for sex)
Dedication:
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
As promised, Jack arrived promptly at six, he’d changed into a pair of black jeans and a dress shirt, but his RAF coat still covered his frame-even on the warm summer’s night. It was the only thing Jack had that remained untouched by the Master.
Ianto smiled as he stepped out of his flat and got into the passenger’s seat. “You look nice.” Ianto offered quietly looking at his former lover. He figured the best way to start getting Jack to trust him again, was to treat him as though nothing had quiet changed. To some it probably seemed like Ianto was ignoring the issues, but Ianto had learned a few things about psychology. He knew enough to understand that when left unpressured people opened up more easily. Ianto also knew Jack, and he knew there was no better way to make the Captain clam up then pressure, question and bother him until he retreated so far inside himself that they didn’t see him for months.
“Thanks, you look pretty nice yourself, so what movie are we going to?”
“I stopped off on the way home and picked up a few older ones, thought perhaps we’d just go grab a bite to eat and then go back to mine. If that’s all right with you?”
Jack smiled and nodded. “That would be great.”
Ianto smirked, he’d figured Jack wasn’t quite up to being around the rest of civilization, Ianto couldn’t imagine what would happen if some strange noise went off wherever they were. He’d likely jump a mile high.
They grabbed a quick dinner, bringing the food back to the flat and both men sat down on the couch to watch telly. They’d gone through nearly three movies, when Ianto glanced over at his lover and smirked. Jack was leaning against the arm of the couch; his head had fallen against the back of the couch, mouth open and a light snoring coming from it. He was out cold.
Ianto nodded, his plan had worked, though he’d been expecting sex, but Ianto was silently glad to see that Jack felt comfortable enough around him to let his guard down and at least fall asleep. Reaching out, Ianto flicked the telly off, and glanced back at the sleeping figure beside him. The lights were casting a soft glow around the front area. Ianto reached out, and gently ran his fingers across Jack’s hair line. He smiled as the man instantly leaned into the couch. “Sleep my Captain, I’ll protect you.”
After a few more minutes of watching the man sleep, Ianto gently pulled him down to lie out on the couch; he wrapped a blanket over his shoulders, pressed a kiss to Jack’s forehead and smiled. Ianto knew it wouldn’t be a quiet night, Jack would probably awaken from nightmares, but he’d be here to comfort Jack when it happened.
It did happen, Ianto had decided to curl up on his two-seater couch, and had fallen asleep to the sound of Jack’s even breathing-a noise he hadn’t realized he missed until he’d lost it. He was startled around four by moaning-not the good kind. Bleary eyed, Ianto glanced over at his lover who was currenly trying to fight an invisible enemy on the couch. Whimpers of pain and fear escaped his lips-noises that Jack would never allow when awake.
Words didn’t truly escape Jack’s mouth as Ianto stood up and moved over. He sat down on the floor in front of the couch, and gently began to run his fingers through Jack’s soft hair. Instantly, the Captain began to calm. He let out a few more whimpers and the word “monster” escaped his lips. Ianto felt his heart break, he certainly hoped no one had called Jack that. Pressing his lips to Jack’s forehead he smiled, breathing in the familiar scent.
“Jack Harkness, you’re a good man with a wonderful soul, who just wants the best for those he loves.”
Ianto continued to caress Jack’s head and face, watching as the man let out one last whimper, before he slipped into a deep sleep again. Ianto sighed, he knew it wouldn’t be easy, but if someone had all but instilled in Jack that he was a monster, than he was in for a ride. Ianto closed his eyes at the painful memory of the time he’d called Jack. At the time, Ianto had meant it, but after her death, Jack proved just how big a monster he wasn’t-he’d come over every day for several hours and kept him company. Helping him through the various stages of mourning and grief, Jack supported him and reminded him the whole time he wasn’t alone. It was because of Jack, that Ianto was back on his feet and some had some relative life to return to in less than a month.
Looking back down at the man on the couch, Ianto was determined-whatever it took, he’d get Jack through this, just like Jack had gotten him through Lisa’s death. It was the least he could do. As long as it meant supporting the man he loved. Loved. There was a strange word, Ianto smiled as he looked down at the man before him, no he didn’t love him-not yet. He did however, feel something for Jack that was unlike he’d felt since Lisa’s death. Perhaps-perhaps Ianto was falling in love with the Captain. He could accept that.
Pressing a kiss to Jack’s temple, he slipped into his own room to get ready for bed, hoping that Jack would be okay for the remaining two hours he would sleep. He still looked knackered, and Ianto felt about how Jack looked, knackered. Stepping into his room, Ianto cast one last glance back at his lover and smiled warmly, at least he was home-Ianto didn’t feel angry anymore, he didn’t have the time. Jack was back and for however long he stayed, Ianto planned to spend it well.
TBC