Fic: The Soundtrack of a Relationship - Part 3
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Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, they just inhabit my dreams.
A/N - This is part three of a 12 chapter story about Jack and Ianto's relationship inspired by several songs I've heard over the past few days. I have a wide taste in music, so please forgive me if there are a couple of cheesy 80's tunes. The songs that inspired the individual chapters will be listed in the "Music" area below the entry. Please, if you spot any mistakes and/or improvements, let me know (happy/"well done" comments appreciated too!). Thanks & I hope you enjoy the story!
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Read Part 1 here...
Read Part 2 here...
Jack returned to his office and sat back down. He looked up at the Doctor with a sigh, his blue eyes shadowed with grief and exhaustion.
"I'm not much of a host tonight, sorry. Do you need anything?"
"I'm not a guest, Jack, I'm here to support you. How are you holding up?"
"As well as can be expected, I guess. No...that's not true. I'm a mess. I never thought it would end this way, you know? I never wanted it to end at all. I know that was unrealistic, but there it is." He was stalling, he knew it, but this was one of the hardest things he'd ever done. Looking back over the most important relationship in his life and seeing it from his lover's point of view...after it was over. He sighed and squared his shoulders. He was already thinking of what had happened next in his tumultuous with Ianto Jones as he pressed play on the stereo and picked up the letter.
The music started slowly, with an ethereal voice singing:
"If this world is wearing thin
And you're thinking of escape
I'll go anywhere with you..."
That disastrous trip to Brecon Beacons changed a lot of things in our world, didn't it, Jack? It still makes me shudder to think about those people in that little village. I used to wonder what had happened to them to make them the way they were. I remember when we finally got back to the Hub. You were so concerned for all of us, but I could feel your gaze on me most of all. After Owen checked us all out and everyone else left, you came to where I was sitting and asked if I wanted to go home....
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Ianto was just sitting there, in a daze, like he didn't know where he was. Jack walked over and sat next to him on the small couch.
"Do you want to go home, Ianto?" he asked.
Blue eyes looked up into blue eyes, and Ianto slowly shook his head. "No, I don't want to be alone right now. Can I stay here, Jack? With you?"
Putting his arm around the younger man, Jack answered, "Of course you can, as long as you want."
Jack felt the slender frame leaning against him start to shudder. Deep, gulping sobs tore out of Ianto's throat and he clung to the warmth of the man next to him with desperation.
"Oh God, Jack...I was so fucking scared...for myself, for Tosh, for all of us. Those people...how....why...? Fuck!"
Jack stroked his hands up and down the young man's back, planting soft kisses to the top of the head lying on his shoulder. There was nothing sexual in his touch, just comfort. A comfort that they both needed. Gradually, Ianto's sobs quieted, but when he tried to pull away, Jack resisted.
"Shhh, just rest here for a minute. Relax." Jack urged. Ianto settled back into the shelter of Jack's arms, enjoying the closeness. They stayed that way for an hour, taking comfort from each other.
"Jack?"
"Hmmmm?"
"I really need a shower before I fall asleep like this." Ianto said.
Jack chuckled, his chest moving under Ianto's cheek. "Yeah, that does sound like a good idea, doesn't it?"
"Mmmm...necessary. Can't stand to be dirty." Ianto's voice had a sleepy quality to it.
"Ok, c'mon. Let's go get cleaned up. Do you have clean clothes here?" Jack asked.
"Yeah, down in the locker room."
They stood up and made their way down to the basement where the locker room and showers were. Ianto moved like a man walking in his sleep and Jack kept his arm around him to make sure he didn't stumble.
When they got to the showers, Jack let go to get them some towels and started undressing. Ianto just stood where Jack had left him.
"Hey, are you all right? Do you need me to help you?"
"I'm f..." Ianto started, then his shoulders sagged and he said, "Yes...please. I'm sorry."
"You have nothing to be sorry for. It's been a hellish 24 hours and you were beat up pretty bad." Jack soothed.
Ianto's white shirt was hanging loose over his black t-shirt. Jack slipped the shirt from his shoulders and gently eased the t-shirt over his head. In all the times he'd imagined this moment, and he had imagined undressing the beautiful Mr. Jones, he'd never thought it would be like this. He ached to see the dark bruises covering the young man's torso. Jack would've given anything to spare Ianto the pain of this experience. The whole team had suffered the mental aspect of the last 24 hours, but Ianto, Tosh and Gwen had suffered physically, with Ianto bearing the most abuse. He quickly undid Ianto's belt buckle and unfastened the jeans, easing them down the slender hips and long legs. Ianto stepped out them and Jack kicked the garments out of the way. Even bruised and half asleep, Ianto Jones was a breathtaking sight in the nude. Jack turned away to bring his libido back under control. This was definitely not the time to be thinking about seducing the young man standing so quietly in the middle of the room. Jack quickly stripped his own clothes off and turned to get them both in the shower.
A mumbled word stopped him, "Gorwych." He looked up to find Ianto watching him.
"What was that?" All this time in Wales and he'd never learned the language, other than a few swear words.
"I said you are gorgeous." Ianto replied. "Gorgeous, and sexy, and damn hot."
Jack blushed slightly. He was an arrogant man that knew exactly how devastating his looks and body were, and shamelessly used it to his advantage, but there was something about the way Ianto was looking at him that made him feel like a shy virgin on his first date.
"Mmmm...you're pretty stunning yourself, Mr. Jones. Not the right time though...More's the pity." Jack replied.
"I know."
"Now, let's get you clean and tucked into bed before you fall asleep where you're standing." Smiled Jack, turning on the water and adjusting the temperature. They stepped underneath the spray and Jack gently lathered soap over Ianto's body. Careful not to press too hard over the bruises. Ianto stood docilely, letting Jack wash away all the grime and blood of the last day. Bending his head slightly so the other man could work in the shampoo, and then letting the warm water cascade over him, rinsing all the bubbles away. It felt so good to be taken care of like this. It had been so long. Jack's warm hands were having an effect on his body and if he hadn't been so damn exhausted the evening would have a much different ending. He noticed that he was having an effect on Jack too and smiled slightly at that. Jack gave him a playfully dark look but Ianto just smiled wider and continued to watch the older man clean himself up.
"If you don't stop looking at me like that, I'm going to turn off the hot water and punish you with a freezing cold shower." Jack teased.
Ianto chuckled, "Sorry, Jack, but I've been having these dreams and...." He winked.
"Or maybe I'll just take the cold shower." Jack mumbled, pouting.
Ianto laughed out loud at that. Jack Harkness was so cute when he pouted. A twinge of pain in his side and a loud yawn reminded him that this probably wasn't the best time to be entertaining lascivious thoughts about his boss.
Jack turned off the water and reached for a towel. He quickly dried himself off and wrapped a towel around his waist. Then he helped Ianto dry off and get into the sweats and t-shirt the younger man kept in his locker. Guiding Ianto upstairs and into his sleeping area, Jack finally got the young man tucked into bed. Rummaging through his drawers for underwear (he normally slept in the nude), he was thinking about where he was going to sleep. His bed wasn't really all that big, but he didn't want to leave Ianto alone tonight.
"Jack?" Ianto's voice sounded like he was almost asleep.
"Yes, Ianto?"
"Don't leave me alone tonight, please. Could you just hold me?"
Rather than answer aloud, Jack climbed into the bad, tucking Ianto close to his side and wrapping his arms around him, the younger man's head on his chest.
Ianto looked up into Jack's bright blue eyes. "Thank you for letting me stay."
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"They don't hear your cries
In your own world
Only time will tell
If you can break the spell
Back in your own world...
Stay with me..."
The song ended, but Jack was still lost in the memory of Ianto's drowsy blue eyes looking up at him. He was jerked back to the present though when the next song started to play...talk about whiplash....
tbc
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