Title: A Liar
Author: JerBearThompson
Rating: PG
Spoilers: None really
Setting: Just after Cyberwoman. Not canon.
Genre: Angst
Characters: Ianto, Jack
Length: 435. Short, very short.
Summary: 'Never once tried suicide…'
Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me. BBC, RTD, blah blah blah Cherry Chapstick.

A/N: This was written in the space of about 15 minutes. It was inspired by the song Away From the Sky by Tripod, and my very angsty mood. Angsty moods make my head think like Death. I might warn you, this is very abstract. And most likely will not make any sense whatsoever.

A Liar.

Ianto was pacing when Jack burst into his apartment.

He had been watching, then. He had seen.

Regardless of the distraction, Ianto took no heed of the captain, continuing to mutter to himself.

'Never been through this before,'

Jack stepped in front of his path, hoping to stop him.

'I know that you lie, that you hate to face me.'

Ianto stopped his pacing, standing still, rigid.

'Never had to lock the door,'

Jack just stared, pleading with his eyes.

'It's taken you once again.'

Ianto shook his head furiously.

'Never once tried suicide-'

At this point, Jack grabbed his shoulders.

'Don't deny,'

Ianto looked up, searching Jack's face.

'Never tried.'

In the younger man's eyes, Jack saw otherwise.

'I don't want you lying.'

Ianto pulled away from the captain's grip, continuing on his path.

'Had no faults to my name,'

Jack followed him closely, whispering fiercely into his ear.

'Know yourself, know your soul.'

Ianto turned sharply.

'No, you're not on my ground.'

Jack met him, toe to toe.

'To which you lie so close, like a rat, like a stone.'

Ianto dropped onto his couch, defeated.

'Never had to run inside,'

Jack knelt in front of him.

'Don't you dare run,'

Ianto slid down until he was lying horizontal, curling into himself.

'Had to hide...'

Jack sighed sadly.

'You didn't know how to fight.'

Ianto's eyes clasped tightly shut.

'Never gone near to the light,'

Jack leant in close.

'When you're conjuring the dark,'

Ianto's features crumpled in confusion.

'I knew how it was done.'

Jack's breath was hot on the young man's face.

'You're not the only one,'

Smiling, Ianto murmured,

'Nonetheless, I have no sympathy.'

Jack's hand rested gently on the side of his face.

'You're blocking off your only light.'

Ianto shuddered.

'Had to get away,'

Jack nodded forlornly.

'Out of sight,'

Ianto opened his eyes, misty and dilute.

'It knew how to get to me,'

The captain brushed away a stray tear.

'I know.'

Ianto didn't even bother trying to hold the others back.

'You knew how to make me...'

Jack's desperate plea cut in,

'Please don't.'

Ianto breathed out heavily.

'A liar,'

Jack prayed that was the end of his sentence.

'Say that's all,'

Ianto's gaze was remorseful, but his words said otherwise.

'I'm not sorry,'

Jack leant his head forward onto Ianto's chest.

'I am.'

Ianto patted his hair despondently - just once.

'It's not you who made me do it.'

Jack's tears were making his shirt damp.

'But it's my fault that this time tomorrow you'll be-'

Ianto closed his eyes and smiled.

'A dead man.'