Ianto Jones stood in the Archives, sorting files that had been wrongly placed and skimming through a few. He had to get his mind off of earlier, when Jack had returned as he always did, with a bang.
Ianto looked up from a file on Suzie, a former Torchwood member, to see Jack leaning against the doorway.
"Hello sir," Ianto said stiffly, closing the file.
"Ianto, can we drop the 'sir' now?" Jack asked.
Ianto turned and stuck the file in its appropriate place.
"What can I do for you, sir?"
Jack sighed.
"Ianto, what is wrong?"
"Nothing sir,"
"Please Ianto, I need to know."
Ianto slammed the file cabinet shut and turned.
"Nothing, sir," he replied, enunciating each syllable carefully.
Jack was silent for a few moments, taking a few steps until he was inches from the younger man. He put his hands flat against the wall, keeping the Welshman still. Jack looked deep into
Ianto's eyes, blue meeting blue. Ianto mumbled a few curses in Welsh under his breath.
"Ianto, please tell me,"
Anger tore through Ianto.
"Because you left again, Jack!" he hollered, attempting to shove Jack away. Unfortunately, the Captain was much stronger and held Ianto in place.
"You freaking left again, with no warning, leaving us alone to handle shit on our own! It was a very shitty move, Jack!"
Ianto's eyes were growing moist. He wiped at the furiously, ducking under Jack's arms for some breathing room.
"We didn't know where you were for months, Jack," Ianto blinked and wiped angrily at his blue eyes.
"We were worried sick."
Jack stood back, his expression growing sadder by the second.
"We missed you! I–" Ianto could feel his anger leaching into the air, his energy fading.
"I missed you," Ianto whispered.
Jack stepped forward, cupping Ianto's face in his hands. Ianto flinched, like he couldn't even meet the Captain's eyes.
"Did you just come back for Gwen?" Ianto whispered, his eyes shut tightly.
"No, dumby," Jack gave a gentle laugh. "I came back for you all."
Jack stroked the Welshman's dark hair.
"But mostly for you,"
Jack pressed his lips to Ianto's forehead, pulling the younger man into a tight embrace. Tears fell from the Welshman's eyes.
"Never. Leave. Again." Ianto paused, before adding, "You idiot," with a tiny smile.