Arms locked round one another, Jack and Ianto both shuddered through jolting aftershocks that left them mutually breathless and grinning.
Ianto decided he was too blissful to care that he was sticky and sweaty, and just settled in to recover in Jack's bunk, not letting go.
Jack kept his arms tight around Ianto as they kissed with much less desperation than before. Jack ducked his head to kiss Ianto's shoulder, hoping his kissing could convey all the things he was too much of a coward to say.
It had been a rough night out there. Jack had died twice, the second time when he'd knocked Ianto out of the way. If he hadn't revived when he did….
Jack clenched his eyes shut and held on tighter to Ianto. Ianto's heartbeat still pounded from their exertions.
'One day,' Jack thought, 'you're going to leave me. It probably won't be from fear or resentment because you're one of the only people who understands and accepts me. Most times when I think of you, I think you're the strongest person in the world… you've become my strength. But one day… you won't be there anymore. And my heart will break… maybe for good. It'll be the end of the world for me. And I've never been more afraid of anything in all my life.'
Ianto shifted ever so slightly, just so he could kiss Jack's forehead. He knew dying was never easy for Jack, especially twice in one night, so it wasn't so surprising that Jack was clinging to him like a limpet and still shaking a bit.
"I'm here, Jack," he whispered. "Not going anywhere."
'Not when I'm still terrified of you not making it back the next time,' Ianto thought and held on to Jack a little tighter too.
"Neither am I, Yan," Jack whispered. "I promise."