Jack knew so much about him, even when they first met. He knew where he lived, when he was born, who he was dating, how he'd done in school. But there was so much more that he didn't know.
He didn't know that when Ianto was eight his father had beat him so badly that he could hardly walk for three days.
He didn't know that when Ianto was ten he skipped school for the first of many times so that he could take care of his sick mother because his father was too drunk to do it.
He didn't know that at fifteen Ianto stole his father's gun and a bottle of whiskey and went to his room. He didn't know that the only reason Ianto was still alive today was because his father came in before Ianto was drunk enough to shoot himself. He didn't know that Ianto's father didn't even notice the gun. All he saw was the alcohol and he was only angry because he'd wanted to drink it himself.
He didn't know that was the only thing Ianto was ever thankful to his father for.
He didn't know that Ianto swore he'd never drink again after that night. He didn't know Ianto promised to make something of his life and not become the spitting image of his father like so many thought he would.
He didn't know that Ianto fell in love twice. Once for Lisa, then for Jack. He didn't know he felt like he was betraying Lisa every single day by loving Jack. He didn't know that Ianto had hated Jack for killing Lisa, but somehow Ianto knew it was what had to happen. He didn't know that knowing that did not help him sleep at night.
He didn't know that Ianto would cry his eyes out some nights because he knew he should hate Jack but he couldn't force himself to.
He didn't know that Ianto hated Gwen just a little bit because Jack loved her.
He didn't know that Ianto hated to hear him say he hated the word couple.
He didn't know how much that hurt. There was so much that he didn't know, and now he never would.
He didn't know that as Ianto lay dying in Jack's arms, all Ianto wanted was for Jack to say he loved him too. He didn't know how much it hurt when he didn't.
He didn't know that Ianto wanted to be with Jack forever, and living every day, slowly growing older while Jack stayed the same, was killing him faster than any poison could.
But Ianto didn't know something too. He didn't know that Jack was telling the truth. He'd remember Ianto for the rest of his life. Because true love cannot be forgotten so easily. It hits you hard and suddenly when you least expect it, then it sticks with you, no matter how long you live. It stays with you, a constant companion. Whispering in your ear.
Reminding you it's there.
Because true love is something you always know.