I apologise for the wait, here's the second chapter.
Jack's aching eyes, forced shut from crying, had a hard time opening from his two hour rest. His body was not yet used to him being able to sleep for more than that due to the memories of vertigo that swamp him from being chained upright on the Valiant. His ears picked up the sound of slow, deep breathing over the top of the patter of rain against the window. A dark figure was silhouetted against the gleam of the moon, throwing one side of his body in shadow. Jack's weary eyes registered Ianto sat on his wide window sill, arms wrapped around knees and peering out at the storm. Confused, Jack thought blearily that this must all be a dream, a disoriented fantasy his mind had conjured just to spite him. Because he couldn't have this man anymore. The younger male had left him just two hours ago, so he couldn't be here right now. Jack sighed and rubbed his eyes, willing this vision to disappear back into his head where he could savour the happy memories of their short relationship. When the Welshman began to speak, however, Jack thought it was a very convincing fantasy.
"I knew you'd come back here, you always do." A wry, humourless chuckle. He finally looked at the older man's form on the bed, "I couldn't do it, Jack. I couldn't leave because of you!"
Jack sat up and hugged his own knees, "I thought for a minute you were a vision, just a figment of my imagination," He paused, "I didn't want you to leave, Ianto."
Another sarcastic chuckle, "Well you're in luck, 'cause I'm sat right here. But I still don't know what to do. Sometimes I wish I could read your mind, Jack Harkness." Jack looked down at his own hands.
"Sometimes I don't understand half the stuff that goes through my own mind," He looked up at the younger male, "I'm so sorry, Ianto."
"It's not just me you should be apologising to, no matter what I'm feeling the others deserve some explanation as well. It's just... I don't bloody understand you, Jack! I daren't think of how many people have been in my position before today!" Ianto registered the flash of hurt in Jack's eyes. The torrential rain lashed harder against the glass.
"You're different though, Yan. When I left my other lovers I never went back. Take John Hart as an example. But I came back to you and all of you. The Doctor he... he offered me another chance to see the stars with him again. Previously, I would have jumped at the chance. But now, I decided I actually wanted to return." Ianto's gaze softened at this. He looked closely at Jack's tortured features, the man had changed in the three months he had been gone – although with Time Travel you never know how long it could have been. Ianto moved so he was perched on the corner of his bed.
"I watched you whilst you slept, it's one of my favourite past times," He paused, choosing his words, "You were having a nightmare," Ianto spoke quietly, softly, "Tossing and mumbling about being trapped in darkness and the 'Master'," He registered Jack's slight shudder, "What really happened, Jack? What are you not telling us? What happened that makes you act like this?" He moved a bit closer to the older man who shifted nearer unconsciously, revelling in the safe, warm heat emitting from his body. Jack glanced up into Ianto's warm, blue, shimmering pools.
As if a damn had been broken, memories of the Master's sneer and the unending torture and pain flooded his mind as he struggled against the strong current – drowning in the memories, falling...
Warm arms wrapped around his shaking form and he was pulled back against Ianto's chest. He felt one lone tear escape from his clenched eyes. Ianto threaded his hand through Jack's hair calmingly.
"It's okay, Jack. You don't have to tell me just yet." Jack nodded and shifted so his ear was pressed on Ianto's chest. He gradually relaxed as the reassuring thump, thump, thump, soothed his frayed nerves.
"I saw you die, Yan - he killed you all," Jack mumbled, "Right in front of me. I could survive with all the torture and numerous deaths I was subjected to," Ianto's arms tightened in horror, "But he knew - the bastard knew - that that would be what it took to truly kill me. I was a mess. There was so much death, Ianto." Ianto shushed him and pressed a light kiss to his temple.
"I'm here though. We're all alive and breathing. You can hear my heart beating, pumping life into my veins. I came back for you, I thought it was stupid, you know? But now I realise this is probably the best decision I could have made." Jack nodded again on his stomach and then he felt him snuggle further into his embrace, revelling in the scent of him. Coffee, his aftershave and something that was just Ianto Jones.
Ianto smiled, knowing that Jack's newfound clinginess would probably wear off in a few days, so he thought he should enjoy it now. A sudden thought occurred to him.
"Oh, Jack? About that date," Jack looked up, "It's still a yes." Jack smiled his first genuine grin since returning from the Valiant.
"It's good to be back, you're an amazing man Jones Ianto Jones," Jack settled hesitantly back down on Ianto's chest.
The younger male sensed this, "Go to sleep, Jack. Hopefully I can at least stop him from invading your dreams." There was one thing nagging at Jack's mind that he wanted to say.
"Ianto, I can't promise that I'll never leave again. The Earth could be in danger or-,"
"I know, Jack," He interrupted, "But just promise me one thing? Will you at least give me some warning before you do so again? It was like you vanished into thin air last time."
"Always, I promise Ianto." Jack sighed and settled into the Welshman's familiar arms, finally drifting off into a much needed, dreamless sleep.
And for the first time that night the rain stopped completely, leaving the fresh scent of mildew in the calm, Cardiff air.
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