Disclaimer: I own nothing but the idea.
By the next four days, the atmosphere in Rivendell was tense for the first time since Celebrian left. No only had Frodo yet to wake, but Ianto was constantly in a bad mood. While usually known for having the best self-control among elves, those that had experienced his temper were…cautious to say the least. Everyone was tiptoeing in the shadows around him, and soon learned not to mention the Torchwood team after he nearly came to blows with Elrohir. Beyond that first day, he and Torchwood had gone out of their way to avoid each other like goblins avoided sunlight.
The fifth day, things started to change. When Mithrandir arrived, Ianto was nowhere to be seen. But as Frodo awoke that same day, no one noticed the odd behavior. And when ambassadors began arriving in response to Elrond's missives, the problems were lost in the rush to provide lodgings and fare for the visitors.
Things seemed to come to a head when Legolas Greenleaf from Mirkwood arrived. All elves and elf-friends knew Legolas was besotted with Ianto. Until now, however, Ianto had never shown interest. Jack, despite his efforts, was not happy with this development. At all.
Elves were known for their patience.
Owen was not.
The sixth morning after Jack woke up, Elrohir, Elladon, Arwen, Aragorn, Tosh, and Owen found themselves in a small courtyard near the gardens.
"This needs to stop," Owen said fiercely. "Harkness is bad enough on a good day; I really don't want to see him in a bad mood anymore. Ianto's been sulking in random corners for the past week, and now he's flirting with that new elf—"
"Legolas," Aragorn interrupted. "He's been infatuated with our brother since they were little. Ianto didn't encourage it because he didn't want to settle down. I don't know what Harkness did to him, but Ianto's trying to be happy. That's all that matters." He turned to leave.
"It's not, though," Tosh said quickly. "Jack can be…dangerous. I'm not saying he'll do anything to hurt anyone physically," she added, "but he'll certainly try to sabotage Legolas's efforts."
"Why?" Arwen asked sharply. "Shouldn't he want Ianto to be happy?"
Owen snorted. "That's not the issue. Harkness screwed up, and instead of fixing things right away, they've been acting like children with their feelings hurt."
Tosh hesitated, then said, "Jack's in love with Ianto, and I'm pretty sure Ianto's in love with Jack. They've had some issues recently—"
"That's one way of putting it," Owen muttered. "Ow, Tosh!"
Tosh ignored him. "But they were working through it. I don't know what's happened."
The twins exchanged looks. "From what we could get out of Ianto, he tried to help Jack, and now Harkness hates him for it," Elladon explained.
Owen shook his head. "Jack's been brooding this entire time. He felt terrible and went to find Ianto immediately afterwards, but he couldn't find him."
Aragorn sighed. "He went for a ride. And did anyone else notice that he's been avoiding Gandalf as well?"
Arwen nodded. "Yes. I thought they were both just busy, but those two always made time to conspire. And when I talked to Ianto…" she shook her head angrily. "Apparently, to bring back his Captain, he bound himself to him. When Harkness found out, he accused Ianto of using him and told him to leave."
Owen held up a hand. "Hang on, he bound himself to Jack? What the hell does that mean?"
Elrohir spoke up. "Sometimes, it is possible for elves to bind their soul, mind, and life force to each other. They both live for as long as each other. I've only heard of it being done among our own people. For a start, we don't know if any other race is compatible. And even if they were, we wouldn't attempt it."
"Why?" Tosh asked.
"Because elves live much longer than any other race—except perhaps the Istari. To bind yourself to a human like Ianto did means you just shortened you life expectancy considerably."
Tosh and Owen looked at each other, horrified. "Exactly how long does an elf live?" Owen asked, with just the slightest tremor to his voice.
Elladon frowned. "Unless they fall to a fatal wound or fade from grief—it is believed they could live indefinitely. Why?"
Tosh inhaled sharply. "Does Jack know that?"
Aragorn shook his head, confused. "I don't know. If you didn't know, and Ianto hasn't told him, then probably not. Why?"
Owen ran a hand through his hair. "Because Jack probably thought that Ianto 'damned himself to a lonely existence in which he must watch everyone he loves die while he lingers on'. And that's his words, not mine."
Arwen's brow furrowed. "I do not understand. Why would your Captain think this?"
Tosh and Owen glanced at each other. "Jack's immortal," Owen said bluntly. "He can die, but he comes back to life each time. If he doesn't know about elves' longevity, then he either thinks Ianto's sentenced himself to hell, or used him to become immortal."
Tosh rolled her eyes. "This is the problem with gay relationships. Men have a hard enough time expressing their feelings normally, and this is what it's like when they're in love. Oh, and let's not forget that apparently they're both immortal and both have the habit of bottling up their feelings until they explode. Do they talk about their issues? No. They ignore it and hope it goes away," Tosh ranted, ignoring the stares.
"Yeah, but you're forgetting one thing, Tosh," Owen said. Tosh raised an eyebrow.
"This is Torchwood," he smirked.
Tosh face-palmed.
"Anyway," Aragorn tried to salvage the conversation. "Are we in agreement? An intervention is needed?" He looked around, getting nods in response. "Good. Who wants to take on whom?"
"You and the twins can take Ianto. Toshiko, Owen, and I will make Jack see sense," Arwen said smoothly. "And let's hurry. This mess is big enough." The group nodded and split to follow their appointed duties.
Aragorn and the twins found Ianto in the library. He had always liked to surround himself in books when he was upset. Currently, he appeared to be looking up all information on the One Ring, Elvish bonding, and…Istari etymology? Elladon pulled Ianto away from his texts, ignoring his protests, as Elrohir peered at them.
"Why are looking at ways to break Elvish bonds?" he asked sharply.
Aragorn stared at them in surprise. "You can't break an Elvish bond without dying."
"Exactly," Elladon snapped. "Listen, Ianto, this needs to stop. We are not losing you because some idiot man decided to hurt you. Do you know why he's so upset?"
"He thinks I used him," Ianto said bitterly. Elrohir rolled his eyes.
"That is not why. He believes he has sentenced you to a life of watching your loved ones die. He does not know of our longevity or resilience. You need to talk to him," Aragorn said sternly.
Ianto stared, shocked. "He…he doesn't know? But…I thought…"
Elladon sighed, exasperated. "Obviously, neither of you thought at all. Go and talk to him. Sort this out before Ada's council tomorrow." He gave Ianto a little shove towards the door.
Jack was practicing his sword skills. Arwen, Tosh, and Owen watched him for a moment before Arwen stepped forward and neatly disarmed him. Jack whirled around angrily, an argument already forming on his lips.
"Oh, save it Harkness," Owen snapped. "We need to talk."
Jack's face blanked. "There's nothing to talk about."
"Oh, yes there is, Jack," Tosh told him firmly. "Why are you so upset with Ianto?"
"I'm not," Jack lied.
Owen snorted. "Pull the other one, Harkness. If it's because he's showing interest in another guy, then get over it already."
Fury flashed across Jack's face. "Ianto is free to be with whomever he likes. It's none of my business."
"And if my brother wishes to be with you, Jack Harkness? You hurt him when you pushed him away after he made a great sacrifice for you. Elves do not normally bond to another, and only after a long period of time. You still had problems, yet he risked himself for you anyway. And you would be willing to give that up." Arwen shook her head in disgust. "You are upset either because Ianto made the decision in the first place, or he made it without you. But you never considered that for him, it was an easy choice."
"I'm immortal!" Jack burst out. "When he tied himself to me, he damned himself—"
"No, he didn't," Tosh cut across him ruthlessly. "And if you had bothered to learn a bit more about him, you would have known this. Elves are practically immortal, Jack. All you did was ensure he comes back from a fatal wound. You need to talk to him, Jack."
Jack laughed bitterly. "Even if we sort this out, it doesn't mean anything, Tosh. Too much has happened between us, and two people can't be in a relationship if one of them has already moved on. It would never work."
Tosh's slap nearly drowned out the gasp from the door. The group spun to see Ianto's pain-etched face before his mask slammed down. Jack barely took a step towards him before he turned and fled. Arwen threw him a death glare before following, and Tosh and Owen looked at him with disappointment, disgust, and pity in their eyes. Jack turned and left the room, unable to stand the mess he had found himself immersed in.
Ianto reached his clearing, having avoided Arwen. He couldn't believe he had been so stupid. Of course Jack didn't want to be involved with him. Why had he fooled himself into thinking he had a chance? He allowed himself one minute to break down silently, and then pulled himself together. Jack Harkness may not want him anymore, but he didn't exactly have a shortage of suitors. He wasn't going to let Jack have the satisfaction of seeing him broken because of him. Besides, there was a war coming. He could feel it.
He would be ready.
A/N: I'm feeling very lonely. Updates everyday but no reviews. How am I doing? Also, I'm going to try to put up a poll for Ianto pairings.