Picture Perfect Chapter 8
Ianto fell asleep holding the phone to his chest. The nurse came in and tried to take it off of him, but his grip was too strong. He moaned softly as he began to dream again.
…..People passed Ianto by in the street, but still no one stopped to see if he was alright. Why wasn't the Fire Brigade here yet? Why did no one notice the flames falling out of the open window? He was half naked where the flames had burnt his clothes, yet no one saw him. His skin was blistered and red. His body black from the soot. He started to scream. Scream until he felt his lungs would burst. Still no one saw him. And he still couldn't find Jack….
Twenty minutes later, Jack arrived back at the hospital.
"Your friend has had a bad dream," the nurse informed him. "He's been holding his phone for the last two hours and won't let it go."
"Thanks." Jack opened the door and went into the room. He touched Ianto's cheek. "Yan?"
Ianto opened his eyes, tears rolled down into his hair. "I….had this dream. I missed you."
"Sshh, I'm here. It's okay now." Jack brushed away the tears with his fingertips, then he perched on the edge of the bed, taking the phone from trembling hands. He saw the picture and smiled. "You have the real thing now, let's put this away, okay?"
Ianto reluctantly nodded.
Jack put it back in the drawer of the nightstand.
"I was in the flat." He told Jack. "I couldn't get out, so I went into the shower and turned on the cold water. You….you came and got me. We jumped out of the window. But it was just me outside. I….I couldn't see you and….and no one could see me!"
"It was just a dream."
"It seemed so real."
"I wish I could take you in my arms and make everything okay, but I'm scared of hurting you." Jack whispered.
Ianto cried softly. "Hold me, Jack, please."
Jack lifted Ianto in his arms, wrapping him in love. Protecting him.
"Feeling better?"
Ianto nodded against his shoulder. "A little. Don't leave me alone again, please."
"I won't. I'll stay right here, I promise."
"I don't want to sleep alone. The dreams come when I'm alone. Make them go away, Jack."
Jack kissed the top of his head, smoothing back a stray strand of hair. "I will. Just hold on to me."
Ianto slipped into oblivion, but didn't dream anymore. Jack was thankful.
The doctor looked in on Ianto and after seeing how calm he now was, allowed Jack to stay there as long as he wanted, which pleased Jack.
Laying his lover back down on the bed, Jack took off his great coat and then his boots. Climbing up onto the bed, he took Ianto into his arms, avoiding his bad arm. The young Welshman cuddled closer, moaning softly as Hack wrapped his arms around him, kissing the top of his head.
They remained that way the rest of the evening and well into the night.
The Captain and his one true love.
