Chapter 29
The orange streetlights cast deep shadows as Trajan's column towered ominously over the piazza. The intricate carvings that spiralled up the column were barely decipherable in the peculiar lighting, but that didn't stop both men staring upwards squinting to make out the images. The monument to Trajan's battle with the Dacians was situated next to yet more ruins of ancient Rome, including a row of broken pillars that reminded Ianto of the light columns in Roald Dahl Plass.
"Do you think there's a secret alien-hunting base underneath this thing?" Ianto nudged Jack in the ribs as he whispered conspiratorially. "You know, what with the phallic symbolism and all. Maybe they're down there right now watching us."
"Nope, no secret base here – it's in the Vatican."
"You're kidding me." Ianto leaned away from Jack, but didn't let go of his hand.
"Why do you think it's independent from the rest of Italy? All those aliens gotta be kept apart from the rest of the population." Jack launched into full bullshit mode. "Trust me, those habits hide a multitude of limbs and head shapes."
"The Swiss Guard then? Not Swiss I take it?" Ianto raised one eyebrow. They'd discussed the special guard at the Vatican only the other day when Jack had been flicking through Ianto's Lonely Planet guide and had laughed at the outlandish garb worn by the special guardians of the Holy See.
"Nope, they're definitely alien. You'd've thought that get-up would've been a giveaway, wouldn't you?" Jack shook his head disbelief as he gestured dramatically. "Primary colours in stripes? In the most sartorially astute city in Europe?"
"That's a very good point – I had wondered." Ianto nodded sagely, tucking his hands into the pockets of his casual, yet stylish, linen jacket. "So it's a big operation then?"
"Yeah - think men in black, or purple. Vestments instead of Armani."
"Now you mention it, it does all make sense."
Ianto followed Jack as he scrambled over the abandoned blocks of marble until he found a suitable fallen pillar on which to sit. Jack patted the worn stone next to him and, after brushing the worst of the city grime away, Ianto sat down next to him.
"Remember - Rome's been around for such a long time already– and it's gonna be around for millennia yet." Jack gazed around in admiration taking in the layers of history from the ancient ruins to the majestic domed churches already a few hundred years old themselves. "One of the favourite alien tourist destinations."
"Hence the bigger Tourist Office than mine in Mermaid Quay?"
"No need to feel inadequate, Ianto," Jack teased. "Think yourself lucky you don't have shiploads of vacationing Judoon to accommodate."
Ianto had read the files on the Judoon and couldn't believe for one minute that they'd be the type to enjoy cultural getaways to the planet Earth. He gave Jack a sidelong glance that told him that he was pushing the boundaries of believability, but continued to indulge their harmless fantasy.
"Well I see how Saint Peter's Square would allow for larger craft to land than the Oval Basin – although their perception filter would have to be considerably more powerful."
"They've got a much bigger budget than Torchwood." Jack tapped the side of his nose with his index finger and winked.
"Maybe I'll see if they've got any vacancies." Ianto pondered out loud. "I've got plenty of experience dealing with aliens and tourists."
"Well the good points are that they serve great coffee, incredible ice cream and they take long lunch breaks. Just one possible drawback is that the guys in charge insist on celibacy for all employees." Jack winced as if the mere mention of the word was distasteful. "They'd never approve of the type of relationship you like to enjoy with your boss."
"Ah yes … that would explain why they've had nothing to do with us then."
"Yep. So, still interested in working for the Vatican?"
"Sadly I'll have to reconsider that option." Ianto pressed his lips together and shook his head sorrowfully. "I'd really, really miss the sexual harassment."
"I'm exceedingly grateful on behalf of my past self." Jack grinned as he slid an arm around Ianto's waist to draw him closer so he could indulge in some impromptu harassment.
"Hang on a minute – you knew all along that I'll never leave Torchwood Cardiff!"
Jack's smile fell as he considered what that the implications of that might still mean for Ianto. However, the overriding memories that lingered at the peripheries of his mind were leaning more towards a successful career for Ianto, one that defied the odds.
Ianto noticed Jack's mood change, no longer engaged in their light-hearted and flippant conversation. He folded him into a comforting embrace, anchoring him to their small respite from chaos, as they sat amidst the crumbled remnants of a long gone civilisation.
"It's nice like this isn't it?" Ianto mumbled into Jack's ear. "No one around, no traffic sounds. It feels like we've got the whole city to ourselves."
"I bet there's a tiny café open in some hidden away alley somewhere -"
"Serving espresso so thick you could stand a spoon up in it?"
"Sounds good to me."
"I always did say you were an addict."
After seeking out an all night café and indulging in double espressos, they ventured on, fortified with caffeine. With barely a soul in sight, they walked hand in hand, with no concerns for the opinions of others. Not that it ever bothered Jack – either this one from the future, or the one in Cardiff, also from the future; however, the hostile jibes they occasionally received did upset Ianto. He'd never been in a relationship with another man before Jack and he'd always thought that the twenty first century was a more tolerant, accepting time for anyone in a same sex relationship – that was until he was the one on the receiving end of the taunts and threats. They made him angry, sometimes he wanted to confront the spineless morons who threw ugly words like missiles and then ran like the cowards they were. But most often it just made him sad. Ianto smiled as he rubbed his thumb across Jack's knuckles and made the most of holding the hand of his lover in a public place with no qualms whatsoever.
Their aimless wanderings took them through the centre of the city, skirting past the enormous edifice that was the Monument to Victor Emmanuel II, white and glistening in the floodlights. Ianto wasn't impressed with what was probably the flashiest and most contentious of the architectural extravagances of the city, he preferred the faded Renaissance piazzas and the decaying ruins of ancient Rome, imbued with the fading traces of decadence.
They kept going until they reached the dark figures of Egyptian lions carved from black basalt that stood guard at the base of the ramp known as the Cordonata. Ianto smiled at Jack as they both looked up and decided as one that they would head for the top of the Capitoline Hill, from which they could view the sun rising over the city. The ramp was originally designed to be a gradual incline to allow men on horseback to climb the hill without dismounting, the occasional low steps along the way providing an easier route than the steeper, and heavily worn, fourteenth century stairs that climbed up to the left, leading to the ancient church that sat to one side of the Piazza del Campidoglio.
As they neared the top they found themselves gazing at the striking marble statues of Castor and Pollux that awaited them. The tall figures stood naked apart from long cloaks pinned at the shoulder and each stood next to a magnificent stallion. Jack drew in a sharp breath at the sight and squeezed Ianto's hand tighter.
"What is it, Jack? Slope too steep for you? You're showing your age," Ianto teased gently.
"No – it's just..." Jack sighed and pulled Ianto closer to his side. "Do you know the myth of Castor and Pollux?"
"Twin brothers, born of the same mother, but of different fathers?"
"Yeah. Zeus seduced Leda by taking the form of a swan and sired Pollux, who was born immortal."
"But Castor's father was the king of Sparta and Helen was his sister, yes?"
"Very good." Jack smiled proudly and then turned to take Ianto into his arms.
"What?"
"According to the myths they were inseparable. Neither of them doing anything without the other at his side. Sound familiar?"
"Only if they had an incestuous relationship." Ianto leant forward and pressed a kiss to Jacks lips. "Which I'm pretty sure they didn't."
"They loved each other, very much, and when Castor was fatally wounded, Pollux pleaded with Zeus to let him share his immortality with his brother so they'd never be parted."
Jack hugged Ianto close to his chest, not wanting him to see the moisture in his eyes. If only he could have asked the same and had his wish granted. How he longed to have someone who understood him and loved him to share his life with him – but his immortality was a curse not a blessing.
"What happened?" Ianto asked quietly, his breath warm against Jack's ear.
"They ended up amongst the stars together," Jack's voice hitched a little, as his mind assaulted him with parallels that would never be. "The Eternal twins – the Gemini constellation."
Jack decided to keep quiet about the version that had Castor condemned to Hades while Pollux dwelt amongst the gods on Mount Olympus, never to meet again.
"Hey there – it's alright." Ianto cupped Jack's head in his hands, framing his face with slim fingers as he kissed away the stray tear that had escaped to trickle down Jack's cheek.
Beneath the statue of Castor they kissed, standing on the outer edge of the concentric geometric design, the twelve pointed star evoking astrological significance not lost on the popes of the time, who never completed the designs of Michelangelo. However, the irony wasn't lost on Jack who wept inside at the thought that he'd never show Ianto the stars.
"There are probably cameras on us now." Ianto smiled as rested his forehead against Jack's. "The mayor's office is in that building."
"Do we look suspicious?"
"Maybe not suspicious as such, but you do have a talent for looking conspicuous."
"You saying I stand out in a crowd?"
"I'm saying that you're hard not to notice."
"Let's take this somewhere less public then."
"This was meant to be a walk in the early morning light."
"The sun's coming up now – there will be flocks of tourists disembarking their buses within the hour."
"And?"
"I don't want to share this time with anyone else – I want you to myself. Just for a little while longer."
"Come on then, before you get us both arrested."
