Jack sat up quicker than ever, gulp up a hefty load of air as he did so. There wasn't the horrid feeling of being dragged over broken glass so Jack knew he hadn't died but he didn't remember falling asleep either. To be honest, he didn't really remember all that happened, just that cursed night where he lost everyone. A sob escaped and Jack brought his hand up to run it through his hair, eyes focused on his lap as a banging headache made itself known. He must have taken a beating or something, drink didn't have any effect on him these days.
"Jack?" He froze, he hadn't heard that voice in so long and the last time he did it was mixed with pain and agony. Jack refused to look up, body going tense as a hand touch his shoulder. A familiar hand which held warmth and weight and gently rubbed through the fabric of his shirt. He bit down on his knuckle to ground himself, eyes squeezed shut. This was just a cruel hallucination or dream. Ianto was dead.
"Jack? Are you okay?" But that internal compass Jack seemed to have that always turned towards Ianto rather than North won over and the Captain looked. He came face to face with a kneeling man who had those beautiful eyes he missed and the round button nose and the concerned frown he just wanted to kiss away.
"I-Ianto-" His voice was rough, like he hadn't used it in decades and desperately needed some water to wash away the dryness. His eyes searched the younger man's face, finding no trace of hurt or worrying pale complexion. Jack turned hands going up as his eyes flicked down to Ianto's shoulder than gut, there was no sign of a wound, no blood spreading, a navy blue shirt rather than the pink that he died in. Touching his cheek, Ianto's eyes gazed at him with worry, small tongue darting out to wet his lips before they fell open in that shape they made when he was concerned.
"Jack, you touched this locket and collaps-" He didn't let the Archivist continue, grabbing him by his lapels and tugging him forward to crush their lips together in an emotional kiss. Jack held his eyes closed tight, ignoring the tears that squeezed out and focused on the kiss. Focused on the feeling of Ianto's lips against him. Focused on the solid warmth against him. Sliding on hand higher, he settled his first two fingers to where Jack knew Ianto's pulse was, letting the steady thudding settle his nerves and send almost a promise to Jack that the man was alive and this wasn't something else. He tried to pull Ianto impossibly closer, desperate to hold him forever and accidentally made him toppled, kiss breaking as Ianto's head fell against his chest. Not letting Ianto pick himself up, Jack maneuvered him so he had the Welshman sat in his lap and cuddled close. "Jack?"
"Shh." Was all he could say, burying his head in the soft curls of Ianto's hair which smelt like coconut. A heavy sigh left his lips as Ianto's arms wound themselves around Jack's torso, squeezing gently. The younger man didn't question it for now, just letting Jack hold him and get all that was plaguing him out of his system. Jack was grateful.
When he finally calmed down and could breath past the tears, Jack kisses Ianto's temple but kept his arms around him and his hand on his neck. He still couldn't believe the man was alive and Jack wasn't ready to let anything take that away. The hands pressed to Jack's back gently rubbed circles, helping soothe the older man and tell him things were okay. It worked and Jack let out a finally shuddering breathe, wiped away the stray tears, and let himself smile. He also let Ianto get up and help him stand, keeping his their fingers laced together and his other hand around Ianto's bicep. They were standing near the just inside tbe armoury.
"Alright, I'm here, how's the big- oh he's up." Jack looked towards the voice and there was Owen, kit in his hand with a stethoscope around his neck, descending the stairs and heading over. Rather than letting go of Ianto and hugging Owen like a normal person, Jack just tugged the Archivist along with him and practically barrelled into the doctor, almost knocking him over completely. Owen cursed loudly, arms flailing as Jack grasped him and Ianto collided with them both. By some miracle they all managed to stay upright and Owen shot Ianto a confused look with the younger man just shrugging. "Jack, you don't need to squeeze me to death."
Owen gasps lightly as the man's hold tightened and he shuddered, overwhelmed again by the sight and knowledge that his friends were still alive. The cursed images of Owen lying at an abnormal angle flashing in his mind and Jack suppressed a whimper. Owen's hand awkwardly patted at his back, telling Jack to let go in the kindest way he could. "Do you need me to check you over? No, fuck it, I'm doing it anyway."
This time it was Jack being forced across the hub, Ianto's hand still clamped in the immortals so the poor Archivist was brought along too. Owen deposited Jack on the metal table and turned to his cart of instruments. Ianto just hovered near, thumb stroking Jack's thumb. As Owen worked, checking Jack over for anything wrong even if they knew he would just heal up again, the oldest of the three kept glancing at them both. His hand would touch Ianto's forearm or hip before squeezing Owen's shoulder or brushing his hand. He just needed to keep sure that they were alive. "He's physically okay, Ianto, mate. Just clearly shaken up."
"Jack? Will you tell us what happened?" Ianto's knuckle traced Jack's jaw and be leaned into it, eyes falling shut just briefly. He let himself calm down more before he even thought about trying to speak.
"It was- jesus it was horrible…"
The cog wheel door had Jack alert from where he sat on the stairs leading up to the catwalk. He could see Ianto in his workstation and Owen was at Tosh's desk. Both within eyesight which they had happily agreed to after Jack explained what happened and what he saw. On the table was the dastardly item that had ruined his day and left haunting scenes that hadn't actually happened in Jack mind but had thankfully not driven him to commit similar crimes. Occasionally he would get lost in memory and drift away, shuddering until Owen would touch his shoulder or Ianto kiss his forehead. The two were helping and he loved them so much.
The woman, Tosh and Gwen, hadn't even been in the Hub when it had happened. Out getting lunch - Jack had paled at the word and he couldn't even think about doughnuts - they were unaware of what transpired. Owen promised he would inform them, Jack too shaken up to retell it a second time. The Captain had started to get caught up again, thinking about how the copious amounts of blood felt on his hands when the proximity klaxon had gone off and made him jump. The two sweet voices of the ladies filtered in after our as the massive door rolled to the side and Jack let out a sigh of relief.
He rose on unsteady legs, feeling eyes on him as he stepped before them. Tosh saw him first, smiling beautiful while Gwen was more focused on not dropping the carrier bags they had in their hands. Ianto appeared out of nowhere, taking the items away with two small thank yous following him. Jack hesitated a little, eyes taking in the two in front of him before he pulled them close. He held them just as tight as he did Ianto and Owen, pressing kisses to the side of both of their heads and just melting. Tosh rested her head on his shoulder while Gwen's kisses his cheek and squeezed his middle. A smile pulled on his face and he felt a bit better now, all of his family were here and safe and alive.
Pressure against his back and more arms wrapping around his body told Jack the others had joined and he felt a complete wave of love wash over him. Ianto's head buried itself in Jack's other shoulder so he leant his head back. Tears welled up but this time they were much happier than before and Jack couldn't suppress another sob. The hug tightened around him and his heart fluttered.
"I love you guys."
Jack cocked his Webley and without a second though shot Object One once then twice, then thrice, watching as the bullets ripped through it then first time and the other to just smashing up anything remaining or lodging in the concrete. A sense of satisfaction hit him and Jack sighed, holstering his gun. He ventured back into the main part of the Hub, this time it was much noisier. Owen could be heard insulting Gwen who threw one back, a keyboard tapped away which could only be Tosh and Jack looked to the small kitchenette to see Ianto.
Jack smiled and walked over, calling out to the squabbling two and snaking his hand around his lover's waist. He really did love them all.