9
Owen was the first to notice something was different between the two men, Ianto now letting Jack into his personal space as they moved around the room moving furniture.
"Whatcha doing?"
"We are creating a space to meditate" Jack answered without looking up and Owen blinked with confusion, turning to Ianto.
"Jack and I are going to start meditation in the afternoons for my mental health. Jack has had training and will help me to hone my thoughts, quieten the niggles annoying me and maybe I will sleep better. Maybe even get an appetite back." Ianto said and Owen perked up.
"Well, far be it from me to question the sudden about face on your distance thing. I'll help, anything to get you better" Owen said as he seized one end of the coffee table and Ianto glanced over at Jack who knew he would never get better. Only stronger. Which side, was the real battle.
"There is a rolled mat up in the attic that is lovely and soft to sit on. Maybe … it would help create a shared space?" Ianto wondered, Owen already heading that way with Jack. Andy slid around the doorway to look at Ianto.
"Will it really help?"
Ianto nodded.
"Well, I will make snacks, maybe you will nibble afterwards" Andy said as he disappeared again and Ianto smiled as Rhys returned with Jack, each carrying one end of the carpet as Owen hung off the middle like a monkey, pretending to help.
They unrolled it and settled, Owen and Rhys choosing a chair each to watch as Jack and Ianto sat facing one another, hands on knees and totally relaxed.
"OK, you remember how to fall?" Jack asked and Ianto nodded closing his eyes as he sought the abyss.
"Here" Jack whispered, "fall towards me."
Rhys flinched as Ianto flopped onto the carpet and Owen held up a hand, "Don't touch him. Leave him, he's seeking."
Rhys looked around the room with open concern, then Ianto rose to a sedate position once more, a soft sigh as he settled.
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The arms were strong, pulling him onto the ledge and Ianto found Jack grinning as he held onto his arms, "Wow. I was worried you might fly past but you fell in the right spot. You're right we are the same."
"Where is this?" Ianto looked around.
"This is my Ledge. I created it when I was young. Somewhere to hide while others can't find you. They see a cliff, they never see the ledge below. Fooled my instructor too." Jack explained as his hands slid over the dark fabric of Ianto's' back….no. Wings?, "Now you can find this too. Each time you fall, you will land here, right here on the ledge. Anyone seeking you will find the cliff."
"You mean Lisa?"
"Yes. No. It's not Lisa. You need to remember that. That thing is not her, it was her. OK? Stop thinking of it as Lisa, as a her. Think of it as a thing. A monster, something chasing you to the cliff. You step off, you are gone. Then she will come to the edge and not be able to follow." Jack assured him, "She can't hear you anymore."
"I … what about you" Ianto asked, "You will be here?"
"Whenever we fall, we will fall together. We can stand here as long as you like, do whatever you want. Safe." Jack whispered, "Time has no meaning here. It will be a mere moment out there in the real world, each blink can be an eternity here."
"It's so… barren. Why is it so sparse?" Ianto asked as he looked around and Jack shrugged as it had never occurred to him.
"I only used it as somewhere to hide" Jack finally said, "Not somewhere to live."
"Sorry I didn't mean it like that… just … if we can do things here without others knowing .. well .. at least chairs? We could sit and talk?"
"Ianto, you chose anything you want, we will sit and talk. I like that." Jack agreed and Ianto smiled, something he didn't do out in the real world, so handsome.
"Stop it!" Ianto snorted, "You have to stop being so … ah … appreciative of my form."
"Why? You are handsome, you are so fuckable. I love your body and how it moves" Jack laughed, "No, don't pull away. You are and you know you are, I've seen you glancing at me. You know I find you pleasant to the eye, you hope that will help make me stay!"
"Yes" Ianto sighed, "for the safety of the children, I would do anything."
"Well, you don't have to sell yourself" Jack was insulted now, stepping back, "You don't have to pretend to like me just to protect the kids."
Ianto seemed confused, "What? I didn't' mean it like that? I know you are a gentleman who would not push. No, I mean … I mean me. Not you. I mean fighting my own monster, I never inferred you were one!"
Too late Jack saw the anger flaring in those stormy eyes and Ianto turned, stepping off the ledge before Jack could stop him.
Definitely wings.
Huh
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"Ianto!" Jack's eyes prang open in time to see the man rising before him, graceful even in extreme distress as he rushed from the room, "Wait. Hey!"
Ianto stormed off and Jack flopped back with a groan.
"Let me guess, your virtual pants were too tight too?" Owen chortled as Jack flipped him the bird.
Damn it.