5. Day five 2.30pm

Ianto was on the bed staring at the ceiling. The fan was slowly revolving above him and he had this irrational thought that it might slowly lower to crunch him into the mattress like a bug. He felt so heavy, his limbs were concrete and he knew he had given too much this time, had almost extinguished his eternal flame. He also knew that he would if he had to. To protect his people. This was his duty. He was their prince.

Jack was not there. He had stopped to talk to someone as Ianto had stumbled through the house to the bedroom and pulled the drapes closed, shutting out the outside world and the noise was slowly receding now as he closed more and more of himself off… like a shutdown. He hoped he could reboot, with time and some quite meditation he might be able to find some reserves to continue on until he could rebuild his strength. Not since T1 had he felt this level of pain. He had spent so much getting out, getting Lisa out only to find that a bigger mistake than listening to her in the first place. Yeah. Seems he has a habit of stepping in shit doesn't he?

The bed was cool, the sheets beneath him crisp and smooth but he seemed to feel every imperfection in the mattress like it was filled with rocks. He was crotchety and so damned tired. He just wanted Jack to lay beside him, gather him into his arms and let him listen to his heartbeat while he sought some calm in the chaos raging in his hed. But Jack had hesitated. Let go of his hand and turned to speak to someone. Mind you … Ianto was both saddened and relieved as he was unsure if Jack understood his need for quiet reflection with comfort thrown in …. Ianto was pondering how to explain to Jack what he needed and was starting to think Jack was not coming …. He was on the verge of tears but it was short-lived as Jack suddenly burst into the room.

"Right, I got rid of them. Orin is going to go do something about the drone parts. They are checking the…"

"Cariad" Ianto sighed softly "Shut up."

"Yes. Right, you want some…"

"JACK!" Ianto roared then flopped back with a groan of fatigue "Please. Shush. I want…."

"Some time to settle. I know. Look … how about I…"

Ianto growled. Low and deep, his eyes opening to glare at Jack and Jack hesitated as he wondered if he should retreat and give Ianto some space. But … on the other hand… he might need him there for support. Hand' he asked for that? Right? Comfort? He had fucked up majorly at the lake's shore and maybe…

"Stop thinking so loud" came a soft sigh from the bed "For the love of coffee. Please Jack. Hush. Just come comfort me please?"

"Right"

Ianto reached for Jack's pillow and pulled it over his head, removing him and all light. Jack accepted this with good grace, moving to the wardrobe and opening it to fetch another pillow, thinking maybe if he lay quietly on the bed with him, gave him some silent support … comfort. Maybe rub his back… the squeak of the hinges reminding him a beat to late how loud that was.

"Sorry Tiger" he whispered then reached for the pillow, turning to the bed "I will just get my boots off and…did you see my other socks? Did they get washed? I …"

POP

Jack stood in a state of shock as he looked around the clearing he was suddenly standing in, a white tiger sitting nearby licking the filling from a large family pie. His eyes twinkling as he looked at Jack with a knowing grin. Yes. Tigers can smile apparently.

"What…the…actual…."

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…

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Ianto groaned as he threw the pillow across the room, the last of his energy used to expel Jack from the house and now he felt remorseful for the temper tantrum. But damn … he would not shut the hell up and Ianto's head was splitting. Brain matter was oozing from his bloody hair follicles in his own mind … mush.

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Jack started the walk back towards the village, his pillow clasped in his hand with the Star Wars pillowcase looking ridiculous in the light of day … even if it was his favourite. He knew everyone was looking at him like he was either insane or really stupid and he knew half of them didn't' know why a grown arsed man was walking along with a Star Wars pillow in broad daylight while the other half knew full well why and were now pissed at him too.

He got to the house and hesitated, then stepped inside, toeing off his boots this time at the door and he crept into the bedroom where Ianto was curled in a ball on the bed. He painstakingly removed his other clothing until just the boxers and single remained then climbed slowly onto the bed moving until he was spooning the Welshman who didn't' resist this time.

Finally.

Jack FINALLY got the idea and cleared his mind.

Ianto slept.