A/N: This chapter is on the shorter side, sorry.
WARNINGS: SPOILERS FOR CoE! Dark themes.
Ianto lay in his hospital bed. His eyes were closed and he was drowsily listening to the rhythmic beeps of the machines next to him. The nurses had told him that his body was lacking in oxygen, he was dehydrated, and his brainwaves were faltering every so often. They didn't know how he could still be alive if he was deserted in that state with no sustenance, but he assured them that a man saved him, describing Jack in the kindest way he could without revealing his romantic attachment.
He didn't know how he was alive either. He pondered it through most of the day and couldn't come up with a good explanation. All he wanted was for Jack to come back and tell him that he saved everyone. That he stopped the alien threat and no one they loved had been harmed. It was almost better not knowing, at least he had hope.
That was why he held his breath when Jack walked into the room. He recognized the sound of his shoes and the even pace of his steps.
"Ianto?" There was something different about Jack's voice.
Ianto opened his eyes, planning a sarcastic, yet suggestive, phrase to welcome him, when he saw Jack's face.
He looked so sad. So heart-wrenchingly sad. It broke Ianto's heart.
"Jack." Ianto started, wishing he was strong enough to get up and comfort him. "Tell me."
Jack sat down in the chair by Ianto's bed and held his hand tightly. He closed his eyes and breathed, "We won."
Ianto felt a strong relief wash over him, but Jack was crying. Something was horribly wrong.
"What is it, Jack?" He pried. "You did it, you won. You saved the children."
"At the expense of one." Jack said, his grief was lay out plainly for Ianto to see. Jack didn't have to clarify.
"Stephen." Ianto whispered, and though it wasn't really a question Jack nodded to confirm it nonetheless.
Ianto was heartbroken for Jack. He knew how it felt to watch someone you love die at your hand. He though back to Lisa, though for the first time it wasn't with longing. He didn't want her back. He mourned her memory. He left the yearning to Jack, who just lost a grandson.
"Jack, I know what you're thinking. I know you blame yourself. I know how that feels. I also know that you did the right thing."
"How could you possibly know that?" Jack snapped. "My daughter hates me. My grandson is dead. You're a zombie, how could you possibly know?"
Ianto tried to pretend the last comment didn't effect him, but it hurt.
"Takes one to know one, I suppose." Ianto stated with a sigh. "But I do know that there are millions of parents out there that are holding their children tight; who aren't burying empty caskets. You did this. You took that pain away from all of them and took it upon yourself. That is what makes you a hero. You are a hero, Jack. Whether the world knows it or not. You're a hero to me."
Jack met his eyes for a fraction of a moment before rising up off of the chair and kissing him. Ianto's lips were cold, yet not as cold as his wrist had been earlier. To Ianto, the kiss was searing. It was more warmth then he'd been exposed to since he woke up from death. Jack's right hand cupped his face while his other was holding on to Ianto's with a steel grip. Ianto got the message. Don't let go.
He wouldn't dream of it.
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