31
Everyone was talking at once and Ianto decided to make coffee.
He politely took the orders and made a call for some food, might as well feed them as well.
Owen had begged for pizza, making Ianto call three different food places. God, he hoped they all turned up at the same time. Owen was a real prick if his pizza was cold.
He stood at the sink trying to control his heartbeats, so much was happening and his once quiet existence was suddenly exploding around him.
He felt someone behind him and he turned to ask if they wanted coffee or tea.
It wasn't a team member.
It wasn't the doctor either.
Nah.
Not River.
God, he would have settled for a fucking weevil.
In the light, in the bright light of the hub, one was standing in front of him and Ianto felt his balls shrivel into his stomach cavity as it advanced.
He should call out.
He should run.
He was stuck, frozen as it came around the table and he couldn't breathe as it reached for him.
It looked like oil, like feathers fluttering in the wind, like tissue paper floating in water as it's fingers sort of grew. Like spreading liquid, it moved closer and Ianto whimpered with horror.
It touched his arm.
Fire.
Fire and pain.
Ianto found his voice as he screamed.
He threw himself back against the benchtop, not feeling the bite against his hip.
He screamed as more fingers touched and the hand wrapped around his wrist, flowing up to his elbow as he struggled to climb onto the bench.
He could faintly hear Jack's voice screaming his name and he tried to answer but the black sludge had reached his shoulder and he knew his neck as next.
Oh god, oh god.
Tosh's scream was harsh and he made a mental note to get her some honey drink for that.
Then she was there.
River was roaring like a warrior as she tried to grab the thing, her hands slipping through like it was smoke.
It was around his neck now, his eyes burning as it began to squeeze.
Owen was screaming, low and guttural as he reached for the fire extinguisher.
Oh god.
His mouth, oh please not his mouth.
Jack was to him and he could feel Jack grabbing him through the sludge.
Jack was wiping at his face, trying to get it off but Ianto could only lock eyes as he tried to let Jack know that he loved him.
That it was OK.
Jack could see the fear in Ianto's face, knew he was asphyxiating right in front of him.
Choking on black air.
He tried desperately to think of something to help, feeling Ianto's stomach convulsing against him as his diaphragm started to complain.
He had no other thought except to save him.
It seems so simple.
Jack did the only thing he could think of.
He slammed his mouth against Ianto's.
Giving him a kiss of pure life.