Ianto didn't move from the bed he was in. He was lost. His life had been weirdest than ever, lately. His back still hurt, and now his recent wound hurt too. He was physically exhausted and if only it was just physical. But no. Having confessed his love to Jack made him feel better, yes, but he couldn't help but wonder if it would change anything between them. And Jack had reminded him that he had come out to his sister which he had totally forgotten. And he hadn't seen her and Jack in the same room for a long time though he wanted them to truly meet. They knew each other, of course, but not with Jack being his boyfriend. And he had missed their first meeting with Rhiannon knowing. Even though she had said she was well aware of Ianto and Jack being together for a while. God it'd probably change nothing, but Ianto was still thinking about it, and felt quite stressed, for no reason, because Jack loved Rhiannon and he knew his sister was quite fond of Jack as well. He was just so lucky to have them both.
And he had almost lost her and facing death had been far less scary than this very moment Jack had told him the police had called about his sister's near death experience. His world had fallen apart and he wasn't sure he would have been able to do anything without Jack's help. The idea of losing Rhiannon had broken him. Not after his parents, not after his entire childhood. He needed his sister.
God why was life so cruel? Hadn't he already given enough away?
And his scar that wouldn't let him alone, burning and scratching and, god, this was painful.
He drew in a difficult breath as panic was building up. Oh no. Not when he was alone. He couldn't have a panic attack right now, this was not happening... It totally was.
He reached out for his phone, only managing to make it fall, and stopped struggling to get it back when he heard footsteps. He was convulsing a little as the person entered the room, and he heard pressed footsteps.
"Ianto what's happening?! Fuck!"
Owen.
Ianto forced himself to calm down, the hand gripping his shoulder a big help to contain him. As he looked up, he frowned.
"Who are you?" He asked before passing out.
"God is he okay?"
"Yes he is."
"Did the wound re-opened?"
"No it didn't, he just-"
"Does he talk to you?"
"What?"
"About what happened. Does he... I'm sorry, I'm just worried."
"Not a lot. But it takes time."
"It's been two years..."
"I still haven't talked about what they did to me, and it lasted only for days, not years."
"What did they do?"
"It doesn't matter. I can't have any scar, it's easier to forget."
"But you're lying to yourself. And it's not about scars, what you keep in mind is often way worse than some mark on your body."
"I just want to help him."
"You truly do love him, don't you?"
"Of course... I feel like I've been given a chance to have a better life, with him. I didn't have much, before. I just wanted to survive. Now, I want to protect him, and see him happy. And it makes me feel much more alive than just surviving for myself."
Ianto smiled as he listened to them. He hadn't meant to eavesdrop the conversation between Jack and his sister, but they were talking beside him, and he hadn't enough force to move or talk yet.
"He's totally awake, isn't he?"
"Yup he is."
"Come on little fucker, open your eyes."
Ianto chuckled and opened his eyes to wink at Jack who rolled his eyes but couldn't help but flash a big smile. He was relieved to see Ianto was awake. He kissed his forehead and went out to give the siblings some time alone.