When Words Fall Short

When Words Fall Short

Summary: takes place after Exit Wounds, but pre-COE; songfic again - ik ik I thought I was over them but this one is a good one. Hopefully.

Characters: Jack, Ianto, mentions of Gwen and Morgan

Pairings: Janto

Disclaimer: all characters are owned by the BBC and RTD. If I did own them, Torchwood woulda been a lot different. I just play with them :)

Ianto's tired of feeling second best to Gwen. He'd talk to Morgan about it, his best friend, because of course he couldn't talk about it with Jack. Because why would Jack listen, or take him seriously? He was only a part-time shag, after all. Right?

They spent the night apart last night, for the first time since Jack left with the Doctor. When he told Jack he was going home, alone, he looked hurt. Or was Ianto imagining it? Maybe he was a little hurt, not able to have sex with Ianto like most nights.

Right now, though, he was working in the tourist office. It's late and Gwen has gone home to Rhys already, Jack presumably was in his office, maybe even watching Ianto on the cameras. He didn't care. He did make sure to keep his comms on in case Jack needed to communicate with him or they had to leave for a mission. They'd barely spoken during the day, except in relation to Torchwood business or Jack asking for coffee. Jack had been melancholy all day, snapping at Gwen and UNIT when he was on call with them.

The tourist office is too quiet, he decides. He turns on some music as he works, quietly singing along, forgetting Jack can hear him. He's got a sad playlist on, matches his mood. Two of the songs in particular hit him like a punch to the gut. What About Us and Weekend in New England, both sung by someone named John Barrowman who suspiciously looks and sounds like Jack. Can't be, though, can it?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jack hears Ianto sing- he's never heard him before. It's beautiful, he didn't know the Welshman had such a good voice. Another thing he should've bothered to learn about the man he loves. The songs were heartbreaking though, and one line in particular stood out to him - "...we started a story whose end must now wait..." It seemed to foreshadow something, and Jack didn't like it one bit. He needed to try again, to find out what was bothering Ianto. He sounded so in pain. Jack hated to see him in pain, and he felt like the worst person ever knowing it was his fault Ianto was hurting.

He walked up to the tourist office, and placed a gentle hand on Ianto's shoulder. "Yan?"

Ianto jumped slightly - Jack had startled him. "Jack. Something I can help you with?"

"Yes, actually. What's going on? Why are you so distant? Please, talk to me!"

"If you really don't know, Sir, you haven't been paying attention to your own actions. You hurt me, Jack. You flirt with anyone and everyone, you make me feel second to Gwen all the time, watching her with longing in your expression, almost like she's the one you want, and not me. Maybe that's what it is, huh? Am I just holding you back? Am I just some part-time shag for you? To keep your bed warm and a companion for the night so you don't have to be alone?" Tears started flowing down his cheeks at his own words.

Jack was stunned. He looked as if someone had slapped him. "Is that what you think? That I don't care about you? You are not just a part-time shag for me, and I don't want Gwen or anyone other than you."

"Oh really? Because your actions have certainly proved otherwise!" Ianto snorted. "You have a funny way of showing you care and that I'm the one you want."

"Then let me fix this. Let me make it up to you. Give me another chance. Please!" Jack was begging at this point. He couldn't lose Ianto, he'd never loved anyone like this, and it would tear him apart if he lost him. "I don't know what I'll do with you!" His voice cracked on those words, tears flowing freely down his face.

"You should have thought about that before acting the way you did. I'm quitting Torchwood. My letter of resignation is on your desk. Don't worry about me telling anyone about Torchwood - I've got a dose of Retcon strong enough to wipe my memories until Torchwood London. I've written instructions for myself so I know what to do. I've sorted everything. I loved you, but that wasn't enough. Goodbye, Jack." He kissed Jack softly on the lips one last time, before turning to leave the hub. He was gone, his heart shattered.

"I love you, Ianto Jones." But it was too late - Ianto had left, and he didn't hear. It felt like his heart was ripped to shreds. Jack crumpled to the floor and sobbed harder.

A few moments later, he got up and ran after Ianto. He had to fix it, make it right. Somehow. No matter what it took. He'd beg Ianto for another chance, if it came to that. Ianto was nowhere on the street - he must've gotten home already. Jack ran to his flat and knocked on the door, hoping against all hopes that the younger man would let him in.

"Jack, if that's you, go away," Ianto called through the door.

So he hadn't taken the retcon yet. Jack felt a small jolt of relief. "Ianto, please, let me talk to you. Let me make this right. Please!"

Silence.

After what seemed like an eternity, the door opened. "I suppose I wasn't very fair. Come in. I'll give you a chance to explain yourself."

"Thank you, Ianto. I don't deserve you."

"You don't," he agreed, "but I'll consider giving you a second chance. My brain is telling me not to, but my heart is telling it to shut up and hear you out. I've decided to listen to my heart this time."

"I like your heart. It's very wise," Jack tried to lighten the moment.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jack explained everything. He didn't want Gwen - he craved what she had - a normal, stable relationship, a chance to grow old and spend a lifetime with the one love of his life. And after dying, to not revive, so he'd die with Ianto. And he promised to tone down the flirting if he had another chance with Ianto. "You were wrong Ianto, you are not a part-time shag. You are far more than that to me. You've stolen my heart completely. I've never felt this way about anyone before, and honestly, it scares me. And if you're willing to give this- us another chance, I will prove it to you each and every day. I love you, Ianto Jones. Always have, and always will."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Both men had tear-stained cheeks, and Jack reached forward, and with the softest of touches, wiped Ianto's away. Ianto drew in a sharp breath in surprise, but didn't step away. Instead, he gently wiped Jack's away. The older man looked at him with hope in his eyes.

"I love you too, Jack Harkness."

"Will we be okay? Can I fix what we had?"

"Yes, Jack. I will give you another chance." He stepped closer to Jack, and kissed him softly.

Jack smiled, feeling his heart beginning to mend.