Title: Hold My Hand and Let Me Go
By: minimumstitch
Pairing: Jack/Ianto
Rating: PG
Warning: character death
Disclaimer: Torchwood is not owned by me but is owned by the BBC and RTD and I am just enjoying playing with their characters.
Summary: Ianto pleads for Jack to let him go.

***

Ianto pulled away, his breathing sharp and ragged. "No, Jack! Please, no more!"

"It's helping, you know it is! I have so much life, what good is it if I can't share it with you?" Jack pleaded, pressing his lips against his lover's, desperate to share the energy that swirled inside him, condemning him to eternal life.

"It's not helping, Jack. I'm alive, but I'm not living. I love you, and I know that all you want is one more day, but it's time to let go." Ianto wrapped his frail frame around Jack, giving him the strength he needed.

"I can't! I can't watch you suffer when I can help!" Jack pulled away, turning his back on his lover.

"You would be helping; you would be giving me peace. Please, Jack, just hold my hand, tell me you love me and let me go!"

Jack hurried back to the bed as Ianto's breathing began to falter. "Please, just one more day, I'll let you go tomorrow, I promise, but please, let me have today! Just hold on for one more day!"

Ianto sucked air into his failing lungs and grabbed hold of the Captain, crushing their mouths together, feeding on Jack's life force. As they parted, the Welshman's breathing evened out, weak, but no longer rasping. He pulled Jack on the bed and held him as he cried, comforting him as he grieved, knowing that he wouldn't let anyone close once he had gone.

As Jack's sobs subsided, Ianto stroked his hair and began to talk, talk about his life before Torchwood, before Lisa, before Jack. He told Jack how to make the perfect cup of coffee, how to calm Myfanwy when she was upset and which cleaners to take his coat to when it needed mending. As his voice began to weaken, he told Jack where he wanted to be buried, that there were to be no tears and regrets at his funeral, only a celebration that he had lived and loved. He wanted no hymns, but joyous songs, songs celebrating life.

As the light began to fade and night descended, Ianto grasped Jack's hand, clinging to it desperately, fighting for every last breath. As his eyes began to flutter closed, he pressed a kiss to Jack's mouth. "Remember that I love you and that you will never be alone."

Jack lay with his head across Ianto's chest, feeling his chest rise and fall with every breath. Ianto's hand in his felt cold. They lay together in the dark, the only sounds coming from the pair were Jack's even breaths and Ianto's rasping breath, sounding more mechanical than human.

As the sun rose and filled the room with a warm glow, Ianto's breath began to hitch and there was silence. Jack froze, and then gasped in relief as Ianto exhaled noisily and the bellows began to pump again.

After a time, Jack pulled himself up so that he could press a kiss to Ianto's cold, dry mouth, before returning his head to Ianto's chest. "It's time for you to go now, Yan. Just remember that I love you. I'll see you soon." He pulled their joined hands to his mouth, pressing a kiss to the cold hand entwined in his.

The room fell silent and Ianto's chest stilled, the dull thud of his heartbeat slowing and finally falling silent. They had let each other go.

***