Title: Too Late
By: cupiecake
Pairing: Jack/Ianto
Rating: PG-13
Summary: In reality, Ianto is too much a coward. Couldn't kill Lisa, couldn't stop Owen, couldn't save Jack.

***

This is how it should've gone; Jack gave his life for the world, his immortality filling Abaddon to bursting, canceling each other out. They laid him out in the morgue, a sort of wake for the only people who truly understood what had happened.

Like Prince Charming, Ianto would kiss Jack goodbye; and with a gasp of shock life would return to Sleeping Beauty, Jack opening his blue eyes, pulling Ianto in for more kisses.



In reality, Ianto is too much a coward. Couldn't kill Lisa, couldn't stop Owen, couldn't save Jack.

It's Gwen who brings Jack back to life; Gwen, who has never been faithful to anything in her life. Like her heart, inconstant and weak, Jack is shaky, grey.

Jack kisses him like it doesn't matter, but of course it does.



Ianto should've taken Jack to his rooms, put him to bed. Jack would've smirked and pulled him into the bed with him. This is Ianto's happily ever after; maybe Abaddon has taken Jack's undying with him. Maybe Jack is tied to the earth again. The two of them, growing old together.

Ianto doesn't think Jack's the type to settle down, buy a house in the country. They probably won't end up with children or even a dog.

He's pretty sure he wouldn't know what to do with a dog anyway. If Jack's with him, he'll be happy.



Instead Ianto's uncertain; he offers his hand to Jack instead of open arms. Jack smiles and pulls him in for an embrace that leaves Ianto dazed.

But he pulls away, he lets Jack go; offers to bring him coffee from elsewhere, since the Hub is in ruins. Jack's eyes are sad and weary.



When the Doctor came for Jack, Jack would drag Ianto along, offering him the stars, the universe.

Ianto would finally learn all Jack's secrets, and he'd give his up to Jack, too. Maybe they'd visit Jack's hometown, Jack's family. He could show Jack the house he grew up in, where his parents are buried. They could visit all the places Jack always talks about wanting to see again.

The three of them, travelling in time and space; the Doctor, Jack, and Jack's companion. They'd be happy.



But Ianto's not there when the TARDIS arrives. Jack leaves without him, without even a word, a note. Nothing to tell them where he's gone but the video from the CCTV, and Jack's happy smile.



If this were a fairy tale, they'd be together now, and Ianto would have his happy end.



Ianto washes the pills down with whiskey.

He doesn't know if he hopes Jack will come back in time to remind him, or if Jack, like everything else in Ianto's life, will be too late.

He won't remember any of this in the morning.

He won't remember Jack.

Ianto thinks that maybe, maybe, he can make this work. That maybe this way he can finally be happy.

That maybe, if he can't remember how it ought to be, he can find happiness somewhere else.

***