Fic- Forever Part Thirty One
Jun. 12th, 2009 05:55 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
branwen_blaiddTitle: Forever
By Branwen Blaidd & Oncoming
Part Thirty One of Thirty One
Pairing: Jack/Ianto
Rating: Adult - Dark Themes, Violence, Graphic sex, AU
Spoilers: Torchwood & Doctor Who all seasons to date.
Summary: Set after Exit Wounds and Journey’s End, no-one is coping with recent tragic events. In an attempt to bring the team back to unity and strength, Ianto makes a decision that will change the fate of Torchwood, and the world, Forever.
Disclaimers: Despite 5 months of creating this together, we own nothing and never will! The various songs, verses, etc do not belong to us either.
Notes: This is AU, though it begins in line with canon up to Exit Wounds. We hope to post one chapter each day at roughly the same time. And thank you all for your comments so far. We've loved your feedback. Comments please!
Ianto lay in bed, with Jack’s arms around him. Despite their impossible situation, things felt normal. They were normal. They’d be normal forever. Him and Jack. Together.
He glanced up at Jack. He wasn’t asleep either. Neither of them needed sleep but it was nice. Refreshing to have a sleep. But sleep wasn’t happening yet.
Jack smiled at him. “Pondering your immortality?”
“Sort of.” He sighed. “Jack, we need to redecorate in here.”
“Redecorate? What the hell’s wrong with it?”
Ianto gave him a stern look. “I am not spending eternity in a place with grey walls. And I want a bigger bed.”
Jack held up his hands in surrender. “All right, all right. But good luck getting it down that ladder.”
Ianto frowned.
“But,” continued Jack. “We could make your place our home.”
“Will you be any more keen to spend nights there now?”
Jack shrugged. “I’ll move my stuff in. We could hire a night watchman for this place.”
“Won’t we get noticed living at my place for forever?”
Jack shrugged. “So we’ll move every twenty years. No biggie.”
Ianto smiled and pressed his face into Jack’s chest. “It’s going to be so different now, isn’t it?”
Jack kissed Ianto on the top of his head. “No matter what, you’re always going to be my boy.”
Ianto smiled and snuggled into Jack as far as he could. “Forever,” he breathed. Then he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
* * *
The year 2323.
“I remember the first time we fell off this roof together,” said Jack, wistfully.
“It’s not the same roof,” pointed out Ianto. “They rebuilt it after the first Rift War.”
“Whatever,” muttered Jack. “Remember running away from that zombie ghost thing?”
“Vividly,” answered Ianto. He turned to Jack and smiled. The older man had grown a few grey hairs here and there but neatly covered them up with highlights and he still clung to his RAF coat, though had been persuaded not to wear it out in the heat of that day. Ianto had remained the same twenty-five year old he was over three hundred years ago. And he could still fit into skinny jeans.
Jack looked back at him with a grin. “It’s weird coming back here after all this time. Knowing this is where it all began. Now there are so many Torchwoods on this planet. But this one will always be home.”
They held hands, standing in silence for some time.
“Well, then,” said Ianto. “Shall we do what we came here to do?”
“Yep.”
They made their way down to the Plass, walking past various groups of people. Ianto bought some fresh flowers at a stall whilst Jack fought the urge to buy an ice-cream. Time had taught him his waistline was not immortal. They continued walking.
No one was looking at the small iron statue. It was of a woman, a gentle, smiling woman. They came to a stop in front of it. Ianto knelt down and placed the flowers at the foot of the statue.
“Just wanted to say thanks. Again,” he whispered. He stood and Jack put an arm around his waist. They leant into each other. Solid. Together.
The plaque read: “In memory of the bravery of Gwen Cooper-Williams, 1978-2023, who gave her life so that we could live on.
They cried softly, together, remembering.
“Feels like yesterday,” choked Ianto. Jack nodded. He couldn’t speak. It really did feel like yesterday.
They held silence for her. Just for her. They held each other and gazed at her statue. There were others too. All of them. Every single member of Torchwood would survive inside them, because they would remember. Ianto had all the names written down. He swore he would never forget. Not ever.
They moved on, holding each other’s hands. They sat on the big thick steps and gazed around at the people. All the changes and yet, it was still
Ianto still liked to people-watch. Only now, there were so many different types of people. The great and bountiful human empire. Rich and diverse.
Ianto liked the Ardun-humans best. They looked almost ordinary; human shaped, except for the fire which glowed constantly from their skin. Ianto thought they were the most beautiful sub-species ever.
“Careful,” said Jack, catching him looking. “Or you’ll inspire me to take one home with us.”
Ianto smiled. “Not today.” He leaned against Jack and smiled as he saw the people noticing them. They were famous these days.
They stood and walked slowly up onto the high level to stand and watch the water lapping under the pale glow of the sun. Ianto gazed down at the walkway below them and remembered all those moments, so long ago. He remembered so many things: waiting there to impress Jack with coffee; Jack yelling at him at precisely 6:59 for being ‘late’ for his first day; getting ambushed with a kiss in the dark, by Jack of course.
“What are you grinning at?” Jack asked him.
“Oh, nothing. Just remembering stuff,” Ianto sighed dreamily and rested his head on Jack’s shoulder.
“Oh, yeah. Like the time you made love to me underwater and we embarrassed the fish? It was way too cold for that. Or the time you locked me out of the hub for forgetting your birthday? Remember when you fell off the invisible lift and I peed myself laughing? You bounced!”
Ianto frowned as Jack carried on.
“And what about the time…”
Ianto quickly silenced him with a kiss, generating some giggling from a nearby group of young girls.
“He's mine,” stated Ianto firmly. Jack gave a coy grin, still enjoying the taste of Ianto on his lips.
***
The sun was setting behind them, the heat of the sun diminishing along with its light. They turned and walked slowly away, letting it fall dark around them.
“We should go,” said Jack. “Back to work. As ever.”
Ianto shook his head. “Not yet.” He held Jack’s hand tight. “Just a little longer, cariad.”
Jack grinned. “Okay, boss. A while longer.”
They wandered slowly away, taking in the quiet of their old home.
“Shops are all closed,” Ianto murmured. “All quiet now.” He seemed wistful.
Jack squeezed his hand. “Only until the pubs and clubs start getting packed.”
Ianto smiled. “Nothing changes.”
They wandered back up to the roof of the New Millennium Centre and stood there gazing at the darkening sky. It was so quiet.
“Don’t like the silence,” whispered Jack.
Ianto smiled and reached into the pocket of his slim blue jeans. “Then let’s have some music.” He stroked his thumb across his tiny music player and immediately music drifted out of the top quality speakers. He slipped it back into his pocket and pulled Jack close as the music filled the air around them.
The lyrics began and Jack turned his face into Ianto’s neck and breathed him in as the soft music washed over them, reminding them of that which had brought them here.
I said mama, he’s crazy and he scares me
But I want him by my side
Though he’s wild and he’s bad
And sometimes just plain mad
I need him to keep me satisfied
Misguided angel hanging over me
Heart like a Gabriel, pure and white as ivory
Soul like a Lucifer; Black and cold like a piece of lead
Misguided angel, love you ‘til I’m dead
“My angel,” Jack murmured, kissing Ianto’s neck softly. “Sometimes I think she sent you for me, to be with me always.”
Ianto didn’t need to ask who. She was the giver of Jack’s immortality. Jack thanked her now. But Ianto had another to thank. Her bloom forever youthful, just like him. Only his eyes betrayed his age. But beneath all that, they were just two boys, now no longer lost.
Ianto caressed Jack’s cheek as the song finished. “Love you ‘til I’m dead,” he whispered.
Jack smiled and his eyes were bright. He turned his head to kiss Ianto’s palm. “Forever,” he murmured.
Ianto nodded. “Forever.”
They swayed each other as another song began. They gazed out up at the stars above them and knew that things would be all right forever, because they would have each other, until the end of time.
“We are all in the gutter,” Ianto whispered as he breathed in the sweetness that was Jack.
Jack grinned, knowing exactly how the quote was to finish. It was Ianto’s favourite quote. He dipped Ianto so he could see nothing but the stars behind Jack’s head.
Jack beamed at him, blue eyes sparkling. “But some of us are looking at the stars.”
* * *
Live Forever - Oasis
Maybe I don't really want to know
How your garden grows
I just want to fly
Lately did you ever feel the pain
In the morning rain
As it soaks you to the bone
Maybe I just want to fly
I want to live I don't want to die
Maybe I just want to breathe
Maybe I just don't believe
Maybe you're the same as me
We see things they'll never see
You and I are gonna live forever
Maybe I don't really want to know
How your garden grows
I just want to fly
Lately did you ever feel the pain
In the morning rain
As it soaks it to the bone
Maybe I will never be
All the things that I want to be
But now is not the time to cry
Now's the time to find out why
I think you're the same as me
We see things they'll never see
You and I are gonna live forever
We're gonna live forever
Gonna live forever
Live forever
Forever
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2009-06-12 05:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-12 10:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-12 05:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-12 10:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-12 05:23 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-12 10:35 pm (UTC)So are we!
no subject
Date: 2009-06-12 05:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-12 10:36 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-12 05:46 pm (UTC)That end...
Woah.
I loved this series so much, I'm sad to see it's over; but it was a fantastic end. (:
no subject
Date: 2009-06-12 10:36 pm (UTC)Glad yuo enjoyed it!
no subject
Date: 2009-06-12 06:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-12 10:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-12 06:24 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-12 10:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-12 06:26 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-12 10:38 pm (UTC)Glad you stuck around for the whole ride!
Gwen had a long life - for a Torchwood agent!
no subject
Date: 2009-06-12 07:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-12 10:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-12 08:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-12 10:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-12 09:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-12 10:39 pm (UTC)Thanks!
no subject
Date: 2009-06-12 09:36 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-12 10:39 pm (UTC)So are we!
"FOREVER."
Date: 2009-06-12 10:10 pm (UTC)I am at a teary-eye lost for words . . .
This series was simply SUBPERB ! ! ! ! !
Please know that your five months of labor have paid off
extraordinarily well ! ! ! ! ! ! O. O. O. the DARKNESS.
ANGUISH. LUST. and HELPLESS ANGER . . . All 'four' and
'several unnamed' played out quite well. Troubled problems
for our two had only one resolving solution: L O V E ! !
Indeed, it covers a multitude of sins (smile).
You BOTH have done magnificently. Now penned, ‘FOREVER’
is a ‘forever jewel’. Thank you for sharing it (smile). Like
others, I too am looking forward to your next collaboration.
May ‘it’ rival ‘Forever’ (smile).
Waiting patiently . . .
Re: "FOREVER."
Date: 2009-06-12 10:41 pm (UTC)We hope we can do at least as well next time. We're both very proud of this fic.
Re: "FOREVER."
From:no subject
Date: 2009-06-12 10:32 pm (UTC)No, it was very good, I couldn't let my computer alone because I was afraid you would updated and I wouldn't noticed (me addicted? totally!)
Another? please? I look into some (a lot) of your fics and I love them even if I don't let comm (I know I'm a bad girl)
Kiss Bye
no subject
Date: 2009-06-12 10:35 pm (UTC)Thank you! Glad you enjoyed some of the other stuff here!
We'll both carry on writing separately and hopefully together as well in the future.
Thank you!
no subject
Date: 2009-06-12 10:39 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-12 10:41 pm (UTC)*smile*
Date: 2009-06-13 01:35 am (UTC)Re: *smile*
Date: 2009-06-18 05:22 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-13 02:39 am (UTC)I love this, and am so sad it's over, but am looking forward any more collabs, and since spanking is a particular kink of mine, any more *goodies* are looked forward to.
YAY, happy Janto end <3
no subject
Date: 2009-06-18 05:21 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-13 10:35 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-18 05:20 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-13 12:11 pm (UTC)The memorial for Gwen was sweet, albeit a little sad (poor Rhys)
I loved this fic very much despite and because of the rollercoaster of emotions you put us all through! x3
no subject
Date: 2009-06-18 05:20 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-13 05:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-13 06:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-18 05:19 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-13 10:41 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-14 02:52 pm (UTC)Fantastic job ladies - you rock! :)
no subject
Date: 2009-06-18 05:18 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-28 01:44 pm (UTC)I suddenly realized I hadn't done so yet.
Gorgeous ending. You both should be congratulated on spinning a fantastic story. I'm so please with the ending. I love the idea of Jack having one person in his life that he doesn't have to watch die. Thank you!
no subject
Date: 2009-06-28 04:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-16 09:38 am (UTC)