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Aftershock

Chapter 9: Heartbeat

Notes:

I finally worked out how to use italics on this :D
Woohoo more angst
Woohoo more nothing-makes-sense-rambling

Chapter Text

“Would you stay there? If Ianto Jones lived, would you stay? He was human, Earth was his home. What would you even do if I changed it, if I fixed what happened?”

Typically, the Doctor made a point that Jack had never even thought of. Where would they go? Earth would still hold the bad memories, Torchwood would still be destroyed, he would be absolved of all responsibility to stay. Except for his responsibility to take care of Ianto.

“Why are you doing this Jack? Really think about it. Think about Ianto Jones; and don't just say that you love him or you miss him or that he deserved better. If those were the only reasons you would have broken down sobbing at least five minutes ago. No, there's something motivating you, something specific. What is it? Why are you doing this? Do you even know why yourself?”

The Doctor was in what Jack had labelled “Save The World Mode”. He knew the stakes, knew he was at risk, knew he had to form a plan before it was too late. Except this time it wasn't planets, or countries or lives he was trying to save. He was trying to save Jack.

 

Ba-bum, ba-bum, ba-bum

Why is he doing this?

Ba-bum, ba-bum, ba-bum

Ianto is gone.

Ba-bum, ba-bum, ba-bum

Jack’s heart keeps beating.

Ba-bum, ba-bum, ba-bum

He wishes it wouldn't.

Ba-bum, ba-bum, ba-bum

How can a broken heart beat so normally?

Ba-bum, ba-bum, ba-bum

Never again, he had promised 40 years ago.

Ba-bum, ba-bum, ba-bum

Never fall in love again.

Ba-bum, ba-bum, ba-bum

But it was so easy.

Ba-bum, ba-bum, ba-bum

Falling for Ianto had been so easy.

Ba-bum, ba-bum, ba-bum

He told himself not to.

Ba-bum, ba-bum, ba-bum

You'll only get hurt, his logic screamed.

Ba-bum, ba-bum, ba-bum

But his emotions had other ideas.

Ba-bum, ba-bum, ba-bum

Ianto is now gone.

Ba-bum, ba-bum, ba-bum

He needs him back.

Ba-bum, ba-bum, ba-bum

Whatever the cost.

Ba-bum, ba-bum, ba-bum

Whatever the cost?

Ba-bum, ba-bum, ba-bum

Bringing Ianto back might kill the whole universe.

Ba-bum, ba-bum, ba-bum

Just like he killed Steven.

Ba-bum, ba-bum, ba-bum

Steven, shaking, bleeding.

Ba-bum, ba-bum, ba-bum

Ianto, fallen in his arms.

Ba-bum, ba-bum, ba-bum

His dying words.

Ba-bum, ba-bum, ba-bum

His dying wish.

Ba-bum, ba-bum, ba-bum

“I love you”

Ba-bum, ba-bum, ba-bum

“A thousand years time, you won't remember me”

Ba-bum, ba-bum, ba-bum

He knows the answer now.

Ba-bum, ba-bum, ba-bum

 

“I never told him.”