Title: A Chance to Shine
By: minimumstitch
Pairing: Jack/Ianto
Rating: PG
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: Jack wishes Ianto would let him in, but until he does he will watch and wait.

***

He stood in the doorway to the rooftop, listening as the young man on the roof spoke. He spoke of love and he spoke of loss; loss of innocence, loss of pride, loss of courage and the loss of loved ones. He told such tales that Jack felt like a hero and a villain.

Jack laughed silently as the young man spoke of the good times they had shared and felt the tracks of tears running down his face as he spoke of the pain he had felt, watching helplessly as his friends and family had died.

He clenched his fists, holding himself back as the young man cried, the sobs wracking his body until he was no longer crying, but gasping for air, choking on his own tears. He longed to go over to the young man, to press his mouth against his, to give him the air that filled his own lungs, but he knew that as soon as he did, the young man would clam up, cutting his release short. So he waited and he listened, wishing desperately that it was him that the young man was talking to, not the stars above.

Soon the young man fell asleep, his body curled up as if to protect himself from the pain night would bring and finally Jack could hold the young man. He removed his coat and placed it over him, before lifting him into his arms. He carried him home, knowing that there would be no mention of this in the morning.

He remembered the first time he had found Ianto gazing up at the night sky, talking to the stars. He had asked why he had talked to them and found himself holding back tears at Ianto's reply.

"Because they are Mam and Tad, they are Lisa, they are Tosh and Owen, and they are everyone who never got the chance to shine in life, shining now. They give me hope." He had whispered, throat raw from talking.

Jack had held him close, knowing that it wouldn't be long before Ianto shone just as brightly.

***