Title: Ties
By: Flo Wynn
Pairing: Jack/Ianto
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Not mind. Torchwood belongs to RTD and the BBC.
Summary: Based upon prompt 1: Ties.

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Ianto knows that when he dies it is not the physical ties of this world that will stay with him, they hold no significance. The kind of silk ties one gets at Christmas time from distant but polite female work colleagues (see: Cooper, Gwen; Christmas 2006... 2007... birthday 2007) are pretty to look at, useful to project an air of professionalism and a lack of youthfulness, and of course key in being tugged towards Jack for a kiss, his hands then moving up around his neck and slipping the tie off and securing Ianto's hands with said tie... ties used for bondage. They made up moments in your life, pleasant memories but in the end those aren't the kind of ties that matter.

It is the ties one makes with people. His hate/love sibling rivalry relationship with Owen, the gentle affection reciprocated by Toshiko, the subtle admiration he had had for Suzie even knowing what she was because he had never been in any position to judge. The deep, loyal, nurturing love he had shared with Lisa, and the soul consuming heart throbbing love he had for Jack.

Ianto knew these ties were what would stay with him even at death's door... however, beyond the gates of the after life was as much a mystery to him as to everyone else and no ties would keep him bound to earth forever.

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