Ficlet: All Things To All Men

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Title: All Things To All Men

Author: badly_knitted

Characters/Pairing: Jack/Ianto, mentions the Doctor

Rating: PG-13

Word Count: 435

Summary: Ianto asks Jack a question.

Spoilers: None really.

Written For: tardisjournal’s comment_fic prompt ‘any, any, “He's a god, he's a man, he's a ghost, he's a guru”.’

Disclaimer: I don’t own Torchwood or any of the characters. Which is sad.

“So,” said Ianto drowsily, sprawled across his bed in the afterglow, “this Doctor of yours, tell me about him?”

Jack chuckled. “Jealous?”

“Not that you’d notice. Should I be?” He sounded amused.

“No, you really shouldn’t. The Doctor is… hard to define. He’s been called a lot of things; the lonely god, the Oncoming Storm, a meddler, a teacher, a prophet, a myth… He shows up somewhere, saves the day then slips away like he was never there; a ghost or a shadow, briefly glimpsed but never forgotten. He doesn’t do goodbyes, never sticks around afterwards, but just by doing what he does, he inspires people to be better than they are.”

“Sounds pretty impressive.”

“He can be. But you know what? For all his knowledge, wisdom, compassion and rage, when it comes right down to it, he’s just a man, not so different from any other. He has the same faults and failings, the same doubts and insecurities, the same fears, hopes and dreams. He’s just lived longer and seen more than other men. His hearts still break when he loses someone who matters to him, and everyone matters to him, so his hearts break a lot. He doesn’t give up though, just moves on to another world, another time, another mission of mercy, trying to make the universe a better place.”

Ianto smiled and traced his fingertips over Jack’s chest, lingering above his heart.

“You could be describing yourself.”

Jack snorted.

“Hardly. I shouldn’t even exist; I’m a mistake, an aberration. I try to live up to his ideals, but I’m just a poor imitation.”

“Don’t sell yourself short, Jack. You may only have one heart, but you’re every bit the hero you describe. The only difference is that you don’t run away after the battle is over; you stay and help rebuild. By being here, you’re serving as guide and teacher to this world. The time will come when humanity becomes aware that we’re not alone in the universe, and then the earth is going to need all your knowledge and wisdom to make sure we don’t screw up. After all, we can’t always count on your Doctor to show up when he’s needed.”

“That’s quite a burden you’re handing me.” Jack looked at Ianto, completely serious now.

“Yes it is, but you can handle it. Trust me; I’ve seen the future, you won’t be facing it alone.”

Even though he didn’t understand what Ianto meant by that last statement, Jack couldn’t help the little spark of hope that ignited inside him. Maybe his future wouldn’t be as bleak as he’d thought.

The End

Comments

[milady-dragon.livejournal.com]

That was wonderful! Ianto truly understand Jack, and this proves it.

Because this is what Jack is, and he just doesn't see it. It's up to Ianto to really show him the truth.

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No true hero can see his or her own worth, only those who love them and see them as they truly are can see how much they give of themselves for the greater good.

Jack does the same for Ianto.

Thank you!Q

[lilyrose225.livejournal.com]

Ooh, why do I sense a continuation of something here? Ianto's seen the future? Do tell! XD

I've always thought fondly of the Doctor/Jack/Rose team. They worked well together, for those few episodes. I think that Jack fell in love with both of them, and he misses them terribly. But, c'est la vie. He's got Ianto now!

[bk_forever]

Jack may have fallen in love with them, but I don't think it was reciprocated, at least not in the way Jack hoped.

I see this as a tie in to my drabble The Library of Lives, which is where Ianto got the idea that he might be around a long time. I'm considering tying this in with Through Time and Space at some point too. Maybe. We'll see. *grins*

[lilyrose225.livejournal.com]

*crossing fingers for the amazing-ness to happen*

[bk_forever]

I just finished writing chapter 5 of Through Time and Space! Still got no idea where I'm going with it next though.

[owensheart.livejournal.com]

Ianto is right Jack is all these things and its great Ianto understands him so well.

[bk_forever]

Ianto is very astute and a good judge of people.

Thank you!

[timelordshines.livejournal.com]

Ooh I like this.
When I saw the title, I assumed it would be Ianto talking about Jack. But you made it Jack talking about the Doctor, and inadvertently about himself. Nicely done.

[bk_forever]

I just felt that the prompt fitted the Doctor and as I wrote, I started to see that it fitted Jack too. Ianto would naturally see that and point it out to Jack. Jack has been trying so hard to live up to the Doctor's example, he didn't realise that he's surpassed him.

Thank you.

[asia27.livejournal.com]

I agree with Ianto...Jack is so much more than he gives himself credit for and he's not a mistake or aberration. The Doctor did a lot of damage with that statement; it could fit him as well. :D

[bk_forever]

Ianto sees the real man, but he knows Jack is also the hero and he loves Jack not just for what he is nut for whom he tries to be.

Thank you!

[black59.livejournal.com]

thank you Ianto as hard to believe in Jack.

[bk_forever]

Ianto knows Jack better than Jack knows himself. And he plans to be there for Jack through everything, because he had a dream that told him he would be even though he doesn't know how.

Thank you!

[jedi-harkness.livejournal.com]

Wonderful fic, and interesting comment from Ianto here. I'm sensing a larger story here. ;)

[bk_forever]

I'm thinking of tying this one into 'Through Time And Space' along with the drabble The Library Of Lives which is where I think Ianto got the idea stuck in his head. He doesn't know WHY he believed that dream, but he did. Somehow he knows it's the truth.