m_findlow

Title: Lighting the way
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters/Pairings: Jack, Ianto
Word Count: 500 words
Rating: PG
Notes: Written for Prompt 6 - Candle at adventchallenge

Ianto stepped inside the church, immediately feeling its comforting presence. Perhaps it was the golden light that seemed to seep out of the walls, or maybe it was the gentle sound of the choir practising for Sunday service. Either way, it was the feeling of being somewhere safe and welcoming.

He'd always come here at Christmas, partly because his family had raised him that way, but now he came here to remember. Once upon a time he'd lit a candle for the grandparents he could scarcely remember, but now he lit a candle for all those he'd lost since. There were so many now that if he had to light a candle for every person he'd lost, or whose death he'd been responsible for, he'd have burned down the whole church. Now he lit just the one, keeping the long list of names to himself. Mum, Tad, Lisa, Suzie, Owen, Tosh...

He didn't even object to Jack coming with him. He knew his church's feelings on the matter of their relationship, but surely if God had desired it, he would have struck Ianto with lightning a long time ago. He hadn't questioned Jack's reasons for wanting to come. He wasn't sure Jack held to any religion, and nor could he blame him.

'It's really lovely in here,' Jack said, admiring the cosy space. It was small and tucked away. Not a church frequented by the masses; just a handful of sinners and repenters.

Ianto walked slowly towards the end, the light of a hundred candles already burning as he reached out to take his own flame and light one. In his head he silently repeated the names that had become so familiar, before adding a silent prayer. It was less of words and more a jumble of random thoughts. He'd never been good at this part.

He could feel Jack's presence next to him, and then he saw Jack's hand reach out and light another candle, his voice a low hum beneath the undulating music of the choir.

'Forgive us for the sins we've committed, and for acknowledging that we will sin again because we are imperfect creatures.

Give us the wisdom to know right from wrong, and the courage to face the difficult times, to lend support to those in need and to take comfort from others when it is given.

Watch over those that are with you up in heaven whose voices we can no longer hear, and shelter and protect those who still reside with us on earth.

Give to those less fortunate than ourselves, and remind us when our greed becomes too much.

Judge us not by our actions but by the intention of our deeds.

Cast out the darkness and fill the sky full of stars that shine out the light within the soul of all the children who walk through earth by the grace of Gods good and pure.'

'Amen,' Ianto said, reaching out to grasp Jack's hand in his own, squeezing it tight.