Anythingdrabble Challenge 21 - Too bright

[m_findlow]

Title: Too bright
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters/Pairings: Jack, Ianto
Word Count: 500 words
Rating: PG
Notes: Written for Challenge 21 - Brightly at anythingdrabble
Summary: The latest rift gift leaves a very strong impression.

'Should it be making that noise?' Ianto asked as they knelt over their latest rift find. It was about the size of a microwave oven, but apart from that, there was no telling what it was. It was something best left to Tosh to figure out. For now they just needed to make sure it was safe and take it back. It was the safe question that had Ianto worried, as it hummed low, but then became more insistent, the sound upping an octave.

'I dunno,' Jack replied.

'Well, can you make it stop?'

'I don't even know what it is yet.'

'Well, that helps.'

Jack let out a vexed sigh. 'Look, why don't you just head back to the SUV and grab the containment unit. Whatever it's doing, the unit should hold it.'

Ianto wasn't even halfway back to the SUV though when the thing began to practically scream. Jack knew nothing good could come of it, but that he was too close to even try and run. He threw his arm up against his face, but it was too late. The object exploded into a ball of intense light, shining so brightly that it blinded him in an instant.

There was only a split second as Ianto caught the squeal from behind him before a rush of air knocked him to the ground. He sensed rather than saw the blast of light as it painted the warehouse wall a luminous white, hurting his eyes. Instinctively he covered his head with his hands as the air rushed over his prostrate body before everything fell back into darkness. At first he though he was blinded, but after a minute he realised his eyes just had to readjust to the lack of light. He was on his feet in seconds, rushing over to where Jack was lying on the ground, right at its epicenter. The square object was noticeably gone, leaving nothing more than a seared patch on the concrete.

'Jack,' he said, placing a hand on his shoulder as he felt Jack arch up underneath it.

'I'm okay,' he coughed, feeling like the air had been knocked from his lungs. 'Who turned off the lights?'

'Just give it a minute,' Ianto said, knowing his own eyes were still struggling, and he'd had his back turned at the time.

A few minutes passed and Jack fumbled around, until Ianto grabbed him. 'Ianto, I can't see. Nothing at all.'

Ianto tried not to panic. 'Okay. It's okay. We'll get Owen to check you out.'

They stumbled back to the car, Jack gripping clumsily to his lover, whilst he called Owen to meet them there.

The diagnosis was temporary damage to the retinas, nothing which couldn't be fixed by eye patches and a few days rest until they healed.

'That's a relief,' Ianto said, keeping him company as he lay in bed, eyes sealed up.

'I know,' Jack replied. 'If I couldn't ever see your face again, life might not be worth living.'

Comments

[love-jackianto.livejournal.com]

Poor Jack. I hope Ianto takes care of him while he’s blind

[bk_forever]

Ah, Jack, romantic even when suffering. That's love.