Drabble_weekly Challenge 239 - The weight of responsibility

[m_findlow]

Title: The weight of responsibility
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters: Jack, Ianto
Author: m_findlow
Rating: PG
Length: 200 words
Content notes: None
Author notes: Written for Challenge 239 - Walking on eggshells at drabble_weekly
Summary: It's easy to judge when the decision isn't yours to make.


Ianto had watched teammate after teammate storm out of the hub in various states of displeasure throughout the afternoon. Each of them had their own grudge with their captain and leader after the events of the day. He hadn't been there himself, but their anger was palpable, as was Jack's reluctance to confront them about it.

When finally Gwen left, the last to go, Ianto braved entering Jack's office, even if he wasn't sure why. 'Can I get you anything, sir?'

Jack looked up, weary from the weight of burden. 'You don't have to walk around on eggshells around me, Ianto. Be mad, be outraged, be… I don't know. Just don't stand there and pretend you're okay with what I did. No one else is.'

'I'm sure you did what you thought was right. Even if it was…' he swallowed the lump in his throat '…difficult.'

Jack sighed, running a hand through his hair and down his face. 'I really am the monster you told me I was, aren't I? Even little girls aren't safe. I give them over to the most evil creatures inhabiting this world, and for what?'

Ianto hung his head. 'Because there was no other choice.'