Anythingdrabble Challenge 197 - Standing firm

[m_findlow]

Title: Standing firm
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters/Pairings: Jack, Ianto
Word Count: 500 words
Rating: PG
Notes: Written for Challenge 197 - Cottage at anythingdrabble
Summary: Ianto is fed up with Jack's atttiude out at Flat Holm.

It was a fine thing that Ianto loved Jack as much as he did or otherwise right now he might be sorely tempted to tell Jack that he was done. It was expected that Jack would be jittery and pace around like a caged animal when they arrived at Flat Holm. He always was. Ianto didn't know how he'd ever managed it before he'd finally shared that awful secret. He could put on a brave, stoic face for as much as an hour, but after that he was just itching to get the hell out of there. Ianto likened it to dumping a baby on someone's doorstep -though he'd never dare say that aloud, knowing it would offend Jack. Victims of the rift just weren't Jack's forte. It wasn't that he didn't care, he just wasn't a carer. He was built for action and charm and brave, seat of your pants, split second decision-making. All the stuff that came after that was when he stepped away and let the professionals take over.

Ianto didn't let him come out here on his own anymore, no matter what hour of day or night. It was too big an emotional investment to battle alone. And there were always things that needed doing around the place. Ianto usually had a list as long as his arm before they'd been there ten minutes. He saw what needed remedying whilst Jack tried to shut it all out, eyes closed, fingers in ears, until they were allowed to leave.

Today just made things worse, because Ianto had gotten sidetracked. He was still making notes when Jack tapped him on the shoulder.

'We should go.'

Ianto checked his watch. It was far later than he'd realised. 'We can't.'

'What do you mean?'

'Last boat would have headed past over an hour ago. Nothing now til morning.' He dreaded Jack's reaction to the news.

'So, get Gwen to bring the Sea Queen over. She can pick us up.:

'That's a three hour round trip. And it's late. We're better off just staying here.'

Jack shook his head, brows knotting in an angry mood. 'No way.'

Ianto braced himself for the argument. 'Yes, way. There's the cottage by the lighthouse we can stay in. I'm not asking you to sleep in one of the cells down here. I'm not asking you to have to listen to the howls and the crying all night.' Jonah had only settled half an hour earlier after screaming most of the day.

'It's a dump,' Jack sulked.

'No, it's not,' Ianto said, reigning in his temper. 'If you took any notice you'd know I've had it all done up for occasions just like this. Mostly, it was the hard work of the people you saved who fixed it up. Part of their rehabilitation and their gratitude for everything we've done. So, yes, I'm going to spend the night there but you're welcome to do what you like. Swim back to Cardiff for all I care.'