donutsweeper: (Default)
donutsweeper ([personal profile] donutsweeper) wrote2007-12-05 09:41 pm
Entry tags:

Whisky And Rain

Title: Whisky And Rain
Pairing/Warning/Rating: none, rated G
Word Count: 819
Beta: [profile] _medley_
Summary: A mourning Jack isn't sure what to feel

The weather matched Jack’s mood, overcast and grey, as he stared down at the gravestone. It wasn’t the first lover’s grave he’d stood over, and it wouldn’t be the last. But it hurt. It always hurt.

The sky rumbled. He looked up, expecting to see rain or lightning. Either would have felt right. Just like Mother Nature he wasn’t sure if he wanted to cry, or explode, or both. But she, like him, did nothing. Jack closed his eyes and stood there, waiting for the weather to make up its mind, maybe that would give him a clue as to what he should do and how he should feel.

With a jolt he realized he wasn’t alone anymore, there was another man walking towards the grave. The intruder gave him a long, assessing look as he approached.

“Am I disturbing you?” He asked politely, gesturing at the headstone with the bouquet in his hand.

“No, no, any friend of...” but Jack trailed off, biting back the sob in his throat.

The other man nodded his thanks, rested a comforting hand on Jack’s shoulder for a moment and then placed the flowers in front of the tombstone. Reaching into his coat he pulled out a silver flask, raising it to the tombstone. “Nos morituri te salutamus.” His voice thick with emotion. Then he looked over at Jack. “It means...”

“We who are about to die salute you, I know.” Jack interrupted, not caring how cold his voice might have sounded. His eyes narrowed as he studied the other man tip back the flask. Tall, only an inch or so shorter than himself, and not a young man, he could see grey mixed generously in with the blond hair. Not anyone he recognized, but that didn’t mean anything, he hadn’t always been the most attentive of friends. He watched the other man take several long sips before the flask was offered to him.

“Single Malt. GlenFarclas, 105 cask strength.” The man said, shrugging slightly. “Seemed appropriate.”

Jack snorted. “That it does.” But he eyed the other man carefully. “Expensive stuff.”

“He deserves the best,” there was a touch of self-recrimination in the other man’s voice that Jack couldn’t ignore.

“You did know him.” Jack winced a little at the accusatory tone that slipped out when he spoke, but the other man didn’t seem to notice, or at least didn’t take any offense at it. He merely gave Jack a long, deep look before offering the flask.

When Jack hesitated the other man made a show of taking several more sips. "Nothing in it that'll hurt you." He said carefully. "Just thought you might want to toast an old friend."

Jack smiled, relaxing slightly. Of course there wasn’t poison in the flask, it was rather silly of him to even have considered that it might be. Vigilance taken too far could be a bad thing he told himself, and in a rush of newfound determination he reached out and accepted the offered flask. It felt cold and heavy in his hand. The whisky was impossibly smooth, with the slightest hint of cloves and autumn. He savored its heady aroma and as he swallowed he felt the warmth seep through his body. “Thanks,” he said, handing the flask back.

They stood in a companionable silence for awhile, passing the flask back and forth, occasionally raising it to their fallen friend. They didn’t trade war stories, or spill secrets, just exchanged a knowing look or two and a half smile as they shared the moment together. Eventually, swirling the flask around the other man commented, “only a sip or so left.” He poured it into the ground by their feet. “Enjoy, old friend.”

Jack felt a drop of rain hit him on the cheek. He looked up at the dark clouds in the sky. “I guess Mother Nature decided to cry after all.” He said, quietly.

“Sorry?”

“Never mind, I was just commenting on the rain.”

“Oh, well. Time for me to be heading off.” He touched his forelock in a haphazard salute before turning.

“I didn’t catch your name."  Jack called after him.

The man paused. “I didn’t give it,” he said as he walked away.

Jack watched him until he was swallowed by the mist and rain. Then he ran his fingers over the smooth arch of the stone. “I’m sorry.” He whispered, his voice cracking. “I should have... I wish... I...” Tears mixed with the rain on his face as he dropped to his knees and began to cry.

At the edge of the graveyard the stranger stood watching the crying man through a pair of binoculars. “That’s right, let it out. It’ll be okay. You’re going to fall asleep in a minute, probably wake up with a terrible cold, but it’s better than... it’s better this way.”  With a shimmer he turned off his camouflage suit and walked into the night.

[identity profile] taffimai.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 04:03 am (UTC)(link)
Oh! Dead!Ianto?

[identity profile] donutsweeper.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 04:03 am (UTC)(link)
I'm evil- it's completely up to the reader to decide- who is the gravestone for and who is the stranger?

[identity profile] taffimai.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 04:10 am (UTC)(link)
Oh. I assmed the stranger was older!Jack. Hmmm ....

[identity profile] donutsweeper.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 04:11 am (UTC)(link)
I intended that to be one of the possibilities, but left it open since there are others as well

[identity profile] http://users.livejournal.com/_medley_/ 2007-12-06 04:05 am (UTC)(link)
I love the emotion in this, the way Jack doesn't know what he's feeling and the way it's tied in with the weather, the rain letting him finally cry. I like the stranger, too, despite what he did, because the sense is that he did it to avoid something that would've been worse. I also really like that you've left it open, who the stranger is and who Jack's mourning.

[identity profile] donutsweeper.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 04:07 am (UTC)(link)
Yay! Thank you, you hit on everything I was trying to do! oops, just realized I forgot to give you beta credit! *dashes off*

[identity profile] http://users.livejournal.com/_medley_/ 2007-12-06 04:11 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, don't worry about the beta credit. If you remember, cool, but if you don't, it doesn't bother me at all. ...I probably wouldn't even notice, actually. But thanks!

[identity profile] donutsweeper.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 04:12 am (UTC)(link)
I try to give credit where credit it due, if it's just something I threw at someone and asked if it worked I usually don't bother but if they help and correct and handhold I try to give them beta points for that

[identity profile] http://users.livejournal.com/_medley_/ 2007-12-06 04:18 am (UTC)(link)
That sounds perfectly reasonable.

[identity profile] donutsweeper.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 04:19 am (UTC)(link)
beta points, like brownie points, are good with jam

[identity profile] http://users.livejournal.com/_medley_/ 2007-12-06 04:28 am (UTC)(link)
::digs through the refrigerator for jam:: Ooh, blackberry!

[identity profile] donutsweeper.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 04:29 am (UTC)(link)
no rhubarb? (becky will have forever tainted rhubarb jam for me)

[identity profile] http://users.livejournal.com/_medley_/ 2007-12-06 04:37 am (UTC)(link)
LOL! Nope, just blackberry and strawberry.

[identity profile] donutsweeper.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 04:37 am (UTC)(link)
than you are safe!

[identity profile] http://users.livejournal.com/_medley_/ 2007-12-06 04:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you! [livejournal.com profile] becky_h made it. It's shareable, if you'd like!

[identity profile] matsujo9.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 04:11 am (UTC)(link)
This is really, really pretty and sad.

[identity profile] donutsweeper.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 04:13 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you. Not too sad I hope.

[identity profile] matsujo9.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 04:25 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, that's a great icon.

[identity profile] donutsweeper.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 04:26 am (UTC)(link)
[livejournal.com profile] mad_jaks made it, made several wintry/xmas ones a bit back. (and this one too, my first alien donut icon)

[identity profile] matsujo9.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 04:29 am (UTC)(link)
Yay! We know so many talented people.

[identity profile] donutsweeper.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 04:31 am (UTC)(link)
I'm thrilled to pieces that so many people on my flist have artistic abilities. I have no skills on that front. I do, however, make quotable comments that get me into trouble (points at icon)

[identity profile] donutsweeper.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 04:37 am (UTC)(link)
Yay, someone who gets the reference! I can't tell you how many times I've explained it since monday night

[identity profile] matsujo9.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 04:40 am (UTC)(link)
I do!

What did you think of the miniseries?

[identity profile] donutsweeper.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 04:41 am (UTC)(link)
it wasn't perfect, but I was happily surprised by how much I liked it. what about you?

[identity profile] donutsweeper.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 04:43 am (UTC)(link)
great acting and really good casting and *sigh* Cain the Tin Man.

[identity profile] matsujo9.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 04:45 am (UTC)(link)
Oh yeah. Did you see the pictures I posted for Becky in the thread of doom?

[identity profile] donutsweeper.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 04:46 am (UTC)(link)
must have missed them. any idea which page?

[identity profile] matsujo9.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 04:48 am (UTC)(link)
http://fandom-me.livejournal.com/173776.html?thread=3973072#t3973072

[identity profile] donutsweeper.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 04:50 am (UTC)(link)
excellent! thanks! *goes to drool*

[identity profile] http://users.livejournal.com/_medley_/ 2007-12-06 04:18 am (UTC)(link)
OK, now, I thought the elephant icon was mesmerizing. This one's worse.

[identity profile] matsujo9.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 04:22 am (UTC)(link)
That one wasn't made by me *G* [livejournal.com profile] teacupdiaries did it.

[identity profile] http://users.livejournal.com/_medley_/ 2007-12-06 04:26 am (UTC)(link)
...It's like I keep expecting the cat to catch the butterfly. Eventually.

[identity profile] matsujo9.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 04:30 am (UTC)(link)
Have you seen the .gif of the cat ... it's either crawling up the icon "screen" or licking it.

[identity profile] http://users.livejournal.com/_medley_/ 2007-12-06 04:38 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, no, I hadn't seen that. Uh oh. ::watches::

[identity profile] donutsweeper.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 04:39 am (UTC)(link)
cant...stop...watching...

[identity profile] matsujo9.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 04:41 am (UTC)(link)
I just want to pet the kitty!

[identity profile] donutsweeper.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 04:42 am (UTC)(link)
and unlike my furry lump that one actually moves!

[identity profile] matsujo9.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 04:43 am (UTC)(link)
But furry lumps are easier to find to pet.

[identity profile] donutsweeper.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 04:44 am (UTC)(link)
And that's great, except when they are on your lap, purring cutely and your legs have gone asleep

[identity profile] donutsweeper.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 04:46 am (UTC)(link)
cute, purry and bloody heavy.

[identity profile] kreutzmarie.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 06:37 am (UTC)(link)
Oooooh. I love your Jack. I love Torchwood!Jack so much more than Utopia!Jack, and you wrote him beautifully. Thank you!!

[identity profile] donutsweeper.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 03:30 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm so glad you liked it!

[identity profile] avon-09.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 08:05 am (UTC)(link)
A beautiful and gentle fic.

[identity profile] donutsweeper.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 03:33 pm (UTC)(link)
thanks so much!

[identity profile] aeron-lanart.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 10:28 am (UTC)(link)
Oh that is beautiful. Warm and Sad and under your skin (or my skin). And the Glen Farclas 105 just adds that little bit :)
I love the way we have to 'fill in the gaps' too.

[identity profile] donutsweeper.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 03:34 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm glad you liked that you had to fill in the gaps in the story. And thanks for the help with figuring out the right alcohol!

[identity profile] hellenebright.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 10:30 am (UTC)(link)
Lovely fic. Sad, but sweet.

and I see where the whisky went now. u haz a typo though - all forms of Scotch are definitely *whisky* not whiskey

[identity profile] donutsweeper.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 03:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Oops whiskey/whisky I didn't know that, thanks, I've fixed it. Glad you liked this and thanks for the help with the Glen Farclas

[identity profile] hellenebright.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 09:15 pm (UTC)(link)
You need my Guide to Whisky (http://hellenebright.livejournal.com/11851.html)

[identity profile] smithy161.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 11:34 am (UTC)(link)
Oooh. Um. Not older!Jack because he'd recognise himself... Actually, I like that we never know who's died, and who the stranger is. Could act as a reminder that there is so much of Jack we haven't seen.

[identity profile] donutsweeper.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 03:32 pm (UTC)(link)
Nope- the stranger was wearing a camouflage suit, it could have been older!Jack (yes, I am evil)

[identity profile] fatchickengirl.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 12:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Very nice!

Bittersweet I like to think it's Inato in disgise having faked his own death. Becuase he's immortal too and knows he can't stay with Jakc forever.... But it cld just be older Jack making sure younger Jack is OK or something completly differen.t I love it when the author makes us work!!!

[identity profile] donutsweeper.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 03:35 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm glad you didn't mind me making the reader do some work, glad you liked it!

[identity profile] thefannishwaldo.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 10:38 pm (UTC)(link)
My brain made a whole story to this story. I think I just fanfic'ed your fic.

See, the grave marker was for real!Jack. Who, after rather spectacularly outting himself a dance hall, was stripped of his wings in 1941 and basically created a new identity for himself, letting "Jack Harkness" die. Basically handing over that name and identity to our!Jack. And well, since he was out, he saw no reason to go back into the closet. This led him into the love of his life, the stranger.

When real!Jack knew he was dying of... something... he told his husband/partner/boyfriend person to try and find our!Jack so that our!Jack would know that he helped real!Jack face up to who he was and find true happiness.

*headdesk* I don't think I've ever fanficed someone else's work like that before. I feel like I should apologize.

[identity profile] donutsweeper.livejournal.com 2007-12-07 12:02 am (UTC)(link)
nothing to apologize for, I purposed left many aspects of this story open so that the reader would have to come to their own conclusions about who was in the grave and who the stranger was! I'm glad you liked my story enough to come up with all this for it!

[identity profile] coffeegirl18.livejournal.com 2007-12-07 01:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Ooo I thought it was dead real!Jack that the tombstone was for. Now that I think about it, it could easily be Ianto. And the stranger is a past lover of Iantos from TW1.

[identity profile] donutsweeper.livejournal.com 2007-12-07 01:52 pm (UTC)(link)
it could be Ianto, or real!Jack, or even the Doctor's tombstone. It could be set now or 30 years in the future or 300

[identity profile] coffeegirl18.livejournal.com 2007-12-07 01:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah but when the Doctor really died...I think it'd be in a crazy high tech world. Although it could be present day as he does time travel.

[identity profile] donutsweeper.livejournal.com 2007-12-07 01:56 pm (UTC)(link)
ahhh the wonders of time traveling, right?

[identity profile] coffeegirl18.livejournal.com 2007-12-07 01:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Yep I sometimes wish the Doctor would go on TW...

[identity profile] donutsweeper.livejournal.com 2007-12-07 02:01 pm (UTC)(link)
RTD claims it will never happen, but then again he said no one would cross over other than Jack and we know he's broken that for S2

[identity profile] coffeegirl18.livejournal.com 2007-12-07 02:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Yep and I'm happy for the xover. I kind of want Tosh to shag the new character coming in...

[identity profile] coffeegirl18.livejournal.com 2007-12-07 01:56 pm (UTC)(link)
I love that you left it ambigious so we could guess whom the dead and the stranger are.

[identity profile] donutsweeper.livejournal.com 2007-12-07 01:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you! :)
unfeathered: (Default)

[personal profile] unfeathered 2007-12-07 09:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Catching up with my flist...

I enjoyed this - it's very atmospheric and sad and I love the line: like Mother Nature he wasn’t sure if he wanted to cry, or explode, or both.

On the other hand, I really don't like it when there's no right answer for who the characters are. Which is just a personal thing, but it just really annoys me, because I want to know!

But yeah. Nicely done. :-)

[identity profile] donutsweeper.livejournal.com 2007-12-07 09:32 pm (UTC)(link)
errr, sorry? But this way, whomever you assumed it to be, you were right?
unfeathered: (Default)

[personal profile] unfeathered 2007-12-07 09:44 pm (UTC)(link)
You don't have to be sorry - it works the way you intended it!

whomever you assumed it to be, you were right?

Yeah, but I spent the whole fic waiting for some sort of clue as to who it was, because it could have been anybody, and there weren't any clues, because it could have been anybody... It's OK. I know it's just me and my weird quirks. *g*

[identity profile] donutsweeper.livejournal.com 2007-12-07 09:48 pm (UTC)(link)
originally there was a whole second act where it all came out, but it was dreadful and got away from me, that's when I decided to leave it open and chopped about 2/3rds of it off leaving it here (the camouflage suit is the key btw)
unfeathered: (Default)

[personal profile] unfeathered 2007-12-07 09:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Uh, so you're saying it was supposed to be someone in particular originally? That's just mean! *g*

Camouflage suits aren't ringing any bells with me, tbh. Are they supposed to?

[identity profile] donutsweeper.livejournal.com 2007-12-07 10:07 pm (UTC)(link)
the original story- don't peek if you don't want to know (it'll never get written so I guess it doesn't matter, but still....)


I made up the idea of the camouflage suit, but it was originally supposed to be a much older version Jack hiding behind it. The grave is the Doctor's and when the Doctor died Jack lost it completely and spiraled out of control and in a drunken rage destroyed the Tardis. Much later, finally sober and calmed down he regretted what he'd done but couldn't do anything about it. But eventually he was able to travel back in time (I hadn't quite decided how yet) and purposely got himself drunk and drugged so he'd have a small breakdown then and there and not the massive one later. Like I said, I majorily trimmed it down...
unfeathered: (Default)

[personal profile] unfeathered 2007-12-07 10:12 pm (UTC)(link)
Ah, right. I like that idea, but yeah, it would be a much longer story! Thank you for telling me - I feel much better about it now! :-)

[identity profile] donutsweeper.livejournal.com 2007-12-07 10:17 pm (UTC)(link)
it just kept mushrooming and never quite went where I wanted it to so decided to do the hack and slash technique to it and try again but then realized the grave didn't have to be the Doctor's and the 'big bad thing' didn't have to be destroying the Tardis, etc... I kind of liked leaving it open and seeing what other people came up with (and I was a little amazed by the whole world created by fannishwaldo a few comments above yours)

[identity profile] rustydog.livejournal.com 2007-12-08 12:18 am (UTC)(link)
I really like the atmosphere of this, and the open-endedness. (I was going along thinking it was a Doctor, myself. But it doesn't really matter.) Nice.

[identity profile] donutsweeper.livejournal.com 2007-12-08 12:35 am (UTC)(link)
It could have been a Doctor! Glad you like the atmosphere and the fact there's no finalness to it