A Lesson in Whistling

[donutsweeper]

Title: A Lesson in Whistling
Pairing/Warning/Rating: Jack/Ianto, major crack warning and dark themes, rated R
Word Count: 559
Beta/Absolute Angel: mad_jaks
Summary: Ianto faces an unexpected future when he quit Torchwood.
Author's Note: Sequel to Learning to Whistle, prequel to Whistle While You Work. Ianto realizes something about his chains.

Even as he did it Ianto wasn’t sure why.  Everything just became too much: the nakedness, the lack of control, the promise to continue to accept this all for another 25 days... and he snapped.  One second Jack was telling him what was going to be for dessert and the next second Ianto was yelling his safe word at the top of his lungs.

Jack froze, stunned, but instantly stopped talking. 

Ianto sank to his knees.  His chains rattled as his entire body shook; although whether it was as a result of his fear of how Jack would respond, horror at what he had done, or just adrenaline; he wasn’t sure.  Carefully, he put himself in the position Jack had pressed him into that first day.  Hands on his thighs.  Head bowed.  He was covered in goosebumps, he could see them and he hated it.  Times like this made him miss his clothes even more.  Those perfect suits, with their crisp, clean lines, had been his armor against the world.  He could see that now.

He focused on the weight of the manacles, the way they glittered in the light, the solid feeling of the shackles around his ankles, the sensation of the slight tug between the shackle on his right foot and the retracting chain that tethered him to the ring in the center of the room.  Taking a deep breath he let their steady presence ground him, calm him.

Eventually Ianto became aware of Jack standing in front of him, a ring of keys dangling at his side.  “I’m sorry, Jack..”  He knew he was pleading for his forgiveness, but he needed it so badly.  “I am so sorry.  I lost my head.”  Jack didn’t respond and when the silence stretched out too long Ianto looked up, cringing at what he saw.  The disappointment and the sadness etched across Jack’s face was physically painful, his stomach clenched knowing he caused it.  It was his fault Jack looked at him that way.

“Please, Jack.  Tell me how I can make this right.  Tell me what I can do so you’ll forgive me.” 

Jack tilted his head, avoiding Ianto’s gaze.  “You safeworded so I got the keys.”  His voice was barely above a whisper.  “But, you have to lift up so I can reach the locks.”  When Ianto didn’t move Jack bent down and grabbed Ianto’s right wrist, turning it to expose the locking mechanism. The small snick of the catch releasing seemed to echo through the room.  Ianto stared as the manacle was removed and, wrapping his other hand around the bare skin it revealed, he shuddered.

“No!  It feels so wrong.  Put it back!  I can do this.  I need to do this.  Don’t make me go, I don’t want to leave you.  I don’t want to be on my own.  It was a momentary lapse.  I lost my head.  I just need to focus better.  On you.  On the chains.  On my proper place.  Please.  Let me try.” 

Something that might have been relief rushed across Jack’s face.  “What can I do to help?”

"Can you... Would you make the chains heavier?  More noticeable?  It'd be like you were always here, wrapped around me, keeping me safe.  Please?”  The look of adoration, of happiness, in Jack’s eyes nearly undid Ianto.  “Oh thank you, Jack.  Thank you!”

Comments

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

especially vegan chocolate. I love chocolate. It's just... real chocolate is NOT the same thing as vegan chocolate

[the-dark-side.livejournal.com]

It really isn't.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

it's like those people who try to convince you carob is the same as chocolate. Or you won't notice the tofu in the stir fry. LIARS

[the-dark-side.livejournal.com]

*shudder* Or that you won't be able to tell it's DECAF.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

How can people NOT tell the difference? I never understood that

[the-dark-side.livejournal.com]

I'm really good at telling the difference, now. My tongue cowers at the thought of decaf.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

crappy decaf is scary. There is decent stuff out there, but I can tell if its caf or decaf no problem

[the-dark-side.livejournal.com]

Yeah, even the good stuff taste different. The bad stuff just kind of tastes like gasoline.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

yes, bitter and nasty with a side of chemicals. Yum

[the-dark-side.livejournal.com]

Exactly. You can almost taste the cleaner they used on the coffee machine.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

yum, tasty

[the-dark-side.livejournal.com]

Isn't it, though?

This conversation is really making me want to go out and buy a can of Peaberry coffee from Trader Joe's, just so I know I have the absolute best tasting coffee around.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

I haven't tried that. I usually get stuff from the local little coffee shops, freshly roasted and ground

[the-dark-side.livejournal.com]

It's supposed to be one of the richest, smoothest coffees out there.

I've been told I need to try coffee from one of our local shops called Zoka. I'm told it's the best.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

There are two trader joe's in the twin cities, but neither are easy to get to and they both supposedly have terrible parking. I don't need super great coffee, just not sucky stuff, please

[the-dark-side.livejournal.com]

Sounds good to me.