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Colour me a kind of romantic...
... and those of you who know me, stop snorting in the corners *laughs*
I've had a few commenting in the previous post that they thought Jack didn't put as much into the romance with Ianto as Ianto himself does.
I'm going to try to put into words how I see their relationship, especially after last night's episode.
What's in it for Ianto?
Security and physical attention.
Ianto's life hasn't been all that easy since he's been part of Torchwood. At TW1 he lost friends and coworkers, he lost the woman he loved. That would have broken most people. At TW3 he lost Lisa again and his need to blend in backfired. His co-workers all but ignored him or in Owen's case, Ianto often became the psychological abusee. Ianto was quiet and after the Cyberwoman incident, he became a little quieter for a while, obviously not sure if he would be allowed to stay. It all made him an easy target.
Jack has a lot of personality quirks that Ianto admire and envy him for. Jack's strong, bends a bit with the blows, but never seems to shatter or break. Ianto envies him this. He strives to be the same, to stand up and meet whatever the world throws at him, head on.
He's seen Jack charm his way out of situations instead of using force, he's seen Jack make tough decisions that were necessary and even with all Jack's flaws, those are strengths that Ianto would love to possess. As much as Jack is a lover, he's Ianto's mentor in many other things. Ianto may still be quiet at times, but that incredible brain of his is always working and he's learning. We've seen him be far more physical this series already. Part was born of Jack's disappearance and the need for them all to be in the field, but part of it has to come from the fact that Jack let him stay and Ianto's had time to learn a few things that have made him stronger. Even with more than one betrayal, Ianto on his own with Lisa and then as the team opened the rift against Jack's orders, he's been allowed to stay and I think part of this ability of Jack's to accept failure and forgive it has allowed Ianto to grow and learn.
I'm not sure Ianto's ever been with a man before Jack, but even if he hasn't, being around Jack has to broaden his mind more than a little. I'm pretty sure Jack has moved many a boundary of Ianto's and even if it's mostly been in sex, it will impact on his personality as well.
Even when it's looked the worst, Jack's been able to come up with plans that saved them time and time again. It's a sort of wonky security to Ianto. Jack's a flirt, he's strong, his ideas and plans are anything but mainstream, but those are things that make him Jack, to Ianto as well. If Jack started changing, I think we might se a more worried Ianto, because the world would be ending if Jack stopped being Jack.
And the physical attention? Yes, Jack flirts, but look at who gets some on a regular basis, who gets further than just the flirting and it sounds like it's pretty often. Jack's good looking and charming and Ianto is flattered by the attention. It taught Ianto to be stronger when Jack disappeared, but he enjoys the attention now that Jack's back. He's smiling more, he seems more at ease as well.
In short, Jack gives him a security that should be impossible, a strength that Ianto needs and someone who's fun to be around when the work day is over, and someone who will flirt even if the world's been on the brink of destruction... again. I can actually see them growing apart eventually, but for the time being, Jack's actually good, in many ways, for Ianto.
What's in it for Jack
Physical attention and a lot of leeway.
Oh Jack gets the attention in spades, but even so, I'm not sure Ianto's making it easy for him. A lot of people see it as Ianto giving and Jack taking, but just how close to the truth is that? We can't know for sure, but we can guess. As much as it seems that Ianto needs Jack, I get the feeling that Jack needs Ianto as well. Maybe not as much, but Ianto's good for him. I get the feeling that Ianto let's Jack get away with some things, while he'll call him on others. There are times, like the dance -- and I know there are those of you who disagree, but hear me out. Let's assume that Jack needs a moment to think of his past, because I don't think he's yearning for Gwen. He doesn't love love Gwen. He loves his team, the loves them each. He envies Gwen what she has. She's getting married to a man whom Jack can't even dislike, she gets to grow old and die -- well, if TW doesn't kill her first, but it's the idea of it. Gwen won't outlive her husband apart from if nature sees it fit and she won't outlive him by a gazillion of years.
I feel so bad for Jack because of that. What i see in that dance scene? I CHOOSE to see that Ianto's a presence there, a physical someone for Jack to be with. He's not asking Jack for anything, he's not asking questions and he doesn't even try to small talk. It's the last thing Jack needs at that moment. What this scene shows me is that Ianto takes Jack away from Gwen and it means Jack doesn't have to have it rubbed in his face, that other people can have ordinary lives while he can't. I choose to see Ianto as a barrier between Jack and the real world, one that might very well prevent Jack from brooding as much as he used to.
See, that's my choice, how I choose to see it. It's not a neverending love story. But for the time being? These two are good for each other. And I'll enjoy that ride for as long as possible.
And there are plenty of opportunities for writing slight AUs, full AUs -- So far I can rationalize my way out of these things. Come one, we used to have to WORK to make the slash viable. Now that we get it served on a silver plate, you forget how to do it? I don't know about you guys, but like I said, I'll stick around.
I've had a few commenting in the previous post that they thought Jack didn't put as much into the romance with Ianto as Ianto himself does.
I'm going to try to put into words how I see their relationship, especially after last night's episode.
What's in it for Ianto?
Security and physical attention.
Ianto's life hasn't been all that easy since he's been part of Torchwood. At TW1 he lost friends and coworkers, he lost the woman he loved. That would have broken most people. At TW3 he lost Lisa again and his need to blend in backfired. His co-workers all but ignored him or in Owen's case, Ianto often became the psychological abusee. Ianto was quiet and after the Cyberwoman incident, he became a little quieter for a while, obviously not sure if he would be allowed to stay. It all made him an easy target.
Jack has a lot of personality quirks that Ianto admire and envy him for. Jack's strong, bends a bit with the blows, but never seems to shatter or break. Ianto envies him this. He strives to be the same, to stand up and meet whatever the world throws at him, head on.
He's seen Jack charm his way out of situations instead of using force, he's seen Jack make tough decisions that were necessary and even with all Jack's flaws, those are strengths that Ianto would love to possess. As much as Jack is a lover, he's Ianto's mentor in many other things. Ianto may still be quiet at times, but that incredible brain of his is always working and he's learning. We've seen him be far more physical this series already. Part was born of Jack's disappearance and the need for them all to be in the field, but part of it has to come from the fact that Jack let him stay and Ianto's had time to learn a few things that have made him stronger. Even with more than one betrayal, Ianto on his own with Lisa and then as the team opened the rift against Jack's orders, he's been allowed to stay and I think part of this ability of Jack's to accept failure and forgive it has allowed Ianto to grow and learn.
I'm not sure Ianto's ever been with a man before Jack, but even if he hasn't, being around Jack has to broaden his mind more than a little. I'm pretty sure Jack has moved many a boundary of Ianto's and even if it's mostly been in sex, it will impact on his personality as well.
Even when it's looked the worst, Jack's been able to come up with plans that saved them time and time again. It's a sort of wonky security to Ianto. Jack's a flirt, he's strong, his ideas and plans are anything but mainstream, but those are things that make him Jack, to Ianto as well. If Jack started changing, I think we might se a more worried Ianto, because the world would be ending if Jack stopped being Jack.
And the physical attention? Yes, Jack flirts, but look at who gets some on a regular basis, who gets further than just the flirting and it sounds like it's pretty often. Jack's good looking and charming and Ianto is flattered by the attention. It taught Ianto to be stronger when Jack disappeared, but he enjoys the attention now that Jack's back. He's smiling more, he seems more at ease as well.
In short, Jack gives him a security that should be impossible, a strength that Ianto needs and someone who's fun to be around when the work day is over, and someone who will flirt even if the world's been on the brink of destruction... again. I can actually see them growing apart eventually, but for the time being, Jack's actually good, in many ways, for Ianto.
What's in it for Jack
Physical attention and a lot of leeway.
Oh Jack gets the attention in spades, but even so, I'm not sure Ianto's making it easy for him. A lot of people see it as Ianto giving and Jack taking, but just how close to the truth is that? We can't know for sure, but we can guess. As much as it seems that Ianto needs Jack, I get the feeling that Jack needs Ianto as well. Maybe not as much, but Ianto's good for him. I get the feeling that Ianto let's Jack get away with some things, while he'll call him on others. There are times, like the dance -- and I know there are those of you who disagree, but hear me out. Let's assume that Jack needs a moment to think of his past, because I don't think he's yearning for Gwen. He doesn't love love Gwen. He loves his team, the loves them each. He envies Gwen what she has. She's getting married to a man whom Jack can't even dislike, she gets to grow old and die -- well, if TW doesn't kill her first, but it's the idea of it. Gwen won't outlive her husband apart from if nature sees it fit and she won't outlive him by a gazillion of years.
I feel so bad for Jack because of that. What i see in that dance scene? I CHOOSE to see that Ianto's a presence there, a physical someone for Jack to be with. He's not asking Jack for anything, he's not asking questions and he doesn't even try to small talk. It's the last thing Jack needs at that moment. What this scene shows me is that Ianto takes Jack away from Gwen and it means Jack doesn't have to have it rubbed in his face, that other people can have ordinary lives while he can't. I choose to see Ianto as a barrier between Jack and the real world, one that might very well prevent Jack from brooding as much as he used to.
See, that's my choice, how I choose to see it. It's not a neverending love story. But for the time being? These two are good for each other. And I'll enjoy that ride for as long as possible.
And there are plenty of opportunities for writing slight AUs, full AUs -- So far I can rationalize my way out of these things. Come one, we used to have to WORK to make the slash viable. Now that we get it served on a silver plate, you forget how to do it? I don't know about you guys, but like I said, I'll stick around.
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To be honest, I think my interpretation on the dance scene may have been coloured by my own life experience. I was once the one totally head over heels in love with a guy who thought it was all a big game. He flirted right in front of me and it hurt. I look at Ianto, and I project my feelings onto him. In some ways, we all do that.
I've watched the ep again, and I see the dance scene in a slightly different manner now. Jack was married once. When he looked at the picture in his office, he was obviously remembering a great time in his life, and I think when he was dancing with Gwen,he was remembering his own wedding day. I think he IS in love with Gwen, or at least totally blown away by something about her, and he wants her to have that happieness with someone who can share it with her. He knows he is not the guy. What was going on there for him, was a small amount of nostalgia, a bit of regret and some genuine joy that she has someone to share her life with.
Then Ianto shows up, cuts in and Jack is a little bit flumoxed that Ianto doesnt dance with the bride. It may have come over as a little bit rude. You dont cut in ON the bride on her wedding day! LOL. But he just smiled and shrugged it off.
The dance scene lacked some of the oomph that the dance scene in 'Captain Jack Harkness' had. Jack was definately distracted, and wasnt putting much of himself into the closeness. I felt really bad for Ianto, but mostly becuase he didnt seem to notice.
ANd did you notice what Jack wore as a buttonhole? A Scottish Thistle, just like at John's own Wedding. Awwwwww!
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I get what you say about flirting with others than the one you're with, which leads me to stick to the idea of Ianto knowing Jack's isn't his forever, but he seems to take what he can have and I live in the hope that Ianto will eventually be strong enough the day Jack leaves for real.
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Ah well...I generally do.
^_^
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Come now, I blither one, dont I? LOL
It's habit. If a show has elements you don't like? Then you write the fanfic so it works for you *g*
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You've also pointed out something that I've enjoyed more than almost anything else this season: seeing Ianto smile and joke and be--one presumes--much more like the original Ianto Jones we never got to meet in season one. He's done a lot of healing, and I think his relationship with Jack has been good for that. We know he's good at surviving, but for the first time since season 1 I feel like he's learning how to have a life again, and how to enjoy living.
So, yeah, what you said. :)
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^_^
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that's how I saw it as well ^_^
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*rolls on the floor laughing*
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Men lad os vaere alvorlige: hvad fandom har brug for er ikke intellektuelle semi-AU fics som borer dybt ned i Jacks angst for intimitet-->at blive forladt/mangel paa intimitet-->ikke at leve... hvad fandom har brug for er Jack mpreg fic O:-)