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Flammable (1/1)
Title: Flammable (1/1)
Author: Phlogistics
Fandom: Torchwood
Rating: PG
Spoilers: TW 1x12, DW 1x13
Pairing: Jack/Jack
drainedAuthor: Phlogistics
Fandom: Torchwood
Rating: PG
Spoilers: TW 1x12, DW 1x13
Pairing: Jack/Jack
Prompt: monthly prompt from the Jack/Jack community, "Time is the fire in which we all burn."
Monthly Prompt: “Time is the fire in which we all burn.”
Every moment of life is one step closer to death. For more than a century, Jack’s watched people go through the motions of life, and he’s watched the slow decay that eventually overcomes them until they finally fade to nothing. There’s a beginning, an end, and the time in between.
Sometimes he’s not sure which part he likes least.
It’s not often that Jack has his world-view shaken, and he’s still not sure if he’s been left better for it. His time with the Doctor made him a hero for a day, and bitter for a lifetime.
And now Captain Jack Harkness- the real Captain Jack Harkness- has thrust into his face evidence just how jaded he’s become. How much he’s taken his responsibilities as a leader for granted. And this man, this incredible human man, is going to die.
Time is the fire in which we all burn, but some people are more flammable than others. Jack thinks, though, that he must be made of stone, because the flames only burn those around him.
He ponders, for just a moment, if creating a paradox is worth a few extra days with the Captain. But they’re in the middle of war, and in war all honorable men end up dying- and the Captain is more than honorable. Jack supposes he’s been lucky, so far. There’s nothing more dangerous than a conscience in battle.
Jack would have all the time in the world, in the universe, to spend with him. But the Captain only has one night. And Jack knows the importance of one night.
It’s possibly one of the most challenging thing’s he’ll ever do, Jack suspects. Jumping in front of bullets that can’t kill him isn’t a problem, dying to save someone else just a daily event. Figuring out ways to stop the rift on Cardiff from getting out of control and sucking in the universe is just his job.
Making the last day of the Captain’s life the best he’s ever had could prove to be difficult, though. Toshiko has become increasingly uneasy as more and more times passes uneventfully, and he spares a thought for what will happen if the team doesn’t get them back soon. He doesn’t like what he sees, and pushes the thoughts away.
He’s restless and slightly upset with himself for not being able to enjoy the festivities because of the circumstances, when the Captain offers him a hand.
There’s no way to misunderstand the message, but Jack finds himself uncharacteristically nervous as they walk out onto the dance floor. It’s not that people were staring, or that there was a small possibility that the Captain’s subordinates would try and rip his arms off (and other, more important parts).
It’s that this dance means something. He had wanted to make this day mean something- but he hadn’t really planned anything other than giving the Captain the best night of his life, and offering an outlet to vent his frustrations and fears to. Give him no regrets. Just… friends with benefits.
But the way the Captain looks at him tells him that there’s more than just friendship here. And his own reaction tells him that he wouldn’t mind that.
There’s no time to dwell on it, though, because his team managed to open the rift at the most inopportune time, and Tosh is already yelling at him to hurry.
“I have to go,” he says. He has a duty. Jack does his best to convince himself it’s worth it, and then he walks away.
But he can’t bring himself to leave just yet. He turns back and kisses the Captain as best as he knows how to, because the Captain doesn’t have time to regret never being able to, and Jack will have an eternity. And then it’s goodbye.
Time is the fire in which we all burn, and when the fire’s finally gone, so are we.
* Comments are love, and love is a many splendid things!
* Comments are love, and love is a many splendid things!
He turns back and kisses the Captain as best as he knows how to, because the Captain doesn’t have time to regret never being able to, and Jack will have an eternity.
that got me all choked up.
He turns back and kisses the Captain as best as he knows how to, because the Captain doesn’t have time to regret never being able to, and Jack will have an eternity. - that really got to me, it's so sad.
Great use of the prompt, thanks for entering! =)
His time with the Doctor made him a hero for a day, and bitter for a lifetime.
I love how Jack is trying to do something for 41. It's so sad and beautiful. Just like the ep.
thanks for this. :-)
I would like to do a podfic of all the ficlets that this prompt inspired (three so far) and I was wondering if you'd agree to me reading your story. I'm planning to post the finished podfic at
just in case you are wondering what a podfic is: It's basically an audiobook-version of a fanfic. :-)
I've done the podfic and uploaded it here. Hope you can dload it. If you are okay with it, let me know and I'll post it. :-)
http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/9/1
What you created was beautiful ^^