boeshane_boy

[Jack swallowed hard, turning to look at Armand. He reached for the other man's hand, holding it in his, against his chest. He didn't want to let go.] I can't stay, Armand.

[Armand's feelings were too strong for him to stop the tears.] Why can't you stay? I never expected forever, or even an entire year, but it's been such a short time! How can I give back to you what you've given to me if I don't have time? Just a few more months...

[His throat worked, and Jack wrapped both arms around Armand, holding him tightly.] I can't. [He pressed his chin against Armand's shoulder.] I need to go home. I need to - to remember why I stayed there so long. Armand, I can't help anyone here. I'm just hiding.

[It was hard not simply to cry.] Where's home? You can help. You helped me.

Earth. [His voice was tight; Jack was trying not to cry.] Cardiff - maybe. I don't know, I don't know, Armand. I don't care about my inmate, and I don't want to. I can't stay here.

[Armand was crying, had been crying almost since Jack had first spoken. His difficulty was in keeping talking.] Then take me with you, just for a little while. Show me your home, Jack. Your world. I can come back here later.

I'm not ready to lose you.

[It was tempting. Jack closed his eyes, but he didn't let go of Armand.] I don't think that's a good idea.

[He couldn't speak for a moment, his face pressed against Jack's chest, his arms wrapped tight around him.]

Why not?

It's not - it's not your time, Armand, it's a different world.

This isn't my time either! [There were hardly any tears in his voice, and when he looked up at Jack, he'd set his jaw in his own stubborn way.] I've learned things. I wouldn't have to stand out as that very different.

I'm still not asking for forever.

[What was he supposed to do? Say no, leave Armand here, risk Vidal hurting him? Or take him with him, back to Earth, to Cardiff. To whatever was left of Torchwood. To where he'd spent so much time with Ianto. No, he didn't want that. But there were other places. Jack swallowed hard.]

Okay. [His stomach clenched, not sure if this was a mistake or not.]

[Mentally Armand was preparing other arguments, looking for possible allies to help him with his case, but then he heard. He hugged Jack tighter.] Thank you.

[Then he stretched upward to try to kiss Jack.]

[Jack shifted to meet that kiss, cupping Armand's face. He could make this work. And maybe he could talk himself into looking up Gwen when he went. Check on Rhys and the baby. Maybe she'd only slap him a few times.]

[Relief poured into Armand from that kiss. He finally had to take a break to breathe.] How long before you go... before we go?

[He wanted to go right now, but had to reason with himself; there would be things to take care of. People to talk to. Jack frowned, thinking.] A few days. End of the week.

[Armand nodded.] Then there's no reason we can't sit down to that tea and... talk. I'll need to make arrangements, too. Talk to the Admiral.

[Jack nodded, though he had to convince himself to step back.] Yeah. We've got time.

[Armand saw that reluctance and tried to guess why...] If you want to do something else, say so. We're not leaving this moment, but-- I thought you were the one who was good at saying what you wanted.

[He pulled out a handkerchief to try to dry the last of his own tears, and knowing the gesture was a little silly, he first tried to dry Jack's shirt front.] I hope I didn't ruin your shirt.

[Jack smiled a little, hand on Armand's shoulder.] No, no. I just like holding you. [He squeezed Armand's shoulder, and walked back to the tea pot, waving off the attention to his shirt.] Don't worry about it, they've been through far worse.

[Armand finished drying his face and returned the hanky to his pocket, then sat, trying not to be too far from Jack. He didn't want to give up that closeness much either.] The tea will get cold, and I will not. You can hold me again in a bit... [He wanted to forget the tea too, and maybe kiss Jack again, but the tea had been his idea.]

I don't want to talk about sad things. Are you going to be able to show me somewhere fun?

[A smile started tugging at the corner of his mouth, just a little.] I could take you to America. Plenty of places to go there. Or maybe some place tropical. [He cocked his head, smile growing.] How do you feel about space?

I liked America. The Admiral sent us to... Disney World once. I'd like to see more. [He poured out the now barely warm tea and held out a cup to Jack.] And space would be interesting, but perhaps after seeing modern Earth...

[He took the cup with a nod of thanks.] Disney World. I haven't been there in decades. We can do that. I could show you Paris. Naples, New York, Berlin. There's plenty to see.

You'll be much more fun to visit with than the Borg Queen. [He sipped his tea, and giggled.] If we go to Paris, perhaps I can find the street where I used to live and show you.

Borg Queen? [He smiled and took a drink.] I'd like that.

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