2/2
He felt a tangible shift in the room as he lost the sensation of Jack's touch, a sense of loss that was almost enough to make him sway on his feet as the ground shifted under him. Jack's hand had grounded him and now he felt lost for a moment, needing to regain his equilibrium. He listened intently as Jack spoke spoke of his past, and this time, it was him that moved forward. "It wasn't your fault, Jack," he assured his lover, wanting so badly to touch him and find some way to ease his pain.
"You were only a child yourself," he continued. "You were scared and you didn't mean to let go of his hand. You need to stop blaming yourself. If your mother blamed you, then she was wrong, because none of that was your fault. You didn't bring the invaders there, and you certainly didn't intentionally let go. If you go by that logic, it's Gray's fault as well, for not being faster or for not holding on. But you were both children. The only ones to blame are the invaders."
It hurt his heart to know just how much loss Jack had known. He wished there was some way he could ease Jack's suffering. When Jack talked about his fears of losing him if he verbalised his feelings, Ianto sighed and moved even closer, placing a hand on the back of Jack's neck and standing close enough to rest his forehead against Jack's. He didn't say anything for a long moment, just appreciated the contact.
"You won't lose me, Jack," he promised softly, letting go of his earlier insecurities for the moment. "We both know I'm too stubborn to let that happen. You're stuck with me for a good long while. I promise you that. Nothing is going to take me from you if I can help it. So you don't need to be afraid of that. We've both lost so much, but we have each other and that's enough." It had to be enough, because he wasn't sure what he would do without Jack."
He looked at Jack and nodded. "You don't need to say anything, Jack," he said. "You were right. It doesn't have to be said. This...us...right here...it's enough."