Spellbound 14/14 + Epilogue

[madbottoms]

Title: Spellbound - Chapter 14
Author: Madbottoms
Prompt: Practical Magic
Pairing(s)/Characters: Jack/Ianto, Donna, John (Smith), Gwen/Adam, Owen, Tosh, OC’s.
Rating: PG
Length: 25k +
Warnings: Magic, dark themes, minor character death.

A/N 1: Written for reel_torchwood  See chapter 1 for disclaimer and full author notes. 

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14

 

Some days later, Ianto was out in the garden, the sun was shining and he was burning the last of the rose bush. Ianto threw another branch onto it, sparks flying into the air.

At the front of the house, a delivery truck pulled away and Gwen walked back into the house, clutching a large envelope. She went to the back of the house and called out.

“Hey! Ianto?”

“Yeah?”

“There's something for you.” Gwen smiled coyly. “From London.” She reached Ianto and handed him the envelope, carrying Myfanwy, the family cat, in the other arm.

Ianto ripped the envelope open and took out a letter. Something small fell out and dropped to the grass. Ianto picked it up, looked at it a moment, then held it out to Gwen. It was Adam’s ring.

Ianto read from the letter, skipping unimportant parts, "Dear Mr Jones... Any further investigations... um... Office hereby concluded that Adam Smith’s cause of death was... accidental.”

Gwen looked at the ring disdainfully and without a second thought tossed Adam’s ring on the bonfire as Ianto continued. “Jewellery found in the ashes of the structure provided positive identification. Sincerely, Jack Harkness, Special Investigator."

Ianto dug into the envelope, checking that he hadn’t missed anything. Did he really expect more?

Gwen stroked Myfanwy, looking amused.  “I don't think he's in there, Ianto.”

Ianto stopped fiddling with the envelope and looked up at her sister, almost helplessly. “What would you do, Gwen?”

Gwen, still smiling said, “What wouldn't I do ... for the right guy?”

*~*

Ianto stood on the porch, twirling a leaf between his fingers. He kept it close for a moment, thinking, then held it out to the breeze and let it go. Just like the petals when he was a child, the leaf swirled up into the darkening sky, towards the waxing crescent moon.

Back home, Jack, lay outside looking up at the stars and moon, and thinking about Ianto. He had been unable to get the man out of his mind. After the case had concluded, and Ianto cleared, all Jack wanted to do was get on the next plane and get to Ianto as fast as possible. He loved Ianto, that much was evident and he believed he could make him happy.

It was a mild night as he lay outside, calm and quiet. Too quiet he thought. What he needed was some noise, perhaps some children running around the backyard, some intelligent conversation with a gorgeous warlock. How he ever managed to get himself involved with someone like Ianto he will never know. But he was glad to have known him, even under such strange circumstances. He wanted it all... Ianto and a family.

But something was holding him back and he didn’t know what it was.

He just needed a sign, something that told him irrevocably that they were meant to be together. He had prayed for it from the moment he walked away all those months ago.

He felt a breeze tickle his face, ruffle his hair and he felt the urge to look up. When he did, a star shaped leaf floated down toward him. And he smiled

*~*

It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining down, bathing the Manor in a golden glow. Gwen was in the vegetable garden with Aunt Donna and Uncle John. Mostly self sufficient, the Jones’ prided themselves on growing their own organic food and of course the ingredients for many of the products Ianto created to sell in his shop.

Ianto was inside working on some new products for his lotion line. He pottered around the conservatory, grabbing various herbs and other ingredients, adding them to bowl and watched as they swirled around in a whirlpool. He was pleased with his progress and happy the shop was actually doing well. His products were well liked and for that he was extremely proud of his business accomplishments.

Happy with his latest mixture, Ianto moved onto the next until he had three new potential scents. Tidying up, Ianto decided it was time to go out and help the others in the garden. It was a lovely day and as the afternoon waned he thought it might be a nice idea to have dinner outside under the stars that evening.

Walking around the side of the Manor, Ianto spotted his kids who had climbed up the huge tree behind the vegetable garden.

“Hi Dad,” they yelled down.

“Hey trolls.”

“Daaaaad!”

Ianto laughed and continued around the path.

“Dad! Dad!” Andrew called out excitedly.

“What is it, cariad?”

“Look.” His son pointed to the bush further up the path.

Jack stepped out from behind and walked toward him, Ianto doing the same until they met in the middle.

Ianto and Jack stood together gazing at each other and smiled.

“Hi, Ianto.”

“Hello, Jack.”

“I missed you.”

“I missed you, too. I wasn’t sure if I’d see you again,” Ianto whispered.

“I got your message,” Jack said, referring to the star-shaped leaf.

“Yeah?” Ianto’s smile grew wider.

“Yeah.” Jack mirrored him.

They stepped closer together and reached out, and Jack cupped Ianto’s face in his hand. Ianto sighed and leaned into the touch.

“Jack? Are you sure?”

“I’ve never been surer in my life,” he promised.

“I guess wishes really do come true.”

No more words were needed, they spoke with their eyes, relaying their emotions silently. They wrapped their arms around each other and after a moment, the lovers kissed.

Nearby, a delighted Gwen laughed, happy at her brother’s fortune. Aunt and Uncle smiled at each other delightedly, realising that Ianto had found his true love.