The wrong decision (prologue)

[anastasisrick]

Title: the Wrong Decision

Fandom: Torchwood/Doctor Who (because I’m borrowing characters)

Genre: AU totally, no aliens, romance, drama

Pairings: Jack/omc, Jack/Ianto, Ianto/Lisa, others as well

Disclaimer: I do not own Torchwood or Doctor Who, BBC does and we all saw what they did to them.
Summary: They both took the wrong decision. Will they ever be able to find real love?

Note: Instead of finishing Love or Pride I had this story attack my brain. It is going to be complete in three parts. First part (about 7400 words) is finished.

 

Prologue

1988

Ianto Jones averted his eyes from the people who were staring at him in wonder. The love of people, and particularly the love of his people, the Welsh people, never seized to surprise him. He looked out from the window the beautiful scenery and cursed himself for returning back to this place; a place he once loved more than anything else.

“You shouldn’t be so unhappy.” He turned to look at the woman who had spoken. She was staring at him with care and respect. Respect, he was familiar with; care? He had missed the feeling of being cared by someone. He forced a smile for her as he suddenly recognized her.

“I am not unhappy, Mrs Edmunds, just apprehensive.” He said to his former teacher giving his hand in a strong shake with hers.

“Your eyes say differently.”

Ianto’s gaze returned to the scenery in front of him. Two nights previously he had played in New York and had been deified by his audience. And where was he now? Back here. Alone!

He felt his old teacher leaving his side to be engulfed in a well know embrace. He turned and returned it joyfully. It was the only person who’d make his return slightly bearable.

“She’s right Ianto. You look sad. Why?”

Ianto gathered his wits and even though he knew he couldn’t lie to the older man he tried to overstep around the truth.

“Everything is alright. It’s not the same thing though is it? Yesterday I was in the top of the world and today I’m returning home to watch my father’s last days or weeks.”

Cefin Gwyther had worked in Ianto’s family for years before and after he and his brother were born. He was the one who helped the boys overcome their mother’s death and assisted their father in everything he needed. Cefin had always a weakness towards Ianto. It was the younger twin that always went fishing with him.

“I don’t believe you, you know. I know you too well to believe you. I know you worry about your father but what I see in your eyes is more than that. It’s something added to that.”

“How are they, Cefin? Except for Dad how’s everyone else?” Ianto asked suddenly, his eyes having a far away look that made the older man wonder if maybe Ianto had left a sweetheart in New York.

“Iorwerth is happy with his family. I never thought I’d see that boy happy but apparently I was wrong. They’re all alright…” Werth was Ianto’s older twin, they looked alike but they had extremely different personalities.

“Except father…” Ianto added. His father’s bad health was the reason for his return to Wales. He was breaking his promise never to set foot here again because he wanted to see his Father alive for a last time.

“Except for you father…” Cefin added sadly.

Ianto’s gaze became lost and vacant as he thought about the past and his family. Ianto was introverted as a child and lonely, Werth was the exact opposite; he was the soul of the party. The older twin had stayed at home creating a family while the younger had become of the world’s most famous pianists.

Ianto would have given everything he had to have what his brother had, if only for one day…

Ten years ago

Werth stood by the stairs watching and listening to his brother playing the piano. It was a magical experience that always made him forget everything he was about to do. Like now. He was already dressed up for a night out with friends and family, and as always Ianto wasn’t going to follow as he was practicing.

Werth watched his brother’s face, so passionate and intense, while his long fingers ran along the piano keys creating music. Ianto’s face changed while in crescendo and then softened in diminuendo a small smile making him look even younger than his nineteen years. Werth envied that on his brother; he always looked the older of the two, and really being ten minutes older shouldn’t make all that difference.

He started uploading as the last tune sounded and Ianto looked up and saw him. He instantly got up and went to him.

“Where to, big brother?” He asked taking in Werth’s designer’s jeans and tight black shirt.

“Going out with Rhys and Gwen. Tosh and Owen will be there too.”

“How about Owen’s exams? Isn’t he in the last year?”

“He wasn’t specific, but I think yesterday was the last one. And the girls are excited to see Captain Jack Harkness!” Ianto frowned.

“The rich guy who saved that airplane from crushing last month?”

“The one and only. He used to be in the Royal Air force, a Captain if I’m not wrong. Do you want to come?”

Ianto thought about it. A night out with bad, loud music and even worse alcoholic beverages.

“No, thanks. Lisa said she might come by so I’ll wait for her. And if not, Kef and I have plans for fishing.”

“OK little brother. See you tomorrow.”

The brothers were interrupted when another man made his appearance going straight to Ianto hugging him tightly.

“Professor Smith, what brings you here?” Ianto asked after hugging his old teacher. John Smith shook hands with the other Jones and then turned to look at his pupil.

“I was in London for the last week but I thought to come visit you before my journey begin. I know you’re at University Ianto…”

“Now that’s something I’m sure I don’t want to listen. Tell me John, did you come to take Ianto away from us?”

“Werth!” Ianto admonished his brother with his tone and a look.

“Werth’s right Ianto. That’s exactly why I came.”

Cefin came in that moment and asked if he and Ianto were still on schedule for their fishing. A horn sounded in the exact same time from outside.

“That’s my cue. Time to go. See you tomorrow John.” Werth said and Ianto turned to Cefin to refuse the invitation when John spoke up.

“Ohhh fishing! May I come too?” He asked with juvenile enthusiasm. Ianto rarely remembered that John was still very young just in his early thirties when he thought about the older man’s achievements; John Smith was the youngest professor he had ever met and his professional side always classed with his real life.

“Sure! Just a moment to get ready.” Ianto said looking down at his black slacks and white dress shirt. “Is the boat ready, Cef?”

“Sure is Ianto. I’ll take Mr. Smith with me. Meet us at the port.”

*

Four hours later Ianto returned at home really tired but happy for spending his evening pleasantly with his two friends.

John had told him to go with him in New York for the next semester. Ianto was thinking about it. He didn’t want to leave; Wales was his home and he loved it. What could he do? Firstly he had to talk with Lisa. He wondered why his girlfriend hadn’t called him yet.

*

Cefin knew something was in his boy’s mind; he was by now used to that faraway look on Ianto’s face, but the accompanied sadness pained him. He remembered exactly the time he had seen it for the first time and it was a month before his decision to leave Wales. John Smith should never have left Ianto return here, Robert’s illness or not.