Torchwood drabbles: Jack, Gwen | PG

[littledoglaughed]

Title: The Call of the Void
Author: rustydog
Characters: Jack
Rating/warnings: PG / Could be read as containing references to suicidal thoughts, though I don't think that's the only way to interpret l'appel du vide.
Notes: Written for tw100 challenge #172 Untranslatable, using the French phrase l'appel du vide, which describes "the instinctive urge to jump from high places."


Jack Harkess could fly.

Well. Technically, he could fall, but it in those thrilling seconds before contact with the ground, the difference was merely semantic. Just ask Jack.

Up here in the bracing wind, dozens of storeys above Cardiff, thinking of the Leap made his heart race; the self-control required not to take it was so pure it almost scalded him. In those moments, he could almost forget who he was. He could be any poor bastard on earth: gazing at the abyss, irresistibly drawn to the edge... stepping back. Deciding to live.

He could pretend he had a choice.






Title: Silver Medal
Author: rustydog
Characters: Jack, Gwen
Rating/warnings: G, set after Series 2.
Notes: Written for tw100 challenge #172 Untranslatable, using the Japanese phrase wabi-sabi, which is described as “a way of living that focuses on finding beauty within the imperfections of life and accepting peacefully the natural cycle of growth and decay.”



Sometimes stakeouts provided too much time for self-reflection. Literally.

Gwen was inspecting her hair in the SUV's visor mirror. "Look at that, Jack. Five gray hairs! I'll have to color them or soon it'll look like you work with an old lady." Gwen grasped a silver offender and started pulling it out by the root.

Jack caught her hand and gently, firmly, pulled it down.

"Don't you dare, Gwen Cooper-Williams. I would be overjoyed if—" He shook his head. "Torchwood always—"

Realizing she'd put her foot in her mouth, Gwen winced. "Right." She squeezed Jack's hand. "Grays, badges of honour."

Comments

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

The first one was very touching, but the second? Tugged on my heartstrings. Grey hair as a badge of honor. Only Torchwood.

[rustydog.livejournal.com]

Aw, yeah. Can you imagine what an amazing thing it would be for Jack to have an employee live to old age? Maybe some folks did before he was boss, but not many I reckon. ::pets him::

[travels-in-time.livejournal.com]

Ooooh, I wish I'd known that French phrase from the first one a few days ago.

Your last line for that one is awesome. Poor Jack.

[rustydog.livejournal.com]

Were you somewhere high? I'm glad to learn that there is a phrase for it in *some* language, because it's so clearly a thing! I know I've felt it more than once.

Thanks. :) Poor Jack indeed. (Immortality is *so interesting* from a fic perspective...)

[karaokegal.livejournal.com]

These are both great! I love that inherent, unstoppable connection between Jack and Gwen, especially his appreciation of her. But I also love the angsty, aloneness of Jack on the brink.

[ebineez01.livejournal.com]

ouch to the first one

wear those greys proudly Gwen Cooper (even though I'm getting ready to get rid of mine LOL!) lovely

[redpearl-cao.livejournal.com]

Love the first one!

[samueljames]

I love Jack's wish for employees to go grey. Very bittersweet.