OTA

[im_torchwood]

Jack had a very bad habit of letting his guard down. He loved hard and loved well, but in all his long years he was aware that love was brief. Here and there love had lasted for years. Angelo. His wife. Logan. In between there were others, loves great and small. And when love came, even though he knew better, Jack would let his guard down.

Life with Torchwood was all too often painful, bloody, and short. People came and went, but no one retired. No. No one got out so easily.

And the newest, freshest wound was Val. It had all been going so well. Jack's knowledge of tech and Val's understanding of magic had furthered the research into the portal. They were nowhere near being able to pinpoint a time or location, but they'd gotten one to hold steady for a while. It was promising.

Until it all went to hell.

Val went missing right before Jack's eyes. He'd tried desperately to undo what they'd done, but after a while even Jack had to admit he was lost. Gone.

And so Jack threw himself into work. There was no point in drinking- he never got drunk. There was no thirst for companionship- that was just hollow. But work was always there. Work to be done. Aliens to track. Tech to catalogue. A world to keep safe. Jack jumped right back into it and let the satisfaction he found in duty mask the pain of a broken heart.

Tonight he had just confiscated a crate of 'antiquities' and they were loaded in the back of the SUV. He'd let the sellers go since they were just humans who hadn't the first clue about what they were trying to sell. Jack locked the rig up and looked around, trying to decide if he ought to get a bite. He really hadn't been hungry, not since Val vanished, but he knew he needed to eat. He'd died of starvation before and it was a hell of a way to go.

(OTA find him anywhere in London or the outlying towns if you prefer. Jack needs new friends, and old faces will be welcome too!)

Comments

[pecked_by_birds]

"I've taken to having my dinner at the local pub when I'm on my own," the titan admitted, shrugging one shoulder. "I couldn't really vouch for anywhere else nearby. Though there's really no such thing as a terrible curry, is there? If I had to pick somewhere other than my usual spot, I'd likely go that way."

[im_torchwood]

"The best curry I ever ate was in Lahore," Jack said. Now that it had been suggested he was drawn in the direction of the spice. "Since you made the recommendation, do you want to get a bite? My treat," Jack said. It was just dinner, but he couldn't help but flirt and try to pull a little. Even in heartbreak it was simply Jack's default.

[pecked_by_birds]

Prometheus seemed to consider the offer for a beat, then nodded. "Alright, I suppose it would make a nice change."

He considered the man again, then frowned. "Have we met?" he asked, forgetting for a moment that if they had, he'd likely been wearing a different face at the time.

[im_torchwood]

"I don't think so," Jack said. There was something awfully familiar about the man, but Jack couldn't put his finger on it. "Captain Jack Harkness," he said then, offering his hand.

[pecked_by_birds]

"Prometheus," the titan purred, taking the offered hand and shaking firmly.

[im_torchwood]

Recognition dawned in Jack's eyes.

"I thought you smelled familiar," he grinned. "You certainly look different."

[pecked_by_birds]

"Many things in the world are constant, but not this," he confessed, gesturing at his face.

Jack. Captain Jack. ...No memory came to mind just yet, but it was nice to know he did remember the other man. That he wasn't just being battier than usual.

"Come along, albatross, you promised me a meal."

[im_torchwood]

"Yeah, I did," he chuckled, reaching over to clap Prometheus on the back amiably. "Tell me what you've been up to. It's been a long time. Well, long enough."

Years meant little to him. Three years was the same as thirty in the grand scheme of time.

[pecked_by_birds]

"I've been doing as I've done for some time now. Existing. Watching. Attempting not to be swallowed whole by madness..." the titan shrugged. "And you? What have you been doing?"

A memory flickered back, and he paused. "Last I saw you, it was war. ...World War Two, if I recall."

Though he could have been wrong. Time got so jumbled sometimes up in his head.

[im_torchwood]

"That seems right," Jack nodded. "The Blitz was a crazy time. Both times," he added with a chuckle.

[pecked_by_birds]

"It's all a little foggy for me," the titan confessed. "I remember bits here and there, but a lot of it blurs together into a strange mess I can only untangle a bit at a time. It's this head, it doesn't like to dwell too deep in the past. ...Not unless it's the good bits."

[im_torchwood]

"I see," Jack replied, steering them to a door. Inside it was rich with spice and warmth. The woman at the entrance lead them to a seat away from other diners.

"How long have you been in London?" he asked. "I'd just assume you travel..."

[pecked_by_birds]

"I come and go," the titan admitted with a nod. "London draws me back often though. There's just something about it. ...And I have people I care for here."

Robin, Vanessa, and all the doves that swooped in and out of his life.

[im_torchwood]

"I know what that's like," Jack replied. "I keep going back to all my old haunts. Something just tugs at me and I have to check in."

[pecked_by_birds]

"I think it's in the nature of all beings to return to familiar places, especially those as old as you or I," the titan replied.

[im_torchwood]

"I think you're right. Too often, though, I find the old places have been renovated, or worse, gentrified. Makes me a little itchy, if I'm honest."

[pecked_by_birds]

"Oh? I quite like seeing the way it all changes, usually," Prometheus confessed. "Progress can be so reassuring."

[im_torchwood]

"Progress is the only sure thing in the universe," Jack agreed. "People always find a way to push things forward. Most of the time, anyway."

[pecked_by_birds]

As they neared the restaurant, Prometheus put an arm around Jack's shoulder's to guide him to the door, holding it open for them both.

"Hot in here," he noted, observing the crowded space. "Why don't we get it to go? My shop's just back the way we came. We can eat there, if you like."

[im_torchwood]

Entering the restaurant Jack was overwhelmed by a cacophony of scents and flavors, most of then having nothing to do with the food. Too many people. Jack had learned over the years to block it all out somewhat, but sometimes it was too much. Yellow and red spots danced in his vision.

"Take away sounds perfect," he nodded, lifting his hand so he could pinch the bridge of his nose.

[pecked_by_birds]

The Titan observed him for a moment, then hummed thoughtfully.

"Why don't you just tell me what you'd like? I can order while you wait outside," he offered.

[im_torchwood]

"Anything with noodles. And chicken. And spice," Jack said. He inhaled deeply hoping the bite of curry would take him over, but it didn't. "I think...yeah. I'll just be outside," he said and turned to step back out onto the street.

[pecked_by_birds]

It was curious behavior, and having lived as long as he had it was rare Prometheus deemed anything curious.

He ordered a small feast, and eventually joined Jack on the pavement with two large bags in his arms. "What was all that then? Allergies? It hardly seemed like it, but I'm game to play along if that's the fib you'd like to go with."

[im_torchwood]

"If only it was allergies," Jack said. "It's synaesthesia. I picked it up in Peru back in the thirties," he explained.

[pecked_by_birds]

"I didn't realize that was something one could just acquire. You make it sound as if you were furniture shopping," the titan laughed, starting to lead the way back to his shop.