Fic: I Am Not My Own

[methylethyl]

Title: I Am Not My Own (2/2)
Author: methylethyl
Rating: R
Summary: "Torchwood's disability pay is about this big--" Ianto held up his thumb and index finger, about two centimeters apart. "--and comes out of a gun at a thousand meters per second." [Or, the fic in which Ianto bleeds everywhere all the time.]
Disclaimer: TW & Co. does not belong to me.
Notes: This

Comments

[ofthisangel]

*whimper* ... ♥

Thank you for giving into this bunny, I haven't read a really good IC Torchwood fic in a looooong time, so it was wonderful to find this. ♥ ♥ I especially love how there was no quick fix for the problem and how Jack was just desperately hoping for a way out without going down there himself and just leaving the door open for Ianto to leave through.

askfjskf. I'm going to go be emotional over here now, kthnxbai.

[ofthisangel]

...and that "IC Torchwood fic" part sounds bad, I meant to say that it's been a while since I read something that was well fleshed out with that dark undertone to it that characterizes Torchwood itself. If the show took itself even a fraction of a bit seriously, I think it would be a little like this. :)

Gah, you make me want to write Torchwood One fic.

[methylethyl]

Thank you. Wow, what an amazing comment. I cannot tell you how thrilled I was to have received this.

I was a little bit paranoid about posting this second part, because the first was very Standard Torchwood, even with the religious undertones, and it carried a definite Everything Will be Solved and Okay Again feel. Enter part two, where everything gets weird and dark and not okay. (And judging by the lack of response to this part, as compared to the response to the first part, most people didn't care for it.)

So, thank you, thank you, thank you for your comments. I'm so grateful to hear that you liked seeing this darker spin on Torchwood.

Also, YES you should write Torchwood One fic. That's like my favorite thing ever!

[ofthisangel]

:) You're very much welcome! I can see why you'd be paranoid, this part definitely has a different feel compared to the first where I couldn't stop laughing (and quoting this to a friend, who was promptly hooked) while this part took my soul, rolled it up tight and then banged it against a rock over and over again.

I will sue. ;_;

The thing is, the "dark and not okay" aspect is kind of how TW rolls and if it's done right/isn't melodramatic or done for the sake of drama and makes sense then it's just awesome. Which is probably what sets this apart from the hundreds of other fics I've read that are too busy looking for reasons to make Ianto cry rather than, well... telling a story which might have Ianto crying. If that makes any sense.

And the "everything will be solved and okay again" is all well and good, but again, TW. Suzie brainwashed a guy because she was afraid to die when she could have just avoided the Gauntlet and lived. It's hinted that Ianto knew what Suzie was doing but didn't say anything. Jack keeps who knows how many

[sandysan2013]

I'm not sure I understand everything that happened, but it was definitely exciting! It appears that Ianto was possessed of something. Was it the spirit of Jesus? It turned him into an angel and first chance he got he escaped, right? So, Ianto becomes an angel, probably fallen angel and immortal. He's come through the void or rift and landed in Ianto and become a part of him. Is Ianto still in charge?

Did I neglect to say I loved this story? Yep, I did so here it is: I loved this story and will read it until all the pieces fall into place. It's funny how when a thing is good I don't mind having think more to bring out all the meaning. That becomes part of the enjoyment of it.

[methylethyl]

Heh. Well, I was going to explain it, but since you want to challenge yourself to figure it out, I won't ruin it for you. I will say that he was definitely not possessed by the spirit of Jesus, though. I think Jesus is a lot more cranky than whatever's inside Ianto. *g*

I'm thrilled to hear that you enjoyed it, despite the confusion! I also love stories where you don't entirely get it on the first go, but when you reread it a few times, everything clicks into place and you're just like "Oh."

Thanks so much for reading

[tardisjournal]

Wow. This is incredible. That was quite a set-up in the first part and you've surpassed yourself with the second! There were such surprising twists and turns, and like the above poster, I'm not sure I understand everything. I found myself thinking of "Legion" (prequel to "The Exorcist") and am wondering if Ianto was possessed by a demon, or a fallen angel (perhaps the same thing in this case?)

You've got Ianto's voice down pat, as well as Jack's and Gwen's, which grounds this supernatural tale nicely. And I love the bit where Ianto, failing to find answers in the Bible (and perhaps knowing all along there wouldn't be any) folds the pages into animals. That seems so him, somehow. :) And it's sort of ironic that Jack, who makes fun of the Team for their "superstitions", almost seems to be hoping Ianto WILL find the answers in the Bible.

Well-done, indeed!

[methylethyl]

*flails* THANK YOU FOR THE LOVE.

(Lack of comments, and the amazingness of yours, has made me very excitable.)

In my mind, I picture an angel who's been kicked out of heaven and forced to take up residence in a human body. It spots Ianto and starts to make itself at home, and Ianto is so utterly passive about its presence (see part one) that it stages a complete takeover. Only to find that being in a human body on Earth kind of sucks.

I'm really, really pleased to hear that you liked the voices. Jack's was particularly difficult. Owen's, Gwen's, and Ianto's were mostly easy, but Jack drove me up a wall. Also, ORIGAMI. I still laugh when I read that. The origami-Bible scene, and the bit where Ianto turns water into coffee are two of my favorite scenes. Like, of course he would

[dd0206]

I loved this story from beginning to end, but I waited for you to post both chapters to read in one fell swoop. I like that Ianto accepts his fate -- he is still Ianto, but not. It's almost like he is on the outside looking in; there is no connection to the team, Torchwood, or Jack anymore. Therefore, his freedom is euphoric and you really do a wonderful job in giving us that sense when he finally attains his freedom. Jack knew he had to let him go, and Ianto knew that to do so, he would have to hurt/kill him. That last paragraph is a wonderful epilogue. I love that there is enough of Ianto that he remembers who Jack is and what he meant to him. Their reunion is so heart-wrenching. As a reader, you almost want to look away as it is too personal. Ianto, I take it, is now immortal. And how wonderful is that? Truly, one of the best stories about Jack and Ianto. Do you plan to write more either of this verse or other stories in this fandom? i sure hope so.

[methylethyl]

Thank you! What a wonderful comment

[aviv_b]

Kudos for a fresh and original story! I love all the religious references being turned upside down, it has that creepy but cheeky TW vibe to it. I'm not sure about the last paragraph - it didn't fit with what I thought was going on but I need to read this again because I don't think I 'got it.'

[methylethyl]

You're welcome! I had great fun deciding which references to bring in (Ianto turning water into coffee is unquestionably my favorite). Many of my favorite Biblical moments aren't popular enough to have brought into this fic, as I wanted it to include things people would recognize, but I'm pleased with the ones that I chose.

The ending of this is definitely a bit ambiguous, and if you'd like me to tell you how I envisioned things happening, I'd be happy to do so. Otherwise, feel free to reread and form your own opinions!