Young and Full of Fluff

So I've been thinking about the death of Ianto. And maybe rewatching CoE a little bit. But here's the thing. I tend to view the canonical representation of Jack and Ianto as seriously fucked up. Ianto loves Jack with the big love and Jack...I don't know, it's some combination of attraction and convenience and maybe a comfort level. I don't see him being particularly devoted to Ianto (or faithful to him) or any reason really to elevate Ianto's status in his eyes from temporary company to one true love.

But then they killed him. As tragic motivation for Jack. Which means that he is elevated. If they'd killed Ianto round the end of season one, I don't think it would have had a particular impact on Jack beyond loss of a teammate. But the very fact that they fridged Ianto implies that Jack has the Big Gay Love for him. It doesn't work as a dramatic device otherwise.

So in a very weird way, this has made me more canonically comfortable with the pairing. Like, I'd actually by shmoopy monogamous OTP type Jack-watches-Ianto-grow-old fic now, whereas previously I always thought that was absurdly OOC. How odd.



Yes, yes, I know you're all bored of this now.