Erin Giles ([info]erin_giles) wrote in [info]tearstolaughter,
2009-09-17 15:29:00
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Fic: The Torchwood Widower

TITLE: The Torchwood Widower
AUTHOR: Erin Giles
RATING: PG
DISCLAIMER: Torchwood is copyright of the BBC.
CHARACTERS/PAIRINGS: Rhys/Gwen, Jack/Ianto
SUMMARY: Torchwood through the eyes of Rhys Williams in drabbles.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Thanks as always to the awesome [info]pinkfairy727 who indulged me in cheesy lines: "The name's Williams. Rhys Williams." "Licence to cook, clean the oven and tape wife swap." "I'll have a pint of Brains - shaken, not stirred." All of which are completely relevant. ;)



Aliens. In Cardiff.

It’s all kind of exciting really. He’s been shot. Actually shot. He’s never even seen a gun before today. It all feels oddly surreal. And exciting.

Gwen doesn’t seem to share his enthusiasm for his new found knowledge, and to be honest the novelty wears off quickly when the next morning he’s trying to pull on a pair of jeans one handed and almost falls headfirst into the wardrobe.

Rhys finds it easier than he thought to keep it secret from everyone else because it’s not like anyone will believe him.

I mean, aliens? In Cardiff?

**

“You know those two blokes you work with? Your boss and the one that wears the suit.”

“Who? Jack and Ianto?” Who else would Rhys mean?

“Yeah, are they – you know.” Rhys makes a funny sort of face that implies Gwen is to fill in the blanks. Shagging? Going Out? In love? A couple? Batting for the other team? She isn’t sure herself. Gwen doesn’t answer, just gives him a look implying he needs to elaborate.

“Well, I saw them in the pub last night and they looked – cosy.”

“Then I guess they are - you know.” Gwen smiles.

**

Rhys likes to think he’s used to Torchwood interfering with his daily life now. He doesn’t know if he’ll ever get used to Gwen’s fantastical tales over the dinner table or the odd hours she keeps or how she sometimes comes home smelling less than fresh. But he likes to think he’s coping.

So when three soaking wet bodies come crashing through the front door at three in the morning Rhys fetches the first aid kit from the bathroom before putting the kettle on. He takes it all in his stride, because Gwen says it’ll be fine and Rhys likes to believe her.

**

Rhys’ Mam always used to say that he was a bottomless pit when he was kid. Gwen now says not much has changed as she gives him an affectionate pat on the stomach. She says she likes that he has a bit of a belly, gives her something to hug at night. But every time Rhys sees Jack Harkness he gets self-conscious, sucking in his gut and pushing the half pint he has left to the side.

He gives up the beer, tells Ruth not to bring him any more pastries and plays football with the lads every weekend. Gwen doesn’t even notice.

**

Ian Fleming. Colin McKinnon. Tom Clancy. John Buchan. Rhys likes his spy novels, likes his action and adventure, but he likes it to stay on the page, or in his mind. Unlike his wife.

Gwen’s in the shower trying to rid herself of the smell of Cardiff sewers and Rhys is reheating the lasagne when he notices Gwen’s bag is open on the counter. He can’t help himself really.

He takes down the two men from U.N.C.L.E. crouching behind the plant in the corner, putting a bullet between Blofeld’s eyes as he does half a forward roll into the coffee table and comes up facing Gwen in a towel. He blows the imaginary smoke from the end of the gun as the microwave pings.

**

Funerals. Memorial Services. Wakes. Call it what you will, but they’re still bloody awful. People hanging round all dressed in black with faces that could turn milk sour. Rhys never knows what to say – that’s the worst part. He says he’s sorry, but that word has got less feeling than the numb look of the mourners.

At least with Gwen he knows what to say. Which isn’t really much of anything to be honest. He just sits there while she cries.

He doesn’t like being on the other side of loss. He still doesn’t know what to say. Definitely doesn’t know what to do. Not now she’s gone.
Tags: char: gwen, char: ianto, char: jack, char: rhys, fandom: torchwood, fic: the torchwood widower

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  • 41 comments

[info]sadera992

September 17 2009, 15:05:28 UTC 2 years ago

aww very sweet. poor rhys, not quite in the loop!

[info]erin_giles

September 19 2009, 21:42:24 UTC 2 years ago

He never really is, even when he is. (if that made sense) Glad you liked the fic. :)

[info]ofparsnip

September 17 2009, 18:56:07 UTC 2 years ago

Aww, RHYS. *hugs Rhys* This was lovely.

[info]erin_giles

September 19 2009, 21:42:45 UTC 2 years ago

Thank you. :)

[info]fugaziclash

September 17 2009, 19:34:20 UTC 2 years ago

That was marvelous, heartbreaking, beautiful and Rhys through and through. Well done.

[info]erin_giles

September 19 2009, 21:44:27 UTC 2 years ago

Awww thank you. I love writing Rhys because he always says it like it is. Glad you liked the fic.

[info]cailenbraern

September 17 2009, 20:14:31 UTC 2 years ago

-bawls-


That was all kinds of awesome, and then it smacked me round the face at the end.

-thumbs up-

[info]erin_giles

September 19 2009, 21:45:10 UTC 2 years ago

Lol. Bless you. You do love your angst hun (as much as I love my Rhys). Glad you liked it.

[info]selenak

September 17 2009, 20:15:35 UTC 2 years ago

Rhys is adorable, and so is this portrait of him!

[info]erin_giles

September 19 2009, 21:45:41 UTC 2 years ago

Awww thank you. And yup, I love Rhys! :)

[info]mtgat

September 17 2009, 20:47:56 UTC 2 years ago

Beautiful work on Rhys in these.

[info]erin_giles

September 19 2009, 21:46:03 UTC 2 years ago

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it.

[info]hab318princess

September 17 2009, 21:40:55 UTC 2 years ago

wonderful, lovely insights into Rhys - he's brilliant

[info]erin_giles

September 19 2009, 21:47:23 UTC 2 years ago

He is brilliant! So glad you liked the fic as well. :)

[info]remuslives23

September 17 2009, 22:55:01 UTC 2 years ago

I love seeing the madness of Torchwood from Rhys' POV. This is great!

[info]erin_giles

September 19 2009, 21:48:46 UTC 2 years ago

So do I! 'Cause Rhys is that every man and he always says it like it is! :) Glad you liked the fic.

[info]ljossalf

September 17 2009, 23:18:20 UTC 2 years ago

Nicely written look into the mind of Rhys!
(and I love the wink and nod to great spy/action writers and films, too!)


[info]erin_giles

September 19 2009, 21:50:46 UTC 2 years ago

I love my spy/action stuff! And there may be another fic coming out of that drabble! ;) Glad you enjoyed the fic.

[info]robling_t

September 18 2009, 05:43:18 UTC 2 years ago

Oh, poor Rhys.

[info]erin_giles

September 19 2009, 21:51:07 UTC 2 years ago

Hehe. Love the icon! Thanks for reading.

[info]missthingsplace

September 18 2009, 06:12:35 UTC 2 years ago

Poor Rhys ... wonderful fic.

[info]erin_giles

September 19 2009, 21:51:41 UTC 2 years ago

Yes, poor Rhys! Glad you liked the fic though.

[info]prochytes

September 18 2009, 08:42:15 UTC 2 years ago

I like this a lot. I particularly liked the rhythm of the last paragraph in the Secret Agent!Rhys one, terminating as the microwave pings.

[info]erin_giles

September 19 2009, 21:53:19 UTC 2 years ago

Thanks. :) And there may be another fic that's be born out of that drabble with secret agent Rhys Williams. ;)

[info]owensheart

September 18 2009, 09:15:12 UTC 2 years ago

I feel for Rhys, all he has to put up with, and the losing Gwen *SOB*
Great fic.

[info]erin_giles

September 19 2009, 21:55:20 UTC 2 years ago

Thank you, and I think Rhys is a very patient man and Gwen a very lucky woman! :)

[info]owensheart

2 years ago

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[info]sophie_03

September 18 2009, 10:20:44 UTC 2 years ago

aww that was so good. I loved it. Poor Rhys :(
Haven't really got properly into torchwood fic yet, but this appealed to me. Loved it :) Sad though.

[info]erin_giles

September 19 2009, 21:57:21 UTC 2 years ago

There's some really good fic out there if you know where to look! :) And I feel honored that you took the time to read mine as you're getting into it! :)

[info]elisi

September 18 2009, 21:30:57 UTC 2 years ago

Oh just wonderful. *squishes Rhys* This was just bloody perfect!

[info]erin_giles

September 19 2009, 21:57:56 UTC 2 years ago

Awww thank you. :)

[info]watervole

September 19 2009, 07:55:22 UTC 2 years ago

Sniffle.

I really do love Rhys and I like the way you've written him here.

[info]erin_giles

September 19 2009, 21:58:57 UTC 2 years ago

I do love Rhys too! :) So glad you liked the fic, I love writing Rhys.

[info]jo02

September 19 2009, 11:31:32 UTC 2 years ago

These were lovely!

[info]erin_giles

September 19 2009, 21:59:52 UTC 2 years ago

Awww thank you. :)

[info]viciouswishes

September 19 2009, 19:04:49 UTC 2 years ago

Excellent character study on Rhys.

[info]erin_giles

September 19 2009, 21:41:16 UTC 2 years ago

Thank you. I always have so much fun writing him. :)

[info]electrictoes

September 20 2009, 15:57:14 UTC 2 years ago

Oh, poor Rhys.

Brilliant.

[info]erin_giles

September 28 2009, 12:10:33 UTC 2 years ago

Thank you, glad you enjoyed the fic. :)

[info]mymatedave

September 27 2009, 16:24:28 UTC 2 years ago

Oh that was brilliant. Sad and very true.

[info]erin_giles

September 28 2009, 12:11:48 UTC 2 years ago

Thanks, so glad you enjoyed the fic.
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