FIC: Torchwood (drabble) - Picnic

[fajrdrako]

Title: Picnic
Author: fajrdrako
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters: Jack/Gwen
Challenge: tw100, challenge: poetry
Rating: G
Disclaimer: Not mine, no claims, all property of the BBC.
Notes: Cross-posted to my lj, and to tw100.


Picnic

On Flat Holm, Jack and Gwen sat overlooking the sea. They often picnicked like this after visiting Jonah, relaxing and talking together.

"What's your favourite poem?" asked Jack.

"Elizabeth Barrett Browning. You know... How do I love thee? Let me count the ways."

The words caught in the air between them. Damn, damn, damn, thought Gwen, why did that sound so innuendo-laden? Couldn't she quote something safe, like Under Milk Wood or Jabberwocky? Something impersonal?

Because the truth had a way of bursting forth, however careful she was.

"That's a good one," agreed Jack, holding her gaze.

Comments

[rustydog.livejournal.com]

Ooh, that's so Gwen, and the awkwardness is palpable and familiar. I love the idea of Gwen and Jack visiting Jonah with some regularity, too, and trying to make something pleasant of it.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yes. It's hard to imply a whole story in a drabble - I was trying to show that Jack continues to make regular visits to Flat Holm, that he sometimes or often takes Gwen with him, that she continues to take a personal interest in Jonah and his welfare, and that Jack and Gwen now feel comfortable doing this together. But the drabble was about something else - I had to do this with about two words.

Thanks for commenting.

[rustydog.livejournal.com]

I think you got a lot of that in there with those few words. You set the situation up pretty clearly. :)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Thank you - so nice to hear I succeeded.

[51stcenturyfox.livejournal.com]

Couldn't she quote something safe...

I loved this. :) (Probably because I inadvertently do the same flipping thing.)

And perfect for Poetry Month!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Poor Gwen is in a tricky emotional place between Rhys and Jack - and she tends to say what she thinks forthrightly, which makes it even trickier. Good luck to he!

Thanks for commenting.

(I like poetry month.)

[gypsylady.livejournal.com]

And again, your Gwen drabbles make me smile, even as I cringe along with her. I'm sitting in an airport waiting area. It takes a lot to make me smile under these circumstances.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

So happy to have made you smile in an airport - !

[itsarift-thing.livejournal.com]

Oh dear poor Gwen, I think we can all empathise.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I certainly can!

[wiredblowfish.livejournal.com]

In canon, she often seems just like this: a little bit more forthcoming than she meant to be.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yes. I think Gwen, when on the job, is reasonably good at keeping secrets, hiding her thoughts, and misleading people as necessary. But in her personal life,and with people she knows, especially with people she cares about - she's terrible at it. She blurts out every truth she thinks of.

[cionaudha.livejournal.com]

Yup. That totally happened.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

[g]

[lionessvalenti.livejournal.com]

This is lovely. I love Gwen's berating herself. It came across very in character for her, and the whole scene is very them.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I'm delighted that you like my Gwen. I find her a great delight to write, and I really, really want to get her right.

[raissad.livejournal.com]

Neat. :)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Thank you.