FIC [Torchwood] drabble: Healing

[fajrdrako]

Title: Healing
Author: fajrdrako
Characters: Captain Jack Harkness, The Doctor
Challenge: #12: shadows
Rating: G
Words: 100
Notes: Spoilers for the ending of Torchwood season 1. Cross-posted to my LJ and tw100.



Healing

Like scars in Jack's spirit, the shadows grew. Sometimes they overwhelmed him. Each death - Estelle, John, Jack, and his own, over and over - brought more cold and darkness. As if the void chipped away at his soul without releasing it.

There was only one person who could help him: the right kind of doctor.

"You think I'm some sort of psychic healer? Voodoo magician?" The Doctor's smile was teasing. Eyebrows twisted impishly.

"I know what you are. Please!"

The Doctor's fingers caressed Jack's face and he felt the familiar alien touch in his mind.

Everything was going to be fine.

~ ~ ~

Comments

[order_of_chaos]

:-)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Big smile back.

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

I like what you're doing with these Jack-drabbles. They're almost like jigsaw pieces...

The Doctor's fingers caressed Jack's face and he felt the familiar alien touch in his mind.

Now that line packs a punch. And it makes sense that he can feel the Doctor's mind - he could feel Tosh when she was wearing the pendant. And I particularly like the thought that it's the Doctor's new new fingers touching his face but the "familiar alien touch in his mind".

Bravo!

Just one thing - the last line doesn't quite match the brilliance of the rest of the drabble. After the previous line, it just feels (to me) like you need something stronger or more specifically Jack.

Heh, I'm playing with fire, aren't I? Criticising your fic when I've just sent you mine to beta? ;)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

They're almost like jigsaw pieces...

I like that thought. Yes, it's sort of what I'm doing... Bits and pieces of Jack as I see him, put together from different perspectives, making a full picture of a man in the long run, but with each drabble having a distinct narrow focus.

Or something like that.

And yes, you've seen me play that game before, of the familiarity/unfamiliarity of Jack's relationship with Ten. Like the drabble where I said he'd never met him but knew him intimately.... I like playing with the paradox there.

I rewrote the last line several times. Left it the way it ended up because I thought that captured the simplicity of the thought and the sense of relief from Jack's point of view, but I am open to any other suggestions you might have. I couldn't think of a better way of expressing it - not without making it 200 words! Which would also be tempting.

And as you know, I will say whatever I honestly think when I beta your story, regardless of whether you're due just revenge or not - ! just as you do with my stories.

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

Left it the way it ended up because I thought that captured the simplicity of the thought and the sense of relief from Jack's point of view, but I am open to any other suggestions you might have.

I don't like it because it sounds (a)cliched and (b)insincere or ironic. Sorry.

You mention simplicity and Jack's relief. How about something like "The relief is overwhelming. He's home."?

Aaargh, just realised you're writing in the past tense. While I am stuck in the present tense, seemingly inextricably. *sigh*

not without making it 200 words! Which would also be tempting.

Well, yes. I would really like to know what happened next!

I will say whatever I honestly think when I beta your story

I know.

regardless of whether you're due just revenge or not - !

Hah!

just as you do with my stories.

But of course! :)

PS

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

Deleted the first comment for screwed up formatting. Time to take my tired (but triumphant!) brain off to bed. :)

Re: PS

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Sleep well! I got your story and will beta it a.s.a.p.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Well, irony suits Jack too, sometimes. Though that was not my intent.

just realised you're writing in the past tense. While I am stuck in the present tense, seemingly inextricably.

Hee! I was about to say "I never write in the present tense", then realized I should never say 'never', and that I have quite possibly written in the present tense and may do so again. However. As a general rule, I always write in the past tense.

Well, yes. I would really like to know what happened next!

I am and will be writing longer stories. Drabbles are fun, but also a little frustrating, and often I want to continue them on and on. On the other hand, when you haven't much time, and I never seem to have much time, you can at least get something finished, with a drabble.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

On second/third thought... I did mean the last line to be at least party ironical. But I'm not sure it's possible to really put that across with a word limit.

I need to write more!

[walkingowl.livejournal.com]

Oh. Wow. Damn, you're good.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Mmm music to my ears. Thank you.

[adafrog.livejournal.com]

Lovely.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[firko.livejournal.com]

Love the first line - really drew me in.

That idea of the Doctor touching Jack inside and out with his healing hands is great too.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

So glad you enjoyed. I like the image and the concept too.... But then, I like just about any interaction between Jack and the Doctor.