I really think that what readings of Jack/Ianto as just a sex thing tend to forget is what Jack *hasn't* done.
I mean, he's flirted and pinched a few bottoms, but notice that he HASN'T gone after Gwen or anyone else in a major way. He's had a snog or two. Considering Jack's usual nature, for him to keep it in his pants that was says a lot for how he must feel for Ianto.
Plus, he sort of forgave the whole Cyberwoman thing. And for Jack, that was probably a big, big big deal.
I think Jack loved the Doctor and Rose equally and fervently, so at that point in canon, he believes that Rose died in Canary Wharf, and to forgive Ianto for harboring the enemy that killed ONE OF HIS BEST FRIENDS EVAR is a big, big deal.
Also? I know this is going to sound a bit silly since this is all Stuff Wot Is Made Up In Other People's Heads, but Jack is a 51st century guy and we're 21st century, so what True Love means to him might come off as strange to us. Especially since we're still heavily invested in traditions like marriage and raising kids and buying houses and whatnot.
I also think people who read it as just sex tend to be shortsighted on how tricky and subtle dominant/submissive type relationships can be. Or on who's dominant.
Because the thing is? I can completely believe that Ianto is sort of the invisible command. After all, he basically has a hand in every pie, knows where all the bodies are buried, and I just think sometimes he scoots aside and lets Jack lay down his thing because it keeps order. But I also think that if you needed something done right and done quickly within Torchwood, you'd go to Ianto first, not Jack.
Notice that Ianto was willing to shoot Owen to keep him from doing something spectacularly fucktarded with the rift machine. Ianto obviously is capable of laying down the law and enforcing it. And I think it's telling that Ianto WASN'T the last to stay by Jack's side when they all thought he was dead. Because Ianto probably realized that there were THINGS THAT NEEDED DOING.
Because Jack, also, I think, is kind of lazy as commanders go and only seeks to have full command of a situation when he's engaged or really worried or feels obligated.
I don't think that Jack would ever just use someone as a sextoy, because even though he does get around, notice that sex is just so *joyful* for him. It's not abusive, it's not using the person. Jack really does like and enjoy the people he chooses to be with, and he wants to please them. Notice he kept in touch with his ex-executioners (!). He wants them to be happy.
If his wandering nature comes from anything, I think it's a fear of what happens if he can't make his partners happy anymore, when things get too serious. So he tries to leave quietly and make someone else happy.
Think of him less as a slut and more of a sexual Father Christmas.
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I mean, he's flirted and pinched a few bottoms, but notice that he HASN'T gone after Gwen or anyone else in a major way. He's had a snog or two. Considering Jack's usual nature, for him to keep it in his pants that was says a lot for how he must feel for Ianto.
Plus, he sort of forgave the whole Cyberwoman thing. And for Jack, that was probably a big, big big deal.
I think Jack loved the Doctor and Rose equally and fervently, so at that point in canon, he believes that Rose died in Canary Wharf, and to forgive Ianto for harboring the enemy that killed ONE OF HIS BEST FRIENDS EVAR is a big, big deal.
Also? I know this is going to sound a bit silly since this is all Stuff Wot Is Made Up In Other People's Heads, but Jack is a 51st century guy and we're 21st century, so what True Love means to him might come off as strange to us. Especially since we're still heavily invested in traditions like marriage and raising kids and buying houses and whatnot.
I also think people who read it as just sex tend to be shortsighted on how tricky and subtle dominant/submissive type relationships can be. Or on who's dominant.
Because the thing is? I can completely believe that Ianto is sort of the invisible command. After all, he basically has a hand in every pie, knows where all the bodies are buried, and I just think sometimes he scoots aside and lets Jack lay down his thing because it keeps order. But I also think that if you needed something done right and done quickly within Torchwood, you'd go to Ianto first, not Jack.
Notice that Ianto was willing to shoot Owen to keep him from doing something spectacularly fucktarded with the rift machine. Ianto obviously is capable of laying down the law and enforcing it. And I think it's telling that Ianto WASN'T the last to stay by Jack's side when they all thought he was dead. Because Ianto probably realized that there were THINGS THAT NEEDED DOING.
Because Jack, also, I think, is kind of lazy as commanders go and only seeks to have full command of a situation when he's engaged or really worried or feels obligated.
I don't think that Jack would ever just use someone as a sextoy, because even though he does get around, notice that sex is just so *joyful* for him. It's not abusive, it's not using the person. Jack really does like and enjoy the people he chooses to be with, and he wants to please them. Notice he kept in touch with his ex-executioners (!). He wants them to be happy.
If his wandering nature comes from anything, I think it's a fear of what happens if he can't make his partners happy anymore, when things get too serious. So he tries to leave quietly and make someone else happy.
Think of him less as a slut and more of a sexual Father Christmas.