For Ianto it is always about Jack. Love boarding on obsessive, the man fills a void in his life left by a dead woman. He's long accepted the fact that he needs to be needed, and loves to be useful. He dedicates himself wholly to one person and one situation and performs magnificently.

That's been working out really well for him so far; he should probably figure out a new life plan before the current one drives him even more insane.

He still trusts Jack though, even this Jack, who's been through events Ianto isn't privy to, and might never be. So he listens when Jack's voice sounds understanding, even if inside, he probably recognizes it for what it is. It's not affection, or love, it's manipulation, but he doesn't care. Even the impression of emotion is enough.

"It's empathy," he replies dryly, and almost stops there, as though that's enough. "I can feel other people's emotions and categorize them. I've made several different lists and sublists already. I thought about color coding them based on the way the emotion made me feel, but I've decided that's not specific enough; it's too theoretical. I can block out people better now, but it still seeps through. Apparently I should be able to project my emotions upon other people soon enough, once I retain the proper control."