The fact that Jack doesn’t have anywhere to belong, that he was a third wheel both in that relationship and with Ianto and Spike isn’t something he’s quite connected the dots on yet. Give him time and the realization will hit him but for now all he sees is the grief over his loss.

So he holds him and runs comforting hands over his shoulders or hair until the sobs finally begin to slow and eventually the tears dry. He isn’t naive enough to think the pain is anywhere near gone but he’s willing to bet this release is a big step. He knows Jack doesn’t open up to many people.

“You don’t have to thank me,” He replies, stroking a hand lightly along the side of his face, brushing a few wayward tears away with his thumb. “You know I’ll always be here, Jack. It doesn’t matter how far you go. There won’t ever be a time when you can’t come back to me if you need me.”