The Doctor wanted to tell him. Mind muddled as it was, it even seemed like a good idea. But an overriding fear, one he'd spent fifty years pounding into himself, kept him from speaking or even thinking about it. He couldn't. He just couldn't. And this was all they could have and he knew it, even if it broke his hearts.

He kissed Jack back, drinking in his emotion and letting it fill him. This had to be enough, knowing that Jack still loved him and showing Jack that he loved him. This had to be enough.

He let his fingers go back to Jack's wrist, to gently trace along the flesh in soft circles. Circles that spelled out words like 'forever', things they both wanted but could never have.