(no subject)
Title: Two Cups Of Coffee Balanced Perfectly On A Tray
Author: Artistwife
Rating: PG
Fandom(s): Torchwood
Pairing/Characters: Jack/Ianto Jack/Other
Warnings: None
Summary: Ianto does not want Jack to be alone after his death.
Notes: This is in response to "That Doesn't Bother You" by misswinterhill. It apparently did bother me.
I do not own these characters they are creations of Russell T. Davies and the BBC John Barrowman and Gareth David-Lloyd.
With two cups of coffee balanced perfectly on a tray, Ianto stiffly climbed the stairs to Jack’s office. He brushes his hand over Jack’s as he sets the coffee on the desk. Jack looks up and smiles, mouths “thanks”, and continues to talk into the phone.
“I understand sir, and we are working on a way around that now. I will have the full report for you by Tuesday at the latest.” He hung up the phone with a deep sigh. Ianto, who had taken his usual place in the chair in front of Jacks desk, sipped his coffee.
“Nothing changes.” He said with a sympathetic look. “Politicians don’t last long enough to understand. Saving the world is a pretty thankless task.” His smile lit his face. “I’m about to go home and cook you dinner, any requests?”
“Whatever you have in mind will be great.” Jack replied with a grin. “Do I get some dessert, something warm and sweet?” His eyebrow arched suggestively.
“That is a distinct possibility.” Ianto chuckled. “I do love the evenings when you stay home.”
“Me too.” Jack sighed again. He felt weary and as he looked across at Ianto he felt the years weigh him down. “We don’t have to do this Ianto. I’ll be OK.”
“No Jack you won’t be. We discussed this and you promised.”
“I know. It’s just hard.” He looked across at Ianto’s tired face the steely blue eyes the beautiful grey hair. Torchwood was so hard on bodies. So many had passed through but Ianto was still here. After Gwen had been killed he tried to keep Ianto out of the field, but Ianto had refused to allow him to do that. After that Jack always went with him. They fought as a team and Jack had died a hundred times, protecting him. He had used his life force to bring him back from the brink of death a myriad of times. Always he stayed close to guard against death. It had all been worth it. He was here still, that was the important thing to Jack.
Jack moved around his desk and helped Ianto to his feet. He kissed him and held him close rocking slightly.
“I’ll be home soon. Don’t cook if your tired, I can pick something up.” Jack offered.
“No problem cariad,” Ianto breathed into Jack’s chest, “you know I love to take care of you. You can do the dishes though.”
“It’s a deal. See you at home”
Ianto stepped through the doorway. The house welcomed him. After the chaos of the hub the quiet surrounded him warmly. He switched on lights and hung his coat. Going to the bedroom he changed out of his suit and into some jeans and a cashmere sweater. As he started back to the kitchen he chose some music. Jack loved the old classic WWII music and sweet jazz. Over the years Ianto had come to enjoy those sounds also. Strains of Glenn Miller wafted through the house as Ianto prepared their food. These nights were precious and special now. Each one a jewel that Ianto kept polished in his memory. Their love for each other had deepened through the years. Humps and bumps had been fought over and resolved. Neither one willing to give up what they had built together. He turned his wedding band on his finger. Feeling flooded through him and his eyes filled with tears. He shook his head and dabbed at his eyes with the dishtowel. “I promised I was not going to cry about this. I am secure enough to see this through, and tonight is our night.” He said out loud to no one. He shook the melancholy off, and hummed along with the music.
Jack rushed through the door in a flurry of damp spring air. He threw his coat onto the back of a chair and backtracked to remove his shoes when Ianto pointed to them.
Ianto stepped into the hall and for a moment they held each other, their faces smiling serenely, reflecting their feelings. Jack danced Ianto down the hallway toward the kitchen.
“Mmm, something smells good. I’m starving.”
“Go change and I’ll put it on the table,” Ianto said with a laugh. He loved this exuberance Jack had for food. He ate like a teenager, pushing the food in as fast as he could and, Ianto suspected, swallowing it whole a lot of the time. Anyway, he thought, it was always fun to eat with Jack.
The candles were guttering but they lingered still over coffee, their hands entwined across the table. Jack was holding forth, as usual, about his life. After all these years together there was still much that Ianto didn’t know about Jack. He finally understood that all of Jack was unknowable, and resigning himself to that he accepted everything that Jack offered and let the rest go.
Ianto stood in the kitchen doorway and watched Jack do the dishes. The jeans he was wearing pulled tautly over his delightful arse as he bent to put the dishes in the dishwasher. The muscles of his back rippled under his tee shirt.
“You are a magnificent brute.” Ianto said, a smile playing around his lips. “After almost 50 years you can still turn me on.”
“Mmmm yes. After almost 50 years you not only turn me on, but you are the only one who can hold my heart.” Jack replied stepping forward to envelope Ianto in his arms, his mouth pressing down on eager lips.
“Are you through with the dishes?”
“Yes sir.” Jack shouted. “Private Harkness is through with KP and ready for your further orders, sir.” He saluted as he turned out the light. Ianto chuckled at the joke.
They moved into the lounge where cheery flames danced in the fireplace, and warmth and comfort beckoned from every piece of furniture. Ianto picked up his book and sat on the settee. Jack turned on some music and laid full length with his head on Ianto’s lap and listened while Ianto read to him. He closed his eyes and let the mellow baritone and the soft Welsh vowels flow over him. This was his favorite time of day. Just he and Ianto safe in their own home, away from the terrors of Torchwood, normal people doing normal things. He felt so good right now, here with his beloved Ianto, his perfect match, the one person who truly understood him who loved him unconditionally, the man he loved with all his heart. His chest suddenly felt heavy and tears sprang in his eyes. This cannot come to an end yet. He wasn’t ready. He rolled onto his side and buried his face in Ianto’s stomach his arm reaching around his waist.
“I love you.” He whispered. Ianto dropped one hand down and ran his fingers through Jack’s hair.
“I love you too.” He whispered back. In the background Ella Fitzgerald sang softly:
“The way you wear your hat
The way you sip your tea
The memory of all that
No, no they can’t take that away from me.”
“Come on,” Jack said getting to his feet, “it’s bed time.” Ianto put down the book and putting his hand in Jack’s stood up and they moved toward the bedroom.
Their lovemaking that night was slow and tender. Jack held fast to Ianto his lips brushing over the scars and marks of a lifetime spent in Torchwood. That once perfect skin now marred in so many ways. Jack loved each one of those scars. Scars earned in battle with heroic effort. He kissed each one and murmured his love song against them. Ianto moved gently under him to accommodate each kiss as Jack worked his way downward. Their bodies soon moved in their natural rhythm each totally absorbed in pleasing the other each finding wonder in an act long practiced but always somehow new and fresh. Although they had adapted over the years to Ianto’s loss of flexibility, there was still variety to be enjoyed. As they traced familiar pathways with mouths and hands, the deep emotions and commitment they felt, renewed their passion. Through this expression of love, this night, their night, became a symphony of joy and release.
Long after Ianto had fallen into a peaceful sleep, Jack held him close to his chest. His heart heavy and his mind troubled. He had held Ianto in his arms like this for so long. It was past a habit, it was an integral part of him. Ianto was his lifeline to everything he had ever desired. Before Ianto he had prowled at night sleepless and yearning. A dark leopard haunted by his past, lost, alone as no one else had ever been alone. Ianto gave him purpose and taught him that past was unimportant. He kept him planted in the now and moved him forward with unswerving loyalty and love. Jack gradually was able to accept himself because he saw himself reflected in Ianto’s eyes, and what he found there he loved.
The next day the rift opened up and spewed out three Tandallian warriors that were apparently pulled from a war and in spite off obvious confusion continued to fight. The team spent the day battling them and cleaning up the trauma they had caused. By evening things quieted down. The team was sitting in the boardroom for the debriefing. As it was late Ianto provided dinner in the form of Indian takeout for the staff. He made coffee and brought it to the boardroom. He took his usual place to the right of Jack and listened to their stories. The camaraderie that existed among them was as strong as he had ever had in any of the teams he had worked with. They were held together by Jack, this loose group of free thinking men and women who could laugh even after they had spent the day killing creatures they did not understand. They had triumphed because Jack led them and made them a cohesive whole. Ianto was always amazed how he did that time and time again. He looked at the fresh eager face of the newest recruit and knew that humanity would always be able to rely on Torchwood to save their hides. They were tough and strong.
He had not ventured out on a mission for over 30 years. The fieldwork was for young, fleet footed, fast thinking agents. His work was here in his beloved archives, cataloging, alphabetizing all the paperwork and flotsam and jetsam of the rift. This was where he shone. He still made the coffee and wrangled the meals but someone else did all the cleaning. He was thankful for that as his joints protested when he bent down. He was revered for his knowledge and loved for his courage and positive attitude. His dry wit often the buffer when tempers flared and people ran roughshod over each other. He loved his life. Doing a job he loved and joined in civil partnership with the man he adored and useful into his late 70’s. There was only this one piece missing and he and Jack where trying to find that together.
Jack and Ianto drove home together. It was getting late. Jack came in and showered. Ianto laid out some clean clothes for him and sat on the bed to watch as he prepared himself for the evening.
“I’m planning on bringing him home tonight.” He said. “Are you going to be alright?”
“I’ll be fine Jack. I’m hoping for this to be the one.”
“I don’t know Ianto, he’s not you. I’ve been seeing him for six weeks now and I like him a lot, but it is still just sex. He is nice and has a lot of good qualities. We’ll see what you think.
Morning brought another rift alarm. Jack left to check on it and so it was Ianto who greeted the groggy, disheveled stranger. They sat on the terrace in the spring sunshine and drank coffee and ate toast in a very civilized manner. Ianto offered him aspirin for his hangover. The young man’s name was David and he was handsome and lithesome. Ianto could tell he was uncomfortable with the fact he was sitting across from Jack’s husband. When Jack returned he greeted both with a kiss and the three of them had a pleasant conversation over their breakfast. David said he needed to go home. Jack walked him to the door and kissed him goodbye making it clear that he would see him Wednesday.
“What do you think?” Jack asked as he walked back to the terrace.
“He’s young and certainly handsome.”
“I know how to pick handsome.” Jack smiled as they both start to clear the dishes from the table.
“I don’t know enough yet to make any informed judgment. How do you feel?”
“He is a possibility, but my heart isn’t really in this Ianto. I feel I am missing out on you when I am with others.”
“You know this old body just isn’t up to what you need Jack. I’m not going to be here much longer I want to know that you will be safe with someone who will care for you.”
“But parading a bunch of youngsters through our guestroom is so not helping. I really hate it.”
“You’re enjoying the sex.”
“Well yes but I would rather be with you. So many of them seem so vapid. I will be OK if I am alone. I was alone when I met you. I really don’t want to do this.”
“Well just look at this one a little deeper. Please do this for me.”
“You know I would give you anything.” Jack sighed and pulled Ianto to him. He held him close feeling his heart thumping against his chest. His eyes started to fill again at the thought of losing him.
When Ianto had suggested this idea of finding someone to replace him, Jack had some trepidation. Ianto had explained how his Mam had always brought a new puppy into the house as the old dog aged. She reasoned that it helped the family with the acceptance of the death of the old dog.
“But you’re not my dog.” Jack had objected. “You’re my life. Nothing is going to make losing you easy.”
“I need to know you will be cared for Jack.” I cannot bear that you will be alone again. There must be someone out there that you can find to fall in love with. Please try this for me.” Ianto pleaded. That had been a year ago.
Wednesday evening Ianto was preparing dinner when the doorbell rang. Outside the door, fresh faced and sweet was the beautiful David. Surprised he should show up almost an hour early for his and Jack’s date, Ianto asked him in. They stood in the kitchen while Ianto prepared dinner adding some for the extra guest they seemed to have. The young man fidgeted, leaning on the counter.
They have an awkward conversation about how Ianto feels about this. Ianto cannot explain to the boy, time enough to reveal Jack’s immortality when they decide he is the one. He tells him he doesn’t mind if he sees Jack. He tells him it does not bother him that Jack makes love to him in their guest room. He tries to explain that death will take him from Jack. It surely is obvious that he is much older than his husband. How dense is this boy. He tries to explain that if he is to love Jack he cannot have all of him at the start. It is too difficult to express. Ianto moves closer and kisses David. In that slow lingering kiss he attempts to show him that he will become part of Ianto and Jack.
Jack comes home, David makes an attempt to leave but it is transparent that he wants to stay. The meal is quiet and conversation stilted. After dinner Jack sends the young man to wait in the car. He turns to Ianto and holds him.
“I’m sorry he intruded into our time.” He says kissing Ianto’s hair.
“It’s OK. I might have to get used to it. He does care for you, he may even be falling in love with you.”
“I’m not falling in love with him. This will be the last date. I don’t want to leave you.”
“Go. You are being impolite to keep him waiting.”
“OK but I will be home early, without him. Will you wait up?”
“Of course.” Ianto breathes against his mouth as they kiss goodbye.
Jack is back in a couple of hours as promised. As he climbs into bed he breathes a sigh.
“That is over.” He says as he curls into Ianto. “Even he thinks I shouldn’t be doing this.” He pulls Ianto against him feeling his breath against his face. He kisses him with passion and Ianto reciprocates in kind. “Please don’t ask me to do this anymore.” Jack’s voice has a break in it. “I’m losing these precious moments with you. I can’t bear it. I don’t need a new lover I need you. You know you might live past a hundred. I don’t want to share you for the next twenty years with anyone and I don’t want to break your heart by having you share me. You fill me up now and when you are gone I will always have my memories.”
“That’s alright cariad.” Ianto soothed him stroking his back. “I was wrong.” He pressed his body against Jacks familiar warmth, his mouth seeking, his hands moving so surely to the places Jack loved to be touched.
fin
Author: Artistwife
Rating: PG
Fandom(s): Torchwood
Pairing/Characters: Jack/Ianto Jack/Other
Warnings: None
Summary: Ianto does not want Jack to be alone after his death.
Notes: This is in response to "That Doesn't Bother You" by misswinterhill. It apparently did bother me.
I do not own these characters they are creations of Russell T. Davies and the BBC John Barrowman and Gareth David-Lloyd.
With two cups of coffee balanced perfectly on a tray, Ianto stiffly climbed the stairs to Jack’s office. He brushes his hand over Jack’s as he sets the coffee on the desk. Jack looks up and smiles, mouths “thanks”, and continues to talk into the phone.
“I understand sir, and we are working on a way around that now. I will have the full report for you by Tuesday at the latest.” He hung up the phone with a deep sigh. Ianto, who had taken his usual place in the chair in front of Jacks desk, sipped his coffee.
“Nothing changes.” He said with a sympathetic look. “Politicians don’t last long enough to understand. Saving the world is a pretty thankless task.” His smile lit his face. “I’m about to go home and cook you dinner, any requests?”
“Whatever you have in mind will be great.” Jack replied with a grin. “Do I get some dessert, something warm and sweet?” His eyebrow arched suggestively.
“That is a distinct possibility.” Ianto chuckled. “I do love the evenings when you stay home.”
“Me too.” Jack sighed again. He felt weary and as he looked across at Ianto he felt the years weigh him down. “We don’t have to do this Ianto. I’ll be OK.”
“No Jack you won’t be. We discussed this and you promised.”
“I know. It’s just hard.” He looked across at Ianto’s tired face the steely blue eyes the beautiful grey hair. Torchwood was so hard on bodies. So many had passed through but Ianto was still here. After Gwen had been killed he tried to keep Ianto out of the field, but Ianto had refused to allow him to do that. After that Jack always went with him. They fought as a team and Jack had died a hundred times, protecting him. He had used his life force to bring him back from the brink of death a myriad of times. Always he stayed close to guard against death. It had all been worth it. He was here still, that was the important thing to Jack.
Jack moved around his desk and helped Ianto to his feet. He kissed him and held him close rocking slightly.
“I’ll be home soon. Don’t cook if your tired, I can pick something up.” Jack offered.
“No problem cariad,” Ianto breathed into Jack’s chest, “you know I love to take care of you. You can do the dishes though.”
“It’s a deal. See you at home”
Ianto stepped through the doorway. The house welcomed him. After the chaos of the hub the quiet surrounded him warmly. He switched on lights and hung his coat. Going to the bedroom he changed out of his suit and into some jeans and a cashmere sweater. As he started back to the kitchen he chose some music. Jack loved the old classic WWII music and sweet jazz. Over the years Ianto had come to enjoy those sounds also. Strains of Glenn Miller wafted through the house as Ianto prepared their food. These nights were precious and special now. Each one a jewel that Ianto kept polished in his memory. Their love for each other had deepened through the years. Humps and bumps had been fought over and resolved. Neither one willing to give up what they had built together. He turned his wedding band on his finger. Feeling flooded through him and his eyes filled with tears. He shook his head and dabbed at his eyes with the dishtowel. “I promised I was not going to cry about this. I am secure enough to see this through, and tonight is our night.” He said out loud to no one. He shook the melancholy off, and hummed along with the music.
Jack rushed through the door in a flurry of damp spring air. He threw his coat onto the back of a chair and backtracked to remove his shoes when Ianto pointed to them.
Ianto stepped into the hall and for a moment they held each other, their faces smiling serenely, reflecting their feelings. Jack danced Ianto down the hallway toward the kitchen.
“Mmm, something smells good. I’m starving.”
“Go change and I’ll put it on the table,” Ianto said with a laugh. He loved this exuberance Jack had for food. He ate like a teenager, pushing the food in as fast as he could and, Ianto suspected, swallowing it whole a lot of the time. Anyway, he thought, it was always fun to eat with Jack.
The candles were guttering but they lingered still over coffee, their hands entwined across the table. Jack was holding forth, as usual, about his life. After all these years together there was still much that Ianto didn’t know about Jack. He finally understood that all of Jack was unknowable, and resigning himself to that he accepted everything that Jack offered and let the rest go.
Ianto stood in the kitchen doorway and watched Jack do the dishes. The jeans he was wearing pulled tautly over his delightful arse as he bent to put the dishes in the dishwasher. The muscles of his back rippled under his tee shirt.
“You are a magnificent brute.” Ianto said, a smile playing around his lips. “After almost 50 years you can still turn me on.”
“Mmmm yes. After almost 50 years you not only turn me on, but you are the only one who can hold my heart.” Jack replied stepping forward to envelope Ianto in his arms, his mouth pressing down on eager lips.
“Are you through with the dishes?”
“Yes sir.” Jack shouted. “Private Harkness is through with KP and ready for your further orders, sir.” He saluted as he turned out the light. Ianto chuckled at the joke.
They moved into the lounge where cheery flames danced in the fireplace, and warmth and comfort beckoned from every piece of furniture. Ianto picked up his book and sat on the settee. Jack turned on some music and laid full length with his head on Ianto’s lap and listened while Ianto read to him. He closed his eyes and let the mellow baritone and the soft Welsh vowels flow over him. This was his favorite time of day. Just he and Ianto safe in their own home, away from the terrors of Torchwood, normal people doing normal things. He felt so good right now, here with his beloved Ianto, his perfect match, the one person who truly understood him who loved him unconditionally, the man he loved with all his heart. His chest suddenly felt heavy and tears sprang in his eyes. This cannot come to an end yet. He wasn’t ready. He rolled onto his side and buried his face in Ianto’s stomach his arm reaching around his waist.
“I love you.” He whispered. Ianto dropped one hand down and ran his fingers through Jack’s hair.
“I love you too.” He whispered back. In the background Ella Fitzgerald sang softly:
“The way you wear your hat
The way you sip your tea
The memory of all that
No, no they can’t take that away from me.”
“Come on,” Jack said getting to his feet, “it’s bed time.” Ianto put down the book and putting his hand in Jack’s stood up and they moved toward the bedroom.
Their lovemaking that night was slow and tender. Jack held fast to Ianto his lips brushing over the scars and marks of a lifetime spent in Torchwood. That once perfect skin now marred in so many ways. Jack loved each one of those scars. Scars earned in battle with heroic effort. He kissed each one and murmured his love song against them. Ianto moved gently under him to accommodate each kiss as Jack worked his way downward. Their bodies soon moved in their natural rhythm each totally absorbed in pleasing the other each finding wonder in an act long practiced but always somehow new and fresh. Although they had adapted over the years to Ianto’s loss of flexibility, there was still variety to be enjoyed. As they traced familiar pathways with mouths and hands, the deep emotions and commitment they felt, renewed their passion. Through this expression of love, this night, their night, became a symphony of joy and release.
Long after Ianto had fallen into a peaceful sleep, Jack held him close to his chest. His heart heavy and his mind troubled. He had held Ianto in his arms like this for so long. It was past a habit, it was an integral part of him. Ianto was his lifeline to everything he had ever desired. Before Ianto he had prowled at night sleepless and yearning. A dark leopard haunted by his past, lost, alone as no one else had ever been alone. Ianto gave him purpose and taught him that past was unimportant. He kept him planted in the now and moved him forward with unswerving loyalty and love. Jack gradually was able to accept himself because he saw himself reflected in Ianto’s eyes, and what he found there he loved.
The next day the rift opened up and spewed out three Tandallian warriors that were apparently pulled from a war and in spite off obvious confusion continued to fight. The team spent the day battling them and cleaning up the trauma they had caused. By evening things quieted down. The team was sitting in the boardroom for the debriefing. As it was late Ianto provided dinner in the form of Indian takeout for the staff. He made coffee and brought it to the boardroom. He took his usual place to the right of Jack and listened to their stories. The camaraderie that existed among them was as strong as he had ever had in any of the teams he had worked with. They were held together by Jack, this loose group of free thinking men and women who could laugh even after they had spent the day killing creatures they did not understand. They had triumphed because Jack led them and made them a cohesive whole. Ianto was always amazed how he did that time and time again. He looked at the fresh eager face of the newest recruit and knew that humanity would always be able to rely on Torchwood to save their hides. They were tough and strong.
He had not ventured out on a mission for over 30 years. The fieldwork was for young, fleet footed, fast thinking agents. His work was here in his beloved archives, cataloging, alphabetizing all the paperwork and flotsam and jetsam of the rift. This was where he shone. He still made the coffee and wrangled the meals but someone else did all the cleaning. He was thankful for that as his joints protested when he bent down. He was revered for his knowledge and loved for his courage and positive attitude. His dry wit often the buffer when tempers flared and people ran roughshod over each other. He loved his life. Doing a job he loved and joined in civil partnership with the man he adored and useful into his late 70’s. There was only this one piece missing and he and Jack where trying to find that together.
Jack and Ianto drove home together. It was getting late. Jack came in and showered. Ianto laid out some clean clothes for him and sat on the bed to watch as he prepared himself for the evening.
“I’m planning on bringing him home tonight.” He said. “Are you going to be alright?”
“I’ll be fine Jack. I’m hoping for this to be the one.”
“I don’t know Ianto, he’s not you. I’ve been seeing him for six weeks now and I like him a lot, but it is still just sex. He is nice and has a lot of good qualities. We’ll see what you think.
Morning brought another rift alarm. Jack left to check on it and so it was Ianto who greeted the groggy, disheveled stranger. They sat on the terrace in the spring sunshine and drank coffee and ate toast in a very civilized manner. Ianto offered him aspirin for his hangover. The young man’s name was David and he was handsome and lithesome. Ianto could tell he was uncomfortable with the fact he was sitting across from Jack’s husband. When Jack returned he greeted both with a kiss and the three of them had a pleasant conversation over their breakfast. David said he needed to go home. Jack walked him to the door and kissed him goodbye making it clear that he would see him Wednesday.
“What do you think?” Jack asked as he walked back to the terrace.
“He’s young and certainly handsome.”
“I know how to pick handsome.” Jack smiled as they both start to clear the dishes from the table.
“I don’t know enough yet to make any informed judgment. How do you feel?”
“He is a possibility, but my heart isn’t really in this Ianto. I feel I am missing out on you when I am with others.”
“You know this old body just isn’t up to what you need Jack. I’m not going to be here much longer I want to know that you will be safe with someone who will care for you.”
“But parading a bunch of youngsters through our guestroom is so not helping. I really hate it.”
“You’re enjoying the sex.”
“Well yes but I would rather be with you. So many of them seem so vapid. I will be OK if I am alone. I was alone when I met you. I really don’t want to do this.”
“Well just look at this one a little deeper. Please do this for me.”
“You know I would give you anything.” Jack sighed and pulled Ianto to him. He held him close feeling his heart thumping against his chest. His eyes started to fill again at the thought of losing him.
When Ianto had suggested this idea of finding someone to replace him, Jack had some trepidation. Ianto had explained how his Mam had always brought a new puppy into the house as the old dog aged. She reasoned that it helped the family with the acceptance of the death of the old dog.
“But you’re not my dog.” Jack had objected. “You’re my life. Nothing is going to make losing you easy.”
“I need to know you will be cared for Jack.” I cannot bear that you will be alone again. There must be someone out there that you can find to fall in love with. Please try this for me.” Ianto pleaded. That had been a year ago.
Wednesday evening Ianto was preparing dinner when the doorbell rang. Outside the door, fresh faced and sweet was the beautiful David. Surprised he should show up almost an hour early for his and Jack’s date, Ianto asked him in. They stood in the kitchen while Ianto prepared dinner adding some for the extra guest they seemed to have. The young man fidgeted, leaning on the counter.
They have an awkward conversation about how Ianto feels about this. Ianto cannot explain to the boy, time enough to reveal Jack’s immortality when they decide he is the one. He tells him he doesn’t mind if he sees Jack. He tells him it does not bother him that Jack makes love to him in their guest room. He tries to explain that death will take him from Jack. It surely is obvious that he is much older than his husband. How dense is this boy. He tries to explain that if he is to love Jack he cannot have all of him at the start. It is too difficult to express. Ianto moves closer and kisses David. In that slow lingering kiss he attempts to show him that he will become part of Ianto and Jack.
Jack comes home, David makes an attempt to leave but it is transparent that he wants to stay. The meal is quiet and conversation stilted. After dinner Jack sends the young man to wait in the car. He turns to Ianto and holds him.
“I’m sorry he intruded into our time.” He says kissing Ianto’s hair.
“It’s OK. I might have to get used to it. He does care for you, he may even be falling in love with you.”
“I’m not falling in love with him. This will be the last date. I don’t want to leave you.”
“Go. You are being impolite to keep him waiting.”
“OK but I will be home early, without him. Will you wait up?”
“Of course.” Ianto breathes against his mouth as they kiss goodbye.
Jack is back in a couple of hours as promised. As he climbs into bed he breathes a sigh.
“That is over.” He says as he curls into Ianto. “Even he thinks I shouldn’t be doing this.” He pulls Ianto against him feeling his breath against his face. He kisses him with passion and Ianto reciprocates in kind. “Please don’t ask me to do this anymore.” Jack’s voice has a break in it. “I’m losing these precious moments with you. I can’t bear it. I don’t need a new lover I need you. You know you might live past a hundred. I don’t want to share you for the next twenty years with anyone and I don’t want to break your heart by having you share me. You fill me up now and when you are gone I will always have my memories.”
“That’s alright cariad.” Ianto soothed him stroking his back. “I was wrong.” He pressed his body against Jacks familiar warmth, his mouth seeking, his hands moving so surely to the places Jack loved to be touched.
fin