To Give & Forget - Part Ten
Title: To Give and Forget - Part 10 of 15
Pairing: Jack/Ianto
Rating: 18 - sex
Summary: The team arrive and all is forgiven...but who's shouting?
Disclaimer: TW characters not mine...
Author's Notes: Beta-ed by my lovely
avon_09 who has worked so hard...thank you! Original plot beta by
damalan.
Ianto and Jack visit Melindawa at Torchwood HQ which means Ianto has to meet Maldwyn again. Maldwyn and Moses are to join the team in Cardiff. The mission is to find Ianto's parents. But other events unfold. Fogle and Stiles warn Ianto about Gay Serum and the people of Cardiff are desperate for sex...but it begins to spread. In the meantime, both Jack and Ianto suffer the trials of therapy and Jack is told to talk to Ianto in his sleep. Melindawa also retreats to Cardiff;he is in danger, a marked woman in danger from TW HQ. When they get to the Hub, Maldwyn & Moses are put under lock and key. Jack - whilst Ianto's asleep - speaks of his parents, but gets disturbed when someone starts creeping around the Hub...and it's not Maldwyn. The next morning, Mel tells the gang that something has to be done bout this thing called a Cathexis Transmitter which seems to be leaking. The team track it down at an underground Brothel. It's leaking sexual energy and whilst the team lock it down, Jack comes over all feak and weeble. The Brothel Madam is taken into custody with growing suspicion about Moses and Maldwyn's motives. The Torchwood team hit the road and revelations unfold, including a touch of angst. And our Mel has plans..
A recap on Time & Punishment or A Man in A Polyester Suit, there is a recap of both under the links as well as the full fics. You will also find full character profiles for the lead players along the lines of this fic there - including full disclosures regarding the rather purloined Fogle & Stiles characters. Since Dr Who, part of this fic has become non-cannon. Sorry!
And thanks again to everyone still reading! :)
Part Ten
It was after midnight when the team arrived at the house Melindawa had arranged for them to stay in. Tosh and Gwen had spent most of the second half of their journey worrying about Jack and Ianto who weren't talking at the second coffee break and then, seemed well, glum at the third. They were at least talking but being overly polite, as if they were scared of upsetting each other at every word.
Once the vehicles were unloaded, Ianto had strode through the house, allocating rooms, unaware that everyone was watching to see if he and Jack were indeed going to be sharing a room. All of the bedrooms were on the same floor, and Gwen noticed that actually, there didn't seem to be a spare one for Jack and Ianto.
“Goodnight all,” Ianto had told them, staring back at everyone.
“Erm, where are you two staying?” Gwen asked, suitably puzzled.
“We, have the penthouse suite,” said Jack, walking past her to stand in front of Ianto. He fiddled with something on the wall and a door swung back. Before anyone could look, Jack had grabbed Ianto's hand and they disappeared through the mysterious doorway. Gwen followed, staring at the wall. There was nothing there. Not even a seam where the door should have been. And then, from somewhere in the deep recesses of the wall, she heard the laughter of her boss and her colleague, her friends; and decided she really didn't need to know anything else for now.
~#~
The argument on the motorway had shaken Jack. He knew he and Ianto would get over it, but it was too close, too harsh. He could rationalise, remember that Ianto was stressed and upset, but he just kept thinking that one day, he would lose Ianto or leave him, as he had Estelle. It had only taken three words to make Jack realise that he too, was as scared as Ianto or any of his team. The third part of their journey had passed with both men apologising, laughing at awful jokes, anything to stay together, rather than apart. And now, they were here and Jack was determined to show his lover how much he was loved.
The penthouse room was white. The walls were white, the bedding was white, only the furnishings had colour, and that was the rich brown of old oak. The first thing Jack insisted upon was that he and Ianto had a bath. He sat behind Ianto and soaped his back and washed his hair. Whenever Ianto tried to reciprocate, Jack refused him.
And so, as the water in the bath grew cooler, Jack stepped out and enfolded Ianto in a bath towel before leading him to the bed. The younger man looked puzzled but silently allowed himself to be dried, gasping when Jack occasionally licked a droplet of water from his thigh or his tummy. Once he was dry, Jack stood, his own skin glistening with water sheen. He kissed Ianto tenderly, trying to push him backwards onto the bed, but Ianto resisted the attempt and Jack stopped to look into his eyes.
“You're shivering, Jack,” the Welshman whispered against his cheek. “Let me dry you and take you to bed.”
Jack's voice caught in his throat. “I want to look after you...” he began before Ianto silenced him with a patient kiss.
“You're wet,” Ianto smiled, licking the dampness at Jack's neck. “You make my bed wet and I'll be very unhappy,” he punctuated the comment with a nip to Jack's earlobe. He softened and deepened his voice. “I don't think you want that, do you?”
And so, derailed by his lover, Jack stood as he was tended. Ianto was a gentle man but a thorough one and Jack found himself gasping at the texture of the towel over his skin. And suddenly, it was over, the towel folded tidily over the radiator and Ianto stood before him, his hand on his hips and his eyebrow raised.
“What now, Captain Jack?” he whispered, a twinkle in his eye.
“Now, I take you to bed, Mr Jones,” Jack told him, guiding him the few feet to the bed and encouraging him to lie upon it. Jack knelt at his feet, feeling the silky skin under his fingers and then running them upwards, over Ianto's calves. He lowered his head to let his tongue follow the journey, feeling the coarse hair tickle his tongue and the warm skin beneath it. When he reached Ianto's knee, he ran his tongue underneath, making the younger man gasp, then giggle. Jack could feel Ianto's pulse quicken under his tongue as he relished the different texture and taste.
Jack's hands moved again, up and over Ianto's thighs, which trembled slightly. As he ran his tongue up the inside of Ianto's thigh, he imagined that the skin was becoming warmer as it reached the centre. But Jack stopped, running his fingers up to Ianto's belly, giving the young man's erection just the barest brush of his lips.
Ianto whimpered beneath him, clutching the bed sheets. Jack watched as the veins in Ianto's lower arms became more prominent and yes, that was far too inviting. He followed the vein with his tongue, smiling when his lover squirmed as Jack nuzzled the inside of his elbow. The tang of sweat was beginning to seep through the warm skin and Jack followed the taste up the inside of Ianto's arm, over his shoulder and down one side of his torso.
Jack had a soft spot for the sprinkling of hair running from Ianto's bellybutton to his groin, and he ran his fingers through the dark curls. He loved the feel of them against his stomach when they were having sex, then afterwards, licking droplets of moisture from the strands. In the middle of the treasure trail, on the right, there was a hidden mole only revealed when you were close. He found it now with his fingers and gave it a gentle kiss. Deep down, Jack sometimes hoped that he was the first to find Ianto's beauty mark; a tiny hidden blemish under the suit of the Torchwood archivist.
That kiss, so close, made Ianto arch his hips, trying to guide Jack downwards. Ever contrary, he ran his hands up and over the chest before him. His mouth covered one of Ianto's nipples, wetting it, then he withdrew, blowing over the skin and watching the dark nub pucker in the chill. He bought the other nipple to hardness, teasing it with his fingers, watching Ianto watch him with an open mouth and a pleading stare.
“Please Jack,” Ianto said softly, closing his eyes as the older man moved up to nuzzle his neck. With easy grace, Jack straddled Ianto, bringing their bodies tight together. He purposely dragged himself upward, allowing his own aching erection a moment of friction as it was rubbed up and then back down through the hair at Ianto's navel. As his eyes drew level with the Welshman's he stopped to kiss him, brushing their lips together. Ianto looked back at Jack, opening his mouth to the kiss, drawing him closer but watching him. And the older man kept his gaze, silently proclaiming his feelings through the kiss.
Ianto bucked upwards beneath Jack; welcome for the friction it bought.
“Wait, just a minute,” Jack whispered, lifting himself up and off the younger man to scrabble through his pockets for a small bottle of lube he kept in his coat pocket. When he returned, he coated both of their cocks liberally, laying himself between Ianto's legs.
“This wasn't what I was planning,” he whispered. “But it's too much, I need to feel you.”
“Then do it,” Ianto moaned back, grasping Jack's backside with both his hands, dragging him closer.
Open-eyed, Jack lowered his head for another searching kiss, thrusting against Ianto gently, allowing the younger man to wrap a leg around his, pulling him ever closer. The heady sensation of the younger man's cock and balls against his was tipping Jack into desperate movement. He had started this wanting purely to please and yet, in doing so, he'd realised that Ianto would never stand for it. The fact that the younger man was moving up and against him, keeping and intensifying Jack's rhythm just re-iterated that fact.
Jack clung to Ianto's shoulders, drinking in the breathy sounds Ianto was making against his cheek. He could feel goose bumps raise on his own arms, his skin absorbing every touch Ianto gave, every sensation shared. He dipped his hips a little lower, allowing the head of his cock to rub the soft spot behind Ianto's balls. The reaction was instant; Ianto arched his neck and smiled broadly, groaning as he did so. As he moved back up, he felt Ianto's hand between their bodies, bringing their cocks into line and firmly together. Jack moaned as the tip of Ianto's cock nudged his as they moved against each other, each lost in the sensation but connected hip to hip.
Jack could feel Ianto's balls tightening against his, knowing that he wasn't going to be too far behind. He pulled Ianto into a searing kiss, wanting to feel as close as possible. The feel of Ianto coming warm and slick over his belly, against his own cock made him open his eyes and he watched as Ianto's face turned from rapture to relaxation. Jack ground against the man below him, panting as he raced towards and then, was overtaken, by his own climax. He shuddered in his lovers' arms gasping, circling his hips and letting his cock slide over Ianto's come-slick tummy.
When Jack heard the Welshman murmur he lifted his head, convinced this was the time to confess and yet, Ianto took the words from his mouth and Jack returned to silence.
“Love you, Jack.”
~#~
It wasn't that they wanted to overhear, but they had been hungry. The rest of the team had eaten on the road, but Jack and Ianto, trapped in their pained struggle had refused. It was hard for either man to say what had fixed their disagreement. It may have been that Ianto got back in the car and thanked Jack - thanked him for not being mysterious and for being honest. It may have been that Jack had promised to make it right, but the two men had spent the last leg of the journey united by their common goal. And after arriving and making up, it was time to eat. Jack had been mildly disgruntled that this meant they both had to dress again, since Ianto forbade him from wandering around the team-house naked.
Ianto had led the way down to the kitchen, and they'd made jam sandwiches and, though they had planned to take them to bed, they ended up eating them as they stood at the kitchen counter. That had led to apologies, hugs and kisses and it was half an hour before they made up back upstairs. As they walked past Maldwyn and Moses' room, they were stopped by the sound of raised voices from within.
“But it wasn't the truth, was it...you knew?”
It was Maldwyn's voice, tremulous, emotional but angry. Desperately angry.
For a moment there was silence, then mumbling...it would have been Moses' reply, but neither man could hear it, then Maldwyn's voice rang out again.
“What the fuck? You know Ianto's more important to me than that... Where do you get off making me do this to him? He'll never believe I didn't know and it's your fucking fault. Who the fuck do you think you are?”
Jack and Ianto looked at each other, hardly breathing and rooted to the spot where they had stopped. Moses’ voice came again hushed and apparently trying to shush Maldwyn, if his next comment was anything to go by.
“I don't care if everyone in this fucking house hears. Bring it on. You'd let me take the fall for this, wouldn't you, you bastard?”
There was no time to move before the door swung open and suddenly, Jack was face to face with Maldwyn Bevans.
“Jack,” Maldwyn said, taking a deep, stuttering breath. “Could I speak with you for a minute?”
Jack nodded, “Come down to the kitchen.” He looked over to Ianto, who was about to follow him but Maldwyn stopped him.
“Please,” Maldwyn whispered, putting his hand on Ianto's chest. “Can I talk to Jack alone, just for a moment?”
“Of course...” Ianto replied, slightly bemused. He watched as Jack led his old friend downstairs and turned to look at Moses. “Would you like to tell me what all that was about?”
“I'm dreadfully sorry you had to overhear that,” Moses started, turning to sit on the edge of he and Maldwyn's bed. Ianto followed him into the room. “Maldwyn has been irrational lately. I accompanied him here before you see, to locate your parents. We saw the Cathexis Transmitter and I told him that it was safe...I didn't see that it was any threat to your parents. Rather, I suspected that their proximity to such a valuable machine would keep them protected. But Maldwyn heard Melindawa - I mean, Miss Grove - say that the transmitters were valuable to more than one race. After that, we were shot at and he's put it all together to decide that I've lied to him. What can I do? Despite the fact that I care for him dreadfully - and really Ianto, I do - do I have to live always being questioned?”
Ianto listened intently to Moses. He shook his head noncommittally at the end, knowing that he'd been asked a question, but not knowing really what it was. He was still thinking about Moses' suspicions that the Transmitter was keeping his parents safe. He couldn't quite put his finger on why it bothered him, but it did.
“I'll come straight to the point, Ianto.” Moses continued, standing and beginning to re-zip his unpacked bag. “I don't think I can stay in this room with him tonight. I shall go down to the sitting room to sleep. You've no need to keep me company.”
“S'no problem,” Ianto replied, following him. He wasn't sure he wanted to speak to Moses, but he was very sure he didn't want to let him out of his sight.
~#~
Maldwyn sat at the kitchen table, opposite Jack. The room was warm, very rustic, though the cold flagstone floor reminded him too much of his old home to be comforting. Then, flagstones were a mark of poverty and not of chic. Now he was here, he was nervous. At the time, asking to speak to Jack had seemed like a good idea. Now it was daunting. A hundred different versions of what he might say flashed through his mind, every one sounding more and more extreme. He couldn't be sure he knew what he thought he knew, but he wanted Jack to hear it.
“You can't tell Ianto,” Maldwyn whispered. He paused, trying to formulate his words. “I-I...”
“Calm down,” Jack said softly, leaning in towards Maldwyn. “Just relax for a moment. Would you like a drink, some tea?”
Maldwyn blinked. In all of his hastily constructed visions of this conversation, at no point had Jack offered him beverages.
“OK,” he whispered, before remembering Jack was American. He stood. “Do you want me to....”?
“I pretty much live with Ianto.” Jack smiled and then winked. “Don't tell anyone, but Ianto likes tea...”
Maldwyn shook his head, unaware of the relevance of that particular statement.
“Sorry,” Jack said softly. “Ianto is the Coffee King at work. He keeps us going with cups of caffeine-fuelled heaven. And then he sneaks upstairs to make himself tea.”
Maldwyn smiled, cherishing the shared moment of complicity. An insight into his old friend, however small, warmed his heart.
“Do you want to tell me what you and Moses were arguing about?” Jack said, turning his back to Maldwyn to fill the kettle and take two mugs out of the cupboard.
“When.... we found Ianto's parents, Moses and I saw the transmitter.” Maldwyn said staring at Jack's broad shoulders. Such a capable man, Maldwyn suddenly thought. His mind started to wander to what Jack would be like...stop, he told himself, realising he would never finish what he needed to say if he followed that train of thought. “Moses, he told me that they would be safe...but Melindawa said that the transmitters were valuable, so we've got to be here for dual purpose, haven't we? Ianto's parents and the transmitter, because Moses told me I shouldn't have told you it's name and when he found...”
Jack had turned to look at him, stopping his flow. Suddenly, he felt foolish. Jack would tell him he was being foolish. He must be, mustn't he?
“You need to slow down,” Jack told him. “How did you find Ianto's parents, Maldwyn?”
“Can't say...don't make me say...please?” Maldwyn begged. Oh this was a bad, bad idea. He shivered despite himself.
“Whatever it is that you're frightened of, I can help,” Jack said turning his back to finish making tea. “I know you have no reason to trust me, but if it affects Ianto, you have to know that I will do anything to make it right.”
“I know you will...I will say, but not now. But you need to tell me Jack...do you love him?” Maldwyn asked, the question even slightly shocking himself. He watched Jack's shoulders tense, and then relax. Maldwyn was slightly worried he'd upset the man but Jack turned smiling, walking towards the table with two cups of tea.
“How do I tell you, when I can't tell him?” Jack said quietly, smiling sadly. “Sorry, I mean...I do, of course I do, I just...”
“Love's a very scary thing, isn't it?” Maldwyn said nervously, biting his lip and then leaning over the table towards Jack. “It sort of makes you feel all alive and sick and scared and excited all at the same time. And then... I always get scared. It's not like I'm a long-term prospect, is it?”
“I'm not sure I am either,” Jack said smiling at Maldwyn's excitement. “I mean, it's complicated... me and Ianto's lives are complicated and then, mine is more complicated still and he doesn't deserve it, he should have someone...”
“He doesn't want anyone else, Jack.” Maldwyn reached over to take the older man's hand. “I think Ianto likes complicated...or at least, it doesn't frighten him. He's the only person I ever met who's tougher than my mam. Which makes him tough enough for anyone.”
Jack smiled, curling his thumb over Maldwyn's fingers. “I didn't expect you to be an advocate for our relationship.”
“Well,” Maldwyn took a deep breath and looked up, looking Jack straight in the eye for the first time in their conversation. “It's only because it would be rude to get straight to the point; you hurt him, and I'll kill you.” Maldwyn raised his eyebrows and nodded, Jack nodded back. “I think I need to tell you about Moses, now.”
~#~
Part Eleven
Pairing: Jack/Ianto
Rating: 18 - sex
Summary: The team arrive and all is forgiven...but who's shouting?
Disclaimer: TW characters not mine...
Author's Notes: Beta-ed by my lovely
avon_09 who has worked so hard...thank you! Original plot beta by
damalan.
Ianto and Jack visit Melindawa at Torchwood HQ which means Ianto has to meet Maldwyn again. Maldwyn and Moses are to join the team in Cardiff. The mission is to find Ianto's parents. But other events unfold. Fogle and Stiles warn Ianto about Gay Serum and the people of Cardiff are desperate for sex...but it begins to spread. In the meantime, both Jack and Ianto suffer the trials of therapy and Jack is told to talk to Ianto in his sleep. Melindawa also retreats to Cardiff;he is in danger, a marked woman in danger from TW HQ. When they get to the Hub, Maldwyn & Moses are put under lock and key. Jack - whilst Ianto's asleep - speaks of his parents, but gets disturbed when someone starts creeping around the Hub...and it's not Maldwyn. The next morning, Mel tells the gang that something has to be done bout this thing called a Cathexis Transmitter which seems to be leaking. The team track it down at an underground Brothel. It's leaking sexual energy and whilst the team lock it down, Jack comes over all feak and weeble. The Brothel Madam is taken into custody with growing suspicion about Moses and Maldwyn's motives. The Torchwood team hit the road and revelations unfold, including a touch of angst. And our Mel has plans..
A recap on Time & Punishment or A Man in A Polyester Suit, there is a recap of both under the links as well as the full fics. You will also find full character profiles for the lead players along the lines of this fic there - including full disclosures regarding the rather purloined Fogle & Stiles characters. Since Dr Who, part of this fic has become non-cannon. Sorry!
And thanks again to everyone still reading! :)
Part Ten
It was after midnight when the team arrived at the house Melindawa had arranged for them to stay in. Tosh and Gwen had spent most of the second half of their journey worrying about Jack and Ianto who weren't talking at the second coffee break and then, seemed well, glum at the third. They were at least talking but being overly polite, as if they were scared of upsetting each other at every word.
Once the vehicles were unloaded, Ianto had strode through the house, allocating rooms, unaware that everyone was watching to see if he and Jack were indeed going to be sharing a room. All of the bedrooms were on the same floor, and Gwen noticed that actually, there didn't seem to be a spare one for Jack and Ianto.
“Goodnight all,” Ianto had told them, staring back at everyone.
“Erm, where are you two staying?” Gwen asked, suitably puzzled.
“We, have the penthouse suite,” said Jack, walking past her to stand in front of Ianto. He fiddled with something on the wall and a door swung back. Before anyone could look, Jack had grabbed Ianto's hand and they disappeared through the mysterious doorway. Gwen followed, staring at the wall. There was nothing there. Not even a seam where the door should have been. And then, from somewhere in the deep recesses of the wall, she heard the laughter of her boss and her colleague, her friends; and decided she really didn't need to know anything else for now.
~#~
The argument on the motorway had shaken Jack. He knew he and Ianto would get over it, but it was too close, too harsh. He could rationalise, remember that Ianto was stressed and upset, but he just kept thinking that one day, he would lose Ianto or leave him, as he had Estelle. It had only taken three words to make Jack realise that he too, was as scared as Ianto or any of his team. The third part of their journey had passed with both men apologising, laughing at awful jokes, anything to stay together, rather than apart. And now, they were here and Jack was determined to show his lover how much he was loved.
The penthouse room was white. The walls were white, the bedding was white, only the furnishings had colour, and that was the rich brown of old oak. The first thing Jack insisted upon was that he and Ianto had a bath. He sat behind Ianto and soaped his back and washed his hair. Whenever Ianto tried to reciprocate, Jack refused him.
And so, as the water in the bath grew cooler, Jack stepped out and enfolded Ianto in a bath towel before leading him to the bed. The younger man looked puzzled but silently allowed himself to be dried, gasping when Jack occasionally licked a droplet of water from his thigh or his tummy. Once he was dry, Jack stood, his own skin glistening with water sheen. He kissed Ianto tenderly, trying to push him backwards onto the bed, but Ianto resisted the attempt and Jack stopped to look into his eyes.
“You're shivering, Jack,” the Welshman whispered against his cheek. “Let me dry you and take you to bed.”
Jack's voice caught in his throat. “I want to look after you...” he began before Ianto silenced him with a patient kiss.
“You're wet,” Ianto smiled, licking the dampness at Jack's neck. “You make my bed wet and I'll be very unhappy,” he punctuated the comment with a nip to Jack's earlobe. He softened and deepened his voice. “I don't think you want that, do you?”
And so, derailed by his lover, Jack stood as he was tended. Ianto was a gentle man but a thorough one and Jack found himself gasping at the texture of the towel over his skin. And suddenly, it was over, the towel folded tidily over the radiator and Ianto stood before him, his hand on his hips and his eyebrow raised.
“What now, Captain Jack?” he whispered, a twinkle in his eye.
“Now, I take you to bed, Mr Jones,” Jack told him, guiding him the few feet to the bed and encouraging him to lie upon it. Jack knelt at his feet, feeling the silky skin under his fingers and then running them upwards, over Ianto's calves. He lowered his head to let his tongue follow the journey, feeling the coarse hair tickle his tongue and the warm skin beneath it. When he reached Ianto's knee, he ran his tongue underneath, making the younger man gasp, then giggle. Jack could feel Ianto's pulse quicken under his tongue as he relished the different texture and taste.
Jack's hands moved again, up and over Ianto's thighs, which trembled slightly. As he ran his tongue up the inside of Ianto's thigh, he imagined that the skin was becoming warmer as it reached the centre. But Jack stopped, running his fingers up to Ianto's belly, giving the young man's erection just the barest brush of his lips.
Ianto whimpered beneath him, clutching the bed sheets. Jack watched as the veins in Ianto's lower arms became more prominent and yes, that was far too inviting. He followed the vein with his tongue, smiling when his lover squirmed as Jack nuzzled the inside of his elbow. The tang of sweat was beginning to seep through the warm skin and Jack followed the taste up the inside of Ianto's arm, over his shoulder and down one side of his torso.
Jack had a soft spot for the sprinkling of hair running from Ianto's bellybutton to his groin, and he ran his fingers through the dark curls. He loved the feel of them against his stomach when they were having sex, then afterwards, licking droplets of moisture from the strands. In the middle of the treasure trail, on the right, there was a hidden mole only revealed when you were close. He found it now with his fingers and gave it a gentle kiss. Deep down, Jack sometimes hoped that he was the first to find Ianto's beauty mark; a tiny hidden blemish under the suit of the Torchwood archivist.
That kiss, so close, made Ianto arch his hips, trying to guide Jack downwards. Ever contrary, he ran his hands up and over the chest before him. His mouth covered one of Ianto's nipples, wetting it, then he withdrew, blowing over the skin and watching the dark nub pucker in the chill. He bought the other nipple to hardness, teasing it with his fingers, watching Ianto watch him with an open mouth and a pleading stare.
“Please Jack,” Ianto said softly, closing his eyes as the older man moved up to nuzzle his neck. With easy grace, Jack straddled Ianto, bringing their bodies tight together. He purposely dragged himself upward, allowing his own aching erection a moment of friction as it was rubbed up and then back down through the hair at Ianto's navel. As his eyes drew level with the Welshman's he stopped to kiss him, brushing their lips together. Ianto looked back at Jack, opening his mouth to the kiss, drawing him closer but watching him. And the older man kept his gaze, silently proclaiming his feelings through the kiss.
Ianto bucked upwards beneath Jack; welcome for the friction it bought.
“Wait, just a minute,” Jack whispered, lifting himself up and off the younger man to scrabble through his pockets for a small bottle of lube he kept in his coat pocket. When he returned, he coated both of their cocks liberally, laying himself between Ianto's legs.
“This wasn't what I was planning,” he whispered. “But it's too much, I need to feel you.”
“Then do it,” Ianto moaned back, grasping Jack's backside with both his hands, dragging him closer.
Open-eyed, Jack lowered his head for another searching kiss, thrusting against Ianto gently, allowing the younger man to wrap a leg around his, pulling him ever closer. The heady sensation of the younger man's cock and balls against his was tipping Jack into desperate movement. He had started this wanting purely to please and yet, in doing so, he'd realised that Ianto would never stand for it. The fact that the younger man was moving up and against him, keeping and intensifying Jack's rhythm just re-iterated that fact.
Jack clung to Ianto's shoulders, drinking in the breathy sounds Ianto was making against his cheek. He could feel goose bumps raise on his own arms, his skin absorbing every touch Ianto gave, every sensation shared. He dipped his hips a little lower, allowing the head of his cock to rub the soft spot behind Ianto's balls. The reaction was instant; Ianto arched his neck and smiled broadly, groaning as he did so. As he moved back up, he felt Ianto's hand between their bodies, bringing their cocks into line and firmly together. Jack moaned as the tip of Ianto's cock nudged his as they moved against each other, each lost in the sensation but connected hip to hip.
Jack could feel Ianto's balls tightening against his, knowing that he wasn't going to be too far behind. He pulled Ianto into a searing kiss, wanting to feel as close as possible. The feel of Ianto coming warm and slick over his belly, against his own cock made him open his eyes and he watched as Ianto's face turned from rapture to relaxation. Jack ground against the man below him, panting as he raced towards and then, was overtaken, by his own climax. He shuddered in his lovers' arms gasping, circling his hips and letting his cock slide over Ianto's come-slick tummy.
When Jack heard the Welshman murmur he lifted his head, convinced this was the time to confess and yet, Ianto took the words from his mouth and Jack returned to silence.
“Love you, Jack.”
~#~
It wasn't that they wanted to overhear, but they had been hungry. The rest of the team had eaten on the road, but Jack and Ianto, trapped in their pained struggle had refused. It was hard for either man to say what had fixed their disagreement. It may have been that Ianto got back in the car and thanked Jack - thanked him for not being mysterious and for being honest. It may have been that Jack had promised to make it right, but the two men had spent the last leg of the journey united by their common goal. And after arriving and making up, it was time to eat. Jack had been mildly disgruntled that this meant they both had to dress again, since Ianto forbade him from wandering around the team-house naked.
Ianto had led the way down to the kitchen, and they'd made jam sandwiches and, though they had planned to take them to bed, they ended up eating them as they stood at the kitchen counter. That had led to apologies, hugs and kisses and it was half an hour before they made up back upstairs. As they walked past Maldwyn and Moses' room, they were stopped by the sound of raised voices from within.
“But it wasn't the truth, was it...you knew?”
It was Maldwyn's voice, tremulous, emotional but angry. Desperately angry.
For a moment there was silence, then mumbling...it would have been Moses' reply, but neither man could hear it, then Maldwyn's voice rang out again.
“What the fuck? You know Ianto's more important to me than that... Where do you get off making me do this to him? He'll never believe I didn't know and it's your fucking fault. Who the fuck do you think you are?”
Jack and Ianto looked at each other, hardly breathing and rooted to the spot where they had stopped. Moses’ voice came again hushed and apparently trying to shush Maldwyn, if his next comment was anything to go by.
“I don't care if everyone in this fucking house hears. Bring it on. You'd let me take the fall for this, wouldn't you, you bastard?”
There was no time to move before the door swung open and suddenly, Jack was face to face with Maldwyn Bevans.
“Jack,” Maldwyn said, taking a deep, stuttering breath. “Could I speak with you for a minute?”
Jack nodded, “Come down to the kitchen.” He looked over to Ianto, who was about to follow him but Maldwyn stopped him.
“Please,” Maldwyn whispered, putting his hand on Ianto's chest. “Can I talk to Jack alone, just for a moment?”
“Of course...” Ianto replied, slightly bemused. He watched as Jack led his old friend downstairs and turned to look at Moses. “Would you like to tell me what all that was about?”
“I'm dreadfully sorry you had to overhear that,” Moses started, turning to sit on the edge of he and Maldwyn's bed. Ianto followed him into the room. “Maldwyn has been irrational lately. I accompanied him here before you see, to locate your parents. We saw the Cathexis Transmitter and I told him that it was safe...I didn't see that it was any threat to your parents. Rather, I suspected that their proximity to such a valuable machine would keep them protected. But Maldwyn heard Melindawa - I mean, Miss Grove - say that the transmitters were valuable to more than one race. After that, we were shot at and he's put it all together to decide that I've lied to him. What can I do? Despite the fact that I care for him dreadfully - and really Ianto, I do - do I have to live always being questioned?”
Ianto listened intently to Moses. He shook his head noncommittally at the end, knowing that he'd been asked a question, but not knowing really what it was. He was still thinking about Moses' suspicions that the Transmitter was keeping his parents safe. He couldn't quite put his finger on why it bothered him, but it did.
“I'll come straight to the point, Ianto.” Moses continued, standing and beginning to re-zip his unpacked bag. “I don't think I can stay in this room with him tonight. I shall go down to the sitting room to sleep. You've no need to keep me company.”
“S'no problem,” Ianto replied, following him. He wasn't sure he wanted to speak to Moses, but he was very sure he didn't want to let him out of his sight.
~#~
Maldwyn sat at the kitchen table, opposite Jack. The room was warm, very rustic, though the cold flagstone floor reminded him too much of his old home to be comforting. Then, flagstones were a mark of poverty and not of chic. Now he was here, he was nervous. At the time, asking to speak to Jack had seemed like a good idea. Now it was daunting. A hundred different versions of what he might say flashed through his mind, every one sounding more and more extreme. He couldn't be sure he knew what he thought he knew, but he wanted Jack to hear it.
“You can't tell Ianto,” Maldwyn whispered. He paused, trying to formulate his words. “I-I...”
“Calm down,” Jack said softly, leaning in towards Maldwyn. “Just relax for a moment. Would you like a drink, some tea?”
Maldwyn blinked. In all of his hastily constructed visions of this conversation, at no point had Jack offered him beverages.
“OK,” he whispered, before remembering Jack was American. He stood. “Do you want me to....”?
“I pretty much live with Ianto.” Jack smiled and then winked. “Don't tell anyone, but Ianto likes tea...”
Maldwyn shook his head, unaware of the relevance of that particular statement.
“Sorry,” Jack said softly. “Ianto is the Coffee King at work. He keeps us going with cups of caffeine-fuelled heaven. And then he sneaks upstairs to make himself tea.”
Maldwyn smiled, cherishing the shared moment of complicity. An insight into his old friend, however small, warmed his heart.
“Do you want to tell me what you and Moses were arguing about?” Jack said, turning his back to Maldwyn to fill the kettle and take two mugs out of the cupboard.
“When.... we found Ianto's parents, Moses and I saw the transmitter.” Maldwyn said staring at Jack's broad shoulders. Such a capable man, Maldwyn suddenly thought. His mind started to wander to what Jack would be like...stop, he told himself, realising he would never finish what he needed to say if he followed that train of thought. “Moses, he told me that they would be safe...but Melindawa said that the transmitters were valuable, so we've got to be here for dual purpose, haven't we? Ianto's parents and the transmitter, because Moses told me I shouldn't have told you it's name and when he found...”
Jack had turned to look at him, stopping his flow. Suddenly, he felt foolish. Jack would tell him he was being foolish. He must be, mustn't he?
“You need to slow down,” Jack told him. “How did you find Ianto's parents, Maldwyn?”
“Can't say...don't make me say...please?” Maldwyn begged. Oh this was a bad, bad idea. He shivered despite himself.
“Whatever it is that you're frightened of, I can help,” Jack said turning his back to finish making tea. “I know you have no reason to trust me, but if it affects Ianto, you have to know that I will do anything to make it right.”
“I know you will...I will say, but not now. But you need to tell me Jack...do you love him?” Maldwyn asked, the question even slightly shocking himself. He watched Jack's shoulders tense, and then relax. Maldwyn was slightly worried he'd upset the man but Jack turned smiling, walking towards the table with two cups of tea.
“How do I tell you, when I can't tell him?” Jack said quietly, smiling sadly. “Sorry, I mean...I do, of course I do, I just...”
“Love's a very scary thing, isn't it?” Maldwyn said nervously, biting his lip and then leaning over the table towards Jack. “It sort of makes you feel all alive and sick and scared and excited all at the same time. And then... I always get scared. It's not like I'm a long-term prospect, is it?”
“I'm not sure I am either,” Jack said smiling at Maldwyn's excitement. “I mean, it's complicated... me and Ianto's lives are complicated and then, mine is more complicated still and he doesn't deserve it, he should have someone...”
“He doesn't want anyone else, Jack.” Maldwyn reached over to take the older man's hand. “I think Ianto likes complicated...or at least, it doesn't frighten him. He's the only person I ever met who's tougher than my mam. Which makes him tough enough for anyone.”
Jack smiled, curling his thumb over Maldwyn's fingers. “I didn't expect you to be an advocate for our relationship.”
“Well,” Maldwyn took a deep breath and looked up, looking Jack straight in the eye for the first time in their conversation. “It's only because it would be rude to get straight to the point; you hurt him, and I'll kill you.” Maldwyn raised his eyebrows and nodded, Jack nodded back. “I think I need to tell you about Moses, now.”
~#~
Part Eleven