OOC: Log.
Who: Ianto notjustateaboy, Owen docisin and Captain Harkness realcaptjack, Jack thedashinghero.
When: Yesterday
Where: The Hub, then Ianto’s house
What: Ianto and Owen finally having a confrontation and laying into one another, Owen going into Weevil mode and Ianto helping him out of it, them sort of coming to a truce (or as much as truce as these two ever are at), Captain Harkness looking after Ianto’s wound and them doing an almost, Jack catching them and telling them to get on with it.
Why: Because they had to have a blow out sooner or later before they shot each other.
Ianto sighed rolling on the pit floor to the table. He watched Owen walk around, his own eyes darting about the room every few minutes, counting the number of bricks in the wall to avoid the awkwardness of the situation.
Owen finished sorting out his equipment and turned to look at Ianto, choosing that it was better to pretend nothing as happening at all than admit it was. "Need help getting up onto the table?"
He shook his head pushing himself onto his feet and hobbling a little as he pulled himself up onto the table.
"Right, trousers off, lets get those stitches out", Owen said briskly, burrowing deep into doctormode. Doctormode was safe, Doctor Harper just did doctorly things and had no social life, especially not an incredibly confusing and complex one.
Ianto frowned and sighed concentrating on the task at hand as he removed his belt and then unzipped his trousers, shimmying out of them. He pulled up the leg of his boxers so the mottled gun shaped scar was revealed.
Owen pushed his smaller table to the side, examining the wound. "Had any more pain with it?", he asked, pressing the area gently.
Ianto watched him, "A bit but the pills have been helping. It's less than it has been. I've been managing a few steps at a time."
"That's good", Owen nodded, picking up his scalpel, starting to remove the stitches one at a time.
Ianto watched him carefully concentrating on the top of Owen's head. This was the man he was allowing to love and kiss and sleep with HIS Jack. He frowned softly. The idea was so surreal. He didn't know if he'd ever get used to it.
Owen worked quietly a moment, keeping his emotions to himself until he cut the last stitch. "Can move you up to crutches or a walking stick", he said, "Just while your muscles get used to working again, shouldn't be long, though, it's healed pretty well". He stood back, starting to put his things away. "Still want you to take the meds until I'm sure the infection's clear"
He nodded, "How long will that be?" He asked quietly his words professional.
"The pills?", Owen asked shoving his hands in his lab coat pockets, "Give it a week or so, you should be walking fine by then, so long as you don't overstrain yourself"
Ianto nodded, "...Thank you." He replied finally looking at the bottle but remaining where he was
Owen set his shoulders, turning to look at him. "You're okay to go now"
He nodded before looking at him "How is this going to work?"
"I told you, you keep taking the med and take it easy on your leg", said Owen, arching his brow, "Do you want me to write it down?"
Ianto frowned, "Not that."
Owen looked at him, before setting his jaw, folding his arms. "Wondered when this would fucking come up"
Ianto frowned, "Well its not going to go away is it?."
"Suppose not", Owen sighed, running his hair through his hands, "I don't fucking know, Ianto. I really don't"
Ianto frowned softly and looked at the tiles. "Well Jack obviously can't seem to cope without you, so you leaving is out of the question." He muttered
"If I thought he could handle it, don't you think I would have ended it ages ago?", asked Owen quietly, "I can heal from a broken heart, I've done it often enough. If you think I'm enjoying making you miserable you're well fucking wrong"
He frowned "We'll see." He replied with a sigh before nodding. "Alright so long as you're not shagging him in my flat or in front of me. "I don't need to see it."
"What do you mean 'we'll see?'", asked Owen, annoyed, "I may be a fucking bastard, but I don't sink that low, no matter what the hell you think of me"
Ianto looked at him. "I'm just asking not to see it Owen." He replied
"Fine, you won't see it", said Owen, rolling his eyes, "Whatever you want, Ianto"
He frowned, "Don't turn me into the enemy here Owen." He glared annoyed at the roll of Owen's eyes.
"I'm not turning you into the fucking enemy", snapped Owen, glaring at him, "I'm the other guy. I know that. You're fucking marrying him, and having a kid with him, where the hell do you find you're the enemy in that?"
"I'm not the one fucking rolling his eyes every two minutes like what I think is beneath you."
Owen scowled at him. "You know what, Jones? Sod off", he snapped, "You don't know fucking anything about me, and until you get a psychology PhD, don't fucking analyse everything I sodding well do"
"I know a hell of a lot more than you give me credit for you fucking Essex barrow boy."
A low, dangerous growl sounded from deep in Owen's chest. "What the fuck did you call me?"
"I called you an Essex barrow boy. Owen." He scowled at him moving to his feet gingerly annoyance on his face.
Owen narrowed his eyes, his hands balling into fists, trying to resist to urge to hit the other man. "Shows how fucking little you know about me, you Taffy dickhead"
"Taffy is it? Well at least I don't have to steal a pheromone spray to sleep with someone."
"That was a fucking accident", the last word came out in a low growl.
"What about all the other times you've used the damn thing, ON purpose, did you care who you were sleeping with then?"
"I was a different man, then", said Owen, scowling at him.
"Really?" he replied in disbelief.
"Yeah", snapped Owen, "Because you know what? Having the first person you fucking loved since your fiancée had an alien burst out of her fucking brain go flying into a fucking rift never to be seen again does tend to change a person"
Ianto shook his head. "At least you know she has a chance of being alive Owen." He glared at him before hobbling over to the steps.
"Oh, that's it, play the fucking Lisa card", growled Owen, "That wasn't love, that was you being fucking selfish"
Ianto stopped at the stairs staring at them in horror before he turned to face him angrily. "What?" He bit out.
"You heard me", said Owen, glaring at him, "You wanted to fucking keep her, so you kept a tiny little sliver of her, and let her become that thing. If you really loved her, you wouldn't have let her suffer"
He hobbled towards him his hands clenched "You take that back or I swear to God..."
"Or you'll what?", challenged Owen, "Hit me? Kill me? Do your fucking worst, Jones, can't do anything that hasn't happened to me already"
Ianto's fist shot out hitting clean across Owen's jaw. "You fucking bastard. I loved her, loved her more than your fucking three weeks. I would've died for her"
Owen stumbled back, rubbing his jaw, glaring at him. "At least I loved Diane enough to let her fucking go", he snarled, "I didn't make her a fucking prisoner in a cyberman's body"
"I was trying to save her!" He yelled. "She deserved that much from this fucking place."
"Any fucking moron with half a brain cell could see there was nothing left to fucking save", snapped Owen, "Shit, Ianto, you could have fucking killed the lot of us, you DID kill Jack. You're trying to tell me that wasn't fucking selfish?"
"It was NOT!" He half screamed at him launching himself at him trying to punch as he stumbled knocking them both to the floor.
Owen hit the floor with a WHACK, swearing as his head it the concrete floor. "Yeah, it fucking was and you fucking know it", he growled, putting his hand behind his head, wincing as his fingers came away wet.
"It was not, she was in trouble. I was saving her . I had to save her."
"At the expense of every fucker else", scowled Owen, "Jack fucking fretted over letting you in for fucking ages before he did. Worried you be just like the sodding rest of them. Turns out you were"
Ianto hit him again before pushing himself away. "I was not, there was nothing wrong with them, they were people just like you and me. You should show some damn respect." He bit out angrily pulling himself away.
Owen growled at the punch, his eyes beginning to darken. "No, they didn't give a fucking toss about anyone, only about getting rid of what was in their way, regardless of who was in the crossfire", he said, "And why the hell should I? You never fucking show me any"
Ianto glared at him, "I show you plenty you fucking ungrateful twat." He glared pushing himself up to his feet "You don't have the right to talk about them."
"Since fucking when?", growled Owen, standing, eyes as black as pitch as he fought for control, "Name one fucking time, and I can talk about them if I fucking want to"
"I clean up after you every fucking day Owen I do everything in my job description and beyond to make life easier for you lot so don't you fucking dare say I don't show you lot any respect."
"Cleaning up after me is not showing me any respect", growled Owen, "Respect is something you give people because you want to, not because it's in your 'job description'"
"It's not in my fucking job description. You know what you're an idiot. I'm not going to bow down to you Owen."
"You just fucking SAID it was, and I don't want you to fucking bow down to me, you fucking shit", he snarled, bearing his teeth.
"Yeah right," He replied shaking his head as he stood up.
"I don't", he snarled, his voice guttural and most decidedly not human anymore.
"You do Owen, you're an arrogant shit and you always feel this pathetic need to compete with me."
"Is that what you think is with Jack is?", he asked through gritted teeth, "You need to get a fucking life, Jones, and fast".
"I never said that." He glared at him.
"Than what are you fucking getting at?", he snarled.
"I'm pointing out the paranoid delusion you have in your head."
"That's really not the thing you have to worry about in my head", Owen gave a harsh laugh, before leaning against the wall, closing his eyes, breathing deep, trying to fight it down, "Just go, the only reason I'm still working here is because Jack spazzes when I'm gone"
Ianto scowled "You know instead of worrying over Lisa maybe you should look after Doyle instead." he scowled at him.
There was a low, deadly snarl from the smaller built man before he charged Ianto, slamming him against the wall. "I'm fucking TRYING to", he snarled, "I can't be in two fucking places at once"
Ianto slammed into the wall with a grunt swearing as his leg buckled beneath him. "You might wanna stop him getting drunk so often instead of joining him." He bit out."
Owen growled again, feeling the dark, dangerous power coursing through him, his grip tightening on Ianto, one hand going to the Welshman's throat. "He gets drunk because of Jack, if I leave Jack, Jack stops fucking EATING, what the FUCK am I supposed to DO?", he hissed.
Ianto grunted his jaw tight as his hands moved up to Owen's hand trying to pry him off. "How the hell should I know, you got yourself into this mess." He bit out angrily trying to pull away from the wall.
"You have all the fucking accusations, I thought you'd have some fucking answers", Owen hissed, his hand tightening on Ianto's throat, "It wasn't just ME"
His hands tightened as his eyes widened his fingers digging in beginning to scramble at him. "I can't stop Jack." He got out
"He'll fucking starve himself to death if I stop", snarled Owen, before his pitch black eyes widened, letting go of Ianto as he stumbled back, holding his head in his clawed fingers. "Ianto, get the fuck out of here, please", he begged, moving to a crouch against the wall as he tried to regain control.
Ianto coughed and spluttered gasping for breath, his hand coming up to his neck as he moved for the stairs
Owen shook, curled in a tight ball, taking in wracked breaths, trying to drag it in, trying to find the will to fight it, his fingers clenching in his hair.
Ianto pushed himself up onto the first step before leaning his head on the wall and watching him, his fingers rubbing the red flesh
Owen let out a small, scared sob, rocking a little at his mental struggle, the usually so tough and snarky man reduced to a trembling wreak.
Ianto frowned softly before sighing and hobbled over to him, his breaths evening out as he stood in front of Owen before sitting down.
The older man didn't notice his presence as he rocked, whimpering softly to himself his breaths still wracked and painful.
The Welshman sighed wrapping his arms around him and pulling him in tightly.
Owen stiffened in his arms, his breathing quickening.
Ianto frowned and stroked his hair rocking him just a little.
After a few moments, Owen's breathing evened out and he stopped shaking, stilling in Ianto's arms.
The Welshman continued to stroke his hair silently.
Owen pulled away quietly, his eyes back to their usual brown. "M'sorry"
Ianto shrugged softly, the finger shaped bruises on his neck turning a livid purple slowly. "We've called each other worse before."
"Not that,....I could have killed you", Owen shook his head, putting it in his hands again, "I can't control it....I would have...it wanted me to"
"You'll get better and I've had worse bruises too"
Owen shook his head, curling his small frame up. "This is all so fucked up"
He frowned stroking his fingers through Owen's hair. "So's the rest of the world. "C'mon." He replied standing up slowly
Owen waited a moment, before standing, looking so very small and tired. "If I could make him stop loving me, I would", he said simply, "Be with someone who's not a complete fuckup. But I can't, I've tried and he just makes himself sick"
Ianto nodded, "I know." He whispered rubbing his back. "Come on." He replied leading him to the stairs.
Owen sighed, too drained to argue, letting Ianto lead him up.
"Ianto frowned leaning against him a little and sitting him down on the sofa before making some coffee.
Owen sat on the sofa, leaning back against it, closing his eyes.
Ianto reappeared handing it to him before sitting beside him in silence.
"Thank you", said Owen, taking it, holding it in both hands, looking at it for a long while before taking a sip.
Ianto frowned, "Do you want me to call Doyle to come by and pick you up?"
"I'll be okay", the doctor said quietly, "He'll only worry"
"I'll call him." He insisted. "Someone should look after you."
Owen gave a harsh laugh. "Yeah, doesn't work like that, though, does it?", he asked, "I'm a doctor, I can take care of myself. He'll only panic, and Jack'll panic and maybe Tosh with beep a lot"
Ianto frowned watching him. "You can't take care of yourself." He murmured hoarsely
"I've been taking care of myself since I was four years old", said Owen simply.
Ianto shrugged, "So its high time you got looked after."
Owen sighed, closing his eyes. "Ianto, I can't", he said, "It'll freak them all out, I can't put them through that"
He frowned softly, "Well you can always use me." He murmured after a few minutes "You won't scare me off and I'm not as emotionally unstable as Jack. Or as involved.
Owen chuckled ruefully. "You fucking hate me"
"I never said I hated you Owen." He whispered with a sigh.
"You've said it plenty of times", said Owen, "You said it when you did your leg in, in that alien world"
"Well Owen to be fair I was in a hell of a lot of pain. I've never meant it, you know that, you say the same about me all the time."
Owen sighed. "Yeah, I don't mean it either", he said, "But still, you've got enough on your plate"
He shrugged, "Yes well right now its involved on your plate." He replied sitting beside him after he handed him the coffee.
Owen sighed, sipping it. "Why? You got nothing to gain from it. I'm the guy shagging your fiancé, That doesn't normally go into the 'people you should give a fuck about', Ianto"
"Well unfortunately you've saved my life more than once and Jack's in love with you. if he's miserable then I'm miserable. At least this way I'm marginally less miserable." He murmured
"Thanks Ianto, such a Disney fucking moment", Owen mumbled, then sighed, "Nothin you can help with, anyway. I'd probably end up snapping like a twig and killing you"
He frowned softly and leant back. "Well not much we can do if that happens."
Owen let out a breath. "I really don’t understand you half the fucking time, Jones"
Ianto sighed looking at his hands silently. "Maybe I am being stupid staying with him ." He murmured his shoulders dropping. "But honestly...I don't know what else to do."
"If you left him he'd go into another meltdown", sighed Owen, lying back on the couch tiredly, "He's too fucking emotional and you've got a kid on the way. Staying is your only option unless I have to reform my opinion of you"
Ianto nodded "I know." He murmured. "It'd just be nice if it didn't hurt so much." He murmured before smiling slightly. "But it's alright. Or it will be. I've been through worse and come out alright. And at least he's happy and healthy and living life again. Instead of trying to die."
"He's really got to stop doing that, maybe some aversion therapy or summat", Owen said, then shrugged, "Life hurts, have you just worked that out?"
Ianto simply looked at him pointedly.
"Wot?", asked the doctor irritably
"You're asking me if I've only just now learned that life hurts?" He asked before shaking his head and looking over at the hub. "You know it's quite hard sometimes with Jack...it's strange but since the burial I always find I have to be the strong one..." He replied softly.
"Yeah, well those nightmares don't help any", said Owen, frowning, "I wish he'd let me retcon them"
Ianto frowned. "No you know what Jack's like, he'd just try to figure them out."
"Yeah, he's a fucking pain in the arse", huffed Owen.
Ianto nodded rubbing the back of his neck. You may as well call it a day and head home to Doyle. "I think I'm going to head back and take a nice soak."
"Was going home anyway", said Owen in a tone which suggested he wouldn't do anything if he thought is was an order of some kind, standing, "Keep on your pills and take it easy on the leg"
Ianto nodded patting his pocket. before standing, do you have that cane, I'm not overly fond of limping.
"Yeah", Owen disappeared into his pit, before coming back with it, handing it over, "Here you go"
He nodded, "Thanks." He mumbled testing it out before making his way down to the doors.
Owen nodded, hanging up his labcoat and putting on his leather jacket, sticking his hands in the pockets as he followed Ianto out.
Ianto moved locking the door behind him, HI throat sore and covered in sharp, finger shaped bruises as e nodded at Owen. "Take Care," he called.
"Yeah....you too", said Owen, frowning at little at the bruises, before sighing, heading off in the direction of Doyle's flat.
He nodded before walking back rubbing his neck idly as he walked back home, his cane supporting him with every other step. He moved up the stairs and unlocked the door arriving home.
The smell of cooking food came from the kitchen, followed by Harkness' voice. "Ianto? Is that you?"
Ianto lifted his head at the smell of food and took off his coat hanging it up neatly. "Yes," he called back a little hoarse as he rubbed his throat He stepped in with his cane walking to the kitchen.
"Oh, you're out of the chair", Harkness smiled brightly as he cooked, before his smile faded a little, "...What happened to your throat?"
"I'm on a stick now." He replied before peering at his bruised reflection in the base of a pan. "Oh.. Owen and I got into a fight."
Harkness blinked, moving to have a look at it. "Seems more than just a fight"
"It'll heal." He murmured arching his neck for him. The domesticity of the situation taking over.
Harkness checked it over, his hand gentle, before nodding. "True, might be an idea to try and hide it from Jack...I don't know how well he'd take you two fighting like this"
He nodded "I will." He murmured staying very still as Jack's fingers investigated. . "Thank you."
"What for?" Harkness looked at him with a small smile.
He shrugged, "Looking at it, this is nothing believe me."
"That's alright", Harkness smiled, "So long as you're alright"
He nodded ducking his head. "I should probably find a scarf or something." He replied rubbing it soothingly as he whispered hoarse.
"Alright", Harkness smiled, "I can make you a honey-drink if you like, soothe your throat?"
"Could you?" He asked softly. pushing himself off the wall.
"Of course, not a problem", said Harkness, rummaging through the cupboards, preparing a drink.
Ianto smiled a little sitting at the kitchen table. "Thanks." He whispered
Harkness nodded, making him a honeyed drink and placing it in front of him. "Take small sips"
He smiled rubbing his neck tentatively before taking a small sip wincing a little before sighing and peering into the cup.
"I'm sure it will feel better a bit later", Harkness offered him a small smile.
Ianto smiled, "Thank You." He replied. "Who taught you this?”
"What? A little honey drink helps soothe a sore throat?", Harkness
chuckled, "I grew up in the thirties, home remedies were used a lot"
"I suppose." He replied with a smile "What year were you born in?"
"1908", said Harkness, then considered, "....Wow, that's a hundred years ago......that's depressing"
Ianto smiled softly, "If it makes you feel any better I'm pretty sure Jack is at least 2200 years old."
Harkness considered this. "Perhaps a little", he smiled.
Ianto nodded, taking a sip before chuckling softly to himself. "My god, my house is full of men at least decades older than me. I'll be corrupted." He nodded seriously as he drank amused.
"If it makes you feel any better, you're probably year ahead of me in that aspect", chuckled Harkness softly, "We can just blame any and all corruptions on Jack, I'm sure he'll take it as a compliment"
Ianto nodded, "Although to be fair it is rather enjoyable being corrupted." He replied over the rim of his mug.
Harkness ducked his head, his cheeks tinting a little. "Yes..umm..well", he said, clearing his throat, going back to cooking the food, "You may have a point"
Ianto smiled staring into space again his eyes sparkling.
Harkness watched him with a soft smile, before clearing his throat. "Um...dinner's almost ready, I don't know if you want to clean up first..."
He blinked looking at him. "Yes I should do. Thanks again." He replied with a smile finishing his drink before pushing himself up and grabbing his cane as he hobbled out of the kitchen and up the stairs to get ready
"You're welcome", Harkness offered him a smile, watching him head off up, going back to cooking.
Ianto returned in jeans and a t shirt, walking into the kitchen and setting the cane on the side sliding past him to help.
Harkness turned with a smile. "Thank you", he said.
"That's alright." He replied with a smile. Hating the Captain was surprisingly difficult. I can make the salad if you like?" He offered
"Thank you, that would be a big help", he nodded, "Are you sure your leg is alright?"
The Welshman nodded leaning against the table before brushing past him again as he hobbled to the fridge. He pulled out the chopping board and washed the salad before leaning against the counter as he chopped beside him.
Harkness moved back to cooking, watching the younger man out of the corner of his eyes as he worked.
Ianto's hands worked with understated efficiency, the knife cutting swiftly through the cucumber. His eyes trained on the vegetables, dark lashes against pale cheeks.
Harkness smiled a little as he watched him, forgetting to tend to the cooking completely.
Ianto then shredded the lettuce, "What dressing would you like on it?" He asked his head turning so his blue eyes caught the Captains.
"Hmm?", Harkness' eyes widened as he blushed and looked away, realising he'd been caught, "I..umm...oh I don't mind, really"
Ianto looked at him curiously before coughing and going back to his work with a nod moving past him once more to open the cupboard and pull out the vinegrette and the coriander. His body brushing past him each time caught between the captain and the kitchen table.
Harkness turned and started to focus on the cooking more. Yes. Cooking was a good thing to focus on. Definitely NOT James' fiancé. That would NOT be a thing to focus on. Though it was very hard not to focus on the man when he kept brushing past him like that and for god's sake man, you're an RAF captain, you can deal with this.
Ianto fell quiet the only thing filling the room was the Captain's cooking and Ianto's chopping. He added tomatoes, radishes and olives before pouring on the vinegrette and adding the pepper and sea salt before having to go past him again for the goats cheese stumbling as he moved past.
Harkness turned on instinct to help him, catching him before he fell to the floor. "Are you alright?"
Ianto nodded grasping his arms as he stood up shakily. "Sorry still getting used to it I guess," he murmured apologetically before he stood up straight, face to face with him.
Harkness blinked at the close proximity, willing himself to stop blushing. "Oh it...it's alright, I'm sure you'll get use to it....you know...eventually"
"Yeah eventually," he whispered blinking his chest rising and falling with the effort
Brown eyes traced the Welshman's face a moment. "I'm sure of it"
Ianto stood watching him moving forward slightly, his lips parted before he stepped back his eyes wide. He coughed. "I should...get back to the salad," he murmured stepping to the chopping board his cheeks flushing red. 'What's wrong with me? I'm turning into a dog on heat.' He thought to himself
Harkness blinked as he moved closer, before clearing his own throat, trying to steady his breathing. "Oh...um...yes...salad", he said, trying to kickstart his brain into making words work again as he let him go.
Ianto nodded his hand shaking absolutely mortified at what he'd almost done. images of a betrayed Jack and their baby running through his mind.
Harkness frowned as he checked on the cooking. "..I...are you alright?"
"Yes." He replied quickly before sighing and looking at him with a softened apologetic smile. "I'm sorry yes. I'm fine," he replied before looking back at the goats cheese. "I see you're wearing the cologne we got from Boots.
Harkness smiled and ducked his head. "Yes, I rather like it"
Ianto nodded, "It suits you." He replied quietly a he tossed the salad and tried not to think of the connotations of it. Suddenly wishing Jack was there so he could distract himself from the tall American beside him. Ianto blinked suddenly, he hoped he wasn't getting a type. American accents, tall, dark, handsome and in world war two regalia. Well it would be a very specific type if it was.
"Thank you", Harkness smiled, putting the cooking on a lower heat, "That should be ready for whenever Jack appears from...whatever he's been doing"
Ianto nodded putting a lid on the salad before taking his cane knocking it against the table leg gently. "Thank you for looking after the place."
"It's the least I could do", Harkness smiled, "You gave me a place to live"
He smiled looking up at him. "You needed somewhere to go, I couldn't really leave you out in the street."
"I still appreciate it", Harkness smiled at him, "I always will"
Ianto nodded ducking his head as he leaned against the table his fingers playing with the cane Supporting most of his weight on his good leg.
Jack opened the door, looking for Ianto and Harkness. He hadn't expected to come back to the Hub and find it mostly empty. "Ianto? Jack? You two home?"
"We're in here James", Harkness called from the kitchen, moving to get the food ready.
Ianto blinked looking to the door and flushing guiltily before getting the salad and putting it on the table as he hobbled about with his new cane.
Jack grinned, wandering into the kitchen. "Oooh, food! What have you been up to?" he asked, before raising an eyebrow at Ianto's scarf. "Never figured you for the scarf type, Ianto."
"Nearly done", Harkness smiled, moving to get the food onto plates, casting a worried glance in Ianto's direction.
Ianto shrugged, "Felt like a change." He replied with a nod pushing himself into a seat. "Where did you go?"
Jack frowned, but decided not to push the issue just yet. "I met up with John. He fixed my time vortex manipulator," he replied happily. "I see you got a cane, too. Owen's not going to be happy about that."
"Owen gave it to me." He replied with a nod passing him the salad his fingers pulling at the scarf absently.
Harkness placed the three plates on the table silently, moving to sit down. "A vortex what now?", he asked, trying to get Ianto off the hook.
"That's strange, he was pretty insistent about that chair," Jack replied, eyes narrowing a little as Ianto pulled at the scarf. "He was in a weird mood earlier though, so who knows," he added, sighing sadly. He hated when Owen shut him out. "And it's a time vortex manipulator," Jack explained. "It manipulates time and space, just like it says in the name. You can travel wherever and whenever you want with it."
"Does it beep more often now then?" Ianto asked reaching for his wrist and pressing a welcome home kiss on his lips.
"Oh", Harkness smiled and nodded, ducking his head, "I see"
Jack laughed, kissing him back and smiling at Harkness. "No, unless I'm using it. But I can use it again, Ianto, it's..." he trailed off, glancing at Ianto. "You're hiding something from me."
Ianto blinked softly before an even guiltier look crossed his face and he sat back. "What I...how can...I didn't actually kiss him I stepped away it's not what you think." He burst out.
Harkness blinked up from where he was about to eat a piece of broccoli, before coughing and looking at the table. Tables were good.
Both of Jack's eyebrows shot up. "What? Of all the things I was expecting, it wasn't that." He glanced between the two of them, wondering if the whole world had gone crazy today.
"I'm so sorry," Ianto replied shaking his head helplessly
"Nothing happened", murmured Harkness quietly, poking at his food.
Jack just kind of gaped at them. "Okay....I'll be the first to admit that the thought of you two together is incredibly arousing, but will somebody explain what's going on before my brain starts working?"
The Welshman shook his head. "Nothing happened Jack, I swear."
"Nothing at all", said Harkness, "I was just making dinner and I saved him from tripping"
Ianto looked over at the captain quietly for the first time since Jack had walked in.
"But you wanted to kiss him," Jack murmured. "So much that it makes you feel guilty now. Ianto....you don't have to feel that way. It would be incredibly hypocritical of me if I faulted you for this."
Ianto looked back at Jack, "Jack I can't...we've got a baby on the way and we're getting married..."
Harkness flushed when he caught Ianto's eye, before looking down at his plate. "....I could find a new place to live...if it's a problem"
"Ianto, Jack....it's really not a problem. I'm not going to stop you from exploring your feelings. It'll be good for both of you. Maybe you'll even understand the position I'm in," Jack chuckled, though his stomach twisted nervously. He took a deep breath to calm it. They wouldn't leave him for each other. "You both have my permission," he added quietly, giving each of them a serious look.
Ianto frowned holding Jack's hand "I..."
Harkness looked up at then both, before sighing, looking away, he didn't understand what was happening himself, let alone be able to put it into words
Jack took Ianto's hand and Harkness', joining them together. "I love you both, and you have my permission," he said softly. "Just don't forget about me," he chuckled.
Ianto looked at their clasped hands in confusion before looking back at Jack lost.
Harkness frowned softly, looking over at him. "....James"
"Now go on, give him one of those fabulous snogs you give," Jack told him, nudging Ianto. "Captain's orders," he added with a grin, stepping back.
Ianto blinked, "Jack I..." He trailed off staring at him shell-shocked.
"What?", squeaked Harkness, his eyes widening.
"Kiss him, Ianto," Jack murmured. "I know you want to."
The Welshman looked at Jack uncertainly. "I don't know..." He whispered terrified.
Harkness flushed more. "I umm...don't think this is the..umm..time"
Jack kissed Ianto softly, calming him. "There's nothing to be afraid of, Ianto. I'm more than alright with it."
Ianto stilled under Jack's mouth his heart calming slowly as his hands dropped.
Harkness frowned, looking away, before standing. "Excuse me", he mumbled, heading for the safety of his room.
The Welshman broke the kiss watching the captain leave before looking back at Jack
"I'm sorry," Jack murmured, shaking his head. "I should go, I just seem to be good at screwing things up today," he chuckled bitterly.
"No Jack this is home." He whispered kissing his forehead. "I'll talk to him, but you stay here with me, it's where you belong." He murmured before standing.
"I meant what I said, Ianto," Jack said quietly, kissing him again. "I'm alright with it."
He sighed and nodded, "Alright it just...we didn't expect it, that's all." He murmured softly. "The idea takes a little getting used to," he murmured as he kissed him back. "Don't go anywhere though alright?"
"I won't, I promise," Jack replied, stroking Ianto's face gently. "Somebody's got to eat all this food before it goes cold anyway," he chuckled, though he wasn't really hungry anymore.
Ianto nodded giving him a hug. "Try the salad, I made it just how you like." He whispered.
"Thank you," Jack murmured, returning the hug before sitting down at the table.
Ianto nodded kissing the crown of his head before taking his cane and hobbling upstairs. He knocked on the door lightly.
There was a moment of silence, before Harkness opened the door, blinking at him. "Oh...Ianto..I umm", he coughed awkwardly, looking down.
Ianto nodded playing with his cane, "Can I come in?"
"Umm...yes, of course", said Harkless, standing aside for him.
Ianto nodded his thanks before walking in and sitting on the bed stretching his leg out with a relieved sigh.
Harkness turned to look at him shuffling on his feet. "I..um..sorry, for causing any trouble between you"
Ianto shook his head, "I'm sorry about Jack sometimes he's a little...overwhelming."
"Yes...I have noticed", he murmured, glancing back at the door.
Ianto sighed, "He gets better." He murmured back
Harkness nodded, then shuffled his feet again.
Ianto sighed looking up to him. "He means well he's just a little too fifty first century sometimes.”
“And I’m a century behind everyone else”, sighed Harkness, “I’m just starting to understand my feelings for James….now it’s got even more confusing”
"Believe me I'm thirty centuries behind Jack." He replied with a sigh before smiling a little. "Don't let it bother you. Just come down and eat. Alright?"
Harkness smiled and nodded. "Yes...thank you, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to storm out"
He smiled, "It's alright I think it upset Jack more than me. To tell you the truth I was rather glad of the distraction." He replied pushing himself to his feet. His legs growing weary after their first day out.
Harkness smiled softly. "I don't think you can hide it from him forever", he murmured softly, nodding at the scarf around his throat.
Ianto nodded looking in the mirror and taking it off the bruises seeming more livid and angry than before. "You're right." He whispered. "He'd find out by tonight anyway." He replied setting the scarf on the table. Ready?"
Harkness smiled and nodded, frowning at little at the bruises, before opening the door, heading downstairs with him.
When: Yesterday
Where: The Hub, then Ianto’s house
What: Ianto and Owen finally having a confrontation and laying into one another, Owen going into Weevil mode and Ianto helping him out of it, them sort of coming to a truce (or as much as truce as these two ever are at), Captain Harkness looking after Ianto’s wound and them doing an almost, Jack catching them and telling them to get on with it.
Why: Because they had to have a blow out sooner or later before they shot each other.
Ianto sighed rolling on the pit floor to the table. He watched Owen walk around, his own eyes darting about the room every few minutes, counting the number of bricks in the wall to avoid the awkwardness of the situation.
Owen finished sorting out his equipment and turned to look at Ianto, choosing that it was better to pretend nothing as happening at all than admit it was. "Need help getting up onto the table?"
He shook his head pushing himself onto his feet and hobbling a little as he pulled himself up onto the table.
"Right, trousers off, lets get those stitches out", Owen said briskly, burrowing deep into doctormode. Doctormode was safe, Doctor Harper just did doctorly things and had no social life, especially not an incredibly confusing and complex one.
Ianto frowned and sighed concentrating on the task at hand as he removed his belt and then unzipped his trousers, shimmying out of them. He pulled up the leg of his boxers so the mottled gun shaped scar was revealed.
Owen pushed his smaller table to the side, examining the wound. "Had any more pain with it?", he asked, pressing the area gently.
Ianto watched him, "A bit but the pills have been helping. It's less than it has been. I've been managing a few steps at a time."
"That's good", Owen nodded, picking up his scalpel, starting to remove the stitches one at a time.
Ianto watched him carefully concentrating on the top of Owen's head. This was the man he was allowing to love and kiss and sleep with HIS Jack. He frowned softly. The idea was so surreal. He didn't know if he'd ever get used to it.
Owen worked quietly a moment, keeping his emotions to himself until he cut the last stitch. "Can move you up to crutches or a walking stick", he said, "Just while your muscles get used to working again, shouldn't be long, though, it's healed pretty well". He stood back, starting to put his things away. "Still want you to take the meds until I'm sure the infection's clear"
He nodded, "How long will that be?" He asked quietly his words professional.
"The pills?", Owen asked shoving his hands in his lab coat pockets, "Give it a week or so, you should be walking fine by then, so long as you don't overstrain yourself"
Ianto nodded, "...Thank you." He replied finally looking at the bottle but remaining where he was
Owen set his shoulders, turning to look at him. "You're okay to go now"
He nodded before looking at him "How is this going to work?"
"I told you, you keep taking the med and take it easy on your leg", said Owen, arching his brow, "Do you want me to write it down?"
Ianto frowned, "Not that."
Owen looked at him, before setting his jaw, folding his arms. "Wondered when this would fucking come up"
Ianto frowned, "Well its not going to go away is it?."
"Suppose not", Owen sighed, running his hair through his hands, "I don't fucking know, Ianto. I really don't"
Ianto frowned softly and looked at the tiles. "Well Jack obviously can't seem to cope without you, so you leaving is out of the question." He muttered
"If I thought he could handle it, don't you think I would have ended it ages ago?", asked Owen quietly, "I can heal from a broken heart, I've done it often enough. If you think I'm enjoying making you miserable you're well fucking wrong"
He frowned "We'll see." He replied with a sigh before nodding. "Alright so long as you're not shagging him in my flat or in front of me. "I don't need to see it."
"What do you mean 'we'll see?'", asked Owen, annoyed, "I may be a fucking bastard, but I don't sink that low, no matter what the hell you think of me"
Ianto looked at him. "I'm just asking not to see it Owen." He replied
"Fine, you won't see it", said Owen, rolling his eyes, "Whatever you want, Ianto"
He frowned, "Don't turn me into the enemy here Owen." He glared annoyed at the roll of Owen's eyes.
"I'm not turning you into the fucking enemy", snapped Owen, glaring at him, "I'm the other guy. I know that. You're fucking marrying him, and having a kid with him, where the hell do you find you're the enemy in that?"
"I'm not the one fucking rolling his eyes every two minutes like what I think is beneath you."
Owen scowled at him. "You know what, Jones? Sod off", he snapped, "You don't know fucking anything about me, and until you get a psychology PhD, don't fucking analyse everything I sodding well do"
"I know a hell of a lot more than you give me credit for you fucking Essex barrow boy."
A low, dangerous growl sounded from deep in Owen's chest. "What the fuck did you call me?"
"I called you an Essex barrow boy. Owen." He scowled at him moving to his feet gingerly annoyance on his face.
Owen narrowed his eyes, his hands balling into fists, trying to resist to urge to hit the other man. "Shows how fucking little you know about me, you Taffy dickhead"
"Taffy is it? Well at least I don't have to steal a pheromone spray to sleep with someone."
"That was a fucking accident", the last word came out in a low growl.
"What about all the other times you've used the damn thing, ON purpose, did you care who you were sleeping with then?"
"I was a different man, then", said Owen, scowling at him.
"Really?" he replied in disbelief.
"Yeah", snapped Owen, "Because you know what? Having the first person you fucking loved since your fiancée had an alien burst out of her fucking brain go flying into a fucking rift never to be seen again does tend to change a person"
Ianto shook his head. "At least you know she has a chance of being alive Owen." He glared at him before hobbling over to the steps.
"Oh, that's it, play the fucking Lisa card", growled Owen, "That wasn't love, that was you being fucking selfish"
Ianto stopped at the stairs staring at them in horror before he turned to face him angrily. "What?" He bit out.
"You heard me", said Owen, glaring at him, "You wanted to fucking keep her, so you kept a tiny little sliver of her, and let her become that thing. If you really loved her, you wouldn't have let her suffer"
He hobbled towards him his hands clenched "You take that back or I swear to God..."
"Or you'll what?", challenged Owen, "Hit me? Kill me? Do your fucking worst, Jones, can't do anything that hasn't happened to me already"
Ianto's fist shot out hitting clean across Owen's jaw. "You fucking bastard. I loved her, loved her more than your fucking three weeks. I would've died for her"
Owen stumbled back, rubbing his jaw, glaring at him. "At least I loved Diane enough to let her fucking go", he snarled, "I didn't make her a fucking prisoner in a cyberman's body"
"I was trying to save her!" He yelled. "She deserved that much from this fucking place."
"Any fucking moron with half a brain cell could see there was nothing left to fucking save", snapped Owen, "Shit, Ianto, you could have fucking killed the lot of us, you DID kill Jack. You're trying to tell me that wasn't fucking selfish?"
"It was NOT!" He half screamed at him launching himself at him trying to punch as he stumbled knocking them both to the floor.
Owen hit the floor with a WHACK, swearing as his head it the concrete floor. "Yeah, it fucking was and you fucking know it", he growled, putting his hand behind his head, wincing as his fingers came away wet.
"It was not, she was in trouble. I was saving her . I had to save her."
"At the expense of every fucker else", scowled Owen, "Jack fucking fretted over letting you in for fucking ages before he did. Worried you be just like the sodding rest of them. Turns out you were"
Ianto hit him again before pushing himself away. "I was not, there was nothing wrong with them, they were people just like you and me. You should show some damn respect." He bit out angrily pulling himself away.
Owen growled at the punch, his eyes beginning to darken. "No, they didn't give a fucking toss about anyone, only about getting rid of what was in their way, regardless of who was in the crossfire", he said, "And why the hell should I? You never fucking show me any"
Ianto glared at him, "I show you plenty you fucking ungrateful twat." He glared pushing himself up to his feet "You don't have the right to talk about them."
"Since fucking when?", growled Owen, standing, eyes as black as pitch as he fought for control, "Name one fucking time, and I can talk about them if I fucking want to"
"I clean up after you every fucking day Owen I do everything in my job description and beyond to make life easier for you lot so don't you fucking dare say I don't show you lot any respect."
"Cleaning up after me is not showing me any respect", growled Owen, "Respect is something you give people because you want to, not because it's in your 'job description'"
"It's not in my fucking job description. You know what you're an idiot. I'm not going to bow down to you Owen."
"You just fucking SAID it was, and I don't want you to fucking bow down to me, you fucking shit", he snarled, bearing his teeth.
"Yeah right," He replied shaking his head as he stood up.
"I don't", he snarled, his voice guttural and most decidedly not human anymore.
"You do Owen, you're an arrogant shit and you always feel this pathetic need to compete with me."
"Is that what you think is with Jack is?", he asked through gritted teeth, "You need to get a fucking life, Jones, and fast".
"I never said that." He glared at him.
"Than what are you fucking getting at?", he snarled.
"I'm pointing out the paranoid delusion you have in your head."
"That's really not the thing you have to worry about in my head", Owen gave a harsh laugh, before leaning against the wall, closing his eyes, breathing deep, trying to fight it down, "Just go, the only reason I'm still working here is because Jack spazzes when I'm gone"
Ianto scowled "You know instead of worrying over Lisa maybe you should look after Doyle instead." he scowled at him.
There was a low, deadly snarl from the smaller built man before he charged Ianto, slamming him against the wall. "I'm fucking TRYING to", he snarled, "I can't be in two fucking places at once"
Ianto slammed into the wall with a grunt swearing as his leg buckled beneath him. "You might wanna stop him getting drunk so often instead of joining him." He bit out."
Owen growled again, feeling the dark, dangerous power coursing through him, his grip tightening on Ianto, one hand going to the Welshman's throat. "He gets drunk because of Jack, if I leave Jack, Jack stops fucking EATING, what the FUCK am I supposed to DO?", he hissed.
Ianto grunted his jaw tight as his hands moved up to Owen's hand trying to pry him off. "How the hell should I know, you got yourself into this mess." He bit out angrily trying to pull away from the wall.
"You have all the fucking accusations, I thought you'd have some fucking answers", Owen hissed, his hand tightening on Ianto's throat, "It wasn't just ME"
His hands tightened as his eyes widened his fingers digging in beginning to scramble at him. "I can't stop Jack." He got out
"He'll fucking starve himself to death if I stop", snarled Owen, before his pitch black eyes widened, letting go of Ianto as he stumbled back, holding his head in his clawed fingers. "Ianto, get the fuck out of here, please", he begged, moving to a crouch against the wall as he tried to regain control.
Ianto coughed and spluttered gasping for breath, his hand coming up to his neck as he moved for the stairs
Owen shook, curled in a tight ball, taking in wracked breaths, trying to drag it in, trying to find the will to fight it, his fingers clenching in his hair.
Ianto pushed himself up onto the first step before leaning his head on the wall and watching him, his fingers rubbing the red flesh
Owen let out a small, scared sob, rocking a little at his mental struggle, the usually so tough and snarky man reduced to a trembling wreak.
Ianto frowned softly before sighing and hobbled over to him, his breaths evening out as he stood in front of Owen before sitting down.
The older man didn't notice his presence as he rocked, whimpering softly to himself his breaths still wracked and painful.
The Welshman sighed wrapping his arms around him and pulling him in tightly.
Owen stiffened in his arms, his breathing quickening.
Ianto frowned and stroked his hair rocking him just a little.
After a few moments, Owen's breathing evened out and he stopped shaking, stilling in Ianto's arms.
The Welshman continued to stroke his hair silently.
Owen pulled away quietly, his eyes back to their usual brown. "M'sorry"
Ianto shrugged softly, the finger shaped bruises on his neck turning a livid purple slowly. "We've called each other worse before."
"Not that,....I could have killed you", Owen shook his head, putting it in his hands again, "I can't control it....I would have...it wanted me to"
"You'll get better and I've had worse bruises too"
Owen shook his head, curling his small frame up. "This is all so fucked up"
He frowned stroking his fingers through Owen's hair. "So's the rest of the world. "C'mon." He replied standing up slowly
Owen waited a moment, before standing, looking so very small and tired. "If I could make him stop loving me, I would", he said simply, "Be with someone who's not a complete fuckup. But I can't, I've tried and he just makes himself sick"
Ianto nodded, "I know." He whispered rubbing his back. "Come on." He replied leading him to the stairs.
Owen sighed, too drained to argue, letting Ianto lead him up.
"Ianto frowned leaning against him a little and sitting him down on the sofa before making some coffee.
Owen sat on the sofa, leaning back against it, closing his eyes.
Ianto reappeared handing it to him before sitting beside him in silence.
"Thank you", said Owen, taking it, holding it in both hands, looking at it for a long while before taking a sip.
Ianto frowned, "Do you want me to call Doyle to come by and pick you up?"
"I'll be okay", the doctor said quietly, "He'll only worry"
"I'll call him." He insisted. "Someone should look after you."
Owen gave a harsh laugh. "Yeah, doesn't work like that, though, does it?", he asked, "I'm a doctor, I can take care of myself. He'll only panic, and Jack'll panic and maybe Tosh with beep a lot"
Ianto frowned watching him. "You can't take care of yourself." He murmured hoarsely
"I've been taking care of myself since I was four years old", said Owen simply.
Ianto shrugged, "So its high time you got looked after."
Owen sighed, closing his eyes. "Ianto, I can't", he said, "It'll freak them all out, I can't put them through that"
He frowned softly, "Well you can always use me." He murmured after a few minutes "You won't scare me off and I'm not as emotionally unstable as Jack. Or as involved.
Owen chuckled ruefully. "You fucking hate me"
"I never said I hated you Owen." He whispered with a sigh.
"You've said it plenty of times", said Owen, "You said it when you did your leg in, in that alien world"
"Well Owen to be fair I was in a hell of a lot of pain. I've never meant it, you know that, you say the same about me all the time."
Owen sighed. "Yeah, I don't mean it either", he said, "But still, you've got enough on your plate"
He shrugged, "Yes well right now its involved on your plate." He replied sitting beside him after he handed him the coffee.
Owen sighed, sipping it. "Why? You got nothing to gain from it. I'm the guy shagging your fiancé, That doesn't normally go into the 'people you should give a fuck about', Ianto"
"Well unfortunately you've saved my life more than once and Jack's in love with you. if he's miserable then I'm miserable. At least this way I'm marginally less miserable." He murmured
"Thanks Ianto, such a Disney fucking moment", Owen mumbled, then sighed, "Nothin you can help with, anyway. I'd probably end up snapping like a twig and killing you"
He frowned softly and leant back. "Well not much we can do if that happens."
Owen let out a breath. "I really don’t understand you half the fucking time, Jones"
Ianto sighed looking at his hands silently. "Maybe I am being stupid staying with him ." He murmured his shoulders dropping. "But honestly...I don't know what else to do."
"If you left him he'd go into another meltdown", sighed Owen, lying back on the couch tiredly, "He's too fucking emotional and you've got a kid on the way. Staying is your only option unless I have to reform my opinion of you"
Ianto nodded "I know." He murmured. "It'd just be nice if it didn't hurt so much." He murmured before smiling slightly. "But it's alright. Or it will be. I've been through worse and come out alright. And at least he's happy and healthy and living life again. Instead of trying to die."
"He's really got to stop doing that, maybe some aversion therapy or summat", Owen said, then shrugged, "Life hurts, have you just worked that out?"
Ianto simply looked at him pointedly.
"Wot?", asked the doctor irritably
"You're asking me if I've only just now learned that life hurts?" He asked before shaking his head and looking over at the hub. "You know it's quite hard sometimes with Jack...it's strange but since the burial I always find I have to be the strong one..." He replied softly.
"Yeah, well those nightmares don't help any", said Owen, frowning, "I wish he'd let me retcon them"
Ianto frowned. "No you know what Jack's like, he'd just try to figure them out."
"Yeah, he's a fucking pain in the arse", huffed Owen.
Ianto nodded rubbing the back of his neck. You may as well call it a day and head home to Doyle. "I think I'm going to head back and take a nice soak."
"Was going home anyway", said Owen in a tone which suggested he wouldn't do anything if he thought is was an order of some kind, standing, "Keep on your pills and take it easy on the leg"
Ianto nodded patting his pocket. before standing, do you have that cane, I'm not overly fond of limping.
"Yeah", Owen disappeared into his pit, before coming back with it, handing it over, "Here you go"
He nodded, "Thanks." He mumbled testing it out before making his way down to the doors.
Owen nodded, hanging up his labcoat and putting on his leather jacket, sticking his hands in the pockets as he followed Ianto out.
Ianto moved locking the door behind him, HI throat sore and covered in sharp, finger shaped bruises as e nodded at Owen. "Take Care," he called.
"Yeah....you too", said Owen, frowning at little at the bruises, before sighing, heading off in the direction of Doyle's flat.
He nodded before walking back rubbing his neck idly as he walked back home, his cane supporting him with every other step. He moved up the stairs and unlocked the door arriving home.
The smell of cooking food came from the kitchen, followed by Harkness' voice. "Ianto? Is that you?"
Ianto lifted his head at the smell of food and took off his coat hanging it up neatly. "Yes," he called back a little hoarse as he rubbed his throat He stepped in with his cane walking to the kitchen.
"Oh, you're out of the chair", Harkness smiled brightly as he cooked, before his smile faded a little, "...What happened to your throat?"
"I'm on a stick now." He replied before peering at his bruised reflection in the base of a pan. "Oh.. Owen and I got into a fight."
Harkness blinked, moving to have a look at it. "Seems more than just a fight"
"It'll heal." He murmured arching his neck for him. The domesticity of the situation taking over.
Harkness checked it over, his hand gentle, before nodding. "True, might be an idea to try and hide it from Jack...I don't know how well he'd take you two fighting like this"
He nodded "I will." He murmured staying very still as Jack's fingers investigated. . "Thank you."
"What for?" Harkness looked at him with a small smile.
He shrugged, "Looking at it, this is nothing believe me."
"That's alright", Harkness smiled, "So long as you're alright"
He nodded ducking his head. "I should probably find a scarf or something." He replied rubbing it soothingly as he whispered hoarse.
"Alright", Harkness smiled, "I can make you a honey-drink if you like, soothe your throat?"
"Could you?" He asked softly. pushing himself off the wall.
"Of course, not a problem", said Harkness, rummaging through the cupboards, preparing a drink.
Ianto smiled a little sitting at the kitchen table. "Thanks." He whispered
Harkness nodded, making him a honeyed drink and placing it in front of him. "Take small sips"
He smiled rubbing his neck tentatively before taking a small sip wincing a little before sighing and peering into the cup.
"I'm sure it will feel better a bit later", Harkness offered him a small smile.
Ianto smiled, "Thank You." He replied. "Who taught you this?”
"What? A little honey drink helps soothe a sore throat?", Harkness
chuckled, "I grew up in the thirties, home remedies were used a lot"
"I suppose." He replied with a smile "What year were you born in?"
"1908", said Harkness, then considered, "....Wow, that's a hundred years ago......that's depressing"
Ianto smiled softly, "If it makes you feel any better I'm pretty sure Jack is at least 2200 years old."
Harkness considered this. "Perhaps a little", he smiled.
Ianto nodded, taking a sip before chuckling softly to himself. "My god, my house is full of men at least decades older than me. I'll be corrupted." He nodded seriously as he drank amused.
"If it makes you feel any better, you're probably year ahead of me in that aspect", chuckled Harkness softly, "We can just blame any and all corruptions on Jack, I'm sure he'll take it as a compliment"
Ianto nodded, "Although to be fair it is rather enjoyable being corrupted." He replied over the rim of his mug.
Harkness ducked his head, his cheeks tinting a little. "Yes..umm..well", he said, clearing his throat, going back to cooking the food, "You may have a point"
Ianto smiled staring into space again his eyes sparkling.
Harkness watched him with a soft smile, before clearing his throat. "Um...dinner's almost ready, I don't know if you want to clean up first..."
He blinked looking at him. "Yes I should do. Thanks again." He replied with a smile finishing his drink before pushing himself up and grabbing his cane as he hobbled out of the kitchen and up the stairs to get ready
"You're welcome", Harkness offered him a smile, watching him head off up, going back to cooking.
Ianto returned in jeans and a t shirt, walking into the kitchen and setting the cane on the side sliding past him to help.
Harkness turned with a smile. "Thank you", he said.
"That's alright." He replied with a smile. Hating the Captain was surprisingly difficult. I can make the salad if you like?" He offered
"Thank you, that would be a big help", he nodded, "Are you sure your leg is alright?"
The Welshman nodded leaning against the table before brushing past him again as he hobbled to the fridge. He pulled out the chopping board and washed the salad before leaning against the counter as he chopped beside him.
Harkness moved back to cooking, watching the younger man out of the corner of his eyes as he worked.
Ianto's hands worked with understated efficiency, the knife cutting swiftly through the cucumber. His eyes trained on the vegetables, dark lashes against pale cheeks.
Harkness smiled a little as he watched him, forgetting to tend to the cooking completely.
Ianto then shredded the lettuce, "What dressing would you like on it?" He asked his head turning so his blue eyes caught the Captains.
"Hmm?", Harkness' eyes widened as he blushed and looked away, realising he'd been caught, "I..umm...oh I don't mind, really"
Ianto looked at him curiously before coughing and going back to his work with a nod moving past him once more to open the cupboard and pull out the vinegrette and the coriander. His body brushing past him each time caught between the captain and the kitchen table.
Harkness turned and started to focus on the cooking more. Yes. Cooking was a good thing to focus on. Definitely NOT James' fiancé. That would NOT be a thing to focus on. Though it was very hard not to focus on the man when he kept brushing past him like that and for god's sake man, you're an RAF captain, you can deal with this.
Ianto fell quiet the only thing filling the room was the Captain's cooking and Ianto's chopping. He added tomatoes, radishes and olives before pouring on the vinegrette and adding the pepper and sea salt before having to go past him again for the goats cheese stumbling as he moved past.
Harkness turned on instinct to help him, catching him before he fell to the floor. "Are you alright?"
Ianto nodded grasping his arms as he stood up shakily. "Sorry still getting used to it I guess," he murmured apologetically before he stood up straight, face to face with him.
Harkness blinked at the close proximity, willing himself to stop blushing. "Oh it...it's alright, I'm sure you'll get use to it....you know...eventually"
"Yeah eventually," he whispered blinking his chest rising and falling with the effort
Brown eyes traced the Welshman's face a moment. "I'm sure of it"
Ianto stood watching him moving forward slightly, his lips parted before he stepped back his eyes wide. He coughed. "I should...get back to the salad," he murmured stepping to the chopping board his cheeks flushing red. 'What's wrong with me? I'm turning into a dog on heat.' He thought to himself
Harkness blinked as he moved closer, before clearing his own throat, trying to steady his breathing. "Oh...um...yes...salad", he said, trying to kickstart his brain into making words work again as he let him go.
Ianto nodded his hand shaking absolutely mortified at what he'd almost done. images of a betrayed Jack and their baby running through his mind.
Harkness frowned as he checked on the cooking. "..I...are you alright?"
"Yes." He replied quickly before sighing and looking at him with a softened apologetic smile. "I'm sorry yes. I'm fine," he replied before looking back at the goats cheese. "I see you're wearing the cologne we got from Boots.
Harkness smiled and ducked his head. "Yes, I rather like it"
Ianto nodded, "It suits you." He replied quietly a he tossed the salad and tried not to think of the connotations of it. Suddenly wishing Jack was there so he could distract himself from the tall American beside him. Ianto blinked suddenly, he hoped he wasn't getting a type. American accents, tall, dark, handsome and in world war two regalia. Well it would be a very specific type if it was.
"Thank you", Harkness smiled, putting the cooking on a lower heat, "That should be ready for whenever Jack appears from...whatever he's been doing"
Ianto nodded putting a lid on the salad before taking his cane knocking it against the table leg gently. "Thank you for looking after the place."
"It's the least I could do", Harkness smiled, "You gave me a place to live"
He smiled looking up at him. "You needed somewhere to go, I couldn't really leave you out in the street."
"I still appreciate it", Harkness smiled at him, "I always will"
Ianto nodded ducking his head as he leaned against the table his fingers playing with the cane Supporting most of his weight on his good leg.
Jack opened the door, looking for Ianto and Harkness. He hadn't expected to come back to the Hub and find it mostly empty. "Ianto? Jack? You two home?"
"We're in here James", Harkness called from the kitchen, moving to get the food ready.
Ianto blinked looking to the door and flushing guiltily before getting the salad and putting it on the table as he hobbled about with his new cane.
Jack grinned, wandering into the kitchen. "Oooh, food! What have you been up to?" he asked, before raising an eyebrow at Ianto's scarf. "Never figured you for the scarf type, Ianto."
"Nearly done", Harkness smiled, moving to get the food onto plates, casting a worried glance in Ianto's direction.
Ianto shrugged, "Felt like a change." He replied with a nod pushing himself into a seat. "Where did you go?"
Jack frowned, but decided not to push the issue just yet. "I met up with John. He fixed my time vortex manipulator," he replied happily. "I see you got a cane, too. Owen's not going to be happy about that."
"Owen gave it to me." He replied with a nod passing him the salad his fingers pulling at the scarf absently.
Harkness placed the three plates on the table silently, moving to sit down. "A vortex what now?", he asked, trying to get Ianto off the hook.
"That's strange, he was pretty insistent about that chair," Jack replied, eyes narrowing a little as Ianto pulled at the scarf. "He was in a weird mood earlier though, so who knows," he added, sighing sadly. He hated when Owen shut him out. "And it's a time vortex manipulator," Jack explained. "It manipulates time and space, just like it says in the name. You can travel wherever and whenever you want with it."
"Does it beep more often now then?" Ianto asked reaching for his wrist and pressing a welcome home kiss on his lips.
"Oh", Harkness smiled and nodded, ducking his head, "I see"
Jack laughed, kissing him back and smiling at Harkness. "No, unless I'm using it. But I can use it again, Ianto, it's..." he trailed off, glancing at Ianto. "You're hiding something from me."
Ianto blinked softly before an even guiltier look crossed his face and he sat back. "What I...how can...I didn't actually kiss him I stepped away it's not what you think." He burst out.
Harkness blinked up from where he was about to eat a piece of broccoli, before coughing and looking at the table. Tables were good.
Both of Jack's eyebrows shot up. "What? Of all the things I was expecting, it wasn't that." He glanced between the two of them, wondering if the whole world had gone crazy today.
"I'm so sorry," Ianto replied shaking his head helplessly
"Nothing happened", murmured Harkness quietly, poking at his food.
Jack just kind of gaped at them. "Okay....I'll be the first to admit that the thought of you two together is incredibly arousing, but will somebody explain what's going on before my brain starts working?"
The Welshman shook his head. "Nothing happened Jack, I swear."
"Nothing at all", said Harkness, "I was just making dinner and I saved him from tripping"
Ianto looked over at the captain quietly for the first time since Jack had walked in.
"But you wanted to kiss him," Jack murmured. "So much that it makes you feel guilty now. Ianto....you don't have to feel that way. It would be incredibly hypocritical of me if I faulted you for this."
Ianto looked back at Jack, "Jack I can't...we've got a baby on the way and we're getting married..."
Harkness flushed when he caught Ianto's eye, before looking down at his plate. "....I could find a new place to live...if it's a problem"
"Ianto, Jack....it's really not a problem. I'm not going to stop you from exploring your feelings. It'll be good for both of you. Maybe you'll even understand the position I'm in," Jack chuckled, though his stomach twisted nervously. He took a deep breath to calm it. They wouldn't leave him for each other. "You both have my permission," he added quietly, giving each of them a serious look.
Ianto frowned holding Jack's hand "I..."
Harkness looked up at then both, before sighing, looking away, he didn't understand what was happening himself, let alone be able to put it into words
Jack took Ianto's hand and Harkness', joining them together. "I love you both, and you have my permission," he said softly. "Just don't forget about me," he chuckled.
Ianto looked at their clasped hands in confusion before looking back at Jack lost.
Harkness frowned softly, looking over at him. "....James"
"Now go on, give him one of those fabulous snogs you give," Jack told him, nudging Ianto. "Captain's orders," he added with a grin, stepping back.
Ianto blinked, "Jack I..." He trailed off staring at him shell-shocked.
"What?", squeaked Harkness, his eyes widening.
"Kiss him, Ianto," Jack murmured. "I know you want to."
The Welshman looked at Jack uncertainly. "I don't know..." He whispered terrified.
Harkness flushed more. "I umm...don't think this is the..umm..time"
Jack kissed Ianto softly, calming him. "There's nothing to be afraid of, Ianto. I'm more than alright with it."
Ianto stilled under Jack's mouth his heart calming slowly as his hands dropped.
Harkness frowned, looking away, before standing. "Excuse me", he mumbled, heading for the safety of his room.
The Welshman broke the kiss watching the captain leave before looking back at Jack
"I'm sorry," Jack murmured, shaking his head. "I should go, I just seem to be good at screwing things up today," he chuckled bitterly.
"No Jack this is home." He whispered kissing his forehead. "I'll talk to him, but you stay here with me, it's where you belong." He murmured before standing.
"I meant what I said, Ianto," Jack said quietly, kissing him again. "I'm alright with it."
He sighed and nodded, "Alright it just...we didn't expect it, that's all." He murmured softly. "The idea takes a little getting used to," he murmured as he kissed him back. "Don't go anywhere though alright?"
"I won't, I promise," Jack replied, stroking Ianto's face gently. "Somebody's got to eat all this food before it goes cold anyway," he chuckled, though he wasn't really hungry anymore.
Ianto nodded giving him a hug. "Try the salad, I made it just how you like." He whispered.
"Thank you," Jack murmured, returning the hug before sitting down at the table.
Ianto nodded kissing the crown of his head before taking his cane and hobbling upstairs. He knocked on the door lightly.
There was a moment of silence, before Harkness opened the door, blinking at him. "Oh...Ianto..I umm", he coughed awkwardly, looking down.
Ianto nodded playing with his cane, "Can I come in?"
"Umm...yes, of course", said Harkless, standing aside for him.
Ianto nodded his thanks before walking in and sitting on the bed stretching his leg out with a relieved sigh.
Harkness turned to look at him shuffling on his feet. "I..um..sorry, for causing any trouble between you"
Ianto shook his head, "I'm sorry about Jack sometimes he's a little...overwhelming."
"Yes...I have noticed", he murmured, glancing back at the door.
Ianto sighed, "He gets better." He murmured back
Harkness nodded, then shuffled his feet again.
Ianto sighed looking up to him. "He means well he's just a little too fifty first century sometimes.”
“And I’m a century behind everyone else”, sighed Harkness, “I’m just starting to understand my feelings for James….now it’s got even more confusing”
"Believe me I'm thirty centuries behind Jack." He replied with a sigh before smiling a little. "Don't let it bother you. Just come down and eat. Alright?"
Harkness smiled and nodded. "Yes...thank you, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to storm out"
He smiled, "It's alright I think it upset Jack more than me. To tell you the truth I was rather glad of the distraction." He replied pushing himself to his feet. His legs growing weary after their first day out.
Harkness smiled softly. "I don't think you can hide it from him forever", he murmured softly, nodding at the scarf around his throat.
Ianto nodded looking in the mirror and taking it off the bruises seeming more livid and angry than before. "You're right." He whispered. "He'd find out by tonight anyway." He replied setting the scarf on the table. Ready?"
Harkness smiled and nodded, frowning at little at the bruises, before opening the door, heading downstairs with him.