By Your Side
Jack and Ianto were lying in Ianto’s bed, Jack’s head on Ianto’s chest. They had been quiet for a while now, just enjoying each other’s company in the afterglow, when Jack suddenly asked, “Is this what you want to be doing, Ianto?”
“What?” Ianto asked, puzzled.
“Not this moment. I mean us. Is this what you want to be doing?” Jack sat up as he spoke.
“Yes,” Ianto replied, also sitting up. “If this wasn’t what I wanted, I wouldn’t be with you. It’s not like you forced me or anything.”
“I know that,” Jack said, rolling his eyes. “But I just…I worry. This can’t go much further than it already has. I love you, you know that. And I want to be with you. But is this how you want to spend your life?”
“Yes, Jack. Why are you asking me this? Why wouldn’t it be?”
“Because you’re going to grow old, Ianto. And you should have someone who can do that with you. You deserve someone who will love you for the rest of their life, not just for the rest of yours. You’re either going to grow old or you’re going to die young because of this job that we do. And I just wanted to make sure, before it’s too late, that you’re completely happy doing that with someone who can’t do either.”
“Before it’s too late?” Ianto asked. “Jack, it is entirely too late.” He kissed his lover hard on the mouth. “I love you, too. I don’t know how to stop loving you. And I cannot think of a better place to be, for the rest of my life, than by your side.” At this Ianto gave Jack a pointed look. “No matter how long it is.”
“What?” Ianto asked, puzzled.
“Not this moment. I mean us. Is this what you want to be doing?” Jack sat up as he spoke.
“Yes,” Ianto replied, also sitting up. “If this wasn’t what I wanted, I wouldn’t be with you. It’s not like you forced me or anything.”
“I know that,” Jack said, rolling his eyes. “But I just…I worry. This can’t go much further than it already has. I love you, you know that. And I want to be with you. But is this how you want to spend your life?”
“Yes, Jack. Why are you asking me this? Why wouldn’t it be?”
“Because you’re going to grow old, Ianto. And you should have someone who can do that with you. You deserve someone who will love you for the rest of their life, not just for the rest of yours. You’re either going to grow old or you’re going to die young because of this job that we do. And I just wanted to make sure, before it’s too late, that you’re completely happy doing that with someone who can’t do either.”
“Before it’s too late?” Ianto asked. “Jack, it is entirely too late.” He kissed his lover hard on the mouth. “I love you, too. I don’t know how to stop loving you. And I cannot think of a better place to be, for the rest of my life, than by your side.” At this Ianto gave Jack a pointed look. “No matter how long it is.”