[RL WITH SULU]

[torchwoodteaboy]

Ianto had been cleared by John and the attending nurse to be fit to go, and was currently in the process of getting himself presentable enough to be officially discharged. With Jack off on a call about someone having sighted Myfanwy out in the countryside, and Sulu waiting outside for the taxi they'd called to bring him home, that left him with the

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[torchwoodteaboy]

Ianto tipped his head back, looking up at the ceiling so maybe the fact that Sulu was helping him on with his shoes would be the tiniest bit less humiliating than it was in that moment. He blushed, obviously a little uncomfortable with having to accept help on this, but at least he was mature enough to be able to recognize when he should just shut up and let people help him sometimes, which was more than he could say for other people he knew.

He sighed as Sulu told him what he should be doing when he got back to his flat, reiterating what Jack had said and what John had said and what Gwen had said and the attending nurse and just about he'd talked to in the last 24 hours. He knew that he wasn't strong enough or recovered enough to be doing much else, but. "You'd think I would be rested enough, with all of the resting and sleeping and doing absolutely nothing that I've been doing lately," he said. He realized he was whining about it, but. He was trying to cover up the fact that it scared him, a little. The fact that he was leaving the hospital, leaving everyone that had been keeping an eye on him for the past couple of days, making sure he was okay. That pretty soon he was going to be all by himself, alone in his flat, and he wasn't quite sure how to handle that, yet. That he could handle it, really.

[takeitoutofpark]

"Yeah," Sulu agreed as he quickly tied one shoe, then moved to the other, "Honestly, there's not much else for you to do, though. Jack is sort of taking control of everything." He grinned up at Ianto as he finished tying the other shoe, putting his hands on the other man's knees. "You should be glad that he's wrangling the pterodactyl, otherwise, you'd be leaving in a wheelchair." Which probably wasn't necessarily true, but. Sulu was trying to slide as seamlessly back into his usual attitude as he could. He didn't want to show Ianto just how terrified he'd been. He'd done more than enough crying and fretting the last week and a half for his tastes.

Standing, he offered Ianto his arm. "There's a cab for us outside, but I don't know your address. When we get back to your place, I'll make sure you've got everything you need." The less moving around Ianto had to do, the better, as far as Sulu was concerned.

[torchwoodteaboy]

Ianto sighed, turning his head down to look at Sulu after he felt the other man finish with his shoes, Sulu resting his hands on his knees as he looked up at him from where he was kneeling in front of him. He was joking, of course, but. Part of him also thought that Sulu was right, there. Jack had been more than a little protective of him since the time he had come back, and while he was grateful for it, sometimes it was a bit much. He'd pretty much had to wrangle the phone from Jack to get to call Gwen, as it was.

Nodding, appreciating the fact that Sulu was reiterating the facts of what they were going to do, because he was still a little fuzzy and flu-like about it all, he reached up, standing and taking the offered arm. It was a hospital, people were expected to be under the weather there, no one would question his clinging to the other man regardless of whether he needed to or not, which was sad because as much as he just wanted to be holding onto Sulu's arm, it was also pretty much necessary to do so anyway, just to be on the safe side.

"Jack said he restocked for food," Ianto said, "so you don't have to worry about going out and buying anything for me." He knew that Sulu still wasn't all that comfortable with the money system. He could only imagine what Jack must have stocked in his flat, but. Food was food, he supposed, and anything was better than the garbage that they were feeding him there at the hospital. "It's 20 Redlaver Street, by the way," Ianto said. "My address, that is. Not that you really need to know that, but. You know. In case it comes up in a situation like this, and all..." he said, blushing slightly.

[takeitoutofpark]

Sulu shook his head. "That's good. I don't think I can safely pay for anything in this era yet. I can't even hold change without losing it." He kept his arm close, ready to support Ianto at any moment he needed more than just his prescense. He'd never expected to get to do this again, stand close to Ianto, be close to him again. See him blush again.

He kept the fact that he was even more enthralled by everything Ianto was doing than usual to himself, instead helping Ianto out into the hallway, towards the exit where the cab was waiting for them. "20 Redlaver Street, got it. You never know when I might need to know where you live," he said, smiling at Ianto, unable to help himself. He felt so damned stupid light on his feet, like he was floating. It was silly and ridiculous and amazing. "Do you want me to help make something for you to eat when we get there?" he offered, because... well, because he didn't want to leave Ianto alone, and at the very least, he could help him get some food in his stomach before he got kicked out for being too overprotective.

[torchwoodteaboy]

Ianto stuck close to Sulu as well, as much for the presence of the other man as for the fact that he just plain needed to. He could walk on his own, it wasn't anything as silly or embarrassing as that. He'd flat out refused the hospital's offer to escort him down to the main doors in a wheelchair, the way that policy usually demanded for a person's release. Even if he passed out from the strain, it would be better than to have to be pushed around like some sort of invalid. ...Ianto really, really hated hospitals. As it was, though. They'd only gotten down the hallway, and already, Ianto could feel himself tiring. Only the elevators and another hallway to go before the taxi, he told himself, trying to keep from frustrating himself further

He nodded. "Sure," he said, trying to sound as nonchalant as he could, despite the fact that he wanted nothing more than to cling to him and keep the other man there for as long as he could. He felt ridiculous. He was 27 years old, he shouldn't be afraid of being in his own flat by himself. Still. "You do know how to use a kitchen, don't you?" he teased, trying to lighten his mood, although. It was a valid point. A gas range like Ianto's didn't work in any way like a replicator did. If he hadn't used one before...maybe Jack had thought enough to buy something they could prepare in the microwave instead.

[takeitoutofpark]

"I'm sure I can figure it out," Sulu responded dryly, "So long as you can tell me how to turn things on. I'm a scientist, and cooking is just like any experiment." Except instead of releasing a deadly disease or creating some kind of monster, all you could do was burn or overcook food. Thankfully.

He noticed Ianto sagging, just slightly, against him - probably unconsciously, as if he didn't know he was doing it. He knew that Ianto wanted to be able to do this on his own, to tie his shoes and walk around like anyone else, but he'd been dead. The body he was in shouldn't be able to move. He shouldn't have been there to walk or talk. He needed to take it easy.

"Are you sure you don't want me to get you a wheelchair? I really won't mind. I'm." Worried, he wanted to say, but he refrained. He'd already asked something that he knew the answer was going to be "no," better not try his luck.

[torchwoodteaboy]

Ianto nodded, shrugging. "Yeah, I think I can manage pointing out where the dials to the burners are. You know, make sure you remember which side of the knife is the pointy bit, and all," he responded back, equally as dry in his sense of humor. He had to wonder what sort of thing Sulu would even make for him. Honestly, as long as Sulu was making it for him out of the goodness of his heart or whatever, he'd be happy with a simple jam sandwich.

He stiffened at Sulu's question about getting a wheelchair. He'd already had to help him on with his shoes, making him push him about in a wheelchair would be utterly humiliating. "Honestly, I'd rather have you have to drag me the rest of the way than to be pushed around in one of those things," Ianto said, tensely, stubbornly, largely because it was true. "I'll be fine, though. It's not that far, and plus. I've got you to keep an eye on me for now, now haven't I?" he asked. "So long as you keep me from falling flat on my face, I think we'll be set." Again, with the trying to be light about the situation, because really, the alternative was to gripe and grouse forever, and he wasn't sure how appreciative Sulu would be of that, really.

[takeitoutofpark]

Sulu couldn't imagine that making something would be that difficult, really. He might not use a stove or oven in his daily life, but he had dealt with them a few times in his life. Nothing as... rustic as the kind Ianto had, no doubt, but still. How hard could it be?

"Yeah," he said, a little unconvincingly. "I'm not going anywhere for a while. I won't let you fall," he added, knowing he was being too serious for what was supposed to be a light comment, but he couldn't help it. He wasn't planning on letting anything happen to Ianto, no matter what he had to do. He was being unreasonable, he knew, but he wasn't going to stop just because of that. "I'm not even going to let go until you tell me to."

[torchwoodteaboy]

Ianto blushed a little at how serious Sulu's tone was as he said those things to him, and he kept his eyes on the ground for a moment. He knew that what had happened in the last week or two had been hard on them, and he couldn't help but feel a little guilty that he wasn't getting better faster, to reassure them that he was going to be fine, really. It was hard to be reassuring other people of his health when he still didn't feel all that well in general anyway.

As they got to the lift, Ianto reached out and pressed the button to wait for the next one to go down. "You're going to have to let go if we're going to get in the taxi, you know," he said, gently, blushing, but understanding at least to some extent that Sulu needed to be doing this for him, much in the same way that he really wanted Sulu there doing it in the first place. "Or if this lift ends up being crowded for some reason. I won't be going anywhere if you do, though. Really. I promise."

[takeitoutofpark]

Logically, Sulu knew all that. He knew that he didn't need to be keeping a scrutinizing eye on Ianto, that the other was of course a little wobbly, still, but he wasn't dying or anything. He was doing the opposite, really. But there was a part of him that felt if he let go, even for a moment -

"I know, I know," he said plaintively, letting the fact that he knew he was being a little ridiculous show, "I'm just saying. I - I lost you once, and I really don't want to go through that again. I'm just not used to you... being here. I think my mental processes are lagging a few days." He glanced about and, seeing nobody directly looking at them or even very nearby, he tilted his head to kiss Ianto's shoulder briefly, nevermind the fact that it was clothed. "I'm going to be kind of ridiculous for a while."

[torchwoodteaboy]

Ianto leaned sideways, more into Sulu than he really needed to, even for the support that he was giving, the closest thing he could get to hugging him at that moment, without letting go of his arm. "I think you're allowed," he said, softly. "To be a little ridiculous for a while, that is. I just. I just want to reassure you, here. I. I may not be fully recovered yet, but. I'm working on it. And I promise, I'm really not going anywhere anytime soon, alright? I just want you to know that."

The lift made a noise indicating that it was about to arrive, and Ianto carefully, reluctantly leaned back again, away from Sulu a little. Not completely, though, because he really did need the other man there with him, to make sure he made it out to the taxi and eventually back to his flat. On top of just needing him there with him in general. "Lift's here," he said softly. "You ready to take me home, now?"

[takeitoutofpark]

Sulu had a lot of things he wanted to tell Ianto, in that moment. They'd been boiling in his brain, but every time he looked at the other man, he was that closer to telling him everything in his head, asking him all the questions he had for him. Like, if he was angry that they'd brought him back. That he was sorry that he'd been so selfish, if that was the fact.

But he didn't. "Anything to get you out of the hospital," he said instead, smiling and leading Ianto onto the lift. "I don't care where I take you, so long as it's away from here."

[torchwoodteaboy]

Ianto laughed, and whether he was just too tired or too sick to take any notice of the other people in the lift with them, or simply because he was comfortable where he was at that moment, he didn't let their presence affect his conversation. "I think I'd prefer it if you just took me home," he said. "Not that I don't appreciate the offer, and anywhere's better than a hospital, but." He bit his lip, allowing himself to show a moment of weakness there, figuring he should be honest with Sulu, since the other man was so concerned about him.

"I don't think I'm really up for anything more than grabbing some lunch and then lying down for a while, as loathe as I am to admit it," he said, turning his gaze to his feet. "Any other sort of adventuring is probably going to have to wait a few weeks, until I can walk the block on my own without getting light-headed or needing to stop and take a breather, really."

[takeitoutofpark]

It was reassuring, in some bizarre way, that Ianto was being so honest with him. He didn't want Ianto to hide how he was feeling from him, to let himself get pushed too far before he was prepared for it. He knew that that was a possibility with Ianto, after all; he tended to interalize a lot, apparently including these kinds of things.

"That's fine by me," Sulu said softly. "You've been through more than anyone. I think you deserve to be able to take things at your own pace. Just tell me if you want anything or need anything, until you can get it yourself, all right?" He felt bad, because he knew that Jack would probably make the same offer - or, well, a Jack-esque version of it. But Jack was busy trying to get Torchwood back in some way, and... Sulu had yet another question pop into his mind, but he ignored it for the moment. "After I make you some food, do you want to just get some sleep?"

[torchwoodteaboy]

Ianto sighed--he seemed to be doing that a lot, lately--and leaned into Sulu a little bit more, unconscious of the fact that he was doing it. "Do I want to get some sleep? No, I don't. It seems like all I've done in the last few days is either sleep or sit around feeling tired. Do I think that I should at least lie down and try to rest and yes alright, possibly sleep some? Yeah, probably."

The lift reached the bottom floor, and Ianto hung back to let the rest of the people out before they started on their way out. "I'm tired of being tired," he groused, allowing himself another few moments. "I know that it's only been a few days, but. I've spent most of those days asleep, and I'm tired of sleeping. I can't imagine that it's been very exciting for you and Jack for the last while, either." He lowered his voice, trying not to sound as frustrated as he really was. "I can't have been the best of company, lately, either, what with all this sleeping and complaining I've been doing..."

[takeitoutofpark]

"Ianto," Sulu said, shifting his arm so that he was supporting the other man better, holding him up and close to him, "You are the best company I have ever had. I don't care if you're asleep or complaining. You're all the company either of us needs right now." And it was true. How many times had he wished that Ianto could have been there for him, for Jack, during the past week? How many times had he wished Ianto had been there to support them, and how much guilt did it fill in him to want nothing more than to break down on Ianto? He wouldn't; he was in too good a mood, too ecstatic, but sometimes he wanted to, just so he could have Ianto tell him that it was all right now.

That could come later, though. If it came at all. "Besides, I'd rather have you complaining than Jack sulking. He's got that into an artform, I think."