Those with Whom You Work
Those with Whom You Work
McRaider
Summary: Gwen has underestimated the boys-strangely enough, Rhys hasn’t.
Author’s Note: I’ve wanted to write this for awhile, especially because Gwen seems oblivious.
Timeline: Post Something Borrowed, Pre Fragments…
It was rare for Gwen and Rhys to get an entire Saturday together, because there wasn’t a rugby match today; Rhys agreed to go shopping with Gwen for awhile, and then head to the movies and dinner. They’d started out early in the afternoon after a nice breakfast. It was really the first weekend they got to spend together since their honeymoon two weeks ago.
It wasn’t unusual to run into friends on a Saturday afternoon at the shops, but Gwen’s eyes grew wide when she heard a very familiar voice.
“All I’m saying is Indiana Jones is way coolers than Han Solo!” Jack Harkness’ voice was normally booming, today was no different. Gwen’s eyes grew wide as she spotted both Jack Harkness and Ianto Jones coming towards them. Neither man was dressed in their usual outfit, but rather Jack was in a pair of comfortable looking jeans and a short sleeved t-shirt with a light jacket over top. Ianto was in just a pair of slightly baggy jeans and button down t-shirt.
They walked hand in hand, idly chatting about something; their hands already had a few bags in each. Gwen was stunned at how young both men appeared. Grabbing Rhys she pulled him into the nearest shop, wanting to watch them, but not have them spot her.
“Jack, they’re the same person!” Argued Ianto as they walked by.
Gwen’s eyes grew wide as she watched the very domestic scene as Jack shook his head, vehemently disagreeing. She’d never realized they were so close. She, like the rest of their team, always assumed they were just shagging each other.
“Aren’t those the blokes you’re working with?” Rhys questioned.
“Yeah,” she replied, her brows furrowed as they stepped into a jewelers. She watched with mild awe as they moved towards various cases. She could still hear their voices wafting across the way, barely.
“I think silver seems better,” Ianto replied.
“Then we’ll get silver.”
“But you liked the gold.”
Jack shrugged. “So what, we can’t have two different colors, Ianto. If you want the silver then I’ll like the silver.”
“Jack I won’t be wear-“
“Ianto, do you want the silver?”
“Yes but-“
“Then I’ll make you a deal, we’ll buy white gold, you get the look, I get the metal. Seriously it doesn’t matter. Pick the ring.”
Gwen stared in awe as she watched the two men buy two plain silver bands. She’d never seen Jack or Ianto act domestic, this was just plain weird. Had she been wrong in her assumptions all along? Gwen prided herself on understand people. She never saw this coming.
As they walked out less than ten minutes later she watched them laughing, still walking hand in hand, she was at a loss for words. She’d never seen them act so-human. How had she missed this, how was it possible. They were buying rings-but what for-not a civil partnership? Jack didn’t love Ianto like that, did he? Was he capable of loving someone that much. She thought he loved her.
Gwen was furious that Jack might be leading Ianto on, as she continued on with the rest of her day. Much to her mild horror and surprise they ended up sharing the movie theatre together as well later that evening. Although they didn’t seem to notice him, she couldn’t keep her eyes off them as she watched them as a couple.
She was surprised when halfway through the movie Jack scooted sideways and leaned his head against Ianto’s shoulder. Ianto turned his head just enough to look at Jack, he pressed a kiss to Jack’s head and wrapped an arm around the Captain’s shoulders.
Her eyes grew wider at this; she’d always assumed Jack was the head of the relationship that Ianto just followed like a lost puppy. They couldn’t possibly be an equal relationship, could they? Jack couldn’t release power to anyone like that. Jack didn’t strike her as the domestic type. By the time the lights came back up in the cinema, Gwen realized she’d spent the bulk of the movie watching the couple several rows in front of her.
Ianto and Jack remained among a few other couples to watch the credits. “Telling you, Indiana Jones is hot.” Jack chuckled.
“That’s just because he’s closer to your age.” At Ianto’s comment Jack chuckled a few of the remaining pieces of popcorn at Ianto playfully.
“Brat,” Jack replied chuckling.
“You love me.” Returned Ianto.
“You bet I do.”
The two men were quiet for a moment, their hands entwined in front of them. Ianto glanced at Jack, who was still leaning against him slightly. “Still want to go out to dinner?”
Jack looked up. “You don’t?”
Ianto shrugged. “We’ve bought half the store, and watched the movie I wanted to see. I’d be happy with getting takeaway, grabbing a shower and watching movies on the couch.”
“Sounds good to me, we can rent some on the way home then. Come on.”
“Jack, can we stop by Tosh’s?” Ianto asked as they stood up to make their way out.
Jack smiled. “She can wait until Monday to see the rings-“
“I know, but I…” He shrugged.
Chuckling, Jack squeezed his lover’s hand and made their way out. “Of course we can stop off, give her a call and I’ll call the takeaway.”
Gwen sat beside Rhys stunned. “Gwen, what’s wrong love?” Rhys asked. “Didn’t you like the movie?”
“Loved it-“ Gwen felt betrayed, Tosh knew, all this time she knew they were in a relationship. She knew, and yet she never said anything when Owen and Gwen speculated. “I thought I knew him.” She whispered.
“Who Jack and Ianto? Why are you so surprised, Cariad? It’s not hard to see they’re in love. I’ve known since I first met the two.”
“What?” Gwen asked looking over at him.
Rhys looked at her in shock. “Gwen, didn’t you see the look on Jack’s face when that bastard put a gun to Ianto’s head. I was sure Jack would either break down or break the man limb from limb.”
“Really?”
“Aye. Come on love, let’s go have some dinner. They’re enjoying their night off, might as well enjoy the rest of ours.”
And at that moment, Gwen felt humbled, had everyone seen what she and Owen refused to see. A true relationship, built on love and trust. Built on two grown men dedicating their lives to one another so completely that it was sometimes hard to see where one ended and the other began. She only hoped they were taking care of one another.
The End