Calamari
Title: Calamari
Author: Timelordshines
Characters: Ianto Jones, Jack Harkness
Rating: PG
Words: 2040
Spoilers: None
Disclaimer: Characters belong to RTD and the BBC - I’m just borrowing them.
Written for hc_bingo prompt "Tentacles".
Author's note: I have finally started hc_bingo. Better late than never! :-)
Jack and Ianto sat down at a quiet corner table in the busy new restaurant that had just opened up in the Bay. The impromptu date was Jack’s treat to thank Ianto for all his hard work over the last few days. The rift had been going mad, dropping all manner of land and sea creatures on them and Ianto had gone above and beyond the call of duty to deal with the crazy situation, look after their temporary new ‘guests’, help out in the field, look after the team making sure they had everything they could want or need, and even found time to do way more than his fair share of paperwork. And all without complaining or losing his perfect manners and cheery disposition. Jack could tell he was as stressed as everyone else, but only because he knew him so well and could identify the little tick he got in his left eye when he was stressed or annoyed. Nobody else would have been any the wiser.
Ianto kept his head when all about him were losing theirs, quite literally in the case of one poor alien - all over the fresh clean suit that Ianto had just changed into after returning from chasing another creature through the park and falling into the river.
When their starters arrived, Jack tucked in with gusto, Ianto was a little more restrained. They chatted lightly about this and that, enjoying the rare chance just to have a normal day now that the rift storm seemed to be over.
The waitress came and took their plates, promising that the main courses would be out shortly. Jack flirted lightly with the pretty young girl causing Ianto to smile and shake his head. Jack’s foot rubbed reassuringly up Ianto’s calf under the table and when the waitress left Ianto reached over and took Jack’s hand, the gesture confirming that he didn’t mind.
As they waited for their main courses something in Ianto’s demeanour changed. Jack couldn’t quite put his finger on it. His partner seemed worried, anxious, maybe even a little scared though he was obviously trying to hide it.
“Are you ok, Ianto?” he asked, the concern evident in his voice.
“I’m fine,” Ianto replied unconvincingly, but his weak smile was enough to reassure Jack for now. He would speak to Ianto later to find out what was bothering him, but he wasn’t going to ruin their date by making him talk now if he was uncomfortable. Jack lifted their still joined hands and kissed his partner’s knuckles tenderly. He was rewarded with another smile and a loving look.
Jack released Ianto’s hand as he saw the waitress approaching their table with their plates.
“Here you go Sirs,” she said putting their meals down. “Can I get you anything else?”
“No thank you, we’re fine,” Jack answered, flashing his trademark grin at her making the poor girl blush before hurrying away.
When he turned his attention back to his partner he saw that all the colour had drained from his face making his already pale Welsh countenance a deathly white.
“Ianto?”
“I’m fine Jack. Really.”
Jack was about to protest when Ianto stopped him with a quietly spoken, “please Jack. Just eat your dinner.” Then Ianto took a breath to fortify himself before he lifted his own knife and fork and sliced into his calamari, raising a bite to his lips and chewing very slowly and deliberately.
Jack followed suit with his swordfish steak, cutting a small piece off and chewing it appreciatively. It really was very good. Jack never took his eyes off his young lover, watching as Ianto swallowed and mechanically lifted another bite to his lips.
After half a dozen more mouthfuls Ianto rested his cutlery on the side of his plate and raised his right hand, pressing the knuckles of his clenched fist into his tightly shut lips. Ianto scrunched his eyes closed and breathed heavily through his nose.
Behind him, the waitress noticed the changed atmosphere around their table and started to head over their way to ask if there was anything they needed. Jack caught her eye and waved her away. He placed his hand gently over Ianto’s left one, resting on the table. “Ianto, what’s the matter?” he asked softly.
Ianto scraped his chair back noisily and lurched to his feet, hurrying for the exit and the street beyond. Jack quickly took out his wallet and threw some money down onto the table before rushing after his lover.
He caught up to him just around the corner of the building where Ianto was bent over, his hands on his knees, retching.
Jack stood close behind his partner, rubbing soothing circles into his back until he was done. Then he wrapped an arm around his waist and helped him to stand and offered a handkerchief for Ianto to wipe his mouth. Ianto accepted gratefully and leaned into Jack’s broad chest, drawing strength from his presence, “I’m sorry,” he mumbled.
“Whatever for?” Jack asked, “come on, let’s get you home then I’m going to call Owen to come and look at you. Are you ok to walk, or should we get a taxi?”
“I’m fine. Really. You don’t need to call Owen.” Ianto said, his cheeks flaming with embarrassment.
Jack didn’t press the matter, choosing instead to wait until they were safely home before trying to find out what had happened.
They walked the short journey to Ianto’s flat in companionable silence, Jack’s arm still around Ianto’s waist. Not because the younger man actually need the support anymore, but simply because he liked the feel of it there.
When they got to the flat Ianto unlocked the door to let them both in and then excused himself to go to the bathroom and brush his teeth and wash his face. Feeling much better he returned to Jack in the living room.
“Coffee?” he asked.
“Always,” Jack replied. “Though shouldn’t I be offering to get it for you?”
Ianto shot him a withering glare, “you are not authorised to touch my coffee machine.”
Jack held his hands up in surrender. “Ok, you make it.” He acquiesced, following his lover into the kitchen.
“So, what was that all about?” Jack asked once Ianto had set the machine in motion.
“It’s silly really, you’ll laugh,” Ianto said busying himself with getting the mugs out so that he didn’t have to look at his partner.
“No, I won’t.” Jack assured him, cupping Ianto’s chin in his hand and turning his face to look at him and kissing him lightly on his button nose.
Ianto blushed and turned back to finish the drinks and Jack took a step back to give him room to perform his magic.
Coffees in hand the men returned to the living room, sitting on the sofa just close enough that their thighs touched lightly. “I used to be scared of spiders.” Ianto stated, “actually I still don’t like them but I learnt to cope.”
Jack paused with his mug part way to his mouth, his expression puzzled as he tried to work out the reason for this non-sequitur. “But you’re the one the girls always call when we have a spider in the Hub.”
“Only because they know Owen would tease them. And you are as scared as they are.”
Jack shuddered, “they have too many legs. And they’re too fast and unpredictable. But I would deal with it if Gwen or Tosh asked me to.”
“I know you would,” Ianto patted Jack’s knee, “they know you would as well but they ask me because they don’t want to put you in that situation.”
“But you don’t like them either.”
“They don’t know that. I realised when I was a teenager that my fear of spiders was completely irrational. There are no spiders that can hurt you in this country. I forced myself to get used to them starting with little money spiders and learning to handle bigger ones until when I was sixteen I made myself go to a zoo and hold a tarantula.”
Jack shuddered again and gripped his cup tightly.
“It was terrifying but the adrenaline rush and sense of achievement afterwards was amazing.” Ianto grinned.
Jack couldn’t resist. He leant over and captured Ianto’s lips with his own.
When they parted Jack asked softly, “so what do spiders have to do with what happened this evening?”
Ianto looked down at the coffee in his mug. “I have another phobia,” he said quietly.
Jack racked his brains to try and think what his lover was talking about. “I’m sorry, what… what do you mean?”
“I have a thing about tentacles.” It was Ianto’s turn to shudder.
“Really?” Jack asked incredulously, “but they can be so fun!” he grinned. “You remember that story I told you all about that time when…”
“Jack! Please,” Ianto interrupted paling, “I didn’t need to hear it the first time. I certainly don’t need to hear it now!”
“Hey, I’m sorry.” Jack said, putting his arm around his partner and pulling Ianto to him, kissing the top of his head.
“It’s ok” Ianto muttered. Then rested with his head on Jack’s shoulder in a comfortable silence for a time until Jack prompted him,
“So, tentacles?”
“Yeah. I didn’t think it would be an issue. I mean, it’s not like I’m going to come across any octopuses, or should that be octopi?” Ianto wondered distractedly, “or squid or anything unless I go to the aquarium. Or, it seems unless I work for Torchwood.”
The penny dropped then for Jack, “that squid thing we found the other day? So that’s why you wouldn’t let us keep it in the pool under the water tower? And you told Owen you were too busy to look after it and settle it in the tank in the basement until we were able to send it home.”
Ianto shrank further into Jack, “I’m sorry, I just couldn’t stand being near it.”
“I had no idea. I just thought you really were busy. You hid your fear well.” Jack acknowledged, impressed.
“Not well enough. I let it get in the way of my work.”
“Hey, you were already doing way more than your share of the work. It was about time Owen chipped in. And he didn’t have to look after it for long, we were able to send it home quite quickly.”
“It’s stupid really though. I can fight weevils and aliens with teeth as long as my arm. I’ve been threatened with a meat cleaver to my throat. Had a gun held to my head. And I’m terrified of a bit of calamari!”
“Oh Ianto,” Jack breathed as he ran the fingers of one hand soothingly through Ianto’s hair, the other hand around his shoulders holding him close. Ianto’s head was leaning against Jack’s chest and he took comfort in the solid slow thud-thud of Jack’s heart, whilst also avoiding having to meet his Captain’s eyes.
“I thought, if I could eat a damn squid maybe I wouldn’t be so scared of them.” Ianto’s chuckle was bordering on hysterical.
Jack kissed the top of Ianto’s head, “my brave Ianto. I wouldn’t have been able to bring myself to order it if I was scared of them, much less force it down my throat.”
“I didn’t finish it. And what I did eat I couldn’t keep down.”
“That’s not the point. You faced your fear. I’m so proud of you.”
“I’m sorry I ruined the date. I shouldn’t have tried it tonight. I should have waited until I was on my own.”
“No.” said Jack, putting his fingers under Ianto’s chin and forcing his head up to look into his eyes. “I’m proud of you for facing your fear. You had to strike whilst the iron was hot as it were, you needed to do this now, and I’m pleased I was there to look after you. You don’t have to do things alone you know, I’m here for you.”
Ianto saw such love and understanding in his partner’s eyes that he had to blink away a tear.
“Thank you. I’m here for you too Jack,” he whispered before leaning up and gently claiming his lover’s lips.
Author: Timelordshines
Characters: Ianto Jones, Jack Harkness
Rating: PG
Words: 2040
Spoilers: None
Disclaimer: Characters belong to RTD and the BBC - I’m just borrowing them.
Written for hc_bingo prompt "Tentacles".
Author's note: I have finally started hc_bingo. Better late than never! :-)
Jack and Ianto sat down at a quiet corner table in the busy new restaurant that had just opened up in the Bay. The impromptu date was Jack’s treat to thank Ianto for all his hard work over the last few days. The rift had been going mad, dropping all manner of land and sea creatures on them and Ianto had gone above and beyond the call of duty to deal with the crazy situation, look after their temporary new ‘guests’, help out in the field, look after the team making sure they had everything they could want or need, and even found time to do way more than his fair share of paperwork. And all without complaining or losing his perfect manners and cheery disposition. Jack could tell he was as stressed as everyone else, but only because he knew him so well and could identify the little tick he got in his left eye when he was stressed or annoyed. Nobody else would have been any the wiser.
Ianto kept his head when all about him were losing theirs, quite literally in the case of one poor alien - all over the fresh clean suit that Ianto had just changed into after returning from chasing another creature through the park and falling into the river.
When their starters arrived, Jack tucked in with gusto, Ianto was a little more restrained. They chatted lightly about this and that, enjoying the rare chance just to have a normal day now that the rift storm seemed to be over.
The waitress came and took their plates, promising that the main courses would be out shortly. Jack flirted lightly with the pretty young girl causing Ianto to smile and shake his head. Jack’s foot rubbed reassuringly up Ianto’s calf under the table and when the waitress left Ianto reached over and took Jack’s hand, the gesture confirming that he didn’t mind.
As they waited for their main courses something in Ianto’s demeanour changed. Jack couldn’t quite put his finger on it. His partner seemed worried, anxious, maybe even a little scared though he was obviously trying to hide it.
“Are you ok, Ianto?” he asked, the concern evident in his voice.
“I’m fine,” Ianto replied unconvincingly, but his weak smile was enough to reassure Jack for now. He would speak to Ianto later to find out what was bothering him, but he wasn’t going to ruin their date by making him talk now if he was uncomfortable. Jack lifted their still joined hands and kissed his partner’s knuckles tenderly. He was rewarded with another smile and a loving look.
Jack released Ianto’s hand as he saw the waitress approaching their table with their plates.
“Here you go Sirs,” she said putting their meals down. “Can I get you anything else?”
“No thank you, we’re fine,” Jack answered, flashing his trademark grin at her making the poor girl blush before hurrying away.
When he turned his attention back to his partner he saw that all the colour had drained from his face making his already pale Welsh countenance a deathly white.
“Ianto?”
“I’m fine Jack. Really.”
Jack was about to protest when Ianto stopped him with a quietly spoken, “please Jack. Just eat your dinner.” Then Ianto took a breath to fortify himself before he lifted his own knife and fork and sliced into his calamari, raising a bite to his lips and chewing very slowly and deliberately.
Jack followed suit with his swordfish steak, cutting a small piece off and chewing it appreciatively. It really was very good. Jack never took his eyes off his young lover, watching as Ianto swallowed and mechanically lifted another bite to his lips.
After half a dozen more mouthfuls Ianto rested his cutlery on the side of his plate and raised his right hand, pressing the knuckles of his clenched fist into his tightly shut lips. Ianto scrunched his eyes closed and breathed heavily through his nose.
Behind him, the waitress noticed the changed atmosphere around their table and started to head over their way to ask if there was anything they needed. Jack caught her eye and waved her away. He placed his hand gently over Ianto’s left one, resting on the table. “Ianto, what’s the matter?” he asked softly.
Ianto scraped his chair back noisily and lurched to his feet, hurrying for the exit and the street beyond. Jack quickly took out his wallet and threw some money down onto the table before rushing after his lover.
He caught up to him just around the corner of the building where Ianto was bent over, his hands on his knees, retching.
Jack stood close behind his partner, rubbing soothing circles into his back until he was done. Then he wrapped an arm around his waist and helped him to stand and offered a handkerchief for Ianto to wipe his mouth. Ianto accepted gratefully and leaned into Jack’s broad chest, drawing strength from his presence, “I’m sorry,” he mumbled.
“Whatever for?” Jack asked, “come on, let’s get you home then I’m going to call Owen to come and look at you. Are you ok to walk, or should we get a taxi?”
“I’m fine. Really. You don’t need to call Owen.” Ianto said, his cheeks flaming with embarrassment.
Jack didn’t press the matter, choosing instead to wait until they were safely home before trying to find out what had happened.
They walked the short journey to Ianto’s flat in companionable silence, Jack’s arm still around Ianto’s waist. Not because the younger man actually need the support anymore, but simply because he liked the feel of it there.
When they got to the flat Ianto unlocked the door to let them both in and then excused himself to go to the bathroom and brush his teeth and wash his face. Feeling much better he returned to Jack in the living room.
“Coffee?” he asked.
“Always,” Jack replied. “Though shouldn’t I be offering to get it for you?”
Ianto shot him a withering glare, “you are not authorised to touch my coffee machine.”
Jack held his hands up in surrender. “Ok, you make it.” He acquiesced, following his lover into the kitchen.
“So, what was that all about?” Jack asked once Ianto had set the machine in motion.
“It’s silly really, you’ll laugh,” Ianto said busying himself with getting the mugs out so that he didn’t have to look at his partner.
“No, I won’t.” Jack assured him, cupping Ianto’s chin in his hand and turning his face to look at him and kissing him lightly on his button nose.
Ianto blushed and turned back to finish the drinks and Jack took a step back to give him room to perform his magic.
Coffees in hand the men returned to the living room, sitting on the sofa just close enough that their thighs touched lightly. “I used to be scared of spiders.” Ianto stated, “actually I still don’t like them but I learnt to cope.”
Jack paused with his mug part way to his mouth, his expression puzzled as he tried to work out the reason for this non-sequitur. “But you’re the one the girls always call when we have a spider in the Hub.”
“Only because they know Owen would tease them. And you are as scared as they are.”
Jack shuddered, “they have too many legs. And they’re too fast and unpredictable. But I would deal with it if Gwen or Tosh asked me to.”
“I know you would,” Ianto patted Jack’s knee, “they know you would as well but they ask me because they don’t want to put you in that situation.”
“But you don’t like them either.”
“They don’t know that. I realised when I was a teenager that my fear of spiders was completely irrational. There are no spiders that can hurt you in this country. I forced myself to get used to them starting with little money spiders and learning to handle bigger ones until when I was sixteen I made myself go to a zoo and hold a tarantula.”
Jack shuddered again and gripped his cup tightly.
“It was terrifying but the adrenaline rush and sense of achievement afterwards was amazing.” Ianto grinned.
Jack couldn’t resist. He leant over and captured Ianto’s lips with his own.
When they parted Jack asked softly, “so what do spiders have to do with what happened this evening?”
Ianto looked down at the coffee in his mug. “I have another phobia,” he said quietly.
Jack racked his brains to try and think what his lover was talking about. “I’m sorry, what… what do you mean?”
“I have a thing about tentacles.” It was Ianto’s turn to shudder.
“Really?” Jack asked incredulously, “but they can be so fun!” he grinned. “You remember that story I told you all about that time when…”
“Jack! Please,” Ianto interrupted paling, “I didn’t need to hear it the first time. I certainly don’t need to hear it now!”
“Hey, I’m sorry.” Jack said, putting his arm around his partner and pulling Ianto to him, kissing the top of his head.
“It’s ok” Ianto muttered. Then rested with his head on Jack’s shoulder in a comfortable silence for a time until Jack prompted him,
“So, tentacles?”
“Yeah. I didn’t think it would be an issue. I mean, it’s not like I’m going to come across any octopuses, or should that be octopi?” Ianto wondered distractedly, “or squid or anything unless I go to the aquarium. Or, it seems unless I work for Torchwood.”
The penny dropped then for Jack, “that squid thing we found the other day? So that’s why you wouldn’t let us keep it in the pool under the water tower? And you told Owen you were too busy to look after it and settle it in the tank in the basement until we were able to send it home.”
Ianto shrank further into Jack, “I’m sorry, I just couldn’t stand being near it.”
“I had no idea. I just thought you really were busy. You hid your fear well.” Jack acknowledged, impressed.
“Not well enough. I let it get in the way of my work.”
“Hey, you were already doing way more than your share of the work. It was about time Owen chipped in. And he didn’t have to look after it for long, we were able to send it home quite quickly.”
“It’s stupid really though. I can fight weevils and aliens with teeth as long as my arm. I’ve been threatened with a meat cleaver to my throat. Had a gun held to my head. And I’m terrified of a bit of calamari!”
“Oh Ianto,” Jack breathed as he ran the fingers of one hand soothingly through Ianto’s hair, the other hand around his shoulders holding him close. Ianto’s head was leaning against Jack’s chest and he took comfort in the solid slow thud-thud of Jack’s heart, whilst also avoiding having to meet his Captain’s eyes.
“I thought, if I could eat a damn squid maybe I wouldn’t be so scared of them.” Ianto’s chuckle was bordering on hysterical.
Jack kissed the top of Ianto’s head, “my brave Ianto. I wouldn’t have been able to bring myself to order it if I was scared of them, much less force it down my throat.”
“I didn’t finish it. And what I did eat I couldn’t keep down.”
“That’s not the point. You faced your fear. I’m so proud of you.”
“I’m sorry I ruined the date. I shouldn’t have tried it tonight. I should have waited until I was on my own.”
“No.” said Jack, putting his fingers under Ianto’s chin and forcing his head up to look into his eyes. “I’m proud of you for facing your fear. You had to strike whilst the iron was hot as it were, you needed to do this now, and I’m pleased I was there to look after you. You don’t have to do things alone you know, I’m here for you.”
Ianto saw such love and understanding in his partner’s eyes that he had to blink away a tear.
“Thank you. I’m here for you too Jack,” he whispered before leaning up and gently claiming his lover’s lips.