COMING HOME - Chapter 10/17 + EPILOGUE
Title: Coming Home - Chapter 10
Author: iantosdreamer46
Genre: AU
Pairings/Characters: Ianto/Jack, Tosh/Owen, Gwen/Rhys, Rhiannon
Summary: Ianto has returned to Cardiff to pursue his chosen career as a Theatre Director. He then encounters the Torchwood team who are looking for an alien with a revenge. It's at this point he meets Jack.
Rating: NC-17 Overall
Wordcount: 27,000
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters, they belong to the BBC and RTD, I just like to experiment with them from time to time.
Artist:the_silver_sun
Beta:zazajb
A/N Thanks to the-silver-sun for an awesome design I love it. Also many thanks to zazajb for betaing my fic
Fic Masterlist http://iantosdreamer46.livejournal.com/3003.html
Artist Link http://pics.livejournal.com/the_silver_sun/pic/00082x3g/
Jack was whistling to himself, he’d managed to clear some of the paperwork on his desk, although if he hadn’t been distracted with thoughts of Ianto Jones he would have cleared it all. He’d been down to his quarters and showered and changed his shirt. The team kept watching him, they’d not seen him this animated for months, Gwen had commented that this Ianto character was too much of a distraction and it would all end in tears. Tosh and Owen had told her to grow up, Jack needed some fun and anyway she had Rhys, so why was she so bothered what Jack was getting up to. When they were on their own Tosh had told Owen she thought Gwen was jealous as she still had feelings for Jack. Owen had agreed with her and hoped that she would see that Jack could be happy with someone.
Jack emerged from his office smiling and with his great coat over his left arm. “Ok kids, I’m off to meet Ianto Jones for a coffee and to discuss the visitor he has in the theatre.”
“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do Jack!”
“That doesn’t leave me much then does it Owen?”
Tosh blushed, Owen and Jack laughed, Gwen frowned as Jack left via the perception filter lift.
Her frown hadn’t escaped Jack’s gaze. He reminded himself he must have a chat with her, she couldn’t keep thinking things would happen between them, they wouldn’t, he was going to make things work with Ianto.
~~~~~*~~~~~
Ianto got back to his hotel in a daze. He couldn’t stop thinking about Jack. He was smiling as he checked with reception to see if anyone had left a message. Not surprisingly there weren’t any. He was hoping too much that his mam and Rhi would have called.
Making his way to his room he thought about what he should wear. He smiled and shook his head this is two people meeting for a coffee, not a date, isn’t it? If he was honest with himself he wanted to class it as a date. He was finding himself more and more attracted to Captain Harkness, those beautiful blue grey eyes that looked into your soul every time they met.
Entering his suite he knew exactly what he would wear. Stripping off he needed a shower. He felt like a schoolboy on a first date. His mind kept wandering to Jack and each time it did the tightness in his stomach returned and the heat proved too much for him to bear. Resting his forehead against the door of the shower cubicle he tried to remember the last time anyone had had this effect on him. It must have been when he first met Lisa. He regained control of his breathing if he has this effect when I’m just thinking about him, what am I going to be like when I see him? He got out of the shower, wrapped a white fluffy towel around his waist and made his way into his bedroom.
Looking at his watch he realised he only had fifteen minutes to get ready before he met Jack.
He quickly dried himself and pulled on his boxers, then the charcoal grey jeans he’d chosen. He looked at the shirt he’d placed on the bed, was it too much? No he didn’t want to look underdressed nor did he want to come across as too formal. Yep the red silk blend shirt would look ok with the jeans. Fastening his buttons up to the top he stopped, no, that wouldn’t do. So he undid the first two just leaving a hint of the soft hairs on his chest showing.
Checking his watch again, he had five minutes to get down to the lobby before Jack Harkness arrived.
As Ianto exited the lift he spotted Jack coming through the entrance. His breath caught in his throat, how could a man today look so good in a coat that should belong in the 1940’s? He began to make his way over to him.
Jack entered the lobby of the St David’s, butterflies squirming around in his stomach. He’d not felt like this since….well….he couldn’t remember when. He looked for Ianto and spotted him getting out of the lift. He stopped in his tracks, he realised he was holding his breath. Ianto Jones, you look hot! he thought, his reaction in his trousers spoke volumes. He had his hands in his great coat pockets and he manoeuvred it to cover the obvious bulge in his trousers hoping no-one had seen.
They met in the centre “Good evening Jack, I hope you haven’t been waiting too long?”
“No, I’ve only just arrived and may I say you look hot.”
Ianto felt himself blushing “Thank you….I think. Shall we go through to the bar, or would you like to go somewhere else?”
“How about we got back to the coffee shop from last night? I prefer coffee to alcohol in times like this.”
“And what time would that be?”
“Oh meeting a good looking man and sharing intelligent conversation with him.”
Ianto blushed again “Ok, shall we walk?” he indicated with his right arm for Jack to go ahead.
Jack smiled if there weren’t all these people in the lobby and not wanting to rush things, I’d kiss you right here Mr Jones.
They left the hotel Oh God Jack, I so want to kiss you, but I don’t want to push things. I don’t want to make a fool of myself. I don’t want to interpret that kiss earlier as something it wasn’t.
“So how was the rest of the technical rehearsal?”
“Great , the lads on the crew were brilliant and managed to get the lighting bar back up in record time.”
“And did you say you got through the tech, or do you have to continue tomorrow?”
“No, we’ve just got the dress rehearsal tomorrow. I’ve warned them that they have a prompt start at nine. I want them to have some time to themselves tomorrow before we open on Friday. I’m hoping the dress will finish around lunchtime, then they’ll have the afternoon to themselves.” Ianto realised he was rambling, Jack must think he never shut up. He was nervous, he had butterflies in his stomach that felt like they were performing something from Riverdance. He looked at Jack, “I’m sorry if I’m going on, it’s just….well I’ve not done anything like this before.”
“Hey….come on Ianto” Jack stopped walking and lightly grabbed Ianto’s arm to stop him and turn him to face him. “I’m not going to bite” he said with a grin “we’re going for a coffee, we are going to talk and then….well whatever you feel comfortable with. I will admit that I have feelings for you that I’ve not had for a long time and I’m liking them. But if you say you just want to be friends, that’s fine too.” They started walking again, Jack slid his hand down and placed it in Ianto’s. He was surprised but pleased that Ianto allowed his hand to be held.
“I’m slightly confused Jack. I….well I have never had feelings like this before. Yes I’ve been with plenty….no a few women. Oh God I don’t want Jack to think I’ve had lots of lovers. But I’ve never had feelings for another man.”
“And are they good feelings?” Jack squeezed Ianto’s hand.
“Yeah….yes they are. You shocked me earlier when you kissed me at the theatre, but if I’m honest, I’ve been thinking about it all day.”
Jack smiled “mmmm interesting, let’s see where this takes us. If I do or say anything that makes you feel uncomfortable, or there’s anything you don’t want to do, all you have to do is say so. Ok?”
Ianto nodded and smiled at Jack. Jack’s knees went weak. Shit what a combination, gorgeous smile, liquid blue eyes, a tight arse and that accent. I could listen to you talk all day. My body might not be satisfied with just listening, but my ears would enjoy those beautiful Welsh vowels.
Without realising they’d arrived at the coffee shop, and they were still holding hands. Ianto opened the door, still without dropping their grip they made their way inside.
“My turn I think to buy the coffee, why don’t you go and find us a seat.”
“Ok, how about that booth over there?”
Ianto looked in the direction Jack was pointing “yep that would be good. Oh before you go, what flavour do you want?”
“What’re you having?”
“Vanilla”
“That’s good for me too.”
Ianto watched as Jack made his way to the booth at the rear of the shop. He found he was holding his breath again. Breathe Jones, it’s a coffee with a friend, get a grip.
“Two vanilla coffee’s please” he said to the assistant after she’d asked him twice what he wanted.
He took them over to the booth, placed one in front of Jack, who smiled his thanks and then he slid onto the seat opposite. He placed his hands on the table and Jack, without asking, placed his hands over the top. He began slowly circling his thumbs over the back of Ianto’s hands which caused a shudder down his spine.
“You ok?”
“Yeah Jack I’m fine.”
“Do you want me to stop?”
“No, it feels nice.”
They looked deep into each others eyes and saw something that stirred their inner butterflies again.
“Jack….I….”
“Sssshhhh, don’t say anything just yet, let’s drink our coffee then we can go for a walk, and we’ll talk then.”
“Ok.”
Jack released one of Ianto’s hands and they drank their coffee in silence. For the present no words needed to be spoken.
Whilst they were drinking their coffee, Jack’s hand never left Ianto’s. Several people had to pass them to go to the bathroom and each one smiled at the sight of two extremely good looking men, so wrapped up in each other.
“I think we’re being watched Jack.” Ianto inclined his head to the assistant who had served him.
“Is it bothering you?”
“No….no it isn’t. I thought it would but I’m discovering I’ve got a wicked streak as it’s making me smile.”
“Good” Jack grinned at the assistant who quickly averted her eyes. “Shall we give her something to be jealous of?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well….if you have no problems, I’d like to kiss you”
“What….here in the middle of the coffee shop?”
“Yeah, right here, right now!”
Ianto looked at Jack and smiled.
“Look if it’s going to make you uncomfortable then I won’t.”
“No, I was just thinking what it would be like.”
“Don’t think, just….”
Jack leant across the table, still holding Ianto’s hand and putting his other hand around the back of the young man’s neck, he pulled him towards him and kissed him tenderly. They heard a gasp from the direction of the counter. This made them both smile, but instead of breaking apart, Ianto responded to Jack’s kiss by teasing his lips with his tongue. Jack parted his lips allowing Ianto’s tongue to enter his mouth and explore the contours of the inside.
Breaking apart for much needed air, they sat back down, smiled at each other, looked over to the assistant and winked at her. Jack noticed she’d turned a lovely shade of red so he smiled his best Hollywood smile at her.
“How about we go for that walk Jack, I’m getting rather warm sat here!”
“Good idea”
They stood and as they passed the assistant they both thanked her and wished her a good night. She spluttered a thank you and told them to have a good night too.
“We intend to” whispered Jack into Ianto’s ear.
Ianto realised when they exited the coffee shop, that Jack still had hold of his hand. Ianto stopped.
“What’s wrong Ianto?”
“Nothing….well….”
“Come on spit it out. Have I stepped over the mark?”
“What….er….no Jack, it’s just….”
“Just what? Don’t you want this?” he said as he brought their hands up and looked at their entwined fingers.
“Yes Jack, I want….but….but I’m scared.”
“Scared about what?”
“I’ve only been with women, what if I’m not good enough for you? What if I get things wrong?”
Jack brought his free hand up and cupped the side of Ianto’s face. He felt the young man lean into it. “Hey look, I’ve told you, I’ll respect your wishes and if I’m rushing you, tell me. If there’s something you don’t want to do tell me. We can go at your pace and, as I said earlier, if you only want to be friends then I’m ok with that too.”
“No Jack I don’t just want to be friends, I want more, but I don’t know how.”
“We’ll take it slowly ok?”
Ianto nodded and this time it was his turn to surprise Jack, he leant towards him and kissed him. Jack responded and moaned at the touch of Ianto’s hand around the back of his neck. As he pulled him closer the kiss deepened.
They parted and looked into each others’ eyes. Before they could say anything further Jack’s mobile went off, he looked at Ianto and mouthed sorry.
“Harkness, and this had better be good.”
“Jack....sorry....it’s Gwen.”
“What! I told you I was busy tonight, can’t this wait until tomorrow?”
“No, sorry, you’d better come to the theatre and see what we’ve found.”
Jack looked at Ianto, still holding onto his hand, “fine but I’m warning you, if it’s not a matter of life and death I’m not going to be too happy.”
“Ok, we’ll see you in a few minutes then?”
“Yeah!” He closed his phone.
“What’s wrong Jack? Is it something at work?”
“Sort of, it’s at the theatre. Come on let’s go and see what the team have found.”
Without dropping hands they walked to the theatre. Entering the auditorium Jack saw Gwen and Owen on the stage staring at the prompt corner.
“What have we got!” he shouted.
“You’d better come and look.”
“Gwen, I warned you.”
“No Jack, this is serious now. It’s about you.”
Ianto looked at Jack then at the two people on the stage. Jack squeezed his hand, leant over and kissed his cheek. “Don’t worry, we’ll get this sorted.”
The kiss hadn’t escaped Gwen or Owen who looked at each other and raised their eyebrows. If Gwen was truthful, she felt jealous of this young man.
“Right kids what do we....oh shit, no.”
“Jack, what is it? Why are these here? That is you isn’t it?”
“Yep Owen, that’s me. I was hoping it would have gone by now, but it looks as though it’s back for revenge.”
“Revenge on what Jack?” Ianto had joined them on the stage. He saw what they were looking at.
“Jack, explain to me, what are these? They look like they should be from the war. And what are you doing in that photograph?”
Jack looked at Ianto and went to hold his hand. “It’s a long story, but for now you just need to know that the thing that left these wants me. Gwen, Owen, take these back to the Hub, I’ve got some explaining to do to Ianto here.”
“Ok, will do. Just be careful please Jack.”
“Always am Gwen, always am.”
Gwen and Owen retrieved the photo of Jack stood outside a bombed theatre in London and the disarmed butterfly bomb. They put the latter into a containment box, just in case.
“Jack, please tell me what’s going on, you’re scaring me.”
“Ianto, not here. Can we go back to your hotel? You’re going to need a large drink by the time I’ve finished and you may not want to see me anymore when I tell you all about me. I’m hoping that’s not going to be the case because you’ve awakened feelings in me that I didn’t know I could still have. And now I’ve found you I don’t want to lose you. Will you let me explain without interruptions, then tell me what you think.”
Ianto nodded, continued to hold Jack’s hand and they left for the St David’s Hotel.
tbc
Chapter 11 http://iantosdreamer46.livejournal.com/33946.html