Torchwood, "We Are Broken," Jack/Ianto Part One
Title: We Are Broken
Author: missdeanna
Fandom: Torchwood
Pairing/character: Jack/Ianto
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 13850
Kink: D/s, service submission, spanking
Notes/Warnings: Explicit sex, D/s, and some language. Many thanks to my betas, verasteine and kahtyasofia. They both gave me a lot of time, patience, and great feedback, and I used their advice the best I could.
Summary: Ianto wants to be Jack's submissive. Jack is looking for some control. They commit to a month, and let it go from there. If only it were that simple.
Artist: deadflowers5. Many thanks for the artwork and icons.
Jack wasn't sure how long Ianto had gotten off on serving him, but it wasn't a huge surprise when Ianto finally told him.
They were naked in Jack's bed, and Ianto had his arm over his eyes.
"You know," Jack said, smiling, "it takes a lot to surprise me. Last time someone told me they had a weird kink and asked me not to freak out, it turned out the guy wanted to shave my head. I mean, really, my hair? Way too nice to shave off. Of course, I did do it."
Ianto laughed and uncovered his eyes. "But it's odd. You have to admit."
Jack shrugged. He let his smile relax. "Maybe. Probably. Not as much as you think. Besides, who cares if it is?"
Ianto propped himself up against the pillows. The sheet fell down his chest, exposing his hard nipples. "You're not bothered, then? Because I'd hate to drive you off at this point."
"Of course not," Jack said. If Jack were the sort that was easily scared off, it would have happened when Ianto used a stopwatch as a pickup line. Why would he be upset? It was an honor to know that Ianto wanted to serve him.
"It's not just sex," Ianto explained, "I mean, that’s certainly part of it. It's just nice, doing things for you, having you in charge." Ianto's voice was uneven, and he looked more resigned than relieved, as though he'd only just realized that confessing was just the first step. Explaining was a whole new challenge.
That didn't matter, because Jack thought it made sense, anyway. Jack had never really believed that everything Ianto did for him was part of work. He wasn't paying Ianto to shine his boots and press his shirts.
He nudged Ianto’s arm. "You don’t need me to be in charge to do that, though. You already spoil me."
Ianto rolled his eyes. "Obviously. But if all you’re going to do is tell me it's not necessary, then that’s like…going into Tesco’s and putting the shelves in order when you don’t work there."
Jack smiled, but it was apologetic, and regretful.
"Might not work too well though, would it?" he said.
Ianto frowned. "Why not?"
"It's one thing to play at it. What you're talking about can be harder to pull off."
It wasn't that Jack lacked interest. There was something about power that aroused him-both the giving and taking of it. He would have liked to cultivate that in Ianto.
Maybe that was the problem-he knew that dominating someone took time and responsibility, and he couldn't afford either right now. Not at this time in his life, and not with the Doctor coming. Jack didn't want to own a house right now, let alone a person.
Ianto shouldn't even have wanted it. It hadn't been that long since he told Jack he would watch him suffer and die.
Ianto didn't respond. Jack said, "I'm really glad you told me. I just can't right now."
"No, I understand," Ianto murmured. He turned over, facing the dark, open room instead of Jack. "I could be good, though. I would do whatever you wanted."
"I know."
Ianto was silent. Jack was sandwiched between Ianto's warm back and the cold wall and he lay still. Jack couldn't tell when Ianto fell asleep, but suddenly, he was aware of it. An hour later, Jack was still awake, trying not to think.
When he woke up, his eyes were still heavy and his mind was cluttered. He didn't feel like he'd slept, and he wouldn't believe that he had if not for the fact that Ianto was gone. Jack got up, and saw that the spare suit he kept with Jack's clothes was missing. Ianto was probably washing up.
Jack climbed the ladder to his office, where he found a hot cup of coffee waiting for him on the desk. He smiled and raised it to his lips, feeling the heat against his nose. It spread straight down to his groin as he realized that this was Ianto's way of seducing him.
~~~
Less than a week later, Jack was gone, just like he'd been planning for over a hundred years.
The official story was that he came back after three months. Like all his lies, Jack liked to pretend it was the truth. Maybe someday he would even believe it.
Jack was in his office, looking through a pile of documents without really reading them. He would start on one, get a third of a way down the first page, and cast it aside for the next. After an hour, it was a lost cause.
Restless, he got up and walked out into the main part of the Hub, where the others were working. He spent a minute watching them. They looked professional, coordinated, and not at all desperate for his leadership. Jack took a deep breath.
"All right, guys," he shouted, "team meeting!"
He marched across the hub without waiting for a response, and ran up the steps to the boardroom, the metal clanging under his boots. He was halfway up when he saw the plants, and remembered that it wasn't the boardroom anymore. It was a hothouse. He kept forgetting that, and a lot of other things, only to remember them at times when he wanted show that he belonged there.
He paused on the steps and looked down. The others were standing there, looking up at him. He felt the blood rush to his head.
"Right," he said sharply. "Downstairs."
The team shuffled away, looking unimpressed.
Jack had been back for two days, and so much was different. Sometimes, it was hard for him to tell how much had actually changed, and how many details he'd forgotten over the past year. He didn't want to ask what was really new, because if he had forgotten, that would take some explaining.
If he owed his team anything, it was the assurance that everything was fine. It would be too selfish and cheap to win back their loyalty with hints of the horror they missed and the penance he'd paid for leaving.
For now, there was business to get down to.
The new boardroom was nice. Jack couldn't complain. It was more secure, for one thing, and the new plasma screen mounted on the wall was much nicer than the old one. He took his seat at the head of the table, and the others took their places like nothing had changed. This was the first real meeting since he'd returned, and Jack was antsy to do something official.
"First of all, let me say that I'm glad to be back," Jack said, "and I'm glad to see you guys did a good job while I was gone."
The others didn't respond. Gwen and Tosh just looked at him. Ianto was stirring his coffee. Owen snorted, though maybe Jack imagined that.
Jack cleared his throat. "I've been going over some of the files and reports from my absence. It looks like things went pretty smoothly."
"And what if they hadn't?" Gwen asked.
Jack had no answer for that.
"Right," he said, trying to change the subject, "I was looking at some things and I noticed that a lot of artifacts haven't been filed properly. So I'd like to see that fixed." Then he added, "I'd like us to stay organized." He didn't know why he felt the need to explain himself.
"Actually," Ianto said, "we changed the system. I haven't gone through everything yet, but it should be fully organized by the end of the month."
Jack looked at him. "You changed the system?"
It was Tosh who spoke up, then. "We all know how it works. I was the one who suggested it might be updated. It hadn't been altered at all since 1970, and we've needed new subcategories in the archives for ages. Ianto's put a lot of work into it."
Oh. How could Jack argue with that? He cleared his throat and said, "I'll take a look at it, see how it works. It just would have been nice to be able to approve it."
"Yes, well," Ianto said, "Gwen approved it."
Oh.
He tried to think of something else to address, but he was still so behind on everything. It was hard to concentrate on the job, even though he wanted to. He kept thinking about things he would have preferred to forget.
Finally, he turned the meeting over to the team, and for a few minutes, nobody spoke. They looked down in their coffee cups or at their fingernails. Gwen broke the silence, talking about recent dealings with the police. That seemed to give the others permission, and Owen brought up the new Weevil repellent he was developing. Jack sat back, grateful that he could just listen.
When Jack finally dismissed them, the others were quick to leave. Ianto stayed behind and started to collect the coffee mugs. He wouldn't look at Jack, and his movements were uncharacteristically hurried as though he, too, was in a hurry to get out of there.
"I'd like to see Owen's reports on that Weevil repellent," Jack said.
Ianto ignored him, and Jack said, "Do you think you could get that for me?"
"Do you want it right now, or could I wait until I don't have five cups in my hands?"
Jack raised an eyebrow at him. "I was thinking whenever you have a moment. You know, as long as that moment is sometime today."
"I'll get it when I have a chance," Ianto said, coldly. The mugs clacked together violently in Ianto's hands. Jack thought he was going to chip one.
"Look, I know I'm not your favorite person right now-"
"We're working. It's not an issue."
"Then maybe we could cut this passive-aggressive bullshit."
Ianto paused.
Jack didn't expect much from him. He'd been either dismissive or sarcastic since Jack's return. Jack was willing to show his belly, but there were limits.
But Ianto didn't argue. He set the mugs back on the table and looked away. To Jack's surprise, he said, "I'm sorry." There was still some defiance in his tone, but also un-decorated sincerity.
Jack had been ready for an argument, but he felt the fight drain out of him. Instead, he nodded. "I understand."
Ianto closed his eyes and breathed in deeply. He wouldn't look at Jack. "I'd like us to try to move on."
"Well, I still want to take you to a movie, if you're up for it. Maybe not now, but soon?"
Ianto seemed to think about that. Finally, he said, "Okay."
~~~
Jack hadn't taken someone out on a movie date since 1947. He ended up choosing a romantic comedy, not because he thought Ianto would particularly enjoy it, but because the other options were horror movies and a kid's film about a talking dog. Ianto didn't say anything about Jack's selection, but he raised an eyebrow at it.
After the movie, they ate at an Italian restaurant. It was a warm night, and they sat at an outdoor table under a string of paper lanterns that bobbled in the breeze. Ianto ate with his eyes down on his plate and his shoulders hunched over like a shell, but sometimes he would look up at Jack or smile at one of his attempts at a joke.
Jack thought that would be it for the night, and he expected Ianto, who had driven, to take him straight back to the Hub once they got back to the car. He wouldn't have minded that, even if the lack of sex was starting to reach a point of desperation for him.
But instead, Ianto asked, "Do you want to call it a night, or do you want to come back to my place for coffee?"
Jack gaped at him. "Coffee would be great."
Mercifully, Ianto's flat was just like Jack remembered it. Jack even remembered how the closet door would stick. He yanked it open and hung up his coat while Ianto started on the coffee. Jack went in the living room to wait for him.
Ianto came back without his suit jacket or tie. He'd undone the top button of his shirt, and Jack could just see his Adam's apple and a few stray chest hairs beneath the folds of maroon fabric. He had two cups of coffee and handed one to Jack before settling into a chair.
For a minute, neither of them spoke. The coffee was too hot to drink, and Jack held his mug awkwardly, moving his fingers from time to time so the heat wouldn't hurt as much.
"I hope you've enjoyed yourself," Jack said.
"I have," Ianto said. "Not the movie I would have chosen, but it was…fun. It's been ages since I went to the cinema."
"I'm glad you liked it."
He looked up. "But you don't have to try so hard, Jack."
"Didn't realize I was," Jack said nonchalantly. He put his mug on the coffee table.
"I suppose I never saw you as the dinner and a movie type."
"Hey, there's a lot you don't know about me," Jack said, without thinking. He belatedly remembered just how true that was. Ianto didn't respond to the significance, though.
"Yes, well, I'm not really the dinner and a movie type, though I appreciate the gesture." Ianto leaned forward and added, "You don't have anything to prove."
That wasn't true. Not by a long shot. Jack had figured out a long time ago that he would always have to prove himself. Ianto was the only one who gave him permission not to.
Ianto got up and moved to the sofa with Jack. They weren't touching, but Ianto was close enough that Jack swore he could feel the warmth of Ianto's body. Jack took it as an invitation, and kissed him.
Ianto kissed him back. Jack tasted a desperation that almost matched his own, though he didn't trust his senses as much these days. Jack didn't plan to spend the night, even then. But when Ianto stood up and took his hand, he moved with him, half following and half pulling Ianto into the bedroom.
~~~
It was dawn when Jack got up and dressed, leaving Ianto sleeping in the bed. When Jack went to get his coat, he looked in the living room and saw the untouched coffee mugs still there. He closed the door silently behind himself and started the walk back to the Hub.
It was the first time since his return that something had gone right.
When Ianto came in to work later that morning, he didn't say anything. He was clean and buttoned up, looking nothing like the flushed man who, a few hours earlier, had muttered obscenities while coming down Jack's throat.
He smiled, though, and delivered Jack a cup of coffee. Maybe Jack was imagining it, but it tasted better than all the other cups he'd had recently.
Jack felt like something they'd both been waiting for had finally passed, and it wasn't nearly as difficult as he'd feared. Maybe they'd both just been waiting for it to happen.
~~~
Jack was in his office, trying to get through some last-minute work. He'd been out most of the day with Gwen and Owen, tracking an alien. The others had gone home, but he had to finish the paperwork that should have been done that morning.
Ianto hadn't gone home, though. Jack could see him out of the corner of his eye, just outside the office. The lights were too dim for him to make him out well, but he didn't seem to be working. Jack wondered how much of this paperwork could be put off a little longer. It wasn't like there was a deadline, but if tomorrow was busy, too, he'd end up even more behind. But still…
He was just deciding to take that risk when Ianto came in carrying a sheet of paper.
"If it's not urgent," Jack said, pointing at the paper, "it's gonna wait till morning."
"It's not work-related," Ianto said.
"In that case, what've you got?"
Ianto held the paper in one hand and put his other hand in his pocket. "Do you remember what I told you not long before you left? About being useful to you, I mean."
"Not something I could forget."
Ianto cleared his throat. "Yes, well, I wanted to tell you that I'm still interested." He came closer and looked Jack in the eye. "If you're not interested, I won't bring it up again. I just wanted you to know."
And there he'd thought Ianto didn't trust him anymore. He hadn't even considered that, after everything, Ianto might still want this. But here he was, offering it up like a second chance. Jack was suddenly aware of his heart pounding in his chest, so loud that he thought Ianto must be able to hear it.
Jack pointed at the paper. "So what's that?"
"Just some suggestions," Ianto said. "Things I would like to do for you."
Jack took it from him. Well, this explained what Ianto had been working on surreptitiously during his lunch break. He couldn't help but be impressed; Ianto really had given this some thought. Jack quickly scanned it.
"It could be a challenge, you know," Jack said, looking up from the paper. "I wouldn't blame you if you changed your mind. But we can talk about it."
Ianto looked disbelieving. "You're interested?"
"Let me put it this way-I'm done passing it up. So why don't you tell me what you want?"
"I want-" Ianto swallowed. "I want to be useful to you. Do things for you."
Jack nodded. "Right." He glanced down at the paper. "And it says here that you'd like me to be in charge."
"I do."
"What do you like about that? Being controlled? Not having to make decisions?"
"I don't know. Perhaps. I don't think it's that simple."
Jack leaned forward, putting his elbows on the desk. "You know I would never force anything on you, or hurt you. But if you want me to take charge, that means you do what I say. If you just want to play butler when it appeals to you, I'm fine with that, but that doesn't sound like what you're asking for."
Ianto shook his head. "I know that. It's not some…whim that I'm going to change my mind on. I want it."
"Have you done it before? Had someone in control of you?"
"Well, there were those times when you handcuffed me to the bed…"
"Right," Jack said. "So nothing too extreme. That's okay. Everyone's new at first. I'm just saying, what you're talking about, it's an adjustment." He could have sighed; he hoped Ianto wasn't going to jump into this too fast. He would have to watch how hard he pushed.
"But I know you wouldn't hurt me."
That was a big show of faith, all things considered.
"We could start slow," Jack mused, figuring out how it might work even as he articulated it. "Try a month on for size and see what happens."
"And after that?"
"We could decide then. Of course, it'd be fully negotiable. Any time you wanted to stop, we would."
Ianto leaned on the side of the desk. "And how much control would you have, exactly?"
Jack raised an eyebrow. "However much you let me have."
"Oh. Right. That makes sense, I suppose." Then he added, "I like rules. I like it when you tell me what to do. I don't want you to choose my clothes, though." He added the last bit hastily.
Jack smiled. "All right. Then you can choose your own clothes. As for rules, we can figure that out."
Ianto nodded slowly. "Well, I suppose so. We're really doing this?"
Jack touched Ianto's thigh. "Yeah. If you want to."
"I could stay tonight…"
Jack liked that idea. It had been a long time since he and Ianto had shared the night in the Hub together. But he shook his head.
"Why don't you go home and sleep on this?"
Ianto squeezed Jack's hand and stood up. He started for the door and stopped.
"One thing: don't worry about pushing me too hard. I can take this, sir."
After Ianto left, Jack read the paper, this time in depth. It was like a cross between reading porn and a business proposal. Ianto wanted to be his butler. He wanted to suck Jack's cock and be his property. It was enough to make Jack long to have kept Ianto with him tonight, despite his better judgment. He went back to the top and started reading the whole thing again, this time pulling his cock out of his trousers and stroking it.
Jack wanted it. During his absence, he had realized two important things: One, he belonged in Cardiff, with his team; two, he wanted Ianto. Ianto was offering himself to the greatest extent that he could, and Jack would take it. It was enough now for him accept that it was inevitable and necessary.
~~~
On the first day of their arrangement, Ianto came to Jack's office after the others had left, bearing a cup of coffee.
Frankly, Jack was tired. It had been a long day. But Ianto looked just eager enough that turning him away would be cruel. Jack didn't want to start the month off by telling Ianto to go home, and he didn't really want to be alone tonight.
Jack took the mug and said, "Thanks. Hey, do we still have those biscuits I like? Go look and bring them back if we do."
Ianto nodded. "I'll be right back."
Jack lounged back in his chair and enjoyed his coffee. He was logging onto his computer when Ianto returned with the package of biscuits. Jack smiled at him.
"Great. Bring 'em here."
When Ianto put the package on the desk next to Ianto's mug, Jack said, "I want you on your knees, beside my chair where I can reach you."
When Ianto obeyed, Jack reached down and ran a hand through his hair. Then, he turned his attention to the computer and the biscuits. Ianto squirmed a little during the first few minutes, but then he seemed to settle in comfortably. It wouldn't be practical to keep Ianto on his knees for too long, but he was fine for now.
After a little while, Jack said, "You're doing great." He grabbed a biscuit and pressed it against Ianto's lips. "Open up."
Instead of obeying, Ianto looked up and raised an eyebrow.
"C'mon, I know you love these. No you don't! Open up for me."
Ianto had started to raise a hand to take the biscuit, but he lowered it at Jack's admonishment. He rolled his eyes.
"I'm offering you a treat, here. It's in your best interest to be agreeable."
Keeping his eyes on Jack, Ianto slowly opened his mouth and let Jack slide the small biscuit inside. Jack watched in satisfaction as Ianto ate it, and then lowered his mug so Ianto could drink the little coffee that was left in the bottom.
Jack turned his attention back to the computer. After a few minutes, he felt something against his leg and looked down to see Ianto resting his head against his thigh.
Jack rubbed Ianto's hair. "I didn't say to fall asleep on me, did I?" he said softly. "I'm almost done, so we'll go to bed."
Ianto murmured appreciatively, but said, "I thought I was supposed to make myself useful."
"And I get to decide what's useful. Right now, I want someone I can pet while I'm on the computer."
Ianto seemed to accept that. Jack ran his hand through Ianto's hair and let him rest against his leg, his head warm against Jack's leg.
"I'll have some things for you to do tomorrow," Jack promised. "My boots got scuffed up today, so I'll have you polish them in the morning."
"Yes, sir."
~~~
The next evening, Jack led Ianto down to the autopsy bay. He had everything ready, down to the sheet draped over the metal table.
He watched Ianto's reaction, but Ianto simply looked around, taking everything in or maybe looking for whatever Jack had waiting for him.
"Take off your clothes," Jack said.
Ianto turned his gaze on Jack, and started to undo his tie. "Yes, sir."
Jack crossed his arms and watched Ianto undress. It had been a long day, and Ianto stifled a yawn now and then, but he still moved quickly. His skin was pale under the harsh fluorescent lights, and Jack could just make out the gooseflesh on his arms when he took off his shirt.
"You can put your clothes on the counter. Be neat."
Ianto nodded. He folded his shirt in half, lengthwise, shook it to make sure it was straight, and laid it on the nearest counter. He toed off his shoes and took off the rest of his clothes, folding them next to his shirt before turning to face Jack. He didn't seem to know where to put his hands. He crossed his arms, put his hands behind his back, and finally let his arms hang loose at his sides. Jack moved closer, and placed a hand on Ianto's chest.
"What are you feeling right now?"
"Wondering what you're planning."
"We'll get to that in a second. But I asked what you're feeling, not what you're thinking."
Under his hand, Jack could feel Ianto's chest expand as he took in deep breaths. "Bit strange, honestly," Ianto admitted. "Can't remember the last time I was naked somewhere other than the bedroom or the bathroom."
Jack chuckled. "Here's what we're going to do: you're going to sit on the table over there, and I'm going to give you an inspection."
"Inspection?"
"Yes. If you're going to give yourself to me, then I want to get a good look at you. Go on."
Jack had made sure to lower the table to a convenient height, and when Ianto sat down his feet just could just reach the floor. Jack approached and reached into his pocket, pulling out a measuring tape. He showed it to Ianto, and then gently took Ianto's cock in his free hand. It was already beginning to stiffen.
Jack clicked his tongue. "Already getting hard? Guess you're eager tonight. I'll have to take the erect measurement first. If I forget, remind me to take a soft measurement later."
Ianto hummed from deep in his throat.
Ianto wasn't quite hard enough, yet. Jack ran his hand down Ianto's shaft. Jack had to remind himself not to rush things. It was tempting, with his own cock stiffening, to push Ianto back and fuck him now. But that would ruin his plans. Ianto moaned when Jack rubbed a particularly sensitive spot, and Jack repeated the action, watching, satisfied, as Ianto gripped the table with white knuckles.
The cold temperature of the autopsy bay didn't seem to affect Ianto's arousal. Jack liked the cold. He liked the way the way it made gooseflesh rise on Ianto's skin, and he liked how it made the hair on his own arms stand on end. That afternoon, Jack had helped incinerate a body, and the heat on his face had taken him back to that boiler room and the chains. He had already decided that he wouldn't chain Ianto. He would tie him with ropes, maybe, but not chains.
But he wouldn't think about that now.
When Jack thought Ianto was as hard as he was going to get, he stopped, ignored Ianto's protesting groan, and unwound the measuring tape. He held it along the length of Ianto's cock, and Ianto looked down and watched. Jack spent a few moments adjusting it and, once satisfied, he made a small murmur of approval and jotted the measurement down on the piece of scrap paper he had on the counter.
He wanted to show that when he was in charge. Ianto's body was his.
Returning to the table, Jack put his hands on the inside of Ianto's thighs, nudging them apart. He took Ianto's balls in one hand and applied light pressure. Ianto started to squirm.
"Hey, hey," Jack said, lightening his grip, "steady."
"Sorry."
"Did it hurt?"
Ianto slowly shook his head. His eyes were focused on the floor and he looked embarrassed. "Not really. It was just…I'm sensitive there."
"Of course you are. And you have reflexes. But I don't want any fidgeting. Understand?"
Ianto looked up at him, meeting his eyes. "Yes, sir."
Jack continued. Moving his hands up Ianto's chest, he ran his fingers across the light fuzz in the middle and rubbed his thumbs across the nipples. He kept moving his hands until he reached the top of Ianto's head and ran his fingers through Ianto's hair, rubbing his scalp in circles until Ianto closed his eyes, relaxed.
Then Jack pulled back and said, "Get on your hands and knees."
Ianto opened his eyes and shivered. He pulled his legs up onto the table and turned over. Jack decided he would have to reward Ianto after this was done. He really was a good sport.
Jack reached for the lube and coated two of his fingers. He rested his clean hand on Ianto's back and slowly pushed one finger inside Ianto's ass. Ianto gasped.
"All right?"
"Yes, sir. Thank you."
"Bet I could make you come like this, with just a couple fingers. You wouldn't even need your cock touched." He added the other finger and thrust in and out, just to let Ianto feel it. He found Ianto's prostate and focused his attention on there. Ianto started to push back, fucking himself on Jack's fingers, and that was when Jack pulled them out. Ianto whined.
"You can sit up," Jack said.
Ianto looked puzzled at first as he obeyed the new order. His cheeks were pink and the tip of his cock glistened with pre-come. Then he smiled. "Did I pass inspection, sir?"
"You passed. In fact, I think you should get a reward. Is there anything you want to ask for?"
Ianto seemed to give that some thought. That was Ianto's style, Jack thought, to weigh it out carefully.
"Well, I was hoping to come tonight," Ianto said, finally. There was a hint of unspoken anticipation in his voice.
"To be honest, I was already planning on that. I have to take the second measurement, remember? I'll let you have an orgasm for that."
"Then maybe I could measure you," Ianto said, nodding at the measuring tape, "since we're doing me, and all."
That wasn't a bad idea. Jack was pretty sure he'd measured his own cock before, but that was no reason not to do it again. He was hard in his trousers, and he unzipped his fly and handed Ianto the measuring tape, moving closer so that Ianto could reach him from the table. Ianto gently pulled at his cock to line up the measuring tape.
"And you're sure this measuring tape is accurate?" Ianto asked.
Jack took back the measuring tape and looked down at Ianto. "Very accurate. What are you implying?"
Ianto raised his eyebrows. "Merely making sure. It looks off."
"It'll have to do, won't it? Maybe your ass is a better measuring device." He tapped Ianto's thigh. "Lie back for me."
Ianto lay back on the table, his legs still hanging off the side. He was still lubed from Jack's fingers, and all Jack needed to do was get himself ready. Ianto waited patiently, lifting his head to watch Jack stroke himself before resting his head on the thin sheet.
"You like getting fucked, don't you, Ianto?"
"Very much, sir."
"And you want to be useful to me. So I'm going to use your hole." Jack lifted Ianto's legs around his waist, holding them up and apart.
Ianto's body was relaxed, pliable, and completely Jack's. Ianto's warmth contrasted with sterile autopsy bay, and Ianto was exposed to him like a specimen. Ianto closed his eyes under the harsh lighting and clutched the edge of the table.
Ianto tightened his legs around Jack's waist. He writhed on the table and moved his head back and forth, making the sheet bunch up underneath him. Jack didn't try to slow Ianto's orgasm.
And then Ianto was still, with a white trail on his abdomen. His legs relaxed, and Jack had to hold them up while he finished. He stood still while he came, and dug his fingertips into Ianto's thighs.
Jack didn't remove himself from Ianto right away. He held Ianto's legs, which felt heavier now, and said, "What do you say, Ianto?"
Ianto didn't seem to understand, at first. Jack was about to give him a hint when he said, "Oh, thank you."
"Quick learner."
Jack pulled out and caught his breath. He waited, and once he was satisfied that Ianto's cock had shrunk back to its normal size, he unceremoniously took the second measurement. He repeated the routine on himself, as Ianto looked too tired and uninterested now.
Ianto pushed himself up while Jack wrote the numbers down. "Do you want me to do the cleaning up, sir?" he asked.
Jack paused to decide. Cleaning up was one of Ianto's duties, but Ianto's tired voice and drooping eyelids betrayed him.
"Not tonight. Clean yourself up and lie down. I'll be there in a minute."
Ianto smiled, looking grateful. "Thank you, sir."
Ianto pulled his clothes on loosely and left. Jack stayed behind, and started to clean up. It was just as well he sent Ianto off; he wasn't sure Ianto would do a thorough job right now, and Owen worked down here.
Jack had always done a lot of late-night work in the Hub. But it was different when he knew that Ianto was out of sight yet nearby. He didn't get as lost in his thoughts when he knew that Ianto was waiting for him somewhere.
Ianto was waiting when Jack climbed down the ladder. He was naked and clean, sitting on Jack's bed. His damp hair suggested that he had showered. Jack undressed quickly.
"I hope I did well," Ianto said. "I tried."
"You did great."
Ianto didn't argue, and Jack hoped he believed him. When Ianto wanted to do something, he always put a lot of effort into it, and Jack didn't think he was nearly as strict on Ianto as he was on himself. He wondered if that might be part of why Ianto wanted him to take charge-maybe it was a comfort to have someone else take the responsibility and impose the expectations. Maybe. Jack had long since realized that he couldn't know everything going inside Ianto's head.
~~~
Nobody was working, but it was a quiet afternoon and Jack wasn't going to make them find things to do. Instead, he leaned against the wall with his arms crossed and listened to Owen.
"So it took me five minutes to convince this lady to let me in her house," Owen said. "So much for fake IDs-I told her I was police and she still didn't want to let me in. Might as well have told her the truth. 'Sorry, ma'am, but it looks like you might have alien tech in your home.'"
Jack grinned, and Gwen said, "See? I said you should have me come with you. I had to deal with that a few times when I was with the police-you have to be polite but firm."
Ianto, who was in the corner they used as a kitchen, called out, "But that wouldn't have involved exciting conflicts."
Jack laughed. Owen ignored Ianto and continued with the story. Jack listened for another minute, decided he wanted a drink, and walked over to the small kitchen. There was a box of donuts on the counter, which Gwen had brought in a couple hours ago, and Ianto was eating one covered in chocolate sprinkles.
"What is that?" Jack asked. "Your third?"
"I'm hungry," Ianto said after swallowing a bite.
"It's not good for you. Besides, they're supposed to be for all of us."
"Owen would eat them all if he got the chance. And there are still fifteen left."
Jack looked in the box and saw that Ianto was right. Gwen probably didn't need to buy a full two dozen, though it had been considerate. He would have to tell her to write off the expense.
Jack opened the refrigerator to see if they still had any orange juice left (they didn't) and Ianto walked over, leaning close. When he spoke, he lowered his voice enough that it wouldn't carry.
"I finished a few items on the list during my break earlier," Ianto said. "But I wasn't able to do number five."
Jack's mind blanked for a second while he tried to remember what number five had been. He remembered everything he'd put on the list, but not the exact order. He thought it might have been to shine his boots, but no, because Ianto had done that in the morning before work.
Then he remembered. He'd told Ianto to pick up some more of his favorite biscuits.
"How come?" he asked.
"They were sold out. I had to get you some caramels, instead. They're in your desk drawer."
"Fair enough. We can wait on the biscuits."
Ianto smiled and walked off, pausing only to take another doughnut.
Breaks like these provided the only opportunities to speak personally during the day. No matter what he told Gwen, Jack didn't have any delusions about the possibility of a fully formed personal existence separate from Torchwood. A lot of times, he felt that Torchwood had become the entirety of who he was.
But he had to function as Ianto's boss when they were on duty, and he knew that Ianto liked keeping things clean, separate, and organized. He understood the importance of that, himself.
That was largely why Jack had introduced the to-do lists. He had come up with the idea a few days ago. It gave Ianto something to focus on, and Jack thought it made it easier on days when they were too tired at the end of the day to do anything more special.
Jack tried to keep the lists manageable. It wasn't as though Ianto had unlimited time to work on them, and Jack cared more about the purpose behind the exercise than he did about any of the particular tasks. He liked it when Ianto reported to tell him what he'd crossed off.
That evening, after the others went home, Jack grabbed his keys and sat at his desk to wait for Ianto. They'd been at this for a little more than a week, now, and Ianto would join Jack in his office every night after work. Ianto would kneel beside him until Jack told him to fetch something or to get between his legs and suck him off. But it had been fifteen minutes, and there was no sign of Ianto. Jack had plans for tonight, too.
Jack tried his headset. "Ianto? Where are you at?"
After a second, there was a reply.
"I'm, uh, in the tourist office. I'll be right there."
"I've been waiting for you."
"Oh, sorry, sir."
Ianto disengaged, and it was another few minutes before he showed up. When he saw that Jack had his keys in hand, he asked "Were you going out?"
"I was thinking we'd go back to your place tonight. There's nothing critical going on here. I would have liked not to be kept waiting, though."
Ianto's face reddened a little. "I'm sorry. I guess I lost track of what time it was. I was reading."
Jack stood up and sighed. "We've developed a bit of a routine here. I've come to expect you, and I don't like wondering where you are. I give you plenty of time, right? For your own stuff, I mean?"
"Wha--? Of course. Well, I suppose I don't have as much time for watching television, but that's all right. I have more fun with you, anyway."
Jack nodded. "In the future, if you want to deviate from our routine, talk to me, okay? It's not like I'm just sitting in here thinking of ways to keep you from doing your reading."
"Of course. I'm sorry. I really wasn't trying to be late. I forgot the time, honestly."
"I know," Jack said gently, "just something to think about. Now, I have a nice evening in planned, and we should get to your place. I was thinking we'd pick up some dinner on the way. What do you think? Know any good places?"
Ianto's expression relaxed while he considered the question.
"There's a Vietnamese place I go to sometimes. They have good food." Ianto took Jack's coat off the coat rack, and Jack turned around and let Ianto help him on with it.
"All right. Something healthy, though. You'll need it after all those doughnuts."
"Speak for yourself. You ate four of them."
Jack glared at him, but Ianto just smiled.
They stopped at the restaurant on the way to Ianto's flat, and Ianto chatted with the young woman at the register for a few minutes while they waited. Jack stood back and observed. Ianto made easy small talk with her, talking about the weather and other meaningless things in a familiar way. Jack saw very little of Ianto's life, all things considered. It was nice to get a taste of what Ianto's life was like when he wasn't in the Hub.
When they got back to Ianto's flat, Jack held the brown paper bags with their food while Ianto unlocked the door and turned on the lights.
"I was thinking," Ianto said as they unpacked the food on the table, "about giving you a key."
"To what? The flat?"
Ianto nodded. "It would make sense."
"Yeah…" Jack turned to face him. "About that. You work hard every day. And I know you love what we do, but I run you pretty ragged some nights. You should have some time every week to come home and relax."
"I have plenty of that."
"But what I'm saying is, I'll understand if you want this to be your space."
Ianto just smiled. "I don't. The key is yours, if you want it."
They put away their coats and went in the kitchen with the take-out bags. Jack unloaded the food while Ianto poured their drinks, and they sat down across from each other at the kitchen table.
Ianto was right-the food was good. With a mouth half full of noodles, Jack said, "So, I was thinking about what we might do tonight."
"I thought about it, too. There was a boring stretch this afternoon once I got tired of hearing Owen talk. Had to stop thinking, though. My trousers were getting constrictive, if you get my meaning, and you haven't said what's allowed."
"I'm almost surprised you didn't take advantage of that."
"I can be more devious if you'd prefer."
Jack raised his eyebrows. "No, I wouldn't. I'm glad you brought it up, because I'd like you to ask my permission before you masturbate."
Until now, Jack hadn't seen much need to specify. Ianto was spending an increasing number of his nights at the Hub, and Jack didn't think he was sneaking off to wank.
"And as for tonight," Jack added, matter-of-factly, "I was thinking of spanking you."
Ianto stared at him. Whatever imaginary scenarios he'd dreamed up that afternoon apparently didn't involve spanking.
"I've never been spanked before," Ianto said, haltingly. "I'd like to try. It's just…I've never done it."
"That's okay," Jack said. He spooled the noodles around his fork, making a bite that would have been too large for a less intimate dinner. "I like being the first person to do things to you."
They finished their food, and Ianto cleared the plates. They sat together for a while longer afterward, finishing their drinks before Jack led Ianto to the bedroom.
Jack went over to the bed and turned on the lamp on the nightstand. He sat down on the bed and unbuttoned his shirt sleeves, rolling them up to his elbows. While he did it, he looked at Ianto, who was standing nervously in front of him.
"Is there a reason for the spanking?" Ianto asked.
Jack raised an eyebrow. "Does there need to be a reason?"
"Isn't a spanking usually given for something?"
"This one's just because I want to." Jack chuckled. "Unless you want to be a naughty schoolgirl for me."
Ianto smirked. "I think I'd need a skirt for that."
"You'd look good in a skirt. But if you need a reason, think of this as discipline. It'll help you know your place. Discipline can be fun, too. But you need to strip before I do anything."
Slowly, Ianto started to undress. He put his shirt, socks, and boxers in the hamper before laying his suit on top of it. He faced Jack.
Jack nodded approvingly and patted his knee. "Lean over my lap."
Ianto walked forward and bent over. Jack wrapped an arm around his waist to help steady him and shifted his hips, allowing Ianto to rest his shoulders on the bed while his ass was raised up. He made sure Ianto got a chance to position himself comfortably, and then pinched one of Ianto's buttocks. Ianto squirmed.
"I'm going to start, now."
Ianto tensed, and Jack wished he hadn't warned him. Shaking his head, he raised his right hand and brought it down. It wasn't hard, but the slap echoed in the room. Ianto flinched, and Jack wrapped his arm more tightly around his waist before continuing.
Jack liked using his hand for a spanking-it was easy to control where he hit and how hard. He brought his hand down on Ianto's ass over and over, working until his hand ached and his arm began to tire.
Ianto remained still, aside from a little forgivable squirming. He let his elbows sink into the bed as he put his weight on them. His ears were pink, and he was breathing deeply. Jack paused and rubbed Ianto's hip.
"Okay?" Jack asked.
Ianto's voice cracked when he spoke. "Y-yes, sir."
Ianto's ass was red. Jack felt it, trying to decide how much more it (and Ianto) could take tonight. It wasn't the only thing Jack could feel-Ianto's cock was stiffening against Jack's leg. Jack worked his hand between Ianto's thighs. He hadn't known if Ianto would get hard from this or not, but he was glad he was. It didn't matter whether it was from the pain, the humiliation, or merely from having his naked groin pressed against Jack's leg. Jack's own erection pushed uncomfortably against the fly of his trousers.
"You know what I like about your body, Ianto? You get red very easily. You ever look at yourself in the mirror when you wanked off? To see what you look like when you come?"
Ianto inhaled deeply. "No."
Jack clicked his tongue. "Shame. You should. Your ears get pink, kinda like they are now. Your ass gets red easily, too. I haven't even spanked you that hard. Of course, you bruise easily, too. Not that that isn't fun sometimes-" he reached for the side of Ianto's neck, where he'd bitten and sucked the night before, "-but it's something to keep an eye on. Don't think you'll have any marks from this, though."
"I don't mind marks," Ianto said, softly. He kept his gaze on the pillow in front of him.
"If I ever decide to paddle you, you might have some." Jack ran his fingers down one of Ianto's buttocks. He shook his head. "You should really see yourself. Get up for a second."
He held Ianto's arm to help him up. Ianto's eyes glistened and his cheeks were as pink as his hard cock. Jack stood up and pushed Ianto over the bed, bending him over.
"Wait here."
Jack left the bedroom. He walked down the hall and into the bathroom, where he opened the drawers beneath the sink and pushed things aside, looking for something he'd seen there once, months ago. For a moment, he thought he wouldn't find it, and the thought of returning to Ianto empty-handed disappointed him. But then he saw it: a handheld mirror. The back and handle were cracked but the mirror was untarnished and clean. Jack brought it back to the bedroom.
Ianto turned his head when Jack came in. He saw what he was carrying and raised his eyebrows. "Jack…"
"Hush. And it's 'sir' right now."
"Sorry. Sir."
Jack held the mirror in front of Ianto's face. "Take it. I want you to look at yourself."
Ianto hesitated, but took the handle of the mirror in his hand. While he steadied it, Jack caught a glimpse of his Adam's apple reflected in the glass, bobbing as he swallowed.
Finally, Ianto's face filled up the mirror. Watching it, Jack pulled back his arm and slapped Ianto's ass hard. Now, he could see Ianto's reaction. His eyes widened and then fluttered, and his face moved closer to the mirror. His breath made a little circle of condensation on the glass.
He gave Ianto nine more, watching his face in the mirror the entire time.
Jack stood back and flexed his hand. He sat on the bed to take off his boots. Ianto put down the mirror and watched.
"C'mon," Jack said. "Sit here with me." He pulled his legs on the bed and spread them, making a place for Ianto to sit between his knees. Ianto crawled over, still holding the mirror. He winced when he sat down.
Jack took the mirror from him, and held it in front of Ianto's face. He wrapped the other arm around Ianto's chest.
"Start jerking yourself," Jack said, putting his mouth to Ianto's ear. "I want you to see what you look like when you come. I want you to see what I get to see."
For a moment, Ianto just sat there, looking dumbly in the mirror.
"Do it. It's the only way you'll get to have an orgasm tonight."
Slowly, Ianto started to work his hand up and down his cock. Jack kept his eyes on the mirror while he pressed his still-clothed groin against Ianto's tailbone, rubbing himself to a bigger erection.
After a couple minutes, Ianto said, "Sir…I'm, ugh. I'm going to come."
"Good. Good boy. Come in your hand. That's it, make your hand like a cup and come in it."
Ianto rested his head against Jack's. Jack adjusted the angle of the mirror, and he could just see his own face next to Ianto's. He watched the image in the mirror while Ianto came: Ianto's face, flushed and shameless, and his own, with its flared nostrils and parted lips.
He didn't break his gaze until Ianto closed his eyes. Slowly, he looked over Ianto's shoulder to see if he'd obeyed. One of Ianto's hands, the one he had wanked with, was resting on his thigh. The palm of his other hand was filled with a small pool of come.
"Clean up your mess," Jack said, softly.
In the mirror, Ianto opened his eyes and blinked. "Sir?"
"I want you to eat it."
Ianto shivered. For a second, it looked like he might protest, but he raised his hand to his mouth and licked it clean. When he finished, Jack kissed the back of his head and set the mirror down on the nightstand. Ianto got out from between Jack's legs and stretched out on his stomach.
"That wasn't too bad, was it?" Jack asked.
Ianto shook his head. "No, sir. I'm glad we did it."
"I'm glad, too. Did it hurt?"
"Yes."
"Did you like it?"
Ianto took a long time to answer. Jack ran a hand through his hair and said, "You can be honest. I won't be upset."
"Pain has never appealed to me much. I enjoyed it, though."
"Well, pain can be different when you know you're okay. But the pain is only part of it. It's not even the most important part."
Ianto propped himself up on his arms. "Will we doing it again?"
Jack smiled. "Depends. Do you want to?"
Ianto nodded.
He was proud, now. He had done something completely new to Ianto, and Ianto had reacted very well to it. Very well, indeed.
"Good. You've done great. Almost done, and then we'll call it a night."
"Sir?"
Jack unzipped his trousers and pulled his erection out of his pants. He tugged on Ianto's hair, bringing his head close to it. Ianto got the message, and started to lick.
"Don't forget what your job is," Jack said. "You're lucky that seeing you get off is so pleasing to me, or I would have made you do this first."
In response, Ianto slid Jack's cock into his mouth. Jack closed his eyes and held Ianto's head until he came down his throat.
Jack could have fallen asleep like that, with Ianto's head in his lap, but he wanted to finish undressing. Ianto slowly got up, mumbling about going in the kitchen to get a drink. Jack settled into bed to wait and was nearly asleep when Ianto came back a few minutes later and climbed into bed.
Ianto climbed under the covers and pressed close, and Jack wrapped an arm around him. They lay like that until Ianto fell asleep. Only then did Jack roll onto his back and let himself sleep.
In the morning, there was a spare key sitting on the nightstand, next to his wrist strap.
Part Two
Author: missdeanna
Fandom: Torchwood
Pairing/character: Jack/Ianto
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 13850
Kink: D/s, service submission, spanking
Notes/Warnings: Explicit sex, D/s, and some language. Many thanks to my betas, verasteine and kahtyasofia. They both gave me a lot of time, patience, and great feedback, and I used their advice the best I could.
Summary: Ianto wants to be Jack's submissive. Jack is looking for some control. They commit to a month, and let it go from there. If only it were that simple.
Artist: deadflowers5. Many thanks for the artwork and icons.
Jack wasn't sure how long Ianto had gotten off on serving him, but it wasn't a huge surprise when Ianto finally told him.
They were naked in Jack's bed, and Ianto had his arm over his eyes.
"You know," Jack said, smiling, "it takes a lot to surprise me. Last time someone told me they had a weird kink and asked me not to freak out, it turned out the guy wanted to shave my head. I mean, really, my hair? Way too nice to shave off. Of course, I did do it."
Ianto laughed and uncovered his eyes. "But it's odd. You have to admit."
Jack shrugged. He let his smile relax. "Maybe. Probably. Not as much as you think. Besides, who cares if it is?"
Ianto propped himself up against the pillows. The sheet fell down his chest, exposing his hard nipples. "You're not bothered, then? Because I'd hate to drive you off at this point."
"Of course not," Jack said. If Jack were the sort that was easily scared off, it would have happened when Ianto used a stopwatch as a pickup line. Why would he be upset? It was an honor to know that Ianto wanted to serve him.
"It's not just sex," Ianto explained, "I mean, that’s certainly part of it. It's just nice, doing things for you, having you in charge." Ianto's voice was uneven, and he looked more resigned than relieved, as though he'd only just realized that confessing was just the first step. Explaining was a whole new challenge.
That didn't matter, because Jack thought it made sense, anyway. Jack had never really believed that everything Ianto did for him was part of work. He wasn't paying Ianto to shine his boots and press his shirts.
He nudged Ianto’s arm. "You don’t need me to be in charge to do that, though. You already spoil me."
Ianto rolled his eyes. "Obviously. But if all you’re going to do is tell me it's not necessary, then that’s like…going into Tesco’s and putting the shelves in order when you don’t work there."
Jack smiled, but it was apologetic, and regretful.
"Might not work too well though, would it?" he said.
Ianto frowned. "Why not?"
"It's one thing to play at it. What you're talking about can be harder to pull off."
It wasn't that Jack lacked interest. There was something about power that aroused him-both the giving and taking of it. He would have liked to cultivate that in Ianto.
Maybe that was the problem-he knew that dominating someone took time and responsibility, and he couldn't afford either right now. Not at this time in his life, and not with the Doctor coming. Jack didn't want to own a house right now, let alone a person.
Ianto shouldn't even have wanted it. It hadn't been that long since he told Jack he would watch him suffer and die.
Ianto didn't respond. Jack said, "I'm really glad you told me. I just can't right now."
"No, I understand," Ianto murmured. He turned over, facing the dark, open room instead of Jack. "I could be good, though. I would do whatever you wanted."
"I know."
Ianto was silent. Jack was sandwiched between Ianto's warm back and the cold wall and he lay still. Jack couldn't tell when Ianto fell asleep, but suddenly, he was aware of it. An hour later, Jack was still awake, trying not to think.
When he woke up, his eyes were still heavy and his mind was cluttered. He didn't feel like he'd slept, and he wouldn't believe that he had if not for the fact that Ianto was gone. Jack got up, and saw that the spare suit he kept with Jack's clothes was missing. Ianto was probably washing up.
Jack climbed the ladder to his office, where he found a hot cup of coffee waiting for him on the desk. He smiled and raised it to his lips, feeling the heat against his nose. It spread straight down to his groin as he realized that this was Ianto's way of seducing him.
~~~
Less than a week later, Jack was gone, just like he'd been planning for over a hundred years.
The official story was that he came back after three months. Like all his lies, Jack liked to pretend it was the truth. Maybe someday he would even believe it.
Jack was in his office, looking through a pile of documents without really reading them. He would start on one, get a third of a way down the first page, and cast it aside for the next. After an hour, it was a lost cause.
Restless, he got up and walked out into the main part of the Hub, where the others were working. He spent a minute watching them. They looked professional, coordinated, and not at all desperate for his leadership. Jack took a deep breath.
"All right, guys," he shouted, "team meeting!"
He marched across the hub without waiting for a response, and ran up the steps to the boardroom, the metal clanging under his boots. He was halfway up when he saw the plants, and remembered that it wasn't the boardroom anymore. It was a hothouse. He kept forgetting that, and a lot of other things, only to remember them at times when he wanted show that he belonged there.
He paused on the steps and looked down. The others were standing there, looking up at him. He felt the blood rush to his head.
"Right," he said sharply. "Downstairs."
The team shuffled away, looking unimpressed.
Jack had been back for two days, and so much was different. Sometimes, it was hard for him to tell how much had actually changed, and how many details he'd forgotten over the past year. He didn't want to ask what was really new, because if he had forgotten, that would take some explaining.
If he owed his team anything, it was the assurance that everything was fine. It would be too selfish and cheap to win back their loyalty with hints of the horror they missed and the penance he'd paid for leaving.
For now, there was business to get down to.
The new boardroom was nice. Jack couldn't complain. It was more secure, for one thing, and the new plasma screen mounted on the wall was much nicer than the old one. He took his seat at the head of the table, and the others took their places like nothing had changed. This was the first real meeting since he'd returned, and Jack was antsy to do something official.
"First of all, let me say that I'm glad to be back," Jack said, "and I'm glad to see you guys did a good job while I was gone."
The others didn't respond. Gwen and Tosh just looked at him. Ianto was stirring his coffee. Owen snorted, though maybe Jack imagined that.
Jack cleared his throat. "I've been going over some of the files and reports from my absence. It looks like things went pretty smoothly."
"And what if they hadn't?" Gwen asked.
Jack had no answer for that.
"Right," he said, trying to change the subject, "I was looking at some things and I noticed that a lot of artifacts haven't been filed properly. So I'd like to see that fixed." Then he added, "I'd like us to stay organized." He didn't know why he felt the need to explain himself.
"Actually," Ianto said, "we changed the system. I haven't gone through everything yet, but it should be fully organized by the end of the month."
Jack looked at him. "You changed the system?"
It was Tosh who spoke up, then. "We all know how it works. I was the one who suggested it might be updated. It hadn't been altered at all since 1970, and we've needed new subcategories in the archives for ages. Ianto's put a lot of work into it."
Oh. How could Jack argue with that? He cleared his throat and said, "I'll take a look at it, see how it works. It just would have been nice to be able to approve it."
"Yes, well," Ianto said, "Gwen approved it."
Oh.
He tried to think of something else to address, but he was still so behind on everything. It was hard to concentrate on the job, even though he wanted to. He kept thinking about things he would have preferred to forget.
Finally, he turned the meeting over to the team, and for a few minutes, nobody spoke. They looked down in their coffee cups or at their fingernails. Gwen broke the silence, talking about recent dealings with the police. That seemed to give the others permission, and Owen brought up the new Weevil repellent he was developing. Jack sat back, grateful that he could just listen.
When Jack finally dismissed them, the others were quick to leave. Ianto stayed behind and started to collect the coffee mugs. He wouldn't look at Jack, and his movements were uncharacteristically hurried as though he, too, was in a hurry to get out of there.
"I'd like to see Owen's reports on that Weevil repellent," Jack said.
Ianto ignored him, and Jack said, "Do you think you could get that for me?"
"Do you want it right now, or could I wait until I don't have five cups in my hands?"
Jack raised an eyebrow at him. "I was thinking whenever you have a moment. You know, as long as that moment is sometime today."
"I'll get it when I have a chance," Ianto said, coldly. The mugs clacked together violently in Ianto's hands. Jack thought he was going to chip one.
"Look, I know I'm not your favorite person right now-"
"We're working. It's not an issue."
"Then maybe we could cut this passive-aggressive bullshit."
Ianto paused.
Jack didn't expect much from him. He'd been either dismissive or sarcastic since Jack's return. Jack was willing to show his belly, but there were limits.
But Ianto didn't argue. He set the mugs back on the table and looked away. To Jack's surprise, he said, "I'm sorry." There was still some defiance in his tone, but also un-decorated sincerity.
Jack had been ready for an argument, but he felt the fight drain out of him. Instead, he nodded. "I understand."
Ianto closed his eyes and breathed in deeply. He wouldn't look at Jack. "I'd like us to try to move on."
"Well, I still want to take you to a movie, if you're up for it. Maybe not now, but soon?"
Ianto seemed to think about that. Finally, he said, "Okay."
~~~
Jack hadn't taken someone out on a movie date since 1947. He ended up choosing a romantic comedy, not because he thought Ianto would particularly enjoy it, but because the other options were horror movies and a kid's film about a talking dog. Ianto didn't say anything about Jack's selection, but he raised an eyebrow at it.
After the movie, they ate at an Italian restaurant. It was a warm night, and they sat at an outdoor table under a string of paper lanterns that bobbled in the breeze. Ianto ate with his eyes down on his plate and his shoulders hunched over like a shell, but sometimes he would look up at Jack or smile at one of his attempts at a joke.
Jack thought that would be it for the night, and he expected Ianto, who had driven, to take him straight back to the Hub once they got back to the car. He wouldn't have minded that, even if the lack of sex was starting to reach a point of desperation for him.
But instead, Ianto asked, "Do you want to call it a night, or do you want to come back to my place for coffee?"
Jack gaped at him. "Coffee would be great."
Mercifully, Ianto's flat was just like Jack remembered it. Jack even remembered how the closet door would stick. He yanked it open and hung up his coat while Ianto started on the coffee. Jack went in the living room to wait for him.
Ianto came back without his suit jacket or tie. He'd undone the top button of his shirt, and Jack could just see his Adam's apple and a few stray chest hairs beneath the folds of maroon fabric. He had two cups of coffee and handed one to Jack before settling into a chair.
For a minute, neither of them spoke. The coffee was too hot to drink, and Jack held his mug awkwardly, moving his fingers from time to time so the heat wouldn't hurt as much.
"I hope you've enjoyed yourself," Jack said.
"I have," Ianto said. "Not the movie I would have chosen, but it was…fun. It's been ages since I went to the cinema."
"I'm glad you liked it."
He looked up. "But you don't have to try so hard, Jack."
"Didn't realize I was," Jack said nonchalantly. He put his mug on the coffee table.
"I suppose I never saw you as the dinner and a movie type."
"Hey, there's a lot you don't know about me," Jack said, without thinking. He belatedly remembered just how true that was. Ianto didn't respond to the significance, though.
"Yes, well, I'm not really the dinner and a movie type, though I appreciate the gesture." Ianto leaned forward and added, "You don't have anything to prove."
That wasn't true. Not by a long shot. Jack had figured out a long time ago that he would always have to prove himself. Ianto was the only one who gave him permission not to.
Ianto got up and moved to the sofa with Jack. They weren't touching, but Ianto was close enough that Jack swore he could feel the warmth of Ianto's body. Jack took it as an invitation, and kissed him.
Ianto kissed him back. Jack tasted a desperation that almost matched his own, though he didn't trust his senses as much these days. Jack didn't plan to spend the night, even then. But when Ianto stood up and took his hand, he moved with him, half following and half pulling Ianto into the bedroom.
~~~
It was dawn when Jack got up and dressed, leaving Ianto sleeping in the bed. When Jack went to get his coat, he looked in the living room and saw the untouched coffee mugs still there. He closed the door silently behind himself and started the walk back to the Hub.
It was the first time since his return that something had gone right.
When Ianto came in to work later that morning, he didn't say anything. He was clean and buttoned up, looking nothing like the flushed man who, a few hours earlier, had muttered obscenities while coming down Jack's throat.
He smiled, though, and delivered Jack a cup of coffee. Maybe Jack was imagining it, but it tasted better than all the other cups he'd had recently.
Jack felt like something they'd both been waiting for had finally passed, and it wasn't nearly as difficult as he'd feared. Maybe they'd both just been waiting for it to happen.
~~~
Jack was in his office, trying to get through some last-minute work. He'd been out most of the day with Gwen and Owen, tracking an alien. The others had gone home, but he had to finish the paperwork that should have been done that morning.
Ianto hadn't gone home, though. Jack could see him out of the corner of his eye, just outside the office. The lights were too dim for him to make him out well, but he didn't seem to be working. Jack wondered how much of this paperwork could be put off a little longer. It wasn't like there was a deadline, but if tomorrow was busy, too, he'd end up even more behind. But still…
He was just deciding to take that risk when Ianto came in carrying a sheet of paper.
"If it's not urgent," Jack said, pointing at the paper, "it's gonna wait till morning."
"It's not work-related," Ianto said.
"In that case, what've you got?"
Ianto held the paper in one hand and put his other hand in his pocket. "Do you remember what I told you not long before you left? About being useful to you, I mean."
"Not something I could forget."
Ianto cleared his throat. "Yes, well, I wanted to tell you that I'm still interested." He came closer and looked Jack in the eye. "If you're not interested, I won't bring it up again. I just wanted you to know."
And there he'd thought Ianto didn't trust him anymore. He hadn't even considered that, after everything, Ianto might still want this. But here he was, offering it up like a second chance. Jack was suddenly aware of his heart pounding in his chest, so loud that he thought Ianto must be able to hear it.
Jack pointed at the paper. "So what's that?"
"Just some suggestions," Ianto said. "Things I would like to do for you."
Jack took it from him. Well, this explained what Ianto had been working on surreptitiously during his lunch break. He couldn't help but be impressed; Ianto really had given this some thought. Jack quickly scanned it.
"It could be a challenge, you know," Jack said, looking up from the paper. "I wouldn't blame you if you changed your mind. But we can talk about it."
Ianto looked disbelieving. "You're interested?"
"Let me put it this way-I'm done passing it up. So why don't you tell me what you want?"
"I want-" Ianto swallowed. "I want to be useful to you. Do things for you."
Jack nodded. "Right." He glanced down at the paper. "And it says here that you'd like me to be in charge."
"I do."
"What do you like about that? Being controlled? Not having to make decisions?"
"I don't know. Perhaps. I don't think it's that simple."
Jack leaned forward, putting his elbows on the desk. "You know I would never force anything on you, or hurt you. But if you want me to take charge, that means you do what I say. If you just want to play butler when it appeals to you, I'm fine with that, but that doesn't sound like what you're asking for."
Ianto shook his head. "I know that. It's not some…whim that I'm going to change my mind on. I want it."
"Have you done it before? Had someone in control of you?"
"Well, there were those times when you handcuffed me to the bed…"
"Right," Jack said. "So nothing too extreme. That's okay. Everyone's new at first. I'm just saying, what you're talking about, it's an adjustment." He could have sighed; he hoped Ianto wasn't going to jump into this too fast. He would have to watch how hard he pushed.
"But I know you wouldn't hurt me."
That was a big show of faith, all things considered.
"We could start slow," Jack mused, figuring out how it might work even as he articulated it. "Try a month on for size and see what happens."
"And after that?"
"We could decide then. Of course, it'd be fully negotiable. Any time you wanted to stop, we would."
Ianto leaned on the side of the desk. "And how much control would you have, exactly?"
Jack raised an eyebrow. "However much you let me have."
"Oh. Right. That makes sense, I suppose." Then he added, "I like rules. I like it when you tell me what to do. I don't want you to choose my clothes, though." He added the last bit hastily.
Jack smiled. "All right. Then you can choose your own clothes. As for rules, we can figure that out."
Ianto nodded slowly. "Well, I suppose so. We're really doing this?"
Jack touched Ianto's thigh. "Yeah. If you want to."
"I could stay tonight…"
Jack liked that idea. It had been a long time since he and Ianto had shared the night in the Hub together. But he shook his head.
"Why don't you go home and sleep on this?"
Ianto squeezed Jack's hand and stood up. He started for the door and stopped.
"One thing: don't worry about pushing me too hard. I can take this, sir."
After Ianto left, Jack read the paper, this time in depth. It was like a cross between reading porn and a business proposal. Ianto wanted to be his butler. He wanted to suck Jack's cock and be his property. It was enough to make Jack long to have kept Ianto with him tonight, despite his better judgment. He went back to the top and started reading the whole thing again, this time pulling his cock out of his trousers and stroking it.
Jack wanted it. During his absence, he had realized two important things: One, he belonged in Cardiff, with his team; two, he wanted Ianto. Ianto was offering himself to the greatest extent that he could, and Jack would take it. It was enough now for him accept that it was inevitable and necessary.
~~~
On the first day of their arrangement, Ianto came to Jack's office after the others had left, bearing a cup of coffee.
Frankly, Jack was tired. It had been a long day. But Ianto looked just eager enough that turning him away would be cruel. Jack didn't want to start the month off by telling Ianto to go home, and he didn't really want to be alone tonight.
Jack took the mug and said, "Thanks. Hey, do we still have those biscuits I like? Go look and bring them back if we do."
Ianto nodded. "I'll be right back."
Jack lounged back in his chair and enjoyed his coffee. He was logging onto his computer when Ianto returned with the package of biscuits. Jack smiled at him.
"Great. Bring 'em here."
When Ianto put the package on the desk next to Ianto's mug, Jack said, "I want you on your knees, beside my chair where I can reach you."
When Ianto obeyed, Jack reached down and ran a hand through his hair. Then, he turned his attention to the computer and the biscuits. Ianto squirmed a little during the first few minutes, but then he seemed to settle in comfortably. It wouldn't be practical to keep Ianto on his knees for too long, but he was fine for now.
After a little while, Jack said, "You're doing great." He grabbed a biscuit and pressed it against Ianto's lips. "Open up."
Instead of obeying, Ianto looked up and raised an eyebrow.
"C'mon, I know you love these. No you don't! Open up for me."
Ianto had started to raise a hand to take the biscuit, but he lowered it at Jack's admonishment. He rolled his eyes.
"I'm offering you a treat, here. It's in your best interest to be agreeable."
Keeping his eyes on Jack, Ianto slowly opened his mouth and let Jack slide the small biscuit inside. Jack watched in satisfaction as Ianto ate it, and then lowered his mug so Ianto could drink the little coffee that was left in the bottom.
Jack turned his attention back to the computer. After a few minutes, he felt something against his leg and looked down to see Ianto resting his head against his thigh.
Jack rubbed Ianto's hair. "I didn't say to fall asleep on me, did I?" he said softly. "I'm almost done, so we'll go to bed."
Ianto murmured appreciatively, but said, "I thought I was supposed to make myself useful."
"And I get to decide what's useful. Right now, I want someone I can pet while I'm on the computer."
Ianto seemed to accept that. Jack ran his hand through Ianto's hair and let him rest against his leg, his head warm against Jack's leg.
"I'll have some things for you to do tomorrow," Jack promised. "My boots got scuffed up today, so I'll have you polish them in the morning."
"Yes, sir."
~~~
The next evening, Jack led Ianto down to the autopsy bay. He had everything ready, down to the sheet draped over the metal table.
He watched Ianto's reaction, but Ianto simply looked around, taking everything in or maybe looking for whatever Jack had waiting for him.
"Take off your clothes," Jack said.
Ianto turned his gaze on Jack, and started to undo his tie. "Yes, sir."
Jack crossed his arms and watched Ianto undress. It had been a long day, and Ianto stifled a yawn now and then, but he still moved quickly. His skin was pale under the harsh fluorescent lights, and Jack could just make out the gooseflesh on his arms when he took off his shirt.
"You can put your clothes on the counter. Be neat."
Ianto nodded. He folded his shirt in half, lengthwise, shook it to make sure it was straight, and laid it on the nearest counter. He toed off his shoes and took off the rest of his clothes, folding them next to his shirt before turning to face Jack. He didn't seem to know where to put his hands. He crossed his arms, put his hands behind his back, and finally let his arms hang loose at his sides. Jack moved closer, and placed a hand on Ianto's chest.
"What are you feeling right now?"
"Wondering what you're planning."
"We'll get to that in a second. But I asked what you're feeling, not what you're thinking."
Under his hand, Jack could feel Ianto's chest expand as he took in deep breaths. "Bit strange, honestly," Ianto admitted. "Can't remember the last time I was naked somewhere other than the bedroom or the bathroom."
Jack chuckled. "Here's what we're going to do: you're going to sit on the table over there, and I'm going to give you an inspection."
"Inspection?"
"Yes. If you're going to give yourself to me, then I want to get a good look at you. Go on."
Jack had made sure to lower the table to a convenient height, and when Ianto sat down his feet just could just reach the floor. Jack approached and reached into his pocket, pulling out a measuring tape. He showed it to Ianto, and then gently took Ianto's cock in his free hand. It was already beginning to stiffen.
Jack clicked his tongue. "Already getting hard? Guess you're eager tonight. I'll have to take the erect measurement first. If I forget, remind me to take a soft measurement later."
Ianto hummed from deep in his throat.
Ianto wasn't quite hard enough, yet. Jack ran his hand down Ianto's shaft. Jack had to remind himself not to rush things. It was tempting, with his own cock stiffening, to push Ianto back and fuck him now. But that would ruin his plans. Ianto moaned when Jack rubbed a particularly sensitive spot, and Jack repeated the action, watching, satisfied, as Ianto gripped the table with white knuckles.
The cold temperature of the autopsy bay didn't seem to affect Ianto's arousal. Jack liked the cold. He liked the way the way it made gooseflesh rise on Ianto's skin, and he liked how it made the hair on his own arms stand on end. That afternoon, Jack had helped incinerate a body, and the heat on his face had taken him back to that boiler room and the chains. He had already decided that he wouldn't chain Ianto. He would tie him with ropes, maybe, but not chains.
But he wouldn't think about that now.
When Jack thought Ianto was as hard as he was going to get, he stopped, ignored Ianto's protesting groan, and unwound the measuring tape. He held it along the length of Ianto's cock, and Ianto looked down and watched. Jack spent a few moments adjusting it and, once satisfied, he made a small murmur of approval and jotted the measurement down on the piece of scrap paper he had on the counter.
He wanted to show that when he was in charge. Ianto's body was his.
Returning to the table, Jack put his hands on the inside of Ianto's thighs, nudging them apart. He took Ianto's balls in one hand and applied light pressure. Ianto started to squirm.
"Hey, hey," Jack said, lightening his grip, "steady."
"Sorry."
"Did it hurt?"
Ianto slowly shook his head. His eyes were focused on the floor and he looked embarrassed. "Not really. It was just…I'm sensitive there."
"Of course you are. And you have reflexes. But I don't want any fidgeting. Understand?"
Ianto looked up at him, meeting his eyes. "Yes, sir."
Jack continued. Moving his hands up Ianto's chest, he ran his fingers across the light fuzz in the middle and rubbed his thumbs across the nipples. He kept moving his hands until he reached the top of Ianto's head and ran his fingers through Ianto's hair, rubbing his scalp in circles until Ianto closed his eyes, relaxed.
Then Jack pulled back and said, "Get on your hands and knees."
Ianto opened his eyes and shivered. He pulled his legs up onto the table and turned over. Jack decided he would have to reward Ianto after this was done. He really was a good sport.
Jack reached for the lube and coated two of his fingers. He rested his clean hand on Ianto's back and slowly pushed one finger inside Ianto's ass. Ianto gasped.
"All right?"
"Yes, sir. Thank you."
"Bet I could make you come like this, with just a couple fingers. You wouldn't even need your cock touched." He added the other finger and thrust in and out, just to let Ianto feel it. He found Ianto's prostate and focused his attention on there. Ianto started to push back, fucking himself on Jack's fingers, and that was when Jack pulled them out. Ianto whined.
"You can sit up," Jack said.
Ianto looked puzzled at first as he obeyed the new order. His cheeks were pink and the tip of his cock glistened with pre-come. Then he smiled. "Did I pass inspection, sir?"
"You passed. In fact, I think you should get a reward. Is there anything you want to ask for?"
Ianto seemed to give that some thought. That was Ianto's style, Jack thought, to weigh it out carefully.
"Well, I was hoping to come tonight," Ianto said, finally. There was a hint of unspoken anticipation in his voice.
"To be honest, I was already planning on that. I have to take the second measurement, remember? I'll let you have an orgasm for that."
"Then maybe I could measure you," Ianto said, nodding at the measuring tape, "since we're doing me, and all."
That wasn't a bad idea. Jack was pretty sure he'd measured his own cock before, but that was no reason not to do it again. He was hard in his trousers, and he unzipped his fly and handed Ianto the measuring tape, moving closer so that Ianto could reach him from the table. Ianto gently pulled at his cock to line up the measuring tape.
"And you're sure this measuring tape is accurate?" Ianto asked.
Jack took back the measuring tape and looked down at Ianto. "Very accurate. What are you implying?"
Ianto raised his eyebrows. "Merely making sure. It looks off."
"It'll have to do, won't it? Maybe your ass is a better measuring device." He tapped Ianto's thigh. "Lie back for me."
Ianto lay back on the table, his legs still hanging off the side. He was still lubed from Jack's fingers, and all Jack needed to do was get himself ready. Ianto waited patiently, lifting his head to watch Jack stroke himself before resting his head on the thin sheet.
"You like getting fucked, don't you, Ianto?"
"Very much, sir."
"And you want to be useful to me. So I'm going to use your hole." Jack lifted Ianto's legs around his waist, holding them up and apart.
Ianto's body was relaxed, pliable, and completely Jack's. Ianto's warmth contrasted with sterile autopsy bay, and Ianto was exposed to him like a specimen. Ianto closed his eyes under the harsh lighting and clutched the edge of the table.
Ianto tightened his legs around Jack's waist. He writhed on the table and moved his head back and forth, making the sheet bunch up underneath him. Jack didn't try to slow Ianto's orgasm.
And then Ianto was still, with a white trail on his abdomen. His legs relaxed, and Jack had to hold them up while he finished. He stood still while he came, and dug his fingertips into Ianto's thighs.
Jack didn't remove himself from Ianto right away. He held Ianto's legs, which felt heavier now, and said, "What do you say, Ianto?"
Ianto didn't seem to understand, at first. Jack was about to give him a hint when he said, "Oh, thank you."
"Quick learner."
Jack pulled out and caught his breath. He waited, and once he was satisfied that Ianto's cock had shrunk back to its normal size, he unceremoniously took the second measurement. He repeated the routine on himself, as Ianto looked too tired and uninterested now.
Ianto pushed himself up while Jack wrote the numbers down. "Do you want me to do the cleaning up, sir?" he asked.
Jack paused to decide. Cleaning up was one of Ianto's duties, but Ianto's tired voice and drooping eyelids betrayed him.
"Not tonight. Clean yourself up and lie down. I'll be there in a minute."
Ianto smiled, looking grateful. "Thank you, sir."
Ianto pulled his clothes on loosely and left. Jack stayed behind, and started to clean up. It was just as well he sent Ianto off; he wasn't sure Ianto would do a thorough job right now, and Owen worked down here.
Jack had always done a lot of late-night work in the Hub. But it was different when he knew that Ianto was out of sight yet nearby. He didn't get as lost in his thoughts when he knew that Ianto was waiting for him somewhere.
Ianto was waiting when Jack climbed down the ladder. He was naked and clean, sitting on Jack's bed. His damp hair suggested that he had showered. Jack undressed quickly.
"I hope I did well," Ianto said. "I tried."
"You did great."
Ianto didn't argue, and Jack hoped he believed him. When Ianto wanted to do something, he always put a lot of effort into it, and Jack didn't think he was nearly as strict on Ianto as he was on himself. He wondered if that might be part of why Ianto wanted him to take charge-maybe it was a comfort to have someone else take the responsibility and impose the expectations. Maybe. Jack had long since realized that he couldn't know everything going inside Ianto's head.
~~~
Nobody was working, but it was a quiet afternoon and Jack wasn't going to make them find things to do. Instead, he leaned against the wall with his arms crossed and listened to Owen.
"So it took me five minutes to convince this lady to let me in her house," Owen said. "So much for fake IDs-I told her I was police and she still didn't want to let me in. Might as well have told her the truth. 'Sorry, ma'am, but it looks like you might have alien tech in your home.'"
Jack grinned, and Gwen said, "See? I said you should have me come with you. I had to deal with that a few times when I was with the police-you have to be polite but firm."
Ianto, who was in the corner they used as a kitchen, called out, "But that wouldn't have involved exciting conflicts."
Jack laughed. Owen ignored Ianto and continued with the story. Jack listened for another minute, decided he wanted a drink, and walked over to the small kitchen. There was a box of donuts on the counter, which Gwen had brought in a couple hours ago, and Ianto was eating one covered in chocolate sprinkles.
"What is that?" Jack asked. "Your third?"
"I'm hungry," Ianto said after swallowing a bite.
"It's not good for you. Besides, they're supposed to be for all of us."
"Owen would eat them all if he got the chance. And there are still fifteen left."
Jack looked in the box and saw that Ianto was right. Gwen probably didn't need to buy a full two dozen, though it had been considerate. He would have to tell her to write off the expense.
Jack opened the refrigerator to see if they still had any orange juice left (they didn't) and Ianto walked over, leaning close. When he spoke, he lowered his voice enough that it wouldn't carry.
"I finished a few items on the list during my break earlier," Ianto said. "But I wasn't able to do number five."
Jack's mind blanked for a second while he tried to remember what number five had been. He remembered everything he'd put on the list, but not the exact order. He thought it might have been to shine his boots, but no, because Ianto had done that in the morning before work.
Then he remembered. He'd told Ianto to pick up some more of his favorite biscuits.
"How come?" he asked.
"They were sold out. I had to get you some caramels, instead. They're in your desk drawer."
"Fair enough. We can wait on the biscuits."
Ianto smiled and walked off, pausing only to take another doughnut.
Breaks like these provided the only opportunities to speak personally during the day. No matter what he told Gwen, Jack didn't have any delusions about the possibility of a fully formed personal existence separate from Torchwood. A lot of times, he felt that Torchwood had become the entirety of who he was.
But he had to function as Ianto's boss when they were on duty, and he knew that Ianto liked keeping things clean, separate, and organized. He understood the importance of that, himself.
That was largely why Jack had introduced the to-do lists. He had come up with the idea a few days ago. It gave Ianto something to focus on, and Jack thought it made it easier on days when they were too tired at the end of the day to do anything more special.
Jack tried to keep the lists manageable. It wasn't as though Ianto had unlimited time to work on them, and Jack cared more about the purpose behind the exercise than he did about any of the particular tasks. He liked it when Ianto reported to tell him what he'd crossed off.
That evening, after the others went home, Jack grabbed his keys and sat at his desk to wait for Ianto. They'd been at this for a little more than a week, now, and Ianto would join Jack in his office every night after work. Ianto would kneel beside him until Jack told him to fetch something or to get between his legs and suck him off. But it had been fifteen minutes, and there was no sign of Ianto. Jack had plans for tonight, too.
Jack tried his headset. "Ianto? Where are you at?"
After a second, there was a reply.
"I'm, uh, in the tourist office. I'll be right there."
"I've been waiting for you."
"Oh, sorry, sir."
Ianto disengaged, and it was another few minutes before he showed up. When he saw that Jack had his keys in hand, he asked "Were you going out?"
"I was thinking we'd go back to your place tonight. There's nothing critical going on here. I would have liked not to be kept waiting, though."
Ianto's face reddened a little. "I'm sorry. I guess I lost track of what time it was. I was reading."
Jack stood up and sighed. "We've developed a bit of a routine here. I've come to expect you, and I don't like wondering where you are. I give you plenty of time, right? For your own stuff, I mean?"
"Wha--? Of course. Well, I suppose I don't have as much time for watching television, but that's all right. I have more fun with you, anyway."
Jack nodded. "In the future, if you want to deviate from our routine, talk to me, okay? It's not like I'm just sitting in here thinking of ways to keep you from doing your reading."
"Of course. I'm sorry. I really wasn't trying to be late. I forgot the time, honestly."
"I know," Jack said gently, "just something to think about. Now, I have a nice evening in planned, and we should get to your place. I was thinking we'd pick up some dinner on the way. What do you think? Know any good places?"
Ianto's expression relaxed while he considered the question.
"There's a Vietnamese place I go to sometimes. They have good food." Ianto took Jack's coat off the coat rack, and Jack turned around and let Ianto help him on with it.
"All right. Something healthy, though. You'll need it after all those doughnuts."
"Speak for yourself. You ate four of them."
Jack glared at him, but Ianto just smiled.
They stopped at the restaurant on the way to Ianto's flat, and Ianto chatted with the young woman at the register for a few minutes while they waited. Jack stood back and observed. Ianto made easy small talk with her, talking about the weather and other meaningless things in a familiar way. Jack saw very little of Ianto's life, all things considered. It was nice to get a taste of what Ianto's life was like when he wasn't in the Hub.
When they got back to Ianto's flat, Jack held the brown paper bags with their food while Ianto unlocked the door and turned on the lights.
"I was thinking," Ianto said as they unpacked the food on the table, "about giving you a key."
"To what? The flat?"
Ianto nodded. "It would make sense."
"Yeah…" Jack turned to face him. "About that. You work hard every day. And I know you love what we do, but I run you pretty ragged some nights. You should have some time every week to come home and relax."
"I have plenty of that."
"But what I'm saying is, I'll understand if you want this to be your space."
Ianto just smiled. "I don't. The key is yours, if you want it."
They put away their coats and went in the kitchen with the take-out bags. Jack unloaded the food while Ianto poured their drinks, and they sat down across from each other at the kitchen table.
Ianto was right-the food was good. With a mouth half full of noodles, Jack said, "So, I was thinking about what we might do tonight."
"I thought about it, too. There was a boring stretch this afternoon once I got tired of hearing Owen talk. Had to stop thinking, though. My trousers were getting constrictive, if you get my meaning, and you haven't said what's allowed."
"I'm almost surprised you didn't take advantage of that."
"I can be more devious if you'd prefer."
Jack raised his eyebrows. "No, I wouldn't. I'm glad you brought it up, because I'd like you to ask my permission before you masturbate."
Until now, Jack hadn't seen much need to specify. Ianto was spending an increasing number of his nights at the Hub, and Jack didn't think he was sneaking off to wank.
"And as for tonight," Jack added, matter-of-factly, "I was thinking of spanking you."
Ianto stared at him. Whatever imaginary scenarios he'd dreamed up that afternoon apparently didn't involve spanking.
"I've never been spanked before," Ianto said, haltingly. "I'd like to try. It's just…I've never done it."
"That's okay," Jack said. He spooled the noodles around his fork, making a bite that would have been too large for a less intimate dinner. "I like being the first person to do things to you."
They finished their food, and Ianto cleared the plates. They sat together for a while longer afterward, finishing their drinks before Jack led Ianto to the bedroom.
Jack went over to the bed and turned on the lamp on the nightstand. He sat down on the bed and unbuttoned his shirt sleeves, rolling them up to his elbows. While he did it, he looked at Ianto, who was standing nervously in front of him.
"Is there a reason for the spanking?" Ianto asked.
Jack raised an eyebrow. "Does there need to be a reason?"
"Isn't a spanking usually given for something?"
"This one's just because I want to." Jack chuckled. "Unless you want to be a naughty schoolgirl for me."
Ianto smirked. "I think I'd need a skirt for that."
"You'd look good in a skirt. But if you need a reason, think of this as discipline. It'll help you know your place. Discipline can be fun, too. But you need to strip before I do anything."
Slowly, Ianto started to undress. He put his shirt, socks, and boxers in the hamper before laying his suit on top of it. He faced Jack.
Jack nodded approvingly and patted his knee. "Lean over my lap."
Ianto walked forward and bent over. Jack wrapped an arm around his waist to help steady him and shifted his hips, allowing Ianto to rest his shoulders on the bed while his ass was raised up. He made sure Ianto got a chance to position himself comfortably, and then pinched one of Ianto's buttocks. Ianto squirmed.
"I'm going to start, now."
Ianto tensed, and Jack wished he hadn't warned him. Shaking his head, he raised his right hand and brought it down. It wasn't hard, but the slap echoed in the room. Ianto flinched, and Jack wrapped his arm more tightly around his waist before continuing.
Jack liked using his hand for a spanking-it was easy to control where he hit and how hard. He brought his hand down on Ianto's ass over and over, working until his hand ached and his arm began to tire.
Ianto remained still, aside from a little forgivable squirming. He let his elbows sink into the bed as he put his weight on them. His ears were pink, and he was breathing deeply. Jack paused and rubbed Ianto's hip.
"Okay?" Jack asked.
Ianto's voice cracked when he spoke. "Y-yes, sir."
Ianto's ass was red. Jack felt it, trying to decide how much more it (and Ianto) could take tonight. It wasn't the only thing Jack could feel-Ianto's cock was stiffening against Jack's leg. Jack worked his hand between Ianto's thighs. He hadn't known if Ianto would get hard from this or not, but he was glad he was. It didn't matter whether it was from the pain, the humiliation, or merely from having his naked groin pressed against Jack's leg. Jack's own erection pushed uncomfortably against the fly of his trousers.
"You know what I like about your body, Ianto? You get red very easily. You ever look at yourself in the mirror when you wanked off? To see what you look like when you come?"
Ianto inhaled deeply. "No."
Jack clicked his tongue. "Shame. You should. Your ears get pink, kinda like they are now. Your ass gets red easily, too. I haven't even spanked you that hard. Of course, you bruise easily, too. Not that that isn't fun sometimes-" he reached for the side of Ianto's neck, where he'd bitten and sucked the night before, "-but it's something to keep an eye on. Don't think you'll have any marks from this, though."
"I don't mind marks," Ianto said, softly. He kept his gaze on the pillow in front of him.
"If I ever decide to paddle you, you might have some." Jack ran his fingers down one of Ianto's buttocks. He shook his head. "You should really see yourself. Get up for a second."
He held Ianto's arm to help him up. Ianto's eyes glistened and his cheeks were as pink as his hard cock. Jack stood up and pushed Ianto over the bed, bending him over.
"Wait here."
Jack left the bedroom. He walked down the hall and into the bathroom, where he opened the drawers beneath the sink and pushed things aside, looking for something he'd seen there once, months ago. For a moment, he thought he wouldn't find it, and the thought of returning to Ianto empty-handed disappointed him. But then he saw it: a handheld mirror. The back and handle were cracked but the mirror was untarnished and clean. Jack brought it back to the bedroom.
Ianto turned his head when Jack came in. He saw what he was carrying and raised his eyebrows. "Jack…"
"Hush. And it's 'sir' right now."
"Sorry. Sir."
Jack held the mirror in front of Ianto's face. "Take it. I want you to look at yourself."
Ianto hesitated, but took the handle of the mirror in his hand. While he steadied it, Jack caught a glimpse of his Adam's apple reflected in the glass, bobbing as he swallowed.
Finally, Ianto's face filled up the mirror. Watching it, Jack pulled back his arm and slapped Ianto's ass hard. Now, he could see Ianto's reaction. His eyes widened and then fluttered, and his face moved closer to the mirror. His breath made a little circle of condensation on the glass.
He gave Ianto nine more, watching his face in the mirror the entire time.
Jack stood back and flexed his hand. He sat on the bed to take off his boots. Ianto put down the mirror and watched.
"C'mon," Jack said. "Sit here with me." He pulled his legs on the bed and spread them, making a place for Ianto to sit between his knees. Ianto crawled over, still holding the mirror. He winced when he sat down.
Jack took the mirror from him, and held it in front of Ianto's face. He wrapped the other arm around Ianto's chest.
"Start jerking yourself," Jack said, putting his mouth to Ianto's ear. "I want you to see what you look like when you come. I want you to see what I get to see."
For a moment, Ianto just sat there, looking dumbly in the mirror.
"Do it. It's the only way you'll get to have an orgasm tonight."
Slowly, Ianto started to work his hand up and down his cock. Jack kept his eyes on the mirror while he pressed his still-clothed groin against Ianto's tailbone, rubbing himself to a bigger erection.
After a couple minutes, Ianto said, "Sir…I'm, ugh. I'm going to come."
"Good. Good boy. Come in your hand. That's it, make your hand like a cup and come in it."
Ianto rested his head against Jack's. Jack adjusted the angle of the mirror, and he could just see his own face next to Ianto's. He watched the image in the mirror while Ianto came: Ianto's face, flushed and shameless, and his own, with its flared nostrils and parted lips.
He didn't break his gaze until Ianto closed his eyes. Slowly, he looked over Ianto's shoulder to see if he'd obeyed. One of Ianto's hands, the one he had wanked with, was resting on his thigh. The palm of his other hand was filled with a small pool of come.
"Clean up your mess," Jack said, softly.
In the mirror, Ianto opened his eyes and blinked. "Sir?"
"I want you to eat it."
Ianto shivered. For a second, it looked like he might protest, but he raised his hand to his mouth and licked it clean. When he finished, Jack kissed the back of his head and set the mirror down on the nightstand. Ianto got out from between Jack's legs and stretched out on his stomach.
"That wasn't too bad, was it?" Jack asked.
Ianto shook his head. "No, sir. I'm glad we did it."
"I'm glad, too. Did it hurt?"
"Yes."
"Did you like it?"
Ianto took a long time to answer. Jack ran a hand through his hair and said, "You can be honest. I won't be upset."
"Pain has never appealed to me much. I enjoyed it, though."
"Well, pain can be different when you know you're okay. But the pain is only part of it. It's not even the most important part."
Ianto propped himself up on his arms. "Will we doing it again?"
Jack smiled. "Depends. Do you want to?"
Ianto nodded.
He was proud, now. He had done something completely new to Ianto, and Ianto had reacted very well to it. Very well, indeed.
"Good. You've done great. Almost done, and then we'll call it a night."
"Sir?"
Jack unzipped his trousers and pulled his erection out of his pants. He tugged on Ianto's hair, bringing his head close to it. Ianto got the message, and started to lick.
"Don't forget what your job is," Jack said. "You're lucky that seeing you get off is so pleasing to me, or I would have made you do this first."
In response, Ianto slid Jack's cock into his mouth. Jack closed his eyes and held Ianto's head until he came down his throat.
Jack could have fallen asleep like that, with Ianto's head in his lap, but he wanted to finish undressing. Ianto slowly got up, mumbling about going in the kitchen to get a drink. Jack settled into bed to wait and was nearly asleep when Ianto came back a few minutes later and climbed into bed.
Ianto climbed under the covers and pressed close, and Jack wrapped an arm around him. They lay like that until Ianto fell asleep. Only then did Jack roll onto his back and let himself sleep.
In the morning, there was a spare key sitting on the nightstand, next to his wrist strap.
Part Two