Sometime before the morning dawned Jack found himself lounging on the sofa in Ianto's flat thinking about the events of the previous night. He was pleased and at the same time a little disappointed. Their early morning breakfast had gone over well. There hadn't been any awkward silences, due mostly to Jack's endless chatter. He had told Ianto that he would tell him everything and he meant it. He would tell him about the year he was gone, the past lovers and loves, he would tell him about every child he knew about, what happened with the 456, and of course the doctor.
As he walked with Ianto to his flat he told him about the turn of the century and all the crazy things he did. It had sounded upbeat and as he was avoiding some topics to start and he knew that Ianto knew what he was doing. He also knew that Ianto understood. Yes Ianto wanted to know more of Jacks secrets but he also knew that Jack had to do it in his own time and his own way.
Jack had been nervous initially. In all his years the only one who knew almost all of his secrets was the doctor and even he only knew a bit. Heck not even Jack new all of his own secrets. There were still those two years that he didn't remember, but that wasn't going to stop him. He was going to open up starting now. He had to get Ianto back and he would do anything.
As the two were walking back Sarah called and informed Ianto that she was at Rhiannon's and was going to stay over, seeing as it was so late. Jack knew that she wanted to give them space but he had seen the brief moment of panic on Ianto's face and was unsure of what the Welshman wanted or if that was the best idea. However Ianto didn't let go of his hand so he followed him all the way up to his flat and when they entered Ianto headed straight to what Jack could only imagine was the kitchen. He heard subtle clanging noises and soon the smell of Ianto's very secret blend was tickling his noise.
While he waited for Ianto to finish up he had taken a moment to look around Ianto's new abode. It was similar but different. Obviously the lay out was a bit different, the most obvious being that it was larger, but the furniture was similar to the old in the same warm brown tones they had been prior to the 456. And yet there was a very noticeable difference, it was cold and all of it had hard lines. Which Jack reflected on as a negative. He began to worry that it was reflective of simple changes in Ianto. That perhaps after everything he was harder. Not that it would change anything, but he wanted the young Welshman to have happiness and softness.
"Jack are you in there?" asked Ianto from behind him.
Jack turned around and smiled. Ianto stood there holding out coffee with a quizzical look on his face. "Yep just looking at your new place."
Ianto took a sip of his coffee before raising a brow and saying, "And?"
"Nothing it is very nice."
"Yes well I deserve the best," he replied walking over to the floor to ceiling windows that had a very fine view of the bay.
"I can't disagree with you there," whispered Jack moving to stand next to him, "It's a gorgeous view."
"Rhi found it. She said the moment she walked in she knew that it was the one for me. She was right of course, but that is just between you me."
"Sisters are usually are."
They stood there shoulder to shoulder for awhile just basking in the togetherness. All too soon for Jack he noticed that Ianto's eyes were closed. He grabbed the cup from his hands he kissed his lips and whispered, "Go to bed Yan, I will clean up and head back to the hub."
Ianto had tried to protest but Jack silenced him with a kiss and before it got to intense he pulled back and gently shoved the half asleep Ianto to what he thought could only be his bedroom. Before Ianto went through the bedroom door he turned to Jack and said "Stay." All Jack could do was nod…anything Ianto asked.
Ianto hadn't made much of a mess in the kitchen and it had only taken Jack 10 minutes to clean and then he had found himself walking around the flat. It was defiantly larger than his older flat, as well as much nicer. The halls were cleaner, the other flats seemed quieter and the hardware was of better quality. Which were all good things in Jacks opinion.
As he snooped he noticed a few things from a time that he would always dup as 'Ianto's former life', things that Rhiannon must have kept. Jack had known that Gwen had let Rhi take the flat. She had always hated the fact that everything they owned wound up in storage lockers and while he had acted annoyed he truly felt that was what was for the best. Rhi and Johnny had been very helpful according to Gwen and he thought it was only fair they get a piece of Ianto.
As he rambled around he found his way to a bathroom, a hall closet and the spare bedroom where saw in all of two days Sarah had made her presence known. What he also saw was someone who was perhaps nervous about first impressions or simply a girl. The room had her clothes thrown all over. Some were obvious outfit choices but most were just tosses that formed a circle behind her suitcases as though she had thrown things looking for just the right thing. Reminiscing about the little time he had spent with Alice, he reflected her room often looked like this. Closing the door quickly he smiled a little. Sarah was defiantly younger than she showed and he found that endearing. Finally he returned to the living room and plopped down on the couch. He was bored and had an urge to go up to a roof. He wouldn't leave however. He couldn't. Sarah's words had really hit home.
Two hours later he was still awake. He didn't usually sleep much and he knew he wouldn't be able to tonight. His mind was reeling with ways to make it up to the young man. He had held on to anyone idea yet except maybe a mini holiday. No one on the team had ever had one except Gwen but maybe if Sarah stayed and trained they could go to the beach or France. He wasn't too worried though he would try for years until Ianto threw him out. It wasn't like he didn't have the time. For once being immortal was a good thing.
His only fear was if he wasn't able to make it work and Sarah asked him to retcon Ianto. He knew if it came to that Sarah might just do it herself and that scared him. He had lost Ianto once to death and would once again in the very very far future, but he didn't think he could lose him and know the man still lived. He couldn't lose him and know that it was his fault.
Sighing he sat up. He wasn't going to get any rest tonight. There was just too much going on in his mind. On top of all his fears about losing Ianto he was worried about the year that spent at the hands of Captain Willis and he could only hope that the more open he became the more that Ianto would tell him about that time. All he could think about was the way Sarah's eyes had glazed over when he mentioned it and her fierce desire to protect him. They had him thinking terrible things as well as she might have suffered too.
Standing up Jack made his way to Ianto's bedroom. Silently opening the door he looked in on Ianto's sleeping form. He was spread out over the whole bed with one half his body peeking out from underneath the covers. He looked restless. Shooting down the urge to crawl in with him and pull him into his arms, he turned to leave the room.
"You know you can join me. I don't want…but you don't have to sleep in another room," said a muffled voice.
Jack whipped around and saw Ianto peeking at him from an open eye, "I don't want to push or disturb you."
Ianto rolled over, pulled back the covers, and patted the bed as he scooted over, "I know that you have restraint. Please!"
Jack couldn't say no to Ianto's sleep ridden face. He couldn't say no to him anyway but with him half asleep with his messed hair he would do anything without a second thought. Walking to what had been his side of the bed he stripped down, crawled in and made sure there was space between them just in case Ianto changed his mind. But Ianto had other ideas and soon Jack had Ianto wrapped around him with Ianto's head on his chest.
Jack couldn't resist running his hand through Ianto's hair or stop the other that seemed to have a mind of its own as it rubbed Ianto's back. He relaxed into the bed, into the repetitive motions and soon his mind was drifting into the void of sleep.
AN: Okay folks heres the next installment for the Simply Is series. I know this chapter is slow and mostly fluff but it was way long so I had to cut it. Hang in there it'll get better I promise. Review folks because its the nice thing to do. The next chapter will be up Thusrday. Well barring any unforseen drama with a strike. My nurses are striking here MN and there could be DRAMA. If it's not up Thursday it'll be there Friday. It's all written it just needs to be typed. As always it is with great regret I don't anything.