With a little help from my friends Chapter 2
TWTWTW
Jack watched as John walked along the boardwalk at Cardiff Bay.
The sun was just coming up and it had been a long night. John was helping for once. He and Jack had been out on a Weevil hunt, but they came back empty handed and shattered.
Jack was missing Ianto, who was in hospital after getting a bad bout of the flu. He'd been in there for almost a week. But he was being released today, and Jack was picking him up this afternoon. But for now, he needed rest.
John walked along the Bay with one hand deep in his pocket. He had a worried look on his face. In a world of his own. He start drinking from a bottle of beer he'd bought earlier, checking his watch as he lean against the railings.
"John, I'm goin' inside. I need to get some sleep before I pick Ianto up after lunch. You stayin' out here?"
John don't hear Jack. He was daydreaming. "I worry about Ianto, too," he said at last. "He's like a brother to me."
Jack looked at him. "Like a brother. Right. You hated him. Eye Candy, indeed."
John threw the bottle into a trash bin and walk up to Jack. "Its true. He's a brilliant man. I look out for him."
Jack laughed. "Since when? He's my lover, I'll look after him, thank you." He unlocked the tourist office door, stepping inside. "You coming in or staying out here, looking out to sea? Make your mind up."
"Fine look after him then. Don't matter that I've wasted my time over the last few weeks does it? It's obviously not appreciated." John push past Jack.
Once inside the Hub, he opened another beer.
Jack tutted, rolling his eyes. "Don't take it the wrong way. You know exactly what I mean." He shook his head, following John to the kitchen.
John finished his beer and smash it. He open a third one, then walked up to Jack's office and start trashing it.
Jack took the stairs two at a time. "Whoa! What are you doing?" Jack grabbed John by the arm, stopping him. "I'm sorry, okay? I know how you feel about Ianto now. You are appreciated, honest. It's just...I get protective of him."
John hugged Jack tight, crying in his arms. "I'm doing my best, Jack, but I'm finding it very hard. Ianto was so weak, it scared me."
Jack patted John's back, letting him cry. "I know. I'm really glad you're here. I know it's difficult for you still, being here." Jack pulled back. "The flu knocked Ianto for six this time. Owen was really worried."
John and Jack relaxed in the Hub chatting for the next few hours.
TWTWTW
It was time for Ianto to be picked up.
Jack drove to the hospital and to the ward where Ianto was. Taking his bag from the bed, Jack helped the younger man out to the car.
"I've missed you something rotten," Ianto told Jack.
"Yeah, me, too."
Driving back to the Hub, Jack kept a watchful eye on his lover.
"You sure you're okay? You still look a bit pale."
"Nothing a descent nights sleep won't cure."
They entered the tourist office.
John was sit in there alone, drinking beer. He was slightly drunk when Jack and Ianto walked in.
Jack looked at John, rolling his eyes. "Just when I think you've got yourself together, you go and do this." He shook his head.
Ianto walked passed John and down to the lift. Jack followed him, leaving John still sitting in the tourist office.
"Well excuse me!" Shouted John. "I'm redundant, and not loving it!"
Jack sighed.
"How's he been?" asked Ianto.
"Fine, until today."
Ianto sighed. "He's had you to himself for a week. I'm cramping his style."
"You know there's nothing between us. Don't you?"
Ianto nodded. "But does he?"
"I think he does by now."
Jack held out his hand. Ianto took it.
"You're all the man I need, Ianto Jones."
They kissed.
As the lift doors opened, Ianto looked around.
"Where is everyone?"
"No Rift activity predicted , so I gave them all the day off."
They went up to Jack's office. Ianto took at the papers on the floor. The broken beer bottle. Shattered cups.
"John," Jack told him. "This morning. He thinks he's under appreciated and he's worried about you."
Ianto smiled. "How sweet."
"It ain't funny!" came a voice from behind them. "I care about you, man."
"Thank you, but there's no need. I'm fine."
"I lost Jack to you, I understand that. You're good together, I get that. But I want to be a part of your lives, too. Is that too much to ask?"
Ianto shook his head. "No, but this is!" He indicated with his hands. "I have to clean this up, not you. Not Jack."
John looked at the floor. "Sorry."
Ianto smiled. "Okay. I'll clean it up later. Let's go to the boardroom and I'll make up a pot of steaming coffee."
John put his arm around the young Welshman's shoulders. "I'll help clean up."
Ianto smiled. "Thanks."
Jack was watching the two men. Was it jealousy he could feel? His cheeks felt hot and his mind was doing flip flops.
"You should rest. You've only just got out of hospital." Jack told him.
"I'm fine, really. A little work won't hurt me."
"Or him," Jack said, his words full of venom.
John just stood there, watching Ianto as he went to make the coffee. "If there's anything I can do for you, just whistle."
Ianto shook his head. "I'm fine, but thanks anyway."
Jack kept his eye on John for the rest of the afternoon.
Ianto went down into their bunker at just after 6pm and had to lie down. Jack watched from his office as the young Welshman turned in his sleep, a smile on his face.