DISCLAIMER: It's still not mine, but maybe we could take a vote on that?
WARNINGS: Scenes of a sexual nature in some chapters. Despite the issue of slavery no non-con sex scenes. Language.
Set sometime after 'To the Last Man' and before 'Reset'.
TWTWTW
Ianto was watching Jack surreptitiously out of the corner of his eye. He was sat at his own work station and Jack was progressing around the hub talking to individual team members, taking an interest in their fields of work or research and trying to make them feel valued.
Since he had returned Jack had taken to trying to engage on a more personal level with each of his team members. Ianto could see that this cost the older man much in terms of patience and boredom. He understood little of what Toshiko explained to him but he made a conscious effort to nod in all the right places and make encouraging noises.
He moved to Gwen and praised her latest efforts at establishing relations with outside agencies and tried to deflect, without being rude, the constant questions about his time away and how he was settling back into life in the hub.
At least with Owen's work he had a better grasp of what the man was talking about. He could offer fresh 51st century insights on much of the alien technology they had found during his absence.
Ianto smiled to himself, this was a new and slightly disconcerting side of Jack that they were all witnessing. Ianto had discovered that it was also spilling over into their personal life. Jack was more openly affectionate with him, more caring and appeared to be spending so much more energy on developing their relationship. Yet Ianto was still not entirely sure what that relationship was.
He thought back to the very beginnings, when they had first got together. How had they progressed to now? Was it really a progression? And if so, into what?
TWTW
They were friends and lovers but they were not in an exclusive relationship, that was how it had always been. Jack had made it clear from the start that they would not be exclusive and at the time Ianto had been relieved. Having sex with a man was erotic and satisfying but having a relationship with one might have been a step too far for Ianto when this had all started. He was still grieving for Lisa and whilst his body revelled in Jack's attention his mind told him this was an interlude before he found himself able to love again. When that time came he assumed it would be with a woman.
They had agreed that Thursdays would be reserved for seeing other people. They had no commitment to each other on other days, but Thursdays were definitely off limits and no questions were to be asked. It was an arrangement that suited both men and worked well. Neither was the jealous type or likely to create a scene about other partners but it was easier not to be confronted with the evidence.
At first Ianto had spent Thursday nights at his home, cleaning or lounging around watching trashy television. Going out to find casual sex was not high on his agenda. But gradually he had taken to going out with friends, beginning to enjoy himself and live his life again.
It was on one such night that he had met April. She was young, fun to be with, very pretty and full of life. Towards the end of one particularly enjoyable Thursday evening April had asked him to accompany her home. Ianto had looked at her and wanted her badly. But his innate politeness and chivalry would not allow him to use her without explanation.
'I'm not looking for a relationship April' he explained 'I want you so desperately but I need you to know first that I can't offer you more than one night'
April looked at him with a small half smile on her lips. She contemplated the young man before her and relished his charm and open manner.
'I'm not asking you to marry me Ianto...just to come home with me and have some fun' she smiled.
Ianto was embarrassed.
'I'm sorry...I didn't mean to assume...I just wanted to warn..' Ianto hung his head in embarrassment.
April touched his arm.
'Hey...thank you...I appreciate the thought behind what you said and I still want you to come home with me'
She leaned forward and captured his lips in a soft kiss that set Ianto's nerve endings tingling with anticipation. They stood with the rest of the crowd and holding hands they left the pub and made for home.
Ianto rekindled his desire for women that night. He lost himself in April's soft skin and silky hair and oh so many curves. It was softer than the sex he had with Jack and it was new and exciting. But it was also less meaningful in some ways. He did not know April in the way he knew Jack and she did not know him. They had not betrayed each other and found each other again in forgiveness. There was not the satisfaction that came from letting go of everything and losing yourself in each other.
He wanted April physically but he wanted Jack for everything. Both April and Jack were friends that he bedded, but he wanted Jack to be his lover, he wanted him emotionally.
Ianto knew that he wanted this by the time Jack had left to find his Doctor. He wanted more than to be the person Jack bedded regularly, the one he turned to for comfort after the nightmares. He wanted to be acknowledged as those things.
He wanted that, but had never considered asking for it. He had never considered that Jack might be willing to give it.
When Jack returned and asked him out on a date it seemed for a brief moment that maybe Jack wanted more also. But then Ianto had remembered Thursdays and although Jack had never asked him on a date before he hadn't mentioned anything about Thursdays. Ianto assumed that dating was now appropriate and it was a small but significant change and improvement in their status, but Thursdays apparently still held true.
Ianto was for the most part happy, but Thursdays were his least favourite day of the week.
The last time Ianto had gone home with April was three days before Jack had returned. He enjoyed April's company, she was full of life, uncomplicated and sexy as hell. As always they had a lot of fun out with their friends and had continued the fun later that night in April's bed.
He smiled to himself as he remembered how he had frowned once more as he entered April's bedroom. Surely no grown adult needed that amount of cuddly toys on their bed. He had asked April about it previously but she had just laughed at him and threw the soft animals onto the floor to make room for their pursuit of pleasure.
TWTW
Ianto stopped remembering as he watched Jack move around the hub floor and he smiled as he saw him eventually flee to his office, his eyes begging for coffee as he moved past Ianto. Ianto was grateful for all Jack's efforts with the team. It made for a pleasanter working environment and enabled him to deflect some of Owen's more snarky comments about Ianto capitulating and falling back into bed with his captain.
At least if Jack gave the appearance of change he could use that as an excuse, should he need one, for giving in to him. Sometimes he did need that excuse even for himself. After all Jack had left without warning and Ianto had struggled to cope with life without him. He had made a gallant effort and had managed to pull himself together and now he was falling back to his previous position. At least this new caring and sensitive side of Jack made him feel that the fall might be worthwhile and less stupid than he imagined.
The captain's efforts with his team should not go unrewarded thought Ianto as he made his coffee. He deserves more than just the beverage he grinned to himself as he entered the office with a sexy smile on his lips.
Ianto left Jack's office half an hour later with bruised lips and slightly mussed up hair and an unsuccessful attempt to maintain his dignity. He refused to make eye contact with other team members until he had himself under better control and took himself off to the archives to think.
He considered the development of their relationship since Jack had returned and the continued threat of Thursdays hanging over him.
Of the two of them he knew it would probably be him that found someone else. Jack would just flit between casual meetings. But Ianto knew he was almost in a relationship with April, even if it was nothing beyond friendship with benefits at the moment. Ianto did not want more from April but he did want more in general.
He was the one who would look for someone to love, Jack wouldn't. In the arms of a stranger Jack would seek to forget, to pretend to be normal, to be from the 21st century. Ianto surprised himself as he realised that Jack would look for comfort and acceptance and even love only from Ianto.
Jack had been back for three months and as far as Ianto was concerned life could hardly be better. Before their first date they had spoken about the absence. Or rather accusations had been flung and recriminations had been bandied about. But confessions had been made and apologies had been heartfelt and accepted. The date had gone well and now they had an established relationship that was recognised, although rarely spoken of between all the team. Ianto was for the most part happy.
Ianto sighed to himself as he finished up his work in the archives and proceeded back to the main part of the hub to look for something to occupy his mind and keep him from thinking too deeply and possibly becoming morose. After all today was Thursday. He knew what he was doing that night, but what might Jack be hoping for and leaving the hub to find?
TWTWTW
It had been a good night, full of drinks and laughter and memories.
Ianto grabbed for Martin as the other man stumbled yet again. He struggled to hold him steady and wriggle his key into the lock to open his door.
Jack watched the two young men fall across the threshold laughing together and felt a stab of pain. Why had he come to Ianto tonight? It was Thursday. He knew the Welshman might have company, it was the arrangement he had insisted upon. He shouldn't be surprised that Ianto was taking advantage of it. He rested his head on the steering wheel for a long moment gathering his thoughts before leaving.
Ianto's door reopened and the young man walked purposefully over to the SUV tapping on the window when he arrived. Jack opened the door to face his lover.
'Jack?' questioned Ianto 'is there a problem? Do you need me?'
'Always' whispered Jack under his breath.
He should have known that Ianto had seen him despite his lack of acknowledgement. He was probably shielding his date from possible retconning if he should have seen the Torchwood logo. He lifted his head and attempted to put a smile on his face.
'Sorry Ianto. Just fancied some company. Don't worry, I'll go. You go back to your date and have fun' he said.
Ianto looked at him in puzzlement.
'But it's Thursday Jack. You wanted to keep Thursday free. I thought you didn't want to see me on Thursday' he said.
Jack looked at his watch.
'Actually technically it is now Friday' he smiled 'but you're right I told you to have fun on Thursdays and you should. Go back inside and I will see you in the morning' he made to start the engine but Ianto placed a hand over his and stopped him.
'Jack, I don't invite casual dates into my space, and you are welcome to join us'
Jack grinned at him.
'Wow that is kinky even for you Ianto' he laughed 'but if he's not a casual date then it is even more important that I leave you to enjoy his company'
Ianto sighed.
'That's not what I meant Jack. Martin is an old friend not a date. We grew up together, went to school together and Megan lived next door to me' he explained.
Jack looked at him puzzled.
'Who is Megan?' he asked.
'Megan is Martin's very pregnant wife. He has had one too many drinks and is having a coffee to sober up slightly before ringing for a taxi to take him home. Now come inside and meet him before he falls asleep on my sofa' insisted Ianto.
Jack felt a surge of relief at Ianto's explanation. He had no right to be jealous. He had instigated 'free Thursdays' and had certainly been far from loyal himself. But he was close to admitting that jealousy was indeed the emotion he had been experiencing. He had not felt it for a long time and it was strange and unsettling. He climbed out of the vehicle and followed Ianto to his door.
'Does he know about us?' he asked before they entered.
'Yes' said Ianto simply 'but that doesn't mean you can grope me in front of him'
'Ok' said Jack giving a quick grope to Ianto's arse as he turned away.
'Jack!' objected Ianto.
'I'm just getting it out of my system now' exclaimed Jack with an innocent look on his face.
They entered the house and Ianto immediately went over to Martin where he sat on the sofa his head nodding forward onto his chest. He poked him hard in the ribs.
'Hey...come on wake up...Megan will kill you if you don't get home soon and then she will start thinking of horrible things to do to me' he said.
Martin looked up blearily.
'It was him then?' he said as he looked at Jack.
'Yup' answered Ianto.
Martin appraised Jack.
'You're the one who tipped him over the edge then?' he said 'we all knew he thought about it...the amount of time he spent in school showers taking in the sights...but no one convinced him to go all the way before' he slurred.
'Martin!' shouted Ianto 'I am ordering a taxi right now...do not speak to Jack about...for God's sake don't speak to him about anything' he held up a warning finger to Martin whilst taking out his mobile and asking for a taxi.
Jack was barely containing his amusement at Ianto's discomfort and smirked heavily at the young man.
'So' said Jack 'Ianto Jones and the school showers...sounds like a title for a porn film' he smiled.
'Right' said Martin sitting back heavily on the sofa and grinning up at Jack 'I'm not supposed to tell Jones' secrets...but...'
TWTW
Jack and Ianto had fallen asleep after much laughter on Jack's part concerning the revelations about Ianto's school days from Martin. Ianto had been embarrassed but had suffered through it willingly enough as he loved to hear Jack laughing. He was still trying to work out what had bought the captain to his door on a Thursday and why he had been so happy to see him there.
They did not talk about the incident however and the following morning saw rift activity early on that led to all such musings being forgotten for a time.
Toshiko alerted them to a rift spike at a beauty spot and as the signature suggested something organic and ambient the whole team left to investigate. They would need to be armed and alert in case of threat by an invading force, or a lost traveller who might be alarmed at his sudden diversion.
They arrived at the destination and the team piled out of the SUV and looked around. All they could see was open countryside, trees, grass, rocks. Toshiko was holding the portable rift predictor that she had thought to bring along and was circling in an attempt to fix a reading.
'This way' she announced suddenly.
Over a small mound the team came upon a humanoid shape huddled on the ground. Cautiously they approached and apparently hearing the sound they made the humanoid looked up and stood slowly. It was definitely male and although humanoid in shape it was obviously alien if the skin markings were real. It was unhurt but shivering as he was dressed in only the flimsiest of garments, a tabard that barely reached his knees.
Gwen made to approach the creature but Jack swung out an arm to restrain her.
'I hardly think he's a threat Jack...look at him...scared to death and freezing cold' she objected.
'No' replied Jack 'he's not a threat but he will think we are unless you follow my lead...I know where he's from and what he is and his most desperate need right now is for somebody to be in charge...he needs to understand the status and flow of command in our group...so stay here' he insisted.
Gwen looked around at the others who all shrugged. Jack had obviously met these creatures before and if he knew what he was doing they were not prepared to argue. Gwen backed down.
Jack strode over to the creature who visibly trembled and cast his eyes downward.
'What is your name?' demanded Jack.
'Luca sir' replied the creature.
'Well at least it understands us and looks reasonably placid' observed Owen 'should make our job a bit easier'
The team watched in fascination as Jack held out his hand.
'Come with me' he commanded and Luca passively put his own hand within Jack's and allowed himself to be manipulated towards the SUV.
Jack placed Luca in the vehicle and strapped him in, then turned to the team.
'I suggest we do not speak until we get back to the hub. Believe me it will be better for Luca if you do not attempt to communicate with him. To do so will only upset and probably frighten him...I'll explain when we get him back and we are alone' Jack waited until all had nodded compliance except Gwen.
'But Jack he's already scared...can't we just try to be welcoming...tell us now about him' she insisted.
Jack sighed, sometimes Gwen's need to help everybody really was misplaced.
'Gwen I will tell you he is from a slave planet...trained from birth to attend to and respond to one master...for him to witness us interacting in anything other than a slave/master relationship will greatly distress him...he's already been removed from everything and everybody he knows, do you really want to add to his distress?...so unless you want to upset him or pretend to be my slave I suggest we keep silence' said Jack in a commanding tone.
Gwen looked at him in horror at what he was saying. She quickly realised if Jack was telling the truth she had no desire to make Luca more uncomfortable than he already was and certainly no desire to converse with Jack in the guise of a slave. She nodded and walked towards the vehicle in which the others were already seated.
The journey back to the hub was deeply uncomfortable for the rest of the team as it was so abnormal for them to be quiet. Toshiko was wrapped up in her readings and at one point asked a question of Jack having momentarily forgotten his injunction to remain silent. His response was terse.
'Silence!' he commanded and Toshiko shrank back into herself ashamed at her lapse.
Nobody else spoke until they arrived back at the hub.
TWTW
The unusual silence of the journey back to the hub gave Jack time to think. He became wrapped up in thoughts about Luca but he was also worrying about Ianto.
Jack had not even thought about the Thursday rule until he had been back a while. He had forgotten it in the pleasure of returning and the joy of finding Ianto again. By the time he remembered he could only assume Ianto was happy for it to remain. After all the young man did not question the rule, he had not asked if it still applied now they were dating and he was never around on a Thursday night.
Jack thought about his sexual relationship with Ianto, he was an inventive lover, and Jack revelled in the joy that his body could bring after a year of nothing but pain.
Jack found Ianto's sexual appetites varied and pleasing. He would enjoy the fight for dominance, struggle against the captain as Jack tried to take control. He often got quite violent, thumping twisting and even biting in his attempts to wrest control from the other man. But once they were naked or down to just underwear, once the act itself was in sight, Ianto would calm. His movements became ever more soft and gentle. Bites became kisses, strikes became caresses and the act became one of love rather than one of violence.
Jack loved how Ianto did this. Moving seamlessly from one state to the other. Ianto obviously enjoyed their physical struggles as foreplay, but for him sex was ultimately an act of love, and enjoyment was teased out of the captain rather than taken.
The contrast was like everything else in Ianto's personality. His suits belied the wanton lust that lay underneath, his calm professionalism belied the seething mass of emotions it kept hidden and the aggression belied the sensuality that the man ultimately wanted to indulge in. Jack did not think his fascination for this man could ever wane. So much was hidden in this one neat Welsh package.
When Ianto was wanton under him he would recall his calm deflection of Owen's snide remarks from earlier, when he saw him wander the hub in his suits he would recall the throb of the bite Ianto had given in order to make the captain release his hold and be thrown to the floor. The constant suggestion of the opposites within him kept Jack on a knife edge of admiration mixed with arousal.
TWTW
Back at the hub Luca was placed by Jack in the interrogation room and commanded to stay. Owen watched Jack leave and questioned him.
'Are we locking the room or putting surveillance on him?' he asked.
Jack sighed to himself, this was not going to be easy to explain to 21st century people.
'We will have surveillance but only so that we can observe if he shows signs of distress' he said 'I have put him there and told him to stay...he will carry out those orders...he will not move until I tell him to do so' he continued.
Owen looked down at the young man as he was quickly beginning to think of him.
'Wow' he said.
'Yeah' agreed Jack sadly.
TWTW
The team were gathered in the conference room waiting for Jack. He took his seat next to Ianto and bowed his head thinking where to begin.
'Luca is not a threat' was his first statement.
'How can you be sure?' asked Owen.
Jack looked at the medic, it was a reasonable question.
'He comes from a planet called Luxor. Physically they are almost exactly the same as humans except for the skin markings you have already noticed and for the placid nature you will also have noted' he looked around at his team gauging their reactions.
'The species has evolved to have very few females, whose role in life is purely to breed' he listened to Gwen huff in annoyance and looked at her sternly, this was not the time for a debate on political correctness.
'The males have evolved into two separate types...the dominant ones run the planet, controlling government, industry and so on...the passive ones have been relegated to slave roles providing a work force and...' Jack faltered knowing that Gwen at least would be roused to wrath by the completion of his statement.
'And?..' urged Toshiko.
'And they fulfil a sexual function in a species with so few female members' finished Jack.
None of the team reacted, taking their time to assimilate the information.
'Sir...do I take it that if they are slaves this sexual function is not necessarily their choice?' asked Ianto a little disturbed by this turn of events.
'Whether they work in industry or at home the slaves have no choice...they are too placid to revolt and for the most part the system works well for their species' said Jack.
'What?' screamed Gwen 'how is it working well if half the population is enslaved by the other half'
Jack shrugged.
'We might not like it Gwen but it is their way...both parties accept their function and their role and they have one of the most stable governments of the alliance...they have a world free of poverty and free of crime' he said.
'It's a society based on crime' shouted Gwen 'to enslave half its people is immoral, illegal and downright cruel' she insisted.
'They don't think so...none of them...Luca won't think so...his major problem with dealing with his removal to our world will be not having a master to defer to and to look after him' said Jack.
'He's a slave then?' questioned Ianto 'not from the dominant half of the population'
'Look at him Ianto...what do you think?' asked Jack.
'We need to rehabilitate him then' said Gwen 'make him understand he has no master but himself now...he's free' she was pleased to think they could offer freedom.
'It won't be that easy Gwen...Luca will not want to be free...all his life he has served a master...been looked after...told what to do...he's never had to think for himself on any level and it will be a huge undertaking to teach him that...he will not relinquish years of control quickly' said Jack.
'Unfortunately' he continued 'his unusual skin markings will make his release to any outside agency that might be able to help him unrealistic...we will have to try to help him ourselves and give him occupation here'
He looked around the table.
'I'm going to give him to Ianto' he announced.
Ianto's head shot up.
'What?' he spluttered.
'He needs a master Ianto, to focus his attention...and I mean he needs it physically and mentally...he won't do anything at first unless told to do so...it can't be one of the girls as he has almost certainly never been in contact with a female and would just be confused' said Jack.
'Why can't you or Owen do it?' questioned Ianto.
'Owen would not have the patience' Owen raised his arms in a submissive gesture in recognition of the truth of Jack's words.
'You then' insisted Ianto.
'I would find him too tempting' said Jack a little ashamed to admit his desires.
'Oh my God' spluttered Gwen 'you can't mean you would take advantage of him?' she asked incredulously.
'No' said Jack looking directly at Ianto 'but I would want to and Luca is trained to see that...to respond to that...he would want to please me' Jack shrugged as he looked back at the others 'it would be hard for me to teach him self- awareness, individuality and autonomy' he continued.
He turned to Ianto.
'Ianto I feel I can trust you with this...please' he added.
Ianto took a deep breath. How was he supposed to teach a slave to live his own life? He had however done and seen many things since starting at Torchwood and he already felt sympathy for the creature they had found transported to an alien world and an alien society. He was thrilled that Jack would trust him with this task and determined to do his best to justify that trust.
'Of course sir' he said.
'If this is to work without too much stress for Luca he will need to see Ianto as his master, at least whilst he adjusts. He will also need to understand relationships within the hub...arguments or disputes about orders will be very unsettling to him, so if you have problems with anything I ask of you objections will be made in private until Luca can cope...is that understood?'
The team nodded becoming aware of the enormity of the task that Ianto was undertaking.
'Jack...you think he was used for sex don't you?' asked Ianto already knowing the answer.
Jack hung his head a little before answering Ianto's question.
'Almost certainly Ianto...he's young and attractive...workers tend to be older...he could have been a house slave trained for domestic duties and administration, but that often involved being sexually available for the master'
Jack looked at the young Welshman earnestly.
'He will try to attend to you sexually Ianto...it's what he's been trained for...be nice when you reject him...it will frighten him...he'll probably think he has displeased you and will be punished or sold...you will need to think of ways to make him feel safe'
Ianto nodded, his mind already a whirl of emotions and worries.
'Come on' said Jack holding out his hand 'let's go and introduce Luca to his new master'
Ianto shot him a warning look but took his hand and followed Jack to his latest duty.
TWTW
tbc