"I think we're due for a holiday," Jack said, sinking down beside Ianto as they shared fresh espressos.
"Thought we just had one," Ianto said.
"A terrestrial one," Jack countered. "We've just spent a month setting up housekeeping, and as much as I love it here, I think a couple days away would be a really good idea right now. Let the place settle, you know? And then when we come back, it'll be like walking into a newly furnished house without even thinking of the work we've gone through for it."
"I can see the point of that," Ianto said after a minute. "I hope that doesn't become a habit, understanding your thinking," he frowned.
Jack smirked. "I'm sure it won't. So, what do you say?"
"Well… I suppose we could do."
"I win," Jack grinned.
Ianto rolled his eyes. "Always a contest with you, isn't it?"
Jack shrugged. "As far as I'm concerned, I've won everything worth winning already," he said, leaning in to kiss Ianto's cheek.
"Alright. Don't get excited. Where are we going, then?"
"I imagine just about any place would be nice this time of year. Is there anything particular going on?"
"Not that I know of. It's middle of summer, though, there's bound to be quite a lot."
"Yeah…. Hey, what about Silverstone? The Classic is coming up soon."
"The motoring circuit?"
"Yeah."
Ianto considered Jack's Jaguar F-type parked in the garage. "You're not a closet petrol-head, are you?" he asked suspiciously. "Does that go along with your fetish for office 'romance'?"
"I just like shiny, fast things," Jack said innocently. "And achingly hot office-boys. And, for the record, I have never been a closet anything."
"I don't imagine you have been."
"I was thinking… maybe we could take the Jag out. Haven't had much of a chance to run her in yet."
"I knew it! I knew you had this planned!"
Jack looked mildly chastised. "Well… I just… I mean, I know you prefer to have a plan, so… figured I'd come prepared with one. It does so happen that the timing works, though."
"Jack, when you say 'run her in'…."
"Responsibly, I promise. I just wanna get her out on the road for a stretch. Anyway, you'll be with me and she's not quite as rugged as the old Weevil-mobile, so I'll be careful."
Ianto looked critically at Jack for a moment. He knew Jack well enough to know when he was sincere. "Right then. Shall I make the arrangements?"
"Uh, well…. First, do you really want to go? You're not just saying yes for me, right? I mean, if this would completely boring to you…."
"I'm sure I'll enjoy it, I find cars fascinating enough – particularly when they're parked and I'm not washing alien plasma off of them. And you've already sorted arrangements, haven't you?"
Jack grinned. Busted. "It's a nice place, gorgeous spa services, too, so we can wash the road dust off…."
Ianto just shook his head and leaned over to kiss Jack before picking up their coffee cups and taking them to the kitchen.
"Oh yeah… look at that baby!"
Ianto couldn't help grinning at the look on Jack's face as he sauntered up to the green 60's era Triumph, like running into an old flame years later.
"I had one-a these back in the day. Goddesses, she was hot. Got me out of a few tight spots, too."
"I wouldn't doubt you've had just about one of each of whatever's here," Ianto said, strolling up beside Jack. It was a nice car, he had to admit, but Ianto was still more impressed with the Aston Martins.
Jack, leaning in to inspect the gleaming Triumph engine, glanced up at Ianto with a smirk. "I've had a few. There were some years I had a rather high attrition rate on the vehicles." Jack's gaze locked on something in the distance, and he pointed, "Like that one," he said, leading the way.
"The Cobra 427. Like 485 braking horsepower of pure sex."
Ianto nearly laughed out loud at the lust in Jack's eyes. It was certainly a familiar enough sight.
"Had two of 'em. They could hit 125 miles an hour without breakin' a sweat, 165 at a good stretch."
"I'd be ill," Ianto said firmly.
"Oh, you would. The one thing they lacked for was handling. It was hell keepin' 'em on the damn road. Both of 'em killed me, in fact," Jack snickered.
Ianto didn't look so amused at the thought. "The car killed you or your driving killed you?"
Jack shook his head. "It was the car. She was kicking up like a jackrabbit. Both times. I had no chance."
"That doesn't bother you."
Jack shrugged. "It was good while it lasted. No lasting damage. And, anyway, I was a lot more fast and loose with the dying in those days. Didn't exactly have much to live for then," Jack said, putting his arm around Ianto's waist. "Besides," he added, dropping his voice and leaning in close, "with you, it's more like 4085 horsepower."
Ianto rolled his eyes and shook his head. "You are a closet petrol-head. I knew it."