The frustration and… emptiness was finally starting to ebb as Jack cranked up the speed on the treadmill and the endorphins began to kick in again. Another trip with the Doctor, another narrowly-averted end of the world, and Jack was more than glad to be back… to be home, to be able to see for himself that Ianto was still safe. And to be ridiculously proud of how calm and cool Ianto had been through the whole crisis. Jack knew exactly how lucky he was.
That's why the nagging emptiness was so frustrating. Every moment that he was with or around Ianto told him so clearly that he was where he belonged, at last, and that he didn't really want to travel time and the universe anymore. So why did he feel like he'd just come back from holiday and was disappointed at returning to the 'real world'?
Jack was pulled out of his thoughts by a tap on his arm. As if conjured up from his brain-waves, Ianto stood there, offering a bottle of water. Jack tapped a couple buttons on his wrist-strap and "Finally" stopped playing in his earpiece.
"Thanks," Jack said, taking the water.
Ianto offered a smile and stood aside while Jack took a couple minutes of cool-down.
"Still raining?" Jack asked, wiping down the machine.
"Chucking it down. We might do better to stay here for the time being."
"It'll be raining for a while. Kind of significant atmospheric disturbances and all."
Ianto shrugged. "I'm Welsh."
Jack couldn't help smiling.
"You look tired," Ianto said candidly. "Was it bad?"
Jack's smile faded to a hollow grin. "I've had worse."
Ianto stepped closer, obviously intending to pull Jack into a hug. Jack took the slightest half-step back, though.
"I'm sweaty," he apologized.
Ianto rolled his eyes and made a point of unbuttoning and setting aside his waistcoat before he stepped toward Jack again. This time Jack gave in, letting Ianto enfold him in his arms.
"Glad you're back," Ianto said softly.
"Was there ever any doubt?" Jack asked, trying for casual.
"It's pretty hard to compete with all of space and time."
Jack shook his head. "No it isn't. Not when you're Ianto Jones. I wish I could show it to you, though – space and time, galaxies and eras… let you see what I think you're better than."
And maybe that was just it, Jack realized. Maybe the desire to travel out there was still in him… but not without Ianto. Right where he belonged, Jack thought, holding Ianto a little closer.
