"I can't believe you told her!" Jack hissed fiercely.
There was a time when having an angry Jack Harkness inches from his face would have terrified Ianto (even if he wouldn't show it). Now, however, Ianto just crossed his arms and met Jack's heated stare dead on.
"You told me."
"In bed!" Jack roared.
"And regardless of where we were at the moment, it wasn't a personal confidence. It was Torchwood business."
"Need-to-know Torchwood business."
"Jack, keeping secrets about yourself is one thing, but keeping secrets about what we do here, every day, is dangerous. All of us should be aware of exactly what the rift is doing. If we don't, we are extremely vulnerable."
Jack's expression grew even more thunderous before he pointed at Ianto and opened his mouth to say something.
"If you're putting that finger in my face, you'd damn well better use it," Ianto said calmly before sticking his tongue out and running it along Jack's finger. Ianto watched how the angry heat in Jack's eyes converted to lust in an instant.
Ianto let the barest hint of a smile flicker in his eyes and twitch the corner of his mouth before turning and walking away from Jack, leaving him standing there all worked up.
Two hours later, Jack hadn't seen or heard Ianto and, more tellingly, hadn't smelled any fresh coffee being brewed. Jack sighed and headed to the archives where he knocked lightly at the open door.
"Can I come in?" Jack asked contritely.
Ianto smirked to himself before looking up from the ancient book he was pouring over. "You're the boss," Ianto said indifferently.
"Don't, Yan, please? I'm sorry I shouted."
Ianto turned around in his chair. "How sorry?" he tested.
"I'll show you later. We're not doing that here again unless I lock this place down 100 percent."
Ianto couldn't help snickering. Naked hide-and-seek. Well, hide-something. And it was really more like strip hide-and-seek. Much more fun that way. "Come here," Ianto said, standing up to wrap Jack in a hug. He kissed the corner of Jack's mouth and tangled his fingers through Jack's hair.
"Jack, this is just another example of you trying to do something all by yourself. And what you've done with Flat Holm so far is more than heroic. But there's no reason for it to be all yours. Jack… look at the things we all keep mum about here."
"Yeah, but this is a little different. We don't know Janet's parents to run and tell."
"Alright, so Gwen…," Ianto conceded. "But if you'd introduced the idea sooner, you might have had a better chance of avoiding that anticipated reaction."
"I doubt it," Jack muttered.
"And I also know that it's an emotional thing for you. You've got a big heart under that greatcoat, more easily hurt than you let on. But I keep telling you, Jack – support is the thing."
"That's why I have you."
"Yes, it is. But the others can help too. In different ways," Ianto was quick to add.
"I like your way better."
Ianto smiled and Jack pulled him in for a kiss.
"Let's knock off early. I'll tell them we're weevil hunting."
"You've been telling them that a lot lately. There must be quite a few weevils in my end of town," Ianto grinned. "Fancy that."