"Is this enough? Are you satisfied?"
Without hesitation Jack answered. "No."
Ianto felt his stomach bottom out. He couldn't say he was surprised with the revelation but just because he was expecting the answer did not mean it didn't hurt. He nodded and turned to walk away to give the symbolic image that what they had was over.
"Let me finish," Jack called out. The annoyance in his tone made Ianto turn back around. Ianto tried to avert the older man's intense gaze.
"Ianto, look at me." He did so reluctantly.
"I can't be. I'll never be satisfied because it'll never be enough. We don't have the time for me to get enough of you but I will take all I can get. Not that last night wasn't satisfying." Jack gave his widest grin that momentarily distracted Ianto from letting the words absorb.
There was no response to that statement… declaration. Once again, Jack never actually said anything but somehow this time, it contained everything he would never hear the elusive captain say. That answer was more than he could have ever hoped from Jack.
He responded in kind with a kiss. He tried to project all the fear, passion, desire, affection, dare he say it, and love. He just hoped that it was enough to show Jack his own thoughts. No matter how much time they were allowed, it will never be enough for him either.
Jack felt the grief for the man he hadn't yet actually lost. He wanted to convey everything he felt for the Welshman without being in a position of vulnerability. He decided to do what he did best, being one of action. He slid his hands down Ianto's shoulder to clasp the man's backside, pulling him closer. Jack gently guided them to the ominous hole in the floor to his quarters.
He wanted to take all these little moments he could. He probably never properly showed Ianto he truly felt. He couldn't honestly say Ianto had any reason to believe the words even if he did say them but he was going to try to erase those doubts, the little creases in his forehead when he was taking things too seriously.
That night, Jack slowed down the normal chase for the release to a leisurely pace. He wanted the night to last, to be one worth remembering and he would.