This is the first part of a collection of short-stories about the lives of the torchwood members. No plot, just random stories. Ofcourse i do not own TW!
Reviews are nice. Especially now that i'm in the middle of exams in my dormroom all alone with only my books and an internet connection :P
Misunderstood
The girls quickly rushed to Ianto when he entered the main area of the hub with five cups of steaming hot coffee. They both took their cup and hurried to savor the coffee taste.
"Thanks love", Gwen said and she moved in to kiss his cheek. "You're a lifesaver".
Ianto sighted contently. Somehow Gwen always knew when he had a bad day and always knew what to say or do to make it just a bit better. He smiled fondly at her and replied with a gentle "anytime".
"Where's Owen? I still have his cup", Ianto asked.
"He's up in Jack's office", said Gwen. Ianto however failed to notice her cheeks turning slightly redder as she turned from him.
Ianto walked up the stairs and softly knocked on Jack's door whilst desperately trying to balance the tray. A forceful "come in" gave him the ok to enter.
As he walked in he was hit by a very familiar odor he knew too well. Jack. Sweat. Sex.
He looked over to Jack and a soft cough distracted his attention for his boss. On the couch sat a laid-back Owen, sweaty, shirt slightly open and hair ruffled up.
Oh God. Jack and Owen? Ianto felt sick at the very thought.
His mouth dropped open slightly but he quickly regained his posture. "Just making the coffee rounds".
He handed Owen his cup without making eye contact and he placed Jack's cup on his desk, with a louder thud than usual, spilling just a little bit of coffee.
Without even so much glancing at both men he walked out, slamming the door behind him.
Choking back the tears he walked - ran- downstairs, eyes red at the strain.
"You ok Ianto?", asked Tosh. She had heard the door slam shut and wondered what the commotion was about.
"Yep, bloody brilliant Tosh! I'll be in the archives".
Ianto disappeared and not to be seen for the rest of the afternoon.
Around 4 o'clock Ianto was startled by the sudden noise coming from his earpiece.
A familiar voice with a distinct American accent spoke: "Ianto where are you? Haven't seen you all afternoon? Are you ok?". The questions followed each other in a high speed and there was a presence of panic and neediness.
Ianto rolled his eyes. He's the last person I want to speak to. He tapped his earpiece and answered. "Yep Sir, just working down in the archives".
"Sir?", replied Jack "You sure you're alright?"
"Yep. Just busy".
"I was thinking … maybe we could go for a walk later on? Just the two of us?" If Ianto hadn't been so mad at him, he might have thought that the apprehension in Jack's voice was cute. But in the state he was in, he failed to recognize Jack's need for approval. Or even more so, he did not care.
"Can't sir, lots of work. Maybe you can ask OWEN". Fuck, he thought, I'm sounding like a jealous teenager. Hell no, I am NOT going to let him find out I'm upset. "You know or one of the girls".
Jack's voice was bursting with disappointment. "Maybe yeah. I'll see you later?"
"Whatever".
Ten minutes later the door to the archives opened. Ianto jumped up at the sound, nearly dropping everything. Who on earth could that be? I am the only one who dared venture out in here.
His question was quickly answered as a sheepishly looking Jack approached him with one hand behind his back. He came very close to Ianto – too close- and softly placed a kiss on his nose. "Hey there, good to see you".
"Is it?", snapped Ianto. He dropped his file and he bent down to pick it up, relieved that he did no longer need to look at him. As he got up he was confronted by Jack grinning and holding out a cupcake. Milk chocolate with dark chocolate chip. His favorite.
"What's that for?"
"Because you work too hard and I wanted to spoil you". Hesitantly Jack continued: "And … I've missed you".
"You have?", snorted Ianto. "You missed me?", trying his very best to sound as sarcastic as possible. He rolled his eyes and went back to work.
"Why is that so hard to understand?", Jack asked, now visibly upset.
" WELL, I figured that since you've found yourself another office shag that I didn't matter anymore to you".
The words were falling out of his mouth and he could do nothing to stop them.
"I mean, who are we kidding right? Like we ever could be serious. The thing that pisses me off is that it's Owen. Of all people you could shag … Owen?!"
Jack couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Ianto wait … "
Ianto didn't hear his plee and kept on ranting: "I mean he called me part-time shag so many times and now he's the one replacing me. Why not Gwen? I mean she's been ogling you ever since she stepped through our door so she would be an easy target. Or maybe that's it?"
"Ianto, please listen"
"Maybe it's not about the sex, maybe it's about your fucking ego and it needing to be stroked once in a while. Well pardon the pun".
"Ianto …"
"Maybe you get off on a challenge. Yeah that's probably it. The harder to get, the harder YOU get. Should have figured out a long time ago. What the fuck is it about you, fucking Harkness. You pull people back in and the minute people find a way to escape from your claws, you drag them back into your miserable life …"
"IANTO! ENOUGH!"
Suddenly Ianto snapped out of his rant and for the first time he LOOKED at Jack. He was still standing there, now grin-less and tear-filled but still holding out the cupcake.
"I don't think you understand Yan".
"No, I understand". He opened his mouth to continue on with his rant but as he saw a single tear drop from Jack's beautiful blue eyes he quickly changed his mind.
Jack gulped. "I'm not sleeping with Owen".
"What? The room smelled like …"
Jack laughed. "Yeah, I caught Owen and Gwen going at it this morning".
Ianto scoffed: "In your office?!"
Jack soon smiled when he noticed Ianto's rage subsiding. "Yeah. Rude isn't? Then again I can't count the time we've done it on their desks so I guess we can let it slip away".
"Oh", said Ianto. "OH".
Jack came closer, grabbed Ianto's hand and placed the cupcake on it.
Ianto looked down and he got a lump in his throat. The little cupcake was decorated and on the very top of the cupcake stood three symbols: I heart U
"Ooh …", Ianto gulped and mumbled: "likewise".
Neither men were good with words and it took a lot of strength from both men being so honest. Most of the time it didn't matter as they both knew instinctively what the other felt. Words were unnecessary but some times they were needed to clear the frustration and ambiguity. Ianto put his arms around Jack's neck and kissed him softly. Jack returned the kiss with passion and slid his hands from Ianto's chest to his back. Not in a possessive manner, but more as an act of support. As they broke apart, Jack gently kissed Ianto's forehead.
"I hope you liked my present".
"Loads". Ianto smiled fondly.
Jack chuckled. "I can NOT believe you thought I'd sleep with Owen. And you … you were soooooooo jealous".
"OI, Was not!", Ianto playfully slapped Jack.
Jack raised his eyebrows : "really?" He wiggled his eyebrows which made both of them laugh.
"I guess I did kind of overreact …", confessed a flustered Ianto.
"Yes you did. Big time". With his signature grin he added: "And I wouldn't want it otherwise. Enjoy the cupcake".
And in an impressive way, the captain walked out of the archives, with a huge smile on his face and a renewed spring in his step.
