I.

The weekend started off well enough.

After an exceptionally quiet day, Jack dismissed the team early Saturday afternoon, and Ianto suggested that he and Jack clean up, dress down, and head to a local pub for some food and a game of pool. They enjoyed a rare night out that didn't involve chasing aliens, and went back to Ianto's flat for a long, hot shag, falling asleep almost immediately until morning.

Which was when things started to get weird.

Jack was already up when Ianto woke, which was not unusual. He was reading, which also wasn't unusual—a small, red paperback he'd picked up the day before. And he'd started some coffee, which, despite what everyone else on the team believed about Ianto's control issues with the coffee machine, was completely normal whenever Jack spent the night at Ianto's flat. What was odd was the cream heart Jack had attempted to draw in the foam floating on top of the mug, complete with dots and swirls.

Still, it was nice and it tasted good, so Ianto didn't think much about the foam heart. He accepted an unexpected breakfast of beans, toast, sausage, and eggs from Jack with an equally unexpected kiss, and simply assumed Jack had slept exceptionally well and was in a good mood. Which could mean all sorts of things on a day off…some help around the flat, an afternoon shag and long nap, maybe a nice restaurant for dinner…

"So what do you want to do today?" Jack asked as they ate. They were sitting on the sofa, watching the morning shows for any unusual news reports that might drag them into the Hub on a Sunday. Ianto swallowed some toast and took a sip of coffee before replying.

"As long as a spaceship doesn't decide to fall into the bay," he said, gesturing at the television, "then it might be a good day to clean the flat, do some shopping, maybe—"

"Hang on," Jack said as he set down his plate. "I was thinking more along the lines of relaxing and fun. When was the last time we did something relaxing and fun? During the day?"

Ianto gave him a raised eyebrow. "I'm not sure we've ever done anything relaxing and fun during the day, unless you count that time we chased a Weevil through the Wetlands and Owen fell in. I'm not sure I've laughed so hard since."

"That was a good one." Jack grinned. "But I was thinking more like something that didn't involve Torchwood and aliens. Something for us." He took Ianto's free hand, lacing his fingers through and pulling Ianto toward him. Ianto tried not to spill his coffee at the sudden tug.

"We went out last night," Ianto pointed out. "And I had a good time, even if you did cheat," he added. "We could go out to dinner later, try something new."

Jack frowned as he ran his thumb along Ianto's wrist. "I'd love to try Toujours, but it's impossible to get into. How about I cook for dinner, something special?"

Ianto pulled his hand away and stood. "Last time you cooked, my kitchen was a disaster for a week." He headed into the kitchen to put his plate in the sink and refill his coffee. Things were getting strange with the touching and kissing and foam hearts. And Toujours was an upscale restaurant for couples, not the type of place they usually ate out.

"I'll clean it this time," Jack insisted as he followed, taking Ianto's mug and refilling it before Ianto could do it himself. "Come on, you know I'm a good cook. I can even make coffee."

"You had a good teacher," Ianto replied. "And while you'd make a passing barista, as a chef you are remarkably messy."

"The best chefs are," Jack said. "Come on—steak with béarnaise sauce, roasted potatoes, a chocolate torte. I'll pick up that cabernet you like, and we can enjoy a quiet, candlelit dinner for two without leaving the house."

"I don't have any candles," Ianto pointed out, his lips quirking up as he tried not to laugh. Something had got into Jack, that much was certain.

"There's one in the living room," Jack said.

"Tosh gave it to me when I moved in," Ianto replied. "And I don't think mandarin patchouli would go well with steak and potatoes. I like to enjoy the smell of meat." He leaned against the counter and grinned. "Besides, you need tapers for dinner candles."

Jack strolled over and wrapped his arms around Ianto's waist. "Then I'll get taper candles when I get the wine. But what do you want to do until then? I know!" He squeezed tighter, eliciting a surprised cough from Ianto. "Sorry. How about we go out to lunch instead of dinner? At the beach?"

"What?"

"You know, that sandy place by the water?" Jack asked. "We've never been."

Ianto wiggled out of Jack's grasp. "I've been to the beach."

"Not together," Jack replied. "We can go on a picnic."

Ianto laughed nervously. He was starting to wonder if Jack was putting him on. "You want to have a picnic at the beach? With me?"

"Who else would I go with?" Jack asked. He sounded serious, like suggesting a picnic wasn't wildly out of character for him, let alone the idea of them doing something so…so normal, domestic, even romantic.

"Let's stay in for a while," Ianto told him. "I have things to do around the flat."

"But it's beautiful outside!" Jack exclaimed. "I want to do something nice for you."

"It's cloudy and cool," Ianto said.

"It's not raining, it's perfect."

"You can help me around the flat," Ianto told him firmly. "And we can go out for dinner later."

"I'm cooking dinner for you later," Jack reminded him.

"It's really not necessary—"

"I want to," Jack insisted, his eyes intent.

"Fine." Ianto glanced around, grasping at something more level-headed before Jack came up with something grandiose like arriving at the opera in a horse-drawn carriage. "How about an afternoon film, then? We missed most of the summer releases."

"Brilliant," Jack said. "My treat, popcorn and all. Now, I'll clean up the kitchen while you shower."

"I can do it," Ianto protested. "You made breakfast, I'll do the dishes."

Jack turned him around and pushed him out of the small kitchen. "I insist. You did say I make a mess."

"I was only teasing."

Jack kissed him, leaving him somewhat dazed at the threshold. "It's not teasing if it's true. I could draw you a bath if you wanted to relax."

"Draw me a bath?"

Jack nodded earnestly. "Fill the tub, add some bubbles or oils or something."

Ianto shook his head, trying not to laugh, because once again, Jack sounded serious. "I don't have bubbles or oils, Jack. Just like I don't have candles. I'll take a shower, and I can even turn on the water myself."

Jack nodded and went to the sink to start cleaning up. Ianto watched him for a moment, wondering what had got into Jack that morning, and whether he liked it. It felt peculiar, like something strange was going on. Why was Jack suddenly acting so attentive, so caring, so—he hated even thinking the word again—romantic?

Ianto didn't mind not doing the breakfast dishes, but if Jack bought satin sheets and started throwing rose petals on the bed, he'd step in and put an end to it. He didn't need those sorts of things, it wasn't like them. They slept together and went out and had a good time, but romance…Ianto wasn't sure if he was ready for that with Jack.

Especially since he doubted it would last.

Jack cleaned the kitchen so well Ianto thought he must have called in a service; he even took out the rubbish. Then he took a quick shower before heading to the store for food. He told Ianto to wait for him—to sit down and relax for the morning, and that he'd help around the flat when he got back from shopping. Ianto didn't need someone under foot and took the opportunity to do some cleaning while Jack was gone, enjoying the quiet time puttering around his flat. He even put his feet up and read for a few minutes.

By the time Jack returned over two hours later, most of the chores were done. Jack looked positively chagrined, but Ianto assured him it was fine. After which Jack proceeded to pull out enough food to serve a small dinner party, along with several candles, a finely scented bubble bath, and a large bouquet of red roses. Ianto stared at it all, completely dumbstruck.

"I don't have a vase," he said.

"You don't?" Jack glanced around, as if one might magically appear from thin air.

"Never needed one."

"No one's ever got you flowers before?" Jack asked.

"I'm a bloke," Ianto pointed out. "I've usually done the flower-giving."

"You've never given me flowers."

"You're a bloke too. Do you have a vase to put them in?"

Jack's mouth moved a few times before he shook his head. "Good point, now you know what to get me for Christmas."

"A vase?"

"With flowers." He turned around and rummaged through Ianto's cabinet until he found a large beer stein. With a large red dragon emblazoned across it, it was a relic of Ianto's university days, a tongue-in-cheek gift from an old friend. Jack cut the stems in half, filled the stein with water, and plunked the roses into the water. It looked ridiculous.

"Jack," Ianto finally asked. "What's going on? Did I forget a holiday, a birthday, an anniversary? This is completely unnecessary."

Jack started putting the food away, ducking into the refrigerator as he talked. "None that I can think of. Your birthday was last month, mine is…well, whenever I want." He offered a quick wink. "St. David's Day is in March, our first date was in June, and Christmas is still three months away—so no reason."

"This isn't like you, you know." Ianto plowed on, determined to get to the bottom of it. Was Jack angling for something? A new toy, a new trick? An open relationship? Ianto hated having doubts, but he did—it was the nature of being involved with a man like Jack. Add immortality into the mix, and Ianto knew full well Jack wasn't one to throw himself into a committed romantic relationship that was doomed to end one day. Why was he acting like they were in one when Ianto had accepted they weren't?

Jack stood up and shut the refrigerator. "What's not like me? Wine, candles, good food? I am just as capable of doting on you as the next guy."

Ianto's eyes widened slightly. He waved his hands ineffectually in the air. "First of all, there is no other guy, and second—you don't dote. We don't dote. There's no reason for it—we're not like that!"

Jack wrapped his arms around Ianto's waist like he had earlier, a soppy look on his face. "Of course there's a reason," he said. "I—"

"Don't," Ianto warned. "Don't say anything else. Let's…" He struggled out of Jack's embrace. "Let's go out. I'm done around here, we can grab some lunch and—"

"And go to the beach," Jack finished. "We can pack a blanket and—"

"No," Ianto told him firmly. "We can catch a film before dinner, like I suggested earlier."

"If that's what you want," Jack agreed sneaking in a long, lingering kiss. "Let me check in at the Hub and make sure everything's good, and we're off."

"No news is good news," Ianto pointed out.

"I hope so, because I have plans," Jack said. "Go change, I'll call the Hub and then see what's playing."

Ianto nodded and left the room. Hopefully an afternoon at the movies would play out more normal. He wasn't sure how he was going to handle a romantic, candlelit dinner.

Lunch was casual, though Jack reached for his hand so many times Ianto had a hard time eating and finally batted him away with a laugh. The film was good, and Ianto almost felt like they were their normal selves, two men going to see a movie on a rare day off. Jack was slightly more attentive than unusual, constantly asking if he wanted anything else, but at least Ianto didn't feel like he was dealing with the alien imposter from that morning.

Dinner, however, was another matter entirely. Jack set him down in the living room with a scotch, a magazine, and some Glen Miller playing in the background, then went about preparing an exquisite meal of steak with béarnaise sauce, herb-roasted potatoes, sautéed asparagus with lemon, and a fresh loaf of bread from the high-end bakery where he'd also picked up a dark chocolate torte. He set the table, lit the candles, poured them wine—it was like being at a private restaurant. Ianto felt like he should have been wearing a dinner suit and silk scarf.

He tried to enjoy it, and despite his reservations, he did. Jack could cook exceptionally well when he put his mind to it, and the entire meal was practically perfect. After two glasses of cabernet, Ianto felt more relaxed, yet still he wondered what was going on and when it would end. It felt odd, at least for them. They did pizza and beer at the Hub, or fish and chips at a local pub. They weren't stars-in-the-eyes kind of guys, holding hands across the table, and Ianto felt like he was being wined and dined for a reason.

The chocolate torte was stunning, though Jack would have fed it to him if Ianto had allowed it. They enjoyed another glass of wine, and Ianto insisted on helping clean up the disaster that Jack had made of the kitchen. Jack started to look tired by the end; sensing a respite from the heavy-handed attempt at romance, Ianto reverted to their usual style and seduced Jack quickly and completely with a blowjob against the counter before taking control in the bedroom. If it was rougher than usual, Jack didn't seem to mind, and Ianto fell asleep satisfied that things would go back to normal in the morning.

Jack greeted him with heart-shaped pancakes the next morning. In bed. With flowers.

"Jack, it's Monday," Ianto said. "We'll be late if you keep this up." He poked at the pancakes, oddly thick and fluffy, his heart racing more with anxiety than appreciation. What had got into Jack? Some sort of alien influence, maybe possession?

"Tosh is already in, she said it's quiet. I told her we'd be there by nine."

"By nine?" Ianto exclaimed. "The world could end by nine!"

"No, it won't," Jack replied. "Aliens always wait until ten to invade." He waited for a reaction, but when Ianto only stared at him, he shook his head and continued. "Eat. We'll have a quick shower, pick up some pastries on the way in, and it'll be fine. We deserve it."

"Deserve what?" Ianto muttered, thinking they deserved a kick in the pants for being late, for taking time for themselves when anything could be going wrong. It was a Monday morning, after all.

"Some alone time," Jack answered. "Time to be normal people, to eat a real breakfast together."

"We're not normal people," Ianto replied. "And this is not a normal breakfast." He stabbed a heart-shaped pancake and stuffed it in his mouth. "This…this is American. We don't eat pancakes in Wales, Jack!"

"I know, it was hard to find the right recipe," Jack muttered. "Thank god for the internet."

Ianto stared at him. "You found a pancake recipe on the internet? You must be under some kind of alien influence or something."

Jack laughed and sipped his coffee. "Are you always so skeptical of romance, or just me?"

"Both," Ianto tossed back, then felt bad when Jack frowned. He tried to soften his doubts out loud. "Look, it's not that I don't appreciate the flowers and the steak and the pancakes, I do. But it's not necessary. I'm perfectly happy ordering in, going to the pub, eating toast for breakfast. I don't need all this."

"Everybody needs a little romance," Jack said. "Even us."

"Even us," Ianto muttered under his breath. "Now I know the world is ending."

"It's not," Jack assured him. "Need a refill?"

"I'm good," Ianto replied. He swallowed another pancake, thinking that as unusual as it was for a Welsh breakfast, it was quite good, even with the syrup Jack had slathered on top. "Thank you. I'm sorry if I seem ungrateful."

Jack kissed him, earning himself a set of sticky lips. "You're welcome. I'll clean up the kitchen and you can shower."

"I'll help and we can shower together," Ianto said. "You earned it."

"I suppose I did," Jack laughed. "Sounds good to me."

"That's your endgame, isn't it?" Ianto laughed as he set the tray aside. "You're bribing me for more sex!"

He was kidding, of course, because Jack didn't need to do such a thing: Ianto was more than willing and had made that clear from the start. Either Jack was sincere, or he had another angle. Ianto was determined to figure it out as soon as they got to the Hub, before the entire team knew Jack was buying him flowers and making him pancakes.

Author's Note:

This was supposed to be a quick, light-hearted poke at the 'Jack and Ianto as a romantic couple' trope. It has, however, grown slightly bigger and will probably be four or five chapters long as that dastardly interloper called A Bit of Plot barged with its evil sidekick, Some Character Development Too. Many thanks to Taamar for the inspiration. As so often happens, we were chatting about Jack and Ianto and the story magically appeared, with several lines direct from that conversation appearing in the next chapter. And many thanks to Summerstar as well for all her advice on everything from food to titles - any Welsh mistakes are my own! Thank you for reading – enjoy!