On Any Given Day
It was just after 8pm on a cold, dark November evening and Ianto Jones was feeling quite sorry for himself. Something that he rarely did. But it had been a God awful day and Ianto was glad it was over. He was tired, dirty and just a little bit sore. His joints ached from being cooped up in one position too long. He smelt of petrol and his mouth was as dry as a budgies cage. All he wanted to do was tidy up and go home to a hot shower, a good book and maybe a beer or three. He was the only one left in the Hub, apart from Jack and it was time to clean up. He moved around, putting away scanners, PDA's and other valuable items, before clearing away coffee cups, screwed up paper, empty crisp bags and rubbish left behind by the other members of the team. Once the bag was full, he tied the top of the black sack, then carefully stowed it at the back of the kitchen, to be taken out tomorrow. All the while Ianto was working, Jack was watching him from the confines of his office. The immortal sighed, scrubbing a hand across his face. 'The boy looks pissed at me' he thought. Ianto came back out of the kitchen and absently looked up, catching a glimpse of Jack. He shook his head, before moving towards the cog door. That was when Jack came out of his office.
"You off home, Ianto?"
Though Ianto and Jack had a physical relationship and the young Welshman occasionally stayed with Jack in his quarters from time to time, tonight was not going to be on of those nights, and Jack wasn't going to push him on the subject. Not tonight.
"If that's okay, sir. I've done everything that needed doing. Unless you want me for something."
Jack let a smile curve his lips, then checked himself. "I could do with a cup of coffee, if you don't mind."
Ianto dipped his chin slightly, then moved back to the kitchen, filled a cup with industrial strength coffee and took it up to Jack.
"Thanks, Ianto. You're a life saver."
"It was already made, sir. I just poured it out."
Jack took a sip. "Mmm, that's good."
Ianto forced a smile. "If that's all, sir, I'll be off."
"Got any plans for tonight?"
It was now almost 9pm.
"What's left of it, you mean? No."
"Care to join me for dinner?"
Ianto thought about it for all of five seconds. "I don't think so, sir. I'd like to get home. I need a shower and quite frankly, I'd like to be alone."
Jack arched an eyebrow. "That bad, huh?"
"Yes, sir."
"I…won't keep you then."
"Thank you, sir. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Ianto."
Jack watched as the young Welshman walked down the stairs and out through the cog door. Part of him wanted to run after him, drag him back. But he knew that the younger man wanted to be on his own. The events of the day had taken it's toll on Ianto, Jack could see that. It was better to let him go home and rest. They'd talk tomorrow, he was sure of it.
TWTWTW
Ianto parked his car and walked to the entrance to his apartment building. He put in his pass key and opened the door. He stopped and sighed. He smelt the man behind him, even before he'd heard him.
"Jack!" he whispered, without turning.
"I know you wanted to be alone tonight, but I just want to be here for you."
Ianto sighed again, pushing open the door.
"If you really want me to leave…"
"You better come up."
Jack followed the younger man up to his apartment. Ianto opened the door and waited for Jack to enter, before closing and locking it.
"Take your shoes off. I just had the carpets cleaned."
Jack did as he was asked, hanging his coat on the back of the door after.
"I know it was rough today, but, well, it was the same for all of us." Jack offered.
Ianto turned and glared at his lover. "No, it wasn't! I didn't see Gwen crouched down by a leaking barrel of flammable petrol!"
"No, but…"
"Or Gwen staying there along with us!" He interrupted.
"No, she…"
"Favouritism, Jack."
"Now, you know that isn't so, Ianto."
"Pleeease," said the young Welshman, toeing off his shoes. "Even Owen could see it!"
"She had to go, Ianto!"
"Mmm, nice try, Jack."
"Okay, so you're pissed at me, I can see that." He moved closer to Ianto. "What can I do to make it up to you?"
"No, Jack, sex is not on the menu tonight."
"I wasn't…"
"Yes, you were."
Ianto walked towards the kitchen.
"If you'll just listen…"
"To what? Gwen is part of this team, is she not?"
"Yes, but…"
"Then treat her the same as you do us! Stop eye fucking her, for Christsake!"
"I do not…geez Ianto!"
Ianto rolled his eyes. "If you want her, have her. But you can't have us both, Jack. I will not be you second course!"
"I don't want Gwen!"
"Then stop encouraging her, She has a man at home, remember?"
"Yeah, Rhys. Nice guy by all accounts." He laughed.
"Jack!"
Jack held up his hands in surrender. "Okay, okay."
Ianto sighed again and turned towards the fridge. "Want a beer?"
"Got anything a little stronger?"
"2 beers?"
"Funny, Ianto."
Taking two bottles out of the fridge, Ianto tossed one to Jack.
"There's cold pizza or I can make an omelette."
"Thought you wanted a shower."
"I do, but alone, if you don't mind."
"I'll stay here and raid your fridge then."
"Thanks." Ianto disappeared into his bedroom.
"I really don't want Gwen, you know. I…you know me, Ianto. I'm a born flirt."
"She's in love with you, Jack, can't you see that?"
Jack joined Ianto in the bedroom, sitting on the edge of the bed. "In love with the idea of me, you mean. The immortal me. Not the real me. Not like you, Ianto. You see passed all that. You see me for who I really am."
"Jack! You really are a bastard sometimes, you know that?"
"I'm sorry. I'll try harder." He touted.
Ianto grabbed Jack's hand and led him to the bathroom. "You can wash my back for me. Then I want a full body massage."
"Oh, yeah."
Taking off his clothes, Ianto dropped his suit into a plastic bag, ready for the cleaners and the rest into the laundry basket. Jack placed his clothes on the chair outside the en suite.
TBC