A/N: Takes place during the Snogging conversation in Countrycide. This is my first Torchwood fic, so any constructive criticism is welcomed. Enjoy, and please review.
Disclaimer: not mine
Slip of the Tongue
"I have often regretted my speech, never my silence."
- Xenocrates-
"Ianto," Jack said simply. The entire team stared at him, then he felt their gazes shift to Ianto. Ianto's eyes, however, stayed on Jack. Heat rose in his cheeks as he silently berated himself for that slip of the tongue. He looked down at his shoes, not wanting to meet Ianto's piercing gaze.
"When was that?" Gwen asked, her usual curious self, and Jack heard Ianto get up quickly and walk off.
"I can't remember," he said, then rose to follow Ianto. The younger man had taken up a sentry like position by the SUV; and Jack stopped next to him, his hands in his pockets and his face to the wind.
"When?" Ianto asked, his voice shuddering. Jack couldn't tell if it was from the wind or from anger.
It would be so easy to lie, Jack knew, but he had already gotten in too deep. Even if he did invent some tale, the chances that Ianto would believe it were slim. Jack sighed and looked at Ianto. The other man had his head turned to the side, looking away from Jack. Jack gazed at the fine hairs on Ianto's neck for awhile before answering.
"After Lisa threw you," Jack said. "I, um, had to revive you somehow."
"Oh, you're counting that, are you?" Ianto asked, turning to face Jack. Their bodies were inches apart and the heat radiating off of Ianto felt to Jack like the young man's anger had become pure energy.
"I shouldn't have said anything," Jack said, looking away. Ianto let out a short laugh and Jack felt his stomach sink.
"You're a bloody bastard sometimes, Jack Harkness."
Jack looked up into Ianto's eyes, feeling the words shatter something inside of him. It wasn't so much what Ianto said that hurt, Jack had been called worse, it was the fact that Ianto was the one saying them. Those words slipping from that beautiful face cut him deeper than he ever would have expected. He watched dejectedly as Ianto returned to the circle, joining in the chatter, and left Jack standing alone in the biting wind.