Chapter Two: Things I Now Can Say

Ianto didn't believe he had ever been so nervous in his immortal life. His hands were shaking so much that it took all his focus and deep breathing exercises to still them but that didn't calm down his nerves.

What was he thinking? He found himself asking as he stood beneath one of the trees he favoured, over looking the courtyard and the slaves basking in the sunlight; he couldn't talk to a Child of the Gods that wasn't his own – it wasn't heard of.

Besides, what made him think that the man wanted to talk to him? Maybe it was just a waste of time...

No, he had to do it – for his own mental well being. All he had to do was speak to him, only once he promised, and then an itch would be scratched. Then he could carry on with his life; get the man off his mind.

Ianto let out a shaky breath and closed his eyes briefly, collecting himself silently before, quickly, stepping into the sunlight and approaching the relaxing Children of the Gods.

X

"I love moments like this." Tosh mumbled relaxing against the stomach of Owen, her feet crossed and resting comfortable on Jack's lap, "When we can just lay and rest and relax …"

"And we don't have to worry about the Lords and Ladies demanding crap." Jack supplied with a dreamy sigh as he tilted his head back that was rested on his hands, and enjoyed the sun beating on his skin, "God I love Sundays."

Owen made a noise of agreement. He stopped for a moment, looking thoughtful, his hands frozen in Tosh's dark hair. "One minute – hasn't Gwen got today off as well? Where is she?"

"She was meant to but Yvonne requested her today." Jack explained. "Despite the fact that no one says no to Yvonne, she'll take any chance to spend time with her precious Rhys."

Owen shrugged and relaxed once again, closing his eyes. "Fair enough,"

Tosh cocked her head slightly. "Lord Ianto has starling blue eyes and wears a suit right - with a red shirt?"

Jack's heart rate increased at the mention of the coffee loving God and he swallowed nervously as Owen answered with a simple "Yep. Why do you ask?"

"Because he's heading this way"

The young Child of the Gods felt his heart lurched into his throat and he struggled to keep himself still, to stop himself from jumping up to either greet or run away from the God. Letting out a low breath, he slowly opened his eyes and his breath caught once again when he met the gorgeous blue eyes of the God who had captured his attention.

"My Lord." The three stated together, Jack's voice now quieter and shaking more than before.

Ianto nodded once in greeting. "Children of the Gods" his gaze hesitantly dropped to the face of the younger man, "Um, Jack? Can I … I need your help with something … Are you free?"

Jack gapped for a bit, no sound escaping his open mouth, until Tosh 'accidently' kicked him in the gut, knowing that her friend would not answer without encouragement.

"…Yes, I'm free … I, eh, have Sundays off …" He spoke uncharacteristically nervous.

"Oh, well, if it's your day off, I don't want to disturb it …" Ianto said in low voice, a slight look of disappointment across his angelic features.

"No! I, eh, don't mind, honestly." Jack assured quickly, almost frantically, his trademark grin on his face as he stood up, gently placing Tosh's feet onto the warmed stone tiles. He gave his friends a look, one that clearly said 'please, just agree with him', "You guys can handle everything without me?"

Owen smirked, amused by the whole situation. "Course we can. We're not children."

The couple watched the God and slave disappear around the corner of the courtyard before they finally spoke again.

"Do you think Ianto realises how nervous he looked?" Tosh asked curiously.

"Do you think Jack realises how love-struck he looked?" Owen asked with a raised eyebrow, his grip on his partner's waist tightening subconsciously as he shifted in his place.

The young woman giggled. "No definitely not. Jack is just clueless to his emotions and Ianto; well I think he was trying to get all his words out without choking …" she grinned widely "They'd be so cute together …"

Owen groaned loudly. "God I better warn him. He will not fuel your crazed obsession."

X

"So, um, what do you want me to do?" Jack asked in a low voice, inwardly cursing his stomach that was doing back flips from just being in the presence of the gorgeous coffee lover.

Ianto felt panic rise from his torso. Damn! He hadn't thought that far ahead. He just wanted an excuse to talk to the younger child of the Gods, to get him alone; he hadn't thought about what they would do once they were alone. Glancing around his quarters (his gaze purposely refusing to land on the large, four-poster, red stain sheet covered bed) searching for an excuse. He let out a breath of relief and a smile crossed his face as an idea hit him.

"Coffee!" He stated with triumph in the depths of his voice.

"Uh coffee my Lord?" Jack blinked in confusion.

"Yep coffee." He smiled widely, glancing at the smaller man over his shoulder, "I've been trying out new blends of coffee and I want you're opinion on each one. Yvonne wants the best blend for her Death Day Party next weekend."

"Oh, o-okay then …" Jack trailed off, confused about the sudden mention of the bitter beverage. Following the direction of the God, he approached the sleek coffee machine awkwardly, waiting for instructions.

Ianto stood behind him, the closeness of the God's body making Jack tense up slightly as his heart beat to increase rapidly, and messed around his coffee machine in ways that amazed the Child of the Gods. He smiled softly as the scent of the dark liquid filled his senses and warmed him from the inside out.

He sipped the liquid, his eyelids fluttering slightly at the pleasure of the warmth on his taste buds. A moan escaped his mouth before he could stop it. He flushed in embarrassment and hesitantly glanced up at the taller God, searching for some form of negative reaction.

To his surprise, the coffee lover just grinned widely down on him, his eyes dancing in amusement.

"So you like that one then?" he asked with a raised eyebrow, his warm breath hitting the back of his neck and making the skin tingle in a pleasant fashion.

Jack flushed a deeper red and cleared his throat nervously. "It … it tastes bitter but sweet at the same time. Kind of like Elixir but it wraps around your taste buds, warms you in places you didn't even know you had … I love it. It's probably the best coffee I've ever tasted …"

"And here I thought this would be difficult…" Ianto mused with a smile as he gently removed the cup from the man's hands, enjoying the feeling of the soft fingers under his own, and placing it by the machine. He hesitantly took a step back. "Thank you Jack; I appreciate your help."

Jack turned away from the coffee maker, his breath catching when he realised how close he was to the God. "I-It's fine. I always enjoy trying your coffee …"

Silence fell between them. They were so close; enough that it was possible to feel each other's breath brush against their skin, and their fantasy seemed easier and easier to comply with. But they couldn't … could they?

It wasn't right, was it? There were rules and expectations of both of them. If they tried anything, something bad would happen that was certain, and the last thing Ianto wanted was for Jack to get hurt because of him.

But he couldn't seem to stop himself. Before he knew what was happening, the Child of the Gods had his body pressed up against the Gods and Ianto was cradling the young man's face between his hands, his thumb gently brushing across the soft lips he could only dream of touching –

- And it seemed as if his dreams were coming true.

Jack couldn't believe it. He felt as if he was dreaming but he wasn't (though he did have to discreetly pinch himself just to be sure). How could he, a slave and Child to the Gods, have grabbed the attention of the immortal being when all around both of them was these beings that were perfect in every way? What had he done in his past life that the heavens had allowed his wish to be granted?

He didn't dwell on that thought, couldn't as his mind drew a blank when he leant into the Gods touch, watching through the hooded eyes and waiting – just waiting – in anticipation for what was to come.

Ianto tilted his head downward, pausing an inch from the smaller man's face, his eyes wide and searching. "C-Can I …?" he trailed off uncertainly.

Jack shivered in pleasure as his warm breath brushed across his cheeks, the strange smell of fresh coffee filling his senses. He couldn't form proper words, he was still too shocked to do that; he only made a weird noise in the back of his throat and inclined his head, drifting closer to the God's body.

Ianto grinned slightly as he let out a breath of relief, suddenly feeling lightheaded with happiness, before leaning in closer and claiming the soft lips he had been thinking about for days now.