Ianto was starting to get a feel for the place. His starting part way through a term was a real trial-by-fire, but he was getting to grips rather well, he thought. It helped having Jack around, filling him in on what he'd missed, and generally being helpful. He didn't know why he was being so nice though; he'd given the impression that he was a do-my-own-thing-and-fuck-everybody-else kinda guy. Not that he was complaining.
When break rolled around, he'd started to think of Jack as more and more of a friend. He didn't seem to mind that Ianto kept himself very guarded, careful not to let anything slip, Jack himself wasn't particularly forthcoming. Maybe that was why they'd hit it off.
"So, Ianto Jones, are you ready to meet the rest of my sad, sorry friends?" he joked. Ianto smiled in return, although the unease was probably written on his face as Jack's grin dropped slightly. "Hey, it's ok if you don't want to, we can find somewhere else to go. You seemed pretty drawn to the library-"
Ianto shook his head slightly, torn as to what to do. Part of him wanted to meet the 'others', to get the introductions over and done with so they could reject him now rather than later, but a bigger part screamed 'I'm not ready for this!' and urged him to run."You go see your friends, I might check out the library for a bit. I'm sorry Jack, I just don't think I'm ready yet, to face more people"
"Ianto, I said I'd stick with you today and I shall, the others can wait. Besides I've been here long enough, I suppose it's time a pay the library another visit. Last time was what? Four years ago? Yeah 'cause I was doing English work and the teacher needed a book. Suppose it's changed since- what?"
Ianto stared at him incredulously. Four years? He'd visited the library almost every day back in London! "Four years? Really?" he replied, disbelievingly.
"What? I'm more of a doer than a reader"
"Figured as much" he mumbled.
"And what's that supposed to mean, Mr Jones?" Jack asked, faking outrage.
"Nothing at all, Mon Capitaine, nothing at all" he grinned, unconsciously using the nickname.
"Mais oui, tu parler le Français?"
"Un peu. I speak, what three languages? And I'm thinking of learning more Welsh" he grinned, switching smoothly between the two languages.
"You're Welsh but you don't actually speak Welsh?" it was Jack's turn to stare incredulously.
"Hey, hardly anybody actually speaks the lingo, I recon the only reason we have it is for show, y'know, English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh" he raised an eyebrow, looking around like he'd discovered a conspiracy. "Besides, I know a few key phrases, I said Cardiff earlier didn't I?"
Jack laughed, warming more towards the strange welsh boy, "That you did"
They'd come to the library, and as Jack pushed open the door, he heard a faint gasp coming from his companion, "Yup, just like I remember! Well, maybe a little fuller but whoa boy still the same... bookishness- are you alright?" he broke off from his ramblings.
"Yeah it's just so..." his voice trailed off as he stared around awed.
"Extensive?" Jack supplied.
"Yeah" it was a distracted sound.
Jack hummed in response, choosing instead to stare at his new companion, well friend. There was an oddity about him; Jack himself was renowned for being a friendly guy, bit of a flirt but easy to get on with. But this guy, he seemed to physically shy away from any kind of interaction, but seemed completely ok with him. Weird. Well whatever, he was growing to like the kid, the way his eyes had grown huge, darting around like he was trying to take everything in at once.
"Don't give yourself a hernia "He mumbled to himself.
"Huh?" Ianto snapped out of his little reverie, realising he'd been neglecting his friend. Old habits die hard, and where libraries were concerned he had a lot of habits, namely reordering the disarray much to the amusement of his old librarian. "Sorry it's just been a while since I've been somewhere like this, it's...wow"
"Ianto Jones, speechless. Rare occurrence Mr Jones? Or will I get to see more of that cute little exited face? You're like a child with an ice-cream"
"Don't lie Harkness" he growled, his eyes sparkling as he was met by a confused stare "I'm like you with an ice-cream aren't I?" he finished, grinning. Jack stared at him for a second, before breaking out into a beaming grin, his smile splitting his features and lighting up his face.
"Gah, you've got me sussed already" he laughed warmly.
"Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship"
"Ah, I see you're into the classics"
"Always-" the rest of his response was cut off by the shrill ringing of the bell
"Right, DT pour moi, where're you now?" Jack asked, trying to see his timetable.
"Got two frees I think, I took DT already, back in my old school"
"Oh, right. Well I have a lesson now so I'll leave you...unless you feel like keeping me company? I took 'Resistant Materials', purely because I get to use a saw of course!" he grinned.
"Urm, sure if that's ok? I mean I don't mind staying here an stuff..."
"C'mon" Jack half dragged him along to his lesson.
The next two hours passed in a blur of helping Jack and chatting aimlessly about everything and nothing. Ianto was more than surprised at himself; he never really opened up to people preferring the solitary life, less questions that way. But here he was, chatting to a kid he'd only met that morning like he'd known him his whole life. It was mad. Mad but wonderful.
By the time lunch arrived, Ianto was feeling a lot more relaxed and ready to meet new people. The more he'd gotten to know the Harkness kid, the more he trusted his judgement, although he'd ultimately still hold final judgment when he met the people.
Jack lead him to a sparsely occupied bench, and motioned to it with a flourish.
"Ianto Jones, welcome to survivors club."