3
Ianto thought it would be awkward but their first date was anything but.
Jack held the floor as he talked about several houses he had been watching covertly and was keen to explore as a loving couple, the eyebrow waggling at the 'couple' word making Ianto snort. Apparently he was a trickster and wanted to really play the part, a red rose presented in front of the doorman that had Ianto blushing before he could process that it was a game and then the gallant door opening and chair pulling had ensued.
Ianto was slowly getting the idea that maybe this was not all an act, Jack seemed naturally gentle and kind. Owen had said that. If Jack was like this instinctively then he must be a lovely father. "How is Alice?"
Jack's face changed to one of total adoration as he explained that she had found his antique ink well and now had black soles on her feet as she had run up and down the wooden floors making tracks. "It is going to cost bloody thousands. Pete be damned, sanded right back and re-polished. They were good about it though, more shocked than angry."
"So, you do not own the house?"
"No, my mother's estate had to be all sold or divided up. My brother and sister who are already Earth Bound were each entitled to thirds, as was I." Jack leaned back , showing his comfort in the conversation "Ali was left trinkets and some jewellery I will keep in trust, also my sister has a son so some pieces that were my father's are kept for him."
"I see she plays the piano" Ianto smiled, "I have a mini grand that is in storage. When we have a place to put it, it could come out to sit next to my big girl. Would be cute in a large room, the big and small pianos. I play several instruments, love music. Sing too."
"Really?" Jack perked up, "I pay piano too, and sing."
"A music evening now and then?" Ianto asked with growing delight, "Sort of…a family thing?"
"She would love that" Jack grinned happily, "She loves an audience."
"Well, a large enough room for her to dance in then, polished floors without ink" Ianto said and Jack was once again laughing easily at this lovely man.
Ianto had forgotten they were already being watched, the picture the next day of him reaching across to wipe Jack's chin when he dribbled his wine featured in several vid-mags with the caption 'new squeeze?' and Jack's look of glee as Ianto folded his napkin into a frog that actually hopped was widely reported as well.
Owen held the tablet out to Tosh with glee, "Look."
"Oh by Pete!" She gasped, "They look like a couple!"
"We can now start the rumours that they have been seeing each other secretly, remind people he is my friend, as Ianto is yours. Start the mill churning. I see Ianto's face in this shot, see? Look. He used to smile like that"
"Yes" her face softened, "That's glee. Oh for the love of Pete, this is working. Where are they now?"
"Spent the night at the Penthouse, separate rooms but no doubt Jack is cooking one of his slap up breakfasts that Ianto will not eat."
"Yes, I wonder how Jack will approach Ianto's eating disorder?"
"We will see." Owen smiled smugly, knowing Ianto would not have thought if this either.
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Ianto emerged bleary eyed to a kitchen full of activity.
"Sit, sit. I slept like a log, that mattress is so comfy, where did you get the bed from? And the soaps, so cute. Ali will love them, I don't think she has had cute soaps before do you mind if I take them back to her? I mean do you have more? I can pay, oh do you like orange or mango, I forgot to ask, the squeezer thing is hiding but I made do, two toast slices?"
Ianto had trudged across the floor to the kitchen table where he slumped in a chair and blinked some more at the mad whirlwind commonly known as Jack.
"Not a morning person? Never mind, we did have a few latest night but a lovely vintage, did you see the waitress trying to slip me her number? I told her I was taken and hooked a thumb at you and she said … haha….she said you were included in the offer" Jack roared as he slammed a plate down and Ianto stared at the bacon and eggs with shock, the glass of orange also splashing down.
Jack sat opposite and started to devour his own plate full, talking around his food, "Eat, eat. Sightseeing, I wanna see where they signed the treaty. Real dragons back then right? Come on, eat Tiger."
Ianto didn't know if it was the enthusiasm or the term of endearment that did it but he was half way through the food before it even registered he was eating and he dropped the fork.
"That was wonderful, I don't usually so breakfast" Ianto said as he took a gulp of orange juice, "Lovely."
"Well get used to it" Jack replied as he rose to clear the table, "I am a feeder."
Ianto burped.