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Ianto

It wasn't long until we had pulled up outside my apartment building. I didn't live too far away from the Hub, one of the reasons why I was always so early. Neither Jack nor I said anything as we slid from the car, walking towards the doors of the building. I locked my car as we walked, not stopping to turn and see if it actually locked or not. My apartment was on the top floor. I was the only one up there at the moment, other tenants taking up the empty apartments as far down as they could. I was fine with that. I knew a few people in the building, though I liked that I had a lot of privacy. Jack followed, leaving little space between us as he walked behind me. I could feel the warmth of his breath on the back of my neck, raising the hairs there. I resisted the urge to shiver as we stepped into the lift. As soon as Jack was in, standing very close to my side, I pushed the button to take us up to the top floor of the building.

I stood there, rigidly, not moving a muscle. Jack stood so there was no space between us, his arm brushing mine as he shifted restlessly. I watched as we slowly moved up the levels, the lift crawling at a snail's pace. In my mind, I willed the lift to go faster...but if anything it got slower.

"Needs elevator music." I heard Jack mumble. "Elevator music makes things more...interesting."

I couldn't resist the urge to roll my eyes at the so very Jack-like comment. He was trying to lighten the situation, I could tell, but it wasn't really working. It was still uncomfortable and nerve-racking thinking about the conversation to come.

It seemed like hours when lift finally stopped. Jack and I stepped out and I led him to the door, taking my keys out of my pocket as we walked. Jack looked around the top floor glancing at the other doors.

"I'm the only one up here." I told him, finally breaking the silence. "Everyone else take the apartments on the other levels."

"Why did you take this one?" Jack asked.

"Just seemed appropriate really. Means I don't have to worry about nosy neighbours."

Jack nodded as I slid my key into the door, twisting it to the side before pushing it open. When the door opened, I gestured for Jack to go in. I followed behind him, pulling the key out of the door and closing it behind me. I switched the light on, since being nine o'clock in the evening it was quite dark. The light flooded the room, casting dark shadows on the walls. My apartment wasn't all that amazing. Beige walls, hard wood floors, basic furniture, units, pictures...everything like that. Nothing spectacular. But it was home. I placed my door and car keys on the table by the door, hanging my jacket on a hanger along with my bag. I moved into my kitchen quietly, while Jack stood there looking at the few pictures I had on my unit. I turned my coffee machine on and started preparing the coffee, taking two mugs down from one of the cabinets jutting out from the wall above me. I sighed, placing my hands on the counter top, hanging my head to look down at the counter and floor. I didn't know how long I had been standing there when I felt an arm slide round my waist. I jumped, head snapping up, only to find Jack standing next to me. I couldn't read the expression on his face at all. So I said nothing. If we were going to have this conversation...then I would rather Jack start it. I just stiffened a little, but I could tell Jack noticed...though he made no move to let go and move away. I swallowed, trying to get moisture back into my dry throat. I lifted my head up slightly, keeping my gaze on the mugs in front of me.

"Ianto..." Jack sighed. "Why did you have the girls to get me to stay at the Hub?"

I winced, and I knew Jack detected that too.

"You noticed." I mumbled.

"Yeah." Jack replied. "But, why?"

I sighed, straightening up. I turned so my back was leaning against the counter, Jack turning to do the same next to me. He kept his gaze on me, just watching.

"I...just..." I stammered, quietly, slumping forward, deflated. "I didn't to get into this. Still don't to be honest."

"Because of what Owen called you? Or because of what I might say?" Jack asked.

"Both."

The pair of us just stayed quiet again. I waited for Jack to say something. I just wanted it to be over already. I crossed my arms over my chest, crossing my right leg over my left, keeping my eyes averted. I bit my lip nervously as I continued to wait.

"Why do agree with what Owen called you?" Jack asked, softly.

My eyes widened slightly. This was a question I really wasn't expecting. At all! I could feel my face heating up slightly. Slowly, I was turning a deep red, just like my shirt. It was then my coffee machine beeped, signalling it was done. I turned away from Jack to finish the coffee, but he caught my arm and forced me to turn back to him. Both hands now gripping my upper arms, Jack also forced me to look him in the eyes. I gulped soundlessly, heart rate rising, breathing becoming slightly shallow. I had it bad.

"Just answer me." Jack begged, slightly.

"I don't...know exactly." I whispered. "I just thought that you..."

"You thought I thought you were just a 'part-time-shag'?"

"Well...I..."

"Ianto. You thought that?"

I nodded, averting my eyes and going considerably redder. Jack loosened his grip on my arms, before I heard his dropping to his sides. I glanced up a little to see sad, slightly hurt expression on Jack's face. I winced, knowing my admission had caused it. I closed my eyes, dropping my head, turning back towards the mugs. I started to fill the mugs with coffee, willing my hand not to shake as I poured the cooling liquid. I slid Jack's across the counter towards him, while I just picked mine up, sipping it slowly. Jack did the same. I couldn't bear to look at him again, the ach I felt when I did not fading at all. My throat was like the Sahara desert, so dry. It didn't seem to matter that I was drinking anything.

We drained the mugs in silence; only speaking again when I asked if he would like another drink. Jack had refused. We ended up in the living room, sitting opposite ends of the sofa. Jack was turned slightly, facing me, while I sat straight, facing the wall at the other end of the room. I tried to keep still, not wanting to convey how nervous or scared I actually was at this moment in time. Jack sighed, a short noise that echoed loudly in the quiet room.

"Ianto, you are so much more to me than just a 'part-time-shag'." Jack told me, sliding closer with each sentence. "You could never be that to me. I care about you to much. I'm not good with these conversations...one of the reasons why I've tried to put it off for so long. But I've waited too long to do this, and as a result I've made you doubt this."

Jack stopped. I turned to look at him. He was now sitting next to me, no space between us. I shirted slightly, so I didn't get pain in my neck from keeping it turned to the side for so long. I stayed quiet, waiting for Jack to finish, not pushing him at all.

"The thing is," Jack continued. "I love you, Jones, Ianto Jones. Have ever since I first heard those beautiful Welsh vowels. I love you."

I was both shocked and greatly surprised by Jack's confession. It was nice to know that, for once, I was wrong. Wow...never thought I would hear myself think that. I couldn't help the smile that wormed its way onto my face. I was about to reply, but Jack didn't give me the chance. Before I knew it, Jack had leant forward, pressing his lips roughly to mine, hands on my waist. My arms had slid upwards to wrap around his neck, my right hand fisting his short brown hair gently. Jack's tongue ghosted across my lower lip, making my mouth open slightly as a small moan escaped. It was like I had no control over what I was doing anymore, but that was fine by me. Jack's grip on me tightened as his tongue dived into my mouth, not that I was at all surprised. I was surprised, however, when Jack dragged me onto his lap, arms closing round my waist. My closed eyes – when did I close them? – going wide, my hand in his hair gripping slightly together. His tongue brushed against mine as we continued, but all too soon we pulled away. Breathing heavily, Jack rested his forehead against mine. I felt the colour rise to my face.

"I love you too, Jack." I told him, quietly, still smiling.

Jack grinned.

"Glad we sorted that out." he chuckled. "Now, I say we...celebrate."

"Is that all you think about?" I laughed.

"That...and you. Most of the time, you know, when I don't have to think about aliens."

I took my forehead off of Jack's, shaking my head slightly, sill laughing. Jack dragged me closer, face inches from mine again.

"So, mind showing me the bedroom?" Jack asked, waggling his eyebrows.

Going redder still, I slid off of Jack. The pair of us stood up. Well...this went better than I first thought.

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