Sound Track: 'Strange & Beautiful' by Drew Sarich

IV.

Ianto is too beautiful. Too complicated and untouchable. Too close to something Owen might be able to understand, and God, Owen knew he wasn't making sense. Ianto's was asleep, naked and in Owen's bed. Owen was lying next to him watching him sleep; he'd been awake for a couple minutes now just watching Ianto. Ianto's wasn't the first man Owen had ever slept with not by a long shot. He was also nowhere close to the first friend Owen had gone out for drinks with and ended up shagging. He wasn't even the first co-worked Owen had ever slept with. This time was different though, because this time it was Ianto, and Owen knew he wasn't going be able to go to work tomorrow like nothing had happened. He sighed softly and got up putting on pair of pajama bottoms and padding into the kitchen where he got himself a drink of water. He sipped it and thought about Ianto, thought about Jack, about Torchwood and the kind of work they did. He already knew this story didn't have a happy ending. There wasn't going to be declarations of undying love where they fell into each other's arms, cue the ending credits. No, this wasn't going to end well at all. Ianto appeared in the doorway wearing his boxers and one of Owen' t-shirts looking sleepy and rumpled and Owen's heart constricted painfully in his chest.

"Just getting some water."

He held up the glass as proof.

"Want some?"

Ianto nodded and Owen turned taking down a glass off the shelf and filling it with water. Ianto moved to stand behind Owen and wrapped his arms around Owen's waist. Owen's breath caught and he turned around facing Ianto. He loved the slight smile playing around the corners of Ianto's mouth. Loved the way Ianto looked in Owen's shirt, loved the fact he had to tilt his head up slightly to meet Ianto's eyes. Ianto kissed him and Owen wrapped his arms around Ianto neck and pressed his body as close as humanly possible. Ianto let his tongue sweep across Owen's teeth and Owen shuddered and lost all ability to think of anything except Ianto's body against his.

"Come back to bed?"

Ianto phrased it as a question, and Owen swallowed hard and nodded not letting go of Ianto. Owen finally reluctantly lets go and Ianto took his hand and led him back towards the bedroom. This is ridiculous Owen thought they didn't even get along. He could understand wanting to shag Ianto, Owen slept with people he didn't get along with all the time. The rest though, that was new and painful, and far, far too much like the way he used to feel, the way he swore he'd never let himself feel about anyone ever again.

They were in Torchwood, back at work, and Owen didn't know what he expected, certainly not this waiting not knowing what was going on. It's been days and Ianto hasn't come around or asked him out again, or even talked to him. Owen was doing his level best to convince himself he didn't care, it wasn't important, except that it was. It was almost the end of the day, and the girls have already packed it up early and left, Gwen saying something about having a dinner with some of Rhys' friends. After a long mental battle, Owen finally made up him mind that something needed to be done and went to find Ianto. Ianto was in the vault making some sort of list on a clipboard; Owen wasn't really interested in that.

"We need to talk."

Ianto looked up and Owen folded his arms across is chest.

"Ianto what the hell do you want from me? If all you wanted was a quick shag I would have appresated being told that up front, not being fed all that shit about stability, and so on."

"I didn't just want a quick shag."

Owen raked his fingers distractedly through his hair.

"Then what do you want, Ianto? What are you playing at here?"

Ianto opened his mouth and Owen interrupted.

"You know what? Forget it, this isn't going to work. I mean we don't even like each other."

He took a couple steps backwards as if intending to leave. Ianto looked like he'd actually been slapped.

"What gave you the idea I don't like you Owen?"

Owen laughed, a harsh sound and surprisingly loud in the vaulted room.

"Come on Ianto. We've never gotten along, you and I."

If anything Ianto was looking more and more unhappy, and Owen was beginning to think now would be a good time to leave, before he broke down and did something stupid.

"I thought it were different now."
Ianto's voice was low. Owen shoved his hands in his pockets and looked at the floor. The tile work was very good quality, he wondered why he'd never noticed that before.

"Owen."

Owen jerked slightly and looked up Ianto had moved and was now standing far too close for comfort, or maybe not close enough. Owen shook his head.

"I can't do this."

He made to leave, this time for real, and Ianto's hand shot out grabbing him by the shoulder.

"Owen, please."

"Ianto we work together. The world could, very literally, end tomorrow. I'm a bastard, and your far too good . . ."

Ianto kissed him, and Owen stopped thinking. When Ianto drew back Owen realized he'd managed to wrap his arms around Ianto's waist.

"Try."

Ianto's voice was soft, and a little husky, which made Owen totally melt inside.

"I promise I'll make it work, I'll make this good, I'll . . . "

This time it was Owen's turn to kiss him, and this time he made it slow and thorough.

"Alright."

Owen said when they finally pulled apart, not even caring that his voice was shaking slightly.

"But you're paying for the first date."

Ianto only nodded and bent slightly to burry his face in the curve of Owen's neck. I'm in love Owen thought, dear God; I'm in love with him.

That night they went to the restaurant Ianto had picked out for them. Owen watched Ianto smile, and he moved his hands ever so slightly on the tabletop as he talked. As he listened, smiling at all the right times, and watching the light play off Ianto's dark hair, Owen made a silent promise to himself that he'd make it work. He had to he realized, he had no choice in the matter. Because he was going to be loving this man for the rest of his life. Dr. Owen Harper, in love with Ianto Jones until his dying day.