Please note this chapter is verging on an M rating. It's not too graphic but I don't want you to be surprised later. Jack is about to discover Ianto in the alternate reality ...
Hide and Seek
Ianto
"Look, lovey, it's not going to work. Pink was never your colour." Max stood with hands on hips gazing at his lover. "Try the purple, that's so you."
"Humph."
Ianto Jones took the purple AND the pink shirts from the display and went to the changing rooms. Max had set himself up as a fashion guru á la Gok Wan and he was driving Ianto nuts. Even more irritating, he was usually right. Stripping off his sweater, Ianto tried the pink shirt first, loving the feel of the silk against his skin. But one look in the mirror showed that, yet again, Max had been on the money. The pink was too light and made him look fat and washed out. Putting it back on the hanger, he tried the purple and was transformed from a forty four year old accountant into a sexy beast.
The curtain of the changing room was whisked back with a cry of, "Let me see, lovey. Oh yes, now didn't I say that was you."
Max entered the cubicle, barely big enough for one, and circled Ianto very close. His hands strayed to the Welshman's hips and caressed the still-firm arse before turning him round so they were face to face and groin to groin. The questing hands moved up, feeling the soft fabric of the shirt.
"You were right," admitted Ianto, pressing his hips forward and taking Max's head between his hands. Their lips met in an exploratory kiss, tongues flicking into receptive mouths.
They had been together for five years, an amazing length of time for both of them. Cardiff's gay scene was lively and promiscuous and yet these two – who had kept their looks and were still fit in their forties – were sticking it out together. Max Ekersley was the younger by four years and loved to camp it up while Ianto was more reserved. Their kiss was getting deeper when the sound of someone clearing his throat made them pull apart and look at the man standing outside the cubicle.
"It's rude to stare!" said Ianto forcefully, reaching for the curtain.
"Damn right, it is." Max's gaze was travelling up and down the man who had interrupted them, taking in the chiselled jaw and impressive physique.
"Hello there. I just wanted to say that purple's good but not quite right. Try this one." The man held out a hanger with the same shirt but in red.
Ianto took it automatically and was still standing there when the curtain was drawn across. Max, in two minds whether to stay or go, opted for the latter and ducked out to discover more about the newcomer; he'd make a great third. Left to himself, Ianto removed the purple shirt and put on the red. If the purple had made him look sexy, the red made him into a predator waiting to pounce on unsuspecting prey. He couldn't believe he'd never tried the colour before.
Max's voice, still with the trace of his native Mancunian accent, could be heard outside the cubicle so Ianto knew he was still there. Sussing out the other man, he thought without rancour; they both did it all the time and it was not a problem for either of them. With a final look in the mirror, Ianto decided to try out the shirt on both men and drew back the curtain.
"Well?" he asked, one hand above his head, resting on the side of the cubicle and with what he hoped was a smouldering pout.
"Oooh," groaned Max, "yummy, yummy. Come to mummy." He pulled Ianto out into the narrow corridor and planted a smacker on his lips. "Red is so you. How did you know that, Jack?" His hand came to rest on Ianto's arse and squeezed hard.
Ianto ignored the touch and looked at the other man, aware of dazzling blue eyes roving over his body, and sucked in his stomach; he had to get to the gym and work on his muffin top. This Jack – trust Max to get his name so fast – was well worth a second look and Ianto noted the toned body, the handsome features and confident way he held himself. The clothes were … unusual. Ianto didn't know anyone else who went in for the 1940s' military look, with braces no less, but it suited this man, seemed part of him.
"How did you?" asked Ianto.
Jack's grin widened. "Lucky guess. You two want to get a drink?"
"Sure," agreed Max, squeezing hard once more then releasing Ianto's rear end. "And you," he said to Ianto, "can keep that on." He batted his eyelids and blew a kiss before pushing Ianto back into the cubicle to get his things.
Ten minutes later, Ianto had bought both the red and purple shirts and was walking through St David's Centre wearing the red one. It was Saturday afternoon and the place was busy with shoppers which meant they couldn't always walk together. Max stuck close to Ianto, arm round his waist and leaning in close, while Jack sauntered along beside the couple. Ianto couldn't help noticing that the crowds parted for him.
-ooOoo-
Bar Icon was pleasantly busy downstairs but Ianto walked through the guys hanging out there, nodding to a few acquaintances, leading the way upstairs to the more intimate lounge. Jack followed him, smiling at the many handsome young men who looked in his direction, while Max loudly greeted friends and former partners. He was still downstairs when Ianto was standing at the upper bar with Jack.
"What'll you have?"
"Water, from the tap," said Jack, standing with his back to the bar, elbows resting on it. He ignored Ianto's puzzled look and continued to sweep the room, eyes meeting those of more handsome, and some not so handsome, guys. All were interested and received a beaming smile in return.
Ianto ordered the water, beer for himself and a strawberry margarita for Max. His partner was mad on cocktails and loved the little umbrellas or swizzle sticks that came with most of them. When the drinks were ready, Ianto led the way to a booth and slipped onto the bench seat. Jack made to sit beside him then stopped himself, taking the seat opposite.
"Cheers," said Ianto raising his bottle to clink with Jack's glass. "You off the booze for a reason?"
Ianto had come out late, at twenty four, after some unrewarding relationships with girls. He'd thrown himself into the gay scene and had a number of bad experiences before he'd learnt to be more discriminating in his choice of partners. One had been a rugby player from Pontypool, an alcoholic handy with his fists, and ever since Ianto had steered clear of anyone who drank too much. In his experience, anyone who drank water had to have a problem with booze, or have had one.
"Don't like it. It does nothing for me so why waste my money, or yours." Jack smiled again, had hardly stopped since meeting this version of Ianto. He was similar to the man he knew but also different in many ways.
"What do you do?"
"You'd never believe me."
"Try me." Ianto sipped his beer, keeping his gaze on the man opposite. He was hard to categorise and the outfit didn't give any clues. Ianto pegged him at around forty, maybe ex-military.
"I hunt aliens."
Ianto laughed. "Okay, so don't tell me." It didn't bother him much. Lots of guys on the gay scene wanted to keep a low profile and were close-lipped. At least Jack had a sense of humour.
"I said you wouldn't believe me. What about you?"
"Very boring. I'm an accountant, with Ham & Co."
"Not at all boring. I think figures can be very exciting."
Ianto was not sure why this simple statement caused a shiver to run up and down his spine. Jack seemed to put a wealth of meaning into the innocuous words that other men could never manage. Before Ianto could respond, Max dramatically flounced across the room and sat beside Ianto. He put an arm round the Welshman's shoulders and pecked his cheek.
"You won't believe it, lovey, there's a bash at Kai's tonight. Everyone, just everyone is going to be there. I think we should go, don't you?" He sipped the margarita. "I know he's not your favourite, lovey, but it'll be good." He leant across to Jack keeping the arm round Ianto. "Kai's one of my exes, Ianto gets a bit jealous."
"No, I don't. I just don't like the flash git."
Max rolled his eyes at Jack as if to say 'What did I tell you?' "There'll be good nosh and plenty of booze, lovey. Might even be some fairy dust."
"And that's why I don't like him. You know what I think about drugs." Ianto remained cool and collected. "And I'd have thought you'd have learnt not to have anything to with them either. Or did you like having your stomach pumped?"
"Oh, don't be like that. Now Jack'll think I'm some kind of druggie." He pouted and sat back in the seat, his arm falling from Ianto's shoulders, creating space between them. "I'm not, you know, just like a bit of something to take the edge off. Unlike Mr Stick-up-his-Arse here."
For the next few minutes Max sulked while Ianto appeared unconcerned, sipping his beer and looking out of the window. Jack continued to smile, watching them. Max was ridiculously camp in his tight white sleeveless T-shirt, black leather trousers and Doc Martens. A huge silver belt buckle drew attention to his bulging groin; must be padded, thought Jack. Max's face was narrow and the features sharp, exaggerated by the eye-liner, blusher and bleached white hair with one black streak on the left temple. Ianto, on the other hand, did not look overtly gay. His tidy, short dark hair and familiar features gave nothing away. The red shirt was worn open necked – revealing a hint of curly chest hair – and was tucked into designer jeans. His clothes and boots were obviously expensive but were suitable for a straight or gay man, a typical metrosexual.
"I won't go if you've got something better in mind," volunteered Max after a couple of minutes' silence. "Got Jack here to join us yet?" He smirked at Jack, licking his lips.
"Not yet. We were having a normal conversation until you arrived."
"He is so backward," went on Max, leaning forward once more and reaching a hand to stroke Jack's forearm, on view as he'd removed his coat. "How about it, Jack? Want to come home with us and … play?"
"Was hoping you'd ask."
"Oooh, goodie!" squealed Max, loud enough for heads to turn to look in their direction. "I'll get another round in." He bounced up and was off to the bar in a moment.
"You don't have to come, if you'd rather not," said Ianto, looking at Jack steadily. "Max can be a bit … overpowering." He smiled wryly at the understatement.
"I'd like to come … as long as YOU want me to." Jack's gaze was as steady as Ianto's and for once he wasn't smiling.
Ianto gulped, not understanding how this man, a stranger until an hour before, could give him a hard-on with just a look. "I want you," he whispered, never taking his eyes from Jack's face.
-ooOoo-
They stayed in the bar for another two hours, drinking and eating. Max was chatty and loud which attracted other guys and soon there was a crowd gathered in and around their booth. Jack was against the window with a shaven headed, black man pressed up against him and a young boy squeezed in on the end. Ianto was scrunched up opposite Jack with Max almost in his lap and a large Welshman – the Kai who was having the party later – taking up the rest of the seat. Others, mainly youngsters, were hanging over the backs of the seats of the adjoining booths and four more had pulled over chairs to sit alongside.
" … then he pulled out his cock! The woman fainted, the boy bent over and the dog shot into the garden!"
Max's tales were getting more outrageous by the minute and as everyone laughed loudly, Ianto judged it was time to make a move. Another half an hour and the stories would be too crude for even this audience and his partner would be hyper on the attention. However, Ianto did not say anything immediately. He was enjoying some footsie under the table with Jack, had been for the past hour, and didn't want it to stop. Raising his beer bottle, he glanced at Jack and admired his profile, surprised the man was able to laugh with the others while still rubbing Ianto's inner thigh with his knee. The ripples of pleasure were wafting through the Welshman's body and he was finding it difficult to sit still.
With an effort, Ianto brought his mind back to the present. "Time we were going, Max," he said.
"Aw, so soon?" His grin turned to a leer. "Or are you desperate to take me home and bugger me till I beg for mercy? Is that it, lovey?" His audience laughed.
"That's precisely what I want. One minute to make your mind up before I ask someone else."
"Ohh, you are so masterful!" he squealed. "Out of the way, Kai, can't keep my man waiting." Max pushed at Kai who in turn nudged one of the guys on chairs out of the way. "You lot too," said Max loudly to the men on the other side of the table, "we're taking Jack with us."
"I think he should stay," said the black man, hand on Jack's thigh.
"Oh no you don't, Winston! We saw him first, he's ours!"
"I think Jack can decide for himself," put in Ianto, sliding along the seat. He knew what he wanted – Jack in his bed – and he was pretty sure it was what Jack wanted too. "He's a big boy."
"Oh my God, have you had a peek already?" accused Max, standing at the end of the booth. "Jeez, I only left them alone for five minutes!"
Jack smiled at everyone. "Sorry, Winston, I did say I'd go with them." He leant forward and gave the black man a noisy kiss on the lips. "If you wouldn't mind?" He gestured that he wanted to get out.
"You'd do better with me," growled Winston.
"Another time."
Winston was silent for a moment or two then reached into a pocket and took out a business card which he put in Jack's shirt pocket. "Call me." Then he eased out of the booth.
When all three of them were standing, Max made the rounds kissing all the guys goodbye and making promises to meet up with some of them at a future date. Ianto said a few, more restrained, goodbyes of his own and waited at the top of the stairs with Jack. After five minutes he shouted across to the room, "Now, Max!" and started down.
"You make him sound like a dog being brought to heel," commented Jack as the pair walked through the lower bar, now heaving with men – and a few women – at the start of their Saturday night entertainment.
"Wish it was that easy," sighed Ianto, holding open the door for the other man and following him through. "Max is a great guy, don't get me wrong, but give him an audience and he gets a bit manic."
"I noticed." They leant on the railings waiting for Max. "You seem very different characters."
"What's the saying, opposites attract?" Ianto smiled gently. "Don't expect him to stay this way, he'll quieten down when we get home."
"Not too much, I hope." Jack placed a hand on Ianto's thigh, casually and as if it belonged there which, to him, it did. "Unless you'd rather it was just me and you."
"Jack …" whatever Ianto had been going to say was lost as Max erupted from the bar in a tearing rush.
"Oh lordy, there you are. I thought you'd really left without me!" He kissed Ianto. "But you didn't, lovey, you waited for silly Maxie. Now, off we go." He put an arm round Ianto's waist and took Jack's hand, pulling them along with him. "Onwards!"
-ooOoo-
The apartment was on the eighteenth floor of a new block in Windsor Quay. The front door opened into the L-shaped, open plan living area with the kitchen in an alcove at the back. The two bedrooms and bathroom were on the right. It was like thousands of other apartments built in Cardiff over the past decade with white walls and light wood furniture to make it appear larger. As Jack had expected of any home occupied by Ianto, it was neat and tidy with a place for everything and everything in its place. Although at this moment, various articles of hastily discarded clothing adorned the furniture. From his place on the corner sofa next to the floor to ceiling window, Jack could see the lights of Cardiff Bay spread out against the dark night and picked out Roald Dahl Plass and the water tower. He smiled; so close and yet so far away.
"Hey," said Ianto quietly as he appeared from the bedroom, "thought you might have left already." Like Jack he was naked.
"No." Jack smiled up at him lazily. "I was taking in the view."
"Cardiff Bay." Ianto stood at the window looking down. "There's an air of … mystery about the place, don't you think?"
"Just right for hiding a top secret base."
"Yeah," chuckled Ianto, "I could see the bat-cave underneath there."
"Me too." Jack held out a hand. "Come here." Ianto hesitated for a moment then took the hand and sat down close beside Jack.
Any thought of going to Kai's party had been abandoned early in the evening when it was clear they were enjoying their own party far too much. As soon as they'd arrived at the apartment, the three had participated in some vigorous sex involving role play, bondage and lots of fucking. Max and Jack had taken the lead, egging one another on to new heights and determined to use all the toys in the flat's collection and then some. The egg whisk in particular had come in useful. Ianto had been a willing partner in the mayhem, his personal method of teasing driving the others to distraction when they were both tied up and helpless. They'd got their own back, making the Welshman wear the French maid's costume while sucking off Jack and being fucked by Max from behind. Finally, after every combination of restraint and sexual position had been tried - multiple times – they had collapsed into a sweaty heap on the bed, a jumbled mass of arms and legs, and slept.
"You have a very kissable mouth," murmured Jack, pulling Ianto forward enough to reach his lips. "And the rest of you is pretty damned kissable too." He moved his mouth down the side of Ianto's neck and then to the shoulder, placing small kisses just millimetres apart all over the skin.
Ianto groaned and threw his head back, one hand in Jack's hair. He closed his eyes and let the pleasure of the contact wash over him, wave after wave of delight as his nerve endings were caressed and stimulated. Jack seemed to know exactly where to touch, how much pressure to use, to get the ultimate response and Ianto felt himself melt as heat moved down to his groin and stirred his cock. After the night they'd had, Ianto was surprised he could be aroused again but Jack had the magic touch. The Welshman was lying on the sofa now, hands on Jack's shoulders as he licked and nuzzled at Ianto's abs causing sudden bursts of sensation that made the Welshman gasp and dig in his nails, raking tender flesh. Finally Jack reached Ianto's cock and balls and took them in his warm, moist mouth bringing the younger man to the brink of orgasm before retreating.
Feeling cheated, Ianto opened his eyes and glared up at Jack but then saw the lube and condom and smiled. When Jack was ready and back in place, Ianto swung his legs onto Jack's shoulders and braced himself against the armrest, watching as the large cock made its way into his willing arse. When Jack was fully in, he stopped, leant down and kissed Ianto gently on the lips then, with their faces centimetres apart, he came out a little before pushing back in. Ianto arched his back and lifted his hips higher allowing greater access and was rewarded with another thrust that filled him once more. They continued for a long time, graduating from slow and gentle to hard and fast, until Ianto came followed shortly afterwards by Jack. All the time they'd stared into one another's eyes, sharing everything the other was feeling.
"Thank you," whispered Ianto, pulling Jack to lie on top of him. "That was … pretty special."
"I aim to please."
"You succeeded."
They lay together for half an hour until Jack stirred and sat up. "Any chance of a coffee?"
"Sure. That's my speciality." Ianto stood and put on his boxers and the red silk shirt – it was cold in the apartment – before padding to the kitchen. Jack disappeared into the bathroom and when he returned he found his own boxers and trousers and put them on, letting the still attached braces hang down. Ianto visited the bathroom too before finishing off the drinks. "Here."
Jack took the mug of coffee with a smile of thanks. Ianto looked into the bedroom but Max was still dead to the world so he left him to sleep on, not at all unhappy to be left alone with Jack, the first man to tempt him seriously since meeting Max. With his own coffee Ianto sat on the sofa leaning against the other man, content to drink in silence.
"Ianto, I need to talk to you."
"Oh yeah?"
"It wasn't an accident that I met you. I came looking for you."
Ianto turned to look at Jack, a frown making small lines between his eyebrows. "What? Why?"
"It's a long story. It begins over there, in Cardiff Bay."
-ooOoo-
The intimate and sensual mood had evaporated as Jack's story had unfolded. Ianto was furious, with himself and Jack. It was utterly preposterous. A traveller from another reality? A real life alien hunter? In Cardiff? And he, Ianto, was an alien hunter too? The story just got more ludicrous by the minute.
"I don't know what you hope to gain by spinning this stupid tale," Ianto said, staring down at Jack where he sat on the sofa. "I think you'd better leave."
"Please, Ianto, I know -"
"Don't, don't even try and explain." Ianto threw one of Jack's boots at him. "Just get out!"
"Okay," agreed Jack, catching the second boot that was aimed at his head. "Will you stop throwing things at me?" He bent and put on the boots deciding not to say any more for the moment. He completed dressing in uncomfortable silence and when he had his greatcoat on walked to where Ianto was holding open the front door. "I'm sorry I upset you, but everything I told you is true."
"Get. Out." Ianto's face was an expressionless mask. He had let this guy into their lives and, he admitted to himself, had been close to letting him into his heart too. Jack was a complete nutter, he had to be, and regardless of how good he was in bed, how loving and how much he made Ianto care, he had to leave.
Jack stopped halfway through the door. "Don't worry if Max takes a while to wake up. I slipped him a sedative so I could be alone with you."
"You bastard!" Jack walked out of the apartment to the bank of lifts as Ianto slammed the door with great force.
Taking huge deep breaths, Ianto stood inside the front door, fists clenched. How dare he? In a fit of pique, he pulled the red shirt off his back and ripped it to pieces, flinging them around the room. Feeling calmer, he went into the bedroom and sat by Max, checking him over. His partner was a light sleeper and the recent contretemps would normally have woken him but he was still deeply asleep. The bastard really had drugged him. Needing the comfort of a touch, Ianto crawled into the bed and curled himself around Max, holding him close. It took an hour but, eventually, Ianto dozed off, the tears still wet on his face.
He was woken by a shriek from outside the room, a high pitched one that burned the fog from his brain. Leaping from the bed, he ran out and found Max holding up pieces of the red shirt.
"Lovey, your shirt! Your lovely, sexy red shirt. What happened to it?" He looked heartbroken, like a little boy whose favourite toy has been broken. "Did I do this? Oh Ianto, I just don't know my own strength."
"You didn't do it, Max." Ianto stepped forward and took the pieces, bending to pick up another. "It was an accident."
"I'll buy you another one. Today, we'll go back today and get another." Grabbing Ianto round the waist he gave him a slobbering kiss.
"No. Thanks, Max, but no. I'm going to stick to purple, that's the one you chose." How could Ianto explain that the red one reminded him of Jack, a man who had reached into his soul and then betrayed him, when he didn't understand it himself. "How you feeling?"
"Me?" He wriggled experimentally as if he needed to use the toilet. "Bit sore but okay. You? God, that was a great night. When did Jack leave?"
"Early this morning. Go start the shower while I get rid of this," he held up the tatters of red fabric, "and then I'll come join you." He kissed Max before aiming him in the right direction.
They had their shared shower, giggling and silly as they soaped one another's bodies and counted the bruises and bites from the night before. Still wet, they ran to the bedroom and Ianto gave himself to Max, lying back as he was entered and hoping it would make him forget Jack doing the same. It didn't. Where Jack had played Ianto's body like a violin, getting responses from the merest touch and bringing Ianto to a pitch of anticipation he had rarely achieved before, Max was hurried and more intent on the climax than the getting there. Ianto wanted to put this down to the situation but he recognised that this wasn't true; Max had never been big on anticipation.
A pall of regret and dissatisfaction settled over Ianto as the two washed – again - and had a late breakfast. Max was chatting and lively, his usual self, obviously unaffected by the sedative, and didn't notice that Ianto was quieter than normal as he attempted to reconcile his conflicting emotions. At eleven forty, Max bounded up from the table and took his plate and mug into the kitchen.
"Time to meet the others, lovey," he said. A group of guys met at the local pub every Sunday for drinks before deciding how to spend the rest of the day. Sometimes it was shopping, sometimes a trip to the beach at Barry but whatever it was Max was always in the middle of the action. "Are my harem pants back from the cleaners?" He went off to the bedroom without waiting for a reply.
Ianto stayed at the table, pouring the last of the coffee into his mug. The last thing he wanted was to meet the guys; he needed time to think. He had drunk the coffee and was loading the dishwasher when Max returned.
"What do you think?" He stood in the middle of room and twirled around, his arms out. He had on brown harem pants and a tie-died yellow and brown collarless shirt made by Carys, a lesbian friend of his. Max grinned at his partner. "Good enough to eat, huh?"
Ianto forced a smile. "Sure is."
"Now for the finishing touches." He ran off into the bedroom and Ianto continued clearing up. "Got any more spray, lovey?" shouted Max. "This one's finished."
With a sigh, Ianto went to the bathroom and got the spare hairspray and took it into the bedroom. He found Max standing at the foot of the bed – which was still unmade – in front of the mirror working on his hair. It was in a forward leaning peak at the front with the rest plastered to his head. "Are you going out like that?"
"Of course. You know the guys love me to try new things." Max looked across at Ianto, noticing for the first time that he seemed a little distracted. "Are you okay?"
"A headache," lied Ianto, going to the window and opening it wide; the room smelt as stale as the rest of the apartment. "Not sure I'm up for a day out with the guys."
"What? Oh, lovey, you have to come." Max enveloped the slightly taller Ianto in a hug. "You taken something? Shall I get them?"
"No, it's okay. But … do you think we could have a quiet day? Just the two of us. We could stay in and - "
"It's Sunday, Ianto." Max drew back a puzzled expression on his face. "We always go out."
Ianto knew then that Max would not change his plans. He was the one who enjoyed the scene most, revelling in the attention and acting as outrageously as he could; it was his reward for conforming during the week. At any other time, Ianto wouldn't mind, would go along and enjoy himself in his quieter way, but meeting Jack had unsettled him, made him doubt his choices. Which was ridiculous, he reminded himself, and yet … He debated pressing the point with Max, making him choose between Ianto and his friends, but as he already knew what the outcome would be it was not a route he wanted to try. He didn't want to lose Max.
"You're right, Max. But you go on and meet them, I'll join you later when the headache's better and I've cleared up in here." He gestured round the room which was a mess. "Only be an hour or two."
"I could wait," volunteered Max, already back looking in the mirror. Having decided on his hair, he started on his makeup. "But not too long," he added.
"No, that's okay."
Ten minutes later, Max had left and Ianto was on his own. He stripped the bed and remade it, cleaned and put away all the toys and then hoovered the whole apartment. Slowly he got dressed in jeans and a polo shirt, his mind still going over the events of the previous night. A phone call from Max reminded him that time was moving on – the guys were about to hit the shops – and he arranged to meet them in The Hayes.
-ooOoo-
Sunday had never been so mundane and boring and yet such a mix of emotions for Ianto.
The seven of them traipsed from one shop to the next, looking at a lot and buying a little. Max was solicitous of Ianto for a while then turned his attention to Aziz, a very attractive twenty three year old. Max was taken with him and they'd had him back to the apartment a time or two. Standing to one side, Ianto watched Max and saw him fondling Aziz's arse. It reminded the Welshman of their last threesome with the boy when he – Ianto - had been relegated to spectator for a lot of the time. He had believed Max was committed to their relationship but he was starting to have doubts. If he slipped away, would Max notice?
On the spur of the moment, Ianto decided to try it and moved behind some racks and made his way out of the shop, crossed the pedestrianised street and dived into a bookshop. Half-hidden behind a stack of recent arrivals, he watched the shop opposite and ten minutes later saw the guys emerge. Aziz was draped round Max who didn't seem to mind. The guys started walking and had gone several metres before someone – not Max, noted Ianto – started looking around; obviously Ianto had been missed. They milled around for a while, going back into the shop opposite, before Max finally let go of Aziz and got out his mobile.
"Ianto, where are you?" asked Max as soon as the phone stopped ringing.
"In the bookshop. Won't be a minute."
"Hurry up then, lovey." The call ended abruptly.
Ianto took another few minutes, watching the guys hang out, some sitting on a bench others standing around, before emerging from the shop. "Sorry to keep you. I wanted to see if a book I wanted was in yet." He smiled at them all impartially and allowed Max to grab his hand – Max's other was firmly attached to the back of Aziz's belt – and be brought back into the group as it moved on up the street.
They ended up in the cinema. It was a movie Ianto had already seen and he sat in the darkness thinking about Max, about their relationship and finally about his job. He was disturbed to realise that his dissatisfaction with his private life encompassed his job too. Accountancy was all he had ever done and while it was not exciting it had brought him a good salary and he was – or had thought he was – content to continue in the profession. Not now. He suddenly felt very alone, as if something or someone important was missing from his life. He looked at Max sitting beside him to find him stroking Aziz's crotch, their heads close together.
Slipping from his seat, luckily one on the aisle, Ianto walked out of the auditorium and into the foyer, standing leaning against the wall and taking in deep breaths. This was madness. In one night his world, and his plans for the future, had been turned upside down. Why? Could it really be all because of what Jack had said? Could that rubbish possibly be true?
"Hey, lovey, you all right?" asked Max. He had come up on Ianto quietly and was now stood in front of him. "Still got that head?"
"Yeah. It doesn't seem to want to go." Ianto managed a smile. "I think I'll head home."
"Okay. You get rid of that head," Max stroked Ianto's forehead, "and we'll come join you later."
"We?"
"Aziz is hot tonight!" Max leered, desire in his eyes. "He is so up for it."
"I really don't feel like it, Max."
"But he's hot. Don't you like him?"
"Not really. He's always been more your friend than mine." Ianto decided to give Max a choice. "If you want to be with him, go back to his place."
"You be okay with that, lovey, because I really want him." The last was said as Max looked towards the screening room.
Ianto had his answer and he suddenly felt sick. "I have to get some air. Don't make too much noise when you come in." With that, he turned and walked through the foyer and out of the automatic doors. All the time he was hoping Max would come after him and beg him to stay, or change his mind and leave too. But standing in the early evening light by the taxi rank Ianto looked back: there was no sign of Max. He had gone back to Aziz.
-ooOoo-
Leaving the lift at the eighteenth floor, Ianto turned right towards the apartment and stopped. Sitting on the floor was Jack Harkness, his head and back resting against the front door and his legs stretched out in front of him with ankles crossed. He was reading a paperback book and had a glass of water at his side. Ianto walked slowly up to him.
"What are you doing here?"
"Waiting for you." Jack smiled up, a tentative one as he was not sure of his ground.
Ianto was too tired and confused to argue. Perhaps Jack could help him understand why he felt this way. "You'd better come in."
"I'll just return these to Lorna." Jack stood up in one fluid movement and knocked on one of the other front doors. It opened to reveal a red-haired woman with a small pyjama-clad boy in her arms. "He's turned up, Lorna, many thanks for these." He placed the book and glass on a table just inside her door.
"That's okay. Hello," she said to Ianto, "Lorna Armitage."
"Hi, Ianto Jones. Nice to meet you." Ianto had opened his own front door and was standing awkwardly in the doorway. He knew none of his neighbours. He was at work during the day and out most nights so unless they travelled up together in the lift he never got to see them.
"Thanks again," said Jack, rubbing a finger over the child's cheek. "Night night, Sam."
"Ni' night," lisped the boy with a shy smile.
With a smile, Jack followed Ianto into the apartment. "Nice neighbours."
"I wouldn't know. Coffee?" Ianto dropped his keys into the basket and went into the kitchen.
"Please." Jack sensed it was better not to rush in and took off his greatcoat, draping it over a dining chair, before going to stand by the window. Lights were just starting to come on across Cardiff Bay and the rest of the city. He was still there when Ianto joined him with the drinks. "Thanks."
"What do you want?" asked Ianto settling in the chair, his mug cradled in both hands.
Jack sat on the sofa leaning forward, mug on the floor and his forearms on his knees. "To talk."
"About aliens and alternate realities?" Ianto's raised eyebrow and tone indicated what he thought about those.
"Yes. I'm know it sounds strange but I assure you it's true."
"I'm really two people? Two Ianto Joneses in one?" Ianto scoffed before sipping his cappuccino.
"Yes. And if you think about it you'll know it's true." He picked up the mug. "This for instance. How did you know I take my coffee strong and black? That's how you made it for me yesterday and today. I never told you."
Ianto stared at him. "You must have."
Jack shook his head. "Have you had any odd dreams, images that flash into your mind that you don't understand?"
"With aliens in them, you mean?" Ianto covered his confusion with scorn.
"Maybe. Or maybe just of another life."
"No, sorry to disappoint you, no aliens. A dinosaur occasionally but no aliens."
"Pterodactyl. Or Pteranodon to be precise."
"How did you know that?"
"We captured her. She was flying round a warehouse and you tempted her down with - "
"- chocolate," they both said together.
"Dark chocolate," added Jack with a smile. "You wanted to join Torchwood and in an effort to persuade me to sign you up, you found Myfanwy. That's what we call her."
Ianto stared at the ceiling. Could it really be true? But if it wasn't, how could Jack know about his dream? How did he, Ianto, know how Jack took his coffee? He screwed up his eyes, in danger of really getting a headache. There was one other dream he had, one he wasn't sure how to mention without revealing too much.
"I know it's a lot to take in and that most of it is very strange," Jack said, hoping he had made a connection. "All I ask is that you keep an open mind."
"And what? There must be a reason you're here telling me all this." Ianto finished his drink and put the mug down.
"There is but I can't explain now. Meet me on Wednesday. Two o'clock at Nico's, the coffee shop in the Bay, and I'll tell you everything."
"I'm working on Wednesday."
"Skip it, take a sick day. You need to be there, Ianto." Jack stood up, thinking he had done as much as he could to persuade the Welshman.
"I could work at home I suppose." Ianto also stood. "Are you leaving?"
"I assume you want me to," replied Jack slowly. He waited but when Ianto said nothing more, he picked up his coat and made for the door.
"Don't go." Ianto closed the gap between them and, taking Jack's face in his hands, kissed him. He tasted just as he had in that other dream.
What did you think? Like this Ianto? Do tell me, I'd love to know. We get to meet Gwen next.
