AN: Okay to all of you who cried at the last chapter – I'm sorry x I can't even provide you with much light relief here, though I do think you're all going to squee again during the scene at the club. Just trust me yeah? What are the chances that this story won't, eventually, have a happy ending?
Yet another cast member arrival here.
Please review x
"So what's this new job you've got?" Gwen asked. She was sat on the sofa in Jack's studio drinking coffee three weeks after his date with Ianto. Neither man had seen or contacted the other during that time, and part of Jack thought it was probably for the best.
"Promo shots for the club Ianto gigs at. I dropped in a portfolio and a business card a few weeks ago, and the manager – John Smith – called me last week. He wants me to take shots of all the regular acts." He explained.
Gwen's eyes widened. "Does that include him?" She asked.
Jack shrugged. "Possibly. He's set up three sessions this week, and during each sessions two of the acts will turn up. Ianto may well be amongst them." He admitted.
"And?" Gwen prompted.
"And nothing. He'll walk in, I'll take his photo, and he'll walk out. End of." Jack said getting to his feet and taking his empty mug into the kitchenette.
"Jack…" Gwen began.
"No." Jack cut her off. "Nothing has changed for me. I'm still not ready to be with anyone, not even him." He explained calmly.
There was a knocking at the front door of the studios. "Sounds like your first victim is here." Gwen joked. "Are you coming to dinner tonight?" She asked as they both made their way to the door.
"Of course I am. I'll see you around 7 okay?" He said.
Gwen nodded and kissed him on the cheek before walking out through the door he'd just opened, where Ianto stood on the other side.
"John sent me." He said by way of explanation.
Jack nodded. "It's good to see you. Come on in." He said, stepping aside so that Ianto could enter. Jack led the way into the studio. "You can leave your stuff on the sofa." He said gesturing to it. Ianto walked over and took off his coat and placed it on the back of the sofa along with his bag.
"How do you want me?" He asked turning back to Jack.
"Just stand in front of the screen." Jack pointed as he set up his camera.
Ianto positioned himself on the marker and looked across at Jack. "How are you?" He asked, trying to break the uncomfortable atmosphere.
Jack nodded. "I'm okay. You?" He asked as he clicked a lens onto the front of his camera and looked at Ianto through the viewfinder.
Ianto shrugged. "Same old, same old." He replied pushing his hands into the pockets of his jeans.
Jack looked up at him. "Hold that." He said raising one hand. "Keep your hands where they are, stand with your feet shoulder length apart. Tilt your head down but look up at the camera with your eyes." He instructed. Ianto did as he was told, and gazed into the lens of the camera. "Perfect." Jack murmured as he snapped a few shots.
"How'd you get this job?" Ianto asked.
"I dropped a sample off after you suggested it. John called me up, and here we are." Jack replied snapping from other angles.
"Do you develop here too?" Ianto asked, trying his best not to move too much.
Jack nodded. "I have a dark room out back. Your shots should be ready by the end of the day." He explained as he returned his camera to the tripod. "All done." He said.
Ianto relaxed his stance. "Free for coffee?" He asked.
Jack shook his head. "I have another shoot after yours." He replied.
"Fair enough." Ianto said wandering over to the sofa and gathering up his things. "Well I guess I'll see you around." He said as he set off towards the door.
"Ianto?" Jack called. The Welshman looked over his shoulder at him. "It is good to see you." He reiterated.
Ianto nodded. "You too Jack." He replied before walking out.
Jack sighed as he watched him leave before answering his now ringing mobile. "Hey John." He said.
"Ianto just left." He answered.
"Oh that's okay – just send her round tomorrow with the others. I'll get Ianto's images developed this afternoon and bring them round for you to check." He said after a moment.
"Okay – see you later." Jack hung up. Walking over to his camera he took the film out and made his way to the dark room. The smell of chemicals filtered around the room as he worked, and soon he had six shots hung up drying. As he watched them to ensure they had developed correctly Ianto's face began to emerge from each one. Walking over to the line he pulled down the close-up headshot he'd taken. Ianto's head was dipped down and tilted towards the floor, but his blue eyes pierced the camera through his long eyelashes. His expression was subdued and melancholic, but Jack wasn't sure if that was just for the shoot or for him. The paleness of his skin contrasted perfectly with the slightly messy dark hair. Jack's gaze however was transfixed on Ianto's eyes, which were looking out of the image and straight at him.
TW
Jack arrived at the club just before four that afternoon to drop of the shots of Ianto he'd taken for John to check over. The club was closed but music could be heard from inside. The security guard allowed Jack inside and he went into the main room where John was sat at a table watching what appeared to be a rehearsal. Up on stage Ianto was standing with a microphone in his hands but no sign of his saxophone.
"Sorry to interrupt. I brought those shots you wanted." Jack said as John turned in his seat and spotted him.
"Fantastic." John said enthusiastically as he reached out one hand and took the envelope from Jack that contained the images. "I hope our Mr Jones didn't give you any trouble." He joked as he tore the envelope open and pulled out the shots.
"Not at all." Jack smiled softly up at Ianto who remained fixed on stage.
"These are ideal Jack." John said seriously. "Perfect for the new posters." He remarked. "Ianto here is trying to prove himself as a bit of a singer. Not jazz mind – I think he's after branching out. Why don't you stay and listen?" He suggested.
"Oh I don't want to intrude." Jack shied away a little.
"Ianto won't mind. If he can't sing in front of you and me, what hope is there for him in a full bar?" John pointed out. "Grab a chair." Jack reluctantly slid into the seat beside John and looked up at Ianto. The Welshman glanced to one side and nodded, and music started to play. Bringing the microphone up to his lips his gravely Welsh accent rang around the room.
"You do something to me… something deep inside. Hanging on the wire… for a love I'll never find." Ianto's voice sent chills through Jack; not only because of the way his accent sounded, but also because of the song he'd chosen to sing. As the Welshman's lilting tone drifted through the song the younger man walked idly up and down the stage and avoided Jack's gaze. As he finished singing he turned to face his mini-audience and gave them a questioning look.
"Outstanding." John replied as he applauded keenly. "I think you just got yourself top billing."
Ianto smiled before turning his gaze to Jack. "Well?" He asked gently.
Jack nodded mutely, his breath and his voice caught in his throat. Rising clumsily to his feet he tore his gaze away from Ianto and extended his hand to John. "I'll courier the other shots around at the end of the week." He said roughly as John took his hand and shook it firmly.
"Brilliant." John replied.
Jack smiled faintly before walking quickly out the club and onto the street, the fresh air hitting him like a wave that sent him gasping. He staggered sideways, bumping into a few pedestrians as he walked. He muttered apologises as he moved before slipping down the alleyway that provided shelter from the masses. He leant back on the wall and slid down its rough surface and sat down on the cold floor. Bringing his hands up to his head he began to cry. He sat there sobbing into his hands for a time, but he had no idea how long he'd been there when he felt two strong hands settle on his shoulders. Taking his palms away from his eyes he looked up and was met with the concerned gaze of two bright blue eyes.
"Jack?" Ianto murmured softly from his position crouched before him.
Jack wiped his eyes and brought his knees up to his chest, burying his head in his arms in an attempt to hide from reality, and especially Ianto.
"Jack… please. Talk to me." Ianto spoke again a little louder but with growing concern.
"I can't." Jack's voice was muffled as his head stayed down.
Ianto removed his hands from Jack's shoulders and ruffled one through the older man's hair. He planted a single gentle kiss on Jack's head as he rose to his feet, and Jack heard his footsteps move away. After a few moments he lifted his head up and wiped his face again. Checking up and down the alleyway he found that Ianto had indeed left. Struggling to his feet Jack tugged his jacket further around him before walking out the alleyway. The Welshman was nowhere in sight. With a small sigh Jack stepped into the bustling pedestrian traffic and made his way back into the city centre to his studio, feeling altogether more confused and lost than he had before.
AN2: I would LOVE to hear Ianto/Gareth sing "You Do Something To Me"… can you imagine those delicious Welsh vowels… *swooooon*
