Sundays were always slow at the book store. Ianto wasn't sure why, as general activity in the wharf shopping areas was busier on the weekends. Either way, it made his shifts at the small shop something a bit akin to a torture session. He wandered the aisles, fingering the texts at his disposal, wishing for some sort of human interaction. They would only be open for another hour or so, and he had already agreed to let the other student he worked with, Clara, go home, leaving him to close up on his own.

He rather liked the shop. Ever since he had laid eyes on it, he was drawn to the unassuming place among the touristy attractions in Cardiff Bay. It belonged to a sweet older couple who bought the shop in the 1960s, but still managed the day to day running. The shop held an old world quality to it; large shelves, pictures and knick-knacks from an older time, interspersed with all of the trappings a twenty first century store should have in order to stay lively. They carried mainly top selling novels, classics, and a rather important selection on Welsh history and folklore. The last category easily took up most of their displays, and along with model dragons and candy, was the main reason parents and kids stopped in when exploring the area. The shop was situated on a corner, which the owners took advantage of by setting up a small alcove with a cushioned bench curving along the window. Selected favorites of the staff were stacked on the sill, and Ianto could admit to spending may non-working hours perusing the selections and gazing at the lively streets.

He had worked at this shop since he began at uni. The owners had been looking for some extra night and weekend help, reluctantly admitting that they were nearing retirement, and Ianto had come along at just the right time. They couldn't afford to pay him much, but he didn't mind. He was able to work just a few scant hours a week, enough to pay his necessities, with the added bonus that he was able to spend his time surrounded by books. Places like this gave him a sense that there was more to the world than his existence, and the timeless quality of the shop made him feel as if it would be here long after he had left.

Ianto found himself drawn to the window now, taken in by the sight of light drizzle hitting the streets. He dropped the duster he had been using to tidy up on the counter near the register, and lowered the sleeves of his sweater. The outside was deserted, and Ianto began debating just closing up now. He had been working here long enough to know that no one else was going to venture out this afternoon, especially with the days growing darker earlier in the evening. The added time would also be beneficial, as he could use the chance to prepare for his classes tomorrow.

He had been giving the subject of his education a great deal of thought lately. The last exchange he had had with his father was still unsettling. He hadn't spoken to either of his parents since that disastrous night. If he was being honest with himself, he didn't see either of them bridging the gap any time before Christmas. Ianto was sure he would be getting a call within the next couple of weeks reminding him the family would be together for the holidays, with the unspoken message that his attendance was not optional. He was more and more certain that he would never practice law, and that the time he was spending could be put to better use. It didn't bode well for their next encounter.

Ianto also knew he wasn't putting as much work into his studies as he was prone to do. So far, his grades had held, but he knew the lip service he was paying was going to come back to him by the end of fall term. He just couldn't bring himself to care. If he wasn't spending time with Jack, he was working on the project he'd started that day in the coffee shop.

He still didn't know what direction he was going to take the story in, but he was excited about what he had so far. Every day was spent writing; he had never connected with anything he had ever written so fluidly. It was frightening and exciting all at the same time. Ianto could feel his hands twitch with a desire to explore the new world he was uncovering with every waking moment.

The thought of his project also brought Jack to the forefront of his thoughts, and he felt a warm rush throughout his body at the memories of their night together.

While acknowledging the nerves that still coursed in him, he couldn't help but smile when thinking of the previous night. It wasn't a conscious decision he had made to finally have sex with Jack. With everything that had been going on yesterday, it had been the furthest thing from his mind until they were alone together again.

Jack had been remarkably gentle with him, almost as if he could sense the apprehension rolling off Ianto when he made the request. Ianto didn't blame the man for seeking reassurance that he had permission to keep moving forward. It was almost as if it was their first time together all over again, not just an extension of what they had already begun. He could still feel Jack's fingers on his skin, peeling away his final layers of clothing. The look in Jack's eyes would be imprinted on his mind forever. They held his as those fingers brought his body to a fevered pitch, culminating in those first caresses in his most intimate region. He would by lying if he said their coupling was painless, but Jack had patiently guided him through every step of the process. Jack's eyes kept them together in those first moments, when the pain was the most intense, giving him a reason to look beyond the discomfort.

When Jack finally began to move, Ianto had struggled to remember how to breathe. It felt like every nerve ending in his body had been lit on fire, and Jack's fingers stroking against his body sparked more flames. He remembered not being able to speak, merely moan and cry through the sensations. Luckily, Jack had been able to read him clearly, knowing instinctively when to speed up, change the angle, and collide their lips together. When Jack had brushed across the sensitive place inside him, he believed his body would come apart at the seams. And then Jack did it again, over and over, until Ianto had completely melted down, crying out in release.

It was later, nestled in Jack's arms, hovering on the edge of sleep when he heard Jack whisper in his ear. The night Jack told him the bedtime story, he had convinced himself he was hearing things, but there could be no mistaking what Jack said last night for a dream.

Jack was in love with him.

What was even more frightening was that Ianto could feel he was dangerously close to loving him in return.

Ianto shook himself out of his reverie, deciding it was time to close. He locked the door and began the process of shutting things down. Even as he did the normal things such as empty the till and sweep the floor, he kept thinking about those words as they drifted off. Jack had clearly not meant for Ianto to hear the sentiments, and so it was easy for him to pretend to be asleep. In the morning, nothing had been brought up beyond what had occurred prior to, and Ianto was able to avoid bringing up the subject.

It was't that he didn't care for Jack. He most definitely did. Ianto just wasn't the person who believed he could fall in love with someone after barely two months together. He wasn't denying what they had, his sudden attraction, or any of his previous worries. Ianto was a big enough man to realize that he didn't know himself as well as he thought, and Jack had clearly helped him open his eyes to something he was ignoring. But, that didn't change the fact that he still felt terrified and out of his element.

Jack was like gravity. Ianto found he didn't have the will or ability to resist for very long; he would just keep being drawn in.

Once all of the closing duties were wrapped up, he grabbed his bag and prepared to leave, but the window in the corner beckoned to him again. A few lights remained on in the shop, ones that were never turned off. Twinkle lights. That's what the kids would call them. They were magical. They made the toy dragon's scales glow and the fire they breathed seem more real. On the occasions when it snowed outside (and these were rare), it was like living in an enchanted bubble, removed from space or time. Ianto returned to the corner, sinking onto the bench. Complete silence made a nearly deafening impact to the point where he was afraid to disturb it.

No matter how long he lived, Ianto would always remember the feeling of soft blue sheets, the glow from the bedside lamp, hesitant fingers, and the fluttering in his stomach. He never wanted to forget. Without taking his eyes off of the window, he slipped his arm into his bag for his laptop. The only sounds in the shop was the slight dripping from outside and the frenzied tapping of keys on his keyboard.

He didn't stay too much longer at the shop. Ianto had agreed to have dinner with Jack, and he didn't want to be late. After an hour or so of work, he locked up, pulling his jacket around him more tightly, and started the walk away from the bay.

"Ianto?"

Ianto narrowed his eyes. That voice was definitely familiar. Slowly, he spun on his step, shoulders tense and hands stuffed in his pockets. Part of him didn't want to acknowledge who he knew was behind him, but that he was already stuck without options.

They had known each other for years. He had admired her almost all through their school years. Hell, he had adored her for the majority of the time they were together. Ianto wasn't one to change things easily; he was an adapter. Despite their issues, he could have made what they had work forever, if he had to.

Lisa hadn't changed. Still tall, put together. Beautiful dark skin and hair. Eyes that defined her face.

"Fancy meeting you here."

"Well, I do work here," he commented as a greeting. "I should think that isn't new information to you."

"No, it's isn't," Lisa agreed. She stepped a little closer to him. If she knew he was still here, that could only mean she sought him out. "I, uh, was in the area and-"

"Oh come off it Lisa!" Ianto exclaimed. "What do you want?"

For all of her typical composure, she definitely looked uncomfortable. Ianto couldn't help but feel a little bit of pleasure at that thought. It wasn't kind of him, but he had suffered enough pain through their first experience together. Right now, his patience was just not big enough for games.

"Look, can we talk? Maybe go somewhere, grab a coffee?" she trailed off, shuffling her heeled pumps on the sidewalk. "I've really missed you," she finally offered.

Well, damn it. Ianto wanted to hate her, he really did. He definitely was harboring a resentment, but deep down, he knew it would be forgiven in time. He did miss her too. Maybe it was worth hearing her out.

"Perhaps we should, but not now. I have somewhere to be," he finally said. He didn't want to seem eager, because he most certainly wasn't. There were things that needed to be settled between them. When she didn't respond immediately, he took her silence for acquiescence, and began to walk away.

"So it's true then?"

"What is?" he asked, huffing in annoyance as he turned to face her again.

"I've heard rumors about you, Ianto Jones." Lisa walked a little closer to him, keeping her voice steady. "They say you've gone bender."

He really hoped she hadn't noticed his sharp intake of breath. The conversation he had with Tosh a few weeks ago popped into his mind. She was right then; it didn't matter. The accusation still shocked him, in that he hadn't dealt with his relationship publicly at this point. So far, it had always been in the safety of their homes, or in places where they were part of a crowd, unnoticed. This brought the issue to his front door, banging in his face. And Lisa wasn't exactly a subtle person. She knew all of their same contacts growing up, and he knew for a fact she was still in contact with at least his mother. Anna had never really given up on the idea that the two of them would get married someday. For the longest time, Ianto had shared that wish, but things were different now.

Jack made him different.

Still, things could get very difficult for him if certain people were to find out now. He didn't want to hide who he was, but he had enough to worry about without adding this to the things he needed to discuss to his parents quite yet.

"And if I have?" he finally asked.

"I'm only curious," Lisa said defensively. "I thought when you and I were together that you had wanted us to be something."

"We were something," he replied, tone harsh. "We were a lot of things. Then you, might I add, decided that we weren't to be anything. If I am seeing anyone now, I hardly think that's any of your business."

"Who is he?"

"Does it matter?"

"No," she agreed. "I suppose not." Lisa sighed, huddling in her jacket against the cool breeze. Daylight was nearly gone. "Have you told your parents?"

"It's new; I'm not exactly broadcasting it," Ianto sighed. He really wanted to get out of there. "I do need to go."

"Alright then," Lisa said. "I'll see you at Christmas, yeah?"

What?

"Huh?" His verbal skills really impressed when he was surprised.

"Didn't your mom tell you? My parents are on holiday to Australia, so she invited me over for Christmas dinner." Lisa tried to hold his gaze, "I thought you would be happy."

He would be something alright. Ianto barely remembered his goodbyes to Lisa, stumbling down the road to Jack's as his mind processed what she just told him.

Christmas.

His parents.

His ex-girlfriend, who also happened to know that Ianto was shagging a man.

His dad would be sure to flip.

And he needed to tell his parents he had every intention of dropping out of university should they not let him pursue his own career choice.

Happy fucking holidays indeed.