10
Toshiko was beside herself, heading for the royal house as she went over the things she knew she needed to say, the things he would need to hear in the hopes of finding forgiveness for her unbelievable stupidity. Owen had gently explained to her what Jack had done, trapping that witch who had access to her medical files, who clearly knew more than she was letting on and now her world was in freefall as she saw that she was not righteous in her actions at all. Poor Ianto. Trust was such an issue for him and she had stomped all over him.
She found him in his favourite room, the one with no outside windows only floor to ceiling books. He was curled up in a chair looking morosely at something in his lap and as she neared she saw that it was a small kitten.
She could also see quite clearly that it was dead.
"Ianto?"
"The cook's cat. She had six but this one … I tried… there was nothing to be done. It was too long in the birth and …" Ianto stood, wrapping the small body in a handkerchief and turning from her as he pushed a button to call for a staff member. One duly arrived and accepted the bundle, sorrow shown as Ianto whispered that it needed to be buried in the rose garden please. He would himself but the press would make something of him in the dirt.
"Of course my lord, I shall personally" the young man said, nodding as he looked to Ianto "Will you eat something today?"
"Some dried toast and a cup of tea perhaps" Ianto sighed "I shall try."
The young man looked doubtful, nodding again as he bowed and scuttled off, Ianto folding back into the chair. He looked at Toshiko and she saw his sunken face. He was unwell.
"Oh Ianto" she knelt and reached for his hand but he drew it back. She felt the sting but knew she deserved that. Had asked for it in her own withdraw for their friendship.
"Jack isn't here" Ianto said softly "You should not be. The press will say you are my lover or something. Please… I just want some quiet."
"Ianto … I am sorry" she took his hands whether he wanted it or not and was alarmed to find them cold. Clammy. "Ianto. Oh my god."
"Please" he rose, almost pushing her as he moved for the door "Excuse me."
She could hear him vomiting in the bathroom next door and didn't know what to do.
Was she causing this upset?
.
.
.
.
.
Ianto moved in the bed, still trying to find a comfortable spot and the soft sigh beside him warned him that he had woken Jack. Again. He tried to be still but Jack softly said his name so he rolled into Jack's arms and nuzzled into him gently, hoping this might soothe.
"You have to go see Owen" Jack said after a while "These night sweats, lack of appetite and now nightmares. You have to sort this out. I have important business tomorrow and I needed my sleep. I need you."
Ianto knew he hadn't meant it the way it came out. He was Jack and spoke without a filter but in that moment he felt something alien. Anger. He drew back to stare at his husband in the half light "Excuse me?"
"I am sorry but you are being insufferable. Toshiko came and you would not even let her apologise. After all my work to …"
"Your work! Really?" Ianto slid to the edge of the bed, his stomach turning as he knew another round of vomiting was ahead even if he had only managed two slices of toast and three cups of tea all day. He had hoped that would stay down but the stillness of sleep must have given his body time to rebel.
"Where are you going" Jack demanded "God! I am getting sick of this. In out. In out. Christ, every time you rock the bed and I get even more awake. How will I get to sleep now, the light will go on, you will go in here and then come back with old feet and a grumpy nature!"
Ianto bristled as he stared at his unhelpful mate. He had no idea how dreadful Ianto felt as he had done his best not to complain but really … surely he could see he was unwell.
"Well, I shall solve that for you" he said haughtily "I shall retire to the other room and you can sleep in peace if my illness so offends you!"
Jack sighed at the posh voice and stilted moments through the room as Ianto snatched at things to take with him "I didn't … Ianto. Come on. I didn't mean to offend ….hey."
The door slamming was loud enough to make Jack wince and he cursed a blue storm as he lay there chastising himself for being so fucking thoughtless.
Tomorrow he would apologise.
Beg off this thing with Michael and spend the day with him.
He was all he needed anyway, tight?