Chapter Twelve

-o-

-o-

The Real Deal

-o-

-o-

"Thank you so much for coming, I know it's late; you must be tired." Kenneth smiled taking a step forward.

As a hand was held in his direction, one daunted late-night visitor tried to see past the auspicious looking farmhouse with its huge, overwhelming front entrance and focussed instead on accepting the homeowner's friendly greeting for the simple, down to Earth gesture that it was.

Glancing surreptitiously around at the grounds, Ianto tried to gauge their depth. He could no longer see the roadway and didn't have a clue where he'd finally ended up. After leaving the hustle and bustle of Exeter itself, he'd been taken down so many dark lanes, each one of which had looked exactly the same as the last, that, in the end they'd just seemed to blend into one long unlit stretch of countryside.

After roughly thirty minutes of chasing their own headlights they'd only just recently passed through a small village which, rather annoyingly, the passenger on the back seat had managed to miss the name of. Just a short distance on from that, his chauffeur had swung the limousine to the left and waited at a pair of wide gates which, as if by magic, opened on their own; presumably operated by somebody within the property itself.

-o-

With his ride now travelling back along one impressive tree-lined driveway, planting his feet firmly on the first step of three and shaking his host's hand, a slightly nervous Ianto felt obliged to remind himself that he was now living in Jack's world. Not that he was thinking he'd made too bad a job of things so far; he was actually convinced that in certain situations he could now easily pass as one of the crowd. Plus he could remember just a few months back being highly impressed with Tom's place, but it hadn't taken him long in that instance to get past the unwarranted bout of star-struck feelings.

Now, given his current location, Tom's place didn't seem all that special after all, and vowing never to let any of Jack's friends make him feel unworthy ever again he greeted the elderly gent with a smile.

"I'm not that bad at the moment thanks," he told him, adding in clarification, "To be honest I think I'm too worried about Jack to notice whether I'm tired or not."

"Your young man has hidden himself away in the kitchen." he was informed as his holdall was taken from him. "He still seems reluctant to discuss things, oh, and he still has no idea that I've called you by the way," Kenneth warned, adding, "But I'm quite sure he's going to be relieved when he sees who's come to pay him a visit."

As the other man turned on the spot, Ianto followed him up the stone steps. Entering the dimly lit hallway he allowed his eyes to drift up and then over, taking in the ornately decorated ceiling and panel clad walls.

"Yes, things are a bit of a mishmash when it comes to structure and decor I'm afraid," Kenneth admitted spotting his guest's wide eyes and curious stare, "But it's felt like home for nearly twenty two years now, so the old place can't be all that bad."

"Is Jack okay?" Ianto asked trying to make out the finer details of a painting to his left. The subject, a white horse, seemed to have a fat, rounded body balanced on very thin legs. "I've been so worried about him." he sighed looking back, adding with a smile, "And thank you for looking after him for me by the way; he is in sohhh much trouble for not contacting me himself."

"It's reassuring to hear that you're already feeling this possessive about him Ianto." his host stated approvingly, gesturing that they should move further inside. Facing front he took them along a second hallway, at the end of which they entered the rear of the property via an opening almost as big as the widest front door that Ianto had ever set foot through. Sunken into the framework - stained several times over the decades, giving it its dark appearance - four large worn hinges were embedded, though, sadly, the main feature of the door itself seemed long gone.

"At this very moment, Jack needs a significantly stronger person in his life; someone to help guide him." the older man looked back to quietly explain, "In that young lad's eyes, the whole world is suddenly against him. He's already managed to convince himself that the people who count the most - his viewing public - are being taken in by these scandalous lies and are consequently judging him badly."

Stopping outside a door to their right, he paused, rubbing his chin in contemplation.

"I think what those of us within Jack's theatrical circle are relying on, Ianto," he continued, almost beseechingly, "Is that you'll be able to convince him otherwise; will be able to help him come through this horrible ordeal."

Not waiting for a reaction, he pushed open a heavy oaken door and gestured that Ianto should enter first. Happy to accept the weight of responsibility now resting on his already broad shoulders, Ianto held his breath and stepped inside.

The characterful kitchen might have been huge; breath-taking, even, with its long sash windows and ceiling rack full of gleaming copper pots and pans, but instantly he decided that the only sight truly worthy of his attention, was the hunched over form sat at one end of a huge wooden table.

Both hands nursing an untouched drink, Jack was staring balefully down at a blue and white striped mug.

"Jack?" Kenneth said quietly as the creak of the door failed to gain his charge's attention, "You have a visitor my lad …"

As he looked slowly over his left shoulder, Jack's sudden show of confusion hinted that he believed he must be seeing things and for a long moment he just sat there, staring hard, until with a blink he twisted fully at the waist.

"Yan?"

Emboldened by his boyfriend's smile as it appeared, and jumping to his feet with a screech of wood on flagstone, Jack's eyes instantly filled with tears. "Oh my God …."

As he glanced briefly to his left, Ianto found their guardian angel already beaming with delight, and smiling his thanks at him he watched Kenneth nod his understanding in return.

"Yan? How? I mean ….. who?" Jack stumbled out, shaking his head in disbelief as he traversed the divide.

Before Ianto could explain a single detail he was sent rocking back on his heels, and finding himself on the receiving end of one, he gratefully returned the reassuring hug they'd apparently both been in need of.

"I'm so sorry …. I'm so sorry … I'm so sorry …" Clenching tightly onto Ianto, face burying itself into one familiar left shoulder, Jack continued to mumble the mantra over and over again.

"Sshhhh … it's okay - we'll sort this, I promise." he was assured to no effect as the repeat of an apology continued. "Jack, come on, look at me … it's gonna be okay." Ianto urged a little more firmly as the arms around him tightened their grip. Clasping with a hand on either cheek and angling Jack's face up toward him, he used a wide sweep of both thumbs to brush away the tears. "I swear I've never known anybody to cry as much as you do." he admitted with a soft smile.

"Being overly emotional comes with the territory." Kenneth chipped in, "And I'm afraid it's something you're just going to have to get used to."

Acknowledging the words of advice with a nod, still directing his stare at his boyfriend, "I've been so worried about you." Ianto whispered, sounding relieved as he pressed a quick, yet tender kiss to Jack's lips.

Shock and pleasure joining his original show of confusion, sniffing in deeply, Jack managed a watery smile for his special visitor. "You really do care about me, don't you ….." he realised.

"Now stop it …" he was warned good-humouredly, "Don't turn this into something it's not … you're lucky you got that much out of me." Ianto laughed quietly at him.

"I'll take whatever I can get," Jack whispered back becoming serious, his smile fading as he leaned in to claim a soft peck himself. "I can't believe you're actually here," he admitted still sniffing noisily.

"Well I seem to remember somebody making me promise to look beyond the surface if anything like this ever happened ….. So I did." Ianto declared very matter of fact.

As it beamed into place, Jack's smile was filled to the brim with pride and nothing else. "How did you know where to find mmm…" he started to ask; pausing as Ianto sent his stare Kenneth bound.

The older man smiled across at Jack. "I, ahem, took the liberty of finding Ianto's number in your contact list and then gave him a call whilst you were in the shower," he coughed apologetically, guiltily admitting his part in the plan.

"Thank you." Jack whispered before looking back with a long sigh. "I'm so sorry, Yan, and, well, I know that doesn't sound much considerin', but I really don't know what else to say."

With Ianto motioning that he was about to dismiss the need for apologies, Jack cut straight back in.

"I wish I could tell you everythin's gonna be okay; that there's nothin' to worry about," he started, "But I've got myself into such a mess. Jerry doesn't believe me for a start …. he's convinced I really did spend the night with that asshole. He keeps remindin' me that I've managed to bring the whole show into disrepute and, Jesus, Yan, he's so angry with me; I'm almost certain he's gonna kick me off the show."

As Kenneth gave a loud sigh next to him, with his own features twitching in response to the comment it was clear that Ianto couldn't decide whether to go with being astonished, annoyed, or both. "Jack, trust me, Jerry's not gonna fire you. He's the cunt that's arranged this whole stitch-up!" he pointed out angrily. Taking a step back, becoming visibly frustrated, "In fact, I'm convinced he must've paid that wanker to latch on to you while we were out there." he added.

"But why would he do that?" Blatantly becoming confused by it all, Jack allowed his gaze to follow Kenneth who'd decided to make his way further into the room and was in the process of perching himself on the edge of his well-worn kitchen table.

As Ianto offered an apology for his use of bad language, raising a hand and shaking his head dismissively, "Ianto's right, Jack," Kenneth sighed leaning back, bracing himself with both arms stretched out behind him, "I'm afraid this whole affair has Jerry written all over it. I've known that man for many, many years, and in that time he's pulled quite a few stunts very similar to this one, although I've always refused to be a part of them."

Staring into space, Jack was starting to look a little shell-shocked.

Ianto decided it was time to take evasive action.

"Um, Ken, is there any chance you could call me Yan instead?" he asked deliberately awkwardly, "You've got such a posh voice; every time you say 'Ianto' I feel like I'm being told off. It's like being back at bloody school …. only much more scary."

Instantly the tension in the room eased, and with all three of them now laughing, Kenneth nodded his agreement, "Then Yan, it shall be, my lad, and may I just say that you are infinitely more handsome than your photos suggest."

"Oh. Um, thanks." Determined not to blush, Ianto sought out Jack's gaze as a distraction. "Er …. … what photos?"

"I like showing you off, and it's not often I get the opportunity, so I showed Ken my half of the photo-booth shots." Jack admitted, his indignant expression suggesting he'd never felt anything other than completely justified in doing so.

Nodding to confirm he'd been impressed with what he'd seen, "Anyway, you boys have a lot to discuss, so I shall leave you both to it." Kenneth decided, suddenly frowning as he thought to add, "Though, Jack, I do have one last thing to ask of you."

Making his way over to the opened door he turned back with a fatherly stare. "I think you should come clean regarding the truth of our association, my dear. And I mean - tell this young man of yours everything," he said sternly.

"But …" With Ianto already eyeing him suspiciously, Jack stared like a startled rabbit back at his dearest and most respected thespian friend.

"Jack?"

As he looked away, tipping his head to one side himself, Ianto attempted to follow Jack's gaze. "Come on, out with it; what haven't you told me this time?" he sighed.

"You boys sit down and have a chat," Kenneth ordered finally leaving the room, "And make sure you tell him absolutely everything Jack." he reiterated before swishing dramatically from view.

"Jack?" Walking over to it, Ianto pulled a chair from underneath the table, then dragging it along to one corner, he sat at diagonals to where Jack had originally been seated.

His loud sigh that of a man preparing to meet a fate worse than death, Jack nodded then sat himself down also. "You remember that day we went to the movies?" he asked quietly, quickly thinking to remind Ianto, "At the station I mentioned that Jerry had called me over to the theatre to meet some producer guy? From Devon?"

He studied the continuing blank look. "No? Okay. Well, anyway, that guy was Ken."

Behind them a throat was cleared. "And the rest - make sure you tell him everything, Jack." Kenneth ordered having leaned back to peer around the door jamb.

"I will." Jack aimed soberly in his direction, insisting, "Ken ….. I mean it … I'm goin' to!" as a greying brow was raised in his direction.

"I shall be in my study if you need me. You remember where it is, don't you, Jack?" floated back as Kenneth walked away yet again.

"Um …. yeah." Jack replied, frowning as an amused chuckle sounded from further along the hall. With the two of them alone again, he drew in a deep breath, then continued.

"Anyway, the night after that, if you recall, I didn't get to see you at all; I'd explained that I had to go out to dinner with some of the other cast members and then around eleven o'clock I gave you a ring. You couldn't get rid of me - d'you remember? I just kept on talkin' and talkin' and talkin'…"

"I think so," Ianto nodded, "If it's the occasion I'm thinking of, you woke me up and kept me on the phone for over half an hour just talking nonsense."

"Mmm." Nodding slowly, Jack acknowledged that the claim was correct. "Anyway, that line I fed you? The one about me havin' to go out with some guys from the show?"

"This is the part where you tell me you didn't really share a meal with Kenickie, isn't it." Ianto decided humourlessly.

Unblinking, Jack nodded his reply and kept a close check for any change in Ianto's expression.

"Anyway," he continued, satisfied for now that he wasn't about to have any bones broken, "After we met up with him the day before, Jerry more or less said that if I didn't agree to spend the night with Ken, then he'd arrange for Tom to come out to Ibiza with us, which he knew would mean you'd be stayin' here ….. and I didn't wanna go without you."

Expression unreadable, Ianto just stared and waited for the rest.

"Jerry's like that," Jack told him, "The guy's constantly sucking up to one person or another, and this time he was plannin' on usin' me to keep himself in Kenneth's good books; he'd decided to send me over to a complete stranger's hotel just like that - like a gift I s'pose."

Still sitting there quietly; apparently holding back his final judgement for a more appropriate moment, the only noticeable change in Ianto had been his right brow lifting slightly higher than his left.

"Ken owns one of the theatres down here in Devon by the way." Jack added starting to look very uncomfortable as the silent treatment continued.

"Well first off," Ianto said sourly, deciding to speak at last, "I'm fucking gutted at how much of a selfish prick it appears you were that night. Did you honestly think it was acceptable to just wake me up like that, knowing you were intending on feeding me a barrel-load of lies and nothing else? From what I can recall, your conscience didn't seem bothered that you were lying through your teeth; you sounded full of the joys of bloody spring through the whole fucking conversation!" Shaking his head he blew out a disgruntled burst of air. "Have you 'any' idea how pleased I was that you'd wanted to hear my voice, and not be in the company of those luvvies? What kind of fucking idiot does that make me?"

"It doesn't!" Jack gasped leaning forward, looking worried, "God, Yan, you gotta believe me, I didn't wanna lie to you; I just really needed to speak to …."

"And," Ianto interrupted as if not listening to a single word of the hurried explanation, "If the deal was that you had to stay over- presumably to let Ken fuck you, at least once - how come you were on the phone to me at that time of night anyway?"

"Because I left his room early!" Jack rushed out sounding genuinely upset. "I'd gone there not wannin a do a single thing in the first place, and I felt guilty the whole time because I was considerin' doin' somethin' with him behind your back ... and I promise you, all I really wanted that night was to be with you."

Shoulders hunching, "So, how did you get out of having to do something?" Ianto demanded, his smile still noticeably absent; obviously keen to make his boyfriend suffer as much as possible for the show of deceit.

As Jack slid a hand across the table, Ianto pulled his own out of reach.

"I went up to the hotel room as per instructions," Jack sighed retrieving his hand, nodding guiltily in acknowledgement of the deserved rebuff, "And I just sat there, remindin' myself over and over that if I went ahead with things, then Tom would get to stay here in the UK, and I'd be able to take you out to Jerry's villa as planned."

Secretly pleased to hear that last remark a small smile appeared on Ianto's lips, but it disappeared before Jack could notice it.

Looking down at the table and, indeed, missing the big clue, Jack carried on. "But Ken was great from the word go," he smiled, almost to himself, as he remembered the event, "He picked up straight away on how I was really feelin' about things, and it turned out he'd never wanted me to do anything with him anyway."

Ianto looked up through his lashes, his stare fixed. "Another ego bashing then."

The comment, one which would normally have amused the both of them, fell flat through its hollow delivery and raised no sign of a smile in either party.

"Yan, he's the kindest person I ever met," Jack revealed, quickly moving on. "He's not like Jerry at all; he really cares about the little guys. I hope you can get to know him properly," he added sincerely, "He's such a lovely, lovely person. He's already been such a great friend to me; he's been givin' me loads of advice, plus the moment he got the news about yesterday's article he was on the phone to Jerry at home offering this place as a refuge. It was only seven thirty when his pal in London woke him up, but he was on the phone straight away to ask if I was okay ….."

"Why didn't you just tell me?" Ianto sighed, now looking more frustrated than anything.

"About bein' ordered to sleep with Ken?" Jack assumed correctly, watching Ianto give one solitary nod. "Are you kiddin' me?" he gasped, jaw dropping in amazement, "I was convinced you'd go ape-shit just from findin' out I'd stood you up for another guy; I didn't dare think how you'd react if you found out that Jerry was behind it!

Ianto rolled his eyes, lost for anything to say that wouldn't sound cutting or uncaring.

"I realise now, of course," Jack sighed, calming a little, "That I should never've let him control me like that in the first place."

"Exactly." Ianto agreed in a firm tone, "And you should've told me the truth from the word go, Jack." he added, this time allowing his hand to be cupped as Jack went in for a second go. "It's Jerry I would've been fucking furious with, you bloody fool, not you. And you really need to toughen up. Grow some fucking balls!" he scolded finally relenting with an exasperated sigh and upturning his hand, allowing him to clasp their fingers together.

"I've been so stupid." Jack said quietly, gratefully squeezing back.

"You can say that again," he was told with a despairing shake of the head, "And while we're still on the subject of Jerry making you look a prize prick - - How's the girlfriend?"

"I guess that's another situation we need to discuss." Jack said solemnly.

"That one can wait 'til tomorrow." Ianto told him grumpily, "I'm really not in the mood for that right now."

"I can't believe Jerry's makin' me do this," Jack groaned, "But the way I see it, I don't have any choice in the matter. He keeps sayin' if I don't go along with what he wants, he's gonna kick me off the show."

As things finally started to catch up with him, Ianto was forced to stifle a yawn. "Jack," he strained out, speaking at the same time as tying to stilt the giveaway gape, "Jerry's not a fucking god – and you need to kick away this sodding pedestal you've put him on. Trust me, he's not about to sack you any time soon- you're his latest bread and butter boy …. and besides, I just happen to have it on good authority that the only thing he's interested in right now, is splitting us up."

Pout childlike and rather adorable, Jack gave a drawn out whine, admitting, "Well, I don't think it's quite as simple as that …"

"The cunt's admitted it to Tom!" Ianto told him bluntly, ignoring the unfairly-scolded look as it appeared, "According to your resident twinkle-toes, Jerry's been planning this for some time. He told Tom a while back that when the shit hits the fan, I won't want to know you anymore ,and, well, given recent events, I'd say that 'his' shit …. has well and truly hit 'our' fucking fan." he declared, nodding pointedly as if agreeing with his own quirky conclusion.

"Are you quite sure he said ….." A little slow on the uptake, Jack's eyes belatedly snapped wide open. "Wait …. you've spoken to Tom?"

"I have. And I hate to say it," Ianto admitted, shuddering as he prepared to do just that, "'But yesterday I came 'that' close to liking the fucker."

As he was sent an astonished look, Ianto demonstrated his point by holding his free thumb and forefinger 'that' far apart.

"Okay," Jack nodded, deciding that for now it might be easier to just go with the flow and accept the situation for what it was, "I'll buy it - you and Tom managed to share the same room without tryin'a kill each other - great. So come on then, where did you see him, and what, 'exactly', did the two of you discuss?"

"Well …." Blowing out a long, noisy breath, trying to recall the situation 'exactly' - as per Jack's orders - Ianto sent a vacant stare across the room. Redirecting his gaze a moment later, if anything, he was looking even more perplexed than before. "The first thing he pointed out was that me and him are never gonna like each other - which is true, of course." he added quickly. "Then he admitted he cares about you, and said that if keeping me in tow was going to make you happy, then he was prepared to accept the fact that we now come as a couple."

"He said that? In those 'exact' words?"

"Well, not exactly, no," Ianto admitted, "But that was the gist of the conversation, and, anyway, Tom's certain that Jerry's been working on this stitch-up for weeks. He reckons the wanker's main objective is to get me off the scene. Oh, and by the way, I went to the theatre yesterday - if you hadn't already guessed," was added with a smug smile, "Just wanted to see if I could pick up some clues on where you were hiding out. I got there in time to witness Tom addressing the crowd outside and when he'd finished I just walked right on in behind him. He took me straight through to Jerry's office; no sarky comments, no fisticuffs ….. "

With Jack still sitting there, looking more surprised by the minute, "I have to admit, as much as I can't stand the guy," Ianto continued, "He did seem totally fucked off with Jerry. He can't believe the bastard's done this to you either."

"So Jerry's definitely set me up."

"'Fraid so." Ianto nodded feeling suddenly sorry for his boyfriend and clenching hard around his fingers. "But fear not! I have my man in Havana on the case. He's doing a spot of private investigating for me and if we're lucky, very soon you'll be able to tell that bastard boss of yours where to stick his stupid games."

"Your man in Havana?"

"Well, Ibiza really," Ianto grinned, explaining further, "In between gigs, Dan's gonna be flitting back and forth to our resort to see if he can get that twat to admit he's lying about sleeping with you; I'm convinced the bastard already knows Jerry, and if that is the case, and Dan manages to get us the evidence we need; pretty soon you'll be turning the tables."

"That asshole lied to me about everything," Jack sighed, "He even lied about his friggin' name!"

"Yeah, I did notice what his real name is." Ianto admitted with an apologetic smile.

"I'm so sorry for not listenin' to you, Yan – you saw through him straight away and were right not to trust him." Jack felt obliged to admit.

A light tap on the door frame interrupted them. They both looked over to see Kenneth smiling broadly at them. "Still friends are we?" he quizzed jokingly.

With the two young men in his kitchen sharing a rather poignant look, "I forgot to mention that my housekeeper stocked the fridge freezer yesterday, so feel free to help yourselves if you get hungry." he shared.

"Actually, I'm starvin'. I completely lost my appetite and haven't eaten a thing in two days." Jack revealed with a groan, rubbing a flattened palm across his middle.

"No, me either," Ianto agreed before looking up confused. "Hold up, I thought you went out for a meal last night with your ….. 'gurrrrlfriend'?"

With Kenneth laughing in the doorway, Jack took a good-natured swipe at his 'boyfriend'. "Stop rubbin' it in! And as it happens, I didn't eat a thing; I just sat there watchin' Abby tuck in."

"I'll leave you two to it." Kenneth chuckled, "Goodnight boys, sleep tight."

"Yeah … night, Ken." Jack smiled.

"Night ... And thanks, Ken," Ianto called out. "So what do you need most – food or sleep?" he wondered, turning back, deciding, "I don't think I can be bothered to eat now." before Jack could answer.

"Yeah, I know what you mean. Shall we adjourn to the sittin' room for a while?" Jack suggested, "It'll be more comfy, plus Ken's got a rather nice scotch hidin' in that cabinet of his. There's also a wicked sofa in there," he grinned, "I checked it out earlier; it's massive!"

"Well, I, much like yourself, am a big fan of 'massive' … so I'm voting yes to the comfy couch. And a scotch would go down very nicely." Ianto winked climbing to his feet. "Lead the way, Zuko." he instructed gesturing to the door with a tip of the head.

-o-

-o-

-o-

-o-

"Whoa, this is a bit nice."

Ianto peered up, impressed by the beams that his head was only just missing, "It seems older than the rest."

"Yeah, this was part of the original house. Ken reckons it was built in the sixteenth century and the rest has just been added on over the years." Jack nodded.

Standing in front of it, its ashes now cold and grey, Ianto inspected the ornate grate sitting in the middle of the inglenook fireplace. "Very cosy." he decided turning on the spot and grinning at the huge sofa dominating the rest of the room.

Jack handed over a glass, the contents of which Ianto downed in one go. Following suit with a grimace and setting down both empties on a side table, Jack nodded at the couch suggesting they might like to make themselves comfortable. In a heavy, dark green material, the thing was at least eight foot long and deep enough for two people to lie side by side on.

Climbing on first and stretching out lengthwise Ianto made a small noise of approval; surprised at how comfortable the thing felt despite its firm appearance. He held an arm out to the side as a hint that Jack should lay down with him. "Yep, this is much more comfortable," he smiled, "In fact, this isn't normally my kind of thing, but I actually love the whole room. It's just a shame I didn't get here earlier," he sighed, looking in a deliberate manner up at Jack, "I would've liked to have seen around the place properly before having to sleep in it."

"Okay, I know that's my fault. And I'm very sorry I didn't have the balls to contact you," Jack told him, thinking to explain in his defence "But Jerry's been throwin' so many threats at me I haven't known what to do for the best."

"You mean you thought me knocking seven bells out of the wanker might help make the situation worse," Ianto smiled, "And you'd be right … so stop worrying."

Jack's smile of thanks appeared right on cue, but was noticeably hesitant. "Yan, about that night, y'know, the one that I was supposed to spend with Ken …."

"Sshh." Ianto ordered, "We can talk about that another time."

"I feel so stupid for not seein' through Jerry." Jack told him, still feeling the need to discuss at least one issue.

"Well don't." Ianto snapped abruptly, making him jump, "Stop beating yourself up. You've done nothing to deserve any of this treatment." he insisted, adding earnestly, "You haven't got a bad bone in your body."

As he lay down, stretching himself out next to his very gracious boyfriend, Jack hid his growing grin in the nape of Ianto's neck. "Actually," he muffled quietly, his shoulders shucking slightly as he started to laugh, "I did break a bone in my leg once."

There was silence as the comment was digested with the usual amount of patience.

"Bloody fool …." he was finally chastised as Ianto clenched him tightly onto his side in response to the silly quip. "Tom said you're due back on stage Tuesday evening." he pointed out in a change of subject, wiggling his bum over the gap between them; trying to get himself as close as he could.

"That's the plan, yeah." Jack nodded, lifting his face into view then propping it on one palm to stare at Ianto side-on.

"Any idea how we're gonna get back to London?" Ianto wondered after a pause, having only just thought to consider the problem.

"Apparently Ken has a special guest arriving tomorrow mornin', and Harry is givin' us both a lift back to London."

"Harry, eh?" Ianto nodded, "An old flame of Ken's is he?"

"Yeah, somethin' like that." Jack told him; a strange smile pulling at his lips. "I'm so glad you're here, Yan." he sighed with his next breath, snuggling up to hug an arm around Ianto's waist.

"Not going anywhere." was whispered at close range, and a kiss was pressed to the top of his head.

-o-

-o-

-o-

-o-

Wondering how he'd not noticed it beforehand, coming away from his kitchen, glass of water already half-consumed, Kenneth followed the soft glow of a sitting room lamp.

If he'd ever had any doubts over the young Welshman's feeling for his friend, he certainly didn't have any once he saw how protectively he was holding onto Jack. As they lay there wrapped around each other, both sleeping soundly, it was obvious that this was more than just a quick fling for both men.

Hand curling, bringing it side-on to his mouth, Kenneth cleared his throat to get their attention.

With a small murmur, Ianto opened one eye.

Kenneth smiled through the gloom at him. "As comfortable as that sofa is, I can assure you that the bed is far better …. and much bigger."

"Jack ….." Ianto croaked, nudging him gently to wake him, "Come on, I think we're under orders."

"Just in case Jack's forgotten, you're in the attic - That's the staircase behind the door on the far side of the dining room; it's just the one flight of stairs you have to contend with and I've already taken your bag up there for you." Kenneth smiled bidding Ianto, at least, "Good night again, my dear," as Jack snuffled himself into his boyfriend's shoulder and nodded off again.

"I think things might've taken their toll on him." Ianto chuckled quietly as Kenneth waved then stepped from the room.

-o-

-o-

-o-

-o-

Naturally, locating the necessary staircase, then peeing and brushing their teeth had been enough to wake the pair of them up again, and Kenneth was right …. the bed was to die for. As he bobbed on the mattress, getting himself comfy, Ianto sighed and studied the gnarled, dark beams in the pent roof above him.

"I think he might've put us at this end of the house for a reason." Jack grinned.

"Considerate to the end, eh?" Ianto smiled rolling his head from side to side on the bouncy pillow, "This is luxury for you, isn't it," he sighed, "This bed must've cost a fortune."

"Like I said," Jack told him starting to inch his way downward, "He's got his own theatre …. God knows how much he's worth."

"Have you by any chance found yourself a sugar daddy?" Ianto grinned.

"You're the only sweetness I need in my life." he was informed with a quick wink.

Two fingers down his throat, Ianto pretended to retch.

"You have no romance in your soul." Jack grumbled jokingly still inching downward, getting lower by the second.

"And Amen to that!" Ianto decided with a nod.

Feeling a cheek come to rest on his left thigh, he lifted he sheets, peering beneath them. "Jack …. if this is you saying thank you …." he sighed sounding unimpressed.

Lips rolling inward, Jack peered guiltily in Ianto's direction.

"Come on … back up here." he was told in no uncertain terms.

When there was no sign of movement, "'Now' Jack …. I mean it." Ianto ordered. Hearing a small whine of protest, "It's either that, or I go on strike for a week." he warned.

Lips pursing as he continued to sulk, Jack's head appeared from beneath the covers. With a sigh he flopped onto his back.

"I'm not one of your theatre buddies." Ianto told him coldly, "I don't need a blowjob to keep me onside, thanks."

"Sorry," Jack mumbled, "Was it that obvious?"

"Yes." Ianto huffed, sounding hurt.

"Sorry." Jack offered again, edging closer as he turned to face the man he'd unwittingly upset.

With a sigh and returning the gesture, twisting onto his side Ianto greeted his daft boyfriend face to face. "Things are gonna get worse before they get better, aren't they." he guessed sounding accepting, but not happy about the fact.

"Jerry's gonna be watching me like a hawk." Jack warned, absently brushing a wisp of fringe from one high forehead.

"And I can't promise that I'm not gonna get frustrated with the situation." Ianto offered in return, not stopping the intimate gesture from going ahead. "But if we focus on what's real, there's no reason why we shouldn't come out the other side in one piece, right?"

"Right." Jack was quick to agree.

Instinctively choosing the same moment to lean forward, their lips came together; the lingering caress appropriately sealing the deal.

"Me 'n' you, Yan … we're serious now, aren't we." Jack realised as they separated. His voice became softer as he went on to chance, "This is the real deal, yeah?"

As the tip of one finger began to trace a slow path up and down his upper arm, Ianto nodded against his pillow. "Yeah … this is the real deal …."

Staring quietly at each other, the look became so emotionally charged that even Jack's smile seemed awkward as it repeatedly formed then faltered, and drifting further out of his comfort zone than ever before, Ianto's lips were twitching as he concentrated, fighting hard within, to cut a pathway through his fears; determined to keep the moment going.

Hearing his boyfriend swallow noisily, "I can't believe how calm you're being about everything." Jack told him, cutting through the silence for both their sakes.

"Really?" Ianto exclaimed before turning the other way. Reaching out for the bedside lamp he switched it off then settled back on his side with a sigh. "Well don't let this cool exterior fool you too much, because just below the surface the old Ianto Jones is still spitting knives and wanting to kill all concerned."

"Everybody?" Jack wondered, giving the back of one shoulder a noisy kiss.

Patently giving the matter some thought, Ianto sniffed in a long, even breath. "Okay," he finally decided, "Maybe I won't kill Tom."

"I am sohhhh gonna remind you of this moment, you do realise that, don't you." Jack chuckled resting his right arm at an angle across Ianto's chest.

"Night, Jack." Ianto grinned into the darkness, bringing the conversation to an end.

A shoulder was kissed again.

"Night, Yan." Jack smiled, snuggling in as close as he could get.

-o-

-o-

-o-

IJ JH IJ JH IJ JH IJ JH IJ JH IJ JH IJ JH IJ JH IJ JH IJ JH IJ JH IJ JH IJ JH IJ JH IJ JH IJ JH IJ

-o-

-o-

-o-

tbc.