AN: For those of you that haven't heard of it the place Jack and Ianto visit is real, and I went there myself last April. It is truly magical. I suggest you all Google it and check out the photos. The bench is real as well.
I had a plot suggestion from a good friend of mine for this story, and that will be coming up as soon as possible.
Please review x
"So where is it you're taking me?" Ianto asked as Jack drove along the motorway towards the Severn Crossing, but pulled off earlier and started heading up a road which ran along the Wales England border. They'd nipped back to Ianto's house on the way so he could change into something other than Jack's clothes, and were now on their way to a mystery location. All Ianto knew was that boots would be required again, but this time it wasn't for the Beacons.
"I stumbled upon this place totally by accident a few years ago. You've never seen anything like it." Jack said a little cryptically as they drove onto altogether narrower roads and drifted across the border into England.
"Fine. Be all mysterious." Ianto smirked as he looked out the window at the rolling countryside.
Jack smiled across at him briefly before returning his gaze to the road. "Its called Puzzlewood. It's this huge woodland area that's like stepping back in time. During school holidays its chaos, absolutely crawling with kids, but now it should be pretty quiet." He explained as they swung into the field that made up the car park and they stepped out. Jack led the way to the booth where he paid for their entry and led Ianto past the enclosures that contained sheep and goats before they stepped through a gap in the fence and into the woodland.
"Okay wow." Ianto said as they walked along a short pathway.
"Cool huh?" Jack smiled.
"Very. It's very… Tolkien-esque." Ianto commented.
"He apparently spent some time here and they reckon it was his inspiration for Middle Earth." Jack explained.
"Well aren't you full of information." Ianto grinned.
"Come on." Jack took hold of Ianto's hand and led him further along the pathway and up into the woodland.
"Is there any kind of map?" Ianto asked.
Jack shook his head. "No map, no route, no plan at all."
"How do you find your way out then?" Ianto asked as he stopped and looked around already lost in the undergrowth.
"Well I've always found my way out." Jack remarked. "Come on – there's something really incredible somewhere around here." He said tugging at Ianto's hand again and leading him up inclines and along pathways till he found what he was looking for. "Voila." In front of them was a bench made out of previously fallen trees and branches from the wood.
"That's impressive." Ianto said as he moved towards the bench and studied it.
Jack sat down and tapped the seat beside him. "Take a load off." Ianto settled onto the bench and allowed Jack to drape one arm across his shoulders, pulling him closer to him.
"Look I'm sorry about this morning. I shouldn't have… you know, and I didn't mean to… you know." Ianto mumbled embarrassed.
Jack planted a soft kiss on the side of Ianto's head before replying. "I thoroughly enjoyed the first… you know… and I was pretty flattered by the second… you know… and you don't need to apologise. I didn't think I was ready for that… and then I thought I was… and then I didn't… I just need time to sort my messed up head out."
"You're not messed up Jack. You're still grieving and that is understandable. I'm glad I get to be here with you, and for now that's more than enough." Ianto replied.
"I have a business trip at the end of next week. Not as glamorous as it sounds believe me. I'm off to London on Friday for two nights, and I was thinking… would you like to come with me?" Jack asked gently.
"What sort of business trip?" Ianto asked, momentarily ignoring the implication of Jack's offer.
"I have a meeting on Saturday morning first thing where somebody wants to look at my portfolio. They're looking for someone to do headshots for an album cover for some band I've never heard of. It'll be a two-hour meeting tops. They're putting me up in the hotel on the Friday night because the meeting is at 9am, and I've booked the room for the Saturday night as well so I can do a little shopping and maybe some sightseeing. And I was wondering if you'd like to come too?" He asked again.
Ianto thought for a moment and nodded softly. "I'd like that. I'll clear it with John tonight, but it shouldn't be a problem. Do you go to London often?" He asked.
"Sometimes for meetings, but I haven't been for years. If I get the job I'll have to go back there to do the shoot. Have you been before?" Jack explained.
"Once. I ran away from home when I was 15 and hitched a ride to London. I spent a couple of days there before I came home with my tail between my legs." Ianto replied.
"Why did you run away?" Jack asked carefully.
"My Dad. He… well he was pretty crap at being a Dad. Not that good at being a human being to be honest. He could never cope after my Mum left, and whilst he clung to Rhiannon he thought I was a bit of a burden really. I was never good enough, and nothing I ever did was good enough. He pushed me… all the time… to do better and to strive for more. He expected so much from me, and not just in a proud 'my child can do anything' kind of way. He wanted the impossible from me, so much more than I could ever give him. So I ran away. I don't know what I was thinking. I was never going to survive out there at 15. As he took great pleasure in telling me when I got back." Ianto said sadly. Jack tightened his hold on Ianto as the younger man spoke. "But I didn't get much sightseeing done so that would be great. Thanks." He said with a forced smile.
"No problem." Jack replied. "I was thinking maybe a couple of nights away from Cardiff and its memories might help things between us. Because I do want you Ianto. Sometimes so much that I can't bear it."
Ianto smiled softly. "Well I think we both know that I want you too." He smirked. "So where are we staying?"
"The Hilton at Tower Bridge. My meeting is pretty informal and in the hotel bar. But other than that you get me all to yourself for two days." Jack explained.
"Sounds perfect." Ianto commented as he nestled himself into Jack's hold. "God this place is magical." He said as he gazed around at the endless trees and rocks, interspersed with rough pathways and wooden steps.
"Well we'll have to come back here someday. How do you fancy a pub lunch before we go back to Cardiff?" Jack suggested.
"Sounds good. But for now, I just want to sit right here, with you, like this." Ianto said as he interlaced the fingers of the right hand with Jack's left and squeezed it gently.
"That I can do." Jack replied softly, before the two men settled into a contented silence, safe in one another's arms.