CHAPTER FOURTEEN
"Jack?"
"Hey." Jack stood up from his spot on the steps.
"How long have you been waiting here?"
"Uh," Jack checked his watch, "Since early this morning."
"Jack it's five o'clock." Ianto stated disbelievingly.
"I know."
"How did you..."
"I called your office, they said you were coming back today."
"You have to go." Moving pass the American, Ianto began fiddling with his keys, searching for the right one. "I can't do this anymore. Gwen deserves better. So do you. So do I."
"I called off the wedding." Ianto froze and slowly turned around looking down at Jack from the top of the stairs. "I told her I couldn't marry her."
"When?" Ianto asked breathily.
"This morning." Ianto's heart started pounding faster. "Can we talk?" Ianto slowly nodded and they both silently made their way up to his apartment.
Shutting his door behind them, Ianto dumped his bags and took a deep breath before turning to an anxious Jack.
"What did she do? What did she say?" Ianto swallowed. Did Gwen know? She is going to kill me.
"She's upset, mostly about what people will think. Then she threw a few things." Jack cringed at the thought.
"Did you...tell her about us?"
"She asked if there was someone else, I said no. Because I'm not sure yet if there is still...an us."
"Oh." Ianto looked down at the floor, trying to piece everything together in his head. "I don't know what to say."
"I don't expect anything Ianto. I don't deserve to expect anything." When the Welshman looked back up he saw that Jack had taken a step closer and was staring at him intently, floods of emotion evident in his eyes.
"Jack..."
"I'm never going to be able to forgive myself for what I've done Ianto. I was afraid of hurting people. My dad has always dictated to me what's right and what's wrong. My mom sits there suffering from depression and I'm always scared I would be the cause of her death. Then there's Gwen, strong and confident, always getting what she wants. I always saw marrying Gwen as the right thing to do. But you...oh man," He stepped even closer and grabbed Ianto's hands in his, "Perfect, gorgeous, intelligent, kind and always thinking of others and I just I never wanted to hurt you Ianto. We've been friends for so long I just never wanted to be the reason to see you upset. That other night, in Barmouth, it killed me seeing you like that and I regretted saying...what I said because god that was really the worst decision I've ever made. I just want to thank you, for finally asking for what you wanted and for helping me do the same." Jack sniffed back a tear. "I'm here apologising for being a complete moron that night, years ago, after exams and for being moron all the years after that, up to this moment." He smiled and joked, "Basically you and I shouldn't have conversations outside bars anymore." Ianto grinned back.
They held gazes for a minute before Jack finally leaned in and pressed his lips against Ianto's. Placing one hand on the Welshman's lower back and one under his cheek, he tilted the mans head as they kissed. Ianto relaxed into Jack's warm embrace and felt Jack's heart beating with his. Soon his body began to tingle with delight as their lips broke apart and Jack's kisses continued down his neck. He soon felt Jack fingers unbuttoning his shirt and pulling his tie off. Body screaming to continue, he pushed off Jack's jacket and started unbuttoning his shirt too as they moved towards the bed. He pushed Jack down on to the soft covers and soon they both began unbuckling each other's belts, meanwhile groping and kissing carelessly. Jack flipped them over and pulled back, taking a moment to gaze at Ianto.
"I've missed you." Jack whispered before Ianto pulled him down into another passionate kiss. Jack's pants were soon kicked off and both their shirts were pushed away.
All too soon they both stopped after hearing a knock. Not moving away from each other they both looked over at the door.
"Hello?" Ianto asked cautiously.
"Yan! Open the door!"
"Gwen?" Ianto asked, eyes wide in terror. "How did you get into the building?"
"I know where your spare key is you goon. Who cares just let me in! I need to talk to you!" Both men quickly scrambled their way off the bed, both throwing their clothes back on.
"There's no time for that." Ianto hissed at Jack. "Get into the closest. He rushed over and opened it for Jack. Jack rushed inside holding all his clothes and Ianto carefully shut the door, still buttoning up his shirt.
"Come on, let me in!" Gwen nagged through the door, still knocking frantically.
"Ok, ok, Uh, I'm just changing."
"Urg I've seen your arse just open the door!"
Glancing quickly back at the closet Ianto took a deep breath before opening his door. Gwen rushed right inside and determinedly stood in the middle of Ianto's apartment.
"I called off the wedding." Ianto watched her as he slowly shut the door.
"You...did?" Ianto responded with a hint of scepticism.
"Well," She began pacing, "technically Jack said it first, but I was thinking the same thing."
"Huh." Sure you were. "I think I need some air to process that, lets go for a walk."
"No." She sat down on his couch, pushing her hair back. "I need to sit. Before I tell you what I came here to tell you, I just need to say I'm not the only one of us who's being dishonest here." Ianto swallowed. She knows. She's come here to kill me.
"What have I been dishonest about?"
"Oh please. Come on give me a little credit at least Ianto."
"Gwen I'm sorry I..."
"Owen told me you were lying about sleeping with Tosh and I know for an absolute fact that you never slept with John so why are you making up these stories? Is it to make me jealous? You know I'm more sexual than you, I always have been."
"I wasn't...I never...wait, how did you know I never slept with John?" Gwen bit her lip and smiled lightly, suddenly looking like a kid who was naughty.
"Well...you said that John was circumcised."
"Uh yeah..."
"And he is not." She grinned. Ianto's mouth gaped open as he stared at Gwen.
"John is the guy you slept with!?"
"That's what I wanted to tell you! I..."
"Wait when did you sleep with him?"
"Uh, you know that time I went to visit my parents?"
"Yeah." Ianto replied furrowing his brow.
"Uh well I didn't."
"Oh."
"Yeah. It's just Jack never got on really well with my parents so I lied and went partying with John instead. I mean, we both felt really bad afterwards and we promised then that we would never do it again...and we broke that promise because...we did it again...a couple times."
"Wait, you slept with him more than once?" This just gets better and better.
"John and I...sit!" Ianto quickly sat opposite her on the couch. "John and I have this amazing connection! And I'm going to need you now more than ever." Ianto continued to stare at her confused, still trying to process the information given to him. "I took a test." Ianto's eyes widened.
"You're...pregnant?"
"Yes!" Gwen grinned. "I am! It's crazy! In a good way of course! I mean John has been...amazing. He's not what you think."
"No, I know he has a good side." Ianto couldn't help agreeing.
"Exactly! Yes he is a caveman but," She sighed, "he really is great. Anyway i love you Yanny. I better go, he's waiting down..." Gwen's gaze haltered suddenly downwards over the back of the couch. Twisting slightly on the couch, Ianto followed her eyes down to the floor where he noticed a crumpled jacket. Shit.
"Since when do YOU leave your jackets crumpled on the floor?" She stood up moved around the couch, and picking up the garment she examined the label.
"Is that..." Her face switched to a frown and she looked back over to Ianto, still frozen on the couch. "Why's Jack's jacket here?"
"Oh, what? No, uh, no that's mine."
"You don't wear Armani," She paused. "And this is Jack's, he was wearing it today."
Ianto stammered, searching for words. Anything, to get him out of the situation.
"Why are you lying? Why is Jack's jackets here in a heap on the..." Suddenly looking like she had been hit with a bullet, Gwen's eyes morphed into a fierce glare as she breathed deeply. Feeling the heat of her gaze Ianto swallowed and noticing this little movement shook Gwen head, tears beginning to form. "You've got to be kidding me. Ianto..." She began, trying to remain calm. She hasn't called me that in years. "Where is he?" Ianto gulped.
"G...Gwen..."
"Where is he?" Her eyes narrowed. "Where is he?" This last time she yelled and began moving around the apartment, searching for hiding places. "Jack!" She ran into the bathroom and pulled back the shower curtain. Running back out breathless with rage her eyes darted around the room before they landed on the closet. Ianto wanted to stop her, but knew it was no good. Either way he was screwed. She wrenched open the closet door and there was Jack. Crouched amongst Ianto's shoes he was holding his pants, shoes and shirt, still in his boxers he looked up at Gwen blankly before standing and moving out of the closet.
"You've got to be kidding! What the fuck! You liar!" She screamed pushing Jack back against the wall.
"Really Gwen, really?" Jack asked scornfully as he began dressing himself, not phased by the push.
"You're fucking my best friend!"
"You know that's really rich coming from you Gwen! Fucking John huh? And having a baby at that. Congratulations are in order." Gwen's face grew red with rage.
"You said there was no one else and you're fucking my best friend! My MALE best friend! Suddenly your gay? WHAT THE FUCK!" She shrieked, ignoring Jack's previous remark.
"Gwen." Ianto croaked. She ignored him.
"You're not gay!" She bellowed at Jack, arms flailing like mad in the air.
"I am." Jack responded calmly. "And I'm in love with him." Gwen suddenly looked like she had been slapped across the face, her eyes comically wide. She turned towards Ianto and started walking towards him like a lion approaching its pray.
"YOU! How could you!? How could you do this to me!?"
"Gwen I never wanted to hurt you." Ianto felt tears filling up his eyes as he watched Gwen stare at him in disgust. "I never wanted to hurt you."
"I hate you. I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I NEVER want to see your face again! You are dead to me!"
Without another word she stormed out of the apartment, slamming the door behind her.
Silence filled the apartment. Ianto soon found he couldn't hold it in any longer and felt tears start to fall from his eyes. Jack was immediately at his side and pulled him into his arms, kissing the tears away from his cheeks.
"It had to happen at some point." Jack whispered into Ianto's ear. Jack was right, and Ianto knew it. But that didn't stop him wishing it hadn't and that didn't stop the violent onslaught of tears. He had lost his best friend. Gwen had her faults, but she was there for him. "Don't think about it." Jack said pulling away and lifting up Ianto's chin, so the Welshman had no choice but to look into the intense blue eyes. "We're together now, that's all that matters. I'll deal with Gwen." Jack led him to the bed and the both lied down in each others arms. "Ianto?"
"Yes?" Ianto sniffed.
"I love you and i'll be here for you no matter what."
"Thanks. Jack?"
"Mmm?"
"I love you too."
THE END.
Last chapter guys! Thanks for reading! Means a lot to me that i got lots of support! :) xx
(I might do an epilogue if i get requests for it). ;)