Ianto chuckled. He couldn't remember the last time he'd had this much fun with his sister. Now he wasn't holding himself in check around her, it was as if a barrier had been lifted and they were regaining some of the closeness they'd had as children. Sitting together now, side by side on Rhiannon's battered leather sofa, holding hands without any hint of embarrassment or discomfort, he let his head fall back and turned towards her. "I've enjoyed this," he said, "us being like this."
"Me too," she replied, "and if you ever think about keeping things from me again, just don't."
"Scouts honour," he smiled, holding up three fingers in a salute.
"Oooh, I've just thought of something," Rhiannon exclaimed letting go of his hand and sitting up, "I know this lovely boy, works in the post room at work."
"Rhiannon, NO!" he shouted, "Don't you think it's time you spent some time thinking about your own love life instead of mine. You haven't been with anyone since....." he trailed off leaving the sentence unfinished.
"It's ok, Ianto. You can say it, since Dai left. I know you're right, just never seem to find the time or the inclination these days."
"Anyway, you don't have to worry about me" he assured her, "I've got a boyfriend; at least I think I have."
Rhiannon frowned. "You think you have, you don't know?"
"It's complicated. I mean, I like him, I like him a lot and he says he likes me but...."
"But?" she asked.
"Jack likes everyone. He'd flirt with a lamppost and he's bi so more than half the population are available to him. Plus he's gorgeous, real film star looks. I can't work out what he's doing with me."
She tutted and rolled her eyes. "He should consider himself lucky to have you," she scolded "and if he can't see that maybe you should tell him to get stuffed."
"Hmmm, maybe," he answered, non-commitedly, "It doesn't matter now anyway, I think I've messed it up."
"Oh?"
"Last night Jack was just being Jack but I got jealous and was a bit of a dick. He said he'd phone me this morning but he didn't."
As if on cue, Ianto's phone rang. Rhiannon looked away as he answered it, trying to give her brother some privacy.
"Hi Jack," he said, "I was just talking about you."
Even though Rhiannon had turned away, she could hear the huge grin plastered all over his face in his voice.
"I know. Listen, Jack. I'm sorry about last night. I was wrong. I think I'd had too much to drink.......thanks, you we're a bit. I can't, I've got practice in the morning. I could meet you for lunch afterwards? Great. I'll ring you tomorrow. Jack, I....yeah, bye."
"So, how long have you been in love with him?" She asked as he snapped the phone closed.
"Bloody hell, Rhi," he cried, "Who said I'm in love with him,"
"I did, it's obvious," she replied, "to me anyway. I know everything."
"Er, aren't you forgetting you didn't know anything about me until a few hours ago."
"Ah, yes. But that was different, you were hiding. Now you're being open with me, I know everything."
"Oh, shit. I'm screwed," he grimaced.
"Yup, you are. Now, since I haven't made anything for lunch how about we go out. You're buying."
He smiled. "Sounds good."
Grabbing her coat and keys from the hall, she opened the door and gestured to him, "After you," she said.
She shut the door and locking it behind her, turned to him, still smiling and opened her mouth to say something. She stopped suddenly and closed her mouth again as she noticed her brother standing motionless and staring straight ahead with a shocked expression on his face. She followed his gaze and felt her heart drop when she saw it. Ianto's car was as spotless and sparkling as ever, except for the word QUEER emblazon in two foot high, black letters across its flank.
She patted him on the shoulder causing him to jump slightly. He turned to look at her, eyes glistening. He shook his head slightly and shrugged as if unable to comprehend the meaning of the word.
Rhiannon felt her heart breaking and hoped it was not a sign of things to come.
"I'll go get a sponge," she sighed.
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