A/N:
Since today is Bisexual Pride Day, I thought I'd do a special chapter based on Ianto's story. Hope you enjoy!
One quiet evening, Jack Harkness and Ianto Jones had got the rare opportunity to indulge in a date; in their line of work, it was unlikely they got a day off, let alone had the chance to arrange a date in that time. Fortunately, tonight was a different story.
Since it was Jack's turn to choose a place for them to go, he'd selected a classy Italian restaurant in one of the finer parts of Cardiff, with a sweet, relaxing ambience. The waiter (attractive, but Jack somehow refrained from flirting, probably due to the fact he was currently on a date, though that usually didn't stop him) pulled out their seats at their reserved table and was happy to fetch them a fine bottle of red wine to share over the evening. The first course was delightful – Jack ordered ricotta and parmesan ravioli and Ianto ate wild mushroom arancini, both of which were delicious. In this time, their conversation had remained small-talk-ish while they settled into the dining atmosphere, therefore it was during the main course when the talk turned significantly more profound.
"So… This is a very personal question, I know, but I just wanted to ask – what exactly is your sexuality?" Ianto jumped straight in the deep end and held his breath while waiting for Jack to respond.
"My, someone's not afraid to cut to the chase." Jack commented, but chuckled to prove to Ianto that invasive questions didn't bother him.
"I don't usually ask nosy things like that, I was just intrigued, that's all. Sorry if I've-"
"No, no, not at all! Honestly, I really don't mind." Interrupting before Ianto grew too anxious, Jack hurriedly placed his hand over Ianto's on the table to show his genuineness. "Basically, I don't like labelling things, or forcing people into certain categories. But if I have to identify as something, I like the term omnisexual. That pretty much sums it up."
"Okay, thank you." Ianto smiled gently to show his appreciation for Jack sharing what could be regarded as sensitive information.
"What about you? If you don't mind me asking, of course." Jack turned the tables, piercing his date with his startlingly blue eyes. Somehow, his gaze came across as reassuring rather than intrusive.
"Oh no, it's fine." Ianto brushed off his nerves about answering such a question hastily. "It's a little difficult to categorise me as well, I suppose. I mean, I dated Lisa, and I was very much in love with her. But now, obviously you're here, and… Well, I can't explain it, really. It's not men, as such. Just you." At this final comment, Ianto blushed and lowered his eyes.
This didn't deter Jack. "Okay… So, did you ever figure anything out when you were younger? Say, a teenager, for example?"
Meeting his gaze once again, Ianto continued to describe his feelings. "I was brought up in a family that have very typical values, shall we say. They expected me to be straight, get a decent job, get married to a woman and have kids. They still don't actually know I'm not straight, or that I have an abnormal job, for that matter."
"Torchwood is generally secretive, and damn well hard to explain, even if you do get the opportunity to tell family." Jack agreed.
"That's true. So I never discussed any feelings I had about my sexuality while growing up. It wasn't like I had much luck with dating – the only time I got close to 'going out' with someone was when a girl asked me out as a joke in year nine. I cried myself to sleep when I found out she was having a laugh. Her name was Jenny – I'll never forget her, the bitch."
Jack laughed at that, but Ianto could detect overt sympathy in his eyes.
"I did sometimes think boys were cute, but I convinced myself it was a phase so I just suppressed those thoughts. Then, when I hadn't had a proper girlfriend in high school, people started spreading rumours that I was gay. I told them it wasn't true, but kids never listen, do they? I didn't get properly bullied for it, it's just that the other kids avoided me more. And if anything came up in class about homosexuals and the like, everyone would turn to stare at me, and some would laugh. It made me angry, but I ignored it as best as I could. I dated a couple of girls in college and university, but nothing serious. Then there was Lisa, and that brings us to now. I've managed to suppress my thoughts about men all my life, up until I met you."
"I do tend to have that effect on people." Jack grinned.
"So, in answer to your question, I suppose I consider myself bisexual. Even if it's only really one man." Ianto concluded.
Reaching both hands across the table to clasp Ianto's, Jack stared deep into his eyes and spoke from the heart. "That doesn't make your sexuality any less valid, Ianto. You should never feel insecure about these things, even though it's difficult not to. You're such an incredible person, and I'd hate to think you don't love yourself. You mean too much to me."
Ianto's expression softened massively, and he could feel the hint of tears burning in his eyes. "Oh, Jack… You're the one who's made me feel better about myself. You're the incredible one."
"Why don't we just say we're both awesome, and call it quits?" Jack joked, but his underlying tone was sincere.
"Fair enough." Ianto smiled, blinking back his tears and reinforcing his tone with resolve. In that moment, Jack and Ianto shared a look that ensured they knew exactly how they felt about each other. From there on, their relationship was so much stronger and both men, not just Ianto, grew in confidence with the knowledge of the other one by their side.
