7 Minutes

Jack was pondering Ianto's strange mood. Had been like it all day. He had got back from London and found Ianto at the polished Hub ready to go home, wanting a ride. Jack had been surprised and … well … It was a little embarrassing for him to admit he hadn't handed the keys to Ianto's' car back after blowing up in a massive tantrum. Storming out with them still in his pocket but Ianto hadn't made a big deal of it. He had walked instead like it was no big thing.

It was as they neared the flat that it had happened, Ianto calmly turning to him like he was about to ask if he wanted steak or chops for tea as he said he would rather he didn't come up tonight. It had totally floored him … like … what? He had covered his shock by saying he would go back to the Hub, wanted to do the reports and such, start the ball rolling on the UNIT meeting he had just got back from anyway. Like it was no big deal. Like he had been about to tell Ianto that.

He stopped at the doors and watched Ianto walk inside, he didn't' look back and Jack found his hand lowering from the silly unseen wave as he pondered things. He had pulled back into traffic and was turning for the Hub when his phone went off. It was Owen "Oi. Did you take him home?"

"Yeah, just saw him inside, heading back now" Jack said with his usual no nonsense bark.

"Good. He's been like a dog with a broken arse all day" Owen huffed "I know it was a shitty day yesterday with the Weevil getting out but it only slammed him against the wall a few times. He usually shrugs it off. Did you rub liniment into his shoulder like ya said you would?"

"Shoulder?"

"His shoulder. Christ, you are so dense. Remember?" Owen spoke slowly "His shoulder was bruised. The one he doesn't like touched? The one his father always … what the fuck was that?"

Jack had swung the wheel, the entire SUV swinging with him as he careened across traffic and Jack ground his teeth as he narrowly missed a head-on collision with another vehicle.

"Jack?"

"Sorry Owen. I forgot something" Jack said as he slid from the driver's seat once the SUV was in the parking spot and he raced back for the flat, cursing himself for his stubborn single-minded pigheadedness. Shit. Shit.

He slammed into the flat, Ianto turning with shock from the stove where he had been making porridge. Porridge. His comfort food. Shit.

"Jack?" Ianto's eyes were wide as he pulled the pot to one side and stepped closer "What is it? Did you forget something?"

Jack stood there looking at him. Ianto, standing there in boxer shorts and singlet, an open bathrobe on and baggy socks. The shoulder Jack had been poking that morning while acting like an arsehole now visible as the robe slid, revealing the bruising he had been poking.

"Yes Ianto" he said calmly "I did. I forgot something."

Ianto placed the spoon down instantly wanting to help as per usual.

"OK, what is it? Can I help?"

Jack stepped into his space, pulling him into his arms and smashing their mouths tougher as he hugged him tightly, pouring all the love and need into the kiss, Ianto bending back and moaning softly.

They made their way to the bedroom where Jack made him sit, rubbing in the liniment and washing his hands before returning to the bed to rub other paces, kissing and whispering affections as Ianto grunted and cried out softly, laughed and then in the end that soft sigh that was such a mark of completion that Jack always came as well.

They lay there with the night closing in and Jack snorted softly as he remembered he had left the SUV unlocked, running for the elevator like a madman. He hoped the self-engaging locks worked once he was far enough way.

"Cariad?"

"Yes Tiger?"

"What did you forget?"

"I don't know if it's too late" Jack whispered, his fingers brushing Ianto's face and Ianto smiled softly as he mirrored it with raised eyebrows.

"Tell me."

"It was only for a moment"

"A moment?"

"Like… seven minutes in a lifetime of moments" Jack whined, grimacing as Ianto looked confused. "Ianto I am so sorry."

"What? What did you forget for seven whole metaphorical minutes that makes you so … sorry?"

"I forgot to love you"

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"7 Minutes"

It's been seven minutes now since I lost my way
It doesn't seem that long, but my whole world has changed
It's in all the little things, when you smile, now it stings
It's been seven minutes since I lost the girl of my dreams

It's been half an hour now since I dropped you home
And I'm driving past the places we both know
Past the bar that we first kissed and that movie that we missed
'Cause we were hanging out in the parking lot

Now I sink a little deeper, think a little clearer
Looking at myself through these new-found eyes

Is it too late to turn around?
I'm already halfway out of town
Now I know how I let you down
Oh, I finally figured it out

I forgot to love you, love you, love you
I forgot to love you, love you, love you

Radio was playing songs for me and you
"Chasing Cars" reminds me of nights in your room
Drinking wine under your window, back when love was so damn simple
How the hell did I end up losing you?

Is it too late to turn around?
I'm already halfway out of town
Now I know how I let you down
Oh, I finally figured it out

I forgot to love you, love you, love you
I forgot to love you, love you, love you
I forgot to love you, love you, love you
I forgot to love you, love you

If I came back now would you still be there?
If I come around, would you even care?
If I came back now would you still be there?
If I come around, would you even care?

Is it too late to turn around?
I'm already halfway out of town
Now I know how I let you down
Oh, I finally figured it out

I forgot to love you, love you, love you
I forgot to love you, love you, love you
I forgot to love you, love you, love you
I forgot to love you, love you, love you