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A reminder that this story does involve discussion and suggestion of domestic violence.

Ianto soon found that Jack had been right: he did find it incredibly easy to speak to Martha Jones. She never interrupted him, she never judged or responded in a way that made Ianto feel any less than safe. He began to enjoy their regular sessions.

Later that week, Jack and Owen organised a trip to Ianto's house while they were all sure that Lisa was out. With the help of Rhys Williams, they managed to call round during her shift in one of the local restaurant bars where she worked as a rather popular waitress. Tosh and Gwen seated themselves in the bar and kept tabs on her working while the boys helped Ianto collect some of his belongings.

Once he had taken what little he wanted or needed, he closed and locked the front door behind him, took a steadying breath and finally posted the key back through the letter box. He turned his back on the house, his home for the last few years, and got into Jack's car beside him.

"Ok?" Jack enquired gently.

"Yep." Ianto said firmly. "Let's just go. Please."

Jack didn't need telling twice.

The group of friends shared a takeout and a few beers back at Jack's place that evening. As they ate, laughed and talked, Ianto was suddenly overcome with a sense of normality and belonging. He excused himself and made his way to the kitchen where he finally let the tears come. He cried for the home and relationship he had lost, but also with relief at the fear and pain he'd now left behind. As he clutched the counter he felt a strong hand gently begin to caress his back, and he knew Jack was there. Jack was always there.

Ianto finally managed to catch his breath, and as Jack handed him a wad of tissues he smiled.

"Thank you."

"I am so proud of you," Jack beamed at him. "You really are amazing."

Ianto smiled again but shook his head.

"Hey!" Jack scolded. "None of that. You are an incredibly brave man, Jones Ianto Jones."

"That's my new nickname then is it?" Ianto chuckled, trying to change the subject.

"Well I guess if I can't call you Yan…"

"I'm actually seriously considering it."

Jack raised his eyebrows.

"Really?"

"Jack, in the last few weeks you have shown me more care and compassion than my own girlfriend ever did in the last 3 years."

"Yeah, well," Jack shrugged. "I like to think I am actually a decent human being."

"I'm serious," Ianto continued. "You've been such a great friend to me. I really like you."

Jack looked into the younger man's blue eyes and spotted the familiar blush begin to creep across his now fully healed face.

"I really like you too," Jack whispered, gently running his hand along Ianto's. For a moment, the two stood staring into each other's eyes, before Ianto cleared his throat and took a step back out of Jack's reach.

"I, um… I meant as a friend, Jack." He stammered softly. "I'm straight."

Jack mentally shook himself.

"Of… of course Ianto," He grinned and ran a hand through his own hair. "So did I. Sorry, far too much beer!"

The boys returned to their evening; but Ianto could not get his chat with Jack in the kitchen out of his head. For a moment, just for a moment, he felt that if Jack had gone to kiss him he, Ianto, would not have protested. And yet, Ianto was straight… Wasn't he? Ok, so he had shared a kiss with a classmate called Greg, when they were both 15. But it had been a one off, soon afterwards Greg fell for another boy they both knew and Ianto started seeing a girl he sat with in his French class. The last three years he had obviously been with Lisa and in between that? Well, apart from the odd fling, there had been no one; certainly no men.

Ianto glanced now across the room where Owen was attempting to juggle some of Jack's apples and Jack was roaring with laughter at the failed attempts. There really was something about him, thought Ianto, which filled his heart. Or was it simply because Jack had been his saviour, his hero? Was he confusing Jack's heroism with something else, something more?

He obviously likes you, said the voice in his head. He almost kissed you in the kitchen.

Ianto's stomach filled with butterflies at the thought; Christ he was 24 not 16! And yet here he was, crushing terribly on the older man across the room from him.

Jack meanwhile, was facing a similar battle inside his head. Glancing across the room at Ianto every few moments, he couldn't shake the feelings for the young man that were clearly growing stronger each day. He's straight, his head reminded him. Even without the trauma he's currently dealing with, it does not change the fact that he is not into men!

Jack sighed to himself, tore his gaze from the gorgeous man across the room and instead downed another beer.