8
Ianto was in the garage, kneeling by his favourite Grandy Car. A gorgeous old Jaguar. He was checking the tyre pressure before taking it out for it's once a month spin to please the old man, who worried about his cars.
Jack found him there and he leaned against a Vanquish to watch for a while then he said "I have your jacket."
"Good, my wallet is in there" Ianto replied without looking at him.
"I missed you."
"Did you? Her boobs looked quite interesting" Ianto huffed, sitting back and turning to face him, his anger raw.
Jack's smile faded as he looked at him "Gwen? No… I know her through work. We used to work at the same agency… hey. She's just a friend. The man standing beside us was her boyfriend!"
"Well… did you notice me gone at all?" Ianto rose, "I went out for some air and got arrested for looking like a prostitute!"
Jack blinked, and then started to laugh. Great. At least HE found it funny. Ianto walked to the other side of the car and squatted to check the tyres that side, ignoring the braying jackass.
"How did you get out of that?"
"I didn't. She tasered me into a wall knocking me unconscious, then they dragged my body back to the cells overnight, I woke this morning with a slamming headache and no idea what the hell was happening. Luckily I knew the judge who was as pissed off as I am that the officer never identified herself, CCTV clearly shows I kept denying her advances and I never got medical assistance." Ianto was speaking slowly, low and with a look Jack had never seen before. Almost predatory "No rights read to me, never formally arrested, detained against my will, refused medical assistance or legal representation, just shoved in the dock. I could have been a world of ugly and let's face it… someone with my background always likes waking on a cold cell mattress. Put me in my place, eh?"
"Hey, come here. How did you get here? Where is your bike?"
"No wallet… no licence. No riding. I walked" Ianto said as he walked to the jacket and took out the wallet, waving it at Jack "this will teach me for ever trusting someone's promise of a good time. Yeah. Thanks. This is why I DO NOT go out."
Jack grabbed for him and Ianto resisted, the two men winding up struggling in an embrace before Ianto gave in and Jack kissed his cheek as he rocked them both like they were dancing "I am sorry. I am so sorry. I am. I am sorry Ianto. No more dates at the pub. A restaurant … a picnic in the middle of the day… hell… brunch in the living room… give me another chance. I am sorry you had a shit deal. Christ, it seems to look for you like a fucking curse."
"I am cursed. My mother cursed me the day I was born and was not the girl she wanted for my sister to play with." Ianto muttered into his chest "I was a disappointment from the start."
"Oh god" Jack sighed "Stop that. You cut that crap out right now. Morose bastard, listen to you. Handsome, funny, clever and so damned infuriating I want to put you over my knee. Look at me, hey… look at my face."
Ianto drew back to stare at him, the fatigue and sorrow so raw that Jack kissed him before continuing "You have not disappointed me. Not here, not now… not then. Clearly I was the one who disappointed. Come on. You have to roll with the waves or you will never get your sea legs."
Ianto stated at him then that sweet frown crossed his brow and Jack grinned.
"Are trying to be the Captain of my boat? Because… that will not work" Ianto huffed.
"No Ianto… I would never seek to control you. I am trying to let you be my lighthouse so I might always be guided home" Jack replied as he let his hand cup Ianto's face "I want you to be the safe harbour, as I am to you."
"So many sea analogies" Ianto huffed now on the back foot as he was not used to tenderness like this, it was almost frightening for him to see someone else being …well… open.
"Ianto, I can fly a plane, pilot a boat, hell… I can even drive a tank ya know. I was in the Armed Forces. A real captain but I cannot be the captain of everything. I need … hell. I need someone that sees me. Me. You are the only person I have ever met that looks at me like you really see me. Not my arse, or my smile, or my chin… or my …well... you do check my arse out sometimes but I like that… Ianto… I want to lay in your arms and feel safe." Jack admitted "I see the strength in you. It's hard being me. Being the strong one, the confident one… I know you don't do that because it's hard for you too… harder to be seen. To be even seen. I cannot imagine the level of pain in your soul for the level of stealth you employ in life."
Ianto didn't have words as Jack saw him too.
"Ianto… I can shine like a fucking diamond… you like hiding in the shadows… come stand with me. Be the wind beneath my wings."
Ianto blinked, and then as Jack had hoped, the snort of mirth finally erupted before Ianto could stop it.
"Really? I farted once in front of you and you still bring it up? Grandy was heavier to lift then!"
"Oh come on… a couple who cannot let the wee winds fly together is not a couple at all!" Jack said with a sniff "Besides. It was such a cute little pop."
"I do not pop!" Ianto said indignantly and Jack roared as he saw Ianto letting of of his anger and stating to enjoy the banter.
"Oh Ianto… you have no idea how poppin' you are sweetheart!"