10

Jack arrived with flowers and for a moment Ianto felt flustered, then amused as he realized that they were not for him, but for Ifan. White roses. His favourites.

"His faves, right?" Jack asked as if reading his mind "You like peonies."

"Yes… peonies or freesias. That's right" Ianto said with suspire, genuinely pleasantly surprised that Jack knew this. Ifan must have told him.

Jack went in to start getting the old man dressed for the day. Ifan liked to be as clean cut and dressed as possible and refused to let Ianto do it. His argument was that he didn't want his boy to see him as less than a man. Jack would never tell Ianto how fragile the old man had become, the bruises that came so easily and the withering that occurred despite physical therapy. He was failing, more each day and his hope to last until Ianto's birthday was fading. They both knew that but Jack promised he would not tell Ianto.

Jack exited the room once Ifan was settled back in the bed and breathing normally once more, the effort of moving around taking a toll.

Ianto was at the kitchen table with some sandwiches and a large cup of coffee for Jack, his own almost half drunk already. Jack took a sip and groaned settling in to smile "So… what's up today?"

"Heddlu want to come by the shop to talk about their little mistake" Ianto snorted.

"What do you want to do?"

Spit in their eyes."

Jack snorted into his cup of coffee and then sighed "they want to offer you some compensation in return for not going to the press right?"

"Me. Mister Never Talk… yeah. I might as well get something out of it. Donate it to the Unsupported Youth Alliance." Ianto nodded, referring to an organization that helped those kids too old to be in care anymore but unwanted by anyone. Got them jobs, accommodation… started them with a life.

"You a member?"

"I take in the odd one or two for work experience and such… actually three of my staff are from the agency. Some come and go... but some become like family" Ianto smiled, liking what he was talking about as he lit up.

Jack watched him glow as he talked, becoming animated and so damned sexy. He sat back and enjoyed watching Ianto shine. So damned sexy.

"So… your birthday plans. They are about ready?"

"He's not gonna last" Ianto said softly, suddenly deflating and Jack wished he hadn't brought it up.

Ianto rose to head into work and to Jack's pleasant surprise he leaned over him and kissed him goodbye like a lover then with a wild blush he took off leaving Jack to laugh softly in the empty kitchen.

.

.

The Heddlu came to the store and left soon after, the paperwork left for Ianto to go over already slid over to Toshiko who was reading it as she sipped her green tea.

"Looks good."

Ianto knew he would sign but didn't want to appear eager, liking the squirming he was casing someone in a uniform. Funny how he still hates authority.

.

.

.

"How was your day?" Owen asked as he exited the bedroom to find Ianto in the kitchen.

"Long. Was gonna go home but remembered that I had left my bike at home so I need one of his cars … well… and wanted to see the old man" Ianto smiled then asked "Did you knock him out yet?"

"Sorry, he drifted off a good ten minutes or so back … I was just setting his lines for the night before heading off my on damned self. Ruby Lou is on night shift and she is settled by his bed what that stupid rug she is crocheting."

"Ah. Oh well… he would only scold me for driving with a concussion." Ianto shrugged.

"Jack is still here, changing before he leaves. You two sort out your shit from the other night?"

"Yes mummy" Ianto said in a silly voice "We kissed and made up."

"Ewwww... no details. Sick fucker. Just so you know… he is not gonna wake up if you drove a tank through the bedroom and she is engrossed in her audio book" Owen winked, and then left the house as Ianto stood there wondering what the hell that information was for.

Then it struck him.

Jack was in the other room getting changed into street gear.

They were effectively alone in the house and this was as good a time as any to tell Jack what he was thinking, discuss things and maybe… maybe come up with a plan moving forward.

Only… Jack was not so much of a plan kinda guy as he was a spontaneous sort of fella and he might not be into a heart-to-heart sit down conversation about things. And really… had they not gone over and over things… bringing up the past and Ianto's insecurities must not make him all that appealing… if he was not carful he would chase Jack off like he did everyone that had tried to have a relationship with him in the past.

Ianto had to man up.

He had to find that backbone and go tell Jack exactly what he wanted from him.

Be a fucking man.