Chapter 1

Ianto sighed and set down his pencil. Of-fucking-course he'd be chosen go to write this article. All because Harkness was away gathering research for a massive upcoming article. The higher-ups were demanding a queer-related piece, because it was pride month and of course they had to have their rainbow-washing moment. And the reason he was chosen? He was best friends with Jack Harkness and they spent much of their time together. Not to mention they were flatmates. And Jack flirted constantly with Ianto.

He made it no secret he was attracted to the Welshman, and Ianto flirted back. But Ianto was straight. Jack didn't believe that whenever he would say it, but Ianto held the firm belief that he was. And now he had to take his knowledge of the queer community and put it into a seven-paragraph article. He knew Jack was omnisexual, and he wanted to include that, but he wasn't quite sure how to identify the difference between that and bisexual. And Harkness wasn't there to explain.

He figured taking a little break and going back to research and writing later couldn't hurt - he had until Saturday to submit the article, and it was just Monday. Besides, they didn't stipulate anything about the piece, other than it had to be queer content. So he could put it in any direction and they had to take it because it fell within the guidelines. If they didn't like it, well tough. He did what they wanted. That's usually how it was for his assignments anyways at Torchwood Publishing. They always grumbled, but also used the articles, because he did as they said. It was quite fun seeing John Smith's reaction every time he submitted work and it didn't fit the image in his head. If they wanted that, they can be more specific in the guidelines. He smirked to himself. This article could actually be fun, he figured.

An hour into his research and writing, he was really enjoying himself. However, he was thinking he might not be as straight as he believed. Just then, he heard the front door of his and Jack's flat open and then shut. "Hello?" Jack's voice rang out
"Anyone home?"

"In the study," was Ianto's answering call.
"You're home early," he observed.

"Yep! Gathered enough data and information, so I was allowed home to start writing. It wasn't too bad a trip, but I missed home. Missed you," he told Ianto sincerely, gazing at him.

Ianto felt caught in Jack's gaze. "I missed you too," he responded, not breaking eye contact.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"How much?"

Ianto laughed softly. "I can't quantify it, cariad."

Jack looked at him hopefully. "Did you just call me cariad?"

Ianto looked down, embarrassed. "It- it just slipped out. I- I didn't mean to... I'm sorry," he stammered, thinking he had upset the other man.

Jack gently tilted Ianto's face up to meet his, his blue eyes seemingly staring into Ianto's mind and soul. "I'm not upset. You have nothing to apologize for. I was just surprised, that's all."

"You sure?"

"Positive."

"Then I don't take it back."

Ianto moved closer to Jack, standing just in front of him. His eyes strayed to Jack's lips, before flicking back to his eyes. He swallowed, stepping back. "Right, well, I'm glad you're back. You start unpacking, and I'll bring you a mug of coffee then you can tell me all about your trip." With that, he turned and headed to the kitchen.

Jack shook his head, bemused at what just went down. He took his suitcase into his room and began tossing his clothes on the bed, making rather a large mess. He had caught a glimpse of what was on Ianto's laptop, and it raised his suspicions of him not being so straight. It wasn't his place to say otherwise, but he was going to have a conversation about what he saw with the Welshman. Especially after what happened before. And Ianto calling him cariad? He knew it could be used in a friendly term, but they'd been best friends since year ten - and that was 13 years ago, and in that time Ianto had avoided using that word around Jack.

Although he hadn't used it with his short-term girlfriend, Lisa. Jack had quizzed him about that - maybe he had an aversion to the word. Nope, he was just waiting for the right person. He said person - not girl - Jack thought about that a lot. He planned to ask Ianto why he did use that word all of the sudden, and what he meant when he said he won't take it back when Jack said he wasn't upset.