JantoForever21: I take it it's sweet. :/
wytygr: One of my friends is a salesperson in a tech store, I don't know if that's ever happened to him tho. I just thought it'd be funny.
seether79: Glad you're looking forward to more! :]
Liquid_pink_sunshine: Thank you!
hotflower901: With some aspects of my life they're quite open but yes I am fairly 'chameleon' like as well (following the analogy). My parents aren't truly aware that I write stuff that has leanings towards homoerotica. I don't really give a crap what my step dad thinks coz he's kind of an asshole and my mom doesn't really show any interest in anything I write (or even do) and if she does it's only to disapprove. I don't think that there's such a thing as completely hetero per say... it just depends on the person/attraction etc. It is a first step for Ianto but I'm fairly mean, three steps forward and seven back! :]
Jessie_Blackwood: Thanks, I'm trying to keep it general but I've only got my experiences of coming out etc to base it on.
Efern: Glad you like it... I need to watch a bit more of the US version of QAF ;]
Authors/Note: Jack plans for their night. Ianto worries that he's turning girly. There's talk of orientation and some freaking out when Jack tells Ianto that Gwen knows. In the end Jack goes to his best friend for support and Gwen locks herself in the bathroom. Not really any mature warnings in this chapter, some mild kissing and cussing but that's life! Enjoy and thanks for everyone who reviewed! Keep reviewing, tell me I'm on the right path etc! I love the word etc! Again Enjoy! :]
Chapter Three
Okay! What does one buy for entertaining a very manly rugby player questioning his sexuality? Even this seemed a little surreal for me, Jack thought as he wandered the aisles of the supermarket. A fancy romantic meal was out, that would just have Ianto running for the hills!
He picked up a bag of potato chips and stared at them in wonder before picking up another one; he turned them over and read the ingredients and health stats on the back of the packet before putting both of them back in disgust. Jack sighed and grabbed up the first bag again and threw it into the trolley, he absolutely hated junk food but he wanted to make a good impression for Ianto. He wanted the guy to like him, more so than the few shy smiles and comfortable silences he'd already received from the sexy welshman besides it didn't mean he had to eat the damn chips!
He got pre-breaded and spicy chicken wings and made sure to grab a crate of beer, the same brand that Ianto had drunk on their 'lad's night' then went to pay for it.
"Having a party?" asked the checkout girl
"Something like that" he replied with a grin "I'm trying to seduce a slightly unsure straight man" the poor girl's eyebrows nearly shot up into her hairline. She nodded her head, opening and closing her mouth while she stared at him
"Well... uhh good luck with that!" she helped him pack and then Jack hurried away more than embarrassed about revealing his plans to a complete stranger. It made him sound mad! Looking at the purchases sitting on the passenger seat of the car he was beginning to think he was.
*
Ianto looked through his wardrobe, he'd just gotten out of the shower and was padding round his bedroom dripping wet in nothing but a towel wrapped loosely round his hips. He'd showered and shaved, put on his best cologne and deoderant and now he was looking at what to wear.
As he stood staring at his clothes he suddenly felt extremely girly and he hated it. In the end he pulled on some dark blue fitted jeans a grey jersey then his rugby shirt before pulling the sleeves of the jersey up his arms. He grinned at himself in the mirror; so definitely not girly, he told himself. Then he went about fixing his hair, drying it quickly then spiking it up messily with gel.
Ianto grabbed his watch, looking at it... it was getting later, if he didn't leave now then he'd be late for Jack. Sighing frustratedly he flopped down on his bed; if I go now then that's it, I'll be completely bender... a poof, but if I don't... Jack's happy face appeared in his head making butterflies dance in his stomach.
"That's it!" he muttered, he grabbed his keys and left.
It didn't take him all that long to find Jack's place, it wasn't that far from where he lived. Jack lived in a terraced house with a well tended garden. Ianto walked up the path and knocked on the door.
Jack opened it and looked unbelievably relieved to see him standing there, he stepped aside with an infectious grin on his face
"Come in! Come in!" he ushered the young rugby player into the house before shutting the door behind him "I laid on some food... we could order pizza if you want"
"Nah that's alright. I'm a vegetarian and pizza places don't really appeal to my dietary quirk" he explained straight faced then burst out laughing when Jack paled. He clapped him on the arm still laughing his head off "I'm kidding. Do you really think that my mam would let me grow up without sunday roast?"
"Oh thank god. I got lots and lots of chicken" he explained pointing to the plates of chicken and bowls of potato chips
"Ah, I see you're after my heart!" joked Ianto then both of them realised the implication of the words; Ianto dropped himself down onto the couch cursing his choice of phrase.
"I've never watched a rugby game before" Jack confessed as he sat down next to Ianto and snatched up a wing "Honestly, tonight I should be working. A deadline is coming up at the end of the month and my agent is going to have my ass"
"How's that going? The writing?" Ianto glanced at Jack who turned to face him and there was one of those slow staring moments between them
"Good" Jack said huskily as his eyes flittered down to Ianto's mouth, oh god so close. The noise on the TV distracted them and Ianto turned to see things kicking off
"Do you really want to watch this? Because if you're not a fan of rugby I could always watch the highlights later, we could watch a movie or..." he trailed off unsure what else he could suggest. Jack was still staring at him making him nervous now "I read your book!"
Ianto hadn't exactly meant to shout it but he was just a little uneasy with Jack leering at him hungrily and now Jack was looking at him like he'd grown an extra head "Sorry" he mumbled feeling the blush creep up over his face "It's just I'm nervous. I don't know what to do or say or..."
"Hey" Jack interrupted him "That makes two of us. You've thrown me. I do have a fairly wild track record for guys, and some girls before I came to my senses, but I've never went after a straight guy before. Lusted after them, naturally, but never gone after them. I'm off my game... usually I know what a guy wants but that's only because they want the same things that I do. But not you..."
"I was kinda worried that I was turning into a girl. I'm a bit worried that all of a sudden I'm interested in..." he trailed off realising he was confessing more than he intended to
"In dick? Honey, don't worry about it. If you are then yay for me. Besides... you might not be gay, you might just like both. Naughty boy"
"Like... bisexual?" he mumbled aloud to himself "That sounds so much better than becoming a poof" Jack glared at him "Sorry. I didn't mean... hey I'm part poof!"
"Admitting it already? Took me eight years before I could say that I was a raging homo"
"Really?!" gasped Ianto in surprise "Why?"
"Because my family wasn't gay friendly and I was in denial for a very long time" he explained "But now I don't have my parents begging for grandchildren or my brother poking fun at me and I can have as much cock as I want" Ianto choked on his breathe and began coughing violently.
"How can you be so forward"
"Because life is short and I'd rather get what I want instead of hoping I get what I want and not getting it"
"I see" he nodded as he stared at the TV in front of him. He began to get excited and jump up and down "Come on! Come on! Yes! Yes! Come on baby! You can do it! Yeah!" Ianto cheered excitedly before pulling Jack to his feet for a victory dance which consisted of a jumping hug.
"I take it the side you're rooting for just scored" Jack stated once the happy welshman settled back down on the couch
"Yep! If New Zealand win this one then we'll be playing them on home ground" he explained. Jack stared aghast at the figures running around on the pitch
"You'll be playing... them? They're kill you!"
"No they won't. They'll give us good game" he chuckled treating Jack to a warm smile before he turned back to the TV. Despite his reassurances Jack still wasn't sure that he wanted the rather handsome man to go up against those... warriors. Thankfully he was distracted from his worry when Ianto grabbed Jack's hand holding it tightly as another try was being made.
Ianto couldn't take his eyes off the TV but Jack couldn't take his eyes of their clasped hands, when the team scored Ianto jumped to his feet and Jack jumped up with him. He'd never had so much fun cheering for sport before and he was really enjoying himself. Ianto grabbed him into a hug as he crowed the victory then it hit both of them just how close they really were.
Jack pulled back locking eyes with the young fly half, staring into those beautiful blue depths before leaning in slowly bringing their lips together. He brushed his mouth softly over Ianto's, exploring and testing the water before pulling back to see his reaction. Jack saw what he had hoped to see so he went in for another insistent kiss, pressing his mouth more firmly to the younger man's.
Weather worn hands came up to cup Jack's face as the kiss deepened almost naturally lips nipping hungrily, tongues dancing desperately as they tried to get closer to each other. Ianto pulled away when he felt Jack's hands at his hips sliding under his shirt Jack looked very thoroughly debauched and he had no doubt he looked exactly the same.
"Are you okay?" the American writer asked him unsure whether he should leave him be or try and comfort him
"Yeah, yeah... I've never kissed a guy before"
"How was it?"
"Good. I liked it" he nodded lickly his lips "I um... I liked kissing you. Oh god" he sank down on the couch burying his head in his hands. Jack sat down next to him
"It's okay you know... if you want to go then I'll understand" he looked down expecting Ianto to do another runner. When their eyes met it looked like he was about to but the heartbroken look on Jack's face held him still
"I could do with a drink"
"Me too" Jack agreed finally, he wandered off to the kitchen and came back with two cool cans of beer.
"Thanks, man" he snapped open the pull and downed a hefty gulp before hiccuping "Why is it so scary?"
"Because of stereotypes. It's new and you're expecting people to look at you like you're strange... because you're different. But it's okay, you're not as different as you think... there are millions of bi-sexual people all over the world. The people who mind don't matter and the people who don't mind matter, there will always be people out there who will accept and care for you. I think I'm beginning to be one of them"
"Really?"
"As odd as that sounds Ianto Jones, yes, I do. You're a rather cute looking guy and I have a feeling you've got a good head on your shoulders"
"It's been a while since anyone hinted that I was clever" he stated as he leaned back against the leather couch and put one foot up on the coffee table "And not just some dumb rugby player"
"You still are a dumb rugby player" Jack joked, Ianto whapped him with a pillow until they ended up having a pillow fight. Then wrestling.
They sat on the couch panting heavily after their wrestling, content to be sprawled over each other as the rugby game continued on the TV "I could get used to that"
"So you want me to spend more time around you?" Ianto asked quietly, Jack fixed him with his attention
"Yeah I'd hope that you would but if you don't want to then I'll understand. I know that this is all new to you and that you're with Toshiko..." at the mention of his girlfriend's name he sat up and reached for his can
"I can't leave her, I mean... she'd be devastated. Especially if I left her for another man" he pointed out
"If you do... if things between us... you should tell her. Gwen's already threatened me about you"
"You told Gwen?! She's going to tell Tosh! Why the hell would you do that?! I can't believe you'd do that!" Ianto jumped up shouting angrily at Jack "Why the hell... I'm out of here before you do anymore damage!"
"Ianto... wait!" cried Jack as he grabbed the welshman's arm but Ianto just shrugged him off and left slamming the door behind him.
"Great!" shouted Jack as he threw himself down on the couch angrily "I've gone and blown it again!"
*
The next day Jack stood outside Gwen's flat, he pressed the buzzer and she let him in. She was rather surprised to see him and even more surprised to see the woe-is-me look on his face
"Jack? Whu... what's wrong?" she pulled him in before heading down the hall so she could put the kettle on "I haven't seen you so upset in ages!"
"Ianto came round to mine to watch the rugby match" he confessed
"Jack Antony Harkness you bloody well didn't!" she hissed angrily "I told you to stay away from him! Not invite over!" she softened when she saw how hurt he looked "He didn't... hurt you did he?"
"What? No! We talked and... oh god I kissed him. He was okay with that... we talked about Tosh and sexuality but he lost it when I told him you knew how I felt about him"
"Felt?" she whispered pulling him to sit down on the couch. She stared at him then gasped "Christ Harkness, you've gone and fallen for him haven't you?" he nodded before he started crying
"I really like him. I know he's mostly straight and I know he's with Tosh but I can't help it" he wiped away those fast falling tears and she pulled him into her arms
"It's okay, it's going to be okay"
"He kissed me back. He's a wonderful kisser" he whispered as she stroked his hair "Aren't you supposed to be angry with me?"
"I'll be angry later when Tosh comes crying to me that Ianto's gay. But for now you need me, you're my best friend Jack and I love you"
"I love you too, Gwen, and I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't have invited him round..."
"Hey, hey... shhh" she soothed him. He began to drift off to sleep and not longer after that Gwen fell asleep as well.
An hour later Rhys came home to find Jack and Gwen curled up on the couch fast asleep, he could tell that Jack had been crying and he'd come to his best friend for support. He gently shook his wife awake gesturing for her to be quiet as he nodded down at Jack asleep with his head pillowed on her lap
"What happened?" whispered Rhys nodding at Jack, he helped her lift him up so she could get up. Jack cuddled up against the pillows oblivious to the fact that he wasn't using Gwen as a pillow anymore
"You wouldn't believe me if I'd told you! He's gone and fallen for Ianto" she explained as she padded into the kitchen and put the kettle on
"Ianto? The fly half Ianto?"
"Yeah"
"I didn't know he was gay"
"Neither did Ianto" she replied cattily
"Wait a minute!" gasped Rhys "I thought he was with that Tosh? The hot Japanese girl"
Gwen turned round glaring at him with a hurt expression and he knew that he'd said the wrong thing
"So you think she's hot?! Hotter than me? Well, I guess she is now that I'm fat!" she sobbed as her face crumpled up. Jack stirred on the couch waking up just in time for Gwen to make a surprisingly fast exit from the room to lock herself in the bathroom.
Rhys glared down at Jack who was looking up at the welshman rather sleepily with his hair sticking up every which way
"You better help me get her out of there or there's going to be hell to pay" he muttered to his wife's best friend
"What happened?"
"We were talking about you and I asked if Ianto was with that hot Tosh girl. Gwen got upset, claimed that I think that Tosh is hotter than she was then went and locked herself in the bathroom" Jack rolled his eyes in disbelief
"Why did you have to use the word hot?"
"Just help me!" Rhys snapped, angry at the situation
"Rhys, got make her some herbal tea. That chai crap she likes to drink... and I'll go get her" he pointed Rhys to the small kitchen while he hurried to the locked bathroom door. Tentatively knocking on it he waited for a reply
"Go away!"
"Gwen, it's Jack" he called through the door
"He called me fat!" she wailed
"No he didn't, come on. Open the door... he's making you tea, it's chai... your favourite! Come on Gwen, I need you... I need my wonderfully sexy and clever friend to tell me what to do. I can't figure all this out without you" there was silence for a moment and then the door cracked open. Her face was tear soaked and as soon as she saw him standing there she threw herself into his arms and sobbed wildly.
Rhys stood in the doorway watching the two friends; Gwen crying and Jack soothing her. As he heard Jack whispering to her he suddenly felt really glad that Jack was in their lives
"He loves you, y'know, he married you not Toshiko. You. He's having a baby with you... I doubt he'd do all that if he didn't think you were hot"
"I think she's bloody gorgeous" he called getting their attention, he slowly walked towards his wife "You're as gorgeous as you were the day I met you and I'm a damn fool if I ever make you think otherwise. Come here sexy" he held out his arms for her and she pulled away from Jack to dive at Rhys. He caught her easily and kissed her stroking her hair softly
"I love you Rhys the rant. You can't half be a bloody idiot at time" she told him as she wiped away her tears. Jack crept past them and went into the kitchen to make dinner for the three of them.
TBC...