deemama66: Not trying to torture you. I'm sure you're a very good person! :]

CaptureTheDevil: Yep, yay Rhys. It's not that Tosh is a bad person. Just a little distracted. I mean John Hart... those cheekbones!

XxTypoMasterxX: She doesn't really know him and yeah she did put her foot in her mouth but she'll get to know Jack and become really good friends with him.

Cherry-Anne Sponge: Hehe, I always liked Rhys. Personally I thought he was too good for Gwen. He will kick ass in this fic.

katwinchester: Glad you liked it. Was a bit worried that it sounded odd or off but if people liked that scene then it's all good! :]

Amethystbutterflys: Here's the next one. See A/N for details about this chapter!

Poisoned-Thorns: Thanks. Building things up slooowly. Is always good.

Authors/Note: You're all gonna hate me for this but I cut off this chapter right before it got to all the good stuff. I was writing the first 'proper' scene between Jack and Ianto and I was having a harder time than normal (excuse the pun). So I cut it off and started that scene as a new chapter so it gives me more time to work on it, make it right. Gotta admit that it is pretty steamy at the moment despite sounding somewhat like an instruction manual. Annnyway, this chapter. Ianto finally admits his orientation to himself and they talk about being gay, do some dancing and skip the party. I want to thank Poisoned-Thorns for the Prompt. I was a bit dubious about using the name of the first openly gay rugby player in here in case of copyright or whatever so I didn't. But if you're really interested in finding out it's not that difficult, he plays for the Blues! As for the rugby facts, I had to look them up. There is the Celtic League, Premier Division and Six Divisions after that. Basically a lot, I didn't know there was so many and thankfully didn't list them all! Oh and before I forget. Lisa makes a brief appearance here and Jack is bitchy to her. Ianto running into his ex,ex-girlfriend was inspired by me running into an ex bf of mine a few days ago. It could have been awkward but I didn't look like I'd just been dragged out of the stone age for a change and felt pretty good. So thanks BL for inspiring me! Read and review as always guys and just enjoy! Be warned readers! This part has rude words and suggestive talk between two men, if that ain't your thing then you're in the wrong place!

Chapter Nine

His suits weren't really all that dapper or stylish, it wasn't like he wore them often in his line of work, but tonight was special and he wanted to make an effort so he pulled out the one decent suit from the back of his wardrobe. Ianto ironed the white shirt from the suit and even went all out and bought a tie.

The young Welshman tried to do his best but when he was stood in front of the mirror he was sure that he looked like he'd just played a round of rugby in it and dragged through a hedge backwards. It wasn't a particularly fashionable or well fitted suit but it had to do, he was half about to call Jack and cancel when his doorbell rang. A quick glance at his clock confirmed that it was the time they'd agreed on for Jack to pick him up

"Shit" he cursed himself as he ran a hand through his shaggy, slightly damp hair and headed down to the front door of the building. Jack, of course, was standing there in a very gorgeous Armani suit that made him look refined and intelligent

"Wow" smiled Jack as he reached up to adjust Ianto's tie "You look amazing"

"T-thank you" Ianto mumbled before nodding at Jack "You look... um..." he trailed off because words were failing him and he leaned forward softly pressing their lips together, his hand coming up to cup Jack's cheek. Ianto's thumb brushed lightly over the American's skin making him dizzy. When they broke for air Ianto apologised "I'm sorry it's just that you looked... and I had to..."

"Thanks" grinned Jack "Shall we go?"

"Yeah" he nodded taking Jack's hand. He was led to Jack's car and he happily sat in the passenger seat, moaning softly as he sank into the smooth leather.

The journey there was quiet, Ianto wasn't sure what to expect from the press release. When he'd joined the team there had been a press release and he had to answer some questions and do a photo shoot with the strip, somehow he imagined that this was going to be different. Maybe Jack had to sign some copies of his book?

Overall the q & a took about an hour and a half, Jack answered a lot of questions and he half expected Ianto to get bored or unable to follow some of the more in-depth questions but as he watched his new lover, standing near one of the columns off to the side, he could see that he was clearly following and interested in the questions and answers. It warmed him that Ianto was paying such great attention to him. Then it all seemed to go to hell.

He spotted a dark skinned woman with short black hair sidle up to Ianto, Jack paused mid sentence before he flashed a false smile and continued with the questioning keeping his eyes on his boyfriend. Ianto knew the woman, they hugged and Jack felt sick with jealousy; who was she? How did they know one another? Was she that woman he'd slept with? Was that his one night stand? Had they planned to rub it in his face... stupid gay man falling for a hetero rugby beefcake! He could just imagine their taunts!

Owen could tell that Jack was getting distracted by what was happening on the other side of the room and he decided to call it quits. Jack had given well over an hour to the reporters, journalists and general fans and Owen thought it best to end the q&a and get Jack over to his boyfriend before anything serious happened

"That's the last question. Thank you all for coming" he announced, Jack clammed up with a pensive look on his face. Owen followed Jack's line of sight and saw what he was looking at. Yes it did look somewhat cosy, but since Owen wasn't madly in love with Ianto, he could also see the tension pouring off Ianto in spades.

"Ianto!"

"Lisa" he gasped suddenly shocked that his ex girlfriend before Toshiko was here in front of him. She looked really good and he began to panic as her smile turned almost smug as she reached out pulling him into a hug

"I can't believe I'm running into you here... of all places!"

"Yeah... special invite. So, why are you here? Are you reporting?" he asked her, he didn't want to give too much away because the way she was looking at him made him feel small, stupid and dirty like he was something she'd just stepped in

"Yep... you know me. Work, work, work! I'm with the Torchwood Gazette, it's a culture piece. Again so surprised to see you! Culture wasn't exactly something you were big on, how's the rugby?"

"It's good. I've gone professional" he mumbled feeling ashamed, Ianto glanced at the panel where Jack and Owen had been sitting and saw that they were wrapping down the questions and now Jack was walking towards them.

"Yeah I know. My husband is forever hogging the remote just so he can watch rugby. He supports Wigan"

"They're in a different league to us" he answered her just as Jack reached them putting his hand on Ianto's forearm "I have to go, it was nice seeing you!"

He almost made his escape successfully pulling Jack away but Lisa put her hand up pressing it against his chest and offered a sickeningly saccharine smile

"Aren't you going to introduce me to your friend?" she asked, Ianto was sure that she would have said 'little friend' if she thought she could get away with it. He almost wished she had because then he would have been able to pull out a machine gun and re enacted that scene from Scarface

"Oh um. Jack Harkness this is Lisa Hallett, she works for the Torchwood Gazette"

"Ah, Ms Hallett! Pleasure to meet you" Jack was just as simperingly nice. I wonder if I can become diabetic with how much sweetness there is in this room?! Ianto thought as his boyfriend started chatting with one of his ex girlfriends'

"It's Hallett-Walsh now" she flashed her rings and Jack nodded seemingly somewhat impressed "It is an honour to finally meet you, your book is very impressive"

"Thank you" he nodded again

"You're more than welcome" she took a subtle step forward and Ianto was sure that she was trying to come onto Jack; guess she wasn't 'happily' married then. Standing there, Ianto felt rage and jealousy welling up inside him, but he didn't know who it was directed at "So how do you know Ianto?"

Oh god, screamed Ianto's mind, don't tell her that I'm your boyfriend! Don't tell her I'm your boyfriend! I'm not ready to be outed yet! I could loose my job, my family could turn against me! Whatever you do, don't tell her! Ianto was mentally screaming at Jack who was still smiling

"He's a friend of a friend. My best friend, Gwen, she's just had a baby... normally she would come to things like this with me but after her just having the baby I asked Ianto instead. At least he understands this all more than Gwen does" Lisa started chuckling to herself

"Aw, that's so sweet. But I know Ianto, he's the last person who could follow this! Let alone understand it" she stated just as Owen came over with his wife Katie on his arm

"Are you guys ready to go?" he demanded "Party train is leaving now!"

"Yeah, well it was nice meeting you Louise" said Jack before walking off

"See ya" mumbled Ianto and he followed after his boyfriend. When he caught up with him he could see Jack scowling

"Nasty bitch, you're not culturally retarded or stupid! You dated her?" he hissed making Ianto smile "I hope something big runs over her"

Ianto couldn't help but burst out laughing, he had been expecting Jack to let him down but he'd remained civil, kept Ianto's sexuality safe and made him feel better about Lisa's put downs. Smiling he reached out linking fingers with Jack.

Jack was surprised at the outward display of affection Ianto was giving him and turned to look at his boyfriend who was just smiling

"Thank you" said Ianto softly with a warm smile on his face

"What for?"

"Just..." he was trying to think of a reason but in the end nothing firm came to mind "Just being you. Now let's go to this party"

"Yeah"

*

The after party was being held at the house of the Publishing House's owners. It was a big affair in a big house surrounded by a ridiculous amount of cctv monitored fencing, there was a pool and a five minute drive before you got anywhere near the main building.

Apart from Jack and Owen he didn't really know anyone in the over crowded grand house. Surely his world of professional sporting celebrity should have collided with Jack's world but it seemed not to have happened. It made him feel like a fish out of water

"I'm going to get some champagne" Jack announced before rushing off disappearing into the crowd leaving Ianto there alone.

Unsure what to do or who to speak to Ianto carefully made his way through the bustling room and out towards the garden where it was quiet. He spotted a waiter carrying a tray of champagne so he snagged a glass along the way. The stars were just beginning to come out and the uncharacteristically warm day was slowly starting to cool, Ianto let against the wall over looking the lawn that stretched off into the darkness and felt content.

The past week had seemed like a whirlwind and only now was he coming to terms with everything; he'd met a man who was unbelievably gorgeous, been dumped by his girlfriend, told his sister that he was interested in Jack and met Jack's family!

"Oh holy fuck, I'm gay" he gasped as it slowly dawned on him. Ianto wanted to be with Jack, wanted to learn things about him that people learnt when they became a couple... he wanted to know what made Jack smile, what made his knees weak, where he went to high school, what his favourite song was when he was younger was. He wanted to give Jack everything and that scared the shit out of him.

His hand started shaking on their own accord and he quickly downed the champagne in one go to avoid spilling it before setting the glass down on the wall so he could spread his hands out against the rough brickwork

"There you are. I was wondering where you'd got to" he glanced over to see Jack standing there and he offered him a small smile before looking back out into the dusk settling over the expansive garden "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, just feeling a little overwhelmed. It's been a busy week... I'd like it if things would just settle down" explained Ianto. Jack moved to stand next to him so their shoulders were pressed together, he chose his words carefully

"Are you saying to you want to cool it?" he asked not glancing at Ianto. Jack felt the solid feel of Ianto's shoulder press into him almost lovingly as if to convince him that wasn't what he wanted

"I don't want to cool it. I like it... that's the problem. I'm scared... this has gone so fast and I've accepted it quicker than I ever thought possible. I mean... I'm gay. I'm gay, Jack..." he turned his head, his words coming out in near panic. Jack grabbed his hand and nodded his head

"Shh, I know, Ianto, I know and it's okay. It is okay, isn't it?" inquired Jack quietly. Ianto linked his fingers with Jack's and they stood there in silence for a moment just grinning at each other

"Yeah it's okay" Ianto replied finally before both of them fell quiet enjoying the nightfall and the emergence of twinkling stars. A few minutes later Ianto cleared his throat "Do you want to go back inside?"

"No. I'm good here" Jack answered him as he gave his boyfriend's hand a light squeeze "Are we still going back to yours after this?"

"I probably shouldn't drink so much... one of us is going to need to drive" he mused but Jack just shook his head

"Yeah right. Like I'm letting you anywear near my car! We're getting a taxi and I'll pick it up in the morning. This is a party and I want you to enjoy yourself..."

"Alright" nodded Ianto as he downed the glass of champagne Jack have given him before tugging Jack away from the wall and back into the party "Does any of these people know who I am?"

"I don't think so. Our worlds don't really clash"

"Good, coz if this got out then I'd probably loose my job and I kinda like it. That being said... I'd really like to dance with you, if that's okay"

"Dancing is good. You lead" mumbling Jack as they moved to where other couples were dancing. He pulled Jack into his arms, their hands clasped and resting on Ianto's shoulder as they swayed to the music

"This is nice" Ianto whispered into his ear, no one was paying attention to them save for the fact that a few people commented on how good they looked together. No one cared that they were gay and they were dancing, there was no outrage and no disgust... it all made Ianto feel normal, like this was okay.

"Ahm" agreed Jack before he laid his head against Ianto's shoulder and took a step closer "Y'know, before, when you said about if it got out that you were gay that you'd loose your job. What did you mean? Because I know they can't fire someone for being gay, there's rules"

"You sound drunk" Ianto chuckled making Jack smile "No, they couldn't kick me off the team for being gay but there's about twenty two guys on the team altogether. Twenty two versus one aren't good odds... do you know how many openly gay rugby players there are in the Welsh leagues and divisions?"

"No"

"One" Jack looked surprised

"Just one? Wait... you said leagues and divisions. So it's not all of rugby... it doesn't sound that bad if it's just one guy in the Welsh league"

"Jack. There's the Celtic League, which my team is in, that has four teams. After that there's Premier Division with fourteen teams, Division One with thirty four teams, Division Two with thirty six teams, Division Three with forty eight teams..."

"I think I get the idea. I'm sorry... I understand you want to keep it a secret" Jack interrupted him before he told him all the divisions

"It's not that I want to keep it a secret. I don't mind being open with you... I mean, what's the point of admitting that I like you and not showing it? I just don't want to loose my job and I don't want my family to disown me"

"They wouldn't do that" Jack looked up, his cheek brushing Ianto's before their eyes met "I thought you were close with your family"

"I am, yes, but they're also Welsh. You know... the religious kind; shit what made it so hard to accept all this was because I've been raised Catholic and they say it's a sin"

"Do you really feel that way? That what you feel for me is sinful?" he inquired, he wasn't using a line he was just trying to figure Ianto out; slowly getting to know him

"No, Jack, I don't think what we have is sinful" he smiled

"Guess I should be trying harder" joked Jack

"You try any harder and I'll have to do something right here, right now" he leaned closer, Jack noticed how dark Ianto's eyes were

"Oh like what?" the quiet Welshman pressed tight close to Jack, his mouth so close to his boyfriend's ear

"I don't know. This is all a bit new to me... but you can feel what just dancing with you has done to me" the pleasing timbre of his voice made Jack shiver. He could feel the erection pressing against his hip and he let his eyes flutter shut

"Can we go? So we can do something about your... excitement for slow dancing?"

"Thought you'd never ask" grinned Ianto.

Owen was dancing with Katie when he spotted Jack and Ianto out of the corner of his eye walking to the front door without attracting attention

"Owen?" he glanced at Katie before looking back at the fleeing couple

"Look" Owen told her. She turned to see what he was looking at and smiled wildly

"Hm, that looks like a good idea. What say we get out of here?" she cosied up to him and he wrapped his arm around her

"That, Mrs Harper, sounds like a damn good idea" they went to find their coats. By the time they were at the door Jack and Ianto were sitting in the back of a taxi making out.

*

Jack had been here before but he'd never been inside. It was tidier than he expected; he got a chance to look around when Ianto hung their coats up before he came back in, taking charge of everything.

Ianto felt like he was burning, he'd never been so turned on in all his life. Just kissing Jack was enough to have his cock straining against his trousers; he decided to multi task the need for talking with the need for getting air. He broke the kiss inhaling and mumbling to his boyfriend about coffee or tea

"No. I don't want anything... just you" replied Jack before kissing him again. The welshman manoeuvred him through the shadowed living room to the couch where they both tumbled down in a tangle.

Ianto felt pressure right where he needed it and pulled away from Jack to look down to see him palming his erection through his trousers

"Oh god Jack" he whimpered as Jack began to nuzzle his way along Ianto's jaw. Ianto grabbed his wrist to stop him from pawing before turning to look at him "Let's go to bed"

"Are you sure?"

"I'm not ready to fuck you. Or to be fucked... but we can do other stuff, I want to do other stuff to you" he explained. Jack smirked and cupped his hand, he might not have been able to paw anymore with Ianto holding his wrist but he could still tease

"Like what?" he asked between nipping down the side of his lover's neck

"Like going down on you... I..."

"Say it. Trust me, you'll like it" Jack urged him knowing automatically what Ianto wanted to say. He eased off the pressure on Ianto before cupping tigher

"I want to suck your cock" whispered Ianto and Jack felt that erection jump under his palm.

"Then let's go to bed" Jack repeated as he stood up moving away from Ianto and held his hand out. Ianto stood up linking fingers with him and led the way to his bedroom shutting the door behind him and flicking on the light.

TBC...