The boys start to enjoy themselves …
CHAPTER THREE
Jack woke early and looked around him, wondering where he was. Then he remembered – he was on holiday with Ianto. He smiled and looked across at his lover who lay sprawled beside him. Despite professing tiredness, both men had risen to the occasion and they'd made love the previous night before falling asleep. Not the most energetic sex, to be sure, but pleasant and satisfying especially after so long. It was barely light outside the window but Jack could not sleep any more, he seemed to have made up his deficit.
He got out of the bed, careful not to wake Ianto, and stood by the window looking out. It was going to be another beautiful day. There was no one in sight and the beach stretched out before him. He decided to take a walk, or maybe a run - he'd make up his mind when he was out there - and, after a quick trip to the bathroom, he pulled on shorts, a T-shirt and trainers. He scribbled a note to Ianto and put it on the side, stuck his mobile in a pocket and then slipped from the room through the patio doors.
He went down the steps from the deck to the beach, breathing in deeply. He walked away from the town and its attractions and strolled past other holiday homes. When he'd warmed up, he started jogging at an easy pace. He found that he didn't need to take a lot of exercise to keep fit, his unusual physiology took care of that, but sometimes, like now, he wanted to run, to feel his muscles working and his heart step up a beat. He jogged for 10 minutes or so before turning. He passed his and Ianto's bungalow and carried on towards the town. People were waking up now and there were one or two other joggers and a few dog walkers around. He exchanged a cheery 'good morning' with everyone he met and was in high spirits when he decided to turn and head back to the bungalow and Ianto. He was breathing hard when he reached the foot of the steps to the deck and sat on the bottom step to cool down.
"I thought you'd decided to leave me."
The voice came from above his head. Jack looked up and saw Ianto leaning on the railing, looking down at him. "What do you mean?"
"I saw you run by a while ago."
Jack laughed, "You should have joined me. You could do with losing some of that spare tyre." He was climbing the steps, two at a time, and was soon on the deck.
"Bloody cheek," murmured Ianto, turning to look at him, "I could outrun you any time."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah. Come on, I'll show you." Ianto made to push past the other man to get down to the beach.
"Oh no, not now. I've just run half a marathon."
"Pull the other one," Ianto scoffed. "Afraid I'll beat you?"
"You saying you need the advantage?" Jack raising an eyebrow.
"No!"
"I'll race you, tomorrow morning." Jack stuck out his hand. "Loser cooks breakfast."
"Deal," responded Ianto, taking the outstretched hand.
Jack grinned and pulled him close. "You are so going to lose, Jones."
"I like my eggs runny and my bacon crisp," said Ianto, kissing Jack's nose. The two men laughed happily. "Oh, Jack, this is so good."
"What, having my arms round you?" he squeezed the other man.
"No, well that too. I meant being able to joke, to relax, to just be us. Jack and Ianto, two men enjoying life. Not Jones and Harkness, alien catchers."
"Shouldn't that be Harkness and Jones?" Jack looked affronted.
Ianto pulled away, laughing. "No. Now, breakfast. I'm starved." He went into the house and Jack followed him.
"Have I got time to shower first?" Jack asked, hesitating in the living room.
"Definitely not. You're helping, I want you to get some practice in before tomorrow." He walked off to the kitchen.
"You are so going to eat those words."
"Nope, I'm going to eat breakfast cooked by you."
Jack caught up with him just inside the kitchen and grabbed him round the waist. "You are so full of yourself today." He started tickling Ianto, knowing just where to find the most sensitive spots. Ianto giggled and tried to bat him away but couldn't in the confined space, eventually ending up in a heap on the floor.
"Leave me alone, you bully," he gasped out.
"Never, I'm never going to do that." Jack's voice was soft and his tone sincere. "You're mine, Jones Ianto Jones."
"Glad to hear it," replied Ianto, smiling up at him.
Somehow the two managed to prepare breakfast between kissing and caressing one another. They sat at the dining table eating egg, bacon, tomato and fried potatoes followed by toast and marmalade, talking about how they would spend their day.
"Let's just stay here," suggested Jack, "the bed's really comfortable."
Ianto ignored him. "There are some brochures over there," he indicated the bookcase. "When we've finished eating we can go through them and decide. I'd like to go to the Pavilion, there may be something on, a show of some kind. And the harbour's nice."
"Bed's nicer."
Ianto rolled his eyes and reached for the toast. "You have a one track mind."
Jack sighed, "You're going to drag me out there, aren't you?"
"Uh huh." Ianto swallowed his mouthful of food. "We can find somewhere to eat too, then we won't need to cook tonight."
"Makes sense. What kind of restaurants are there?"
"Not sure. I remember a great ice cream parlour and fish and chips but I'm sure there's more than that."
"That sounds good to me." Jack's ears had pricked when he heard of an ice cream parlour.
"We'll see." Ianto was determined not to end up eating fast food all weekend, a proper meal was what he craved, served in nice surroundings.
The two continued with their meal and while Jack washed up Ianto looked through the brochures. There was plenty to keep them occupied for a few days especially as, despite what he'd said earlier, he intended to spend quite a few hours in the bedroom. And that's where they ended up when Jack returned from the kitchen. They both enjoyed a long, lazy session and Ianto dozed off afterwards, still catching up on lost sleep. Jack looked down at him, marvelling at his luck in finding this man. Life was good some of the time. He took himself into the bathroom and showered and shaved, liking the fact he did not have to rush. Ianto was waking up when he had finished so after dressing, in jeans and a shirt, Jack went out onto the deck and called the Hub while the other man got ready for the day.
"Jack, how is it? Enjoying yourselves?" asked Gwen.
"It's great. Thanks to all of you for doing this. We appreciate it."
"No problem. You held things together when we were out, now it's our turn to repay the favour."
"You couldn't help being injured, Gwen. And what about Tosh? She deserves a break too."
"I know. She wants to take next weekend, go and see her family."
"No problem, tell her it's okay with me."
"Will do."
"What's happening?"
"Nothing much. A few Weevil sightings. Owen's off at the hospital, they've got a strange case they wanted him to look at. Tosh and I'll be going to the flea market again, see if we can trace anything that shouldn't be there. And tell Ianto we're feeding everything that needs it and I'll make Owen clear up before you get back."
"Okay, sounds quiet. But, Gwen, if things hot up, you call me. Understand?"
"Yeah."
"Gwen!"
"I will, promise. Now go have fun with Ianto."
"Oh, I've already been doing that," Jack laughed.
"Enough, not listening! Bye, Jack."
"Bye." He put down the mobile as Ianto, also in shirt and jeans, appeared.
"Was that the others? Is everything okay?" Ianto sounded anxious and there was frown on his forehead.
"Everything's fine. They're coping, Ianto. Stop worrying."
The two men were almost ready to leave when Ianto ran back into the bedroom to get a sweater. The sun was in the sky and it was warm for early June but Ianto Jones was never one to take chances. They'd decided to walk into the town and explore, to get their bearings. Both wanted to take it easy, to wander around and feel part of the real world for this precious weekend.
"Now, Jack, you remember what we agreed?"
"What was that?" Jack was standing at the open front door watching a cat climbing a tree. A number of birds were flying around trying to dislodge it so he imagined there was a nest somewhere but he couldn't see it.
"That there'd be no … inappropriate behaviour while we're out. No holding hands or touching or kissing." Ianto was anxious to avoid offending anyone; getting into a slanging match or a fight was not on his agenda for the weekend.
"I object to the term, it's not inappropriate. However," he held up a hand to forestall Ianto's objection, "I'll not touch you when we're out if that's what you want."
"It is, Jack. This is a small seaside town and they may not be as open-minded as Cardiff. I don't want to ruin the weekend." He pulled Jack towards him, out of sight, and kissed him lightly. "We'll have plenty of time for dabbling indoors."
Jack smiled, prolonging the kiss. "Okay. Now, let's get this walk done with so I can get you back here and back into bed." He slapped Ianto's arse and walked out into the bright day. He was determined to see where that bird's nest was hidden.
-ooOoo-
The two men were by the Grand Pavilion. Jack was leaning against a pillar as Ianto avidly read the posters. He saw that there was a version of Oliver! being performed that weekend and decided he wanted to see it. He liked the theatre but rarely got a chance to attend, this was too good an opportunity to miss.
"There's a production of Oliver!," he said to Jack. "A touring company. Let's get tickets."
"Must we?"
"Please?" Ianto looked imploringly at the other man and saw him weaken. "Thanks, Jack. I'll try for tomorrow evening, the performance starts at seven thirty." He walked off briskly in the direction of the Box Office.
Jack stayed where he was, resigned to attending. He didn't mind really and at least he knew the musical. He recalled meeting the young Lionel Bart back in the 'Swinging Sixties' when he was writing the show. They had been good times. Jack had attended the opening night as Bart's guest and remembered the audience's twenty three curtain calls, an astonishing response. Yeah, he decided, it'd be fun to see the show again. Maybe he'd sing along.
"All booked," said Ianto. He looked at Jack who was smiling to himself and followed his gaze. A long legged, young woman was striding down the street wearing a halter top and very short shorts. "If you've finished ogling the passers-by, perhaps we could carry on," he snapped.
"Huh, what are you talking about?"
"I saw you looking at that woman."
"What woman?" Jack cast around. His gaze had been inward and he'd not seen anyone or anything as he waited for the Welshman. He saw a leggy redhead. "Oh, that woman. Nice!"
"Honestly, Jack." Ianto started walking along the front, past shops and amusement arcades. The pavement was busy with people out enjoying the day – locals and tourists – so it took a few minutes for Jack to wend his way through to Ianto's side.
"I wasn't looking at her, Ianto. I was thinking. Did I ever tell you I knew Lionel Bart?"
Ianto shook his head and kept walking. "I don't believe you."
"I did, London in the '60s. Wonderful place." Jack put a hand on Ianto's arm and slowed him down, pulling him out of the main flow of pedestrians. "Hey, you see what I see?"
"Another woman?"
"Better than that." He pointed across the road and grinned, "Ice cream."
They sat at a table in Pietro's window eating Knickerbockers Glories. The glasses were tall and the contents delicious and they both enjoyed the treat, talking spasmodically. Ianto was trying to get at the last dollop of ice cream right at the bottom of the glass when Jack showed him how it was done. He upended his own glass and drank from it, getting a dribble of strawberry sauce on his chin which dripped down onto his light blue shirt.
"Look what you've done." Ianto picked up a paper serviette, "wipe it off."
Jack licked his lips and then his chin. "That was wonderful. Haven't had anything like it in a long time." He dabbed at his shirt but made the spot worse.
"Give it here." Ianto took the serviette, dabbed a bit of spit on it and reached over, rubbing at the spot.
"I thought we weren't supposed to be touching," said Jack, eyebrows raised. "You realise you're rubbing my nipple."
Ianto stopped immediately and threw the serviette at Jack. "Just finish it off."
"I'd rather you finished me off." Jack smiled at the blushing Ianto and dabbed at the spot. It could still be seen but it was better than before.
"I can't take you anywhere."
"I'd go anywhere with you, Ianto, you know that."
"Stop it. Where next?" Ianto asked, trying to change the subject. He got out the brochure he'd brought with him.
"I don't know, you're the guide. Why don't you show me where you came as a kid?"
"Okay. It's not far actually." Ianto smiled, pleased with the suggestion.
A little while later they were leaning on the railings of a cliff walk looking down on a busy, sandy beach. Ianto remembered playing down there, his sister off swimming and his parents sitting in deck chairs reading, dozing and watching him play. He and Dad would throw a ball around, maybe join a game of beach cricket if there was one going. Dad would also help build intricate sandcastles, usually carrying on when Ianto's interest had waned. Ianto remembered his mother paddling with him in the water when he was quite small, holding his hands so he didn't get pulled under by the large waves. And she was always there when, in later years, he'd come out of the water after swimming, with a warming cup of tea and the big towel reserved for the beach.
They'd been good times. He told Jack about them and about the times when he'd come here as a teenager with a gang of friends. They'd hung around on the beach and smoked and drunk beer or cider. He'd had his first kiss on this beach, from Pauline Carter. They had been innocent then and the kiss was barely a touching of closed lips but he still remembered it and her. He had brought Lisa here too, one weekend when they'd been visiting his family. Just a few hours away from prying relatives. She had loved it, loved the old world charm of the place. They'd planned to return for a long weekend but their time had run out before they could arrange it.
"You've got some great memories," said Jack. He'd have liked to hug him but refrained given Ianto's earlier pep-talk about his behaviour. He did manage to slide his hand along the railing and place it on Ianto's for a minute.
Jack's own memories were less pleasant. Anywhere by the sea reminded him of Boeshane and the few happy childhood years were overshadowed by the threat of invasion and of the attack in which he'd lost his father and his brother. He'd never spoken of these to Ianto, or to anyone else on his team, in fact it was only recently he'd recovered them from some dark recess of his mind. He'd rather he hadn't. He shook himself out of his introspection. Boeshane was light years away and thousands of years in the future. He would not let it shed a dark cloud over this weekend.
The two men turned and continued walking along the cliff until they looked down on a golf course. "Hey, that's an idea. How about a round of golf?" asked Jack.
"Do you play?"
"Yeah. Well, it was a while ago but I don't think it's something you forget. Had a great round with Jack Nicklaus once."
Ianto laughed, a happy joyous sound. "You are the most outrageous name-dropper I have ever come across. You make these up."
"No, I don't. What would be the point?"
"Oh, you're not trying to impress me then?"
"No. You already think I'm wonderful."
Ianto gaped at him. "Where on Earth did you get that idea?"
"Oh, May 16th I think it was." He was grinning as Ianto put two and two together.
"You've been reading my diary again!" he accused. "You … you … YOU."
"You shouldn't leave it lying around the Hub. What am I supposed to do, leave it for Owen to get his grubby mitts on it?"
Ianto counted to ten and then to twenty. It was their holiday, he told himself, and it was not as if this was the first time Jack had read his diary. "Okay, maybe I did write that. But I've changed my mind since then." He turned his back and walked back the way they had come.
Back in the town, Jack noticed something in a shop window. "Hey, Ianto, look at this." He was pointing to a item. "It's like yours."
Ianto joined him and looked in the window of The Clock Store. The antique stopwatch that had caught Jack's eye was indeed like the one he had back at the Hub but where his was dented and made of brass this one was silver with gilt decoration and in a lined box. "It's beautiful."
"Let's go take a closer look."
Jack was off and Ianto followed him into the shop. Inside they found a display of stopwatches – as well as every other form of timepiece – and spent half an hour examining them. In the end, Jack still preferred the one he'd seen in the window, it was a gem of the watchmaker's art and Jack was determined to buy it. Ianto protested that it was too expensive and that he had one already but Jack would not be deterred. He paid the assistant and then handed the watch, which had been gift wrapped, to Ianto with a flourish.
"Thank you, I appreciate it. I'll show you how much later." He grinned as Jack's eyes lit up.
They wandered round the streets a bit longer then found a small café and stopped for a coffee, sitting at one of the tables set up outside. "This is the life," said Jack, watching the people passing as he sipped his latte. "Time to browse in shops and enjoy a leisurely cup of coffee."
"It is good, you're right. I've changed my mind about eating out, let's stay in tonight."
"You'll get no argument from me," leered Jack, grinning.
"We'll need a few things. We can pop into the supermarket on the way back." He took another sip of his cappuccino.
That evening, Jack tries something new - and no, it does not involve the stopwatch!!