Captain Jack Harkness stood before his full-length mirror, admiring the cut of his crisp new suit. The flowing tails in the back along with the gilded gold edges gave Jack an air of royalty. If only he could stop adjusting the bow-tie on the front; he'd look downright regal. Unfortunately, he couldn't stop adjusting. No, he thought to himself, I'm fidgeting now. What's there to be so nervous about?
Torchwood was having its first annual Christmas party. It wasn't something that had happened before, but there was so much to celebrate now. Every member of staff had a gift to exchange in the Secret Santa and each had dressed to the Nines. Jack hadn't made his appearance yet, and he was nervous. Ianto had winked at him as he had left; claiming he'd return later all cleaned up. Ever since they had shared that last kiss, he had been warming up considerably. Jack took a step back and looked at the entire ensemble. No one with a pulse could resist him now.
Two wrapped items laid on his table that had been delivered this morning. He assumed Ianto had gotten him something, and he didn't want to yet spoil the surprise. Let's just say no one murmured when the Secret Santa conveniently decided to put them together. He reached for the tag, but it wasn't from Ianto. In female handwriting, it read, Thank you for trusting your feelings. Use these in good health. Love, Me. Silver paper with gold embossed roses. Jack smiled; Rose had remembered him for Christmas.
The first box was rather slim and long. Jack used his letter opener to cut an edge and cocked his head a bit when a blank white cd fell out with the words Play Me written on them. He popped the clear jeweled case and put the cd in his personal player. He smiled a little larger as the tune began to play. He slipped the cd back in the jeweled case; making a mental note to give it to Owen at just the right second.
The second box was large and square and it rattled a bit when he shook it. He ripped the paper with zeal and found two boxes inside; one large and the other small. He opened the smaller black velvet box and found a signet ring inside inscribed with a J. The larger box contained a silver pocket watch with an I scrawled around the Rose. A small bit of paper read: To be used when one needs the other; so neither will ever be lonely again. Jack turned his head down; afraid the radiance from his smile or the tear in his cheek would ruin the paper. He slipped the velvet boxes into his jacket pockets just as Gwen's voice called out to him.
"Jack, did you strangle yourself with your tie? We're all waiting for you."
Jack took one last look in the mirror. He breathed deeply. "It's time!"
Conversations stopped as he passed the thresh hold. Gwen and Rhys looked up from the couch. Owen, Tosh, and an older man were talking near the computers. Ianto was nowhere to be seen, but he had heard his voice.
"We've been waiting for you Jack. Can we open the wine now?"
"Of course Tosh. Many cheers to our health and happiness!"
"And the same to you." The old, stooped man turned around. He knew those eyes. He lowered his head as Ianto watched his bangs shake.
"I didn't want to wait to see what we'd look like together this way. Tell me, how do I look?" Ianto was dressed in long-ago fashions and had covered his head and face with make-up and costume. He compared, quite frighteningly enough, to the Monopoly man.
"Your eyes gave you away. You gonna stay dressed like that all night?"
"No, Tosh snuck some clothes in for me. I'll be right back after I've changed. You can wait some more for the wine, right Owen?"
"Oy, hurry back then; now that we've all had a good laugh."
"Ianto Jones, you never cease to amaze me."
"I get that a lot, Jack. There is one more thing to make that last vision complete."
"What?" Ianto reached forward out of his stoop and swung up to kiss Jack, just as they had seen. His hand reached to Jack's neck. It was brief but so well-charged. Jack beamed as their lips parted. He didn't care how it had happened, but it had. Ianto Jones loved him again. Ianto walked into the office and he could hear Jack's voice. He imagined an over-joyed Jack bobbing about and smiled. "Okay then, Ianto! Hurry back!"
Gwen had cornered Jack when Ianto finally coughed lightly. In mid-laugh, Jack Harkness stopped in his tracks. Ianto had changed completely with the addition of the classic tuxedo. Gwen's strapless black and turquoise A-line skirt paled in comparison. The room came to a crashing halt again as Ianto took each step gingerly; the reflection from his new shoes momentarily dazzled everyone.
"What's everyone standing around for? Don't pretend like I've never worn a suit. Nothing to say, Jack?"
"You're everything."
"You didn't have to go that far."
"Yes, I, I did. Ianto, I..." Jack got on one knee.
"What are you doing?"
"Something I should have done the night after our first date. I knew then, I just wish I hadn't had been so stupid." He slipped the larger box out of his left pocket and into his hand. "I know we could never be married and I might never age. But I was rarely happier than when I was with you. Please, take this as some sort of hope that we might never be alone or apart again."
"Jack, this is impeccable. A pure silver pocket watch?! I can't, I couldn't, Jack how?"
"Let's just say we have a higher power watching out for us. What do you say, Ianto? All bets off?"
"I say yes to you, Jack Harkness. Always yes." Ianto's arms wrapped themselves close around Jack's ribs and Jack's lips crushed themselves to Ianto. There was general clapping and a murmur of finally after their kiss ended. Ianto arm's were still lodged around Jack's waist and so he grabbed the contents of his other pocket; throwing one at Owen, who nearly lost and eye, and opening the other for Ianto to see.
The music began to play. "No matter what, no matter where, no matter when; we'll never be separated again, Ianto." Jack slipped the ring on and the brilliance of the two collided and glowed bright yellow for just a second.
"I think I can handle that, sir."
"Now how many times..." Jack never had a chance to finish the phrase. Ianto reached past his reservations and kissed Jack with all the passion he possessed and every second of spent emotion surfaced as they grappled for some control in public. Jack couldn't breathe save for Ianto, his tongue filling every cavity and void of loneliness or doubt. The first sound Jack heard in the midst of all this caused the two to begin to sway.
Only man I ever think of with regret
I'd like to add his initials to my monogram
Tell me, where is the shepherd for this lost lamb?
Rhys toasted Gwen as they watched the scene unfold. His wine flute held champagne while hers held sparkling cider. His monochromatic dark green tie matched her dark green shawl and she leaned in close for a kiss. She thought about how lucky she was to have a good man, good friends, and a child on the way.
Although he man not be the man
Some girls think of as handsome
To my heart, he holds the key
"Well?"
"Well what?"
"Don't be daft, Owen. What about us?"
"What us? That was one date."
"You've not talked about anything since."
"Well, I don't know Tosh. I mean..."
"Oh just shut up and kiss me." Toshiko let the glass slip from her fingers as she leaned forward and brought Owen into a kiss. Her silk wrap tickled his hand as he brought it back around to the small of her back. He wasn't sure what it would take, but some day he'd say those words. For right now though, he supposed he could be just slightly unprofessional and return the kiss.
Won't you tell him please to put on some speed
Follow my lead, oh how I need
Someone who'll watch over me.
Ianto broke the sway with fever in his eyes and lead Jack back up the stairs. He slammed the office door shut as they kissed again, roughly, right off the thresh hold and he grabbed the front of Jack's trousers. Jack tossed his hair a bit as Ianto closed the door, locked it, and turned the blinds in. He pushed Jack onto the bed in the adjoining room and began to remove his jacket, while Jack did the same, gratitude in his eyes.
There's a somebody I'm longing to see
I hope that he turns out to be
Someone who'll watch over me.
Jack laid on top of Ianto, kissing his neck as article after article of clothing flew to a different part of the room. His satin sheets rustled as Jack moved his body in rhythm with Ianto and Ianto's hands explored each spot of Jack's skin, now hyper sensitive.
Jack reached down and felt Ianto's hardness begging for release and he allowed the spasms to begin full tilt before he reached his head under the covers.
My Jack... Ianto moaned and leapt toward the sky in bliss with Jack, as he stroked himself to exhilaration. Ianto reached around a second before it was too late and ended up flipping Jack. That night, they came in tandem. They fell asleep in tandem. And, after a few more rounds of heart love-making in certain positions humans aren't supposed to be able to reach, they snored in tandem.