Doomsday: Post Apocalypse
a Torchwood story
by RoadrunnerGER
Dislaimer: Oh, really! They're the BBC's.
Summary: Ianto comes to Cardiff for a week to help with the archives, but is it as simple as that? Jack/OC, Jack?Ianto
Suspense/hurt/comfort – T – Ianto Jones & Jack Harkness
A/N: Once more I need to thank you for your patience. I'm so sorry that it took so long. I'm looking forward to seeing how you receive this chapter. Thanks to everyone who reviewed or put the story on favourites. Special thanks to aBlueGillespian for pointing out a major flaw… I reposted the previous chapter. Also special thanks to mandassina for beta-reading. Enjoy!
Chapter 23 - Departure
Captain Jack Harkness had to admit that he would miss this.
The fingers brushing along his cheek and threading in his hair.
The kisses breathed onto his chest.
The skin rubbing against his own.
After a long workday there was nothing better for relieving the stress than relaxing in bed with someone he loved. Actually, Jack did not think that the last day had been especially strenuous, but he felt drained nevertheless which might still be an after effect of the Cyberinvasion. Which was why he especially enjoyed being caressed now and felt rather nostalgic toward the man on top.
"How long did you say you'll s-stay in T-tasmania?" he moaned and his voice quivered on the latter words due to Ydris's ministrations.
"I don't know yet," the Welshman replied. "Should I return?"
At that Jack started.
"What kind of question is that?" he asked indignantly.
"A normal one I presume," Ydris shrugged and pushed himself up, supporting himself on his hands on both sides of Jack's head… and pinning the captain's forearms with his weight.
Realizing he was rendered immobile, Jack flexed his muscles. It would not be too difficult to throw the Welshman off, but where would be the fun in that?
"Do you want to stay there?" Jack prodded. "I thought you'd come back when the tigers are out of quarantine."
"You want me to come back?" Ydris challenged.
Jack leered. "We could pick up where we left off."
"We didn't leave off yet," Ydris whispered as he bent down to nuzzle Jack's earlobe. As he did, he inhaled the captain's unique scent and recalled his earlier conversation with Ianto. "By the way," he murmured, breathing a row of kisses on Jack's cheek, "do you really smell like this naturally?"
"Huh?" Jack uttered. "Why's that important?"
"Just wondered," Ydris worried his bottom lip as he hovered over Jack, "and Ianto said it'd be aftershave."
Now a huge grin cracked Jack's features.
"You two are talking about me?" he challenged with a lecherous touch to his voice.
"Yep."
His curiosity got the better of the captain, "What did he say about me?"
"You'll have to ask him that yourself," Ydris said. Grinning, he added, "I'm not one to kiss and tell."
"You kissed him?!" Jack did not just sound surprised. The emotions behind that one simple question ranged from jealousy to hurt to lust, and even something more Ydris could not quite identify, but whatever it was, he was certain that Ianto was more than just a diversion. Deciding to let the Captain off the hook because he obviously had not really recognized his own feelings regarding the other Welshman yet, Ydris confessed, "It's just a figure of speech. I'm not going to share our private conversation with you. If you want to know what he said, you can ask him for yourself."
"Or pull up the CCTV recor...OW!"
Jack yelped when Ydris pinched him.
"Don't you dare!" he said. "I don't want him thinking I told you what he said. I think he would view that as betraying a trust. If you want to know, just bloody talk to him, Jack."
"Okay, okay! Later," Jack said. "But right now, weren't we doing something else?"
He stretched up to steal a kiss, and Ydris let him have one, but only one.
"Yeah, we were talking about my future with Torchwood."
"Hmmm, can we return to the previous subject?"
"No…" Ydris drawled and pressed his legs firmly against Jack's sides to keep him trapped. "So, are you going to hire me?"
Jack scowled in confusion.
"W-what?"
"Are you going to hire me on permanently here at Torchwood?" Ydris demanded.
"Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait!" Jack protested. "Is that why you were letting me shag you?!"
Ydris was scowling, too, now.
"Maybe that was part of it," he admitted with a shrug. "I honestly don't know anymore. I mean, there was no master plan to seduce you into giving me a job, but you're a hell of a lot of fun in bed, and if it could help my chances, why not? Just remember, until tonight, it was always your idea to have me stay."
Jack was not sure whether to be hurt, offended, embarrassed, or flattered, and he said so.
Ydris laughed aloud.
"If it's any consolation, I'd happily continue shagging you even if I don't get the job," he said. Carefully watching for a reaction that he could not find, Ydris went on, "Besides, you and me, that's not meant to last anyway, is it?"
"Ydris…" Jack started helplessly. "I'm sorry. I know I should have talked to you, but..."
"But what, Jack?"
"Well," Jack drawled. "You and I never said anything about being exclusive. For me it was all in good fun, just a friendly shag. I'm sorry if I never made that clear..."
"Oh, you did," Ydris said. "Crystal clear."
But he still sounds pissed off, Jack realized. That's one of the things I hate about this era of human history. People can't separate sex and love and commitment, and they can't accept that it is possible to love more than one person.
Well, that's not my fault. I was up front with him.
"I'm not angry," Ydris went on when Jack did not answer. "Bit disappointed maybe… and certainly jealous, but not angry."
"You're not?" Jack rasped, surprising his lover with how insecure he suddenly sounded.
Ydris could not help but smirk. Cocking his head to the side he chuckled, "Maybe just a tiny bit."
Jack wished he could caress him, but his arms were still pinned beside his head.
"And why are you jealous?"
Incredulously Ydris sat up a little straighter. "You need to ask?"
"I wouldn't if I knew what you meant."
Now Ydris was really stunned. Is Jack really so oblivious? He doesn't seem naïve at all. I'm sure he has loads of experience with all kinds of relationships. I can't imagine that he doesn't know.
Still Jack looked at him with honest curiosity and it dawned on Ydris that the captain really did not know what he was talking about. Or maybe he just doesn't think it could be that.
"You'd readily keep Ianto," he finally grunted and let go of Jack, scooting back and climbing off his lap to sit on the edge of the bed.
Jack propped himself up on his elbows.
"That's different, Ydris."
"I know. It's him you want to play happy families with after all."
"What?!" Jack gasped with blatant incredulity. "I don't know where you're coming from. Ianto already is Torchwood. He signed his contract two years ago in London."
"Not talking about the job," Ydris hissed, feeling his anger rise. Damn! Didn't want the green-eyed monster to get the better of me. Steeling himself he told him firmly, "Though, if I was, I believe that I can maintain a professional relationship with him and you regardless of any personal relationship you develop with each other."
"But…" Now Jack was really confused. Right at that moment, Ydris sounded more like someone from the 51st Century than the 21st.
"Jack," Ydris cut him short. "It's okay. I told you I'm jealous, yes, but you said it yourself, we never promised to be exclusive. As much as I enjoyed the sex, that's really all it was ever meant to be, and I don't care about that enough to try to screw things up between you and him."
Jack frowned, but said nothing. He still tried to wrap his head around what his lover was implying. Did his interest in Ianto really go that far? Did he want to pursue a serious relationship with him? To become exclusive?
To his honest surprise he was not scared by that idea.
After a minute, Ydris had to ask, "So... Did I manage to stroke your ego and ease your fears enough to get the job?"
A small smirk played around Jack's lips.
"You come back from Tasmania… and I'll let you know."
Ydris snorted. Then he leaned in to give Jack an affectionate peck on the cheek.
"Bastard."
"Yeah…" Jack reached out to caress Ydris's bare chest, "but you wouldn't want me any other way, would you?"
"No."
Shifting his position, Jack continued to fondle his lover who let his fingertips run along Jack's side in return. They held each other's gazes, trying to discern what the other was thinking. It was obvious, though, that Ydris was not ready to return to bed. Jack sighed.
"You know," he murmured, "I wouldn't be playing."
Ydris nodded. He did not forget the line Jack was now referring to. Good to know. Ianto won't be willing to share. He kept watching the captain.
"It's not so much that I prefer him," Jack explained somewhat helplessly, trying to figure out what he meant for himself as he went along. "I… feel a deeper connection to him. I like you a lot, Ydris, but Ianto... It's been a long time since I shared my life with someone."
"And you want to share your life with him."
Yes, Jack realized. It took his breath away. When did their game become so serious?
"If he lets me…" he trailed off. "I think, if I'm to have any chance at all, I think he needs to know he's the only one."
"Yeah."
Jack's eyes grew wide at the simple statement. "That's it? I'm telling you that I want to share my life with someone else and all you've got to say is yeah?"
"What more is there to say?" Ydris murmured and leaned forward to kiss Jack on the cheek. As he did he pulled his legs up and came to lie halfway on the captain who readily sank back down on the pillows. "You just confirmed my suspicions."
"You are an amazing man, Ydris Rhydderch," Jack proudly stated.
"Obviously not amazing enough to be hired by you," the Welshman teased and firmly pushed his knee between Jack's legs, making him groan with aching pleasure.
"I told you, I'll think about it," Jack hissed when fingernails bit in the firm bud of his left chest. "It's just… It's got nothing to do with Ianto, all right? My reluctance. I don't… Shit! Ydris!" he grunted as the young man roughly teased his nipples. "I'm trying to be earnest!"
"Okay," Ydris agreed, putting his palms on Jack's shoulders, pinning him again. "Try to be earnest."
Jack snorted but pulled himself together, "I don't want you to be in a situation like the one with the octopus again."
"You're scared for me?" Ydris smirked. "That's cute."
Jack scowled.
"Jack, I get that Torchwood is dangerous," Ydris declared. "You're risking your life on an every-day basis. Still I asked you for a job. I know what I'm doing."
"Probably," Jack conceded. "But it's not just that."
"What is it then?" Ydris prodded, growing impatient. "Just tell me."
Jack was about to explode.
"You're reckless!" he snapped. "Ydris, you already put yourself in the line of fire to protect me. Do you realize what a paradox that is?" Seeing the young man's features crumple he knew that his words hit home. Good. I don't want him to die a meaningless death. "Besides…" Too late he realized that he should have stopped.
"Besides?"
Biting his bottom lip Jack contemplated if it really was wise to tell the young man about his other doubts. Maybe not wise, but fair.
"Suzie," Jack said. "She's our technician and you'd be doing her job. That wouldn't be fair."
"She's also second in command, right?" Ydris queried. "Besides, I'm applying for field agent, not technician. And even if I was, we might complement each other."
Jack did not look convinced.
"I'm not so sure it would work," he replied evasively. "Your temperaments are quite alike as well."
With an exasperate sigh, Ydris let himself heavily sink down on Jack's chest.
"So no chance at all?" he moaned against Jack's neck.
Jack felt his resolve crumble.
"I didn't say that," he heard himself say. "Tomorrow you'll fly to Tasmania and when you're back I'll let you know."
"Tomorrow?" Ydris glanced at the clock on the nightstand. "You mean in a few hours, huh?"
"Is it really so late already?"
"So early," Ydris grunted and started to tease Jack again. "We'll better make good use of the time we've got left."
Jack could not disagree and surrendered himself to Ydris's love-making.
xXx
Wandering down into the vaults the next morning, Ianto found Ydris standing in front of the cell that held the Tasmanian tigers.
"Did you even go home?"
"No," Ydris replied sheepishly. "Was having some more fun before the trip."
"I see."
Ianto tried not to show his annoyance, especially as it came totally unexpected and unwelcome. Out of the blue something stirred inside of him and formed a small, hard knot in his stomach.
It's none of my business, he thought with irritation, that Ydris spent the night shagging the captain.
"I got all my business in order," Ydris explained unprompted, "and… we also needed to sort some issues." He tried to meet Ianto's gaze and when he did, he could see the other Welshman scowl. Ignoring that, he went on. "I'll be away for quite a while after all."
At that Ianto's features darkened with aggravation.
"Not what you're thinking, Ianto," Ydris gently scolded, guessing right that Ianto assumed he was marking his territory. "I gave up my job after all, so I wanted to know if Jack will offer me a new one when I'm back." He sighed with a short rush of resignation. "I could also imagine staying in Tasmania."
Sceptically eyeing the other man, Ianto asked, "What do you want in Tasmania?"
"What do I want here?" Ydris challenged.
"Jack?"
Snorting a laugh, Ydris leaned against the cell's glass wall.
"And getting caught in the crossfire?" he challenged. "I don't think so."
"Crossfire?" Ianto felt a little stupid for not catching on. "Jack's with you. Why should you get in anyone's crossfire?"
Laughing out loud, Ydris gasped, "Sorry, Ianto, but that's just ridiculous!" Still chuckling, Ydris tried to judge his opposite before he remarked, "We're just shagging, that's all."
"But…"
"But what?" Ydris cut him short. "I know there's nothing going to come out of our relationship… if you can say that we have a relationship at all. We're just having fun with each other. Nothing more…" he paused and a wistful smile cracked his features, "but nothing less either."
Ianto frowned.
"You know, as Jack's never going to hire me, staying in Tasmania could be an unexpected opportunity."
"You want to stay with Torchwood?" Ianto asked, surprising himself with a surge of confusion.
"It's a fascinating job."
"Yeah…" Ianto muttered, thinking back to his own early fascination with the Institute and the phenomenal arrogance that led to its downfall. In hindsight, he was anything but certain that he would make the same decisions again.
"You don't sound convinced," Ydris teased lightly.
"Well, I have every reason to be cautious," Ianto replied. "Did you see the ghosts turn into Cybermen?"
"Yes."
"Well, that was Torchwood's doing," Ianto all but hissed. "So maybe you should think twice about what you're wishing for."
"And yet you're still here."
Ydris's statement caught Ianto on the wrong foot.
"I have my reasons," he said brusquely, hoping to stall further prodding.
"So do I."
Once more, Ydris triggered Ianto's annoyance. Seeing the other's features become earnest only intensified his irritation.
"It's not the sex that draws me in," the other Welshman told him bluntly, "though that's most amazing… and I think that you know exactly what I'm talking about."
To Ianto's chagrin, he felt that Ydris was right.
"And by the way…" Ydris paused for effect, "Jack never asked me out on a date."
Thrown by the comment, Ianto could only stare at him as he passed. Looking back over his shoulder, a mysterious smile cracked Ydris's features before he finally went on to meet who entered the vaults.
"You're doing it again, huh?" Jack issued an amused challenge.
"Doing what again, sir?" Ianto asked.
"Talking about me," Jack smirked. "Am I right or am I right?" His gaze drifted from Ianto to Ydris who leaned in to try and steal a kiss from him. Taking a step to the side, Jack prodded, "What was the subject?"
"We were just discussing your aftershave," Ydris claimed, clearly disappointed by being unsuccessful.
His lie was quite obvious for Jack who ignored it, "Never wear any."
"You smell like that naturally?" Ianto blurted out. Too late, he snapped his mouth shut. He bit his tongue and rolled his eyes.
"Fifty-first century pheromones," Jack shrugged even though he was pretty pleased by Ianto's reaction that told him that his interest probably was mutual after all. "You guys have no idea."
"Well, then give us one," Ydris prodded with a mischievous smirk.
Laughing good-naturedly, Jack playfully trailed Ydris's cheekbone with a fingertip, his eyes fixed on Ianto, though.
"I already gave you ideas, didn't I?" he lasciviously drawled. "Which would falsify the results of any experiment I could conduct with you." Giving Ydris's shoulder a quick squeeze, Jack went on, "and demonstrating it on Ianto would be unfair. I promised to keep my distance."
Despite the captain's words, both men felt magnetically drawn to him. All Ianto could do was stare, captured by the pale blue eyes that never strayed aside as well as by the pheromones.
"I have to admit, though," Jack murmured lasciviously, "that it takes all my willpower to withstand those gorgeous blue eyes and your luscious mouth."
Entranced, Ianto had to muster all his willpower not to melt against the captain. Abruptly, though, the effect evaporated, leaving Ianto momentarily confused
"Actually, I should choose someone else in order to show it to you," Jack declared innocently. "Maybe Owen. As he's totally not interested, it would make the demonstration all the more impressive."
Realizing that he had been influenced by said pheromones, Ianto was getting increasingly annoyed. The fact that Jack shamelessly flirted with both of them did nothing to appease him, and that he threatened to use Owen for demonstration topped it off. It did not even take another meaningful look from Jack to make him erupt, "Do you plan to sleep with both of us? What if we didn't want to share? Which of us are you stringing along?"
All Jack could do was stare. Standing in the middle of the aisle, his balled fists on his hips, and fire sparking from his eyes, Ianto was a magnificent sight. But the Welshman was not finished yet.
"Only a cad would court two lovers at once. I don't know if there is a word for the type of man who would court them both within earshot of each other."
"Did you say lovers?" The captain's grin was far too delighted to be lascivious. "Does that mean you love me, Ianto Jones?"
With a dramatic eye-roll Ianto said, "Right now, I barely find you tolerable, sir."
Jack actually looked hurt at that.
"If anyone cares to know, I usually find you reasonably pleasant," Ydris cut in.
Jack turned his grin on Ydris, but it was not the megawatt smile Ianto got at his mention of lovers.
"I'll settle for reasonably pleasant."
Not sure why he was so irritated, Ianto grumbled, "Perfect. It's settled then. You two deserve each other. Now can we please get these beasts crated for their journey to their ancestral home?"
They could.
Between the three of them it was not too hard to convince the female tiger. Once her pups were in the box she joined them readily. All the men had to do was push the flap closed and their work was done.
Taking the box upstairs turned out to be more difficult, but in the end they shoved it onto the loading space of the lorry, ready to leave for the airport. Ydris went to get his last bag from down in the Hub. Waiting for him, Jack and Ianto stood beside the lorry, sharing an uncomfortable silence.
"Well, that's it then," Jack muttered when Ydris reappeared and tossed his bag into the driver's cabin of the truck.
"Yeah."
"We'll miss you."
Ydris snorted with wry amusement. "You and your little friend?" he teased.
"I meant the team," Jack pouted.
"I know."
Ydris's smirk was invitation enough and Jack dove in for a passionate kiss. Beside them, Ianto rolled his eyes.
"Fine, get into the cabin," Ydris demanded when they parted and shoved Jack in the right direction. When he was out of earshot, Ydris cornered Ianto who was about to return into the base.
"Don't be mad at him," Ydris told him. "As you said yourself, he can't help himself. He's being forward and he'll miss me. Don't blame him for seeking comfort in a goodbye-snog."
"None of that's my business," Ianto replied.
"Did you even hear what he said earlier?" Ydris all but thundered, forcing himself to keep his voice down so Jack could not hear them. "He promised you to keep his distance until you're ready! He's not giving such a promise easily."
"But…"
"No, Ianto," Ydris cut him short, shaking his head. "I wish you the best of luck. For all his bravado and blustering… Jack's not shallow, quite the contrary, and he…"
"Do you think I wouldn't know that?" Ianto hissed, recalling the profound conversations he had with the captain. "I know he's a very deep and complex personality. I know he's upfront about his sexuality. I know he has principles. That's not the problem, all right?"
"Sorry," Ydris muttered, realizing that he shot past the mark. "I was under the impression that you missed or misinterpreted Jack's signals."
"Even if I did," Ianto snarled. "Why do you care?"
"I…" Ydris paused. "I already care about him, and I don't want to see him get hurt. If he's already in love with you..."
"Don't use such big words, Ydris," Ianto scolded. "We met only a few days ago. How can you possibly know how Jack's feeling?"
A soft chuckle escaped Ydris.
"Love at first sight? It does exist, you know."
"But… Jack?"
"Why not?" Ydris shrugged. "He's different, but he's still human. He can fall just as easily as any of us."
Ianto knew only too well that Jack was human. What he could not wrap his head around, though, was how the forward captain could be serious about one person while still flirting with another. So far he saw hardly a difference. It was the stark contrast of the pensive immortal and the cheeky young man he reverted to, that he could not reconcile.
"Why me?" Ianto asked incredulously.
"That's something I won't speculate about," Ydris replied. "All I can say is that I see the difference between how he treats me and how he dances around you. He's not just flirting. He's courting. And I think he's serious."
Sceptically, Ianto eyed the other Welshman.
"Hey, Ydris!" Jack shouted out of the truck's window. "Don't you have a plane to catch?"
"Yes, I do!" he shouted back and turned a last time to Ianto, "Thanks for the tickets. I'll call when we've arrived. Take care!"
With that he left Ianto standing and climbed into the lorry. Ianto still stood and stared at the same spot when the truck had long left.
tbc…