Ianto's Ipod

Joellen818

Chapter 8 (The Bird and the Worm)

AN Hey guys, it's been a while. This chapter is based off The Used's song The Bird and the Worm, I hope you enjoy, as always read and review with comments and requests.

***********PS THIS IS A FLASH BACK TO THE FIRST TIME IANTO AND JOHN MEET AT A BAR!***************

John was standing inside some club in Cardiff swirling his bourbon around in his glass. He didn't know why he was here. 'That's a lie you know exactly why you're here. You're here because this is where he is.'

After telling himself to sod off the Captain returned to his drink. As he brought the glass to his lips he gazed over the rim scanning the crowd of people in the club, he did a double take as one young man caught his attention. He looked familiar, the young man was weaving through the crowd heading straight to the bar. The closer he got the more John stared, it was dark so he couldn't see the mans face but he could faintly make out what he was wearing.

The object of John's interest was wearing very dark jeans, so dark they were almost black, and a Korn graphic t-shirt. On his feet were a pair of black military style boots. Making a decision John threw back his drink and headed to the side of the bar the man was at.

"Can I buy you a drink?"

'Damnit!' thought Ianto as he froze. He would recognize that voice anywhere. It was the one person he had thought would be capable from taking Jack from him.

John noticing the young man was trying to ignore him he tried again, "C'mon, what's the harm of one drink," he nudged the man with his elbow, "eh?"

Having enough Ianto whirled around and said, "Go away John! I don't have the patience to deal with you today on top of everything else."

John was stunned, "Eye-candy?" He hadn't recognized the Welshman with his spiked hair and causal dress. Ianto turned back to the bar and grabbed his shot, downing it immediately.

"If you're looking for Jack he's still in the Hub, though you're going to have to ask him and Gwen to make room for you," he muttered.

John immediately knew what was going on and felt pity for Ianto. He had been here before, hell he was there now. He took a closer look at the man noticing his hunched shoulders and haunted eyes. His entire being screaming defeat.

If Ianto was anything like John he didn't wear his heart on his sleeve, only the people who really knew him would know how he honestly felt. John remembered how lost he felt when Jack had left him. The pitying glances were more than he could take which is why Ianto had turned away, and John knew it.

John sat on the empty stool and motioned for the bartender to refill his and Ianto's drinks. If nothing else John resolved not to let Ianto go home in the state he was in, at least not alone. For once the time agent's thoughts were not lecherous, he honestly only felt sympathy for the other man.

Once more John thought back to his past, more importantly, the times when he was left to his own he disappeared inside himself and every breath made him want to scream in agony. There was no way to describe it accurately though a human woman came close in some book called "New Moon."

'Glittering vampires, what's next a fight with werewolves?' John was getting off track and shook his head before turning to Ianto.
"Oy quit ignoring me, I'm not here to add to your pity party," John started jokingly then added softly, "In fact I'm kind of busy with my own."

Ianto took another shot before turning to answer him, when John saw he had the other man's attention he interrupted him before he could speak.

"Listen I've been here before and I'm gonna tell you, sitting here getting pissed isn't going to solve anything," John took his shot, "but it sure as hell helps for a little while."

Despite himself Ianto smirked, "That's the plan," he said, "get drunk and go home with someone that I'll regret later. Maybe if I come into work tomorrow smelling like someone else he will give a damn."

John scooted closer to him and leaned down to whisper in his ear, "You know if you really wanna piss him off come home with me, nothing stings more than the old 'I screwed your ex.'"

Ianto shook his head, "What makes you think I'd tell him?" John smiled, he hadn't said no. "Who said anything about telling him? We can show him." Lifting his wrist, John reminded Ianto of his ability to send 3D holographic videos to Jack directly.

"As appealing as that sounds, I don't think that would end well. We could walk into the Hub together though," suggested Ianto. By now he was slightly drunk, he still had his senses about him but his inhibitions were lowered.

"Hell no, that damn Pterodactyl hates me. He tried to bite my hand off last time I was there."

"First of Myfwanny is a she, and she tried to bite you because you had chocolate and wouldn't share."

Once they left the club and went to Ianto's flat John began to notice the Welshman changing. He became quieter, he moved slower, and his already glassy eyes became empty and deadened. The captain could recognize the symptoms anywhere, Ianto was about to freeze.

When your heart has been shattered to this extent, anything can set you off. One minute you are fine the next you could pass as an Weeping Angel. Soon Ianto became incapable of making coffee, he was standing in front of the pot but you could tell he was lost. John couldn't let this progress anyfarther so he yanked the Welshman toward him and kissed him. Once he felt Ianto begin to respond he stopped for a second and mentally asked him, "Are you sure you want to do this?"

Ianto responded by maneuvering them down the hall, towards the bedroom.

The next morning they parted ways as Ianto left for work. John didn't question why Ianto didn't ask him to accompany him to the Hub as was planned he only asked, "Same time tonight?" And Ianto only nodded. Club Wolf was now the official meeting spot of the Jack Harkness Broke My Hear Club.