Sleeping Beauty ; Chapter 9
Putting five mugs on a round tray, Ianto began to fill them with freshly brewed coffee. When he got to the blue and white mug, he sighed, putting it to one side.
"Oh, Jack!" he whispered, closing his eyes.
"You okay?" came a voice from behind him.
Ianto turned to see the concerned face of Owen Harper.
The Welshman smiled politely. "Yes. Thank you."
"I'm your doctor. I get paid to ask, so don't get any funny ideas. We ain't goin' on any date."
Ianto shook his head in amusement. "Perish the thought. It never crossed my mind." He picked up the tray, moving toward the workstations.
It was Owen's turn to smile. "Yeah right, Tea Boy."
Ianto chuckled to himself, feeling a little happier now he was back in the familiar surroundings of the Hub with his colleagues.
"You're not my type," said Ianto as Owen walked away.
Owen stopped, frowned and said, "Is it the coat?" He looked down at himself. "Not long enough? Wrong colour?" Owen shook his head. "Wrong accent perhaps?" He rolled his eyes. "Shame."
Ianto tutted, an amused look on his face. "No. Too short. Too thin, and definitely the wrong accent." He shrugged. "What can I say?"
"Shut it!" came the reply.
Ianto laughed and took the girls their coffee.
TWTWTW
Jack emerged from the bedroom, his coat in hand. "Is this some kinda trick? I try to leave and you get great pleasure out of stoppin' me?"
John shook his head. "No. No trick, lover." He smiled sadly. "I shoulda known you'd never come back to me. I got nothing to offer." He shrugged. "Your Yarn-toe obviously has."
Jack sighed. "You knew it was over a while ago. That's why I left."
"I can dream, can't I?"
Walking towards the door, Jack opened his vortex manipulator, selected a few digits and, looking at John, pressed the last digit.
TWTWTW
The day was almost over, but Ianto was still in the Hub. The others had left over two hours before, but Ianto still couldn't get used to going back to his flat at night. He preferred to stay here, albeit alone.
Myfanwy swooped down, as if she knew Ianto needed some company. He looked up at her.
"Hey, girl. Want some chocolate? I have some in the fridge. Cold, just like you like it."
He wandered into the kitchen, opened the fridge and retrieved the bar of dark chocolate.
"Hope there's some in there for me," came a voice from behind the Welshman.
Ianto didn't need to turn. He knew that voice as well as he knew his own name.
"No sure you deserve it," came the curt reply.
Jack moved up to stand behind the younger man.
"I did it to save you. I wouldn't have left otherwise. You must know that by now."
Ianto sighed.
"I couldn't let you die. Not because of me. I couldn't live with that."
Ianto unwrapped the chocolate and threw it up into the air. The great bird swooped down, catching it in her craws and taking it back to her lair.
"Did he let you leave?"
"Yes."
Ianto looked at his watch. "Bellini's has a special on tonight. Wanna take me out to dinner?"
Jack put his arms around his Welshman's waist. He felt the younger man tense for the briefest of moments.
"I'd like that."
"Maybe we can go for a walk after."
"Yeah." He nuzzled the younger man's neck.
Ianto moved away.
"You're not in my good books yet, Jack."
"Sorry."
"Maybe by the end of the evening." He smiled.
"Yeah?"
"Yes."
Ianto turned and their lips met, tender at first, them more demanding.
"Better leave now," said Ianto, "or we won't make dinner."
Jack just chuckled.
THE END