Chinese food containers littered the table and Ianto groaned, holding his stomach and looking beseechingly at his friend. "Why did I eat so much, Jack?"

"Because it was good," Jack explained, smiling. He patted his own stomach. "Really good."

"I haven't had Chinese in ages," Ianto admitted. "I'd forgotten exactly how much I love it."

"That's one of my favorite restaurants."

"Mam loved her mushroom chicken, Jack. Thank you again for buying."

Jack grinned. "Thank you for helping me revise." He pointed at his books. "Now that I understand the material a little better I might actually pass."

"Good," Ianto said, smiling back at him. He looked down at his watch. "Oh, Jack, it's awful late. You won't get in trouble, will you?"

Jack checked the time as well and shrugged. "Wow, I didn't realize the time. But nah, no worries, Ianto! My parents won't mind. Too bad I didn't think ahead and bring spare clothes or we could have made it a sleepover."

"We still could," Ianto said softly, looking up at Jack. "If you like. I'm pretty sure my clothes would fit you, and we can wash yours in the mean time."

"Really? I don't want to inconvenience you," Jack said, concerned.

"It's no problem, Jack. Besides," Ianto added, smiling, "I'd like it too."

Jack beamed. He'd been having so much fun spending the afternoon with his best friend that time had completely slipped him by. It was only just after ten, but he'd normally not stay that late at a friend's house if he was planning to be home by his curfew of eleven.

"I'll just call my mother and let her know," he told Ianto, taking his mobile out of his bag. He made the quick call, got the all clear, and put the mobile away. "That's that."

"We should probably find you something to wear."

"Good idea."

Ianto started to get up and then huffed a breath out, sitting back down. "I forgot, Jack. We can't get to the bed in the spare room any longer. Mam's things are everywhere."

He looked crestfallen and Jack nudged his shoulder. "It's okay, Ianto. I'll sleep on the floor."

"The floor is covered too, Jack."

"I meant in your room."

"Oh."

"If you're not comfortable with that…"

"No, Jack, it's fine. I just can't imagine that will be very pleasant."

Jack shrugged, getting to his feet. "I've slept on the ground before while camping out. It's not that big of a deal."

Ianto nodded, getting up and heading back into the hallway. "Come on then. We'll get you pajamas and then throw your clothes into the wash."

tw tw tw tw tw

"I can't believe you've never been outside of Wales, Ianto," Jack told his friend. He was lying on floor beside his bed, propped up on his elbow. "Not even to England?"

"Never," Ianto confirmed, looking down at him. "Are you sure you're alright down there?"

"Sure," said Jack, curling up under the warm blanket he'd been given and laying his head on a soft pillow.

"You could sleep up here…"

Jack's eyebrows rose. "Why Ianto, I thought you didn't like me that way?"

"W-what? No, I…I just meant…"

"It's okay, Ianto," Jack laughed. "I'm just teasing you."

"I just don't like you sleeping on the floor," Ianto explained.

"Well, is there enough room?" Jack asked.

"Should be. It's a full size."

Jack rolled to his feet, picking up the blanket and pillow. He moved over to the bed, climbing up from the end since the bed was pressed against the wall. He placed his pillow beside Ianto's, lay down and covered himself with the blanket again. He had to admit, Ianto's bed was extremely comfortable.

"Better?" he asked his friend.

"Yup."

Jack yawned, covering his mouth. "I didn't realize I was so tired."

"It's close to midnight, Jack. Maybe we should try to get some sleep."

"Yeah, I think you're right," Jack agreed, watching as Ianto turned out the light on his bedside table. "Goodnight, Ianto."

"Goodnight, Jack."

tw tw tw tw tw

Jack awoke knowing two things without a doubt: One, there was an incredibly warm Welshman pressed up against his back, and Two, he had somehow, during the night, managed to find himself under the covers.

He couldn't remember climbing under the sheets. He must have done that automatically in reaction to being cold, since it was a bit chilly in the room. But even so, that didn't explain Ianto's legs intertwined with his, and his arm around Jack's middle.

Jack was frozen to the spot. If he moved, Ianto was bound to awaken and be embarrassed that he'd decided to cuddle his friend in the middle of the night. If he didn't move, Ianto would eventually wake up anyway and he'd still have the same reaction. Jack wasn't sure what would be worse. Of course, if he stayed still, he could pretend he was asleep and save Ianto from having to have that conversation.

Deciding lying still was his best course of action, Jack took the time to think about the man behind him. He had feelings for him. Always had, if were honest with himself. He'd known since they were little kids that Ianto was special, and that he held a place in his heart. He wished that Ianto felt the same way, but he knew sexuality wasn't something you chose. If Ianto didn't feel like that about guys, Jack would just have to get over him.

He was starting to think about the upcoming week, and about asking Gwen to the dance, but he really didn't want to. He wanted to go with Ianto.

Suddenly there was movement from behind him. He laid still, eyes closed.

"Jack?" Ianto asked softly, shuffling backward until he was on his own side of the bed. "Are you awake?"

Jack hesitated. He'd already decided to pretend to be asleep. But he found he just couldn't lie to Ianto. "Yeah, Ianto. I'm awake."

"Sorry," his friend told him. "I guess I'm a bit of a cuddler."

Jack chuckled, rolling onto his back and turning his head toward Ianto. The boy was blushing. "It's okay, Ianto."

"Are you hungry?" Ianto said, changing the subject. "I could make some breakfast."

"I could eat," Jack replied, smiling.

"Good." Ianto slipped out of the bed, moving toward the door. "Toast and coffee okay?"

"Sounds perfect, Ianto."

His friend nodded, heading out of the room.

tw tw tw tw tw

"So did you ask him?"

"Yeah, I did," Jack said, placing a book in his locker. Gwen had cornered him the moment they were out of class.

"So? What was his answer?" she asked, following beside him as he headed to the chemistry lab.

Jack heaved his book bag higher on his shoulder. "He's not sure he can go, Gwen."

"Well that's a shame, it is," she said, pouting. "You know the new boy, Rhys Williams? He's going to ask me to go with him."

Jack smirked. "Did he say that?"

"Didn't have to," she replied. "His friend Lisa told me."

"Sounds like gossip, Gwen Cooper."

"Maybe, Jack, but that doesn't mean it isn't true." They arrived at the lab and took their seats. "Now I just need to know whether to say yes, or..."

"Or?"

"Well, I thought, since you don't have a date, and neither do I, maybe you could ask me and we could go together."

"Gwen, I told you Ianto doesn't think he can go. He didn't say for certain."

"So you're just going to keep pining away, are you Jack?" Gwen shook her head, opening her book. "He's not right for you, you know?"

"No, I don't know," Jack said, frowning. "He's my friend, and yes, I happen to like him more than platonically, so in what way is he wrong for me?"

"He's not like us, Jack."

"What? I told you how I feel about other people's opinions. Please don't become one of those people."

Just then their instructor entered the classroom, bringing all discussion to a halt. Jack was glad, not wanting to get into an argument with Gwen but seeing himself heading down that path.

He watched as the man wrote long equations on the board, but his mind was elsewhere. Deciding that he and Gwen were just going to end up fighting, he was rather glad Rhys planned to ask her to the dance. It would save him having to ask her. If Ianto couldn't go then neither would Jack. Though he hadn't given up on the boy yet. Waking up cuddled with him had felt too right.

Jack had an idea that just might work.

~tbc~