The cooler air outside the gymnasium made Jack shiver slightly. Or maybe it was being able to be alone with Ianto on the quiet patio. Either way, Jack was exactly where he wanted to be.

"It was rather crowded in there," Ianto said, smiling as he stopped and turned to face him.

"Yes it was," Jack agreed, returning the smile. The patio was small, with a few chairs set up. A couple of students were standing by the makeshift railing, having a cigarette. "Warmer too," he added.

"More privacy out here," Ianto murmured. "For those who…want that."

Jack's eyebrow went up. "What about you, Ianto?" he asked quietly, squeezing Ianto's hand. His heart was beating so fast he was positive Ianto would hear it. "Did you want more privacy?"

"Maybe," Ianto admitted, his cheeks coloring.

Jack watched as the two girls who'd been smoking turned to head back inside, smiling and giggling as they passed them by. He stepped closer to Ianto, watching his face for any sign that this wasn't what he wanted. When Ianto gave nothing further away Jack took a chance and cupped his hand around the back of Ianto's neck, tilting his face and leaning in.

"Oh! Oh, I'm sorry!"

Both Jack and Ianto jumped. Jack dropped his hand from Ianto's neck and Ianto released the other. Standing in the doorway was Gwen, looking surprised.

"Doesn't matter," Ianto told her.

"I didn't mean…I just…wow…" she stammered, turning to walk back inside.

Ianto looked back at Jack, eyebrow raised. Jack just shook his head, taking Ianto's hand again. "You okay?"

"Of course," Ianto replied.

"You want to go back inside?"

Ianto ducked his head, looking at his shoes for a moment. "I don't know, Jack," he said, looking up under his lashes. "What do you want to do?"

Jack reached out and lifted Ianto's chin. "This," he said, pressing a gentle kiss to Ianto's mouth.

The kiss was short and unassuming, and Jack pulled back just enough to gage Ianto's reaction. The boy's eyes were still closed, and he opened them slowly, gazing at Jack. Before Jack had a chance to back away Ianto's hand was clutching his shirt and he had slammed his mouth back over Jack's.

Jack returned the kiss with equal enthusiasm, sliding fingers into Ianto's hair. He teased Ianto's lips with his tongue until he was granted access, taking it slowly, letting the other boy adjust. But Ianto adapted quickly, exploring with his own tongue, battling with Jack's.

Coming up for air a few moments later, Jack grinned at his friend, heart still racing. Ianto smiled back at him.

"Oi, you lot!" Turning toward the doorway again, Jack now found Owen there, hands on hips. "You two going to be out here all night, then?"

"It's only been about five minutes," Jack argued.

"Fewer, really," Ianto agreed.

"Long enough to upset Gwen," Owen told them, shaking his head. "She just came running in, mumbling about a shock to her system. Now I understand. I may be scarred for life. Again."

Jack smirked and Ianto rolled his eyes, but both followed Owen back into the gymnasium anyhow. It wasn't lost on Jack that Ianto stayed right by his side, and when they joined their friends inside Ianto surprised Jack by slipping his hand into his, entwining their fingers.

Jack saw Gwen's eyes drop to their joined hands, widening, before she looked back up them. "So you two…done with whatever that was?" she asked, looking from Jack to Ianto and back again.

Jack scowled. "Done with it?" he asked, wanting clarification. He didn't like Gwen's tone.

"What Gwen means is that we're planning on leaving," Rhys told them, looking pointedly at his date. "It's a bit boring here and we're thinking maybe a party at mine? My parents aren't home."

"Yeah, wanna come with?" Tosh asked.

Jack glanced at Ianto. They had hours left before Ianto had to be home. "What do you think, Ianto?"

"Whatever you'd like, Jack," his friend said, smiling.

"Then it's settled," said Rhys, beaming at them. "Just follow us."

Jack and Ianto made their way out of the gym, close behind their friends. They separated long enough to get into Jack's car, but once the doors were closed Ianto placed his hand over Jack's on the seat.

"She said 'you two,' like we're a couple," Ianto mused.

"Well we are," Jack told him, starting the engine. "Does it matter?"

Ianto's brow furrowed. "We are?"

Jack turned to look at him. "I'd hoped that's what this all meant. But if I'm wrong…"

"No, I just…" Ianto looked confused and it made Jack's heart clench. "I've never liked a guy before, Jack. This is new to me."

"Neither have I, Ianto. You're the first."

"But you said you've liked me since we were kids."

"I have."

Jack waited while the implications sank in. Ianto's eyes widened. "So you've never…had a relationship…with another guy?"

"No, Ianto."

Jack pulled out of their parking space, following behind their friends' vehicles. It appeared they'd all arrived together in two cars, Owen's and Tommy's.

"You've dated several girls, though, yeah?" Ianto asked, breaking the silence that had followed Jack's admission. "I remember at least three."

"A few," Jack said, shrugging. "But now you know why it never lasted."

He saw a smile tug at Ianto's lips out of the corner of his eye. Ianto also hadn't removed his hand. Jack turned his hand over, sliding his palm under Ianto's.

"I'm glad you convinced me to go tonight, Jack."

"Me too."

They fell silent again, each lost in their own thoughts. When they arrived at Rhys's home Jack parked the car carefully at the curb. He turned off the engine and unbuckled his seatbelt.

"Ianto?"

"Yes, Jack?"

"Can I kiss you again?"

Ianto smirked. "I don't know, Jack. Can you?"

Jack huffed. "MAY I kiss you again?"

"Yes Jack, you may."

Jack grinned, leaning over and pressing a kiss to Ianto's mouth. It was simple and relatively chaste, this time, however, as Jack didn't want to keep their friends waiting. As it was, when they parted they found their eight friends had already gone into the house.

Ianto blushed. "We should probably get inside."

"Yeah, probably," Jack agreed. He pulled back, opening his door and stepping out onto the cement. Ianto did the same. After locking the car Jack reached a hand out, smiling when Ianto took it.

They made their way up the front walk, joining their friends inside. Jack noticed Gwen was clinging to Rhys, and wondered if it was more of her eagerness to show him that she was happy too. He felt bad for the guy, really. Rhys adored Gwen, from what he could tell, and Jack hated the fact that he might be used just to try to make him jealous.

The group was gathered in the lounge, relaxing onto comfortable leather couches, a few chairs, and Jack and Ianto sat down on the floor. Rhys passed out several beers but Jack declined and asked, instead, for water.

"Won't your parents mind you using up all the beer?" Katie asked, looking concerned.

"Nah, not at all," Rhys replied, shrugging. "I help my dad out at his hauling firm, so he doesn't mind if I hang out with my friends once in a while."

"We should play spin the bottle," Gwen suggested, making several heads turn.

Adam laughed. "Remember when we were, what, ten years old? And we played spin the bottle at Jack's party?

"Oi! Don't remind me," Owen complained, rubbing his face. "I had nightmares for years."

"You played spin the bottle when you were ten?" asked a previously quiet Lisa. "That's so young!"

Jack grinned. "I was a pretty old ten."

"And Ianto turned the shade he is now," Toshiko giggled.

Jack patted Ianto's knee. "My first kiss," he admitted.

Ianto's head snapped around. "Really?"

"You think I ran around kissing everyone before the age of ten?"

"Don't make him answer that, Jack," Owen warned. Everyone laughed, even Jack. "And let's think of something else, yeah?"

"Jack," Gwen said, moving away from Rhys and standing in the middle of the room. "Why don't we show everyone our cheer from last Saturday?"

Jack's eyebrow rose. "I'm not so sure everyone wants to see that."

"I was there," Adam stated, sipping his beer. "Remember?"

"I wouldn't mind seeing it," Lisa said, smiling. "Sounds like fun."

"Yeah, Jack," Tommy piped up. "Show us."

"If we must," Owen grumbled.

Jack got to his feet, smiling. "Okay, fine," he said, shaking his head.

Several moves and a stumbling Gwen later, Jack was sprawled on the floor with Gwen in his lap. They were laughing so hard he didn't notice the look that had crossed over Ianto's face until Gwen was finished detangling herself from his lap and had gone to sit back down. There was a similar look on Rhys's face.

"And you got second place with that?" Owen asked, snickering. "Jack, did you sleep with one of the judges?"

"Funny, Owen," he replied, sitting back down beside Ianto. "I'd like to see you try it."

"Jack was wonderful," Gwen said, defending him.

"Thank you, Gwen."

"We should watch a movie," Tosh suggested.

"Sure," Rhys replied. "What would you like? We have a large selection." He pointed to the shelves on either side of the telly.

"Ooh, Gladiator," said Katie. "I love Russell Crowe."

"Mmm, Russell Crowe," Lisa agreed. "He's lush."

"I wouldn't mind that," Jack said, winking at the girls. "Tight leather, all those muscles." Owen groaned.

"How about a comedy?" Tommy asked.

"The Hangover!" Adam said, nodding.

Jack laughed. "That movie was hilarious. What do you think, Ianto?"

"As long as it's something without leather," Ianto replied softly. "Some fetishes should be kept to yourself." He wasn't looking at him and Jack frowned.

They finally decided on Mortal Kombat, and everyone settled in to watch it. Everyone, that is, except Jack. He was too concerned with Ianto. When the boy got up and wandered into the kitchen Jack followed him.

"Hey," he whispered, stepping up next to him. "What's going on?"

"You tell me, Jack."

"I don't know, Ianto. That's why I'm asking." He reached for Ianto's hand but the other boy pulled it back. "Did I do something wrong?"

"You called us a couple."

"Yeah," Jack agreed, brow furrowed. He wasn't sure how that was a bad thing. "I'd like us to be. We talked about that earlier."

"I'm not sure I can, Jack," the Welshman told him, turning sad eyes on him. "Not when Gwen won't back off."

Jack closed his eyes for a moment, hanging his head. Of course. Gwen. "Ianto, I'm not interested in her."

"But she's interested in you, and she goes out of her way to show it." He flailed his hand around to make his point. "It's like all she can think about is how to get you into her knickers."

"That's kind of harsh, Ianto."

"Am I wrong?"

"She's just a flirt. She doesn't mean anything by it. Besides, she's with Rhys."

"And she'd dump him in a heartbeat if you gave her the word."

Jack swallowed, knowing deep down that Ianto was right. "So I'm being punished because Gwen likes me?"

"You're encouraging her."

"I don't mean to, Ianto!" He put his hand on Ianto's back. "Do you really think I'd give up everything in order to be with her?"

"What's everything, Jack?" Ianto asked, turning to face him.

"You, Ianto. You're everything." His shoulders slumped. "I thought that tonight, with the dance, and us kissing…" He looked back up at Ianto. "When I said we were a couple I meant it. I want us to be together."

"And Gwen?"

"I'll talk to her, Ianto," he said, slipping his arms around Ianto's waist. He rested their foreheads together. "I'll make sure she understands that I'm with you, and off limits. If you want me to be your boyfriend, that is. I mean, I know you're not gay, so…"

"Oh shut up, Jack," Ianto said, kissing him hard.

"Um…" It was Tosh this time and Jack and Ianto pulled apart, chuckling. "I was just going to get Tommy another beer."

"Don't let us get in your way," Jack told her, grabbing Ianto's hand and leading him back toward the lounge.

"Are you two…you know…together now?" Tosh asked, blushing slightly.

"Yes," Ianto answered her, and Jack tightened his grip on his hand. "Yes, we are."

"That's wonderful!"

"Thank you, Toshiko," said Jack, smiling. "I happen to think so too."

They left her in the kitchen and joined the others in the lounge. Jack took a seat leaning against the arm of the couch, and pulled Ianto down with him. Ianto was seated between Jack's legs, his back to Jack's chest. Jack wrapped his arms around Ianto and Ianto's hand's settled on Jack's arms.

Pressing a kiss to the side of Ianto's neck he finally felt content. In his arms was the boy he'd wanted forever, and they were surrounded by their friends. He let himself get lost in the movie, and put aside his thoughts about having a talk with Gwen. He'd worry about that another day. After all, it probably wasn't as bad as Ianto made it out to be.

What he didn't see, however, was Gwen's glare shooting daggers at them from across the room.

~tbc~