Curled into bed that evening Jack watched his boyfriend sleep. They'd arrived back from the restaurant long before it was time for bed, but they'd both been exhausted after their trip that afternoon. Jack had been hoping to make love to Ianto, to show him exactly how much his birthday gift had touched his heart, but Ianto had fallen asleep nearly the moment his head hit the pillow.

There wasn't much light in the room, the castle tucked away from the lights of the town beyond, but there was enough for Jack to make out the soft smile on Ianto's face. He was dreaming. Jack returned the smile, even though he had no idea if it had been meant for him. He figured it was. He hoped it was.

"I love you so much, Ianto Jones," he whispered, tracing a cheekbone and then brushing his fingers through Ianto's hair. "More than I can even put into words."

And it was true. There had been times in Jack's life when he'd thought he would never find happiness. Sure, he'd been popular in school, and there had never been a lack of girls surrounding him as he grew up, but the one who'd held his heart had been just out of reach. While he'd always had Ianto around as one of his best friends, he hadn't ever admitted his feelings for him. Looking at Ianto now Jack was glad he'd had the opportunity to finally tell him, to get the chance to share that love with the one who'd stolen his heart so many years before.

Ianto stirred, his eyes blinking open in the dark room. "Jack?"

"Hey there."

"Are you watching me sleep?"

"Maybe."

Ianto rubbed his eyes, turning on his side to face Jack. "That's a bid odd, don't you think?"

Jack smirked. "Not really. I do it more than you think."

"Now that's just creepy."

Jack chuckled, pressing a kiss to Ianto's forehead. "I didn't mean to wake you up. You should try to get more sleep."

"As should you, Jack."

"I don't need that much. You know that."

"Still." Ianto smiled at him, reaching up and stroking Jack's face. "Are you alright, Cariad?"

Jack sighed, curling into Ianto and taking the Welshman's hand. He rubbed his thumb over the knuckles, relaxing into his pillow. "I'm more than alright, Ianto. I'm…happy."

"Happy is good."

"That's not even the right word for it," Jack replied, sighing again. "We own an island, you and I."

Ianto put his other hand on Jack's, effectively enclosing it between both of his own. "Yes we do. I can't wait to start building. It's going to be beautiful, Jack."

Kissing the corner of Ianto's mouth Jack squeezed his hand. "When do you want to start?"

Ianto's eyebrow rose. "We haven't even begun to save yet."

"My parents gave me a bit of money for my birthday present."

"H-how much is a bit?" Ianto asked, a look of concern on his face. "I mean, you needn't tell me, of course, but…"

"A few thousand," Jack answered, watching as Ianto's eyes went wide. "They, uh, thought I might put it towards a new car. Sort of a graduation present."

"Jack…it's only February."

"A very early graduation present."

Ianto moved his hand to pluck at a non-existent piece of lint on Jack's t-shirt. "And you want to use that to start our island fund? What about the new car?"

Jack grinned. "My car works just fine for now. I'd much rather plan our future instead."

"So…we're going to do this?"

"Of course." Jack's eyebrows furrowed. "You didn't think I'd want to?"

"I'd hoped you did. I just…" Ianto rolled back onto his back.

"Ianto?"

"I wasn't sure you were ready."

Jack's arm slid around Ianto's waist and he tucked his face into the Welshman's neck, pressing kisses to his skin. "I was thinking that if we started getting the island prepared now, by the time we're married we'll already have a house there. Maybe guest cottages for your mother and your sister and Mica, too."

Ianto turned his head to look at him. "Oh, Jack. Really?"

"Really." Jack kissed him softly. "And I want to go back to work for my parents full time once I graduate."

"For the summer, you mean?"

"No, permanently. Until I can find something else that pays as well that I really want to do for a career."

Ianto pulled out of Jack's arms and pushed himself into a sitting position. "Jack, what about university?"

"I can always go back," he replied, scooting onto his knees. He saw Ianto was about to argue and Jack held up his hand. "Ianto, look…I know it sounds impulsive, but I've been giving this a lot of thought. I want us to have a future together. Yes, getting further education can help, but I've already got a good start. My parents' business is thriving, and after a few years there I'll be able to find something that suits me even better."

"It does pay well."

"Yeah, it does. Now that they've moved us into full employment and we're not just interns we'll be making really good money. Pay raises will be every year. This gift from my parents can start the process on the island, and over the next few years we can complete it."

Ianto looked down for a moment, worrying his bottom lip between his teeth. "What will your parents say?"

Jack shrugged. "I know they want me to go to university now, but if I can show them that I've thought this out, planned it, they really won't have a reason to argue."

"And you're sure this is what you want? The job, the island…me?"

Jack's hand cupped Ianto's face and he kissed him. "More than anything. Marry me, Ianto."

"W-what?"

"Marry me. I've already promised to ask you. So…I'm asking you. Marry me?"

"I…" Ianto's eyes were round and watery, and he nodded. "Y-yes. Yes, of course, Jack."

Jack's grin nearly split his face. He grabbed Ianto and tugged him against his body, rolling them until Jack was on his back and Ianto on top of him. "Yes?"

"Yes!"

Jack kissed Ianto hard, laying all his emotions on the line as tears started to course down his face. He'd loved this boy…man…since they were four years old, and now he was going to be able to love him for the rest of his life. They were young, of course, but that wasn't going to stop Jack. Ianto would be eighteen in six months, and Jack in another year. They had as long as they needed to make things perfect.

Ianto broke away from the kiss, running a hand through Jack's hair. "We should…probably have a long engagement, Jack."

"I agree."

"Maybe…a few years?"

Jack frowned. "That long? I was thinking one."

"Jack, that's far too soon. We'll only be eighteen."

"Okay, two then."

Ianto shook his head. "I'd like a nice wedding. You know, with my family. We'll need time to save for that."

"But Ianto, we're only going to be able to have a Civil Partnership."

Ianto's face fell. "I know. But we can still have a ceremony. All our friends can be there. Mam can walk me down the aisle and…and Mica could be the flower girl."

"She couldn't do that at two?"

"It'd be better if she were older. Three…maybe?"

Jack smiled up at him, kissing his nose. "Okay Ianto Jones. Three years it is. We'll sign the registry but we'll also have a full ceremony. And we'll be twenty. Is that old enough for you?"

Ianto beamed, nodding vigorously. "Yes. Thank you, Jack."

"My pleasure completely, Ianto. Now move that ring to your left hand so everyone knows that you're mine."

"I think everyone already knows that," Ianto told him, grinning, but doing as he'd said and slipping his promise ring – now engagement ring - to his left hand. "There. Better?"

"Perfect. Come here."

Jack drew the Welshman down until their lips met again, slipping his tongue easily inside Ianto's mouth and deepening the kiss immediately. One hand held the back of Ianto's head and the other slid between them, down into Ianto's pajama bottoms.

"Jack…" It was a whisper into Jack's mouth, followed by a moan as Jack's hand closed around him.

It wasn't long before Ianto was writhing above him, and Jack slowed his movements, not wanting to send him over the edge until he could join him. He'd rather have used lube, but didn't want to let go of Ianto long enough to make his way over to their bags on the floor. Instead, he slipped his other hand to his mouth and wet his fingers. When he was satisfied, he brought them back down and slowly worked them into Ianto until the Welshman was again twisting and turning in pleasure.

"Please. Please, Jack!"

They moved to remove both of their pajamas, and then Jack froze. Protection. He needed a condom. He closed his eyes, willing himself to relax for a moment. He'd need to get up after all.

Ianto must have understood immediately as he shook his head. "Just you, Jack."

"Ianto, we can't. We have to…"

"No. No, we don't. Jack, I've only ever been with you, and you with me. And we only ever will."

Jack swallowed, considering that for a moment. He was right, of course. He had no intentions of ever sleeping with anyone other than Ianto, for the rest of their lives. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, Jack." Ianto began kissing him again, moving his hips around until they were lined up and stroking each other. "Please…"

Jack's eyes nearly rolled back in his head. He moistened his hand again and this time moved it to his own erection, slicking himself up as well as he could. And when he joined with Ianto he knew it was true. Ianto was his, and he was Ianto's. Always.

~tbc~