Jack is worried about Ianto. It had been almost three weeks since it had all happened and the only contact Ianto had was Gwen and occasionally Rhys when they got to the hub, a phone call to his sister every now and again and that was it. He didn't go out without Jack. He went to see a psychiatrist twice a week, and Jack knew that it was having a positive effect on him he just wanted him to get back to being okay, though he knew it would take time to get back to that.
"Yan?" Jack called happily as he walked into the living room. Ianto was sat on the sofa, stretched out watching a chat show.
"Yeah?" Ianto asked his eyes moving away from the television screen and over to Jack.
"Tonight, rift allowing, how about we go out on a date?"
"As in an actual date?" Ianto asked curiously. Normally dates with Jack meant a nice meal in a fancy restaurant and then going to see a film and sitting in the back row both not paying attention to the film. Ianto loved the dates, he felt special that Jack would even take him out even if it was just to fondle him in public but now... he didn't like it when he was touched.
"Not like how we used to." Jack smiled as though he knew what his lover was thinking. "I mean like an actual date, with dinner, walks on the bay."
"I don't know... Can't we just have dinner here?"
"No, Yan. You need to go out a bit more." Jack said gently. "I know that you're scared, but you'll be okay."
"What... I... I'm not ready to have sex, Jack." Ianto mumbled. Jack smiled softly and moved over to Ianto.
"I know you're not, Ianto." Jack smiled. "I'm not asking you out on a date because I expect something after. I'm asking you out on a date because if we're not going to the hub or coming back from the hub then you don't leave the house. I just want you to realise that no one else is going to hurt you."
"I know... I'm sorry." Ianto sighed.
"There's nothing to be sorry for." Jack smiled. "So, you okay to go on a date tonight?"
"Yeah." Ianto smiled. "Come sit with me for a while?" Jack nodded and wrapped his arms around Ianto's middle holding him close as they watched the chat show. Jack was completely engrossed in the program, he was laughing on the inside at the stupidity of it. Three men fighting over one girl, who had a baby and didn't know what one was the father of said child. He really didn't understand 21st Century entertainment. He was about to ask Ianto about it when he realised that Ianto had curled himself around Jack and was fast asleep on his chest. He smiled at his young lover and pressed a soft kiss on his forehead. He smiled and reached down and pulled up the small blanket and wrapped it around him.
"Hey." Ianto whispered, his voice fill of sleep as he woke up. Jack was still watching the television and was a little startled to see Ianto awake.
"Hey sleepy head." Jack grinned.
"Sorry, I fell asleep." Ianto mumbled.
"It's okay." Jack smiled. He knew that Ianto was having trouble sleeping at night because of nightmares. "It's almost five. You still want to go out?"
"Yeah. I'd like that." Ianto smiled. Jack grinned and pressed a kiss to Ianto's forehead.
"How about you go and shower and get dressed and I'll call the cinema to see what's showing."
"Can we see a comedy?" Ianto asked as he stood up.
"Sure, anything you want." Jack grinned. Ianto smiled and leant down and pressed a soft kiss to Jack's lips, Jack allowed Ianto to control the kiss. Over the past few weeks it was always Ianto who initiated the kisses or the touches. Jack smiled and wrapped his arms loosely around Ianto's waist giving him enough space to break away if he wanted, which he didn't. The kiss lasted a little longer then most of their previous ones and when Ianto pulled away, he didn't break contact.
"Thank you for being so patient with me, Jack." Ianto said gently, he pecked Jack softly on his cheek before walking away to the bathroom to shower.
-x-
"You look dashing." Jack grinned as Ianto walked through to the living room where Jack was waiting. Ianto was wearing dark jeans, a red shirt and a simple black jacket. Jack wore dark trousers and a blue shirt.
"Thanks." Ianto blushed. "Don't look too bad yourself." Ianto smiled easily. He walked over to Jack and hugged him softly. Jack held him close, enjoying the simple embrace. They walked out of Ianto's apartment holding hands, walking close next to each other. They headed over to the cinema where they saw the latest comedy. Jack enjoyed listening to Ianto's laugh it was soft and delicate. After the film, they headed to a small diner where Jack ordered Ianto's favourite food making Ianto smile and realise that Jack paid attention to the little things he did. Dinner was nice. Ianto soon forgot about everyone else around them and just focused on Jack. They held hands on op of the table and spoke about anything and everything that came to mind.
"Thanks for tonight, Jack." Ianto smiled as they walked back to Ianto's.
"Any time. We should do it more often." Jack smiles.
"I'd like that." Ianto smiles. "I'm tired."
"Go get ready for bed and I'll be in, in a minute I'm going to check in with Gwen."
"Okay." Ianto smiled and walked off to the bedroom. Jack watched him go and realised that everything was slowly going back to normal.