Malcolm woke to the smell of coffee. Strong, mouth-watering coffee.
He looked for his robe and found only the space it had filled the day before. As the previous night crept into his memory he rose and grabbed another robe then followed the aroma.
Ianto was barefoot. Of course he was. Beneath that silk kimono he was completely naked still. Malcolm found his eyes drawn to Ianto's ankles as he pivoted and moved about the kitchen humming something under his breath.
The table was set. Malcolm slid into his usual seat and placed his chin on his closed fists as he continued to watch Ianto cook. A plate of bacon and eggs was slid on front of him as another was placed opposite. The mug of coffee was seized before Ianto could place it down and he smiled down at Malcolm with such a familiar affection that it tugged at him.
Finally Ianto sank into his own chair, tucking one foot beneath himself as he reached for the pepper.
"You like pepper then?" lame Malcolm. Real lame.
"Yes. I love spicy food and curries too," Ianto took pity at the flicker of annoyance Malcolm showed at the inane question.
"OK, good to know. I know a place that does the best spicy Mexican I have ever tasted," Malcolm smiled, feeling more confident now.
"I like Mexican. Good with a nice beer," Ianto nodded, taking a mouth full of eggs from his fork.
Malcolm watched the food disappear behind those cupid bow lips and then moved his eyes to Ianto's to find him watching him right back with a grin.
"so, um .."Malcolm was about to ask what his plans were when Ianto beat him to it.
"Look. I know this is weird. God, I'm not sure I understand how I got here myself." He looked earnestly at Malcolm, "I think I died. I know I stepped into something like a … black hole? Um … it's like … it was a rift... A tear in the fabric of reality and the only way to close it was to ... Well, blow it up."
Ianto sighed and stared out the window. Malcolm waited to see if there was more.
"I don't expect you to believe me. I'm lucky you've not gutted me like a fish." Ianto turned and stared right into his soul, "I know you're not a good man. Not a bad man either. But a dangerous one."
Malcolm opened his mouth to argue but nothing came out. How do you argue with the truth?
"I guess I should warn you, should 'a warned Jack and saved a lot of angst on that one with him but. Well" Ianto shrugged then looked at Malcolm like he was judging him. "I'm not exactly a nice guy either. Most thought I was but I hid it well. Jack said I was the only con man to ever beat him. Thought of himself as the best con man there was."
"So you hide yourself under a butler shaped bushel eh? Mr Jones?" Malcolm raised an eyebrow.
"It's ok ya know," Ianto shrugged looking back over the city, "Not like you're hard on the eye there Sir!"
Malcolm's bark of laughter split the tension and Ianto's smile was lovely to watch.
Malcolm decided to keep him. Yep. Just like that! Needed a new PA, he looks like he'll do. Looks good in a suit too, I bet.
As Malcolm called his tailor for an emergency consult his mouth watered at the possibilities.