VII.

Alone in the tourist office, Ianto stared at the box sitting on the counter before him. The handwriting and return address told him exactly who the sender was, and he was fairly certain from the size and shape of the box that he knew what was in it. Which was why he was half tempted to toss it in the rubbish bin…no, the incinerator… and tell both Martha and Jack that it must have been lost in the post.

But then Jack came bursting through the door like it was Christmas morning, one hand behind his back as if he were hiding something and grinning like a schoolboy. "Is that it, is that it?" he asked, bouncing on his toes.

Ianto pulled on the blandest look he could manage even though he dreaded opening the box in front of Jack. He was embarrassed to be receiving what could only be described as a sex toy in the mail from a woman he barely knew, even if she was lovely and adorable. Yes, sex with Jack was innovative, but Ianto liked being himself in bed, not dressing up as other people. Sex was for losing himself and letting go, not trying to stay in character. Which was why roleplay was something he'd never tried, even with Jack. The others probably wouldn't have believed it, but there were things he said 'no' to when it came to Jack. Not very many, and dressing up was fairly conservative compared to the things they had tried, but for some reason he wasn't interested.

"I've yet to open it, sir," he finally replied, lost in his thoughts for several moments.

"Well, get on with it!" Jack exclaimed, then smirked. "Because I will definitely make it worth your while, Mr. Jones." He leaned closer and dropped his voice seductively. "Or should I say, Cadet Jones?"

Which was when Ianto realized just how much power he had over Jack at that moment, and how much more he could have if he stepped out of his comfort zone and explored the avant-garde a bit more (though he doubted roleplay was particularly inventive and shuddered to think of what Jack might consider truly avant-garde.) Offering the expected eye roll for the more ridiculous military innuendo, Ianto decided that playing to Jack's kink might have more benefits than a hard shag in his office.

"It is a personal package, sir," he pointed out, watching in fascination as Jack pouted. Not unheard of, but clearly real and not just played for effect. All for want of a hat. Perhaps this was something he could try after all.

"It's for both of us," Jack said, lowering his voice to a provocative purr. Ianto wanted to laugh, but he merely raised an eyebrow instead.

"It's addressed to me," he said, showing Jack the box and easily moving away when Jack reached for it with his free hand. "And I believe I'll open it after work as I suspect it's not related to my Torchwood duties."

Jack stared at him, no clever comeback falling from his lips. Ianto gave himself a point for rendering Jack speechless. "You're joking."

"Not really," said Ianto, allowing a small smile to soften the blow. "I think it would be inappropriate to open it here, sir."

"Probably," said Jack, nodding as he stepped closer, one hand still behind his back. Ianto was fairly sure he knew what Jack was hiding. "Because I'm planning to jump you as soon as you put it on."

"That's assuming the item is not only wearable, but that actually I'd wear it," Ianto replied. Oh, he was definitely enjoying this. Leading Jack on had always been fun, but this was another level completely. There was more than desire in Jack's eyes, there was…desperation? For Ianto? In a hat?

"Better open it and see," Jack said. "If it's not, I'll still jump you later."

Ianto smiled his polite yes-sir-very-good-sir smile and proceeded to open the box as slowly as he could, cutting through the tape carefully and unwrapping the paper without ripping it, then folding it and setting it aside. He could see it driving Jack absolutely mad, which only made Ianto move even more deliberately as he opened the lid and peered inside. Jack was practically drooling next to him.

Ianto frowned, playing at doubt. Jack literally growled under his breath, and Ianto offered a long-practiced sigh. He dug through the paper in the box and felt exactly what he expected, as well as a second item beneath that he thought he recognized. Heart speeding up with excitement at this unexpected development in the game, he glanced inside, pretending to narrow his eyes in confusion. He definitely owed Martha Jones.

"Just some files I asked for," Ianto said, standing up straight and facing Jack. It was obvious he was lying, which was exactly his intent. Jack was in his space immediately, almost chest to chest. It was a classic Jack Harkness tactic, using his physical strength to intimidate, or in this case, his sexual prowess to seduce. Ianto usually found it quite difficult to resist. Jack was attractive, and they had a strong chemistry together, especially when they were close. It was only when he was exhausted or angry that Ianto refused Jack's seductions, and even then, they'd certainly had their share of amazing angry sex, and even a good shag once when Ianto had been three quarters asleep.

"Come on, Ianto," Jack murmured, and Ianto was fairly sure he heard the beginning of a distressed whine in the man's voice. Score another point then. It was an incredible turn on, knowing Jack wasn't playing at neediness, but in fact desperately wanted something that only Ianto could give him. It made the idea of dressing up for Jack that much easier and enticing. "You can wear yours, and I'll wear mine, and we can play captain and cadet." He pulled his hand from behind his back and placed the grey RAF cap on his head at a jaunty angle. Ianto wondered how Jack had come by it, since he had insisted that Ianto keep the hat at his flat; knowing Jack, he'd probably nicked it just so he'd have it ready when Martha's package arrived.

The move was a bit over the top, but as usual, the hat looked fantastic. Yet it was Jack's words that reinforced Ianto's interest and resolve. Cadet? Ianto felt a strong desire to assert himself. Which he'd done before, taking the lead in any number of sexual situations between them, but this was different somehow. He put it down to a number of things they'd been through recently, both personally and professionally, things that often left him confused and doubting whatever it was he had with Jack. He wanted to be the confident one, the one with the constant advantage, and he was determined to wrestle it away from Jack. He was no cadet to Jack's captain, not anymore, and Martha had made sure of that. He still felt a twinge of embarrassment over the idea of playing a role other than himself in bed, but at the same time, he saw what it was doing to Jack, and had to admit the point.

It was damn hot. His trousers were already growing tight.

Very slowly he pulled out the red UNIT beret that Martha had sent and placed it on his head. It felt more comfortable than Jack's RAF cap—not that he had any plans to defect to UNIT, but he could wear a beret almost as well as Jack could wear a peaked cap. And apparently Jack thought so too, because his eyes went wide, his smile grew positively predatory, and his hips pressed Ianto back against the counter. Ianto held up a finger.

"There's more," he said, somehow managing to keep his voice steady. He hadn't this much fun teasing Jack since the night the Inorva feathers had fallen through the Rift and he'd spent several hours exploring each and every one of Jack's erogenous zones with them. Very carefully Ianto pulled out a black ceremonial cross belt, and watched as Jack almost melted into a puddle. He wasn't aware UNIT officers even wore them anymore and doubted it was official dress, but Martha apparently knew Jack's combination of military and archaic tastes well enough to find one somewhere. And she had somehow guessed Ianto's game by sending one with the badge of a UNIT Major-General.

Ianto pulled it slowly over his head, the black sash cutting across his purple shirt in a striking manner. Ianto thought that maybe he'd let Jack try it on, because Jack actually flushed, his breath picking up and his lips parting subconsciously, and if Jack thought Ianto looked that good, he wanted to see Jack in it as well. Possibly naked and without the badge, of course.

"I believe I outrank you, Captain," Ianto whispered in Jack's ear. He had never felt more ridiculous and yet more powerful and turned on. Jack had been teasing him about the RAF cap ever since Ianto had found it stuffed in the filing cabinet; he'd suggested bringing it into the bedroom more than once since they'd started sleeping together, something Ianto had not seriously considered. He'd accepted the hat as many things, even a bit of a kink, but roleplay had not interested him…until now. Until seeing Jack's reaction and feeling his own growing desire.

Jack was staring at him, as if bewitched by the sight. Ianto cocked his head. "Something wrong, Captain?" he asked, injecting a hint of authority into his voice. Jack's eyes snapped up to his, and his mouth moved a few times before finally settling into a small frown, laced with uncertainty. Jack was unsure of how to take in the situation, how to respond, probably because of Ianto's previous reticence toward Jack's suggestions. He offered Jack a nod and a small smile and immediately saw Jack's entire body relax. He then snapped to attention and gazed over Ianto's shoulder, apparently in character.

"Sir, no sir," he barked, and Ianto's trousers grew even tighter. Oh, he could definitely get used to that. No wonder Jack liked the sir when Ianto used it at work; it was brilliant in play.

"At ease, Captain," he murmured. He walked around Jack, pretending to inspect when he was actually taking another opportunity to admire and think ahead. Hadn't Jack once offered to pull on the rest of the uniform for Ianto? Why in the world had Ianto never taken him up on it?

"Report to your bunker…" He glanced at his watch, gaging the time they'd need for this new endeavor. It had been a quiet afternoon, and Ianto had no doubt that Jack could send the others home early with little excuse. "At 1800 hundred hours."

Jack nodded and Ianto stepped in front of him, heart beating wildly. He took Jack's chin in his hand and directed his gaze at Ianto. "In full dress, Captain," he whispered. He felt Jack pushing forward, seeking out his lips, and stopped him. He shook his head, Jack's mouth dropped open in surprise, and Ianto stepped back, enjoying the sensation of being in charge, though he wondered how long it would last.

"Dismissed," he said, and Jack snapped to attention. His face was straight as he gazed ahead and saluted, then turned on his heels and left without a word, again perfectly in character. Ianto let out a breath he hadn't know he'd been holding, his shoulders sagging. He'd done it, pulled off something he'd never imagined, and it had felt amazing. He smiled to himself, wrapped up in thoughts of later, and didn't realize Jack hadn't left the office until he was being kissed to within an inch of his life. He returned the kiss with equal vigor, tempted to pull Jack through the beaded curtain into his small office in the back, bunker and dress uniform be damned. Jack kissed him hard, sucked his lower lip into his mouth, and then pulled away with a slow pop.

"1800 hours, Major," he said quietly. "Don't be late."

"Don't start without me, Captain," Ianto tossed back. Jack grinned, and Ianto grinned with him, surprised at how comfortable he was with this new development. Neither of them moved from their embrace.

"Time to send the troops home," said Jack. He sighed and stepped back, his hand running along the beret, down the cross belt over Ianto's chest. "God, you're amazing."

"You're not so bad yourself," Ianto replied, trying not to blush. "Go close shop. I'll be down in ten."

Jack kissed him again. "Ten minutes and counting," he murmured. Ianto took the RAF cap from his head and placed it in Jack's hand, then turned him and pushed him toward the door. Jack grinned, and Ianto watched him leave before taking off the beret hat and belt, still surprised at how easy it had been, wondering what it would be like to continue.

He placed them back in the box, which was when he noticed a note at the bottom. From Martha. Smiling to himself, he took out the envelop and read the card inside.

To a fellow Jones, for your innovative dabbling. Jack thinks you look good in red, but I suspect he thinks you look good in anything and everything. In fact, I know he does. It's more than dabbling, Ianto. Never doubt that. I don't know Jack as well as you, but I know how much he cares. He's a good man, and so are you. I can see how good you are for him. Take care of each other, and don't forget to have some fun.

All my best, Martha.

Ianto stared at it, shook his head, and placed it in his jacket pocket so that Jack never found it. He wasn't sure if she was right about their dabbling, but he would at least take some of her advice and have fun with the unexpected gift. Perhaps if it worked out, there would be other roles to play in the future.

And other hats to wear.


Author's Note:

Many thanks to Taamar for looking this over! It's taken me a bit longer as these sorts of things don't come naturally to my writing. Hopefully it reads well enough, whether you think Ianto was into this particular thing or not. And please don't pick on the cross belt/Major-General bit. UNIT is a fictional organization so it's entirely possible that cross belts were part of their uniform at some point. And as much as I looked (and I read quite a bit about cross belts and ranks), I couldn't find a breakdown of UNIT ranks and how they compared to the RAF. Just saying. And the last chapter might take a bit longer, but hopefully I'll finish this week! Thank you and enjoy!