Ianto came to consciousness aware of some sound coming from the other room. He blinked a few times as he stared at the ceiling. A quick glance showed him that the other side of the bed was empty, but the scattered clothes meant that Jack was still there. Was Jack watching television? Ianto stretched. Perhaps. He sat up and tilted his head to get a kink out of his neck. He reached for his robe, frowning at the mess on the floor.
After he got up, he spent a few moments neatening up. No need to be a slob, after all, he thought to himself. It was only after he opened up the bedroom door that he realized that the sounds he was hearing weren't coming from the television, but from the kitchen. He froze, wondering who was in the flat talking with Jack. It was a woman's voice, and he had a sinking feeling as he stood in the doorway. Oh God, he let Mrs. Swanson in! Ianto thought to himself in a near panic. He needed to get dressed and see what was going on in the kitchen.
Glancing down, he knew that the robe wasn't going to be enough. He returned to get dressed, pulling on a pair of sweats. Still not perfect, but better than nothing. He ran his fingers through his hair in an attempt to tame it. The urge for a shower fought with the need to see what was transpiring in his kitchen. After a moment of hesitation, the kitchen won. He made his way across the living room carpet, listening to the voices chatting. He opened the door.
Inside the kitchen Jack sat at the table across from his sister. They both paused as the door opened.
"Happy birthday, sleepy head," Rhiannon said with a smile. Ianto looked confused as he turned his gaze from one to the other of the couple sitting at the table. "Cat got your tongue, sweetheart?"
"Rhi?" Ianto said in amazement. "What are you doing here?" He could see the remains of some pastries sitting on both hers and Jack's plates. It seemed like they had been there for some time together.
"I came down to surprise you for your birthday, Ianto," Rhiannon said. "You don't write, you don't call, so I have to sneak into your flat to catch you before you leave for the day," his sister said with a teasing tone to her voice. Ianto hung his head, knowing she was right. It was just that they often got caught up with stuff from work and by the time he thought about giving her a ring, it was often long after she had gone to bed.
"I'm sorry, Rhi," Ianto said contritely. Rhiannon laughed as she got up from her seat and went to go give her brother a hug.
"Happy birthday, hon," she said, giving him a kiss on the cheek. He smiled at her and pulled her in for another hug.
"Thanks," he said. He could see Jack smiling at them from where he sat at the table and Ianto raised an eyebrow at him. Jack winked at him and his smile turned into a grin as he pulled back. "It's a lovely way to start off my day. But I really do need some coffee."
"You'll have to make your own, since Jack drank the cup I bought you," Rhiannon said to her brother. He just mumbled something that sounded like "Mmmmm," before turning to make some fresh coffee.
Jack sat back and watched the siblings interact with one another. He could see the affection that they had for one another and he felt a pang as he thought of his own brother, and the enmity that Grey had for him. Stifling a sigh, he resolutely put that thought out of his mind as he watched Ianto make the coffee. The smell was tantalizing as the rich coffee brewed. Jack closed his eyes and sniffed appreciatively.
Ianto poured himself a cup and after a nod from his sister, pulled down a second mug and poured her one as well. A quick glance at the other side of the kitchen showed him that Jack was sitting with his eyes closed, that expression on his face telling Ianto that he was anticipating his own fresh cup. Casting a quick glance at his sister, Ianto decided to test the waters. He picked up the pot and brought it over to Jack along with his usual mug. Placing it down in front of the other man, Ianto poured him a cup before leaning in for a kiss. Jack responded predictably enough, lips parting for a quick flick of the tongues against one another. Ianto pulled back before he reacted too strongly to Jack's kiss.
Ianto moved over to grab a cinnamon roll before moving back to where the coffee maker was located on the counter. After putting the pot down, he leaned against the counter and stared at his sister. Rhiannon smiled at him and he gave her a cheeky grin. Jack was smiling at them both.
"So," Ianto said, deciding to brazen it out. "What exactly did you see when you came in?"
"More than a sister should have," Rhiannon said with a sparkle in her eye. Ianto stifled a groan. "Not to worry, Jack preserved your modesty." He rolled his eyes and she laughed. "Is this why you haven't been in touch?"
"Honestly, no," Ianto said. He paused as he took a fortifying sip of the coffee. At that moment, Jack's mobile began to ring. He pulled it out of his pocket and looked at the display.
"London boss, need to take this," he said as he got up and went into the other room. They could hear him talking in the other room. Ianto looked up from his cup to see his sister watching him with a look of expectation on his face.
"It really has been busy," Ianto said. "And well, this thing with Jackā¦" He sighed. "It's been an on and off thing for a while now. Well, on for a while most recently." He searched for a way to explain the relationship to his sister. "It wasn't anything either of us planned, really."
Rhiannon made a noncommittal noise as she took a sip of her coffee and watched her brother over the rim. He seemed a lot more comfortable with being caught by her than she would have figured. She was saved from responding by Jack's return to the kitchen. He came through the door and made a beeline for Ianto with his empty mug. Ianto automatically took it from him and refilled it before handing it back to Jack. Rhiannon watched with interest as she saw the way their body language told her more than what Ianto could say in words. Ianto leaned towards Jack as he spoke softly, nodding in response while he held Jack's gaze with his own. Jack had unconsciously leaned against the counter next to Ianto and had slipped an arm around him, holding him close as he whispered in Ianto's ear. It was like they were in a world of their own and had forgotten she was there. After a moment Jack pulled back, but still kept his arm around Ianto. He turned and looked at Rhiannon and smiled lazily.
"I need to get to work. Ianto, take the day off and spend it with your sister," he said. Ianto started to protest and he put a finger against his lips. "No. No arguing. She came all this way to see you, so you will take the day off. Gwen and I can manage on our own, and if not I promise to call you. Don't argue."
Ianto sighed. He knew that look in Jack's eyes and he wasn't going to budge. "Alright."
"I have dibs on you for this evening, though," Jack said playfully as he put down his mug and wrapped his other arm around Ianto's waist. "Dinner this evening."
Ianto seemed to have forgotten his sister was sitting in the room with them. His senses only registered Jack. "What do you have in mind?" He asked. His arms went around Jack's torso of their own volition as he smiled at Jack.
"Birthday boy's choice," Jack said. "Think of something good." He couldn't help himself, so he leaned in for a kiss. Ianto's hand crept up to the back of Jack's head as he ran his fingers through the hair there. "Mmmm."
Rhiannon leaned her chin on her hand and watched them with unabashed enjoyment. They obviously had forgotten she was there, not that she was complaining. It was the most animated she had seen her brother in quite some time. She watched as Jack caressed the bit of exposed skin between her brother's shirt and sweatpants before his hand slid up Ianto's back under the t-shirt. Their kiss went on for some time before Jack pulled back reluctantly. He spoke so softly she could barely hear what he said next.
"You are just too tempting, Mr. Jones." Jack said in a low voice filled with emotion. "Damn work."
