This story is about Ianto meeting a high school friend after quite a few years. And also has Ianto singing Hero by Enrique Iglesias. It shows how to know who your REAL friends are. I've been bullied so I've been careful in what I've typed. Can I just say that it was really hard doing some bits in this coz I don't care if people are gay. And I'm a Catholic, so what does that say. The title has a hidden meaning as well, that I hope will become clear as you read the story.

One Amazing Welshman

Gwen, Donna and Martha had left the Hub, but Ianto wasn't there to keep Jack company. He had asked to leave early because he was meeting up with an old high

school mate.

Jack sat in his office, feeling very lonely. Normally, him and Ianto would be talking or playing some of Jack's games or, well, it didn't matter because Ianto wasn't here. Ianto asked if Jack would like to go with him but Jack said he wanted to stay with the girls in case of any Rift activity.

Ianto bought himself a pint of beer and sat down with his mate.

"Hey Ianto, what you up to these days?"

"Not much, really."

"Oh come on Yan, don't be a spoil-sport."

"Alright but you'll think I'm a boring sod."

"Go on!"

"I work in a tourist office, Dan."

"Kinda figured you'd end up somewhere organised."

"Hey!"

"I don't mean it like that, Ianto."

"I know."

"So do you still sing?"

"Not done in years."

"Why?"

"Coz I've not had time."

"Well, why don't you give it ago then?"

"Alright then."

Gwen and Rhys were going for a night out at their favourite pub. Neither of them took notice of the artist on the stage, it was always just background noise to them. But there was something familiar about this particular artist, Gwen put it down to being one of those tribute artists. Then Gwen knew.

"Rhys, I've gotta make a call."

"You're ringing Jack aren't you?"

"Rhys, we've been through this…"

"Gwen, love I know why you're gonna call him. That's Ianto up there isn't it?" Rhys asked, pointing to the artist on stage.

"Ye, it is."

"Go on then."

"Thanks."

Jack wondered what Gwen had been on about. Why would he want to go to a pub when Ianto wasn't gonna be there for him to flirt with outrageously. Jack smiled a the thought of Ianto blushing as Jack ran his hand up his leg while Ianto tried to stop him, without looking suspicious.

Would you dance

If I asked you to dance

Would you run

And never look back

Would you cry

If you saw me crying

Would you save my soul tonight

Would you tremble

If I touched your lips

Would you laugh

Oh please tell me this

Now would you die

For the one you love

Oh hold me in your arms tonight

I can be your hero baby

I can kiss away the pain

I will stand by you forever

You can take my breath away

Would you swear

That you'll always be mine

Would you lie

Would you run and hide

Am I in too deep

Have I lost my mind

I don't care you're here tonight

At that point, Ianto looked up and saw him standing there. How did he know where he was? Had he followed him? Then he saw Gwen. Couldn't she keep her nose out? Like he cared, Jack was here… to see him. Wow.

I can be your hero baby

I can kiss away the pain

I will stand by you forever

You can take my breath away

Oh I just wanna hold you

I just wanna hold you

Oh ye

Am I in too deep

Have I lost my mind

Well I don't care you're here tonight

I can be your hero baby

I can kiss away the pain

Oh ye

I will stand by you forever

You can take my breath away

I can be your hero

I can kiss away the pain

And I will stand by you forever

I can kiss away the pain

And I will stand by you forever

You can take my breath away

You can take my breath away

I can be your hero

Jack just stood there, he was so shocked. He didn't know Ianto sang. Of course he didn't, he never asked about Ianto's life.

Everybody clapped at this amazing Welshman, including Jack.

Ianto stepped off the stage and walked over to Jack.

"Ianto, that was really beautiful and meaningful."

"It started to mean more when I saw you standing here."

Jack didn't know what to say to that.

Ianto's mate, Dan walked over before either man could say anything else.

"Jack, this is my mate Dan."

"Dan, this is my boss, Jack."

"Hi Dan."

"Hey. It's nice to meet you."

"Dan, do you mind if I talk to Ianto for a moment, in private?" Jack asked, with a smile.

"Ye, sure." Dan replied, before walking away.

"What's up, Jack?" Ianto asked, slightly puzzled.

"Ianto, can we talk in the SUV please?"

"Sure." Ianto replied, very confused.

When they were both in the SUV, Jack asked,

"What was all that about?"

"What?"

"Dan, this is my boss, Jack." Jack recited back to Ianto, in a hurt tone.

"Jack, I'm sorry."

"So I'm a secret then. If you don't wanna be together, then…"

"Jack, that's not the situation. I didn't have chance to tell him coz he went on about my singing."

"So is your singing more important than our relationship?"

"No! If I didn't have you then it might be more important."

For the first time since the conversation started Jack looked at Ianto.

"What?"

Ianto turned to look Jack in the eyes and replied,

"Jack, I said, if I didn't have you then it might be more important."

Jack felt awful, he knew how Ianto felt about him so why was he so angry?

Jack grabbed hold of Ianto's hand; it was the only way he could truly apologize.

Ianto didn't pull away; he knew how Jack felt because he'd felt that once. Felt that there was something more important than Ianto in Jack's life. But he did something that took Jack by surprise; he grabbed Jack's hand properly and placed a light kiss on it. Jack felt his heart melt. He leant closer to Ianto and was about to kiss him, when there was a light tap on the window. Jack let go of Ianto's hand but whispered in his ear, clearly and as truthful as possible; I love you.

Ianto smiled then turned to look at the person who had interrupted this wonderful moment. It was Dan. Ianto rolled down the window and asked,

"Hey Dan, what's up?"

"You and your boss comin' back in."

"Ye, we are. There's I lot that I need to tell you anyway."

"Great. We were supposed to be catching up anyway."

Half an hour later, Dan stormed out of the pub looking very shocked and bewildered. Jack watched this happen and saw Ianto walked towards him looking quite down.

"Yan, what happened?" Jack asked, wrapping an arm around Ianto's shoulders and bringing him closer.

Ianto looked up at Jack and replied,

"I told him Jack. About me and you."

"So what happened?"

"He didn't believe me at first. But as soon as he realised that I was serious, he called me a disgusting puff and walked out."

Jack looked gob smacked, how could he say that to this wonderful man. He clearly didn't know Ianto as well as he thought.

"That dirty, lousy son of a…"

"Gwen, calm down."

"But Jack, I mean, this is Ianto he called. He is such a SWINE!"

"Gwen, it's fine."

"No Ianto, it isn't fine. It's down right awful. I swear, if I see him then I'm gonna…"

"GWEN!"

"Breathe love." Rhys said calmly, wrapping his arms round Gwen and giving her a comforting hug.

"Ianto, Gwen's right, that kind of homophobic abuse is NOT fine."

Jack pulled Ianto into his arms and said gently,

"They're right Yan, you shouldn't just take it."

Jack stroked Ianto's hair softly.

"Are you two together?" One of the waitresses asked.

"Ye, we are." Both Ianto and Jack replied together, not actually thinking.

The waitress looked from Jack to Ianto & then back to Jack, and then replied,

"I don't see why people make such a fuss over people being gay, well apart from most gay people are absolutely drop-dead gorgeous."

Jack looked quite shocked, while Ianto just giggled.

"You know, you are just so cute."

Rhys tutted and shook his head in disbelief.

Gwen tried to keep a straight face.

"Honestly Jack, can't you go out anywhere without attracting attention to yourself?"

"Rhys, can I help it if I'm so good-looking and irresistible." Jack looked at Ianto as he said this.

Ianto smirked.

"Jack, too much information!" Gwen replied, trying to think of something else.

"Gwen, this is Jack we're talking about."

"Hey!" Jack exclaimed. "Whose side are you on?"

"Yours, but I'm only speaking the truth."

"Would you like me to start speaking some truths about you?"

"Like what?"

"Like that time with the old woman and the nak…"

"Jack, I don't think that would be a great topic of conversation."

"And to be honest, I don't really wanna know."

Jack grinned cheekily.

"Jack, I think I'm gonna slap you."

"Promises, promises."

"JACK!!" Both Gwen and Rhys said.

"Sorry guys."

"Can we go, I don't think I wanna stay after what that arse said about Ianto." Gwen said, clearly upset.

"Ye, sure love. Let's go." Rhys said kindly, wrapping his arm round her. "Ciya guys."

"Bye guys." Gwen said

"See you tomorrow, Gwen." Jack replied softly.

"Bye." Ianto said. It was clear that he was a little upset too.

"Come on. Let's go."

"What?"

"We're gonna go back to the Hub, and you are gonna forget about Dan the Nan."

"Jack, I think the term is, let's say; Dan the Man."

"Believe me Yan, Dan is nowhere near a man. A rat, maybe."

Ianto laughed.

"You look more gorgeous when you laugh, you know. If that's possible."

Ianto smiled, Jack always knew what to say.

"Thanks, Jack."

"What for, Yan?"

"For always looking after me and, saying the right things."

"Your welcome, Yan." Jack replied.

He was about to place a kiss on Ianto's head but Ianto looked just at the right time. Jack kissed Ianto full on the lips so Ianto kissed back, wrapping his arms around Jack's waist and pulling him closer.

"Come on, Yan." Jack said when the kiss had broken.

When they got back to the Hub, Ianto went to have a shower. Jack wanted to do something nice fro Ianto, especially after what happened earlier. Jack was still shocked that Dan had said that about Ianto, his wonderful and special Ianto.

Ianto got out the shower feeling really refreshed, but the Hub was really quiet and Ianto was still shocked at the fact that Jack hadn't snuck into the shower with him.

"Jack?" Ianto asked, checking for Jack jumping out at him.

Ianto went down into Jack's room and found a change of clothes piled neatly on the bed. There was also a note on top which read,

Hey Ianto,

Just gone out to get tea for us, I'll be back soon. Hope you enjoyed the shower, next time I'll be there though. Do not listen to what Dan said, you're really wonderful and gorgeous, Yan. If he can't see that then he doesn't deserve you as a friend.

Love you, babe! Jackx x x

Ianto felt tears running down his cheek. What had he done to deserve a man like Jack. Then Ianto felt warm arms wrap around his waist.

"Are you ok, love?" Jack asked, nuzzling Ianto's back.

"Whenever I'm with you, Jack." Ianto replied, rolling his head back, evidently enjoying

Jack's touch.

"So are you gonna take my advise then?"

"Would you leave me, Jack?"

"Never!" Jack squeezed Ianto tighter.

"Then yes, I will take your advise."

"Good, coz I mean what I wrote Yan. You are wonderful and gorgeous and Dan doesn't deserve you as a friend."

"Thanks, Jack. So what we having for tea then?"

"Your favourite Yan, pizza." Jack replied with a huge grin.

"Great."

"Yan, what's the matter?" Jack asked, moving round and standing in front of Ianto.

"Nothing, Jack." Ianto looked at the floor, as tears fell down his cheek again.

Jack lifted up Ianto's chin and kissed him, Ianto gently pushed Jack so that he sat onto the bed. He broke the kiss but kept hold of his hands and said,

"I can't believe one of my best friends would say that."

Jack pulled Ianto down so that Ianto was kneeling on the floor and replied,

"Ianto, don't listen to him. He's wrong and as your best friend, he should know that anyway. It's what's on the inside Ianto. You've got a good heart." As Jack said this last sentence, he placed a hand on Ianto's chest; exactly on his heart. Then he brought his hand up to Ianto's cheek, gently stroking it while saying,

"And most importantly, I love you Ianto. No matter what you look like. Truth is it's your eyes that caught my attention, the rest was just a bonus."

Ianto smiled, then stood up and said, "I'll get dressed and then we'll eat tea and, do whatever. Deal?"

"Deal." Jack smiled as he said this.

He then stood up, placed a kiss on Ianto's cheek and made his way to his ladder.

"Where you going?" Ianto asked, kind of shocked.

"I'm gonna pick out a dvd, I rented five very different ones. Comedy, horror, action and romance."

"That's only four Jack, what's the fifth?"

"Porn."

"Jack!"

"I'm kidding, I got two romance ones." Jack replied, grinning like an idiot.

"Oh, good." Ianto said, looking at Jack in a peculiar way.

"Ciya in a min then."

Fifteen minutes later, Jack and Ianto were both curled up on the couch watching 'Casanova'.

"Does Casanova remind you of anyone, Jack?"

"No, should he?"

"Well let's think, who else do we know who sleeps with anything and everything?" Ianto looked up at Jack as he said this.

"I hope you aren't calling me Casanova!"

Ianto smirked at Jack's shocked expression.

"Heath Ledger is a great actor isn't he?"

"Ye, I bet it was tough acting out the kissing scenes. He must have been tired."

"Don't be awful Jack, have some respect for the dead."

There was an awkward silence, as Jack realised that his comment was insensitive. Jack wanted to apologize, but thought saying the words wouldn't be enough. He grabbed the remote and paused the dvd. Ianto looked up at him completely puzzled.

"Jack!"

Ianto made a grab for the remote. Jack moved it out of his reach. Ianto climbed on top of Jack and made another grab for it.

"Jack, give me the remote!"

"Oops." Jack said as he dropped the remote on the floor.

"Jack!" Ianto yelled, as he was about to climb off Jack.

"Yan, just wait a minute." Jack said, keeping hold of Ianto so that he couldn't move.

"But Jack, I wanna watch this."

"Ianto, I want to apologize for what I said, it was insensitive and mean, and I didn't mean it the way it sounded."
Ianto sat so that his legs were on each side of Jack's chest.

"What?"

"I'm sorry, babe."

"How did you mean it to sound?"

"I mean it's quite hard acting, but kissing someone is simple and how much acting does it take. He is really talented though."

Jack was no good with explaining why he was sorry.

"You really think he's talented?"

"Course I do, babe."

Ianto leaned over Jack, which made Jack believe that Ianto wanted the remote. Jack leant over and picked it up. As soon as Jack turned to face Ianto, Ianto kissed Jack full on the lips. Jack put the remote on the table and wrapped his arms round Ianto.

When the kiss had broke, Jack asked,

"Shall we watch the rest of the film?"

"Ye, sure then we…" Ianto yawned.

"I tell you what, we'll watch the rest of it tomorrow coz it's clear that you're tired."

"Ok." Ianto replied, knowing he wouldn't win the battle.

Ianto climbed off Jack and held out a hand for him to take.

Jack took Ianto's hand and kissed it. Then he climbed off the couch and let Ianto lead the way to the bedroom.

It was surprisingly warm in Jack's room and it came as quite a shock to both men. They both got under the covers and snuggled closer to share their body heat, not like it was needed.

"Ianto."

"Mmm." Ianto mumbled, half asleep.

"Sweet dreams, honey."

"Jack."

"Ye."

"Love you."

"I love you too, babe."

"Sweet dreams, love." Ianto said, sleepily but still as sweet as if he'd been fully awake.

Ianto snuggled closer as he drifted off to sleep. Jack held Ianto tighter and placed a kiss on his forehead, he fell asleep knowing that the man he loved would always be there. This amazing Welshman.