AN- So, I based this chapter on my own experiences in Cardiff city, the three of them.
Thank you so much for my reviews, they mean the world to me, and make me work, I have up to chapter 13 of this written and all are with Rietta xD, she's working her way through the masses.
Because of the time period this part of West End Story covers, I do have to jump months ahead sometimes.
Special thank you to Rietta for the beta: the upcoming trip, persistent texting, and the 'Sacred book of plotting*
Dare count : 0 (still none lol)
Chapter 6- Second Dates
Follows directly on from last chapter.
Arriving at Ianto's flat in Caerphilly was an uneventful process. Unlike Jack, who, despite having only recently passed his test, had developed quite the reckless driving habits, Ianto drove safely.
Jack wrapped his arm around Ianto's waist as they headed into the flat. He looked around the modern setting and smiled.
"Nice place you've got here."
"Thanks- I'll just go and see when there are any showings on and get changed... You can use the guest room if you want." Ianto pointed at a door to the left of the kitchen.
Jack smiled and kissed Ianto's forehead as he moved towards the guest room to freshen up a bit. He stared around the room, taking in the warm and neutral colours and the floral smell which indicated Ianto either had female family members, a cleaner, or some kind of secret in his life that he really should tell Jack.
After having a quick shower in the en suite and changing into black jeans and a deep sapphire blue shirt, the American grabbed his light grey jacket and moved to the hallway, where he was forced to stop in his tracks. There was Ianto, dressed in dark blue jeans, a deep red shirt and a black jacket, leaning against the counter, one foot flat against the cupboard behind him... Jack's attention was suddenly drawn to the shoes.
Very nice shoes...
Especially nice shoes...
Shoes that made him want to drag Ianto away from the prying eyes of the massive bay window and have his wicked way with him.
Ianto watched Jack carefully. When the West End star had stepped into the room it had taken all his control not to walk up and snog him senseless, but he wanted to be sure of what Gwen had said. He watched Jack's eyes travel his body and down to his feet...'the fuck me shoes,' Ianto thought with a smile.
"Jack?" he asked with a smirk on his face.
Jack jolted out of his trance and smiled over at Ianto. "You ready to go?"
Ianto smiled and nodded his head, picking up his keys off the counter and heading over to Jack. "Where are we going anyway?"
Jack smiled and nodded at his car. "I figured we'd go to Cardiff- there's a nice little casual pub where we can eat before we hit the cinema."
"Sounds wonderful," Ianto smiled.
Jack smiled and opened the passenger door of his car for Ianto. "Nice car," Ianto complemented. Jack laughed. He had gone for simple for his first car, knowing he needed to be able to bash about for a bit. Vauxhall Astras we're okay for that, he guessed.
The drive into Cardiff was peaceful for the most part. Jack seemed to know his way around fairly confidently. The music seemed to vary, and initially Ianto had thought it was the radio, but Jack had told him it was a compilation CD of his own making.
"Jack...why does your CD have Glen Miller on?"
Jack smiled over at Ianto and laughed slightly. "My grandpa loved his music. I grew up, the time I spent in Cardiff anyway, living with my Nana and Grandpa and listening to Glen Miller. Listening to the music allows me the time to remember him."
Ianto smiled. "I always listen to 'Please Remember Me' when I want to remember my Nain."
Jack smiled. "I love that song."
Ianto looked over at him. "You know it?"
Jack nodded. "You'll find better love, strong as it ever was, deep as the river runs, warm as the morning sun, please remember me…"
Ianto smiled. He would never admit it to Jack, but he loved Jack's voice: it was smooth and relaxing and for some reason made Ianto feel safe.
"You seem to know every song Jack."
Jack just smiled. "Walking music downloader, me."
Ianto shook his head as Jack pulled into a multi-story car park in the centre of Cardiff. "I'm gonna ask again...which pub are we going to?"
"It's on the main street, its called 'Yard'."
Ianto nodded. "I've been there before; nice place."
Jack smiled and parked the car in an empty parking space before climbing out and helping Ianto to do this same. "You're a real gentlemen doing that," Ianto smiled, kissing Jack on the mouth.
Jack smiled back. "My pleasure."
Ianto laughed and let himself be led out of the car park and onto the main street of Cardiff. He looked up at the massive building nearby. 'John Lewis' was one of the biggest department stores going, selling pretty much everything. He'd been in once with Gwen to look at baby cots... They'd taken one look at the prices and darted for the exit.
"You okay?" Jack asked.
"Never better" Ianto smiled.
****
Tea at the 'Yard' was pleasant and familiar: it was a place Ianto had visited regularly with work colleges and friends.
Walking towards the Bay sometime later Ianto felt like a school kid. He remembered walking down these streets with his friends, smiling and laughing as they joked about the things that had happened at school. It didn't feel like it was nearly ten years ago.
Smiling he reached over and took Jack's hand, not bothering what the people they walked past thought of them.
"What do you want to watch?" Jack smiled.
"I'm in the mood for something fun, comedy perhaps?"
"Sounds good," Jack pointed to a comedy film that was advertised on the side of a bus stop.
"Looks good," Ianto smiled.
****
Once the film was over they exited the cinema together, all smiles and laughter and kisses as they walked back to the car.
"Jack, when do you have to go back to London?"
Jack smiled sadly. "Tonight."
Ianto felt a jolt in his heart and closed his eyes. "I don't like being so far away from you."
"You're welcome to come and stay at the hotel with me."
"I want nothing more..." Ianto trailed off. "But I'm going on holiday with my brother, Darian next week."
Jack smiled as he paid for the ticket to get them out of the car park. "Don't worry, you can always come down afterwards. We've got forever Ianto."
"Have we Jack?"
Jack smiled. "I know it's weird, but there something about you Ianto Jones, something very special."
Ianto smiled back and rested his hand on Jack's thigh as he drove them back to Ianto's flat. Once there, Jack walked Ianto up and gathered his things from before.
"Be safe yeah?" Ianto asked as he stood with Jack on his driveway.
"I always am," Jack reassured Ianto, stroking his cheek.
Ianto nodded his head. "I had fun tonight-I've not relaxed that much in ages."
Jack smiled and kissed Ianto, allowing his hand to cup the back of Ianto's neck as Ianto's own hands rested on his hips. "Take care of yourself."
Ianto nodded his head and felt a single tear slide down his cheek. "I will Jack."
"Have fun on holiday, and you can call me whenever."
"Same goes for you. In fact, I want a phonecall once you're back at the hotel tonight."
Jack smiled "Always." He kissed Ianto on the mouth again, sliding his tongue between the Welshman's lips and then pulled away gently. "See you soon."
Ianto nodded and watched as Jack got back into the car and drove away. He stood in the same spot for a good five minutes after the car had vanished down the road. He had fallen for Jack Harkness, and he had fallen hard.
****
Jack sighed as he drove back to the hotel. He'd had a good time tonight and it was something he had needed to do.
Picking up his phone, he dialled a number then activated his bluetooth head set and waited until he heard the ringing in his ear.
"Nos da?" the voice asked.
"Nana, that's no way to answer the phone."
"Jack darling, how are you?"
"I'm brilliant, how are you?"
"I'm fantastic now that I've heard from you. It's been a while Jack."
"I know, I'm sorry."
"Don't worry, I know you're busy. Your dad's given me tickets to come and see you in the show; I'm down next Monday."
Jack smiled. "Great Nan."
"Where are you Jack?"
"Just driving back from Cardiff to London"
"You didn't come and visit." There was a frown in his Nan's voice.
"I know, I was... Oh Nan, I've met the most amazing guy!"
He could almost here the smile in his Nan's voice. "Oh Jack, that's wonderful. What's his name?"
"Ianto Jones."
"Jack...not Eva Jones's son?"
"I don't...it can't be...can it?"
"Their Ianto is a teacher now, at a high school in Sully."
Jack's heart missed a beat. There was no way... "Oh my god…"
"Jack? Is it him?"
"Yes," Jack choked. "Ianto teaches history."
He heard his Nan laugh "Oh Jack, isn't it wonderful how fate plays?"
Jack laughed. "We used to be so close."
"Yes, you lived in each other pockets when you where in nursery."
"He's never said anything."
"You were Jack Carter then."
Jack laughed. "Well, that's true; Mum wouldn't let me be given dad's name until they married."
"I never understood your mother Jack."
Jack shook his head sadly. "I don't think many people did."
"You must bring Ianto round soon."
Jack smiled. "I will. I finish the show in November, but I should be seeing him up here about August time...I'll bring him then."
"See that you do."
Jack smiled. "I love you Nain."
"I love you too Cariad. Drive safe."
"I always do."
He heard his Nan's tinkling laugh as he hung up the phone.
****
Two hours later, Jack pulled up in front of a house on the outskirts of London. It was late, nearing eleven at night, but there was a light on in the house.
Climbing out of the car he ambled towards it before knocking on the door, three times. The door opened and Tosh greeted him with a massive smile.
"Jack Harkness!"
Jack laughed and enveloped her in a hug, feeling the slight bump on her stomach.
"How are you?" Jack asked.
"Oh you know...Morning sickness."
Jack cringed. "Sounds brilliant."
"Oh, look what the cat dragged in!" Owen called as he headed down the stairs.
Jack grinned. "Just because you're jealous Owen…"
"Nah, I got the sexiest, most amazing creature on the planet, right here." Owen kissed Tosh on the lips.
Jack smiled. "Jeez, you're almost as bad as me."
"So- how is the love life of Captain Jack?"
Jack laughed. "I've been seeing this guy... His name's Ianto; he's from Caerphilly in Cardiff."
"Dare I ask how you met him?"
"He came to a show, with Rhys and my dad."
"Oh...is he nice?" Tosh asked.
"Yeah...Owen should know him."
"I should?"
"Yes; its Eva Jones' son, he lived near Nana's."
Owen's eyes widened. "Estelle's neighbour son?"
"One and the same."
"Fates don't half play a role do they?" Owen laughed slightly. "I remember playing 'knock and run' with him when we were younger."
Jack laughed. "When I was in America, yes."
Tosh smiled, and she and Owen shared a look. "Listen" Owen smiled. "On a serious note, me and Tosh were talking. You're our closet friend and we'd trust you with our lives... We were wondering... Will you be our baby's godfather?"
Jack inhaled sharply. "Pardon?" he asked.
Owen laughed. "Will you be our baby's godfather?"
Jack smiled and fought back the tears. "Yes! Oh, I'd be honoured."
Tosh and Owen grinned as they both pulled Jack into a group hug. "'Uncle Jack': definitely has a good ring to it."
Tosh laughed. "Yeah, it does."
Jack smiled and leant back against the couch, Tosh's head in his shoulder and Owen sat with his arm around Tosh. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He was content: he was finding work doing what he loved; he had an amazing group of friends; and a fantastic potential boyfriend.
For the first time in over eight years, Jack felt peaceful.