AN: Well you have all finally got your way – I am snowed in… AGAIN! How am I spending my time? Well I did a few chores this morning, just to balance out my day. I am now working my way through series one of Torchwood, whilst writing this. I never realised how much of a liability Gwen is to the team during the first episodes, as well as being highly irritating of course. As I upload this I am midway through one of my personal favourites "Countrycide". At the moment Ianto looks in need of a hug, and I would like to offer my services in that department…
Please review, and yes there will be more than one update today x
Ianto was still led in Owen's bed when the medic returned even though he was wide-awake and not sleeping as had been suggested. He wanted to go with Owen, if only to act as referee for the inevitable punch up that would ensue, but understood that the Londoner needed to do this alone. As the bedroom door opened slowly he was relieved to see Owen wasn't bleeding.
"You're still up." Owen commented somewhat pointlessly as he stopped tiptoeing.
"Your powers of deduction are first rate. No wonder you're a Doctor." Ianto replied.
Owen laughed softly as he kicked off his shoes and stripped down to his boxer shorts.
"So you're still alive – is Jack? Or will he be suffering his usual post-resurrection blues later?" Ianto asked as Owen slid back into bed beside him and the two men led facing one another.
"He was breathing when I left him so unless he threw himself into the Bay afterwards he still should be." Owen replied.
Ianto smiled. "Glad to hear it." He replied. "So… dare I ask how it went?"
"It went better than I expected." Owen admitted.
"Well yes you're both still alive." Ianto pointed out.
"I was never going to hit him Ianto." Owen said. "I just needed to talk to him. I apologised for what I'd done and what I said, and Jack admitted as best as he ever would that he was wrong too."
"Jack admitted to being wrong? That's rare." Ianto pointed out.
"He also told me that he loves you." Owen admitted.
Ianto's eyes widened. "What?" He breathed.
"Yeah it surprised me too." Owen replied.
So I take it you still have a job?" Ianto asked changing the subject.
Owen nodded. "I told him I don't want to leave, and he told me he doesn't want to see me go."
"Good." Ianto replied with a smile.
"Are we going to tell Gwen and Tosh?" Owen asked.
"Do we really have a choice?" Ianto asked with a small laugh. "I think we should tell them, before they find out through Jack. How do you think they're going to react? I mean you and Gwen have history, and Tosh is not so subtle about her feelings for you." He asked.
"I wouldn't call what Gwen and I have as history Ianto. We had sex a few times but that was all it was. It was just sex, just comfort. She was struggling with the whole Torchwood scene, and she needed someone that knew what she was going through. I can't imagine you and me being an issue for her." He began. "And Tosh will be Tosh. She knows I'm not interested in her that way." He said. "I think they'll be surprised, but then again aren't we all?" He admitted with a grin.
Ianto smiled back. "You're telling me." He said softly. "I didn't expect to end up with you." He added as he reached out one arm and took hold of one of Owen's hands, bringing it up to his face and kissing it fondly.
"I didn't think you would either. When I kissed you I thought you'd punch me. Or shoot me again." Owen said winking.
"Like I said, I felt something and I wanted to figure out what it was." Ianto replied. "And I apologised for shooting you. Repeatedly." He reminded.
"And have you figured out what it was?" Owen asked.
Ianto nodded. "Yeah. It was hope." He explained. "And that's something I haven't done for a long time. Not even when I was with Jack. I always knew it wasn't real, knew that it would never be anything more, so I learned not to hope. When I kissed you I hoped it was real, and I hoped it would turn into more. And somehow I knew you wouldn't let me down."
Owen smiled. "I won't. I promise." He murmured leaning across the bed and kissing him gently. Ianto slipped his arms around the older man, pulling him into his hold and cradling him to his chest. He planted a soft kiss on Owen's head as he felt the man nestle into his body, slipping his arms around his waist.
"Will you and Jack be okay?" Owen asked softly as he laid his head on Ianto's chest above his heart.
"What do you mean?" Ianto asked as he trailed on hand slowly through Owen's hair, the other wrapped around his back.
"Even before you and he were together, and since you stopped, you two have had this closeness, this connection. I mean I always took the piss of you being his butler, but you're his right hand man Ianto. He couldn't get through a day without you. You and him need to work for Torchwood to work. I don't want us to jeopardise that." Owen tried to explain as best he could.
"Jack and I will be fine." Ianto mused softly as he turned his head away from Owen and gazed aimlessly out the window. "I will go and talk to him first thing. Make sure he's okay. Make sure we're okay." He added planting another kiss on Owen's head. "You should get some more sleep." He suggested.
Owen nodded as his eyes drifted closed. "Night Yan." He murmured as he drifted off.
"Night." Ianto replied softly. He felt Owen's body grow heavy as sleep consumed him. Reaching down as best he could under Owen's weight he grasped the top of the duvet and pulled it up over their bodies. Making sure Owen was tucked in he slid the medic carefully off himself, settling his head gently onto the pillow, smiling a little as he sighed in his sleep but didn't wake. Ianto moved slowly and quietly as he slipped out from between the covers. Dropping his bare feet onto the floor he stood up and pulled on his boxers. Moving almost stealth like around the room he gathered up his clothes, which had been scattered around the night before with somewhat wild abandon, and dressed. A smile quirked the corners of his mouth as the memories returned. He sat down on the chair in the corner of the room as he pulled on socks and shoes, tying the laces tightly as he glanced across at Owen who was still fast asleep in the bed. Getting up once more he rounded the bed throwing one final look Owen's way before slipping out the room and closing the door behind. He made his way down the hall to the front door, pulling on his coat and letting himself out. He had to talk to Jack, and soon.