Chapter Twenty-Nine

A week later, Ianto was sitting in his kitchen, showered and changed after a busy day at the bakery. Rhys was in the process of assembling one of his trademark lasagnes, and Ianto watched his progress while enjoying a cup of coffee before he headed out to meet up with Jack.

The latest Bond film had opened in the UK the day before, and they'd made plans for dinner at the Red Dragon Centre before seeing the new film at the IMAX cinema. They would have gone to see the film on the opening night, except that Jack had been in London for the last couple of days. To say they were both excited about their favourite fictional spy's latest cinematic outing was an understatement, and for once he doubted that he'd have to worry about deflecting Jack's wandering hands during the course of the film. Jack would be far too engrossed in the on-screen action instead.

Jake was coming over for dinner, so Rhys would likely be enjoying a fun evening of his own. The two men had been dating for three months, and from what Ianto had observed it seemed to be getting pretty serious between them. It was good to see Rhys happy again, and unlike himself, Rhys had shown no qualms about embarking on a same-sex relationship, seeming to take it all in his stride. However, when Rhys had wanted tips on the finer points of man-on-man sex, Ianto had decided that there was a downside to having a best friend who was undertaking a journey of sexual discovery similar to his own. He'd directed Rhys to some informative websites, but hadn't been surprised when Rhys had also turned to Jack for advice – he supposed that nothing about the two men could surprise him after finding them naked together in his kitchen. Thankfully, Rhys had apparently gotten the answers that he'd needed and hadn't looked back.

Rhys stopped layering lasagne ingredients and looked across at him. "Have you made a decision yet?"

Ianto shook his head. "No, not yet." He knew that Rhys was talking about moving in with Jack, which had been a topic of discussion between them on and off all week. "Still trying to think it through."

He'd been trying to weigh the relative pros and cons, but was no closer to a decision than when he'd begun. He knew that he was procrastinating and owed Jack an answer. He also knew how much Jack wanted this and hated the thought of disappointing him. Logically, it even seemed to make sense. Rhys could continue living here at the flat, he and Jake having as much privacy as they wanted, while he took the next step forward in his relationship with Jack. He loved Jack. He wanted a future with Jack. And given his fixation about getting married, Jack clearly felt the same way.

But he'd let his heart rule his head once before and it had ended in heartache. He was determined not to repeat the same mistake. On the other hand, it was different with Jack. He'd loved Lisa, but Lisa hadn't made him happy in the way that Jack did. Nor had Lisa shown him the kind of attention and devotion that Jack had done from the very beginning. He'd never smiled or laughed or rolled his eyes with amusement as much with anyone as he had with Jack. Everything with Jack had been a leap of faith, and looking back, his heart had been leading the way. He wouldn't have found the happiness he had now if not for taking a chance on a relationship that he never could have imagined in his wildest dreams. A part of him couldn't help wondering if this was one more time where he needed to put his doubts aside and take another leap. Besides, he didn't have any sentimental attachment to his flat, and as much as he enjoyed living with Rhys, he couldn't deny the appeal of coming home to Jack at the end of each day. In truth, he wanted that sense of permanence and security in his life as much as Jack.

Rhys wiped his hands on the tea towel draped over his shoulder, then moved over to the table and sat down across from him. "You can't keep the poor bloke waiting indefinitely."

"I know. I should have made a decision by now." With a sigh, Ianto sipped his coffee and eyed his friend curiously. "What would you do, Rhys?"

"If I had a gorgeous, well-off boyfriend who worshipped me and wanted me to move into his posh flat with bay views? I reckon I'd have a bloody hard time saying no." Rhys chuckled before becoming serious again. "But if you're not ready or it's not what you want, then that's all there is to it. Jack's a reasonable bloke. He might be disappointed, but he'll understand."

Ianto wasn't so sure about that. Over the course of the week, it had seemed like Jack was using every ounce of willpower he possessed not to hound him for an answer. "It's not that I don't want to..." He sighed again, shaking his head. "Me and you... we don't have the best of track records."

"No argument there, mate." The grimace on Rhys's face spoke volumes. "But my thinking is that we need to put our past relationships behind us. Wipe the slate clean. Not easy to do, of course. But it's not fair to Jack or Jake otherwise, is it? Jack's nothing like Lisa, just like Jake's nothing like Gwen." He chuckled again. "Well, obviously, but you know what I mean."

With a wry laugh of his own, Ianto nodded. "Yeah, I do."

What Rhys had said was the crux of the matter, and they both had baggage from their failed relationships. Being with Jack had gone a long way towards healing the scars of the past, but his insecurities and pessimism were a part of who he was and probably always would be. Nonetheless, he didn't want to let them get the better of him and risk damaging what could well be the best thing to happen in his life.

"It's natural to have doubts, but there are no guarantees no matter how long you wait." Rhys gave him an encouraging smile. "You took a chance when you started dating Jack. Isn't this the same thing? Taking another chance?" With a mild shrug, he stood up and resumed working on the lasagne.

Ianto considered Rhys's words as he finished his coffee. Then, bidding Rhys a good night, he collected his overnight bag and headed out, vowing to make a decision before the weekend was over.

###

The following morning, Ianto woke and stretched his limbs, blinking in the muted light of Jack's bedroom. Jack was nowhere to be seen, but the faint sounds of clattering in the kitchen confirmed that he wasn't far away. As his sleep-befuddled brain recalled that it was Sunday, he rolled over and buried his face in Jack's pillow, closing his eyes again and going back to sleep.

It seemed like only a few moments later when a jostling of his shoulder dragged him back to consciousness. Stubbornly keeping his eyes closed, he battered ineffectively at the unwelcome intrusion. "Go away. I'm trying to sleep."

A throaty chuckle sounded close to his ear. "Wake up, sleepyhead. I've made breakfast."

The fragrant aroma of fresh coffee reached his nostrils, causing Ianto to reluctantly roll over and open his eyes. As he blinked his vision into focus, he found Jack grinning down at him, breakfast tray in hand and without a stitch of clothing in sight.

Ianto groaned and scrubbed a hand over his face. "That bathrobe was a waste of money, wasn't it?"

Jack laughed. "No, of course it wasn't. I love my bathrobe. It brings out the colour of my eyes. I just enjoy some naked time in the mornings, that's all. Anyway, you can't talk. You're naked too."

With a sigh of defeat, Ianto heaved himself upright and arranged the bed covers around his waist. "But I'm still in bed."

"Well, I will be again too in a moment. Now wriggle over and make room for me." Balancing the breakfast tray, Jack climbed in beside him, forcing Ianto to shuffle over. Between them, they held the tray steady as Jack leaned in and gave him a brief but enjoyable good morning kiss.

Smiling as Jack pulled back, Ianto eyed the tray containing croissants and coffee with appreciation. "This looks nice. Although you don't have to spoil me like this all the time."

Jack shrugged as he poured and handed him a cup of coffee. "I like spoiling you. I've never had anyone to spoil before. It's nice... doing couple-y things like this." He proceeded to tear apart a croissant and smother it in strawberry jam before putting the plate on Ianto's lap and then doing the same for himself.

After enjoying some of the strong coffee, Ianto put the cup aside and took a bite of the warm croissant, closing his eyes for a moment and savouring the flavour of the light, buttery pastry mixed with the sweetness of the jam. Both the croissant and the jam were of his own making, Jack knowing better than to serve him shop-bought pastries and jams. Jack kept a supply of Ianto's pastries and breads in his freezer, and since he'd begun staying over at Jack's, Ianto had been keeping Jack supplied with proper jam that he made himself.

These lazy Sunday mornings with Jack had become one of his favourite times of the week. For a precious few hours, the demands of the outside world ceased to exist and it was just the two of them enjoying being together.

He gestured at the pot of jam with a smile. "This brings back memories. I'd never seen someone make such a mess with a jam doughnut before. Although, I have to admit, you were rather adorable."

Jack grinned at him from around a mouthful of croissant. "I knew you liked me right from the start." He picked up a bit of pastry that had dropped onto his chest and popped it into his mouth.

"Actually, I thought you were a bit of a wanker." Ianto took a sip of coffee and struggled to keep a straight-face.

Jack stopped mid-chew, eyes wide and looking scandalised. "You did not!"

"I did." Ianto smirked. "An adorable wanker, though."

Jack huffed and glared at him, but then he threw back his head and laughed. Once he'd recovered, he nudged Ianto's shoulder with his own. "You didn't make it easy for me. I have to admit, I kind of liked that, even if you did drive me to distraction. From that first time we met, I've never wanted anyone the way I wanted you."

Ianto kissed the junction between Jack's neck and shoulder. He lingered for a moment, savouring the feel of Jack's warm skin against his lips. "You were very persistent. I'm glad you didn't give up on me."

"There was never any chance of that." The softness of Jack's smile matched the affection in his eyes. "I knew you were worth the effort." He gave Ianto a mischievous wink. "Besides, it was only a matter of time before my looks and charm worked their magic. You really didn't stand a chance."

Ianto rolled his eyes, but he couldn't hold back his smile. "Sometimes I wonder how you manage to stand upright with the weight of that ego of yours."

Jack merely laughed again and kissed him on the cheek.

As they ate breakfast, they resumed their discussion from the night before about the new Bond film. They'd enjoyed it immensely and were planning a second viewing, despite their mixed feelings about the franchise's reboot and the current, atypical incarnation of the classic character. The car chase through Rome had been one of several highlights, and Jack had fallen in love with Bond's newest Aston Martin. It had been a memorable evening, culminating with them collapsing into an exhausted heap after some energetic lovemaking. As Ianto had predicted, Jack had been well-behaved during the film, but he'd more than made up for it once they were back in the privacy of his flat. As always, Jack's stamina and enthusiasm hadn't disappointed.

Ianto finished first, his morning appetite not as substantial as Jack's. While Jack continued eating, he climbed out of bed, wrapped himself in his bathrobe and padded into the bathroom. After relieving his bladder, he brushed his teeth, washed his face and attempted to neaten his sleep-tousled hair. Rubbing a hand over his stubbled jaw, his eyes landed on his shaving kit and toiletries lined up neatly alongside Jack's far larger and more haphazardly arranged collection. He'd bought an extra set of grooming products when he'd started sleeping over at Jack's, and Jack had told him to leave them there rather than cart them back and forth. He hadn't really thought much about that before, but those innocuous items now seemed to take on a greater meaning.

Reminiscing on his and Jack's unconventional courtship, he turned his attention back to his reflection in the mirror. He didn't look any different on the outside, but on the inside it felt like he'd undergone a kind of metamorphosis... an awakening. Falling in love with Jack had changed him profoundly and irrevocably. He was happy and at peace in a way that he'd never been before... in a way that he'd never realised was possible. Perhaps it was Jack's impatience and impulsiveness rubbing off on him, but he decided there and then that he wanted to take the next leap.

As he returned to the bedroom, he wasn't entirely surprised to find the breakfast tray on the floor and Jack sprawled out on the bed, the covers tossed aside, his suggestive pose and obvious state of arousal leaving nothing to the imagination. Ianto swallowed against the sudden dryness in his mouth, the shameless display like a smorgasbord waiting to be devoured. Although, judging from the way that Jack's gaze raked over him with undisguised hunger, he wasn't sure who was going to be the devourer and who would be the devoured, not that he minded either way.

He barely made it back to the bed before Jack lunged forward and grabbed him around the waist, divesting him of his bathrobe, then pulling him down onto the bed and flipping him onto his back. Climbing on top of him, Jack captured his mouth in a toe-curling kiss. Ianto's initial laugh of surprise turned into a groan of pleasure, but he somehow managed to retain the wherewithal to push Jack away and separate the tangle of their bodies.

Jack frowned at him with obvious confusion. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Ianto tugged at the bedding, pulling it up far enough to afford them both a modicum of modesty. It didn't seem appropriate to discuss a life-altering moment with their private bits out on display. "Before we get too excited, I want to tell you something."

Jack continued to frown, his expression turning slightly wary. "Okay."

"It's not anything bad. Actually, I hope it's quite the opposite." Ianto took a breath and looked into Jack's eyes. "I've given it a lot of thought, and I want to move in with you, Jack. That is, if you still want us to live together."

Instantly, Jack's frown vanished and was replaced by a wide, beaming smile. "Yes, of course I do!" But then his smile faltered and his head tilted in a questioning expression. "Are you sure? I'd pretty much convinced myself that you were going to say no."

Giving him a look of apology, Ianto nodded. "I'm sorry I took so long to decide. I wanted to be sure it was the right decision." He paused to take another steadying breath, reminding himself not to let his doubts get the better of him. "I'm sure, Jack. As long as you can cope with being woken up at an unholy hour six days of the week."

He searched Jack's features, hoping that Jack understood the enormity of what they were undertaking. His early morning starts and the demands on his time by the bakery were only one of the potential challenges they'd have to deal with. Jack was easy-going and at heart a practical man, but he just hoped that Jack hadn't conjured up an overly romanticised ideal of what living together would actually entail. "It's going to be a big adjustment. For both of us. Are you sure you really want this?"

Jack took both of Ianto's hands in his own. "I'm sure. I know it won't necessarily be easy, but there's no reason to think we can't make it work."

Ianto looked down at their joined hands, drawing reassurance from Jack's certainty and unwavering strength. He looked up into Jack's eyes. "And you haven't forgotten our agreement on the marriage moratorium?"

"I haven't forgotten. Six months." Jack's grin belied the seriousness in his gaze. "But then all bets are off."

He traced his hands up Ianto's arms and cradled his face, kissing him slowly and tenderly. Smiling into the kiss, Ianto wrapped his arms around Jack and allowed himself to be pushed back down onto the bed, sighing with pleasure as Jack's body covered his own.

Then, suddenly and without warning, Jack leapt off the bed and collected the discarded breakfast tray from the floor, his eyes bright with excitement. "Come on, we can't lounge around in bed all day. We need to get showered and dressed. We've got to get you moved in."

Cursing his poor choice of timing, Ianto slumped back onto the bed and groaned in dismay.