"Now, that wasn't so bad, was it? Waiting a few hours," Ianto said with a smile when Jack sat down beside him at the wine bar.
"Easy for you to say. I was the one enduring hours of agony away from you," Jack said, kissing Ianto's cheek.
Ianto rolled his eyes and slid his wine glass over to Jack.
"Thank you, I could do with this."
Ianto stopped and looked closely at Jack. "You didn't… get hurt, did you?"
"No, no. Nothing like that. Was just a long day, that's all. Felt long, anyway."
"Were you stuck doing paperwork?" Ianto said sympathetically.
Jack pouted and nodded, taking a long drink of Ianto's cabernet.
"Alcohol doesn't do much to you, does it?" Ianto observed.
"Nah. Not the stuff here. A significant bit of that is evolution, but my body's capacity for rejuvenation is a factor, too. Still, they always say, if you're drinking for anything but the taste, it's the wrong reason, huh?"
"Couldn't agree more," Ianto nodded, stealing his glass back.
"How about we share another of those and some food? Or would you just prefer to cross the street now?"
"Well, we could just go up to yours, but without something to eat, not sure I'm going to have much energy…."
"You're right. Let's eat. Can't have you hungry. Well, unless you're hungry for me. And even then, I certain prefer to see you satisfied," Jack said, stroking Ianto's back and kissing his cheek again.
"Charmer, you," Ianto grinned. "Fancy a flatbread pizza?"
"Sounds good. Maybe we could watch a film when we go back, too. You know, just relax. No rush."
"Says the guy who was pouting about my getting ready for work just this morning?"
"Well, yeah, but now it's officially the weekend."
Ianto laughed. "I will probably never get used to you, will I?"
Jack shrugged. "I don't know, maybe if you hang around long enough?"
"Suppose I could test the theory," Ianto grinned.
That evening's film selection proved not quite riveting enough to prevent the development of a snog-session on Jack's couch.
When they paused for a (literal) breather, Jack decided it was a good time to have that chat about Torchwood recruitment.
"Thought we could talk about something," Jack said, sitting back on the couch but keeping his arm around Ianto's shoulders.
"I don't want to get married yet," Ianto said quickly.
Jack smiled. "Nah, not just yet. Actually, it's your offer I wanted to talk about. The one I promised I'd think about."
"Uh huh," Ianto prompted.
"Well… let me start by saying that I really appreciate you offering to take some of the upkeep off of our hands. And for pointing out our laxity on those matters. After a while, you just kinda become one with the mess, you know?"
Ianto raised a brow. "Not really, no. But I understand the concept, academically speaking."
"Right, well… I also appreciate that you'd be willing to help out on your personal time. And I have no doubt that you'd be really good at it. You're smart, dedicated, organized, level-headed… and you look good in a suit."
Ianto rolled his eyes but thanked Jack. "So, should I plan to go with you tomorrow?" he asked, figuring a suit would be out of the question for the initial clean-up work he'd need to do.
"Uh… not exactly. See, what I'm getting at is that I genuinely do appreciate all that… but I really can't consider it. It's just not a good idea, Ianto. Torchwood is dangerous, and that's putting it mildly. Only being there a few times a week, and even staying strictly within the Hub, is no assurance of safety. I just couldn't have you there and not -"
"Wait," Ianto said, sitting upright. "Are you saying you don't believe I can handle it?"
"No! Not at all. That's not it at all, Ianto. But I would worry constantly -"
"And what about Rhys Williams? And Andy?"
"Trust me, I worry about them, too. All the time."
"But they work with you every day. Why am I different?"
"Because they both knew what they were letting themselves in for. And… because as much as I care for them… I love you. You understand what I'm saying, don't you? I want you to be safe, first and foremost."
Instead of placating Ianto and earning Jack a kiss of gratitude, Jack's appeal caused Ianto to pull away further, standing up from the couch and fixing Jack with a hard stare. "You think you need to protect me, is that it?"
Jack took a breath to say something but reconsidered and tried again. "I need to protect everyone, it's just my job."
"But some people need extra protecting? Jack, I've been through a lot in my life. And there was never anyone to shield me but myself. If there is one thing I don't need, it's being wrapped in cotton wool."
"I know you're strong, Ianto, of course I do. But this is different. We're not talking about family and relationship issues, here. We're talking about aliens with claws that can tear a car in half, jaws like alligators, teeth like Ice Age cats. Creatures who can fill the air of a small city with poison if they sneeze. And that's just the sentient visitors. The stuff that comes through the Rift… like a scrap of metal no bigger than your hand that'll vaporize you if you pick it up the wrong way."
"So it's still a matter of trust and belief."
"No… Ianto…. If I didn't trust you and believe in you, I would have given you that retcon and disappeared."
"Yeah. It's all well enough having me in your life, but only as long as I'm not really an integral part, yeah?"
"No. Ianto, just listen -" Jack tried, but Ianto was already going for his coat.
"No, I understand, Jack. I understand that you see me as something to shelter, to keep safe, rather than an equal who can stand beside you. I understand entirely," Ianto said before turning to the door and walking out.
"Morning, Jack. Is it still raining up there? Only, I've got some errands to do and I was sort of hoping to put it off until the rain passed…. Jack?"
"What, Andy?"
"Rain?"
"None for me, thanks."
Andy sighed. "Was it raining when you came in?" he repeated as patiently as possible.
Jack paused on the stairs up to his office. "I don't know."
"Were you outdoors at all, or did someone fix your wrist thingy enough to just 'Harry Potter' in and out of the place?"
"Huh?"
Andy stopped and looked closer at Jack. "You feeling alright, Jack? You don't seem very with it at the moment."
Jack shrugged. "Didn't have coffee yet, that's all," he mumbled.
Andy was tempted to think Jack hadn't been to bed at all, but knowing he'd had a date last night, Andy figured it was more like Jack hadn't got to sleep all night. "Well, I'd pick you up a takeaway one, but last time you told me you're off those."
"I'm fine, Andy. Go on. I've got the place."
"Yeah. Look, there's nothing needing doing straight away. Everyone's fed and all. Why not have a bit of a kip while it's quiet? I'll be back in… hour or so."
"Right. See you," Jack waved, almost dismissively as he walked into his office and sat down heavily behind his desk. All he could think of was how much the Hub needed a good cleaning. He tried to tell himself for the hundredth time in the last few hours that it was, and always had been, a folly. That he should just face the fact that, with or without the perils of Torchwood in the way, a real, sustainable relationship was never going to be in the cards for him. It wasn't that he blamed Ianto, really. How could anyone else possibly understand what it was like knowing you were destined to lose everyone you ever loved, and that it would be like that for – quite literally – all of time?
Well, maybe there was one other person out there who understood that feeling.
Jack let out a miserable sigh and dropped his head against the back of his chair. Spending half the night standing about on top of the Millennium Centre hadn't helped. Maybe Andy was right and he should grab a nap while he could, Jack thought.
He'd only let his eyes close for a moment, trying desperately not to wonder how long it would be before Ianto answered his calls, when Jack could swear he heard something just outside. Something peculiar and unique and instantly recognizable. The sound of a time-and-space ship running with its handbrake engaged….