Ianto - Chapter One
Ianto leaned against the kitchen counter in Jack's flat, staring at the wall across from him as his mind wandered. Behind him, Jack's top of the line coffee maker was brewing a blend of the various beans Ianto had found in the cupboards. If Ianto had ever thought he'd wake up in Jack's bed to find himself making coffee in Jack's flat, he would have thought he was losing his mind. Instead, his eyes slipped closed and a smile tugged at his lips as he thought about all that had happened since he and Jack had stumbled inside the night before.
It had been amazing. Not that Ianto was surprised; Jack was a gorgeous man with a charismatic personality that hid depths which Ianto suspected not many people noticed. No, Ianto was surprised that it had happened at all, and that he had enjoyed it so much. He hadn't been lying when he'd told Jack that he'd never been with a man, had never even thought about it, at least until he'd met Jack Harkness. And Ianto hadn't been exaggerating when he'd confessed to being terrified. Yet it had been terrifying in an exhilarating way. His attraction to Jack had grown harder and harder to deny, and it had become so difficult to hide his feelings that he'd had to take the chance and kiss Jack.
Tosh had guessed at his interest in Jack. She and Ianto had become good friends in the months since he'd started at the Hub, and as she'd watched he and Jack grow closer, she'd eventually come right out and asked if he was romantically interested in the chef. At first he'd stammered and denied it, until her piercing look had forced him to confess. Yes, Jack was charming and attractive, but Ianto had protested that a man like Jack-executive chef at one of Cardiff's top restaurants-couldn't possibly be interested in him, a broken floor manager with half Jack's charisma.
She'd assured him that he was incredibly charming and good-looking, especially when he wasn't hiding quietly in the background. Yet that was where he preferred to be, much like Tosh: quiet, competent, running things from behind the scenes rather than on the front lines, so to speak. While she had definitely understood, she had pointed out that perhaps those things would complement Jack's more outgoing personality. She had also suggested that he let his natural wit and humour come through a bit more. And she'd hinted at the possibility of Jack returning any sort of advance that Ianto might make, but Ianto had brushed off that particular fancy and tried to forget about it. He could not and would not make any sort of advance on Jack Harkness.
And then he'd got the call from his solicitor in London. Gods, it had felt like being kicked in the stomach, the anger and pain and relief and fear coursing through him so quickly it was a wonder he hadn't been sick. He probably would have been sick right in the alley if Jack hadn't come out and forced him to stand up straight, to breathe deeply, his finger placed gently against Ianto's lips.
To say it had been intense was an understatement.
Ianto had felt like he was on fire from the moment Jack's finger had touched his lips. That was Jack: warm and fiery, lighting up everything in his path. Lisa had been like that as well, a smaller, quirky fire to Ianto's more reserved coolness. With Jack it felt as if his entire being would explode, and Ianto wasn't sure whether to run-he'd wanted to run, at first-or to let it consume him. He'd already done that with Lisa, only to lose her so horrifically he'd almost lost himself in the pain and heartbreak.
It was the look in Jack's eyes that had kept Ianto from running that moment in the alley. Blue eyes looked into his, filled with such caring, understanding, and flickers of desire that when Ianto had regained control, he'd given in to his instincts and done exactly what he'd been thinking about for weeks: he'd leaned forward to kiss Jack, unable to resist the fire any longer, uncaring whether or not he was burned. It was longing, it was comfort, and it had been amazing.
He'd thought he'd done something wrong when Jack had appeared so stunned, yet when Jack had stumbled and stuttered and pulled Ianto in for a second kiss, they'd both given in fully to the electric attraction crackling between them. He still couldn't believe he'd kissed Jack first, then moved it even further as they'd groped and snogged like sixteen-year-olds in the alley. He also couldn't believe he'd been the one to stop and apologize as realization hit: Jack was his friend and had been helping him deal with an upsetting call. What if Jack had felt obligated to return the kiss in fear of hurting Ianto even more in that moment?
Remembering the look of sadness and confusion on Jack's face when Ianto had stepped back, Ianto felt the guilt eating at him, that he had hurt the other man, however unintentionally. He had felt like he'd taken advantage of Jack's kindness, even if Jack had returned the kiss just as eagerly as Ianto. They were good friends, and Ianto hadn't wanted to lose that. He had apologized for fear of having misread the entire situation.
Ianto had somehow managed to avoid Jack for almost two days, until Tosh had cornered him and demanded he talk to the man. From what Ianto had heard, the kitchen had been difficult that night, and Ianto felt somewhat responsible for that. It certainly wasn't fair for Jack to take out his anger at Ianto on his staff. So Ianto had gone to clear things up with Jack, thinking he would apologize once more for losing his head in the alley. He hadn't expected to hear Jack and Owen talking.
Jack liked him. Him, Ianto Jones. He wanted to kiss Ianto again-he wanted more. The thought of more than a back-alley snog with Jack had warmed not only his body, but his heart as well. He liked Jack too, far more than any of his other male friends. That Jack was attractive was never in doubt, but Ianto didn't usually act on simple physical attraction, and never before with a man. He wasn't one for casual shags because he preferred a connection. It didn't have to be love, but there had to be something, and there was definitely something with Jack.
Ianto wasn't sure what to call it, either then, or now that he'd spent the night in Jack's bed exploring one another. If he'd thought that kissing a man like Jack Harkness had been incredible, Ianto had been unprepared for the incredible pleasure involved in sharing his body with another man. He'd half expected to find he wasn't interested once Jack was naked, but if anything, Ianto was more turned on than ever. Ianto had never looked at another man sexually, but Jack was gorgeous, and more than that, they had that connection, whatever it was, that made the entire night truly special.
It had been a night of many firsts for Ianto, and Jack had been patient with him each and every time. It wasn't that Ianto had never rubbed off on a lover before, but that was usually between warm thighs or soft breasts, not against a hard cock. And it wasn't as if he hadn't had oral sex before, but he'd never taken a man in his mouth, or been taken by one. It had been exquisite on both ends, giving and receiving, instinctively knowing what he wanted and able to give it in return. Ianto had not been prepared to go any further, but Jack didn't seem to mind, and Ianto was thrilled to realize that there were so many ways to give one another pleasure that they'd been busy long into the night, resuming their explorations after taking time to rest and talk. It had been remarkably intimate, and completely comfortable.
If he were honest, it was one of the most amazing nights he'd spent with a lover, better than the first time Lisa had stayed for the night. He hated comparing Lisa and Jack, but Lisa was gone and Jack was there, and they were so different anyway. Ianto hoped Lisa would have been happy for him, and suspected she'd probably be little turned on; like so many women, she'd enjoyed gay porn with her girlfriends, and had always cooed when they saw same sex couples in public.
Turning back toward the coffee machine, Ianto poured himself a cup, then debated whether or not to pour a second mug and take it to Jack. He didn't want to appear…well, whatever it might look like if he brought Jack coffee in bed on their first morning together. Fortunately he was relieved of making such a decision by a pair of strong arms wrapping around his waist and warm lips nipping at his neck.
"You left," Jack murmured, his voice still low from sleep.
Ianto laughed to himself and reached for a second cup. "You were still sleeping. I didn't want to wake you."
"So you thought you'd make yourself at home and start some coffee?" Jack teased, and Ianto froze, thinking maybe he had done the wrong thing in wandering into the kitchen and poking around Jack's home. Jack turned him around and kissed him gently, then stepped back with a grin. "I'm kidding," he said. "I don't mind at all, I think it's brilliant. And it smells amazing."
"Should taste about the same," Ianto replied, feeling unusually confident as he grabbed Jack's cup from behind him and handed it over. "Milk or sugar?"
"Black is fine," Jack replied, then took a careful sip of the hot liquid. "Oh my god, it's better than amazing. It's…indescribable."
"It's coffee," Ianto replied dryly, but he couldn't help smirking. He knew he made good coffee, he'd honed it at Torchwood in London. It was strange to think that he hadn't made coffee for anyone, and only an occasional cup for himself since coming to Cardiff. It was one of those things that had been such a part of his life in London with Lisa that when that life had come to a crashing end, he'd left it behind. Like so many other things, it had been too painful, too hard to move on with it haunting him like a ghost.
Yet here he was, waking up on the proverbial morning after-with a man, no less-and making coffee again. He was glad Jack was enjoying it. In fact, from the sounds he was making, Jack might have been enjoying it a bit too much.
"Why have I never had your coffee before?" asked Jack, sitting down at the small wooden table. Ianto joined him and grinned.
"I'm full of surprises," he murmured, and Jack nodded fervently.
"I'll say. And I've enjoyed every single one." He waggled his eyebrows and Ianto laughed. He was surprised he didn't feel more uncomfortable. He assumed most people who woke up in someone else's bed inevitably faced those first awkward moments together, but Ianto was okay with what had happened. He was better than okay. He felt calm and happy and relaxed. It felt right to wake up next to Jack.
Jack frowned and reached across for his hand. "Are you all right? You look a little too thoughtful for…" He glanced at the clock on the wall. "…nine o'clock in the morning. No, er, regrets?" He sounded unsure and nervous. Ianto squeezed his hand, marveling at the feel of a man's hand in his own, so much larger, so much stronger, so much rougher. And still so comfortable and right.
"No regrets," he murmured, then glanced into his coffee with a smile. "Last night was incredible, Jack. Thank you." It seemed like a ridiculous thing to say to a lover the next day, yet Ianto felt such gratitude for the gentle, slow, and understanding way Jack had taken things that he had to say something.
Jack shook his head and grinned. "No, thank you. I had a wonderful time myself."
"Right." Ianto snorted into his coffee, then glanced up and rolled his eyes at Jack's questioning look. "It was all new to me, Jack. I'm sure it wasn't half of what you've experienced with others."
"What?" said Jack, his eyebrows puckering in confusion. "No, Ianto, I meant it. Just because it was your first time…well, with a man…doesn't make it any less amazing or special. I'm so glad it was me, that I could be there for you." He shrugged, a slight blush on his cheeks as he ran out of words. "It meant a lot to me. And you're a quick learner."
Ianto grinned as he took another sip of coffee. "Always have been, especially when I enjoy the subject at hand." He held up a finger as soon as Jack opened his mouth. "And please don't make a joke about your subject in my hand."
"You know me so well," laughed Jack, and Ianto joined him. They finished their coffee, Ianto refilled their cups, and brought up the one thing that could potentially be awkward.
"So what next?" he asked quietly. Jack looked down at the table before meeting Ianto's eyes.
"I meant everything I said last night. I like you, and I hope this wasn't a one-time thing."
Ianto felt his heart racing and took a deep breath. "Okay. Me too."
Jack stopped with his cup halfway to his lips. "You too…what?"
"I don't want it to be a one-time thing either," Ianto replied as quickly as he could. Why was he so nervous? Especially when Jack grinned broadly at him.
"Good. Great. So what are you doing later, then?" he asked.
Ianto shrugged. "Normal day off stuff. I have to take my car in for service, thought I'd get my hair cut, do the shopping on the way home. Laundry, cleaning, then maybe stop by my local."
"You have a local you like?" asked Jack.
"Yeah, it's just down the street from my flat. Good specials on Mondays, too." He paused and took another plunge. "Want to get a pint tonight? We could go back to mine for take away if you were interested." Or just skip the movie for other recreational activities, he thought to himself.
Jack grinned broadly. "That sounds perfect. But take away? Really?"
Ianto nodded very solemnly. "I work at an upscale restaurant. On my days off, I like to slum it." They laughed together, then Jack leaned in closer.
"My guilty pleasure is the meat feast from Jubilee Pizza," he whispered. Ianto pretended to be shocked.
"And here I thought fish and chips from Myfanwy's was blasphemy!" They laughed some more, open and relaxed, before Ianto finished his coffee, then stood and rinsed it out in the sink before turning back to Jack. "I should really get going. It's late already, and I have a lot to do."
Jack set his cup in the sink and wrapped his arms around Ianto just as he had when he'd first come into the kitchen. "Time for a shower together?" he murmured in Ianto's ear, sending warm shivers down his spine.
"I don't have any clean clothes here," Ianto murmured back, stretching his neck to encourage Jack.
"S'okay, I'm not sure how clean we'll end up anyway," Jack replied. Ianto moved in for a kiss, unable to resist. It had been a token protest anyway. He'd go home to shower and change regardless. He might as well enjoy what was offered before he left.
"Another first," Ianto said, pretending to think about it. "How can I resist?"
He let Jack pull him back toward the bedroom, already looking forward to whatever Jack had in mind.
Author's Note:
Thank you to Taamar for looking this over, as always. And thank you so much for all the amazing reviews! I hope you enjoyed this chapter, even if it was the morning after. Sometimes it's better to let your imagination fill in the blanks. No, it's not finished-thanks for reading and see you next week!