Jack smiled for himself as he watched Ianto leave, not closing the door behind him. He sat back behind his desk to finish his paperwork, still thinking about Ianto.
That had been close to a 'I love you' moment, he thought. He didn't know if he was ready for this, maybe only because he had never really said it to a lover. He knew he loved Ianto, he wasn't fucking stupid, he had totally fallen head over heels for the young man a long time ago. He had first thought it was just a protective feeling towards him, the need to help someone who was lonely, abandoned and broken. But it had been two years now, and that wasn't protection. It was love, good old love. Butterflies in the stomach kind of love. Can't stop thinking about him kind of love. Doing stupid things when around kind of love. Having a silly smile when talking to him kind of love.
He nervously laughed as realization hit him, hard. He was really just in love, wasn't he? So why did it seem useless and not important to say it aloud? Why did he feel like it didn't need saying it? Like it would add nothing? Maybe because it wouldn't. Because they both knew it was there. At least, he hoped Ianto knew. His speech earlier sure meant he loved him, right? Unless Ianto thought otherwise? But the kiss had been full of love and affection.
God, why was he even thinking about this?
He sighed and stood up. No need to work if he couldn't read one line straight without thinking about Ianto.
He shivered when he thought of Ianto's scar again, news ideas coming to his mind about how he could have gotten it. Eleven. He had been eleven. God, at eleven he was still running behind his mother's protection when something happened to him. He wasn't so confident about his ability to help Ianto any more.
"Come on Team, you got anything?" he asked as he finally joined them. "Someone complaining about powers? Someone in need of help? Any problem in the city? News on anything?"
They all shrugged and Jack sighed.
"There's archiving to do, if you're bored," Ianto said with a smile. Jack answered in a very responsible and adult way – he stuck his tongue out – and went to Gwen's workstation to see what she was doing. Filling some reports. He went over to Owen, noticing the man hadn't spoken for the day, not even to complain or anything. As he opened his mouth to speak, an alarm rang in the place.
"And what would that be?"
"The security system you bought, so you should know that noise," Tosh yelled so they could all hear her.
"Yes, thank you, but why?"
Tosh worked her magic on the computer and froze. Ianto, who was still besides her, looked at the screen.
"Someone broke in," he said, and though Jack couldn't properly hear him, he understood. Ianto and Tosh were the closest to the door, and he was about to protest because Tosh was going that way to lock it, but the door was opened before he could talk. Someone hit Tosh on the head and she fell with a grunt of pain, and before anyone could really do something, the intruder was in the middle, two guns pointing in the right direction to shoot at someone if needed. Jack saw that Owen had drawn out a gun he hadn't seen, and was aiming towards the man as well, but neither of them seemed to be shooting.
"The brother was next," he said, looking in Jack's direction, who didn't understand a word.
"Owen!" he yelled in response as he watched the man turn to Ianto who didn't seem to be able to move. The gunshot made them all jump.
It was short. And I'm not sorry for the end. ;) (But thank you for your comments & favorites! :D)