Ianto opened one eye, rolling over in bed with a groan. His hand hit the pillow next to him, finding it cold and empty. He had a vague recollection of Jack bringing him home, and the briefest of echoes of soft lips on his forehead, but that part might've been his mind playing tricks on him. God help him, why did he ever drink tequila.

Last night was a blur of awkwardness and alcohol, and he was so grateful that the quiet rift meant Torchwood hours could actually resemble reasonable and allow them all a free weekend. He stretched out his aching limbs, digging his toes into the mattress, curling up under the covers.

The phone ringing startled him, and he glared accusingly at the offending sound, reaching out to grab it without lifting his head from the pillow,

"Hello?" he mumbled, his voice gravelly from the tequila,

"Hey, listen, I have a stinking hangover and my coffee skills just aren't cutting it, can I come over?" Jenny sounded about as rough as he felt

"Um...yeah, sure" Ianto ran a hand through his hair wearily, "I'll jump in the shower, give me 20 minutes?"

"Of course, see you soon"

Ianto peeled himself out of bed with a resigned groan, heading blearily to the bathroom, hoping the steam would clear his head. Standing under the scalding water had the desired effect, and it was 15 minutes before he reluctantly stepped out of the shower. He padded out to the kitchen to set the coffee machine, setting two mugs on the counter. He moved to dress but was interrupted by the knock on the door. Pretty much exactly 20 minutes, Jenny was right on time. Ianto headed to open answer in his towel, not considering that it would be anyone other than Jenny…

… and so his shock at being presented with Jack Harkness was painted across his face. Jack took a sharp breath inwards as he took in the sight in front of him. He hadn't been prepared to see Ianto almost naked, his hair mussed up and his cheeks still flushed from the shower he'd clearly just walked out of. It was a torturous sight, and it took all of Jack's willpower not to reach out and touch the man.

"Sir…I um…I'm sorry" Ianto stammered, embarrassed at his state of undress,

"No, I'm sorry I just wanted to check on you after last night, I…. I should go"

But the way Jack was looking at him showed he had no intention of turning away, his gaze raking up over his body before meeting his eyes. There was a hunger in his eyes, and Ianto could feel himself heating up under that stare. He could feel his chest tightening, knowing this was dangerous territory but finding himself unable to look away and break the tension. Jack swallowed deeply, opening his mouth to speak simultaneously to Ianto,

"Ianto, I…"

"Jack…"

Footsteps startled them both as Jenny turned the corner, her hair shoved back in a messy bun, her eyes squinting even behind sunglasses to sooth her aching head.

"Ianto Jones you better have coffee on the go I think I'm dying…oh, hi Jack! Sorry I must look a state"

Jack cleared his throat, peeling his eyes from Ianto's to look at the woman, "Morning, Jenny, good night last night?"

"Well I can barely remember most of it and I feel like a truck is running over my head, so I guess so" Jenny laughed, "how about you lot?"

"Yeah it was nice" Jack smiled tightly, "sorry I'll leave you to it"

"OK if you're sure…...Ianto why are you stood in the hallway in a towel?" she grinned up at him,

How the fuck are you only just noticing that?! Jack thought to himself, having a difficult time keeping his eyes off the man. He determinedly kept his gaze to the wall, trying his best to ignore the look Jenny was giving Ianto, her hand reaching out to stroke his arm seductively.

"See you in work, Ianto" he swept away without a look back.

Ianto watched him go for a moment before turning to Jenny, gesturing her into the flat. He followed her inside, his head still swimming from whatever had happened with Jack. That look in Jack's eyes, he'd seen it before, back in those months before he had left, and it usually led to him being pinned to the nearest hard surface. It was the look that always caused Ianto such uncertainty, left him wondering what it all actually meant to Jack, in the brief moment that his brain had dibs on his blood supply before Jack's lips crashed into his.

"Let me get dressed then I'll get you that coffee" he mumbled to Jenny,

"Oh, you lifesaver!" Jenny grinned, coming up to wrap her arms around Ianto's neck, "But maybe you don't need to get dressed just yet"

She leant in to kiss him, his hands automatically coming to rest on her hips as their lips met. She deepened the kiss, and as Ianto responded there were suddenly so many other thoughts in his head. Jenny's lips were soft and willing against his own, and he tried to ignore the nagging feeling of longing for the stronger, more insistent pressure Jack provided. He imagined the hands curling through his hair were bigger, more masculine, teasing with the occasionally sharp pull that would make him groan. He missed the feeling of a rough cheek against his as he was thoroughly kissed, tongues battling for dominance. He could feel his body responding not because of the woman in front of him, but over the thoughts of someone else in his own head and it felt so wrong but so so right…

He pulled away with a gasp, stepping out of Jenny's arms completely. Jenny raised an eyebrow questioningly, her cheeks flushed.

"Sorry I just…. I'm gonna go get dressed"

"Wait what's wrong?" Jenny asked, "Hangover still getting the best of you?"

He chuckled awkwardly, "think so, yeah" he turned to the bedroom, closing the door behind him. He leaned back onto the door, resting his head against the wood with a small groan. Trying to rationalize his thinking was a challenge, especially considering a small part of his brain was still replaying the feeling of kissing Jack over like a stuck record. He knew his feelings for Jack were complicated, they always had been right back to warehouses and pterodactyls. But he was resolved in keeping those complexities in the past, with Jack as his colleague, his leader and over time his friend. How strong that resolve was, however, was another question entirely.