42

Ianto was silently watching the two men as they danced around each other, the sexual tension clear. He was not sure how to feel about this. After all this time, almost a year since the invasion, Ianto thought he was strong and competent but now all he felt was small once more. A dweeb. The entire drive back home they had both sat in the back, holding onto one another like long lost lovers. I guess they are. Not were, the kiss to Jack's cheek was not pushed away.

Now they were at the compound sitting the Food House, it was like he didn't exist. After watching Jack's teeth flashing as he laughed with his friend, he decided to leave them to it, so he rose and left the room. The last thing Jack said as he pulled the door closed behind him was "and that horse you gave me was shit!"

Ianto was internally shaking and he thought it was with fear still, like the leftover adrenalin but as he stepped outside to take big lungs full of air he realized it was anger. Cold, hard anger. He was still standing there trying to sort out this surprising feeling when his daughter walked over and touched his hand in that sweet way she always did.

"Hey princess."

"Hi Taddy. Did you being Myfanwy back with you?" Annie asked "Is she still in the Transporter?"

Ianto stared at her with confusion "Sweetie… we didn't take the dog with us."

"No, she ran after you" came the calm reply and Ianto felt his gut flip. Oh shit.

"Well, I didn't see her. Maybe she came back and is asleep somewhere, why don't you check for her, hmm?" he asked "I will check if she is chasing a rabbit in the trees."

She took of with a skip in her step, sire he was right. He shot inside and was shocked to find Jack and John in an embrace, laughing like they were … well… they had been a partnership. Like John had said… in every way.

"Jack, Myfanwy…."

"Later Tiger" Jack said without looking away from John "Me and John have a lot of catching up to do."

The look of triumph on the man's face as he looked over Jack's shoulder and made eye contact with Ianto did nothing to calm his raging blood. Fuck, he wished he were a dragon to flame both of them. Really?

"Whatever"

Ianto walked away more calmly than he felt, clambering into the Transporter and firing her up, then he drove out of the compound alone. He didn't want help, he didn't' want a friend along twittering in his ear. He wanted some silence to chew over the fact Jack was happy to see someone hwo clearly felt he had a claim.

Did Jack not see it?

Ianto retraced their steps, driving along the back tree line and to his relief he saw the dog lopping along without a care in the world, a rabbit in her jaws. He was right. The cow had started to chase rabbits and forgot all about her master she was supposed to be chasing.

"Myf, what the hell!" he roared, opening the door so she could get in "No, not the…. Rabbit."

He sighed as the bog clambered over him and the dead rabbit slapped his face while she struggled over into the back to sit happily and wait for a ride home. Instead of driving back Ianto decided to simply sit for a while in the silence, trying to work out his feelings.

This new guy was a threat.

Whether Jack saw it that her was or not, he was a threat. Ianto had to decide if he wanted a fight, or if he needed to give Jack a chance to prove himself.

After half an hour of sitting, watching the birds flying in and out of the trees, he decided to let Jack lead with this. If Jack wanted to be committed in this relationship, he would step up, right? If he had been using Ianto as a placeholder then… Ianto had to think of his daughter and his life.

With or without Jack.

God, how that hurt to think that Jack was happier with this guy than him, that John was more. But hey, Ianto always felt that anvil falling ya know? Sucks to be right all the time. And he was now sure that Jack liked him, sure he liked him a lot. But love?

Jack was not a one person kinda guy, even said so when telling stories of past lovers.

One day he would just be one of those wistful stores right? Maybe not even that.

Ianto felt hurt and also stupid for thinking this idyllic life in the middle of madness would last.

He drove into the compound and climbed between the seats to open the side door, releasing the dog and her ill gotten gain. She took off, no doubt to burry the bloody thing and he could only hope it was not under the house.

Jack was there on the front verandah that was almost finished, no doubt showing his old friend. Their arms were around one another like they were a couple, John's on Jack's arse. Ianto got out and deliberately did not look at them, preferring to accept a thank you cuddle from his little girl. At least she was not going to let him down and replace him with something better.

God, he was being so bloody morose. This is stupid. Not like they made plans, promises or anything. This was always supposed to be fun. Clearly, this other guy was more fun.

Ianto headed inside and found himself in his office, looking at the pull-out sofa. Right. He walked into the spare room next door and looked at it. No. This can be John's room… until he and Jack move into one together I guess, if that's what he wants.

Ianto went to his room he had with Jack and opened the wardrobe to stare at his clothes, the meager things hung there.

At least moving out will not be too hard, right?

The wardrobe in the office an easily fit all his things and… he will still be close to his daughter.

Jack can have this room to himself and then decide who shares the bed.

Ianto would wait and see.