44
Jack had been acting furtive all day and Ianto was trying to ignore it. One of the things he had learned early on about Jack Harkness is that he was prone to weirdness for no apparent reason and when called on it would be confused by the question. No. Easier to let him do whatever.
"Hey good looking" Jack said as he entered the office early that evening, turning to look up at the wall of maps. "Wow. This has grown. Huh, another cell over here?"
Ianto looked up from the pad he was scribbling on at the desk to watch as Jack traced the little four-pack of juveniles and the red line drawn to show the mapping they had done. Ianto had drawn each little Bug perfectly, his artistic flair giving them silly beanie hats. He was so talented. Along the side of the map he had drawn larger images of the Bugs, their features, claws and post-its told of his thoughts and theories. It was like looking at a piece of his brain and it was crazy, muddled and had pieces overlapping one another. To Ianto, it was all crystal clear. Jack loved this wall. So crazily Ianto.
"Owen found that one, they seem to be sticking to that area so I think they are looking for something in particular" Ianto leaned back "three days in that one sector. Something pinged them."
"Hmmm, we watching?"
"Owen is droning the area intermittently. Toshiko got the bright idea to have him place a camera with the drone in a tree so she can watch the area they seem to be crossing the most." Ianto rose from the chair and stretched, looking outside to see the dusk approaching.
"Right. You need a shit, shower and shave" Jack said as he turned to leave the room.
"I beg your pardon?"
"We have reservations and I want you poshed up and ready for a dance after! I chose your clothes, they are all laid out. Come on, chop chop!" Jack said, disappearing out of the office, leaving Ianto staring at the doorway with confusion.
Reservations?
.
.
Ianto stood looking at his reflection with a little sorrow, the beard was long and scratchy as of late. He just didn't have time. Should he trim, or go all the way. Finally, he looked over at the suit on the bed, he could see through the open door and knew he had to go big or go home so with a deep breath he raised the clippers to shave off everything he was hiding behind.
.
.
Jack was waiting by the bottom of the stairs, his shoes polished in a way he had never worked so hard for before and the flowers he had in his hand were almost crushed to death. Then he heard Ianto coming and he looked up only to stall out at what was descending in such a delicious way.
Ianto had cut his hair, styled it into a rooster's comb, his face was bare with his whiskers all gone and that little mouth that mesmerized Jack was a soft smile.
"Fuck" came a bark off to Jack's left.
Jack grunted as he swing the flowers at John, smashing him in the face as he gaped up at the vision as well, managing to grunt at John like a caveman "mine."
Ianto came level and looked at the flowers, some missing their heads all together and smiled "for me Cariad?"
"Picked them, yeah.. I … ah… for… wow."
Ianto accepted the sorry mess and handed them off to John "Put them in some water my good man."
John stumbled off, looking back over his shoulder as Ianto lifted his chin and looked Jack in thee ye, something he did not do often but always left Jack quivering inside "Hello."
"Hi" Jack croaked, looking him up and down "wow, you re feckin amazing. I saw that suit in the closet and thought … wow."
"Weeeel, sir, you say such nice things I've not heard since I was a wee girl, I am blushing" Ianto fanned himself with his hand as Jack pulled him in for a kiss.
"Come on sweetheart" Jack whispered in his ear as he kissed the lobe, "we don't want them to give our table to someone else."
Ianto giggled as he was led outside and he slowed as he saw a table and two chairs in the middle of the common area, a white tablecloth, candles for Fucksake… oh. Oh. It WAS a date. Oh. Ianto felt a tightening in his chest as he saw the flowers in the vase, similar to the destroyed mess inside but clearly Mama Francine had managed to rescue these first.
Jack pulled out Ianto's chair and he sat, not caring at all that he was being the little missus here, looking around as Andy approached with two plates "Oi oi. No menu here, ya get what ya get and ya best bloody eat it. The chef is in a mood tonight on account of these especial upstarts and their demands."
Jack laughed as he poured them each a glass of wine, the plates uncovered with a flourish to reveal steaks, potatoes and greens. Jack leaned in "come on. I know there are greens but you do need to build those big strong muscles."
"I will eat two… no… three beans just for you" Ianto replied and Jack roared with mirth.
As they ate, Ianto looked up at the night sky, every star twinkling like it was some movie set, all freshly polished for this evening too. Since the demise of mankind, the skies had cleared so the smog and pollution that sometimes hid the heavens was dissipated.
"We might see the lights tonight" Jack said as he ate, "It's that time of year for them."
"Jack, when I am finished with you, you will see stars alright" Ianto hissed, leaning over to kiss him and touch his face for a moment, "You've outdone yourself."
"anything for you Tiger" Jack said with delight, his hard work appreciated.
The Northern lights will happen, others will watch but Ianto was right.
Their bedroom is the best place to see stars tonight.