Salty

by Awatere11

Regina, it's your birthday. So, here is an entire story for you in one shot. Whew... so. Little Mermaid meets my warped brain... and we have us a story. Hope you like it my dear friend. xxx

The sight in front of him was one of the most intimidating things Ianto had ever seen. He was floating before the open remains of a large clamshell, one perched atop a stone pillar in the middle of an underwater cavern. Around him, luminescent algae glowed and faded like the stars of the night sky.

Cold currents swept in and out of the crevices in the walls, bringing with them the haunting sounds of the watery deep.

He would have swum out of the cavern already if not for his desire to talk to the sorceress. Said sorceress lounged in the clamshell, eel-like tail curled tightly. The algae's faint light illuminated her dark hair and knowing gaze. "I've seen that look in your eyes before, child."

"So, you know why I'm here?" Ianto asked, his voice quavering.

The sorceress' calm demeanour didn't lessen the trepidation he felt. His anxiety must have shown, because the woman began to smile. There was a curve to the sorceress' lips that did not bring Ianto any comfort. If he were more timid, the teal and blue scales on his tail would have already lost their colour from fear.

"I'm not the most accomplished sorceress across the deep, blue sea for nothing," the woman replied. Her tail uncurled, allowing a bottle of glowing blue liquid to float from her grasp and towards Ianto. "Here."

Ianto took it in his shaking hands.

"Is this the potion?" he asked, eyeing the liquid inside. Whatever it was, it didn't look palatable at all.

"Yes," the sorceress answered. "A spell to mask the mer's magic essence lying dormant in your blood. One sip, and you will have what you desire. On one condition."

The other merfolk had cautioned him about the sorcerers and their conditions. In truth, Ianto had nearly decided not to come here because of those warnings. Only the fact that nothing was left of his old home pushed him to stick to his decision.

"What is it?" Ianto asked. The woman before him tilted her head. That smile stayed just as controlled as before. "After stepping foot upon the human world, you will have to wed the first unmarried one you meet. If he/she does not marry you or he/she discards you later on, your life will belong to me forever."

Ianto gulped. He already knew about that stipulation from the stories being passed around. The task felt more daunting coming from the sorceress herself. Especially as not all the male ones cared for other males. It was a risk.

"I understand."

The woman raised one eyebrow. "Are you not frightened?"

"If it means that I can have what I've always wanted, I will do anything," Ianto said, his determination overshadowing any misgivings he felt. A volcanic quake had destroyed his coral home and buried his parents and siblings in mere seconds.

The dust it scattered killed off what was left of the reef.

His shoal had been forced to disband and seek refuge in other mer kingdoms. As one of the unlucky few who didn't get accepted into a new home, Ianto had no choice but to go where only the most desperate merfolk went. Luckily for him, the sorceress had no objections to the idea.

"Very well then," the woman said, ready to gamble with another life. "May fate be with you."

Ianto could not stand the sorceress' excited gaze any longer. Ianto twisted around and swam out of the cave as quickly as he could. His shimmering blue tail and translucent fins propelled him through the water, leaving bubbles in his wake.

Ianto changed direction at one point and headed towards the surface. He broke through the waves and sucked in some desperately needed air to calm his pounding heart. The gills on his neck closed, allowing his lungs to work alone as he looked around for a good place to ground himself.

He eventually found a sandy beach sheltered by a curve of imposing bluffs. The place was familiar to him only because he had seen it once while hunting for fish. Now, Ianto had no brothers or sisters to hunt for.

"Well, here goes nothing." Ianto dragged himself onto the sand until he was sure that the changing tide would not reach him. Then, he opened the bottle and lifted it to his lips.

The last thing he remembered before passing out was a disgusting taste that resembled mer blood.

When Ianto finally woke, it was to the sight of something more pleasant than the sorceress. He first noticed the strong human scent that surrounded him. Next, he became aware of someone's warm arm supporting his back and shoulder. And when he opened his eyes, he saw the face of a man.

"Hey," the man said, his mouth turned down and his dark eyebrows wrinkling. He had the bluest irises Ianto had ever seen, even among the merfolk. "Are you alright?"

Ianto tried to turn his head so he could see the rest of him, but a dull pain behind his neck made his scalp throb. The potion must have been more powerful than he thought. "My head…"

Thankfully, the man was kind enough to hold him gently through the ordeal. He adjusted his arm so that he could rest his weight on it. "Steady now."

"Thank you," he said after regaining his strength and adjusting his bearings. Carefully, Ianto raised his hand to the back of his head as if to feel for any wounds. In truth, he wanted to see if his gills were gone.

The smooth skin under his fingertips proved that the potion had worked. The man didn't notice what he was doing. He seemed more concerned by the fact that a stranger like him was on the beach.

"What the heck are you doing all the way out here? And so early in the morning?"

Ianto's heart raced. If there was one thing he wasn't very good at, it was lying. But one look at the fishing net that the man had discarded close by, and Ianto knew that he couldn't tell this man the truth. Out of all kinds of humans, it was fishermen who disliked merfolk the most. They competed for fish, after all, and rogue merfolk were notorious for seducing fisherfolk from their spouses. It's the reason why only the married among his kind were allowed on land. There had been more than one unwed mermaid or merman who returned to sea because humans had driven them away after discovering the truth.

"I… got lost…" he said.

The man snorted. "Got knocked out is more like it. Are you alone?"

"Yes," Ianto replied.

"You don't look too good. Are you… in a bad way?" The man's eyes darted down before coming back to his face. He blushed. "Did somebody hurt you?"

"No."

The man pressed his lips together and stayed silent. Ianto could see not just his discomfort but also his disbelief. After all, there were only so many reasons for an unconscious, naked man to appear out of nowhere. Eventually, the man sighed and helped him sit up.

"Here." He let go of him so he could remove his coat and drape it over Ianto's shoulders. "What happened, then? Why are you, um, underdressed like this?"

If he didn't look so troubled by his presence, Ianto would have taken the time to appreciate his coat's scent. He found the mix of pine and salty breeze wafting from the fabric rather pleasant. It made him feel safe, even though he should be cautious with the human who'd found him.

"I didn't bring clothes with me when I… escaped…" Ianto said, not really sure how else he could explain his predicament.

He didn't want to return to the sea and present the sorceress with his life before the sun had set on his first day as a human. The man gnawed at his lower lip, and Ianto hoped that he'd take pity on him despite his poorly worded answers.

"I get it," he said, much to Ianto's relief. "I won't ask anything else if you don't feel like talking, but at least let me take care of you."

"I'd appreciate it, Mister…"

"The name's Jack." His arm returned to where it had been before he gave Ianto his coat. "What's yours?"

"Ianto," he said as jack helped him to his feet. ianto looked down, and for a moment, Ianto marvelled over the sight of his ten new toes digging into the white sand.

"Well, Ianto," the man… Jack… said, "let's see if you can walk without tipping over."

Ianto struggled over his first few steps, but Jack was quick to support him whenever he nearly fell. He held him to his side, only briefly loosening his arm when he had to retrieve his fishing net. The rest of the time, he helped Ianto past the occasional boulder that dotted the beach.

"Where are we walking to?" Ianto asked after noticing that they were going only one way. Jack pointed to a sloping path of pebbles that connected the edge of the beach to the grassier terrain above. The rest of the path steadily rose towards a rocky mound topped by a clump of trees. A stone cottage was tucked neatly among the foliage, blending seamlessly with the natural environment surrounding it.

"That cottage on the bluff is mine," Jack said. "We'll set you up there so you can rest."

Even though he was grateful for the assistance, Ianto didn't want to impose too much. he only needed to get used to walking, and then he would be on his way. he had to find a mate as quickly as possible, or his life would be forfeit.

"Won't your mate be curious about me when I show up?" Ianto asked, toying with the possibility of asking him to bring some supplies to him instead.

Jack looked his way and grinned. "Lucky for you, I don't have a mate."

Ianto's stomach nearly dropped. The man who'd found him was unmarried. And a fisherman. And he was bound to his promise to the sorceress, whether he liked it or not.

No wonder the woman had been more than happy to help him transform. There was a good chance that the first human he met would be one that did not take kindly to mermen. The sorceress had been counting on him to literally turn tail before he could even begin his new life.

Well, the woman would be sorely disappointed.

Ianto had come this far, and he would not give up now. he could be happy with Jack as long as he remained careful. The man was built well and was quite nice to look at, and he seemed kind. Even if he turned him away and he returned to the sea in disgrace, at least he could say that he'd tried.

"I'll be your mate," Ianto said.

It would be hard, but the idea of wandering the sea alone was a lot harder to bear. Jack nearly stumbled when he heard his words. He almost took Ianto down with him. "I beg your pardon?"

Ianto clung to his side and looked him straight in the eye. he could see the blush return to his cheeks with a vengeance. he could feel his own face warming as he held his gaze. "Marry me."

.

.

Of all the things Jack expected to find on the shore, it wasn't a naked man with such a cute face and button nose. He'd almost run away screaming at first, thinking that he'd found a dead body.

Thankfully, he'd noticed his steady breathing as soon as he came closer to look him over. As much as he could without disgracing either himself or the man, of course. In that short amount of time, he'd glimpsed just how pearly his skin was. How gently his figure curved and dipped in all the right places.

He'd noticed his shapely legs and small feet. Although he would have liked to see more, Jack was too much of a gentleman to take advantage of things. Luckily, the coat that he'd decided to wear against the morning chill had been long enough to cover him. Now, the man was dressed in his late brother's old clothes as he was slightly slimmer like Gray had been … and going through his breakfast more enthusiastically than he had expected.

His wide greyish eyes were the colour of a story sea and the happy little chirrups coming from his bow lips were close to driving him insane.

"Good, yeah?" Jack asked, hoping that some small talk would distract him from his startling fascination with the man.

Said man swallowed the food left in his mouth before smiling at him. "It tastes heavenly!"

If there was anything Jack could boast about, it was the artisan techniques that his late parents had handed down to him. His father had been a master at reading the sea, and his mother had had a knack for preparing and preserving fish of all kinds. They'd been good at what they did despite their identities as 'humble fisherfolk.'

"I caught it fresh from the water over there, then cured it with enough salt to last a year," he explained.

The man nodded before picking up his fork and resuming his feast. "I didn't know it would taste this delicious."

"You look like you've never had fish before." Jack ran through the landlocked villages that he knew of. If the man wasn't used to eating fish, then he might have come from the forested regions like Ranalda Ridge or Viridian Vale.

However, the man shook his head.

"It's the only thing I've had since I was a child," he said, "but I've never had it cooked. Like this, I mean."

Ever since regaining consciousness, the man had given nothing but confusing answers. There was no question that he was hiding something from him. he didn't want him to know where he'd come from or what had happened to him, and this was reason enough to let him be on his way.

However, Jack didn't have it in his heart to leave him to his own devices. A young man like him, seemingly unaware of the dangers of the world, would have no chance against the swindlers and ruffians that passed through Torchwood Cove. He was so… innocent. A Gentile. Not to mention the fairies and other beings that occasionally visit human territories. There was something… different about him.

"I see," Jack said, dismissing his secretive behaviour for now. He didn't want to upset him if it meant making him recall any horrible things he'd had to go through to get here. The man finished his food just as Jack pulled a chair out from the other side of the table and sat down.

"Thank you for serving me breakfast."

"About what you said earlier." Jack laced his fingers together and set them on the table. He didn't want to talk about this in his little kitchen, with its modestly stocked cupboards and dull wood floors, but no other place in the four-room cottage seemed any better. The Parlor's furniture was still covered in sheets because he hadn't entertained anybody there in a long time. The spare and main bedrooms were out of the question. And it wasn't like he could drag him out of the house after the hearth had just warmed him up.

"Yes?"

"You were only joking, right?" he insisted, knowing full well that nobody in their right mind would wish to marry him out of nowhere. Even his former lover that had known him for years had declined his proposal. The last he'd heard of Lucia; she was engaged to some well-off knight from the Northern Village.

He really should have listened to his sister and found someone who could accept his humble background. Instead, he just had to lie to himself and believe that his former lover would change her mind. In the end, Lucia had told him that he'd never be enough.

"I was serious," the man said, much to his surprise. "I truly wish that you'd marry me."

His sister had been forever telling him not to worry about her and to just settle down. Find someone who would at least be willing to work alongside him if he truly wasn't interested in romance anymore. Of course, this was easier said than done.

"But why?" Jack couldn't help but scratch his head. "I mean, I'm flattered, but you barely know me."

Before he could move away, the man had leaned over the table and covered his clasped hands with his fingers. They looked so smooth, and dainty compared to his sun-tanned, knobbier ones. "You covered me up, gave me food, and didn't take advantage of me. I think kindness is a wonderful quality in a husband."

It seemed like Jack's cheeks weren't done blushing for the day, and it was only mid-morning!

The man looked so earnest with his praise that he couldn't find the willpower to tell him he was wrong. He didn't know what part of him would make for a so-called wonderful husband. And still, he wanted to marry him.

"Either I'm dreaming," he murmured, "or I just became the luckiest bastard on this side of Torchwood Cove."

The man tilted his head. "Is that where we are?"

"Yeah," Jack said. The nervous, almost pleasant feeling he got from hearing the man's voice faded as his eyes narrowed. "You didn't know?"

The man shook his head again. he shrank back into his seat, and Jack almost regretted saying anything. "I was in such a big hurry to get away that any place would've been fine."

Jack didn't like that statement at all.

Firstly, it meant that the man was indeed running away from something. Whether that something was dangerous or not, only time and a healthy dose of trust will tell. Second, it only proved that the man had no idea how dangerous the surrounding forests could be.

Many of the villages were safe because the oracles who guarded them employed knights and sentries to patrol their lands. The paths that the caravans took to get from one region to another were a different story.

"And somehow you ended up here," Jack said, not bothering to hide his relief. There were worse places for someone to pass out. Torchwood Cove may have been small, with only three villages and nothing of significant importance to export, but it had its own charms if one bothered to look. Even his sister wished to return home as soon as she'd earned enough money to better their lives here.

The man tilted his head the other way, and that small motion pulled Jack out of his thoughts. "You said something about being lucky."

"It's just that I was thinking about finding someone to mind the house," he answered honestly. "Fishing takes up a lot of time. And as far as I'm concerned, it's better to have someone watching this place in the early morning and late afternoon. The problem is, there aren't a lot of folks in town who want to live all the way out here."

"Well, I do," Ianto said, surprising him yet again. He was ridiculously set on marrying him. "I like it here because it's close to the sea."

Strangely enough, Jack was warming to the idea too. The man… Ianto, he remembered… was quite handsome. Besides that, he appeared to have an energetic spirit. Jack was sure that Gwen would appreciate a warm, friendly, and enthusiastic brother-in-law. What was more, marrying him meant that he could help him escape from whatever had driven him to come here in the first place.

He could eat and sleep somewhere safe. He could start his life anew, a luxury that many people down on their luck find hard to come by.

"You'll have to clean the house and do the laundry while I'm away," he said.

Talk of housework didn't faze Ianto. He even looked excited at the prospect of tackling those chores. "I don't mind."

"And it would have to be a marriage in name only," Jack added for good measure. "Like I said, we barely know each other."

Unbeknownst to his sister, Jack actually did want a romantic relationship again. However, he didn't want to start it on the wrong foot the way he had with Lucia. He was intensely attracted to Ianto, but attraction and desire alone didn't make for a lasting relationship. Simply put, he wanted more than just infatuation this time around. He wanted what his mother and father had. With someone like Ianto, if possible. To this end, he would remain a gentleman even if he died trying. Either Ianto thought the same or he simply had no objections to this clause.

"Of course."

Just like that, he'd sealed their fates.

Now Jack just had to stop by the village temple and ask the local oracle for her blessing. And, of course, hope that this convenient marriage of theirs didn't blow up in their faces.

.

.

Even though he knew much of the human world already… mostly from his parents, who used to surface and trade above-sea… Ianto still realized that there was more he could learn. he'd picked up a few things since living with Jack. And he enjoyed each new experience. For instance, Ianto didn't know that human clothes could be so cozy.

He'd seen women in peasant blouses and billowy skirts from afar and the men with their long puffy sleeved shirts, but he hadn't known how they would feel on his scale-free skin until now. He liked the softness and warmth of the cotton and linen fabrics.

He also liked the soaps he used to wash them. Unlike the slime that merfolk harvested from fish, the stuff that Jack used for cleansing smelled strongly of many different things, some of them pleasantly unfamiliar. He liked the one that smelled of flowers best, and he loved the bubbles it made.

Now, though, his favourite thing would have to be the village temple. He liked the arched windows of blue stained glass built into the white, square-shaped building. They went well with the blue tile roof and black double doors out front. The tint of their panes was faint enough that Ianto could still see the black, wrought-iron fence that surrounded the entire property.

The inside was charming too. The stone floors had been scrubbed and polished clean, and fresh garlands hung from the beams beneath the foyer's ceiling. The round altar in the middle of the shrine room had been draped in lace and heaped with all sorts of flower bouquets. A tall candle stood at the center of the arrangement, adding to the gentle light that came from the wall sconces.

He would have liked to watch the way its creamy wax melted and rolled down towards its catchment bowl—if he weren't marrying Jack at the moment.

"With these bands, your hearts are bound. And with a kiss, your souls are sealed."

Ianto returned his attention to Lady Rosa, the village oracle Jack had told him about. They'd only met today, but he already had a good feeling about the woman. Maybe it's because Lady Rosa exuded authority in the same way as the sorceress, but without being intimidating.

Ianto next shifted his gaze to Jack. The man squeezed his hand the moment their eyes met. "Ianto?"

Jack had explained the ceremony to him 'just in case it was different from the ones where he came from.'

He remembered that at this point, they were supposed to kiss. Ianto's cheeks flushed, but he soldiered on.

"It's all right," he said, returning Jack's gesture. Before he knew it, Jack had leaned towards him until their lips came together. His one arm snaked behind his back to bring him closer, and he complied. It was a soft kiss, and rather brief, but it was more than enough to make Ianto realize that he liked it. Even more than his clothes and soap and the temple, maybe.

"Congratulations, both of you."

Ianto was still too tongue-tied after Jack's kiss to say anything. Luckily, Jack hadn't lost his senses the way he had. "Thank you, my lady."

The oracle nodded. "And it was a pleasure to meet your lovely mate."

"You're too kind." Ianto said, pleased that Jack hadn't thought to release him yet. He rather enjoyed having him close to his side.

"Will you be moving into town now that you're married?"

"No," Jack said. "We're staying by the sea."

"You have a point." Lady Rosa looked Ianto's way and winked at her. "All that privacy will be good for your marriage."

This time, both he and Jack blushed. They'd been living together since his arrival at Torchwood Cove, but they hadn't really talked about it out loud. It was a little embarrassing to hear someone else actually bring it up in their conversation.

"That's not what I meant, my lady," Jack hurriedly explained. "Ianto loves it there."

"It's true," Ianto confirmed. "I've always been fond of the sea. I can't imagine living anywhere else."

Thankfully, the oracle latched on to the topic and dropped the one before. "Did you live close to the water before coming here?"

"In a way," he replied, not wanting to go into too many details. There weren't very many humans who could easily decipher his true origins, but oracles were among the few who could. Ianto had the sorceress' potion to thank for his disguise. As long as he didn't use any of his merfolk magic, Lady Rosa would remain oblivious. And as long as Jack didn't sever their marriage, he'd retain his human form.

Jack must have noticed his discomfort because he spoke up before Lady Rosa could ask for more details. "I have to go into town to restock on food. Our supplies are running low."

"Do you need any vegetables?" the oracle asked. "Because if you do, you can harvest some from the temple garden."

"You don't mind, my lady?" Jack asked. "The temple belongs to you."

"Consider it your wedding present," Lady Rosa replied. "I'll let my apprentice know. She can help pick out the ones you can harvest."

Jack's happy face made Ianto's heart skip a beat. He'd seen him smile before, and it always made Ianto feel things he couldn't explain. Simply put, he enjoyed seeing his eyes sparkle with joy. Only then did Jack let go of him, and only so that he could shake the oracle's hand. "Thank you, my lady."

"Shall we?" Ianto said after Lady Rosa left them to fetch her apprentice. The oracle told them that they could meet up at the garden gates.

"It's too hot outside, and you're not that used to the sun," Jack said as he took his hand. "Why don't you stay here where it's more comfortable?" "

But I want to help," he replied.

"I know, but I don't want you fainting out there from exhaustion." Jack looked deeply into his eyes. The blue of his irises seemed to turn gold in the light of the candle. "You've barely recovered from the last time."

"I swear I won't," Ianto murmured, mesmerized by the man. Nobody, with the exception of his late parents, had cared this much for his well-being.

It didn't help that Jack had dressed up for the occasion. The coat he usually wore had been replaced by a tailored jacket, and he'd worn one of his newer pants. He'd also let Ianto borrow his late brother's fancier clothes, 'so he could be even fancier than he already was on their special day.'

Remembering his kind words made Ianto blush. If he was this charming with him now, he could only guess how he would treat someone he truly loved. He knew how lucky he was to have found such a thoughtful human.

"Let's make a deal, then," Jack said. "You stay here for the moment, but when we get to town, you can help keep track of which items we'll be buying from the stores."

He was being so kind to him that Ianto finally agreed.

"All right," he said. Relief washed over Jack's face. He lifted Ianto's hand to his lips and kissed it. Their matching silver bands winked in the candlelight, cementing the fact that they were married.

"Wait here, yeah?"

Ianto nodded. He hung back when Jack dropped his hand and excused himself from the shrine room. He felt a sense of contentment as he watched him stride to the front door. Surprise replaced that contentment when Jack paused and spun around. He made his way back towards him, cradled his cheeks, and kissed him more deeply than the first time. His hands were still gentle on him, but there was no mistaking the desire that dictated this second kiss. It was over before Ianto could even convince himself it was happening.

He barely caught the blush staining Jack's cheeks before he dismissed himself again.

Ianto stood slack-jawed and speechless in the middle of the shrine room, not really sure what to make of the incident. A chuckle echoed against the walls and broke the spell that seemed to have trapped him. Ianto turned around just as a pretty woman with golden hair entered from a side door. The stranger wore the same vestments as Lady Rosa, except hers didn't have as much of the elaborate embroidery as the other one had.

He assumed that this woman was the oracle's apprentice. The stranger smiled at Ianto with the same welcoming aura that Rosa had shown. "Jack seems like a new man now that he has someone of his own."

"My lady?" Ianto asked as the woman came to his side.

"He's not the richest person here, and he's not very chatty with the village women. Not many prominent acquaintances as well, I'm told," the woman said. "I'm glad that it didn't hamper you from marrying him, though."

Ianto's brow furrowed. It seemed that he had many more things to learn about the human world. He didn't understand what riches or acquaintances had to do with marrying someone, but it must be important. For now, he would wait until Jack returned with their vegetables.

Ianto had the rest of his life to figure out how his new world worked. Jack had told him that this was their special day, and he didn't want to be the one who spoiled it. He wished to enjoy the rest of their trip to the Western Village, which he had been wanting to explore since the morning. Because maybe, just maybe, Jack would kiss him while they were there.

.

.

Jack felt like he was walking on air. His steps were light, and his lips had curled into an easy-going smile. He wanted to believe that it was because of the day's fair weather, complete with a sunlit sky, fluffy clouds, and a warm breeze blowing through Torchwood Cove's Western Village.

The truth is, he felt happy because he was holding his mate's hand. They were walking on a cobblestone road leading towards the village square. It took them past cottages big and small, as well as flowering gardens and cheerful people going about their own business. The men and women he knew waved at him—then tailed him with their eyes after realizing that this time, he hadn't come into the village alone.

Not that he minded.

After all, Ianto was cute, even in his hand-me-down clothes. Even the blindest fool would take a second glance at him if he walked by.

They passed a group of children playing with wooden swords. One was pretending to be some sort of rogue creature, whereas the other played at being a knight. Ianto's chuckle upon hearing their banter made Jack smile wider.

"You look happy," he said, moving just a bit closer to him to make room for a man pushing his weighty wheelbarrow.

"I am," Ianto replied. He had just as big a smile on his face. "I've never been to this village before. I didn't know it would look so beautiful or have so many people."

"Didn't you have any villages that looked like this?" Jack inclined his head. Yet another clue as to where he might have come from, but he was still no closer to figuring out his former home's exact location.

Ianto's eyes darted to the side, as if trying to recall what the other villages he'd seen were like. Or perhaps he was trying to think about how he could answer him. "There were, but… I always thought that the villages here would be quieter."

"At least that means you'll be used to the crowds in the shops," he said, dropping the subject. Although he was curious, he didn't want to ruin their afternoon by needling him for more information. This was their special day, even if it had been done out of convenience. Jack only hoped that they would reach a point where Ianto could trust him, preferably before their hair had turned grey.

Ianto swung his wicker basket at his side as they turned a corner. "Where are we heading?"

"To the seamstress, for one," Jack replied. He readjusted the straps of his canvas pack so that the vegetables already inside wouldn't tumble out. "You need new clothes."

His mate looked at his frayed shirt and faded trousers. His hand-me-downs were serviceable for now, but they were already so old that they wouldn't last until the end of the season. "You're probably right."

Jack nodded. Thankfully, he'd saved up a bit of money just before Ianto tumbled into his life. It meant that his new net and sail would have to wait a little longer, but at least his mate wouldn't freeze to death in the colder season.

"We'll go to the mercantile after that," he continued. "Then, the roadside market for fruits and other vegetables. We'll stop by the butcher last."

"What's a butcher?"

Jack stopped short. If he hadn't been holding Ianto's hand, he would have continued walking without him. Since he was, Ianto also paused in the middle of the road, thankfully nowhere near the path of another couple going the opposite way.

"It's the man who sells meat like beef and chicken," he explained, a little confused by his question.

"Oh!" Ianto exclaimed. "You eat beef and chicken, right?"

"Have you never had beef or chicken before?" Surely, even in the most remote villages, people raised cattle or bred poultry for food. Then again, there were families who couldn't afford to buy these meats or cruelly refused to feed them to their children.

"No." Ianto's smile shrank. "Is that strange?"

"Not if you're from somewhere else, I guess," he said, not voicing the other possibilities. He hated to think that his mate might have never eaten a good meal before now. "When we get home, I'll cook you some stew so you can try it out."

Ianto's mood lightened. "I'm sure I'll love it."

Buying extra ingredients would cost him some of the coins he had been saving for a new salting jar, but Jack didn't mind. Ianto had been a big help in minding the house and volunteering to do other tasks such as mending his nets and rinsing his catch. He was sure that their efficiency would help him earn the same amount in no time.

He gave Ianto's hand a little squeeze, and they resumed their walk. It wasn't long before they reached the seamstress, who was 'more than happy to fit and measure such a handsome, young customer like Ianto.' By the time they were through, Ianto had walked out in a new, ready-made outfit that the shop's owner had added some slight alterations to.

Ianto also carried a bundle of other clothes, as well as garments to wear beneath them. Their stop at the mercantile had taken less time, seeing as they were only there for salt, sugar, thread, and a few other things they needed around the house. Shopping at the market, on the other hand, seemed to take an eternity. There were so many people hovering over the stalls and haggling for better prices just like them. By the time they finished, the fluffy clouds in the sky had given way to scary-looking mounds of grey.

The wind had picked up, almost whispering through the trees. The sun was nowhere in sight.

"It looks like rain," Jack said as he held his palm up to check. His other hand was still holding on to Ianto. Jack had been too nervous to lose him in the market's crowd that he reached for him as soon as they entered the fray. He hadn't let go since, even though they had already stepped out of the village and started making their way to the seaside bluffs.

"Really?" Ianto stared at the skies. "Does it get dangerous here?"

Jack didn't miss the worry in his voice. He'd heard stories about distant villages that would flood during heavy storms. In fact, the caravans sometimes brought those areas' former residents along as a way to help them find new homes.

"Were rains dangerous where you came from?" he asked.

Ianto pressed his lips together. He didn't take his eyes off the darkening horizon. "A little."

"Don't worry." Jack squeezed his hand like before. He waited for Ianto to look his way before smiling at him. "We'll hurry home as quickly as we can."

Thankfully, Jack's reassurance eased his tense features. They did their best to pick up their pace despite the heavy things they were carrying. Jack was glad that they'd bought a new pair of shoes for Ianto. Otherwise, the pebbles they were hurrying over would have cut his feet.

Unfortunately, the skies opened up and dumped a torrent of rain on them before they could make it the whole way back. They had just started at the foot of the incline when the first droplets hit his nose. By the time they were at his front door, they were both soaked through.

"That was stronger than I thought," Ianto mused as he left his wicker basket by the door and helped Jack remove his pack. "Not as dangerous as I expected, thankfully."

"You're all wet, though," Jack noted, taking care not to stare too much at the way all that water had plastered his shirt onto his skin. He also did his best to hide his blush under the guise of wiping his face dry.

"Would you like a warm bath?"

Ianto's eyes sparkled. "With hot water?"

"Yeah," he agreed, moving his gaze to the little alcove in the corner of their Parlor. "I'll set up the tub and heat some water over the stove. Then you can take a soak behind the screen while I cook up some stew."

The one thing Jack learned after days of living together was that Ianto was obsessed with long, relaxing soaks. It had been awkward at first, knowing that a beautiful man was lounging just feet behind the old privacy screen while he went around the house. The threat of being haunted by his parents was what had kept him from stepping out of line and acting on his more… mature urges.

"Yes, please." Ianto said. "That sounds like a lovely way to spend the afternoon together."

That was the moment when their situation truly sank in.

With just one word… together… Jack realized that they were married.

He was his mate, and he was his husband. After years of waiting and hoping, he finally had someone to share his life with. What's more, the person sharing was cheery, vibrant, and interested in whatever he had to offer.

If he was this happy around him now, he could only wonder how ecstatic Ianto would always be with someone whom he genuinely loved. He could only hope that his fond affection for him would be enough.

"Why are you so charming?" he asked, letting that fondness slip out.

Ianto stopped combing his hair. He lifted his eyes to meet Jack's, and that exposed the rosy colour blooming on his cheeks.

"I…" His words trailed off when Jack kissed him.

Jack didn't know what compelled him to do it. Perhaps the sight of Ianto's blushing face framed by tendrils of damp hair was too tempting to resist. Perhaps the fact that they were bound together for the rest of eternity had played with his head. One thing was certain, though. Kissing his soft, shy lips was the most amazing thing he'd done in his life.

The feel of Ianto melting against him, breathing him in, and curling his fingers into his shirt filled Jack with so much euphoria he could burst. Even his most intimate past encounters with Lucia couldn't compare. It took everything he had in him to finally pry himself away from him.

"I'm sorry," Jack said, even though part of him wasn't. That same part screamed at him to take things even further. "That wasn't supposed to happen."

Surprisingly, Ianto licked his lips and kept his hands on his heart.

"I don't mind," he said, his voice so breathless that Jack almost dared to kiss him again. "You're a lovely kisser."

If he were a lesser man, he would have thrown his principles away and flung their agreement to the stormy winds. Jack knew that he couldn't act on any passionate fantasies now. For one thing, his mate had started to shiver from the cold. The temperature was only going to drop further because of the rain, and he'd be damned if the weather and his inability to care for him made Ianto sick.

"I'll draw that bath now," he said, escaping to the kitchen to prepare Ianto's hot water. Jack decided to heat only one kettle's worth, just enough for Ianto to use. He was perfectly fine with using water straight from the pump for his own bath. After all, every inch of him already burned from that one kiss.

.

.

Ianto's eyes scanned the choppy waters as the blustery winds ruffled his hair. The dark red fabric of the large warm coat billowed around his legs. Against the sandy shore, it looked like a flag or a beacon used to guide the way for nearby ships. That's exactly why Ianto had chosen to wear it.

Jack had set out to fish early that morning, and he hadn't been back since. Now it was almost noon, and his little boat still hadn't made an appearance on the shore. The grey clouds that were rolling in from the sea didn't ease Ianto's mind.

Two other fishermen who had set sail later had already returned. The few others who lived south of the cove hadn't even bothered rowing out.

Ianto walked from one end of the beach to the other, hoping that nothing had happened to him. A long time passed before he spotted Jack's boat's sail cresting over the waves.

Ianto dashed to the small pier south of their bluff, the place where Jack usually moored.

He waved his hands and hoped he could return as quickly as he could manage.

"You're back! Thank the fates, you're back!" he said as the man finally hopped onto the dock and secured his boat. He didn't even glance at the half-empty net he'd hauled up before tackling him.

"Ianto? What are you doing here?" Jack barely flinched when Ianto's arms came around his neck. His voice held a hint of alarm. "A storm's rolling in!"

"That's why I was waiting for you," Ianto explained.

Now that Jack was here, the anxiety coiled in Ianto's chest started to dissipate. Jack wrapped one arm around him as he reached for the net he'd dropped onto the wooden planks. He then led Ianto back to the beach. "Were you worried that I'd have a hard time getting home?"

"I don't like the water when it storms," Ianto said. He clung to Jack even though he knew that the sea couldn't reach him anymore and rip him away from him. "You might get hurt out there."

The man snorted. One of his brows frowned as he smirked. "I'm a good swimmer, you know."

For the first time since meeting Jack, Ianto felt his ire rise. He didn't like the proud, confident look on his face. Ianto been living in that watery world until only a few weeks ago, and he knew what struggling with its natural power was really like.

"The sea doesn't care how good of a swimmer you are. If it wants you to sink to the bottom, it'll do everything it can to get you there," Ianto said. "You're a fisherman, right? You're supposed to know that."

Beside him, Jack tensed. His smirk wavered when Ianto pulled himself away from him. "I do know that. That's why I'm very careful when I fish in weather like this."

Ianto shook his head. "You should just stay home."

The man reacted to that suggestion with a sudden stop and a tight jaw. He turned to face him. "You don't get it, Ianto. I have to go out."

Ianto couldn't believe his hardheaded reply. He'd seen the drowned bodies of fishermen sinking to the bottom of the sea even as a child. And when he was older, he even helped tow them back to the surface and shuffle them onto shore so that other humans could give them a proper burial. The thought of Jack's lifeless form slowly drifting down into the deepest, darkest trenches filled him with a horror he couldn't even describe.

"Why go out at all?" he asked, needing him to see reason. It was clearly the wrong thing to ask, because Jack imploded.

Jack spun swiftly and marched towards him. "Because I need money! Does that answer your question?!"

Ianto was so startled that he backed away. In his hurry, he nearly tripped on a conch shell partly buried in the sand. Jack only stopped his advance when he saw him teetering on his feet. They stared at each other, Ianto with surprise, Jack with a mix of shock and frustration. The wind whipped at the fisherman's hair. The blue of his eyes had dulled in the midst of their bickering, filling Ianto with a sense of despair.

"Excuse me," Ianto said before leaving him behind. He hurried over the path that led back to their home. In his haste, he sprayed sand from under his feet, its sound interspersed with the sniffling he made.

Never in his life did he think that a human would make him cry. Ianto slammed the front door as soon as he entered the cottage, then sought refuge in the little kitchen that still smelled of butter and flour.

He could barely look at the breadbasket he'd made earlier that morning, the special treat he'd prepared for when Jack finally came back. They were supposed to share it in front of the fireplace while the man talked more about the village folks he knew.

It wasn't long before Jack appeared at the threshold, chest heaving and eyes as wide as saucers. The net he'd been carrying a while ago was nowhere to be seen. Even the buckets he usually moved his catch into weren't in his hands.

"Ianto, I'm sorry." He came into the room and stood in front of him. His fingers brushed away the few tears Ianto hadn't managed to wipe off. "I didn't mean to yell."

"I didn't like it," Ianto whispered.

"Nobody would," Jack agreed replied. "I'm so sorry."

The shame and remorse in his tone made Ianto's heart ache. It wasn't in his nature to hold a grudge against anyone. He didn't even think ill of the merfolk that had rejected his request to join them, much less the one human that had actually accepted him.

Ianto knew that this man he'd married was hardworking, good, and kind. Jack would never lay a hand on him in anger. Even if he figured out that he was originally a merman, he didn't believe that he would harm him afterward.

Still, it didn't make the sting of his reprimand feel any less painful.

"You hate me," Ianto said, his voice breaking.

Jack was quick to deny that thought. He pulled him into his arms before he could say anything else. "No, I don't. I got annoyed, but that doesn't mean I hate you. It's not the same."

"I was worried," Ianto admitted as he breathed the scent of salt and sun on Jack's coat. It helped remind him that he was still alive and breathing. "I kept thinking about what would happen if you didn't come home. I don't want to lose anybody else."

His arms tightened around Jack as he remembered that day of loss. If his older sister hadn't shoved him to the very back of their reef, where the seagrass was so tangled up with mud that it blocked the heat, fumes, and debris from the volcanic quake, Ianto would have passed on with his family.

Losing them and their home had been the worst day of his life. The only comfort he had was the thought that they had all been together during those last moments. He didn't want Jack to struggle by himself out there. If fate was kind enough, he would grow old with him until he could no longer set out to fish. They would live in his cottage on the bluff, where they'd be safe and warm.

"You won't lose me," Jack reassured him. "We're in this together, right? With these bands, our hearts are bound. With a kiss, our souls are sealed."

"Jack…" Ianto looked up at him, relieved that he wasn't going anywhere. His throat bobbed as he returned his gaze. "Do you really like my kisses?"

"Yes." And just like that, Jack gifted him with another kiss. This one was long and slow and gentle. It was an apology and a promise to stick together. It made Ianto weak at the knees, prompting him to lean most of his weight on Jack.

The man used that moment to slip his hand beneath Ianto's shirts and run his fingers over the small of his back. He moved his other one to the curve of his hip, just above where his coat close to his butt.

In return, Ianto carded his fingers through Jack's hair and traced the blades of his shoulders. Jack dipped his head so his lips could reach his neck. "Ianto…"

The first claps of thunder made Ianto jump.

"What was that?" he asked, pulled out of their languorous kisses by the noise. That's when he noticed the heavy downpour outside their kitchen window. Thankfully, he hadn't clipped Jack's chin in that second of surprise. He did, however, distract him for the moment.

"Thunder."

"That was thunder?" she asked. "Why was it so loud?"

A flash of lightning followed by a second, louder boom startled him again. Jack moved his hands once more, but this time with the intent of easing his worries instead of seducing him. "It always is."

Ianto sensed the change. He turned back to him, more concerned by his quiet sigh than the look and sound of a thunderstorm on human land. He couldn't do anything about the latter, anyway. "What's wrong?"

The man pressed his lips together. Then, as soon as Ianto had stopped flinching at the loud sounds of thunder, Jack released him. "I can't believe I lost control again."

Ianto felt empty after Jack let go of him. Lately, it was how he reacted whenever he parted from any hugging or hand-holding they did. Ianto chewed on his bottom lip, finally admitting that things were moving well beyond the conditions they'd agreed on. "Jack?"

The man had been retreating to the entryway, but he paused and looked over his shoulder when he spoke.

"I'm sorry for touching you," Jack said. "I didn't mean to get carried away."

Ianto's cheeks flamed at the idea of what would have happened if they hadn't stopped. Now that he could acknowledge how much he actually cared for his husband, getting carried away didn't seem like such a bad thing. He didn't know if what he felt was deep enough to call love, but if the shoe fits…

"If—If we got to know each other better," he stuttered, "it would be all right if it happened. Right?"

Jack's eyes widened. He turned away before he could confirm if the red in his cheeks had been the start of a blush. "M-maybe."

.

.

The turning of the seasons had always been a part of Jack's life.

He liked it when the leaves changed colour and the sun climbed the sky much later in the day. He enjoyed the crisper air that swept in from the sea and chased away the muggy heat. The problem was that the cold waters didn't encourage many fish to swim near the shore in the mornings. It didn't help that pods or schools of bigger sea creatures would be passing by and taking their cut of the catch.

Jack didn't even want to think about the merfolk who had already trimmed those numbers down. All this meant that Jack would catch little to nothing if he went out early. He could always fish just before noon, but if he did, he would have to decrease the time he spent on actually selling the fish.

Ianto could do that in his place, but Jack tossed the idea out as soon as it entered his head. Considering how dainty his body was, Ianto would have a hard time lugging a cart loaded with buckets of fish around town. Letting him head into the village alone might also expose him to whatever had brought him to Torchwood Cove in the first place.

Jack sank into the lumpy couch and sighed. He'd been hoping to bring Gwen home by next season, but it looked like his sister would have to wait again. He'd made progress saving up for her shop, but he hadn't done it fast enough. His sigh must have drawn Ianto out, because he peeked into the Parlor.

"You look worried," Ianto said. "Is something wrong?"

It seemed like that's all Ianto asked him about lately. Not that he could blame him. He was the one who moped around the house as soon as he returned for lunch and dinner. "I have to change things up."

His gaze drifted to the locked cupboard in the corner where he kept their coins. "I won't save enough money for us from fishing alone."

Ianto stepped fully into the room and sat beside him. His presence helped settle his nerves a little. "What do you mean?"

"It's getting colder, and it's going to be a lot harder to catch fish out at sea," Jack explained. Without conscious thought, he reached for his mate's hand and held it. "Fewer fish means fewer coins to take home. We're not going to starve or anything, but we might have to make do with what we have until next year."

Ianto had actually come into his life at a good time. If he hadn't been around, he would still be scrambling to gather firewood, can fruits, preserve fish, repair the house, and do all sorts of chores to prepare for winter. But with Ianto's help, all those tasks were done by noon, which left him plenty of time to worry about his plans before heading out to sea.

"I don't mind," Ianto replied, leaning against his shoulder. Jack really did like the floral scent wafting from Ianto's hair. "I'm not really used to having a lot of things."

"Thank the fates for that. But it doesn't mean I won't try hard to get the best of those things for us," he said.

"And what does that mean?"

"Imagine, Ianto, how much nicer it would be to live in a big house." Jack laced their fingers together as he told him about what he envisioned for their little family. "Or not to have to mend clothes anymore. To have plates and cups made of glass instead of clay or wood. And furniture upholstered with the softest down feathers instead of lumpy bits of wool and cotton."

Ianto hummed. "That does sound nice."

"And my sister," he continued. "She won't have to work as an apprentice anymore. She can open her own little tea house in town."

"Um, Jack…"

Jack paused. His mate had squeezed his fingers tight enough to pull him out of his imaginings. The gesture made him wonder if he'd said anything that might have made him uneasy.

"What is it?" he asked.

Ianto worried his lower lip as he looked at him. "You never told me you had a sister."

Jack blinked. "Oh."

He knew that he looked like an idiot at the moment, and he was. In his mad rush to get himself a mate and carry on with his plans, he'd somehow forgotten to tell said mate that he did, indeed, have a younger sister. Jack would have slapped himself if Ianto wasn't holding his hand. And hold his hand he did, even if the conversation was starting to set him on edge.

The little furrow between Ianto's eyebrows revealed the distress his surprise had given him. "Should I be worried that she might have no idea I exist?"

"No! Not at all!" Jack quickly denied this. "Gwen has always hoped that I would marry someone like you."

The more he spent time with Ianto, the more Jack proved his first hunch about him. His mate had an innocent charm that would bring out Gwen's protective instincts in an instant. If there was anything his little sister enjoyed growing up, it was mothering their friends and acquaintances. His confident response set Ianto at ease.

"Really?"

"If she met you in person, I think she'd approve," Jack said. Then, an idea entered his mind. "In fact, I'm going to write to her today. Tell her that I landed the prettiest man in Torchwood Cove."

Jack had never felt more satisfied after seeing the blush that bloomed on his mate's cheeks.

"Is it all right if I write to her too, then?" he asked. "I've been practicing my letters. I think it would be nice if she got to know me from my own words as well as yours."

That was another thing he'd only just discovered about Ianto. he knew how to read just like any other person, but he'd never written anything before. When he'd asked, he'd said something about a shortage of parchment in a place where writing wasn't a necessary skill. The existence of such a village had been puzzling him for days now. That being said, Jack was relieved that Ianto didn't live there anymore.

The growing sheaf of scrap parchment Ianto had plundered to practice his penmanship on proved just how much he enjoyed writing.

"I think she'd appreciate that," Jack said. Gwen loved exchanging letters as well, so having a new correspondent in Ianto would delight her. Jack removed himself from the couch and headed for the writing desk on the other side of the room. He had to get a head start on those letters before leaving for the afternoon. This time around, he wanted Ianto to use fresh paper instead of the crumpled ones they were saving for the fireplace and stove.

As he rummaged through the biggest of the desk's drawers, though, a hand gently landed on his arm. Jack turned to the side, only to see Ianto's thoughtful expression. Ianto was back to gnawing that plump lower lip of his. "Jack?"

"Yeah?" He tried his best not to be distracted by his mouth, but he was failing. He'd enjoyed their few kisses so much that he'd been waiting for another chance at doing it again. Ianto's face, however, hinted that such a chance wouldn't come today. "Do you really need the money?"

Another heavy huff escaped Jack's chest. Perhaps he shouldn't have been so vocal about his frustrations within earshot of Ianto. He didn't want to worry him or make him think that marrying him had been a poor decision on his part. Truth be told, the idea of Ianto regretting their marriage didn't sit well with Jack. He'd come to adore him over their time together, if he had to admit it. He sincerely wanted that feeling to grow. Judging from what he'd suggested some time ago, he also thought there could be more to their marriage than just two people helping each other out. The only way to do that was to be completely honest with him, even if it made them both worry.

After all, his parents did say that marriage comes with ups and downs. If his mother and father could weather through those 'downs,' surely, he and Ianto could do the same.

"My family has had to make do with so little for so long." He straightened up and cupped Ianto's cheek. "I want to have more, given a chance."

Jack didn't tell him about Lucia's role in making him rethink his worth. He didn't want Ianto to pity him more than he already did. Besides, his little sister's existence was enough shock for the day.

Ianto nodded. "I understand."

Ianto smiled and went on his tiptoes to kiss his cheek. "I believe you can do it, Jack."

"Thank you for putting your faith in me," he replied after shaking off his surprise. By that time, though, Ianto was already leaving the Parlor. There was a new spring in his step and a determined set to his shoulders which told Jack that something was on his mate's mind.

He didn't know what it was, but he was thankful that it had wiped away Ianto's distress. Now, if he could only do the same for himself.

.

.

Even though Ianto had decided on what he must do, the very idea of doing it made him fidget. Still, he tried his hardest to hide what was on his mind from Jack. He didn't want him to suspect that his heart was likely beating twice as fast this morning.

"Do you have everything?" Ianto asked as he helped Jack load up whatever he needed to take to the open market.

"Mhm," the man replied as he secured his wares in the cart. "Fresh fish in the buckets, dried ones in the baskets, and change in my pockets."

His easy-going smile almost made Ianto feel guilty. He supposed he could tell Jack about his plan, but he was sure that Jack wouldn't hear any of it. He needed proof that he could do it first, and maybe then he'd agree. "Good luck."

"Don't worry, Ianto," Jack said. "By the time I'm home, all these will be long gone."

"All right."

Ianto had faith that he could do it. Jack was one of the hardest-working people he had ever met, both on land and underwater. Jack came to him and kissed his cheek without fuss. Ianto would've blushed if his mind wasn't focused on his little secret.

"I'll bring home a nice, fat chicken for dinner. You'll see."

Ianto wished him luck a second time before watching him go. He rushed back into the cottage not long after Jack's cart faded in the distance. His husband usually spent a good part of the late morning and early afternoon going around the village to sell fish. This meant that he had a few hours to execute his plan before he came back for dinner. He hoped to return to the cottage by then.

Ianto found a piece of scrap parchment which he used to scribble his message on. He relayed how long he might take and what time he might come back, taking care to emphasize that he knew what he was doing. Surely his note would reassure Jack that he was safe.

The ink from his quill hadn't dried yet, but he was already out the door before he could change his mind. Ianto descended to the beach, down to the dock where Jack had moored his fishing boat. After making sure that no one was on the shore or atop the overlooking bluffs, he loosened the ropes securing the boat and hopped in.

It wasn't long before he was paddling away from the shore as quickly as he could. Thankfully, the seas were calm, and the sky showed no signs of a coming storm. It would make his journey to the Mystical Reefs easier. His sister had shown him the area before, and together, they'd marvelled over the many sea creatures that had made their home there. Ianto rowed along the coast until he felt the first ripples of magic. He steered Jack's little boat towards what would have looked like a cramped, empty cave to most humans.

In truth, though, an invisible barrier protected the bigger chamber beyond. Ianto's merfolk origins allowed him to slip past the magical barrier and reach the half-submerged reef structure. The cove looked just as it did many years ago. Its marble-like walls reflected the bright blue light coming from the water, and its high ceiling featured a dizzying variety of stalactites. Just beneath the crystal-clear surface grew colourful corals that housed fish, anemones, urchins, seahorses, crabs, and all kinds of molluscs.

A giant clam grabbed Ianto's attention. As soon as he realized that he could get to it easily enough, Ianto stripped down to his undies and waded into the water. He didn't cast his magical essence on the reef until he was submerged to the neck. Roughly half an hour passed before it affected the clam, causing it to open its shell and show him what he had come here for.

Ianto carefully collected the pearl before retreating back to the boat. Merfolk thought little of the shiny trinkets because they were plentiful under the sea, but he remembered that humans valued them greatly. He secured it in a linen pouch, then prepared himself for several more rounds of doing the same thing. He collected five more pearls before deciding to quit.

After all, he only had so much essence to spare before the loss weakened him.

With his remaining strength, Ianto set off for their cottage only to be accosted by his panic-stricken husband as soon as he walked through the door.

"Where have you been?!" Jack asked. He held Ianto by the shoulders, as if afraid that he might leave again as soon as he let go. "Do you have any idea how worried I was when I found your note?!"

"But I said I'd be back at this hour," Ianto replied, a little confused. Maybe he wasn't as good at writing as he thought he was, and he'd messed up the note. "I wrote it down."

"You didn't say where you were going!"

Ianto winced. He had purposefully left out that little fact. Not that he could keep it a secret for long, because his skin and hair reeked of the salty sea. Jack only needed to calmly look at him to deduce where he had gone.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I was in too much of a hurry."

"And what was so important that you completely forgot to tell me where you were going?"

That was the opening Ianto needed. He pulled the linen pouch out of his shirt pocket and undid the strings that kept it closed. Then, he held its mouth open wide enough that Jack could peek at what was inside.

"These."

Ianto watched as Jack's eyes bugged out. Ianto felt his fingers loosen their hold on his shoulders. They slowly tightened again as the seconds ticked by and his mind began to process what his eyes were seeing.

"Ianto?" he finally asked, his voice much softer than before. "Where in the four corners of Torchwood Cove did you find these pearls?"

His furrowed brow and subtle frown almost convinced Ianto to reveal his secret.

"I'm sorry," Ianto said. "I can't tell you."

Jack's frown deepened. "They're not stolen, are they?"

"No! I would never steal from anyone," Ianto replied. "I know you wouldn't want me doing that either. I could never shame you like that, not when you've been so nice to me."

"Thank goodness for that. And thank you for thinking of me." However, he didn't release Ianto just yet. "How did you get them?"

Ianto hesitated. He could guess how Jack would react, but he couldn't avoid answering him. He'd been worried for him the whole time he was away, so it was only fair that he told him at least part of why he had been gone.

"We used to search for them where I lived. Out on the sea," he whispered.

"You what?!"

"Please don't be angry." Ianto winced. The last thing Ianto wanted was for Jack to yell at him again, even though it was out of worry this time. "I knew what I was doing. It's something I've done my whole life."

Jack seemed to have remembered his earlier promise. He shook his head and took a deep breath. "I can't believe you would go out there on your own."

"You said you needed the money," Ianto replied, head bowed. His shoulders sagged, and not just from Jack's firm yet painless grip. "I figured searching for pearls while you were out selling fish would help."

"Or you could tell me where to look for the pearls so I could get them myself." Jack's hold drifted down to his hands. "I don't want you to put yourself in danger."

"I can't."

Maybe someday, Ianto would find the courage to reveal his true self to the man. At the moment, he was afraid to lose him before he could even confess his feelings. "Please trust me to do this alone."

"Ianto."

"Please," he begged. Ianto lifted his eyes again, hoping that he hadn't run out of patience for him. "Think of your sister. I can help her dreams come true, but only if you trust me."

For a long moment, they did nothing but stare at each other. They waged a silent battle of wills by the door. The pouch of pearls hung from their clasped hands, forgotten in the wake of their determination to win.

Finally, Jack wrapped his arms around him. And although he grumbled his displeasure, he took care not to crush him or curse aloud. Ianto knew that he'd won when Jack's head slumped onto his shoulder and his hand combed through Ianto's still damp hair.

"Just be careful," he murmured against his skin. "And promise me that you'll always, always come home."

Tears pricked Ianto's eyes as he stroked his back. He closed them and prayed that Jack would still trust him like this when the time to spill his secrets came. Emotion clogged his throat, making it hard to speak.

It felt good to have a home.

It felt good to stand in Jack's embrace.

Ianto never wanted these feelings to end.

.

.

Of all the skills his mate could possibly possess, he didn't think harvesting pearls would be one of them.

Even the traveling merchants Jack knew rarely had them because they were so hard to come by. But here was Ianto, who came home every afternoon with four or five pearls for him to sell to the caravans.

He now knew that Ianto wasn't who he thought he was. It was possible that he'd completely missed the mark when it came to his origins. But his mate remained tightlipped about it no matter how many times he asked, so he hardly tried anymore.

"Ianto!" Jack waved his hand when he saw Ianto returning from the beach. "Over here!"

Ianto's face lit up as he waved back. "Jack!"

Jack parked his cart on the side of the dirt road before hurrying towards Ianto. Jack caught him by the waist and spun him around as soon as they came close enough. His heart warmed when he heard Ianto laugh.

"Someone got lucky again," he said as he put him down.

"Really?"

"We sold all our stock, Ianto!" Jack cupped his cheeks, framing his smile between his fingers. His voice was rising to unimaginable heights out of excitement, but he couldn't care less. "That's two weeks in a row! We have enough money to bring Gwen back and set up her establishment in town. We can even start another business."

Ianto's reply was much more subdued. He grasped Jack's wrists and looked up at him with hir familiar wide eyes. "What kind?"

"The pearls, Ianto," Jack explained. "We can sell them to rich folks, maybe even accept commissions if we find someone who can craft jewellery. We'll be swarmed with patrons from near and far."

The thought had come to him while he was going around the market. Mister Bailey had built a few stalls and apartments that he rented out to anyone who needed the space. He'd always wanted to acquire one for his sister's future shop. Maybe they could have a second for Ianto and himself.

However, his mate didn't seem to be as interested in the idea as he was. "I thought we were only saving for what we already wanted."

"It doesn't hurt to want a little more, right?" Jack released his face, only to reach for his hands.

"What do you think about a cottage abroad? Or a brand-new wagon with more space?"

Ianto tilted his head. "Won't a big wagon be harder to pull over the bluff?"

"I'm sure I'll manage. I know every dip and turn of this bluff, after all. Or we can buy a donkey to pull it for us, if you want."

Jack's mate pressed his lips together. "Mm."

"Ianto?"

Jack let go of his hands. It had been a long time since he replied to him with this kind of pensive silence. "Hey. What's wrong?"

He wouldn't force any new changes on Ianto if he didn't want them. He didn't want him to take on a role that he didn't like, not when he was already comfortable drying fish and retrieving pearls. Ianto only had to say the word, and he'd set his ideas aside for another time. A wagon or a little jewellery shop could wait.

"Nothing." Ianto shook his head. "Just tired, is all."

Jack did think that Ianto's face was a little pale this afternoon. His complexion was so fair, though, that he hardly noticed the change. But now, he could see some of Ianto's blue veins beneath his wrists and cheeks.

"Do you want to rest?" he asked. Ianto's smile returned. It wasn't as big as before, but it was a start.

"For a little while."

"Let's go over there." Jack took Ianto's hand and started leading him towards a fallen log close to the road. They both sat down, and he put one arm around him to make sure he didn't tilt too far back and fall over. Ianto leaned against his arm and sighed. They stayed silent for a long while, just looking at the sun as it started to set over the calm, watery horizon.

"Jack," Ianto murmured, "I… I…"

Jack waited for him to finish, but he didn't.

The corner of his lips rose at the thought of Ianto falling asleep at his side. He must have worked himself to the bone, finishing his chores on time and going out to find more pearls for the day. He considered carrying him home on his back and leaving him in the bed to rest.

The village sentries regularly patrolled close to the bluff, so their cart would be safe from thieves and such. He could simply return for it after making sure his mate was safely and comfortably tucked into the bed. Jack turned to Ianto, ready to move him—only to stop short at what he saw.

Ianto was hardly breathing, and his skin had lost what little of the pink tinge it had. There were blue circles underneath his closed eyes. His lips had turned violet, and his hair… He didn't even know that brown hair could turn grey so quickly.

"Ianto! Ianto, wake up! Ianto!"

Jack struggled to his knees and held his mate by his shoulders. His head lolled to the side, and Jack knew he had to do something. "No, no, no. This isn't right."

He did move him to his back. But instead of heading towards their cottage, he hefted him the whole way to the nearby village. Jack had never been more thankful for years of carrying heavy packs back and forth along this road. He had one destination on his mind, and he was determined to reach it before it was too late.

He was sure that the village's only apothecary would know what to do.

The woman had cured many people before with her medicine, even those that were on the brink of death. The sight of the brick building and its hanging wroughtiron sign didn't bring Jack the comfort he thought it would. He realized that he could only rest easy after Ianto was in the infirmary and being taken care of.

To that end, he marched to the door and pushed his way inside, making sure nothing hit Ianto's head. A bubbly woman with short red hair glanced up from the marbled countertop. She flashed a pretty smile his way. "Welcome to Western Village Curatives. How can we help… Jack?"

"It's my mate, Sienna," he answered. He moved closer to the counter so the woman could get a better look. "He's too cold."

He'd felt the change as he was walking to the village. Ianto's body had been losing its warmth little by little. He hoped that either Sienna or her sister could figure out why and stop it.

"To the back, please."

Sienna hurried to a door on the other end of the medicine shop and held it open for him. She called into the room as Jack passed by. "Orelia! Jack's mate is sick!"

A taller, willowier woman with Sienna's hair colour came down the narrow steps at one corner. She took one look at Jack before gesturing to one of two cots that had been laid out for possible patients. No matter how much Jack didn't want to let go of Ianto, he had no choice but to give him over to the apothecary's care.

Orelia started examining every inch of Ianto the moment he laid him down. He stood to the side and wrung his hands, hoping that the apothecary could cure her.

"Oh dear…"

"What is it?" he asked, moving closer to the cot as soon as Orelia began clicking her tongue. Orelia looked up at him, her brows furrowed. She bit the inside of her cheeks, making her narrow face look almost gaunt. "We'll need to make Blue Elixir, and lots of it."

"What in the world would I need it for?" Jack's forehead wrinkled. Nobody he knew needed Blue Elixir to get better because it wasn't even… even intended for… humans…

"Your mate is—or was—a merman, Jack. One who's losing his life force very quickly." The apothecary's voice seemed to come from afar. Jack could barely hear her due to the thoughts buzzing in his head. "That's why I need to make Blue Elixir to heal hi,."

At that moment, everything made sense. Ianto's ethereal, almost otherworldly appearance. His elusive answers and his ability to collect pearls like magic. His wonder at even doing the most mundane tasks that his kind wouldn't be able to do underwater.

He'd married a mermaid.

No. That's not quite right. To be more precise, he'd fallen in love with a merman.

One that was going to die if he didn't do anything about his situation.

The thought of losing him before they could clear the air, before he could tell him he loved him, chilled him to the bone.

"Will twenty gold coins suffice?" he asked, reaching into his pockets and pulling out all the small linen pouch he'd filled over the week. Jack was glad that he hadn't left their money in the cart. Orelia held her hand out, but Sienna clamped her wrist before it could reach the pouch. The woman stared pointedly at her sister.

"Orelia?" Jack pushed the bag of jingling coins into Orelia's hand anyway. "Please! You must save him!"

He turned his gaze to Sienna. Jack didn't care that tears were likely to fall from his eyes at any moment. "I can't lose my mate!"

Sienna's pinched expression wavered. "Orelia, you know it's not nearly enough."

"Please!" Jack insisted. If he had to kneel, he'd go down on his knees without question. "It's all I have!"

Thankfully, Orelia wasn't the kind of person to turn anyone down. The apothecary gently pried her sister's hand away before pocketing the linen pouch he'd handed over. "I accept."

Jack could have fainted then and there. The relief that washed over him made his knees so weak that he had to lean on the cot's headboard for support. Not only did it keep him on his feet, but it also made him feel more connected to his sick mate.

"Orelia?!" Sienna scolded. "You—"

The apothecary held out her hand. Her piercing eyes silenced her sister before they softened upon glancing at Ianto. "We have to help him, Sienna."

Jack knew that this was no small decision. According to one traveling merchant, Blue Elixir contained some of the most expensive ingredients for any concoction. The miracle medicine was made exclusively for severely ill beings with merfolk blood, something that rarely occurred in Torchwood Cove.

"Thank you."

He knew that he'd just lost all the money for their new wagon, their summer cottage, and every extra luxury he wanted, but Ianto was worth more than all of these.

He was his life.

.

.

Ianto woke up to a different ceiling and an unfamiliar face.

At first, he thought he was dreaming. But when the woman at his bedside dabbed a damp towel at his temple, he felt its moisture. This let Ianto know that something had happened. The last thing Ianto remembered was feeling terribly tired and sleepy while watching the sunset with Jack. He'd tried to hide it from him, but he succumbed in the end. Now he wondered what had transpired since.

"Who are you?" Her voice came out scratchier than usual. "Where's Jack?"

The red-haired woman paused her ministrations and smiled. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ianto. My name's Orelia, and this is my infirmary."

"You're a healer?" Ianto couldn't stop his wavering tone even if he tried. If Orelia managed to heal him, then she must have discovered what he really was.

"Of sorts. Most people refer to me as the village apothecary," Orelia replied. She set aside the towel she'd been holding, then stood up to shake out her crumpled skirt. "Jack brought you here when he realized you weren't feeling well. Should I tell him you're awake?"

"Yes, please." Ianto scanned the room as soon as Orelia closed the door behind her. The infirmary's sickroom was bigger than his bedroom at the cottage, but it didn't have the same ambience. It didn't have his husband's colourful quilts and nick-knacks, and it didn't smell of pine and the sea.

Ianto knew that he had to face him sooner or later. He deserved to know the full story now that Orelia had probably told him part of it. Plus, he would feel safer in this strange new place if he were with him.

The door opened, and Jack walked in like he hoped he would. His eyes lit up as soon as he saw Ianto. "Thank goodness you're awake."

"Jack…" Ianto couldn't believe the tender expression on his face. He had fully expected him to not even look him straight in the eye after technically lying to him. He continued to contradict his assumption by rushing to his side and sitting as close as possible without disturbing him. "How do you feel? Do you need anything? I'm not sure what mermaids… or mermen… do to get better, but I'll try my best to work it out."

"You know."

Ianto expected him to, of course, but he hadn't counted on him bringing the subject up so soon. Then again, Jack had a habit of being blunt. His husband nodded. He reached for Ianto's hand and held it tight. "Orelia told me after examining you."

Ianto gulped.

Ianto would have liked to tell him himself, but maybe this was for the best. It might have taken him years before he could even suggest the idea that he wasn't human. The only con to this was that he now had to explain his actions. "You don't mind that I'm… I was a merman?"

"Ianto, you can be any otherworldly creature on this continent so long as you're alive and unhurt." Jack started stroking the back of his hand with his thumb. "The truth is, I'm relieved that you're not actually a mistreated runaway who's being followed around by someone dangerous."

Ianto's jaw dropped.

No wonder he hadn't pushed him to talk about his past or forced him to go anywhere on his own. Ianto didn't realize until then that Jack could perceive his situation that way. His husband had been protecting him from reliving some past experience that never even happened.

He'd been keeping Ianto away from a danger that wasn't even real. If he didn't already know Jack's true character, this revelation would have won him over.

"You're not mad that I didn't tell you?" he asked.

Jack sighed, but he didn't let go of him. He bent forward so that he could lean his weight on his elbows. "I'm flabbergasted, but we can have that talk another time. Right now, I want you to get better."

Even though it was late afternoon and pretty deep into the season, there was just enough sunlight passing through the glass window to illuminate Jack's features. The bags under his eyes and the shadow that he usually shaved in the morning proved just how much Ianto's sickness had affected him. He must have missed quite a few fishing trips just to stay close to him in case anything happened.

"Thank you."

Jack returned his smile before cupping his cheek with his other hand. His eyes searched Ianto's. "How did you end up like this anyway?"

"It was the pearls," Ianto admitted. He might as well start revealing the truth now that he'd regained a bit of his strength. "I went to sea and found some giant clams, then used my magic essence so they'd grow the pearls faster. It almost drained my life force."

His husband frowned. The rest of him, though, retained the calm, protective aura he'd come to associate with him. "You promised me you wouldn't put your life in danger."

"I know how much you hate being looked down on, so I wanted to help."

Ianto went on a tangent about how the oracle's apprentice had revealed part of his dilemma to him while he'd been preparing to harvest those vegetables from the shrine. He explained that the apprentice's words about needing wealth and prominence had stuck. "I don't want you to keep thinking that you're unworthy or unlovable to anyone."

"If it means you have to put your life at stake, then you can forget that," Jack said after listening to his words. "I don't care what anyone thinks about me anymore. I care about you."

"Even if I'm just a merman in a human body?"

"You're not just a merman to me, Ianto." Jack moved closer to him until their noses nearly touched. Ianto had never seen him look more serious than he did now. "You're my mate, and I love you. It almost took me losing you to realize that."

Ianto couldn't believe his ears. He wasn't expecting his softly spoken words to affect him so deeply, but they did. Ianto nearly teared up from the sudden surge of joy he felt. "Jack, I… I love you too."

Their lips met gently, and Ianto knew right then that everything would be fine.

They loved each other, and their long, lingering kiss was just one of many ways they could show the other how they felt. The bands that adorned their entwined hands would stay in place until the end of their days.

Jack broke away from him first, but only after a few more kisses that made his toes curl. "You have no idea how good it feels to hear you say that, Ianto. If only I could take you away sooner."

Ianto's cheeks warmed as a new thought entered his head. Things had changed. They weren't in this marriage out of convenience anymore. Their vows had taken on a new meaning. "Does this mean that I get to share your bed when we get home?"

The scenario didn't sound bad to Ianto at all. In fact, he looked forward to sleeping in his arms every night, where he felt safest and most loved.

"It's our room, but only if you want."

The rosy colour that must have dotted Ianto's cheeks bloomed on Jack's face as well. Ianto couldn't ignore his reaction, not when they had admitted their feelings for each other just now.

"Actually, we were going to have to share it anyway. My sister will be coming home someday, and she'll probably take over our spare bed once that happens."

"If it means I can stay with you, I don't mind." Ianto was definitely going to get better as quickly as he could. Ianto didn't want to spend one more moment away from him.

"As for finding pearls, though…" Jack said. "No more, all right? We'll find some other way to help Gwen and make our dreams come true."

Ianto blinked. At that moment, he recalled his trek from the beach, just before Jack spotted him from the road. Something had been on his mind that time, but the man had spoken about his success in the village before he could say what it was.

"You know…" Ianto tried to sit up but only squirmed his way further down the cot. Thankfully, Jack figured out what he was doing and helped him adjust his position. "I actually wanted to tell you something before I blacked out."

Jack righted the pillows behind him before helping him lean back. He gave Ianto one more kiss on the cheek for good measure. "What did you want to say?"

Ianto squeezed his hand. Any more kisses, and Jack would have successfully distracted him from their conversation. He was barely fighting the urge to throw his arms around him and kiss him back. "I wanted to say that I'd thought of something other than pearls to collect."

.

.

A starry twilight sky and rolling waves capped with foam greeted Jack as he made his way back to the bluff. The thin layer of snow covering the dirt road squelched under his shoes.

He was glad to finally be going home so he could get out of the cold. He stomped his shoes on the cottage's stone steps, then he opened the door and deposited his empty baskets beside it. Hurried footsteps rushed from the next room over.

A cute face with the most beautiful smile Jack had ever seen peeked through the doorway. "Welcome back!"

"There you are." Jack walked over to his mate and embraced him. "It feels good to be home."

Ianto wrapped his arms around him, then drew back to point to their Parlor alcove with his thumb. "I drew the bath for you. I figured you'd be tired after a day of hard work."

A warm bath sounded heavenly on a chilly day like this. He needed it after going back and forth from the cottage to sell first the dried fish, then the willow baskets and wreaths Ianto had made.

Luckily, a traveling merchant had taken one look at the baskets and offered to sell them through the caravans. The great thing about Ianto's having been a merman with so many sisters with long hair was that he'd honed the skill of braiding and weaving other materials.

Ianto's new idea wasn't as lucrative as his previous one, but Jack preferred it more than the other. Ianto didn't need to use his essence to gather pine needles for adornments. There were so many of those things littering the nearby bluffs that Ianto would have to stay overnight if he wanted to gather them all.

Thankfully, his mate had no plans to work for that long.

Ianto would always be around when he came home, often working on the last weaves of a basket or preparing dinner. And sometimes, like tonight, he'd be laying out towels for a bath.

"Join me?" Jack asked as he shed his coat and threw it over the nearby couch. Ianto beamed as he unlaced the knot securing his apron and kicked his shoes from under his feet. "Can you wash my hair?"

It wasn't long before they were soaking themselves in the tub, surrounded by tendrils of steam from the warm water. Ianto sat on his lap, sighing blissfully as Jack combed his fingers through Ianto's soapy hair.

Ianto leaned into his touch, and Jack rinsed him off before putting his arms around him. "How did your day go?"

His mate looked over his shoulder and smiled. That alone told Jack that his day had gone well, which pleased him.

"The sun was out, so the laundry dried quickly. And the winds weren't as brisk as usual, so I managed to gather plenty of pinecones and needles from the next bluff. And some pretty flowers too… I shall dry them for the wreathes."

"Excellent." He helped rinse the rest of Ianto as he turned around. "Please make sure to keep your word and stay far away from the edge. I don't want you diving into the water."

"You do remember that I used to live in the sea, right?" Ianto said as he returned the Favor. "I may no longer be a merman, but that doesn't mean I can't swim anymore."

Jack raised one brow. Ianto had told him about his past in the days following his recovery. He'd been wary of revealing too much at first, but he'd assured Ianto that nothing was going to change between them no matter what. In his younger years, he might have shunned him because of his origins. But he was a grown man now, with enough sense to understand that Ianto was the best thing that had ever happened to him. Jack couldn't imagine himself or anyone else turning him away.

"You can't breathe underwater now, though." He helped Ianto out of the tub and put a towel over his shoulders.

"I swear to always be careful." Ianto smirked at him before tapping his nose. "Half a mile at least, like I promised."

Jack rolled his eyes. As long as Ianto still followed his request, he could tolerate Ianto's jabs about his overprotective behaviour. "Any word from my sister?"

"Oh, yes." Ianto handed the towel back to him as soon as he'd finished using it. "She's coming over as soon as she can."

Ianto's flowery scent tickled Jack's nose. He was much more suited to the fragrance than Jack would ever be, and he liked that. So much so that he drew Ianto into his arms as soon as he finished towelling himself dry. "Are you excited to meet her?"

"Yes." Ianto pressed closer to him. "She was very kind in her letter."

Jack's body came alive as soon as it felt Ianto's softness. The heat of their water seemed to have seeped into his veins. Jack lightly ran his fingers over Ianto's spine, making him shiver. "You really are beautiful."

It was Ianto who rolled his eyes this time around. But no matter how hard he tried to hide his delight with the gesture, his blushing cheeks still gave him away. "You say that all the time."

"Because it's true." Jack nipped at his shoulder, enjoying the tiny, barely audible gasp he made. "I'm so lucky that you married me."

His mate giggled. "I think it's the other way around."

"We can argue here all night about which one of us is luckier," Jack said, "or we could do something else."

He waggled his brows, making Ianto giggle even more.

The man shook his head, then led him away from the cooling tub. The light from their fireplace cast Ianto's soft flesh and playful smile in a tantalizing orange tone. "What do you have in mind?"

"Kissing," Jack said as he followed him to the bedroom.

"Just kissing?"

"Maybe more." He shut the door behind him, then gathered Ianto into his arms. He peppered his lips and neck with kisses until he moaned. "Can we?"

He didn't have to ask twice. They tumbled into bed, nearly knocking off all of their pillows in their haste. Their legs would have tangled in the folded quilt if Ianto hadn't brushed it aside in time.

Their bedroom wasn't any bigger than the spare one Ianto used to occupy, but he liked it that way. It was cozy enough, and it had a wide window with wooden shutters and glass panels that let the light in on sunny days.

He'd moved their bed directly beneath it because Ianto loved waking to the sunshine every morning. Ianto clutched his hair as he explored Ianto's body with his lips and tongue.

"Jack…"

"So soft and sweet," Jack murmured.

This wasn't the first time they'd made love, but it always felt like that. He loved hearing the sounds Ianto made whenever they came together. Loved teasing and tasting him until he cried out his name.

He loved every touch he returned, every kiss he pressed against his skin. Ianto hummed beneath him. His lashes, weighed down by pleasure, opened when he returned to his neck. "I missed you."

"I missed you too." Jack smiled.

It didn't matter how long or how short he was gone for the day. It didn't matter if they were making love or busy doing other chores around the house. He simply wanted to be with him for as long as possible if he welcomed it.

He was lucky that he welcomed it all the time. He reached for a ribbon by the headboard and pulled on it to draw the curtains it was tied to. Moonlight poured from the window, landing on Ianto's pale body and making it glow. Jack's hands returned to him as soon as he saw the sight.

Ianto arched his back when Jack traced a line from his neck down to his navel. Every sigh he made was music to his ears. "What are you doing?"

"I want to see you."

He settled between his legs, then clasped their hands together. "I want to see the beautiful expressions on your face. The way every inch of your skin flushes with pleasure."

His words alone made that flush appear on Ianto's body. He looked so beautiful with those rosy cheeks and wide eyes that he just had to kiss him again. Their lips barely parted as Jack loved him the way he liked best.

"Jack!"

His passion only grew every time Ianto uttered his name.

Ianto would make these short sounds of pleasure whenever he moved, so he always did his best to draw them out. Ianto was always so responsive and so pliant in his arms that he himself found it hard to hold back. Every time he pressed into him; Ianto clenched around him so tightly that he nearly lost his breath.

Ianto closed around him harder and harder, until Ianto's back bowed and fell back against the sheets, ready to receive the last of his thrusts. Jack found his release not long after Ianto did, calling out for him as passionately as he had.

Afterwards, Jack tucked Ianto against his side. His mate laid his head over his beating heart. He combed through the soft wavy curls of hair on his head, never getting tired of how smooth and feathery they always felt in his fingers.

At some point, he would have to get up and start a fire. He didn't want Ianto to catch a chill and have to go back to the infirmary again. He wanted him to be hale and healthy, especially now that they might have conceived their first child. If the stories were true of Mermen conceiving.

"Hey," Jack whispered after his breath evened out. He waited for Ianto to look at him before speaking again. "Do you ever miss your old home?"

Ianto's eyes twinkled in the moonlight. He laid his hand over Jack's heart, and Jack placed his palm atop it to keep it there.

Ianto's lips curved in a slow, satisfied way that put all his doubts to rest. "You were always my home too, Jack," he said. "I was always seeking you."

"I lived in the sea, but I think a big part of my heart was yearning to always be here. Looking after my Salty Sea Dog"

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Thanks for reading, Happy Birthday Reggie xxxxx