13
Ianto had found clean clothing on his bed, it felt strange to think that someone had been in the room. He liked his privacy and the time on the island had been strange enough, sharing his space all the time.
He dried, dressed and then decided to go to the rallying point where the officious letter on the side table told him statement taking would begin. Interrogation more like. Ianto knew the company wanted answers for the plane's sudden loss and what had happened in the aftermath on the water.
He sighed softly, annoyed that he would now have to converse with fucktards.
Gwen's group came aboard as Ianto was entering the large restaurant area and through the doors he could see them walking along, the moment she saw Rhys at one of the tables further along from where Ianto stood and he also saw the moment Andy realized that she was coming as well.
It was… interesting.
Not least of all interesting was the fact Mark was not amongst them and it took him a moment to realize he had not made it.
When? How? Why?
Interesting.
See?
There was still something worth living for… at least interesting enough to hold his attention.
Ianto sat back with a coffee, a nice black coffee and watched the fireworks as Gwen ran for Rhys, screaming for him like he was her long lost child, Andy rising to step between them and body bump her back into the other table nearby while telling her loudly to stay in her own fucking lane!
Ianto rose and chose a hamburger. Like, small child sized compared to the monster he had dreamed of and he stood there considering the size then added another to the plate. He sat back down and watched as Gwen did the crying thing. Andy was unmoved, as was Rhys who told the crew that she was his ex and needed to be separated as she had physically attacked him on the island.
Ianto ate one of the burgers.
At some stage he became aware of Jack sitting next to him, eating his other burger like he had kept it aside for him and Ianto felt a spike of annoyance, then he let it go as he knew he was never going to eat two anyway.
It was just the novelty of getting food.
"Ianto… we…"
"It's OK" Ianto said softly as he prepared to be let down gently "They want to take our statements and work out what happened. No doubt then offer us some sort of compensation if we agree not to talk to the press and then… we can go back into the free world."
"And us?"
Ianto was momentarily caught in the headlights. What? He turned his head to stare at the man calmly staring back "What?"
"Us. I am not about to let a silly little thing like being rescued get between us" Jack said, like he knew full well what horrible rancid thoughts Ianto was currently fending off in his head.
"Well… I thought…"
"I know. You thought I would run away, get some big boobed blonde and forget all about you" Jack sat back, shaking his head "Come on. I know you. I know the self-flagellation is happening in that maniacal brain of yours. Like… why would I need you now? Ianto… I don't just need you. I want you. Yes, with all this on show… all this on offer. I could fuck anyone I want on this boat. The Captain. That purser over there… the Company Rep nervously fiddling with his tie, and look at her. Phwooorrrr, I could do that. But all I want… is you. They are not you. Not a single one of them would make that little gasp you make when we get the angle right. Not a single one of them knows how to slide their fingers down the small of my back like you do… nope. I am not getting any younger and to have to retrain someone… god. I don't' know if I have the patience."
"Train. Like a monkey?"
Jack blinked, caught in his words and swung back to argue, then saw something in Ianto's face that had that finger about to wag sliding back into a soft fist. He then opened the hand to reach for Ianto's cheek, caressing, pulling him in to kiss him.
"You know Tiger… you have to stop that. I love you. I don't want to see anyone put you down, especially your own damned self" Jack scolded now, the honesty in his face was touching.
"I know. I am so morose and insecure I should come with a warning label" Ianto finally agreed.
"Come on. When all this is over I want a life with you. A future. Everything. OK? Not just then. Now. Next. OK?"
Ianto felt something in his/e chest sort of… ping… like a rubber band breaking and then the tears prickled at the edges of his eyes making him clear his throat and he whispered "Me too."
"Good. Now, I want another burger and I do hope there are fries somewhere to go with those. What kind of weirdo have a burger and no fries?" Jack leaned back to watch the show and Ianto rose obediently to refill the plate, his heart still pounding as he felt mild hysteria bubbling up.
Jack still wanted him.
They were still on like Donkey Kong.
Ianto felt the fear sliding around in the ethos and swallowed it back.
No.
He was not the same man who had boarded a plane to his own impending death.
No.
He was Ianto Fucking Jones.
The man who survived.
Ianto returned to the table and placed the plate in front of Jack who made a noise of delight as the tomato sauce bottle followed.
Yes.
Ianto can do this.
Be real.
Live.
And he was ready to breathe.
.
.
.
Leaving this segment here… part 2 complete. Part 3 is going to be the aftermath.
Thanks for reading.