Ianto arrived at work feeling lighter than he had felt in years. It was like there was a weight he was carrying and he was finally able to let it go. He made the coffee as he always does and delivered them as usual. Smiling to Jack as he gave him his. That day at work, while being as dangerous and fast paced as usual seemed more enjoyable for Ianto. He seemed to be able to appreciate internally things he wasnt able to appreciate previously. He felt more alive and free and yet was anxious and nervous. He wanted to be with Jack at every turn but he knew that was not for the best, wouldn't want any rumors spreading about them being... wait... being what? they had one kiss, that's it. It doesn't mean anything more than that, right?

By the end of the day, Ianto found himself questioning if he wanted it to be more or if he wanted it to stop. What did he want, he didnt know. This was all so new suddenly, like he was a teenager again, butterflies and all. That night there was no time for anything as things were so out of control and Tosh had to stay late to finish some work on the computer long after Ianto was done his work. So he went home with his thoughts. Wondering as well, if Jack was wondering the same things, or felt the same way.

Jack had wanted to find time to talk to Ianto all day. He wanted to know what the other man felt about what had happened last night. Whether he wanted it do go any farther. But Jack did have to ask if he wanted it to go any farther. He knew if it did go any father it would only end up in heart break for him, what with him not being able to die and all that. It was the end of the day and Ianto had taken off like a bullet. Jack let out sigh as he grabbed his coat. He wondered if Ianto had gone straight home? If he hadn't Jack would have to try and find time to talk to Ianto tomorrow. But he was really hoping to catch Ianto at home. He stopped and got a pizza to go before heading to Ianto's place. He also bought a six pack of soda. He got to Ianto's house soon after. Jack felt like a nervous wreck, and this wasn't something he was used to. Usually he was on top of things, in control. But there was something about Ianto that just threw Jack for a loop. He knocked on the door and waited. bloodstainedwings:

Ianto was just getting out of the shower when he heard a knock at the door. He wasnt expecting anyone, so he wondered who it was. He threw on his housecoat and the towel around his neck and went to the door. He did not expect who was there with a Pizza and some pop. It was Jack. What was Jack doing here?

"Sorry, I wasnt expecting anyone. Please come in" Ianto wondered what Jack was thinking. Ianto was under the impression that Jack wanted to take things slow based on the day that they didnt talk at all. Apparently not. What was Jack wanting, showing up at midnight at Ianto's home. A home that Ianto himself barely spent any time in. What was so important that it couldnt wait the 6 hours until he went to work.

"Is everything ok?" Ianto started "Do you want a beer?" As Ianto went to the fridge to get himself a beer it dawned on him that Jack might want something that Ianto was not prepared to give. Ianto knew that all men had certain 'needs', he himself was feeling rather 'needy' but not so much as to approach someone like this. Ianto hoped it was something else.

"Everything's fine. Just thought I'd bring pizza over." Jack said with a smile. "A beer would be nice. Work was so crazy today. We didn't get much time to talk." Ianto looked good Jack decided. He headed to the small kitchen to set the pizza down. He had thought about taking things slower then this, but some how this had seemed right. Though a part of him was still scared. He hated admitting he was scared but there it was. He was scared, scared of falling in love with Ianto, of falling in love with him and then loosing him. The job made it even scarier. There were no guarantees with this job. Jack tried to push all these things to the back of his mind. Time to think about them later. Now was sure not the time. bloodstainedwings:

Puzzled and perplexed, Ianto opened his beer and took a sip. "Well, what did you want to talk about that couldn't wait until tomorrow. I am right tired, today was a busy day" Ianto hoped they were not going to be taking things too much further as he wasnt sure he was ready for that. He didnt want to regret anything he does with Jack, but he knows that when Jack is around he has a tendency of getting caught up in the moment. He took a slice of pizza and ate a bite while he waited for Jack to make his move, whatever move that could be.

Kirin Rosenbaum: I am just pinging you to make sure you didnt forget. thats all.

Jack thought for a moment, why had he come? It had seemed like a good idea at the time. But what did he want to talk about with Ianto. Then all of a sudden it dawned on him. "Us." He stated simply. And that was the truth. He wanted to talk about him and Ianto. He knew what the kiss had meant to him, but what had it meant to Ianto. He didn't want to push anything, he knows that Ianto had just so recently lost Lisa. bloodstainedwings:

"You say that like we are a couple." Ianto said. He took a sip of his beer and thought for a moment. is that what he wants? is that what I want? somewhere inside of Ianto, a tiny voice said yes, but he tried to ignore it as best he could. Jack took off his coat and put it on a chair. Ianto loved that coat. Jack looked so charmingly old world in it, and now with the suspenders it was all the more reinforced. Ianto felt silly in his house coat and towel, but he didnt want to leave this conversation. He needed to know where he stood, where they stood. Ianto's house coat slipped open a bit as he finished his sip of beer. Ianto knew what he wanted to say and after a quick short debate in his head he decided to say it anyways.

"So, Jack, what am I to you?" That is really what he wanted to know, that is what has been driving him crazy. Jack is a man that cannot die. He is who knows how old and has who knows how many lovers, with his charm. Was Jack going to answer to question though? Or was he just going to dodge it like he does everything. Ianto couldn't help but be direct. That is how he worked. But he knew, that was not how Jack worked.

Jack had just set his coat on the back of the chair when he heard Ianto asked what he meant to Jack. He was silent for a moment. What did Ianto mean to him? If Jack was honest with himself Ianto meant the world to him. He was like a ray of light in Jack's otherwise lonely life. "You are a ray of light in my life Ianto. Knowing that I'll see you at work makes it easier to get up in the morning. But I will understand if you would rather just have a working relationship." He noticed Ianto's house coat slip and his breath caught. He was just so damn handsome. bloodstainedwings:

"Well I am really good at making coffee. I am glad I convinced you to let me work with you guys here. " As Ianto said it, he realized that it was true. He really was glad to be working there, with everyone. Despite what happened with Lisa. He smiled and pulled his housecoat up over his shoulder but it was loosening at the front. He gave it a quick tug but still didn't feel much better. He didn't want to leave the conversation to get dressed though...

"I wouldn't say I just want a working relationship with you though. I am not sure what I want. I have never felt this way with a man before. I am not even sure what this means. " He looked down and left very insecure. Generally as a British citizen, he was not very good at talking about his feelings. At this point, he didnt even know what his feelings were exactly. this conversation was incredibly awkward and he almost wished Jack would just take him simply to end the conversation. Almost.

Jack just moved to him his hand cupping Ianto's cheek. "It's been a very, very long time since I felt this way about anybody." Jack admitted. He stroked Ianto's cheek with his thumb. "And it scares me a whole awful lot." His voice shook a bit. "But I'm willing to take things as slow as need be." He just let his hand fall to his side wondering what he was doing, and feeling. These feelings were awfully scary and he was finding them a bit hard to deal with. bloodstainedwings:

Ianto leaned forward into Jack after jack dropped his hand, for a kiss. Jack seemed suddenly so vulnerable and Ianto just couldnt hold back. He felt Jack kiss back and they lost themselves in the moment.

*curtains*

Ianto woke in the morning and Jack was already gone. Something must have come up and Jack was too kind and let Ianto sleep in. Ianto got up and got dressed quickly, leaving for work. Ianto was right though, something did happen. He wast sure what, but everyone was rushing and yelling. He didnt even have time to make coffee, they rushed out to the job. The day practically disappeared it went by so fast. Rushing with adrenaline and danger around every corner. Ianto didnt even really get a chance to think about him and Jack until they got back in and even when he did it wasnt much time at all. Even still, it seemed all sorted out. Him and Jack was him and Jack. Ianto was starting to get the impression that the others were catching on though. He wasnt sure how he felt about other people knowing. For now, nothing needed to be said to them and that was fine.

Jack was very glad when the day ended. He hadn't been up when his phone had started buzzing. He and Ianto had an amazing evening. It had all ended spectacularly. But something big had started going down. He left Ianto to sleep as he headed in early. The day had moved so fast. He sensed that the others were catching on to what he and Ianto had shared with each other the previous evening, but honestly he didn't give a damn. Once everything had settled down he approached Ianto. "So is it to late for one of your amazing cups of coffee?" He asked kissing Ianto's cheek. bloodstainedwings:

"Never." Ianto went to the coffee machine and put on a brew. Ianto suddenly felt like Jack was watching him. It made him a little self conscience but at the same time, it kind of excited him. It was a different thing then he was used to, But still, Jack was so charming in that coat and had an air about him that was inescapable.

Ianto finished the cup of coffee and gave it to Jack, who took a sip and breathed a sigh. Ianto smiled because he knew, his coffee was that good.

"You make the best coffee. If we didn't need you here so badly I would suggest you opening up your own coffee shoppe." Jack said taking another sip of his coffee. He really did hope that tomorrow would be a calmer day. "You could call it Torchwood Brew." He commented with a smile taking another sip. bloodstainedwings:

Ianto laughed so hard he almost cried. "Thanks Jack. I will keep that in mind" Ianto proceeded to clean the coffee machine. He felt so relaxed and yet anxious. Jack was exciting and different. So old world and yet defying all conventions. He was an enigma that intrigued and confounded Ianto. Jack took another sip and Ianto smiled in return. There was something so simple about a good cup of coffee.

Jack enjoyed just being with Ianto. The man had charmed him from their first meeting. He was glad he had agreed to let Jone, Ianto Jones join his team. He had been a perfect fit, even though he had worked for Torchwood London. Jack honestly couldn't imagine his Torchwood with out Ianto in it. He smiled when Ianto laughed. That mans laugh was infectious. "So want to go grab a bite to eat?" Jack asked as he finished his coffee. bloodstainedwings:

"Sure, lets go grab fish and chips this time though. I know a great place just up the way that uses fresh catch everyday. Real local richness." Ianto grabbed his coat and started heading out. Jack followed. Something seemed so much more natural this time. Last time there were so many questions and never any answers, although... there are not very many more answers this time, there is just less anxiety about the answers. Ianto still wondered how many other men Jack had been with, and how his relationship with Jack could be any different. Ianto also wondered how many woman Jack had been with, and how many children he could have had over the years. How could this man keep up with those children? Or explain himself to them? Did he just distance himself from them? Was Ianto keeping Jack from being able to spend time with them? Ianto didnt want to be a hindrance to Jack. Ianto just wanted to be happy with Jack and he felt like that was all Jack wanted right now too. And somehow, that was enough for now. The answers would come in heir own time, when everyone was ready for them.

"Fish and chips sound awesome right now." Jack said grabbing his coat and following Ianto. "It's been awhile since I had decent fish and chips." He enjoyed the walk with Ianto. Things felt more natural this time out. He is sure Ianto had questions about Jack's past. Though he wasn't sure how much he would share if he was asked. His past was full of pain, sadness, and loss. Though he knew that was one of the many downfalls of not being able to die. Man he could use a beer. "So this place sell beer as well?" He asked as the continued up the street. bloodstainedwings:

"Indeed it does. Just local beer though, I hope that is alright. They use the beer to coat the fish. It is fantastic and they still serve it to you in newspaper." They turned the corner and walked in. Ianto and Jack ordered their fish and chips and beers. The fish was as good as Ianto remembered.

"This really is as good as I remember. I havn't been here since Lisa and I came here before the invasion. She never did like fish though. We only came here once and only by my pleading and complaining. See I used to come here as a kid with my family. This place has been here for what seems like forever. How are you liking it?" Ianto, at this point, was feeling the alcohol more than he should and was rather talkative.

Jack liked the vibe of the place. He also felt honored that Ianto wanted to share this part of his past with him. He ordered his food and took a bite. It was an amazing taste. "It's amazing." He commented with a smile. He knew the beer was what was making Ianto talkative, but Jack didn't mind. He could listen to Ianto talk forever. He added malt vinegar to his chips and took a bit of them letting out a content sigh. He hoped this place would be around for a long time. He would so have to come back. bloodstainedwings:

"Yeah. It is. So you have been around for a long time, have you ever had fish and chips this good? and what is the craziest thing you have ever eaten? and... " Ianto continued to ask random questions that progressively made less and less sense the more he drank. Jack seemed strangely quiet though. Jack was always the one who talked more and Ianto was the quite one. at the end of his ramblings Ianto paused and asked " What's wrong Jack? You havnt been saying much" Ianto knew something had to be wrong. Jack was never this quiet unless something was wrong.

Jack was amused by the ramblings of his dinner date. Though he was lost deep in thought and really didn't hear Ianto after awhile. So at first Jack hadn't heard Ianto when he had asked him if something was wrong. "Huh?" He said knowing he sounded a bit dull. But what was he to do, his mind had been on his past and a possible future with Ianto. "Sorry." Jack said sheepishly. "I guess I was lost in thought. What were you asking me?" He knew there had been a lot of questions but some how he got the feeling that the last question had been important. bloodstainedwings:

"What is on your mind Jack? You seem distracted, you are never this quiet." Now Ianto was really concerned. Jack was not even trying to dodge the questions. Ianto didnt even know what to think or say. Normally when he drinks he gets carried away and rambles on. Now he just sat there and waited for Jack. This was so out of character for both of them.

"Just thinking about my past, and our future." He said with a small smile. "So where to now?" He stood, he needed to move. He needed not to have time to get lost in thought. He headed out the door as he put on his jacket. "Let's go for a walk." He stopped and turned to look at Ianto. He could see worry in the mans face. bloodstainedwings:

"what about your past? and what about our future? Talk to me Jack." Ianto got up and and began walking with Jack. Ianto smiled internally at the thought of his own future being an 'our' future with Jack. However, Ianto also knew that Jack seemed to know more about the future than any of us, so he wondered if by 'our' future he really just meant the human race or the planet earth or life itself. Jack was very mysterious and there was still so much that Ianto didnt know.