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Captain Jack Harkness | Torchwood (jharkness) wrote in prideviewapts,
@ 2009-02-14 14:08:00

WHO: Jack Harkness & Ianto Jones.
WHERE: Their flat.
WHEN: Valentine's Day; mid-afternoon.
RATING: TBD.
STATUS: Incomplete.

Really, it couldn't get any more cliché than this. Jack, however, scoffed in the face of cliché and did whatever the hell he wanted to. (Which, too, could delve into the realm of -- no, best not to go there.) He had slipped out sometime during the morning, promising Ianto that he'd return before the day was out.

Yes, stupid to leave one's lover on Valentine's day, but if all went to plan, Ianto would forgive him spectacularly. It hadn't been an easy year for either of them. Events and memories Jack would rather leave buried continued to haunt him, and then there was the extended period of separation. True, it wasn't like that time when he'd left without a word and had absolutely no contact with the team for an entire year. But it was still leaving, after a time when he should have stayed.

The box was going to burn a hole in the pocket of his greatcoat if he wasn't careful.

Striding into the flat, Jack left the coat on, knowing how Ianto loved this little tradition of theirs. "Ianto?" he called out, softly shutting the door behind him. 'Hi, honey, I'm home' didn't quite seem appropriate.

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notjustateaboy
2009-02-14 03:25 pm UTC (link)

This Valentine's day was already better by far than the last, even with Jack leaving on some errand. Of course, it wasn't very hard to beat out a Valentine's day spent in the hospital after being tortured for three days by a psychotic Time Lord. The world would have had to actually end for this one to be worse.

All right. He was a little annoyed that Jack had gone out for the day, but he wasn't too bothered. He was sure Jack would be back soon enough, and the time alone gave him an opportunity to clean the flat. And wasn't that just utterly domestic. Tidying up while waiting for his lover to return...no wonder Owen had called him Jack's wife that one time. Right...definitely not a line of thought he needed to follow.

He had finished cleaning and was just reading a book when the door opened and Jack came in. He smiled as his lover left his greatcoat on, making his way over and slipping it from his shoulders to put it on the coat stand. It was one of the little things he had missed when Jack was gone.

"Everything settled?" he asked, kissing Jack quickly by way of greeting. He hoped so, because he rather liked the idea of of having Jack to himself for the evening.

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jharkness
2009-02-14 04:03 pm UTC (link)

Walking into the flat, one of the first things Jack noticed was the state of neatness. His eyes darted around, wondering what system was used here to keep things in order and how soon it was that he'd get a 'talking to' for moving something out of place.

Jack shrugged out of the coat, watching with a small smile as Ianto took it over to the coat stand. The small things that existed between them were the happiest moments in Jack's life. Small touches, smiles, the way Ianto slid a coat from his shoulders; it was the little things Jack took complete pleasure in.

Slipping his arms around Ianto, he held him close for a moment, before taking a step back. "Everything is fine and settled. This Captain, for once, has leave and has no one bugging him to save the world." Jack stole another kiss, cupping Ianto's chin before releasing him. He settled in Ianto's chair, picking up the book his lover had been reading, deciding when to broach the subject.

Or, the better question, how. For a man who willingly faced down an army of Daleks, he was having issues asking the man he'd lived with for nearly two years to take that step. Of course, in all his years, Jack had only entered this step with a very small group of people.

"Please tell me that you didn't spend all morning cleaning," Jack said, flipping absently through the book.

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notjustateaboy
2009-02-14 09:30 pm UTC (link)

Jack didn't need to worry too much. As anal retentive as Ianto could admittedly be at the hub, when working in the archives, his system at home followed the idea of organised chaos. He knew that trying to keep any real system while cohabitating with Jack was an exercise in futility.

Ianto loved the little things too. The way only he was allowed to handle Jack's coat, and the quiet evenings on the couch listening to Cole Porter or Glenn Miller or watching some old film. Their day to day lives were hectic enough. The little domestic moments were a welcome contrast. He was certain that he could be completely happy with the state of things between himself and Jack forever.

"Good," he said with a fond smile. "The Captain, and don't think I can't hear the way you say that with capital letters like some super hero, deserves a break now and again." He rolled his eyes as Jack settled down with his book. "Provided, of course," he continued, "that said captain doesn't lose my place in my book." He was teasing. Mostly.

Taking the book from Jack's hands and setting it aside, he settled himself on Jack's lap, kissing his lover slowly and enjoying the quiet day. "I happen to enjoy cleaning," he said as he kissed along his lover's jaw. "Admittedly, I enjoy this more...but there's really no contest there."

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jharkness
2009-02-14 09:49 pm UTC (link)

It wasn't that Jack didn't appreciate Ianto's system of keeping things 'neat and tidy'. It was that Jack had other things to focus on. And, generally, the notion of putting things back where they came from tended to fall by the wayside. Jack liked his piles of organised clutter and his ability to reach into said pile and withdraw exactly what he needed.

Jack reached to the table beside himself, grabbing the remote and turning on the CD player. Marvellous invention, the compact disc. A way to instantly play music without having to get up from where you were sitting.

"I? Speak of myself in such away?" Jack asked, amusement dancing in his light eyes. "Surely you jest. I am as humble as the next man and Captain is spelled with the lower case and not the upper case." Ah the banter. Ianto was one of the few people who could ever keep up with him and the repartee. "Lose the place in your book?" Jack asked as said book was plucked from his hands. "Even I'm not crazy enough to attempt that."

Smiling as Ianto settled in his lap, he drew his lover in closer, breathing in his scent. Jack may have had the 51st century pheromones, but it was nothing on how Ianto smelled to him. "I should hope I rank slightly higher than cleaning duty," Jack replied, trailing a line of kisses along his jaw, landing at his lips. His hand settled on Ianto's hip, holding him securely in place. "Lower, and I think we may have to have a discussion about priorities."

Well, may as well.

"Damnit. I left something in my coat." Jack gave Ianto a soft smile, nudging him. "It's in the left hand pocket."

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notjustateaboy
2009-02-14 11:02 pm UTC (link)

Oh, let's just call a spade a spade. Jack was too preoccupied with playing the dashing hero, brooding on roofs, and making eyes at anyone or thing within a one hundred meter radius to bother with trifling things like organisation. Honestly, if he didn't love him so much, Ianto might have despaired at him. Well, okay...he already did despair at him. But he might have done so more often.

He smiled to himself as the sounds of 'Night and Day' filled the room. He'd never really appreciated this sort of music when he was younger, but it had grown on him in the time he'd known Jack, and now he was quite fond of it. Something about the music reminded him of Jack himself.

"Yes, you, captain" Ianto said with a roll of his eyes, emphasising just how lower case the word was. "And don't lie. I can hear the capitalisation quite clearly. And humble is not a word I would ever use to describe you. I believe we discussed creating a separate office for your ego when we were looking for properties for the new office." He smiled fondly as Jack assured him that he wouldn't lose his place and kissed him quickly. "I knew you could be taught," he said with a laugh.

He relaxed against Jack, comfortable and content, running his fingers through the other man's hair as they kissed lazily. "Oh, much higher," he assured him. "Cleaning duty's not nearly so stimulating." He pulled away and rested his head on Jack's shoulder. "I could happily stay right here forever," he said with a sigh. Which, of course, was when Jack nudged him to get up. "Or not." He rolled his eyes, but most definitely did not stick his tongue out at Jack, because he was a mature adult and...okay, he did.

"Left hand pocket?" he asked, just to be sure (because Jack really was old and it was possible he was going senile), as he walked over to the coat and checking the pocket in question. He pulled out the box and blinked at it. Oh dear lord. Okay, no point in jumping to conclusions.

Walking back over to Jack, he handed him the box. He was sure lots of things came in tiny boxes. Like...well...he'd think of something. "Here you go, Jack," he said, handing it to his lover.

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jharkness
2009-02-14 11:03 pm UTC (link)

If there was one thing Jack did well, it was brood. And if it happened to be on things like rooftops, then so be it. But organisation was Ianto's department and was one of the many reasons he kept him around, Welsh vowels aside. Ianto kept things running and he was indispensable to Torchwood, for more reasons than his ability to make a damn good cup of coffee.

Jack softly hummed the music under his breath, murmuring a word or phrase here and there. Funny, he couldn't have picked a more fitting song than if he had selected that song to play. Only you beneath the moon and under the stars.

"And funny, those plans somehow managed to be misplaced, didn't they?" Yes, they had all had quite the laugh over the thought of Jack's ego needing a separate office space, even larger than the one Jack used. Funny though it was, Jack made sure those blueprints went missing and not in the archives either. Too easily found by one Ianto Jones. "Shhh. Don't tell the rest that the old dog can be taught new tricks. I'll never live it down."

Ianto fit so perfectly against him, like they had been made for each other. Jack tilted his head to the side ever so slightly, resting his cheek against the top of Ianto's head. "Cleaning should only be stimulating if there's a french maid's costume involved," Jack teased lightly. "Otherwise, I may have to look into a full mental evaluation for you." Chuckling at the look on Ianto's face and the tongue stuck out in his direction. Jack leaned forward, playfully swatting at Ianto's arse. "Do that and you better be prepared to use that tongue."

Jack rolled his eyes. "Yes, the left hand pocket. I know my left from my right. Have for a very long time." He waited for Ianto to return, slipping an arm around his waist and pulling his lover back into his lap. There really was no going back now, was there? He'd either be laughed at for being a sentimental old fool, or he'd have selected a nicely appropriate valentine's day gift.

Even if it was cliché to give such a ring on Valentine's.

"Open it," Jack spoke softly.

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notjustateaboy
2009-02-14 11:16 pm UTC (link)

It was true. Jack was something of a professional brooder. Ianto was almost convinced that he spent time in front of the mirror practising his dark and angst-ridden expression. And his solitary conflicted hero expression. They were subtly different. Luckily, he'd learned to recognise those sorts of expressions. It was a handy skill to have when it came to talking Jack down from needlessly sacrificing himself in heroic, but ultimately stupid, ways. Honestly, not every crisis needed to involve his lover dying spectacularly.

Ianto closed his eyes as Jack hummed along and occasionally sang a line. As fond as Jack was of his Welsh vowels, he was equally fond of Jack's singing. Especially because Jack didn't sing around anyone else...barring the one time he had gotten drunk.

"Misplaced is hardly the term, sir," he said with a smile that was equal parts fond and exasperated. If Jack didn't think that Ianto knew both who was responsible for the blueprints going missing and where they were, he was vastly underestimating him. "Don't worry. I'll let you keep your air of mystery." He rolled his eyes at the french maid comment. Jack really did worry him sometimes. "Might I remind you that certain fetishes should be kept to yourself," his tone was serious, despite his amusement. "Besides," he added, deadpan, "I haven't the legs for it." He jumped slightly with a surprised sound as Jack swatted at his arse. "Oh, I'm always prepared, sir."

"I'm very pleased for you, really." He let himself be pulled back down onto Jack's lap, still contemplating the small box. When Jack told him to open it, he did, then stared at the ring for a long moment. Oh good lord, indeed. He looked up at Jack, startled and at an utter loss for words, then looked back down at the ring. Taking it out of the box, he slipped it onto his left hand, then kissed Jack hard.

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jharkness
2009-02-14 11:37 pm UTC (link)

Jack did no such thing. Except, no, he did. Particularly when he was sure he was alone in the Hub or the flat and no one would come bursting in on him. Besides, he was the one who was supposed to have the subtle looks of brooding. Rule number one in the 'men who save the world' handbook. And when it came down to it, Ianto was one of the few people who could talk him down from the self-sacrificing ledge. Though, when one couldn't die, Jack wondered how self-sacrificing it really was.

It was only around Ianto that Jack dropped his guard enough to hum or sing softly. Besides, he knew the effect it had on Ianto and, perhaps, he liked using it to his advantage. Turn about was fair play after all. Jack's vocal chords for Ianto's vowels. Even trade.

Jack only gave Ianto one of his winning smiles in response. "They were misplaced," Jack said, attempting to adopt an air of innocence. "Gone and never to be heard from again." Shredded and burned, ashes scattered. Jack wasn't taking chances. The smile grew into a full-on grin, Jack allowing himself to laugh. "Just like offices, I assume?" he teased. "Still haven't photocopied your arse yet either." Jack looked down, as if assessing his legs. "Oh, I don't know about that. I'd rather disagree with the shape of your thighs." Wanting to test that, Jack leaned forward, kissing him and making sure Ianto was indeed prepared to use that tongue.

He drew in a breath, lips drawn together as Ianto opened the box. There was only one thing it would signify and, yes, Jack knew how utterly schmoopy it was. But it was also something they'd discussed a while back and nothing had ever come of it. It was, in the end, one way that Ianto would always know, beyond words, that Jack would return for him.

The kiss, however, relieved all of Jack's fears. He wrapped his arms around his lover, returning the kiss for all he was worth. Losing himself in the taste of Ianto, Jack held him close until breath was an absolute necessity. "I don't think I've ever seen you at a complete loss for words."

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notjustateaboy
2009-02-14 11:56 pm UTC (link)

"And by misplaced," Ianto said, raising an eyebrow, "you mean that you burned them, took the ashes back with you to Cardiff, and tossed them in the Bay." He gave Jack an innocent look. "You're forgetting, sir, that I know everything. Besides, it isn't as if we need the blueprints. I memorised them and could easily recreate them if need be." One of these days, Jack would remember just who he was dealing with. Until then, Ianto would just enjoy his advantage.

Shaking his head with a bemused smile, Ianto sighed. "Never happening, sir," he said. "You'll never talk me into photocopying any part of my anatomy or wearing anything involving a skirt." He let Jack distract him with the kiss, giving him ample evidence of his willingness to use his tongue when needed.

He couldn't help but keep looking down at the ring. Even though he didn't need anything like that to know Jack would always come back to him, the sentiment was appreciated. He knew the significance of their relationship, and he was confident in that, but it was nice to know Jack had no problems with other people knowing just how much they meant to one another.

Ianto pulled away from the kiss, short of breath and smiling dazedly. "I doubt it will be a common occurrence, Jack," he pointed out. "It's just...well...I mean...this...you...I wasn't expecting this. You took me a bit by surprise. Not that it's a bad thing...quite the opposite...just have to remind myself that this is real and I'm not hallucinating or anything." Oh god, he was babbling. That was worse than being at a loss for words. Bloody Jack and his romantic gestures. He smiled and kissed Jack again, because when he was kissing Jack, it was harder to make an idiot of himself. "I love you."

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jharkness
2009-02-15 01:06 am UTC (link)

"I..." Jack trailed off and then sighed. It was utterly useless attempting to argue with Ianto, particularly when he knew things like that -- and he shouldn't. "Even thought I disabled the CCTV that day too," Jack muttered under his breath. He gave Ianto a look that clearly said the memory of the blueprints should go by the wayside and never mentioned again. Not even in jest. There was nothing wrong with a very healthy ego. Particularly when a man was immortal and had saved the world on more than one occasion.

Jack gave Ianto a rather impish smile. "Such a shame, too. A rather nice bum to photocopy. Other nice bits of anatomy too. Immortalised forever in grainy quality by a copier." Jack grinned at the thought, and also the look on Owen's face if he was the next person to use said copier. The grin faded as he leaned into the kiss, losing himself in Ianto. It was so easy to do and he loved the ability to think of nothing but Ianto when he was kissed like that.

Smiling, Jack ran his thumb over the ring, his nail running over the ridges that spelled out 'cariad'. Jack had done his homework, wanting to find something that bespoke of Ianto's heritage. Something that was appropriate for them and them alone. Times had changed and it wasn't as uncommon for two men to sport rings such as these. Why not take advantage of it?

This was a definite rare occasion to see Ianto at a loss for words. Or, really, babbling as he attempted to get a coherent statement out. "Doubt I'll manage to find something that will top this," Jack pointed out. He shifted slightly, making more room for Ianto on his lap, hands idly running over his clothed back. "It is real and I love you too," Jack said, reaching into his own pocket and withdrawing a ring, slipping it on his own hand before resuming his rubbing of Ianto's back. "We talked about it a while ago. Didn't want you to think I forgot."

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notjustateaboy
2009-02-15 10:15 pm UTC (link)

"I don't need CCTV Jack," Ianto assured him. "I just know you." He smiled. "Besides, Tosh taught me how to recover footage. I have quite a few interesting DVDs." His expression was completely innocent, in spite of the turn in the conversation. "Don't worry, cariad. I happen to have a certain fondness for your ego...and the rest of you as well, in case you haven't noticed."

"I would just think you'd prefer to see such things in living colour," Ianto said with a shrug and a small smile. And Jack could definitely see that any time he liked. "In any case, I refuse to aid you in any madcap schemes to aggravate Owen." He tried his hardest to look disapproving, but just couldn't manage it. Owen might have been one of his best mates, but he was just so much fun to annoy. Of course, not as fun as kissing Jack. Nothing could compare to that...well, almost nothing.

The ring was absolutely perfect, and Ianto appreciated the trouble that Jack had gone to in order to find a ring that was meaningful to them. He was also incredibly happy at the implications for their relationship. Of course, Jack hadn't actually said that, so it was entirely possible that he was looking too much into this, but he really didn't think so.

And then Jack started talking about how they had discussed this before, and he knew it was what Jack meant. "I was hospitalised at the time, after being tortured and nearly killed by a psychotic Time Lord," he reminded his lover, his left hand rubbing almost unconsciously over his right arm over the spot where his sleeves hid the scars that were still there. "I thought...I don't know...at the time I thought you were reacting to what happened...or humouring me...or...I mean...I don't think that now...but things were a lot different a year ago." He smiled shyly. "I wouldn't change the way things are now for anything. I want this, Jack...I want a life with you...even if I can only give you one. I know we already have that, even without this...but it means a lot to me."

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jharkness
2009-02-15 10:47 pm UTC (link)

Jack wasn't sure if it was a good thing that Ianto knew him so well. But, really, if there was any man Jack could have chosen to know him this well, it was Ianto. He gave a look to Ianto regarding those DVDs. "One wouldn't by chance happen to be of the greenhouses, would it?" he queried, a ghost of a smile playing about his lips. Though, it also begged the question of if anyone else was recovering things off CCTV. He'd have to look into that later. Much, much later. "Why, no, I hadn't noticed," Jack said, kissing the corner of Ianto's mouth.

The smile turned impish, Jack's fingers running along Ianto's thigh. "Yes, I do prefer the living colour version. Still saying, though. There is that appeal to the office space, even if you don't agree with me there." It was hard to carry out a perfect pout when one was smiling, but Jack managed to do so with ease. Irritating Owen was one of Jack's past-times, particularly when it was so easy to do. "Fine. Rain on my parade. I'll find another way. Weevil duty or something."

No, Jack hadn't said anything further about what it meant, and almost hoped Ianto would bring it up. He'd done one 'scary' thing today, even if he knew what Ianto's response would be.

"I know you were," Jack said softly, his eyes growing haunted. He looked away from Ianto, staring off into space as he tried to keep the mood from completely souring. He closed his eyes for a moment, memory filing things away into their neat little packages before he opened his eyes once more, the haunted look mostly gone. Jack's hand covered Ianto's ceasing the motion over his right arm. Jack knew all too well what lay beneath his shirt sleeves. "No, I wasn't reacting to that. Or, maybe I was. I don't know." Jack sighed, his thumb tracing patterns on the back of Ianto's hand. "But this is what I want. A life with you." For as long as I can have you, went unsaid.

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notjustateaboy
2009-03-02 01:37 am UTC (link)

Jack should just be glad that Ianto only used his powers for good and not evil. Well, not so much evil as giving Jack a hard time. "I suppose you'll just have to wait and see, sir," he said with a smile. He'd keep the fact that Tosh enjoyed watching said footage to himself. "Well then," he said, "I suppose I'll just have to do a better job of showing you, won't I?"

"I'm hardly disagreeing with your fondness for offices," he assured Jack off-handedly. "I, for one, always enjoy it when you shag me against your desk." He shook his head, laughing. "The weevils are quite fond of him," he said with a small smirk. "I'm sure they'd love his company."

Ianto put a hand on Jack's shoulder and leaned forward to kiss him. "I'm sorry," he said softly. "I didn't mean to...that is in the past. He's not here any more. I am. You have me and nothing is going to change that. I promise." He turned his hand beneath Jack's and laced their fingers together. "I love you, Jack," he told him. "So, what were you asking me with that?" He wanted to hear the words, even though he knew they were entirely unnecessary. They both knew how they felt. "Tell me, please, Jack. I want to hear you say it."

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jharkness
2009-03-02 03:03 pm UTC (link)

To that end, Jack was quite glad. Of course, there were the occasions when Ianto did manage to get under Jack's skin where the giving of a hard time was concerned. But it was all part of the relationship and what made them, them. "I'm going through and seeing just who's been downloading the CCTV files," Jack muttered under his breath. The tone of Jack's muttering turned fonder, however, smiling as he kissed Ianto's cheek. "I suppose you will. I am quite certain you're up to the challenge."

Jack chuckled softly. "You may not disagree with my fondness, but you disagree with what could be done in them," Jack pointed out. "Not the shagging against the desk, though, now that you mentioned that..." Jack trailed off, giving Ianto's arse a tiny squeeze. "Janet duty it is," Jack said with a nod, as if that decided it.

Closing his eyes, Jack leaned into the kiss, loathe to break the contact. "I know you didn't," Jack said softly, stealing another kiss, hoping it wasn't as desperate as he felt. Truth was, for as long as he lived, he would never forget how Ianto looked, the rage he had felt towards him. But it was over, even if the scars were that damned constant reminder. Jack gently squeezed Ianto's hand, his thumb rubbing along Ianto's knuckles.

"I love you too," Jack said softly, his forehead dropping forward to rest against Ianto's. Jack's stomach flopped the moment Ianto asked to actually hear the words. Funny, in all his 2100 years (give or take a few), Jack had only spoken these words one other time. He closed his eyes, drawing Ianto in close to his body, or as close as he could given how they were sitting. "I was asking..." Jack trailed off, drawing in a deep breath. "I was asking you to marry me. To share your life with me."

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