Silver Service by a_silver_story | 16
Oct. 6th, 2009 09:36 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
a_silver_storyTitle: Silver Service
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
a_silver_story
Chapter: 16/?
Genre: AU, Romance, Angsty, fluffy
Rating: NC17 / 18
Pairings: Main Pairing is Jack/Ianto. Also includes Ianto/Martha, Ianto/Tosh friendship, Ten/Tosh, Mickey/Martha (mentioned)
Warnings: M.M, rentboy!Ianto, Alternate Universe
Disclaimer: If I owned anything in this, I'd be a rich rich rich bitch. However, I am not a rich rich rich bitch so you may all, therefore, assume I own nothing. Which I don't. It all belongs RTD and the BBC, in case any of you didn't know. Now pass the retcon ...
Summary: Started as a PWP, but since it's me (sorry folks!) and I really can't do things by halves, it grew and grew and grew (and not in an innuendous sort of way). Doctor Smith owns a posh Cardiff hotel, and the respectable Sixth Earl of Boeshane is coming to stay - and he brings with him some very specific demands.
The story follows Ianto from being born, meeting Toshiko and them running away together to the city, right up until Ianto is taken to work in the Doctor's hotel as a 'service' butler for - you guessed it - Jack.
Everyone's fave OTP ensues. BOO YA!
Torchwood Index/Masterlist
FIRST PART | Chapter 1
Waking up alone wasn’t Ianto's favourite thing to happen on a morning, but he lived with it. He wondered how he had managed so long in a bed by himself, not feeling that little bit empty when there wasn’t another warm body beside him in the night. He shivered. The air conditioning was on far too cold, pumping cool air around the room as fast as it could. Listening for voices, he pulled the covers around his waist and went wandering around the strange new suite in search of Jack. He found him on the balcony reading a Spanish paper, and quietly slid the glass door back to sit with him. The Captain raised an eyebrow at his state of undress – but it was most certainly one of approval.
Making a mental note to ask for a second chair for the balcony, Ianto gathered the duvet up underneath him and sat on the floor at Jack’s feet. “You speak Spanish?” he asked, reading the cover of the paper nearest to him.
“Nope.” Jack shook his head with a grin. “You woke up and I decided to look busy.”
Ianto gave a small laugh as the paper was folded and tossed aside. Jack slapped his knee, signalling for Ianto climb onto his lap. He did, curling one arm around Jack’s shoulders and resting his knees on the arm of the chair. The metal of the seat was cool against his back, which was welcome in the hot Spanish sun.
“What do you want to do today then? – or more accurately, this morning. Meeting later ...” Jack waved his hand as if the meeting was of no importance. “Anything you want.” he offered.
“Er ... what is there to do?” Ianto asked, biting his lip and playing with the small hairs of Jack’s nape.
“Well, there’s always me ...” joked Jack.
“I mean ‘that I haven’t done before’.” Ianto clarified.
“Hmmm ...” he considered. “How about we go shopping?”
Ianto raised an eyebrow. “Shopping? Remember when we went shopping in Cardiff?”
“I promise not to force you to repeatedly try on any tight, skimpy or erotic clothes this time.”
“I’m wary about ... y’know ... that time ...” Ianto shifted on Jack’s lap, and a hand squeezed his thigh through the mass of duvets in Jack’s best attempt at a comforting manner. It had occurred to Ianto that Jack probably didn’t understand why he was still upset about being grabbed on the street – Jack had got over it pretty fast, and clearly had been in worse dangers and saw Ianto's plight as nothing more than a speck on the radar.
Jack sighed. “I’m not as well known around here, if that makes you feel better." He gave Ianto sly, sideways look and Ianto arched a questioning eyebrow. "I could ... teach you how to defend yourself ... if you want?"
Ianto nodded slowly. "Okay... " he smiled. "But no erotic fashion shows?"
"None whatsoever. Now you get back inside, you. Before you burn." Jack shoved Ianto unceremoniously on to the floor with a laugh. He gathered the duvets around himself and got up haughtily, turning to stick his tongue out at Jack before walking headlong into the closed glass doors. Jack was still in tears of laughter when he returned, washed, dressed and suited.
Jack recovered, eventually. Ianto scowled at him and rubbed his sore nose before settling back onto his lap in the same position as before - just much warmer, now that he was wearing clothes. They kissed for a while, ignoring wolf-whistles from the people down below, and sat quietly until Jack couldn't feel his legs anymore and had to force Ianto to get off him.
Ianto went to fetch drinks, mopping his brow with a tissue. Deciding sunshine was overrated, he crouched in front of the fridge and reveled in the 3 degree air that wafted from it, almost forgetting he was supposed to be getting the lemonade. Jack didn't seem too bothered by the scorching sun, but Ianto was already getting queasy from the sudden temperature changes between the outside balcony and the air conditioned room. Sipping his lemonade seemed to help settle his stomach, but it didn't stop his clothes feeling sticky. His left arm was starting to itch something awful.
"I think you should stay inside most of the time," Jack was saying, allowing Ianto to sit on the balcony chair while he massaged his neck and shoulders.. "I don't want you to get tanned."
Ianto arched an eyebrow. "What if I want to get a tan?" he asked, even though he knew he quite categorically didn't.
Jack shrugged in reply. "You look better pale and interesting. A tan is a sign of the working classes."
"How so?"
"You stay pale sitting around and letting the servants do all the work. You get a tan working in the field all day."
"In Victorian times, maybe." grumbled Ianto, though he was secretly whooping with joy at being able to stay near air conditioning. "Besides, you have a tan."
"That's because I spend too much time on balconies massaging attractive you men's shoulders. I suit a tan, though. You wouldn't."
"Whatever." sighed Ianto, stilling Jack's hands with his own and getting up. "I guess I'd better hide away inside, then?"
"Yep." laughed Jack, following him.
"And not go shopping?"
"Only with factor three thousand sun cream."
Ianto gave a small laugh, going to check the post box and fetching Jack his letters. He returned to the kitchen, intending to make breakfast, but his stomach turned again and he had to dart to the bathroom, throwing up the contents of his stomach and groaning loudly, hoping Jack hadn't realised where he'd gone. A soft hand rubbing his back dashed such hopes.
"Are you okay?" Jack asked gently, rubbing light, soothing circles on his back.
"You're right. I should stay out of the heat." groaned Ianto, heaving up some bile and quickly forgetting to care that Jack could see him. He jumped as a cold flannel was pressed to his forehead, before leaning into the welcome relief of something cool, leaning into Jack for support. A glass of water was held to his lips, and he swilled some around his mouth before spitting that away too. His left arm was itching again, clothes irritating his sweating skin, and he scratched it vigorously.
"Alright?" asked Jack, turning the flannel over and pressing the other side to his brow. He offered him some more water, which he drank gratefully.
"I think getting up would be a good idea." Ianto replied weakly. The queasiness was passing, and he'd stopped dry heaving a good couple of minutes ago. He pulled himself to his feet, taking the cold cloth from Jack and seeing that his toothbrush and toothpaste had already been set out. Flashing Jack a smile of gratitude, he scrubbed his mouth out while the Captain returned to the sitting room.
He felt much better after throwing up, and the horror that Jack had seen him do it struck him quite hard. He was embarrassed - though he wasn't entirely certain why. He supposed he thought of Jack seeing him such a weakened position, from something as silly as being too hot, was showing him a crack in his defences. Not that Ianto had too many defences against Jack as it was ...
It occurred to Ianto that Jack had just taken care of him. He'd made sure he was alright, helped him feel better, held him close, provided welcome water and set out his toothbrush. He'd then left him alone to sort himself out without making feeling awkward about it. Smiling to himself, feeling his 'Jack really cares for me!' buzz fizzling inside, he returned to the sitting room to find him.
He was on the phone, chatting in a language that might have been Russian. He sounded exasperated and annoyed, gesticulating sharply and clenching his fists. Ianto walked across his field of vision so that Jack would know he was there, picking up the empty envelopes from Jack's post and putting them in the bin. Turning back, he saw Jack pleading at him with his eyes and pointing at the phone while sounding perfectly angry and authoritative in whatever he was saying. Ianto took the hint.
"OH MY GOD!" he shouted, loud enough for whomever was on the line to hear. "CAPTAIN, YOU'VE GOT TO COME NOW!"
"Gotta go!" Jack finished the conversation with the English term, hanging up quickly. "Thanks." he beamed.
"Any time!" Ianto replied happily as Jack pulled him close.
"Feeling better?"
"Much. Thank you for looking after me."
"No problem." smiled Jack. "You are okay, though?" he asked, concerned.
"I'm fine. Just not quite so used to going from seventeen degrees to whatever it is out there. Thirty-something."
Jack nodded, and Ianto realised they were swaying together, holding the other close as if dancing. He took a little initiative, pulling Jack gently and they revolved together a little way. They were at eye-level with each other, and Ianto lost himself in the blue of Jack's eyes as Jack clasped his hand to his chest and danced with him, leaning forward and capturing his lips, pushing his tongue forward and kissing him softly. They broke apart after what felt like an age, and Ianto rested his head on Jack's shoulder, feeling the side of Jack's face leaning by his ear.
Feeling sleepy, Ianto had to break them apart before he fell unconscious in Jack's arms. He yawned and stretched as Jack pressed the back of his hand to his forehead. "You're still a little too warm." he frowned. "And you're a bit flushed."
"I'm fine. Just ... tired."
"I'll turn the air con down a bit more."
"I'm fine. Really. Loads of people get sick from heat if they're not used to it. Especially when they're to-ing and fro-ing between hot and cold." Ianto told him, sounding more irritable than he actually felt.
Jack sighed. "Fine. Okay. Well ... if you're feeling better ... self-defence?"
"So soon?"
"No time like the present." shrugged Jack.
"So ... what ... we do it here?" Ianto signalled around the sitting room.
"Don't be silly. We're going to the armoury."
Ianto raised an eyebrow. "... armoury ..."
"Yep. You're gonna need a gun, and to learn how to use it."
"I don't want a gun." scowled Ianto.
"You'll be begging for one when six big muscly guys are baring down on you in an alley - well, in certain contexts." Jack winked.
Ianto took his point and sullenly dug in his pocket for his phone.
"I already rang Lois." Jack told him.
"Oh. Okay." Ianto very nearly winged that that was his job, but realised he'd probably sound like a child if he did so. He bit his tongue instead, traipsing a step behind Jack with a non-too-enthusiastic gait.
His enthusiasm waned further as they climbed into the back of the car, and Jack was handed a cooler of juice drinks and water bottles. "Thought I'd better ask for some drinks, just in case." Jack smiled, handing him some lemon and lime squash.
"This should be my job." Ianto grumbled to himself.
"Pardon?"
"That woman has a weird dog." he said louder, pointing outside onto the street at a woman with a hairless dog. He put the bottle into his drinks holder and Jack arched an eyebrow. "What?" he asked irritably.
"You should drink that. You've only had some lemonade and a bit of water today. You're going to dehydrate if you don't get some fluids in you - no innuendo intended."
"It bloody was." smirked Ianto, gulping down half his lemon and lime drink. He decided not to tell Jack he felt considerably better for it, instead simply screwing the cap back on and setting it back in the holder. Jack was turning the air conditioning on full, and Ianto leaned over and turned it up to a more acceptable temperature.
"You're going to get too hot!" Jack chastised, turning it back down again.
"I'll freeze to death if you put it any lower!" Ianto retorted, turning it up a couple of notches. Jack caught his wrist and they ended up scrabbling on the seat, stopping only when Jack flipped Ianto onto his back in the spacious foot weld and straddled his waist, pinning his hands above his head. Ianto squirmed and writhed, sighing in exasperation before stilling himself.
"Give?" asked Jack.
"Give." grumbled Ianto.
"Then we keep the air conditioning low."
"Whatever. Can I borrow your coat?"
"What for?"
"The air conditioning is on too low."
Jack shifted on his seat. "I don't generally loan out my coat." he said quietly, pulling it further around himself and almost huddling into it. Ianto decided not to ask.
"At least let me cuddle up to you and get warm!" he said brightly, taking Jack away from the subject. Jack grinned and lifted his arm for Ianto to settle against him.
"Not that us manly men cuddle." Jack assured him.
"Definitely not. Never. Nuh-uh." grinned Ianto, nuzzling his neck and kissing the soft flesh. He felt Jack's laugh rumble down his neck, and squeezed his shoulder. "Love you ..." he murmured, saying it feeling more natural than he'd previously imagined - even with the truth wine.
Jack kissed his cheek and stroked his hair. "You're a little bastard, y'know that?" Jack breathed.
Ianto decided that was Jack trying to be nice. "Thanks?" he offered.
Jack gave a small laugh, cupping his face for a second before dropping his hand and turning to look out of the window.
~*~*~*~
"Legs slightly apart - spread your weight - balance your centre of gravity ..."
It was hard to concentrate on what Jack was saying when he was pressed so close into the back of Ianto's body. He was stood facing the firing range, one foot slightly behind the other and both hands holding the gun.
"Squeeze the trigger ... don't pull it ... now on your outward breath ... one ... two ... three ...."
Ianto 'squeezed' and the gun fired, his arm jerking back with the recoil and his body absorbing the shock. He hadn't expected it to be so powerful, and he stepped back a little further into Jack's body. Jack chuckled in his ear, ignoring glances from the men around them, also firing down the range.
Jack had taken them to some form of underground den, speaking fast with several men before buying an hour on the range and renting a selection of handguns. Ianto had gone for the biggest, naturally, and Jack had laughed and shoved a much smaller semi-automatic in his hands, saying the bigger weapons were his. Ianto decided that any form of innuendo was most definitely intended.
He glanced at his target, and saw he'd missed it completely.
"Don't worry." smiled Jack. "If you'd have hit it first time, I'd have been surprised. Especially since you shut your eyes."
Ianto flushed. "You saw that?"
"I did." smirked Jack. "Okay - next go. I'll help this time, then you're on your own."
Ianto wondered if he'd do much better without Jack's 'help' anyway, feeling his warm body pressing up against him and firm hand on his belly.
"Relax ... breathe ... remember to squeeze, not pull ... one ... two ... three ..."
Ianto forced his eyes to stay open as he fired and managed to clip the side of the target, even with the distraction of Jack sighing purposefully in his ear. "Gerroff!" he snapped, pushing Jack back a little bit. Jack laughed, holding his hands up and stepping away.
He tried again, raising the gun with both hands; one around the handle, ready to squeeze the trigger; the other supporting it. One foot slightly in front of the other, turning every so slightly to the side. He breathed out, squeezed, and shuddered with the recoil. The shot was better again, and Jack gave him a little round of applause. Ianto practiced some more, firing more rounds, learning how to change the clip and how to operate the safety. Then he asked if he would get to use the other guns.
"No." Jack replied bluntly, lifting a shotgun casually and loading it.
"Why?"
"Because you don't need to. And I only hired them so that I could show off."
He fired the gun, hitting the target dead centre, cocking it and firing again. It hit practically the same spot, and Jack got a little round of applause from the other men on the range. He fired several other guns, all of them hitting home, until they had to change the target because the bull's eye had been fired away. Ianto yawned loudly, and Jack got the hint.
"Showing off too much?" he asked jovially.
"Yep." smiled Ianto. He yawned again. "Tired ..." he sighed, scratching his arm.
"You've hardly done anything today." Jack reminded him.
"That's because you've been doing everything."
"I phoned for a car. Big deal." smiled Jack. "Hey - you're not annoyed at me for that, are you?"
"No. Why would I be annoyed?"
"I dunno. You seem a bit distant."
Ianto frowned. "I don't know why. Hmm. Anyways - I think I need a drink. My mouth is all dry."
"C'mon then ..."
Jack checked the guns back in, leading Ianto back up into daylight and ushering him into the car. Cold orange juice found itself shoved into his hands, and he drank it greedily. "I don't think I'm meant for a hot climate." sighed Ianto. "Don't touch the air conditioning!" He sat sharply forward and prevented Jack from knocking down the temperature.
Jack laughed, teasing him. They stopped at small cafe for sandwiches, choosing to eat them in the air conditioned car on the way back to the hotel instead of the stuffy little building. Jack was practically drowning Ianto in drinks, and he was on the verge of throwing the cooler bag out of the window. A traffic jam halted the plan, as well as making Jack late for his afternoon meeting.
By the time they got back to the hotel, they nearly eating each other in annoyance. Small confined spaces did little for Jack Harkness' mood, and the longer they stayed in the car, the more irritating he got. Ianto had tolerated him at first, but eventually threatened getting out and walking back in the midday sun without taking a drink. Jack had grumbled to himself, but eventually falling silent, allowing Ianto to nap with his head in his lap.
"You're still flushed." Jack observed, still sounding annoyed.
"I'm fine. Really." Ianto repeated. Again. Jack pressed the back of his hand to his forehead.
"You're still too hot. Are you sure you feel fine? Should I call the doctor?"
"Stop fussing!" Ianto snapped, pushing the hand away. "I got a bit queasy in the heat this morning, is all. I'm. Fine."
"We'll see how you are tomorrow, then?"
"Yes."
"Okay. Well ... gotta go. Late for my meeting ..."
"Go on." Ianto shooed him. Jack turned and strode towards the door. "Jack?"
Jack hesitated and turned, eyebrow raised. Ianto walked over to him and kissed him gently.
"Go on!" he said again as they broke apart, smiling. Jack was smiling, too. A good sign.
Lois had said that he must never let the Earl leave on an argument. Everything must be resolved before it had time to stew.
"Bye." Jack said, still smiling, and swept away.
Ianto had nothing much to do now that Jack was out, so decided to see if he could make sense of the Spanish newspaper. He could fathom nothing more than what the photographs told him, so he gave up in search of something else to do. Wandering on to the balcony, he realised he'd never taken in the view last time. He could see right over the hotel pool - and right down to the attractive young women in bikinis sun bathing. One of them caught him looking, and their eyes met over the distance. Even from where he was, he could see her smiling at him. She probably thought he was rich, he realised to himself. He was on the penthouse balcony, after all.
With a heavy sigh, he went back inside, and promptly ran to the bathroom and vomited again. Groaning loudly, he had to sort himself out this time, and missed Jack and everything he had done for him that morning. He hated heat. He really, really, really, really hated it. Staying in doors probably wasn't that much different to being in Cardiff, he surmised. Except in Cardiff you stay inside to keep warm, not cool.
Still feeling groggy, he took off his suit and pulled on some clean boxers, climbed into Jack's bed and fell asleep.
~*~*~*~
There was cool cloth on his forehead again when he woke up, and fingers were carding through his hair. Jack was lying next to him, and Ianto opened his eyes to find Jack's concerned ones staring back. "Hey ..." he smiled.
"You okay?" frowned Jack.
"I'm fine. Just ... had a nap, that's all."
"You weren't sick again, were you?"
"Yeah - but it was my fault. I was out on the balcony."
"You're burning up."
"I feel fine."
"Your temperature was sky high." Jack told him, removing the cool cloth. "It's gone down a bit now."
Ianto waited for the lingering feeling of cold to fade from his skin before touching his forehead to assess his temperature. So ... he was a bit too hot, after all. "I feel fine." he insisted again.
"I'm calling for a doctor in the morning." said Jack firmly.
"I don't need a doctor." Ianto replied irritably. "But thanks for looking after me."
"No problem." smiled Jack, as if he enjoyed it. Ianto leant over and kissed him, but when he went to push his tongue forward Jack moved back. "None of that, Mr. Jones." he chastised.
"What?" Ianto stared at him.
"You're ill. Sex and illness don't mix." Jack went back to stroking his hair, checking his temperature and dutifully dipping the cloth in a bowl of ice water on the bedside table, pressing it to Ianto's head. Ianto batted it away.
"I'm fine - and even if I was ill ... and that was if ... I'd still be up for it!"
"I noticed." Jack replied somberly. "I think I may have been a bad influence on you, y'know."
"Oh ... really?" Ianto's words dripped with sarcasm. Jack laughed.
"Okay, I really have had a bad influence on you. But still: no health; no sex."
"But ... what about you?" Ianto asked.
"I think I can cope a few days, Ianto." Jack rolled his eyes.
"I don't." Ianto smirked.
"You wanna bet?"
"Yeah."
"How much?"
"It doesn't matter. I get all my money off you anyway."
Jack laughed, and made another attempt to press the cold flannel to Ianto's head. Ianto allowed it, secretly welcoming the cool water on his brow. "It's a twenty four hour bug." he decided. "Or something in that plane food."
"We'll find out when the doctor comes."
"If." Ianto corrected.
"When." Jack argued.
"If."
"When."
"If."
"When."
"If."
"When."
"If."
"When infinity."
"Shut up."
"Ha!"
FIN
Well, I hope y'all enjoyed that! Do remember comments are love, and those who give me love get fanfic in return.
Just a heads up: the next chapter shall be Jack's P.O.V. Good timez!
Next Part | Previous Part | Torchwood Index | Request a Convo/Prose Fic
Author:
a_silver_storyChapter: 16/?
Genre: AU, Romance, Angsty, fluffy
Rating: NC17 / 18
Pairings: Main Pairing is Jack/Ianto. Also includes Ianto/Martha, Ianto/Tosh friendship, Ten/Tosh, Mickey/Martha (mentioned)
Warnings: M.M, rentboy!Ianto, Alternate Universe
Disclaimer: If I owned anything in this, I'd be a rich rich rich bitch. However, I am not a rich rich rich bitch so you may all, therefore, assume I own nothing. Which I don't. It all belongs RTD and the BBC, in case any of you didn't know. Now pass the retcon ...
Summary: Started as a PWP, but since it's me (sorry folks!) and I really can't do things by halves, it grew and grew and grew (and not in an innuendous sort of way). Doctor Smith owns a posh Cardiff hotel, and the respectable Sixth Earl of Boeshane is coming to stay - and he brings with him some very specific demands.
The story follows Ianto from being born, meeting Toshiko and them running away together to the city, right up until Ianto is taken to work in the Doctor's hotel as a 'service' butler for - you guessed it - Jack.
Everyone's fave OTP ensues. BOO YA!
Torchwood Index/Masterlist
FIRST PART | Chapter 1
Waking up alone wasn’t Ianto's favourite thing to happen on a morning, but he lived with it. He wondered how he had managed so long in a bed by himself, not feeling that little bit empty when there wasn’t another warm body beside him in the night. He shivered. The air conditioning was on far too cold, pumping cool air around the room as fast as it could. Listening for voices, he pulled the covers around his waist and went wandering around the strange new suite in search of Jack. He found him on the balcony reading a Spanish paper, and quietly slid the glass door back to sit with him. The Captain raised an eyebrow at his state of undress – but it was most certainly one of approval.
Making a mental note to ask for a second chair for the balcony, Ianto gathered the duvet up underneath him and sat on the floor at Jack’s feet. “You speak Spanish?” he asked, reading the cover of the paper nearest to him.
“Nope.” Jack shook his head with a grin. “You woke up and I decided to look busy.”
Ianto gave a small laugh as the paper was folded and tossed aside. Jack slapped his knee, signalling for Ianto climb onto his lap. He did, curling one arm around Jack’s shoulders and resting his knees on the arm of the chair. The metal of the seat was cool against his back, which was welcome in the hot Spanish sun.
“What do you want to do today then? – or more accurately, this morning. Meeting later ...” Jack waved his hand as if the meeting was of no importance. “Anything you want.” he offered.
“Er ... what is there to do?” Ianto asked, biting his lip and playing with the small hairs of Jack’s nape.
“Well, there’s always me ...” joked Jack.
“I mean ‘that I haven’t done before’.” Ianto clarified.
“Hmmm ...” he considered. “How about we go shopping?”
Ianto raised an eyebrow. “Shopping? Remember when we went shopping in Cardiff?”
“I promise not to force you to repeatedly try on any tight, skimpy or erotic clothes this time.”
“I’m wary about ... y’know ... that time ...” Ianto shifted on Jack’s lap, and a hand squeezed his thigh through the mass of duvets in Jack’s best attempt at a comforting manner. It had occurred to Ianto that Jack probably didn’t understand why he was still upset about being grabbed on the street – Jack had got over it pretty fast, and clearly had been in worse dangers and saw Ianto's plight as nothing more than a speck on the radar.
Jack sighed. “I’m not as well known around here, if that makes you feel better." He gave Ianto sly, sideways look and Ianto arched a questioning eyebrow. "I could ... teach you how to defend yourself ... if you want?"
Ianto nodded slowly. "Okay... " he smiled. "But no erotic fashion shows?"
"None whatsoever. Now you get back inside, you. Before you burn." Jack shoved Ianto unceremoniously on to the floor with a laugh. He gathered the duvets around himself and got up haughtily, turning to stick his tongue out at Jack before walking headlong into the closed glass doors. Jack was still in tears of laughter when he returned, washed, dressed and suited.
Jack recovered, eventually. Ianto scowled at him and rubbed his sore nose before settling back onto his lap in the same position as before - just much warmer, now that he was wearing clothes. They kissed for a while, ignoring wolf-whistles from the people down below, and sat quietly until Jack couldn't feel his legs anymore and had to force Ianto to get off him.
Ianto went to fetch drinks, mopping his brow with a tissue. Deciding sunshine was overrated, he crouched in front of the fridge and reveled in the 3 degree air that wafted from it, almost forgetting he was supposed to be getting the lemonade. Jack didn't seem too bothered by the scorching sun, but Ianto was already getting queasy from the sudden temperature changes between the outside balcony and the air conditioned room. Sipping his lemonade seemed to help settle his stomach, but it didn't stop his clothes feeling sticky. His left arm was starting to itch something awful.
"I think you should stay inside most of the time," Jack was saying, allowing Ianto to sit on the balcony chair while he massaged his neck and shoulders.. "I don't want you to get tanned."
Ianto arched an eyebrow. "What if I want to get a tan?" he asked, even though he knew he quite categorically didn't.
Jack shrugged in reply. "You look better pale and interesting. A tan is a sign of the working classes."
"How so?"
"You stay pale sitting around and letting the servants do all the work. You get a tan working in the field all day."
"In Victorian times, maybe." grumbled Ianto, though he was secretly whooping with joy at being able to stay near air conditioning. "Besides, you have a tan."
"That's because I spend too much time on balconies massaging attractive you men's shoulders. I suit a tan, though. You wouldn't."
"Whatever." sighed Ianto, stilling Jack's hands with his own and getting up. "I guess I'd better hide away inside, then?"
"Yep." laughed Jack, following him.
"And not go shopping?"
"Only with factor three thousand sun cream."
Ianto gave a small laugh, going to check the post box and fetching Jack his letters. He returned to the kitchen, intending to make breakfast, but his stomach turned again and he had to dart to the bathroom, throwing up the contents of his stomach and groaning loudly, hoping Jack hadn't realised where he'd gone. A soft hand rubbing his back dashed such hopes.
"Are you okay?" Jack asked gently, rubbing light, soothing circles on his back.
"You're right. I should stay out of the heat." groaned Ianto, heaving up some bile and quickly forgetting to care that Jack could see him. He jumped as a cold flannel was pressed to his forehead, before leaning into the welcome relief of something cool, leaning into Jack for support. A glass of water was held to his lips, and he swilled some around his mouth before spitting that away too. His left arm was itching again, clothes irritating his sweating skin, and he scratched it vigorously.
"Alright?" asked Jack, turning the flannel over and pressing the other side to his brow. He offered him some more water, which he drank gratefully.
"I think getting up would be a good idea." Ianto replied weakly. The queasiness was passing, and he'd stopped dry heaving a good couple of minutes ago. He pulled himself to his feet, taking the cold cloth from Jack and seeing that his toothbrush and toothpaste had already been set out. Flashing Jack a smile of gratitude, he scrubbed his mouth out while the Captain returned to the sitting room.
He felt much better after throwing up, and the horror that Jack had seen him do it struck him quite hard. He was embarrassed - though he wasn't entirely certain why. He supposed he thought of Jack seeing him such a weakened position, from something as silly as being too hot, was showing him a crack in his defences. Not that Ianto had too many defences against Jack as it was ...
It occurred to Ianto that Jack had just taken care of him. He'd made sure he was alright, helped him feel better, held him close, provided welcome water and set out his toothbrush. He'd then left him alone to sort himself out without making feeling awkward about it. Smiling to himself, feeling his 'Jack really cares for me!' buzz fizzling inside, he returned to the sitting room to find him.
He was on the phone, chatting in a language that might have been Russian. He sounded exasperated and annoyed, gesticulating sharply and clenching his fists. Ianto walked across his field of vision so that Jack would know he was there, picking up the empty envelopes from Jack's post and putting them in the bin. Turning back, he saw Jack pleading at him with his eyes and pointing at the phone while sounding perfectly angry and authoritative in whatever he was saying. Ianto took the hint.
"OH MY GOD!" he shouted, loud enough for whomever was on the line to hear. "CAPTAIN, YOU'VE GOT TO COME NOW!"
"Gotta go!" Jack finished the conversation with the English term, hanging up quickly. "Thanks." he beamed.
"Any time!" Ianto replied happily as Jack pulled him close.
"Feeling better?"
"Much. Thank you for looking after me."
"No problem." smiled Jack. "You are okay, though?" he asked, concerned.
"I'm fine. Just not quite so used to going from seventeen degrees to whatever it is out there. Thirty-something."
Jack nodded, and Ianto realised they were swaying together, holding the other close as if dancing. He took a little initiative, pulling Jack gently and they revolved together a little way. They were at eye-level with each other, and Ianto lost himself in the blue of Jack's eyes as Jack clasped his hand to his chest and danced with him, leaning forward and capturing his lips, pushing his tongue forward and kissing him softly. They broke apart after what felt like an age, and Ianto rested his head on Jack's shoulder, feeling the side of Jack's face leaning by his ear.
Feeling sleepy, Ianto had to break them apart before he fell unconscious in Jack's arms. He yawned and stretched as Jack pressed the back of his hand to his forehead. "You're still a little too warm." he frowned. "And you're a bit flushed."
"I'm fine. Just ... tired."
"I'll turn the air con down a bit more."
"I'm fine. Really. Loads of people get sick from heat if they're not used to it. Especially when they're to-ing and fro-ing between hot and cold." Ianto told him, sounding more irritable than he actually felt.
Jack sighed. "Fine. Okay. Well ... if you're feeling better ... self-defence?"
"So soon?"
"No time like the present." shrugged Jack.
"So ... what ... we do it here?" Ianto signalled around the sitting room.
"Don't be silly. We're going to the armoury."
Ianto raised an eyebrow. "... armoury ..."
"Yep. You're gonna need a gun, and to learn how to use it."
"I don't want a gun." scowled Ianto.
"You'll be begging for one when six big muscly guys are baring down on you in an alley - well, in certain contexts." Jack winked.
Ianto took his point and sullenly dug in his pocket for his phone.
"I already rang Lois." Jack told him.
"Oh. Okay." Ianto very nearly winged that that was his job, but realised he'd probably sound like a child if he did so. He bit his tongue instead, traipsing a step behind Jack with a non-too-enthusiastic gait.
His enthusiasm waned further as they climbed into the back of the car, and Jack was handed a cooler of juice drinks and water bottles. "Thought I'd better ask for some drinks, just in case." Jack smiled, handing him some lemon and lime squash.
"This should be my job." Ianto grumbled to himself.
"Pardon?"
"That woman has a weird dog." he said louder, pointing outside onto the street at a woman with a hairless dog. He put the bottle into his drinks holder and Jack arched an eyebrow. "What?" he asked irritably.
"You should drink that. You've only had some lemonade and a bit of water today. You're going to dehydrate if you don't get some fluids in you - no innuendo intended."
"It bloody was." smirked Ianto, gulping down half his lemon and lime drink. He decided not to tell Jack he felt considerably better for it, instead simply screwing the cap back on and setting it back in the holder. Jack was turning the air conditioning on full, and Ianto leaned over and turned it up to a more acceptable temperature.
"You're going to get too hot!" Jack chastised, turning it back down again.
"I'll freeze to death if you put it any lower!" Ianto retorted, turning it up a couple of notches. Jack caught his wrist and they ended up scrabbling on the seat, stopping only when Jack flipped Ianto onto his back in the spacious foot weld and straddled his waist, pinning his hands above his head. Ianto squirmed and writhed, sighing in exasperation before stilling himself.
"Give?" asked Jack.
"Give." grumbled Ianto.
"Then we keep the air conditioning low."
"Whatever. Can I borrow your coat?"
"What for?"
"The air conditioning is on too low."
Jack shifted on his seat. "I don't generally loan out my coat." he said quietly, pulling it further around himself and almost huddling into it. Ianto decided not to ask.
"At least let me cuddle up to you and get warm!" he said brightly, taking Jack away from the subject. Jack grinned and lifted his arm for Ianto to settle against him.
"Not that us manly men cuddle." Jack assured him.
"Definitely not. Never. Nuh-uh." grinned Ianto, nuzzling his neck and kissing the soft flesh. He felt Jack's laugh rumble down his neck, and squeezed his shoulder. "Love you ..." he murmured, saying it feeling more natural than he'd previously imagined - even with the truth wine.
Jack kissed his cheek and stroked his hair. "You're a little bastard, y'know that?" Jack breathed.
Ianto decided that was Jack trying to be nice. "Thanks?" he offered.
Jack gave a small laugh, cupping his face for a second before dropping his hand and turning to look out of the window.
"Legs slightly apart - spread your weight - balance your centre of gravity ..."
It was hard to concentrate on what Jack was saying when he was pressed so close into the back of Ianto's body. He was stood facing the firing range, one foot slightly behind the other and both hands holding the gun.
"Squeeze the trigger ... don't pull it ... now on your outward breath ... one ... two ... three ...."
Ianto 'squeezed' and the gun fired, his arm jerking back with the recoil and his body absorbing the shock. He hadn't expected it to be so powerful, and he stepped back a little further into Jack's body. Jack chuckled in his ear, ignoring glances from the men around them, also firing down the range.
Jack had taken them to some form of underground den, speaking fast with several men before buying an hour on the range and renting a selection of handguns. Ianto had gone for the biggest, naturally, and Jack had laughed and shoved a much smaller semi-automatic in his hands, saying the bigger weapons were his. Ianto decided that any form of innuendo was most definitely intended.
He glanced at his target, and saw he'd missed it completely.
"Don't worry." smiled Jack. "If you'd have hit it first time, I'd have been surprised. Especially since you shut your eyes."
Ianto flushed. "You saw that?"
"I did." smirked Jack. "Okay - next go. I'll help this time, then you're on your own."
Ianto wondered if he'd do much better without Jack's 'help' anyway, feeling his warm body pressing up against him and firm hand on his belly.
"Relax ... breathe ... remember to squeeze, not pull ... one ... two ... three ..."
Ianto forced his eyes to stay open as he fired and managed to clip the side of the target, even with the distraction of Jack sighing purposefully in his ear. "Gerroff!" he snapped, pushing Jack back a little bit. Jack laughed, holding his hands up and stepping away.
He tried again, raising the gun with both hands; one around the handle, ready to squeeze the trigger; the other supporting it. One foot slightly in front of the other, turning every so slightly to the side. He breathed out, squeezed, and shuddered with the recoil. The shot was better again, and Jack gave him a little round of applause. Ianto practiced some more, firing more rounds, learning how to change the clip and how to operate the safety. Then he asked if he would get to use the other guns.
"No." Jack replied bluntly, lifting a shotgun casually and loading it.
"Why?"
"Because you don't need to. And I only hired them so that I could show off."
He fired the gun, hitting the target dead centre, cocking it and firing again. It hit practically the same spot, and Jack got a little round of applause from the other men on the range. He fired several other guns, all of them hitting home, until they had to change the target because the bull's eye had been fired away. Ianto yawned loudly, and Jack got the hint.
"Showing off too much?" he asked jovially.
"Yep." smiled Ianto. He yawned again. "Tired ..." he sighed, scratching his arm.
"You've hardly done anything today." Jack reminded him.
"That's because you've been doing everything."
"I phoned for a car. Big deal." smiled Jack. "Hey - you're not annoyed at me for that, are you?"
"No. Why would I be annoyed?"
"I dunno. You seem a bit distant."
Ianto frowned. "I don't know why. Hmm. Anyways - I think I need a drink. My mouth is all dry."
"C'mon then ..."
Jack checked the guns back in, leading Ianto back up into daylight and ushering him into the car. Cold orange juice found itself shoved into his hands, and he drank it greedily. "I don't think I'm meant for a hot climate." sighed Ianto. "Don't touch the air conditioning!" He sat sharply forward and prevented Jack from knocking down the temperature.
Jack laughed, teasing him. They stopped at small cafe for sandwiches, choosing to eat them in the air conditioned car on the way back to the hotel instead of the stuffy little building. Jack was practically drowning Ianto in drinks, and he was on the verge of throwing the cooler bag out of the window. A traffic jam halted the plan, as well as making Jack late for his afternoon meeting.
By the time they got back to the hotel, they nearly eating each other in annoyance. Small confined spaces did little for Jack Harkness' mood, and the longer they stayed in the car, the more irritating he got. Ianto had tolerated him at first, but eventually threatened getting out and walking back in the midday sun without taking a drink. Jack had grumbled to himself, but eventually falling silent, allowing Ianto to nap with his head in his lap.
"You're still flushed." Jack observed, still sounding annoyed.
"I'm fine. Really." Ianto repeated. Again. Jack pressed the back of his hand to his forehead.
"You're still too hot. Are you sure you feel fine? Should I call the doctor?"
"Stop fussing!" Ianto snapped, pushing the hand away. "I got a bit queasy in the heat this morning, is all. I'm. Fine."
"We'll see how you are tomorrow, then?"
"Yes."
"Okay. Well ... gotta go. Late for my meeting ..."
"Go on." Ianto shooed him. Jack turned and strode towards the door. "Jack?"
Jack hesitated and turned, eyebrow raised. Ianto walked over to him and kissed him gently.
"Go on!" he said again as they broke apart, smiling. Jack was smiling, too. A good sign.
Lois had said that he must never let the Earl leave on an argument. Everything must be resolved before it had time to stew.
"Bye." Jack said, still smiling, and swept away.
Ianto had nothing much to do now that Jack was out, so decided to see if he could make sense of the Spanish newspaper. He could fathom nothing more than what the photographs told him, so he gave up in search of something else to do. Wandering on to the balcony, he realised he'd never taken in the view last time. He could see right over the hotel pool - and right down to the attractive young women in bikinis sun bathing. One of them caught him looking, and their eyes met over the distance. Even from where he was, he could see her smiling at him. She probably thought he was rich, he realised to himself. He was on the penthouse balcony, after all.
With a heavy sigh, he went back inside, and promptly ran to the bathroom and vomited again. Groaning loudly, he had to sort himself out this time, and missed Jack and everything he had done for him that morning. He hated heat. He really, really, really, really hated it. Staying in doors probably wasn't that much different to being in Cardiff, he surmised. Except in Cardiff you stay inside to keep warm, not cool.
Still feeling groggy, he took off his suit and pulled on some clean boxers, climbed into Jack's bed and fell asleep.
There was cool cloth on his forehead again when he woke up, and fingers were carding through his hair. Jack was lying next to him, and Ianto opened his eyes to find Jack's concerned ones staring back. "Hey ..." he smiled.
"You okay?" frowned Jack.
"I'm fine. Just ... had a nap, that's all."
"You weren't sick again, were you?"
"Yeah - but it was my fault. I was out on the balcony."
"You're burning up."
"I feel fine."
"Your temperature was sky high." Jack told him, removing the cool cloth. "It's gone down a bit now."
Ianto waited for the lingering feeling of cold to fade from his skin before touching his forehead to assess his temperature. So ... he was a bit too hot, after all. "I feel fine." he insisted again.
"I'm calling for a doctor in the morning." said Jack firmly.
"I don't need a doctor." Ianto replied irritably. "But thanks for looking after me."
"No problem." smiled Jack, as if he enjoyed it. Ianto leant over and kissed him, but when he went to push his tongue forward Jack moved back. "None of that, Mr. Jones." he chastised.
"What?" Ianto stared at him.
"You're ill. Sex and illness don't mix." Jack went back to stroking his hair, checking his temperature and dutifully dipping the cloth in a bowl of ice water on the bedside table, pressing it to Ianto's head. Ianto batted it away.
"I'm fine - and even if I was ill ... and that was if ... I'd still be up for it!"
"I noticed." Jack replied somberly. "I think I may have been a bad influence on you, y'know."
"Oh ... really?" Ianto's words dripped with sarcasm. Jack laughed.
"Okay, I really have had a bad influence on you. But still: no health; no sex."
"But ... what about you?" Ianto asked.
"I think I can cope a few days, Ianto." Jack rolled his eyes.
"I don't." Ianto smirked.
"You wanna bet?"
"Yeah."
"How much?"
"It doesn't matter. I get all my money off you anyway."
Jack laughed, and made another attempt to press the cold flannel to Ianto's head. Ianto allowed it, secretly welcoming the cool water on his brow. "It's a twenty four hour bug." he decided. "Or something in that plane food."
"We'll find out when the doctor comes."
"If." Ianto corrected.
"When." Jack argued.
"If."
"When."
"If."
"When."
"If."
"When."
"If."
"When infinity."
"Shut up."
"Ha!"
FIN
Well, I hope y'all enjoyed that! Do remember comments are love, and those who give me love get fanfic in return.
Just a heads up: the next chapter shall be Jack's P.O.V. Good timez!
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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Date: 2009-10-06 09:15 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-06 09:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-06 09:24 am (UTC)Great chapter I love how the boys relationship is progressing.
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Date: 2009-10-06 09:28 am (UTC)I really love that picture :)
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Date: 2009-10-06 09:33 am (UTC)I love the image of Ianto not doing well in the sun...that pale Welsh skin should not be going outside in that sun without factor 50! (I speak from experience...lol)
Jack's pov, eh? Wow...excited now!! :D
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Date: 2009-10-06 09:42 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-06 11:04 am (UTC)Fab update as always :D
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Date: 2009-10-06 11:40 am (UTC)I like Jack taking care of Ianto- and him being embarassed about it- I hate it when my SO sees me sick- it starts to take the mystery out of things. I liked the a/c gag too. Very couple-ish... and ianto would be feel cold he had a fever.
Brilliant like always my friend.
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Date: 2009-10-06 12:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-06 12:26 pm (UTC)As always:great chapter!
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Date: 2009-10-06 01:49 pm (UTC)Yay!
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Date: 2009-10-06 01:53 pm (UTC)Can't wait til next chappie!
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Date: 2009-10-06 02:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-06 02:29 pm (UTC)Jack taking care of him is sweet both with his illness and training him to look after himself if he ever needs to.
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Date: 2009-10-06 03:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-06 03:30 pm (UTC)*iz ded*
Please hurry up and write that, as I'm sure it'll be brilliant, and most people screw up Jack pov.
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Date: 2009-10-06 03:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-06 04:26 pm (UTC)I bet Jack's wife put something more than truth serum in Ianto's drink. Grrr....I wonder how sick he will get and to what lengths Jack will go to take care of him.....
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Date: 2009-10-06 05:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-06 05:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-06 05:28 pm (UTC)As lovely as it is to see Jack taking care of Sick!Ianto...my "it's about to hit the fan" senses are going haywire. I'll just have to sit back and see if my suspicions come to fruition or not.
"Angry at Banks?" What happened? Do I need to muster the Angry Mob™ again?
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Date: 2009-10-06 06:41 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-06 06:42 pm (UTC)Another brilliant chapter! XD
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Date: 2009-10-06 07:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-06 08:43 pm (UTC)Looking forward to Jack's POV, but I hope Ianto gets better soon and you don't do anything nasty to him *looks pointedly at silver*
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Date: 2009-10-06 09:39 pm (UTC)Definitely excited for Jack's POV. All the Ianto's fantastic, but I am curious about the other side :)
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Date: 2009-10-06 09:53 pm (UTC)Brilliant.
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Date: 2009-10-06 10:53 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-07 01:38 am (UTC)Lovely chapter.
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Date: 2009-10-07 03:44 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-07 06:41 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-07 06:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-07 07:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-08 01:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-09 01:22 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-09 05:23 pm (UTC)I feel really bad for missing updates, so I'm scrambling to catch up form chapter 13!
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Date: 2009-12-22 01:42 pm (UTC)