wanda1969

Title: "Come Fly With Me"
Rating: PG this chapter?

Spoilers/Disclaimers : Torchwood, belongs to the BBC and RTD, I’m just borrowing the characters- I own nothing here, nor do I make any money! So please don't prosecute!
Summary: Torchwood characters in a story set in the glamorous world of international travel! Fluffy, romantic and cheesy in the extreme, I suspect!

A/N: Thank you to anyone who’s reading or commenting. I’m not very happy with this chapter, but I thought there had to be a bit more talking before this settled down for a while. And, if you're reading, happy belated birthday milady_dragon!

Chapter List: http://wanda1969.dreamwidth.org/1863.html

“Come Fly With Me” Chapter 10

***

When Ianto left the tube station, fifteen minutes late and pulling his Crombie overcoat around him against the cold, Jack was already there, waiting. He walked over and Jack greeted him with a kiss to the cheek, a hand fleetingly resting against his waist. It was the kind of kiss which, to the casual observer, was just a friendly, ‘metrosexual’ ‘hello’.

“Hey, good to see you, Ianto.”

Ianto smiled. “You, too.”

Jack was wearing his military overcoat and Ianto could just see the collar of a subtly patterned dark purple and indigo shirt peeping out. A light, but unobtrusive, hand was placed briefly against his back as Jack steered them in the right direction. “C’mon- the restaurant’s only just round the corner. Did you have a look at what you fancied at the cinema?”

“Oh...yeah. It’s the usual US stuff, but I quite like British movies and there’s a couple on- ‘Burke and Hare’ and ‘Made In Dagenham’,” Ianto said feeling a bit more at ease. “Or there’s a couple of movies on in a Chabrol retrospective...”

Jack looked thoughtful. “Ah. What do you think? It’s years since I’ve seen Chabrol, but I guess the subtitles are a bit heavy on the concentration...”

“I know what you mean- I love him but it would be a bit of an effort the night before a shift.”

“Something without subtitles it is then,” Jack grinned as he turned to look over. It wasn’t one of his cheesy grins, designed to flatter the air hostesses; it was more gentle and understated, and seemed to express genuine happiness that Ianto had agreed to come out that evening.

Ianto smiled back. “I guess I’m not sure- I like the idea of both of them, but we can make our minds up over dinner.”

“’Burke and Hare’ or ‘Made in Dagenham’ it is then- a fun, ‘Brit movie’ is just what we need with work tomorrow.”

The short walk down the high street, and a short distance down a side street, was spent talking about what they’d both been doing for the last couple of days, which turned out to be not that much, or at least not that much which was interesting.

***

The bistro’s small frontage was set slightly back from the rest of the buildings, several pots of plants and shrubs, a table and chairs with a parasol at the front- the now ubiquitous smoking area, Ianto supposed. They went in and Jack gave his name, as they took their coats off. As Jack shrugged off the overcoat Ianto instinctively reached out to help him and handed the coat, along with his own to the member of staff at the front desk. Jack was... well.... almost edible now that Ianto could take in the sight of him in the dark shirt that he’d only glimpsed earlier.

They were shown to their table at the back of the building overlooking a small courtyard garden with twinkling lights, and Ianto felt that it would be a lovely place to sit and eat in the summer, when it wasn’t quite so cold. Looking around, the restaurant was quiet; it was early and a Wednesday evening, and only another two or three tables were occupied, scattered around the room.

***

They shared a salad with grilled vegetables and halloumi, and warm, freshly made bread as a starter. The plates were cleared away by the young, and very blonde, waitress who seemed to be having difficulty keeping her eyes off both men as they continued to discuss which film they ought to see, at last both deciding on ‘Burke and Hare’.

They lapsed into silence and Jack’s fingers played absent-mindedly with his glass of water as he stared down at it intently; something was clearly on his mind and he opened his mouth as if he was about to finally explain whatever it was. The moment was soon lost as the waitress returned and Jack’s usual smile replaced the pensive look of a few moments before. He nodded his thanks with an unmissable, and not very subtle, wink as she placed a goat’s cheese tart with crushed potatoes and seasonal vegetables in front of Ianto, and a seafood linguine on the table for him.

“Enjoy your meal.” There was a pink flush to her cheeks as she turned and left, Ianto noted.

They talked easily through the main course, but it was clear that both of them were avoiding at least one topic of conversation.

“That’s definitely done the trick. I don’t think I could eat dessert. How about you?” Jack asked as he pushed his empty pasta bowl a little away from him.

“Nope. Definitely couldn’t eat another thing. But I could do with a coffee,” Ianto eyed the waitress, who was hovering a few tables away, behind Jack. She spotted him looking over and came to clear the table, asking if they’d like to order pudding.

They both shook their heads, but this time it was Ianto who spoke. “No thanks. But could we have some coffee, please? Espresso?” Jack agreed with a nod of his head. “Two?”

A few minutes later Jack took a sip of his coffee. “Hey, this is good- but it’s got nothing on yours.”

“Why, thank you,” he replied.

“...Look, Ianto... about this weekend... Well, you’ve gotta realise I really enjoy your company. And you’re one heck of a good looking guy...”

Ianto looked over, but Jack wasn’t meeting his gaze- his eyes were fixed on the coffee cup he was cradling in his hands; perhaps this wasn’t the kind of ‘date’ he’d been expecting. It sounded far too much like the next word was going to be ‘but...’ A wave of disappointment which he wasn’t prepared for washed over him.

“...Well, I was kinda wondering if you wanted to give this a go...”

“OK,” Ianto quickly interrupted while he had his chance.

It was almost as if Jack hadn’t heard him. “...And I know all of this is probably pretty weird for you, but...”

“Jack, I said OK- if you’re asking what I thought you were asking, that is...” he was suddenly unsure whether he’d understood the other man’s unspoken question, or whether it was a question at all.

Jack stopped his rambling and looked over at Ianto.

“I’m asking you out- rather badly.” He said with a disarming upturn of the mouth, one eyebrow raised.

“Bloody hell! Thank God for that. I thought I was making a right fool of myself there. But it’s yes...”

“Oh... that’s... good.” Jack gave a surprised smile, and emphasized the last word oddly. “I thought you might have some reservations...”

“I do have some reservations- I’ve got lots of reservations. I’ve got no idea what I’m doing at all. But the answer’s still yes. I want to give it a go, at least.”

A ‘Harkness Irresistible Grin^tm’ lit up Jack’s face as he spoke quietly. “Great. I want to do this properly. To a certain degree, of course,” he laughed.

The other man quirked his eyebrows at the last comment and he smirked before his features took on a more earnest nature. “There is one thing, though. I...I’m not embarrassed about this...but I’d rather the others didn’t know about it. I don’t really want to be a complete walking stereotype. And I’m not ready to be the main gossip at Torchwood...”

“I’ve got no desire to be a talking point. And people may gossip about me, but it’s not from anything I’ve said- and I’m pretty sure none of it’s true.” He finished with a small chuckle and paused. “Anyway- what d’you mean, a ‘walking stereotype’?”

“Jack, I’m an air steward. Even my brother-in-law calls me a bloody ‘trolley dolly’ and thinks I’m gay- and he met Lisa.”

“I kinda see what you mean,” Jack laughed before becoming more serious. “I don’t tell everyone about my personal life, and I’m not gonna start now.”

Ianto looked relieved. “Sounds good to me. By the way, it looks like the waitress is back,” he said with a tiny jerk of his head to indicate the girl waiting to take their cups and saucers away.

Jack looked at his wristwatch and turned and waved her over. “Can you bring the bill, please?”

***

The cinema was only five minutes walk away, further down the main high street, and by the time they settled into their seats they’d luckily missed most of the adverts and trailers and the film was about to start.

About twenty minutes into it, Ianto felt Jack’s hand take his, twining their fingers together. He’d never held another man’s hand- not since he was a child. It wasn’t like holding Lisa’s small hand- the hand was strong and large, but comforting and soft. In the darkness of the cinema he relaxed at the touch, a thumb gently stroking the side of his hand. Ianto was glad that the film was enjoyable enough to keep his attention; even this slight contact was proving to be just a little bit distracting, especially when, every now and again, the thumb found the sensitive skin on the inside of his wrist, or their fingertips touched, sending sensations like static electricity through his arm.

***

They’d been walking back along the high street, just chatting about the movie, and were now nearing the station.

“...well, I really enjoyed that, Jack. Simon Pegg’s always funny. And Landis was good- I think I prefer him making films in the UK. At least I understand the local references... there’s some American films I just don’t get.”

“I know what you mean- and I lived there.” Jack slowed down, and then reached out, lightly catching Ianto’s forearm, forcing the other man to look at him.

“Ianto- come home with me?”

Ianto’s heartbeat quickened. He’d wanted Jack to ask him back. “Alright, but I can’t be too late. I’ve got to get my uniform- and my luggage...”

“Stay? I could drive you over to change and collect everything at lunchtime. We don’t have to be in work until the evening...”

He’d never even thought about Jack having a car, but it certainly swept away any excuses or objections, and he grinned as he stared into his eyes. “OK. But I really do have to get back...and I didn’t know you had a car.”

“Well. That’s something new you’ve learned...I don’t really use it much, I keep wondering if I really need it. Let’s get the train.”

***

To Be Continued...