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galadriel1010Title: Seize the Day (4/5)
Chapter Title: Dance Like Nobody's Watching
Challenge/Fest: Schmoop_Bingo
Prompt: Dancing
Rating: T
Dedication: For my best friend Ruth, who is great fun, an absolute sweetheart and made of utter awesome.
Summary: In a life that doesn't offer the chance for well planned out dates, Jack and Ianto start to seize their chances where they find them.
Contains: Fluff, suntan lotion, discussion of real estate investments, spontaneous dates and one not-so-spontaneous one, fireworks and love.
The team had reacted with a distinct lack of surprise when Jack wandered out of his office and announced that he and Ianto were taking the evening off. Ianto hadn't realised that it had happened often enough for either of them to be predictable about it, but apparently they had. Jack was driving, in the Jaguar, and they were heading out of the city for an overnight trip if the Rift allowed them it, but Jack was being tight-lipped on the actual details.
Ianto was impressed with Jack's planning at least. It appeared that he'd found and booked a hotel room, apparently with a related event, and managed to pack their overnight bag without Ianto noticing that he was plotting. Admittedly, it had been a tough week, but Ianto was still more observant than that. He rested his hand on Jack's thigh, just for the contact, and closed his eyes with his head back. “How long have we got?”
“It's about another half hour,” Jack assured him. “Get some sleep if you need to.”
He grunted and relaxed back into the seat, enjoying the quiet and the simple fact of not having anything to do. Jack had had the car since it rolled off the production line and although he'd had it updated with better seatbelts and improved security and safety features, he hadn't had things like a radio or Sat Nav installed. Being in this car took Ianto back to a time before he was born, when everything was that bit more glamorous.
When they pulled to a stop on gravel, Ianto opened his eyes and blinked blearily. It was dark outside, and raining lightly, but floodlights lit the rain in a shimmering veil and revealed one of the many stately homes which had become too big for its family and been converted into a hotel. It was in the elegant Georgian style, absolutely symmetrical, with a neo-classical entrance and Virginia Creeper wrapped around one corner of the building, flaming red at this time of the year. He returned Jack's smile and stretched as much as he could in the confined space. “We're here. Where is here?”
“Here is a surprise,” Jack leaned over and kissed him, then swung out of the car. “Trust me.”
“I always do,” he told the driver's seat, yawning so widely that his jaw cracked.
They checked in among signs about an evening ball, and were directed to a small but cosy room on the first floor. The furniture wasn't quite in keeping with the architecture – a little too Victorian, if Ianto had learned anything about period furniture – but it was elegant and extremely comfortable. Jack sat next to him on the bed and stroked his fingers over Ianto's stomach. “We have forty five minutes until dinner. Do you want to get a shower?”
“Ah, so we are here for that ball,” Ianto opened an eye and smiled up at Jack. “Don't know if I can be bothered with a shower, but I should. Did you pack my dancing shoes?”
“I packed your clean Oxfords,” Jack frowned. “Will they do?”
“They're fine,” Ianto confirmed. He pushed himself up and went to open the suit bag that Jack had brought, but Jack stopped him. “Jack?”
“Go shower,” Jack pushed him towards the bathroom door. “I'll be your valet for the evening. Here, wash bag.”
“Thanks,” Ianto took it from him and eyed him suspiciously. “Are you wanting to shower after me?”
“No; I got one after this afternoon's run,” he pushed Ianto again. “You've got plenty of time.”
“And yet he keeps pushing me,” Ianto grumbled, but did as he was told. He took a leisurely shower and wrapped himself in a towel to shave, five o'clock shadow not helped by the fact that it was gone six, nor by the fact that he'd shaved at four in the morning. One of those days, really.
Half an hour after he left Jack, he emerged from the bathroom and stopped short in the doorway. He knew he was staring, but somehow he couldn't put his eyes back in their sockets or pick his jaw up off the ground. Jack was stunning, slouched against the wall like the next James Bond in a crisp white shirt and a jet black suit, shoes polished and shining. He gave Ianto one of those slow smiles that went straight to his groin and pushed off the wall. “Just in time, Mr Jones,” he practically purred, advancing on Ianto. “May I take your towel, sir?”
Ianto surrendered his towel and narrowed his eyes, trying to get some control over his reactions. Jack just smirked at him, which did nothing to douse Ianto's ardour, despite his natural reactions of 'smug tosser', and folded the towel nearly. “I prepared your suit for you, sir.”
Of course he had, and of course it involved black silk boxers that Ianto had never seen before. He put them on, and apparently Jack realised that if he'd helped then this would have been over before it started, and his gaze tracked Jack's movements to the wardrobe. “Socks?” he asked, cursing the roughness of his voice.
“Oh. Here, sir,” Jack made a detour to where he'd set Ianto's shoes aside, shining just as brightly as his own, and passed them to Ianto, who sat on the edge of the bed to pull them on. “I prepared your new suit for you, sir. I hope it meets expectations.”
Ianto's gaze shot up from his sock, which was resisting his best efforts to get it on his foot, and took in the suit that Jack was holding up for him. It was new indeed, so new that, like the boxers, Ianto had never seen it before. Cut from the same material as Jack's suit, but in a more modern style, with a deep red lining and matching tie, and a blood-red shirt to go with it. He accepted the trousers from Jack first and realised that they were highest quality wool. “Jack, how long have you been planning this?”
Jack tilted his head and smiled. “You know, it's impossible for anyone to look elegant whilst pulling their trousers on.” He turned away and slid the jacket off the hanger to get at the shirt underneath. “I got the suit made a few months back, and I've been waiting for the opportunity since. Hoping that you didn't lose any more weight before I got to give it to you.”
“Not likely, with the amount you feed me,” he pointed out. Jack gave him the shirt, and he let the silk slip through his fingers for a moment. “This is beautiful.”
“I know,” Jack smiled and picked the tie up whilst Ianto pulled the shirt on. “But it will look better with you in it.”
He eyed the French cuffs and ignored them for the moment, working on the buttons up the front instead so that Jack could fasten the tie for him. “Thank you.”
Jack draped the tie around his neck and hesitated with his hands resting on Ianto's shoulders. “You're welcome.” He fastened the tie neatly and tightened it against Ianto's throat, then went back to the dresser to get a box from behind the vase of fake flowers. “I got you these, as well...”
Ianto's breath vanished again when he opened the box and saw the cuff-links. They were silver, inlaid with jet which was engraved so that Ianto's initials could be read in the silver, absolutely perfect for the suit. “Jack, I can't...”
“Shh,” Jack hushed him and took the first cuff-link from him, lifting one of his hands to kiss his fingertips and then slide the cuff-link into place. “I wanted to treat you. To spoil you rotten. Am I managing?”
“Definitely,” Ianto smiled and let him take the other hand and repeat the process, transfixed by Jack's lips moving over his skin. “I never know how to measure up to these.”
“You are the perfect batman every day,” Jack told him sincerely, straightening up to meet his gaze. “I've known men who would kill to have you as their valet; and I'm lucky enough to get you personally as well, every day. This is me measuring up to that.”
Ianto smiled and accepted that explanation, and the kiss that accompanied it. “Do you believe in fate?” he asked softly when they parted.
Jack fixed him with a serious gaze. “I do now.
They made their way to the grand hall before they could be distracted. It was the main function space of the hotel, and had been decorated with elegant drapes and pillars of flowers. Tables were placed around the edge of the room, leaving the dance floor clear, and a small string group played soft Celtic style tunes. They were directed to their table by a host, and Jack made sure that Ianto was seated before sitting down himself.
The tables all sat eight, and were laid out with cutlery for three courses. Two other couples, both male-female, were already seated at the table; the women were wearing full-length ballgowns in the strapless style of the moment, and the men were wearing suits, one with a bow tie and one open-collared. Ianto smiled a greeting at them and let Jack do the introductions. “Hi there. I'm Jack, this is my partner, Ianto.”
“Jack,” the man sitting next to Jack said, grinning. “This is Emily, my wife; Emily's sister, Laura; and Laura's boyfriend David.”
“There's too many Jacks in this world,” Emily complained. “I can't take him anywhere without meeting another.”
Jack rolled his eyes and pointed at Ianto. “Tell me about it. I'm dating Ianto Jones. It gets better, I used to date a John Smith. My friends think I have a type.”
“You're not allowed to start looking for an Archie,” Ianto told him firmly. “And definitely not that Archie.”
“Oh, that would freak him,” Jack laughed. “Nah, he's known me too long.”
“More than five minutes, then?” Ianto asked innocently.
With the ice well and truly broken, they got to know their table-mates over the first course. Shortly after they finished, the event hostess took to the stage to a polite round of applause. “Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome. Thank you for being with us tonight to raise funds for this worthwhile cause. I trust that you're enjoying yourselves so far?” she paused for the appreciative murmur and smiled. “Good. Now, I'd like to thank our musicians for the evening, Crystal Mere. They will be accompanying the dancing tonight as well as during meals, and they inform me that they have CDs available after.”
There was a hum of polite laughter at that, and the hostess smiled. “The main course will be served in half an hour, and the called dancing will happen after that. I hope that you continue to enjoy your evening.”
She left the stage and the band started up again, playing a soft waltz-time arrangement of Scarborough Fair. Ianto looked up, startled, when Jack pushed his chair back and stood up, offering his hand. “Jack?”
“Will you dance with me?” Jack asked him softly.
Ianto looked past Jack to the dance floor, where a few couples were already swaying to the music, and then back to Jack. He clenched the fingers of one hand in his napkin and reached out to put his hand in Jack's. “I would love to dance with you.”
They made their way to the dance floor, and Jack steered Ianto into position. He kept hold of Ianto's hand and brought it up between their chests, sliding his hand around Ianto's waist to the small of his back. Ianto put his free hand on Jack's shoulder and rested their cheeks together, swaying with him gently. He closed his eyes and felt Jack's warm breath flutter against his neck. “Thank you,” Jack whispered.
Ianto opened his eyes in surprise. “For what?”
“For coming with me, and taking it all in your stride. I should have known you would,” he chuckled. “One day, I'll learn not to underestimate you.”
“Well, if you keep underestimating me then I can keep surprising you,” Ianto pointed out. “I'd rather be underestimated and impress than overestimated and disappoint.”
“Ah, you mean it's all part of the conspiracy to take over the world?” Jack asked.
Ianto considered this and nodded, brushing his cheek against Jack's. “Pretty much. Catch them unawares.”
“Oh Ianto,” Jack chuckled. “My beautiful, wonderful, mad Ianto.”
“Mad?”
“Totally,” Jack insisted. “You are as mad as a monkey in a barrel of frogs. And I don't know what I'd do without you.”
Jack finished with such heartfelt sincerity that Ianto's breath caught. He tightened his hold on Jack's shoulder and turned his head to kiss Jack's neck. “Well, I'm not planning to make you find out any time soon,” he assured him. They swayed to the music a while longer, and Ianto returned his gaze to somewhere past Jack's shoulder, pressing their cheeks together again. “How did you organise all of this?”
“Time, attention to detail and a lot of luck,” Jack chuckled, and it rumbled through him into Ianto's chest. “I learnt from the best.”
“I never know what to expect next,” Ianto confessed. “Every time I think you've outdone yourself, you push it that little bit further.”
“My next trick is to organise the whole event,” Jack joked. “All I did was book the tickets.”
Ianto hummed his agreement and looked around them. “As much as I would love to see you organise an event like this...”
“It might be a bit beyond me,” Jack agreed, laughing. “I'd have to leave it to you, which would really ruin the element of surprise.”
“It would probably distract from work, as well,” Ianto pointed out. “These things are a nightmare to organise.”
“Why do I get the feeling that you speak from experience?” Jack asked, laughing. “You're a wonder.”
“I'm a devastating loss to the events industry,” he dead-panned. “But I think I'm where I'm needed most.”
“I don't care if there is anyone who needs you more,” Jack started possessively, “you're not going anywhere.”
“Possessive, Captain?” Ianto laughed again and turned his head to brush his lips against Jack's ear. “Why would I want to be anywhere else, when I have this? I. Love. You.” He punctuated it with kisses to the point just below Jack's ear, whispering the words against Jack's skin. “And I'm loved in return. Who could possibly offer me more than that?”
Next chapter
Chapter Title: Dance Like Nobody's Watching
Challenge/Fest: Schmoop_Bingo
Prompt: Dancing
Rating: T
Dedication: For my best friend Ruth, who is great fun, an absolute sweetheart and made of utter awesome.
Summary: In a life that doesn't offer the chance for well planned out dates, Jack and Ianto start to seize their chances where they find them.
Contains: Fluff, suntan lotion, discussion of real estate investments, spontaneous dates and one not-so-spontaneous one, fireworks and love.
The team had reacted with a distinct lack of surprise when Jack wandered out of his office and announced that he and Ianto were taking the evening off. Ianto hadn't realised that it had happened often enough for either of them to be predictable about it, but apparently they had. Jack was driving, in the Jaguar, and they were heading out of the city for an overnight trip if the Rift allowed them it, but Jack was being tight-lipped on the actual details.
Ianto was impressed with Jack's planning at least. It appeared that he'd found and booked a hotel room, apparently with a related event, and managed to pack their overnight bag without Ianto noticing that he was plotting. Admittedly, it had been a tough week, but Ianto was still more observant than that. He rested his hand on Jack's thigh, just for the contact, and closed his eyes with his head back. “How long have we got?”
“It's about another half hour,” Jack assured him. “Get some sleep if you need to.”
He grunted and relaxed back into the seat, enjoying the quiet and the simple fact of not having anything to do. Jack had had the car since it rolled off the production line and although he'd had it updated with better seatbelts and improved security and safety features, he hadn't had things like a radio or Sat Nav installed. Being in this car took Ianto back to a time before he was born, when everything was that bit more glamorous.
When they pulled to a stop on gravel, Ianto opened his eyes and blinked blearily. It was dark outside, and raining lightly, but floodlights lit the rain in a shimmering veil and revealed one of the many stately homes which had become too big for its family and been converted into a hotel. It was in the elegant Georgian style, absolutely symmetrical, with a neo-classical entrance and Virginia Creeper wrapped around one corner of the building, flaming red at this time of the year. He returned Jack's smile and stretched as much as he could in the confined space. “We're here. Where is here?”
“Here is a surprise,” Jack leaned over and kissed him, then swung out of the car. “Trust me.”
“I always do,” he told the driver's seat, yawning so widely that his jaw cracked.
They checked in among signs about an evening ball, and were directed to a small but cosy room on the first floor. The furniture wasn't quite in keeping with the architecture – a little too Victorian, if Ianto had learned anything about period furniture – but it was elegant and extremely comfortable. Jack sat next to him on the bed and stroked his fingers over Ianto's stomach. “We have forty five minutes until dinner. Do you want to get a shower?”
“Ah, so we are here for that ball,” Ianto opened an eye and smiled up at Jack. “Don't know if I can be bothered with a shower, but I should. Did you pack my dancing shoes?”
“I packed your clean Oxfords,” Jack frowned. “Will they do?”
“They're fine,” Ianto confirmed. He pushed himself up and went to open the suit bag that Jack had brought, but Jack stopped him. “Jack?”
“Go shower,” Jack pushed him towards the bathroom door. “I'll be your valet for the evening. Here, wash bag.”
“Thanks,” Ianto took it from him and eyed him suspiciously. “Are you wanting to shower after me?”
“No; I got one after this afternoon's run,” he pushed Ianto again. “You've got plenty of time.”
“And yet he keeps pushing me,” Ianto grumbled, but did as he was told. He took a leisurely shower and wrapped himself in a towel to shave, five o'clock shadow not helped by the fact that it was gone six, nor by the fact that he'd shaved at four in the morning. One of those days, really.
Half an hour after he left Jack, he emerged from the bathroom and stopped short in the doorway. He knew he was staring, but somehow he couldn't put his eyes back in their sockets or pick his jaw up off the ground. Jack was stunning, slouched against the wall like the next James Bond in a crisp white shirt and a jet black suit, shoes polished and shining. He gave Ianto one of those slow smiles that went straight to his groin and pushed off the wall. “Just in time, Mr Jones,” he practically purred, advancing on Ianto. “May I take your towel, sir?”
Ianto surrendered his towel and narrowed his eyes, trying to get some control over his reactions. Jack just smirked at him, which did nothing to douse Ianto's ardour, despite his natural reactions of 'smug tosser', and folded the towel nearly. “I prepared your suit for you, sir.”
Of course he had, and of course it involved black silk boxers that Ianto had never seen before. He put them on, and apparently Jack realised that if he'd helped then this would have been over before it started, and his gaze tracked Jack's movements to the wardrobe. “Socks?” he asked, cursing the roughness of his voice.
“Oh. Here, sir,” Jack made a detour to where he'd set Ianto's shoes aside, shining just as brightly as his own, and passed them to Ianto, who sat on the edge of the bed to pull them on. “I prepared your new suit for you, sir. I hope it meets expectations.”
Ianto's gaze shot up from his sock, which was resisting his best efforts to get it on his foot, and took in the suit that Jack was holding up for him. It was new indeed, so new that, like the boxers, Ianto had never seen it before. Cut from the same material as Jack's suit, but in a more modern style, with a deep red lining and matching tie, and a blood-red shirt to go with it. He accepted the trousers from Jack first and realised that they were highest quality wool. “Jack, how long have you been planning this?”
Jack tilted his head and smiled. “You know, it's impossible for anyone to look elegant whilst pulling their trousers on.” He turned away and slid the jacket off the hanger to get at the shirt underneath. “I got the suit made a few months back, and I've been waiting for the opportunity since. Hoping that you didn't lose any more weight before I got to give it to you.”
“Not likely, with the amount you feed me,” he pointed out. Jack gave him the shirt, and he let the silk slip through his fingers for a moment. “This is beautiful.”
“I know,” Jack smiled and picked the tie up whilst Ianto pulled the shirt on. “But it will look better with you in it.”
He eyed the French cuffs and ignored them for the moment, working on the buttons up the front instead so that Jack could fasten the tie for him. “Thank you.”
Jack draped the tie around his neck and hesitated with his hands resting on Ianto's shoulders. “You're welcome.” He fastened the tie neatly and tightened it against Ianto's throat, then went back to the dresser to get a box from behind the vase of fake flowers. “I got you these, as well...”
Ianto's breath vanished again when he opened the box and saw the cuff-links. They were silver, inlaid with jet which was engraved so that Ianto's initials could be read in the silver, absolutely perfect for the suit. “Jack, I can't...”
“Shh,” Jack hushed him and took the first cuff-link from him, lifting one of his hands to kiss his fingertips and then slide the cuff-link into place. “I wanted to treat you. To spoil you rotten. Am I managing?”
“Definitely,” Ianto smiled and let him take the other hand and repeat the process, transfixed by Jack's lips moving over his skin. “I never know how to measure up to these.”
“You are the perfect batman every day,” Jack told him sincerely, straightening up to meet his gaze. “I've known men who would kill to have you as their valet; and I'm lucky enough to get you personally as well, every day. This is me measuring up to that.”
Ianto smiled and accepted that explanation, and the kiss that accompanied it. “Do you believe in fate?” he asked softly when they parted.
Jack fixed him with a serious gaze. “I do now.
They made their way to the grand hall before they could be distracted. It was the main function space of the hotel, and had been decorated with elegant drapes and pillars of flowers. Tables were placed around the edge of the room, leaving the dance floor clear, and a small string group played soft Celtic style tunes. They were directed to their table by a host, and Jack made sure that Ianto was seated before sitting down himself.
The tables all sat eight, and were laid out with cutlery for three courses. Two other couples, both male-female, were already seated at the table; the women were wearing full-length ballgowns in the strapless style of the moment, and the men were wearing suits, one with a bow tie and one open-collared. Ianto smiled a greeting at them and let Jack do the introductions. “Hi there. I'm Jack, this is my partner, Ianto.”
“Jack,” the man sitting next to Jack said, grinning. “This is Emily, my wife; Emily's sister, Laura; and Laura's boyfriend David.”
“There's too many Jacks in this world,” Emily complained. “I can't take him anywhere without meeting another.”
Jack rolled his eyes and pointed at Ianto. “Tell me about it. I'm dating Ianto Jones. It gets better, I used to date a John Smith. My friends think I have a type.”
“You're not allowed to start looking for an Archie,” Ianto told him firmly. “And definitely not that Archie.”
“Oh, that would freak him,” Jack laughed. “Nah, he's known me too long.”
“More than five minutes, then?” Ianto asked innocently.
With the ice well and truly broken, they got to know their table-mates over the first course. Shortly after they finished, the event hostess took to the stage to a polite round of applause. “Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome. Thank you for being with us tonight to raise funds for this worthwhile cause. I trust that you're enjoying yourselves so far?” she paused for the appreciative murmur and smiled. “Good. Now, I'd like to thank our musicians for the evening, Crystal Mere. They will be accompanying the dancing tonight as well as during meals, and they inform me that they have CDs available after.”
There was a hum of polite laughter at that, and the hostess smiled. “The main course will be served in half an hour, and the called dancing will happen after that. I hope that you continue to enjoy your evening.”
She left the stage and the band started up again, playing a soft waltz-time arrangement of Scarborough Fair. Ianto looked up, startled, when Jack pushed his chair back and stood up, offering his hand. “Jack?”
“Will you dance with me?” Jack asked him softly.
Ianto looked past Jack to the dance floor, where a few couples were already swaying to the music, and then back to Jack. He clenched the fingers of one hand in his napkin and reached out to put his hand in Jack's. “I would love to dance with you.”
They made their way to the dance floor, and Jack steered Ianto into position. He kept hold of Ianto's hand and brought it up between their chests, sliding his hand around Ianto's waist to the small of his back. Ianto put his free hand on Jack's shoulder and rested their cheeks together, swaying with him gently. He closed his eyes and felt Jack's warm breath flutter against his neck. “Thank you,” Jack whispered.
Ianto opened his eyes in surprise. “For what?”
“For coming with me, and taking it all in your stride. I should have known you would,” he chuckled. “One day, I'll learn not to underestimate you.”
“Well, if you keep underestimating me then I can keep surprising you,” Ianto pointed out. “I'd rather be underestimated and impress than overestimated and disappoint.”
“Ah, you mean it's all part of the conspiracy to take over the world?” Jack asked.
Ianto considered this and nodded, brushing his cheek against Jack's. “Pretty much. Catch them unawares.”
“Oh Ianto,” Jack chuckled. “My beautiful, wonderful, mad Ianto.”
“Mad?”
“Totally,” Jack insisted. “You are as mad as a monkey in a barrel of frogs. And I don't know what I'd do without you.”
Jack finished with such heartfelt sincerity that Ianto's breath caught. He tightened his hold on Jack's shoulder and turned his head to kiss Jack's neck. “Well, I'm not planning to make you find out any time soon,” he assured him. They swayed to the music a while longer, and Ianto returned his gaze to somewhere past Jack's shoulder, pressing their cheeks together again. “How did you organise all of this?”
“Time, attention to detail and a lot of luck,” Jack chuckled, and it rumbled through him into Ianto's chest. “I learnt from the best.”
“I never know what to expect next,” Ianto confessed. “Every time I think you've outdone yourself, you push it that little bit further.”
“My next trick is to organise the whole event,” Jack joked. “All I did was book the tickets.”
Ianto hummed his agreement and looked around them. “As much as I would love to see you organise an event like this...”
“It might be a bit beyond me,” Jack agreed, laughing. “I'd have to leave it to you, which would really ruin the element of surprise.”
“It would probably distract from work, as well,” Ianto pointed out. “These things are a nightmare to organise.”
“Why do I get the feeling that you speak from experience?” Jack asked, laughing. “You're a wonder.”
“I'm a devastating loss to the events industry,” he dead-panned. “But I think I'm where I'm needed most.”
“I don't care if there is anyone who needs you more,” Jack started possessively, “you're not going anywhere.”
“Possessive, Captain?” Ianto laughed again and turned his head to brush his lips against Jack's ear. “Why would I want to be anywhere else, when I have this? I. Love. You.” He punctuated it with kisses to the point just below Jack's ear, whispering the words against Jack's skin. “And I'm loved in return. Who could possibly offer me more than that?”
Next chapter
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Date: 2010-10-13 11:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-10-23 10:37 am (UTC)Gxxx