Twos and Blues...1/?

[zazajb]

Title: Twos and Blues: 1/?
Author: zazajb
Rating: R - N/C-17 overall, adult concepts, occasional language, M/M
Pairings/Characters: Jack/Ianto, [past]Jack/John, Tosh/Owen, Gwen/Rhys, Andy, Gareth, Harris, Nick, Pete, Gavin/Stu
Spoilers – none – totally AU
Summary: Jack is the Station Commander of a retained* fire station. This is the story of their adventures. Words: this chapter 3400

Previous chapters: http://zazajb.livejournal.com/6286.html

Disclaimer: I own none of the characters – anything you recognise is owned by RTD & BBC, even if they don’t know how to look after them properly...
With thanks to the wonderful fjorda77 for the awesome banner *hugs*

A/N So, I’ve finally gone completely AU...new departure for me – thank you for all the comments so far...and please excuse the liberties I’m taking with Welsh geography!

A/N1 Retained stations are crewed by part-time firefighters who live and work locally, responding to a bleeper signal when the fire appliance is needed – in all other respects they are the same as whole-time firefighters...

Twos and Blues 1/?

Chapter 1

The alarm blared out, dragging Ianto from a most enjoyable erotic dream - if his bodily state was anything to go by - as he stuck out an arm to hit the snooze button without opening his eyes. The dream slipped away from his brain’s desperate attempt to recall it like wisps of smoke dissipating on the breeze and he sighed, reluctantly forcing his eyes open to come face to face with the heavy wool coat he’d somehow managed to cuddle into during the night.

Blushing profusely despite the fact he was alone, he untangled himself from the fabric, that same intoxicating scent sending his senses soaring and causing hot pulses of desire to pool in his pyjamas. Suddenly he was overcome with confusion and thrust the coat aside, striding to the bathroom where he gave himself a firm hand, a cold shower and a stern talking to...you’re straight...he’s a man...a bloke you only met yesterday...you don’t even know him...

As a strategy it failed miserably as images of those twinkling blue grey eyes, that shock of silky dark hair and knee-melting perfect grin played repeatedly on slow motion through his head proving once again that there was something about this man that drew one Ianto Jones to him like a moth to a flame... Ianto gave up, increased the temperature of the water and allowed himself to wallow in pleasurable release before stepping out, drying and dressing in his battered old jeans and favourite Welsh rugby shirt.

Padding back, barefoot, to his bedroom his gaze was drawn to Jack’s coat, still entwined with his bedclothes. He stared at it, fighting an inexplicable urge to leap back into bed and roll around with it wrapped around him...it was like a living thing, drawing him in... He moved a step closer...

The pulsing beat of Lady Gaga and ‘Born this way’ [Mica’s choice of ringtone for him!] vibrating in his pocket saved him and he jumped, dragging his phone from his jeans, his heart skipping a few beats as Jack’s name flashed up on the caller ID.

“Jack...” he breathed hoarsely

“Hey Yanno, thanks for your message last night... Sorry I didn’t get back to you, but we were out on that shout ‘till just gone midnight! Way it goes sometimes...” Jack caught his breath at the other end of the phone as Ianto’s soft Welsh vowels caressed his ear and sent a surge of heat to his groin. He paused momentarily before leaping in, “I was wondering if I could call in to pick up my coat on my way to work...Torchwood Engineering work, rather than Fire Service...only...” his voice trailed off, suddenly uncertain – maybe this was too much, too quickly? Hell, he didn’t even know if Ianto was interested in him...Mica had said he’d been dumped by ‘Lisa’ and that was definitely female...

“Only..? Jack...you still there?” Ianto’s voice sounded uncertain, anxious even, dragging Jack back to the immediate present.

“Yeah, sorry, it’s just that it’s early and I wouldn’t want to put you out...maybe I should leave it ‘till lunchtime..?” he added hastily.

“No, anytime’s fine, honestly...I’m up and showered...” sudden images of a wet and very naked Jack pressed up against him in the tiny cubicle had Ianto spluttering as his face turned scarlet and he dropped the phone.

“Ianto? You okay?” Jack gasped throatily as the delectable vision of the young Welshman wet from his shower, towel around his waist, rubbing his hair dry as stray droplets rolled down his bare chest – smooth or hairy he wondered – exploded in his brain and throbbed uncomfortably in his trousers.

“What? Yeah, I’m fine, just dropped the phone...er...”

“Yanno...”

“I was just wondering...um...”

“Maybe I could...” they each spoke hesitatingly, both at the same time, drowning the other out.

“Sorry..? You go first...” Ianto bit his lip anxiously, the desire to see Jack again overwhelming.

“No, you...sorry...” Jack held his breath hopefully.

“You could...if you wanted...if you weren’t in a...I mean...you could stop for that coffee you had to leave yesterday...” he blurted out.

“Yes...yes please...I’d really like that...”

“Really?” the relief was evident in the delicious tones on the other end of the line.

Jack grinned triumphantly at his reflection in the mirror as he spiked his hair just a little, “Yes, Yanno...I’d really like that...see you in ten?”

Ianto scrabbled in his bedside drawer and pulled out his tad’s treasured old stopwatch. Clicking the button on the top he chuckled, “that’s ten minutes and counting..!” He hung up and stared at the phone for several moments before his eyes widened at the realisation that Jack would be on his way and he dragged the coat from his bed, hanging it carefully back on the hanger before brushing it quickly with a clothes brush.

Leaving it hung on the bookcase as before, he hurriedly made his bed and headed down to the shop.  Once downstairs he rummaged in the huge freezer and pulled out a couple of unbaked croissants and pain au chocolat along with a handful of cinnamon twists and slid them into the small oven before preparing the beans for the hazelnut roast. He checked the stopwatch – two minutes to go...the butterflies in his stomach swooped and dived and he closed his eyes pull yourself together Jones! Taking a deep breath in, he raked his hands roughly through his still damp hair, jumping as a gentle tapping on the shop door announced Jack’s arrival...

On his way through the shop he flicked the switch on the radio on the counter top, the wonderfully soothing sound of Ella Fitzgerald softening the silence. Wiping his damp palms on his jeans he headed to the door.

“Jack..!” he beamed, unable to keep the delighted grin off his face as he stepped back to allow the older man entry. His eyes roved over Jack’s appearance. “Love the 40’s look – it suits you!” as he took in the dark blue trousers, pale blue shirt and braces over a white t-shirt, “now I can see why you love that coat...it’s the perfect finishing touch...” he stopped abruptly, turning on his heel and leading them back to the counter so Jack wouldn’t see the colour that rose over his cheeks.

Jack grinned to himself as he closed the door behind him and fixed his eyes on the tantalising rear view of Ianto’s denim clad backside. The Welshman looked edible in that red rugby shirt, his hair still damp and tousled and for some inexplicable reason he found the sight of him padding around in bare feet a real turn on... He paused and adjusted his trousers, stifling a moan as his hand brushed the hot swelling. Controlling his breathing with difficulty, he joined Ianto at the counter and watched as those slim hands and dextrous fingers operated the complicated looking machine with elegance and efficiency until the delicious aroma of coffee filled the air.

Once the coffee was poured into the now familiar blue and white striped mugs, Ianto nodded towards the booth they’d sat in the previous day. “If you take these over, I’ll get the pastries...”

“You’re spoiling me!” Jack twinkled at the young man, causing those darned butterflies to whip into full spin mode and he hurried out to the kitchen, biting hard on his bottom lip in an effort to control his errant stomach... He piled the croissants, pain au chocolat and cinnamon twists on to a serving plate, grabbed a couple of smaller plates from the cupboard and a handful of napkins and joined Jack at the table, sliding in beside him and scooting close enough to get a delicious waft of that wonderful aroma that was Jack.

Jack lifted his mug, “cheers!”

Ianto grinned back and responded likewise, clunking their drinks together, “to the first ‘breakfast special; at Ianto’s...

“Is that what you’re calling it?”

”Yeah, thought I’d keep it simple...what d’you think?” he fixed his cobalt blue eyes on the blue grey depths of the older man, watching as they crinkled in thought.

“It is straightforward and simple, and obviously it’s your name, but have you considered something a bit more...”

“...zany?”

“Yeah, but not just that, something that’s totally you and only you?”

“What d’you have in mind? I’m always open to suggestion...”

Jack leant closer and waggled his eyebrows, close enough to smell the fresh fragrance of ginger and lime shampoo that mingled with the rich aroma of the coffee to create an enticing scent that Jack labelled Ianto and stored away safely in his memory “I’ll remember that, Ianto...” he chuckled throatily as the young man’s cheeks coloured and leant closer still, his lips just millimetres from the Welshman’s ear as his hot breath teased the sensitive skin, “you know you’re so adorable when you blush...”

Ianto let out a shaky breath as wild desire coursed through his body and his entire blood supply fled to the front of his jeans, causing him to squirm in his seat. “I...er...” he buried his face in his hands, muffled curses floating from between his fingers, some in English, others in obvious Welsh that had the most exhilarating effect on Jack’s already tight trousers.

Taking pity on the gorgeous young man, and in an attempt to lessen the pressure in his own underpants, he took a slow deep breath, continuing in a conversational tone, “I was thinking of something like ‘at Yanno’s’...with the ‘at’ one of those squiqqles like in an email address...it’s so you and gives the traditional ‘name’ a modern twist...rather like you’ve done with this place itself...”

Ianto looked up, faint traces of pink still visible on his pale face. “You think that’d work?” a gentle smile curving the corners of his mouth, the action reminding Jack just how much he wanted to crush his own mouth to those soft and sensual lips.

Jack nodded, I thought about it most of last night...well, about you generally...” he amended ruefully.

Ianto grinned, “I was thinking about you too... @Yanno’s or without the ‘s’?”

“Without...then you could set up a website and email...you could have your webpage as the wallpaper on your computers in that corner...Mica said you were going to offer free wi-fi and a couple of desktops for customers to use...” he explained in response to the questioning raised eyebrow.

“I like it...” Ianto stood up, both instantly missing the warmth where their thighs had been pressed together. “The sign writers are here today and I said I’d give the printers the final design once I’d discussed it with them. It’s not much, just a few menus, some business cards and flyers, they said it’d be a simple overnight job...” He picked up Jack’s mug and the empty plates, “another coffee?”

Jack glanced at his watch and sighed regretfully. “Much as I’d love to, I have a meeting with clients in  an hour and I need to make sure I’m set up ready...” he paused, “I could come back at lunch time...if you hang on to my coat for me, I’ll collect it then..?”

Ianto nodded, trying not to grin inanely. I’ll keep the front door locked so you could just come in from the back...”

“I bet you say that to all the boys” Jack quipped instantly as the Welshman turned scarlet once again and tore his eyes away from the other man’s.

“Sorry..! I couldn’t resist!” Jack slid from the booth and reached a hand out to brush a thumb lightly over the young man’s pink cheeks, the touch sending shivers of desire down his spine. “Thank you for breakfast and I’ll see you later...about 13:30 okay?”

“You’re welcome...and yeah, I’ll be here...” He watched as Jack strode to the shop door and let himself out, turning to lift a hand in farewell before it closed behind him and he jumped into his SUV and was gone.

Ianto staggered back to the booth and collapsed into it, his breath coming in great heaving gasps as he took in the reality of his unmistakable attraction for this man...Jack... He dropped his head on his hands and carefully replayed every word and action before his confused brain screamed at him to stop. He checked his watch, it was just coming up to eight o’clock so he had an hour at least before the sign writers were due. Leaving the plates and mugs in the dishwasher, he padded back up the stairs and changed into his running gear, tucked his earphones into his ears and turned the music up before setting off at a punishing pace as he worked methodically through his jumbled and conflicting emotions, finally concluding after a four mile circuit that it wasn’t men it was just Jack...only Jack and he’d just see what happened...

After a cool shower he redressed in his jeans and rugby shirt, adding socks and his battered old trainers before returning to the shop to sketch out his new logo, smiling fondly as he recalled the sparkle in Jack’s eyes as he’d suggested the new name for the shop... @Yanno burgundy lettering with gold shadowing in a simple flowing script...thanks Jack...

He made himself a coffee and was just taking his first sip when the two sign writers arrived. Three mugs of mocha blend and half a dozen of yesterdays Welsh cakes later, not to mention the rather large bill, and @Yanno was emblazoned on the windows, the door and the counter plus a much smaller continuously repeated line around the wall just above head height when patrons were seated. It looked brilliant and Ianto couldn’t wait to show Jack. Checking his watch for the umpteenth time, it was still only midday, he’d been to the printers, phoned Rhi to bring her up-to-date with the shop progress and to confirm the colour for Mica’s polo shirt, which, in time, would have the logo embroidered on...and he’d emailed the order for those as well...

Resisting the urge to go back upstairs and cuddle up to Jack’s coat again – he’d already put it on once after his second shower and gazed at himself in the mirror, wrapping the heavy wool around his naked body as he inhaled the heady scent that was just Jack as it surrounded him and flooded his senses – he mixed up another batter mix for a new batch of Welsh cakes which turned out to be a really bad idea as he burnt them...again! Leaving the door open in an attempt to remove the singed baking smell, he was just wiping the surfaces down when a bird flew in and headed straight into the shop, flying high in the rafters, chirping repeatedly as it failed to find a way out...

“Cachad!” Ianto sighed and considered his options which appeared rather limited as he realised rather belatedly that he didn’t possess anything resembling a ladder or step ladder. Planting his hands on his hips he glared up at the bird as it bashed its head on the high ceiling time and time again. His eyes considered the tall breakfast bar stools and he shook his head, “nope, not high enough...” he muttered to himself.

He let his eyes drift slowly around the room, narrowing contemplatively as he sized up various items of furniture. The sparrow had now decided that rescue was in progress and ceased its fruitless attempts to fly through the roof, settling on one of the rafters as it watched the proceedings...

Jack sauntered through the back yard of @Yanno and in through the open door, expecting to find the Welshman either baking or working on his menus as he’d texted earlier. He was therefore rather surprised, and somewhat horrified, to find him on tiptoes stood on a chair that was balanced on a table as he attempted to reach a small bird that seemed to be determined to evade capture... “Shit...cachad...bloody stupid bird...twltt din...” a string of muttered obscenities floated down as the sparrow moved itself once more out of the reach of Ianto’s outstretched fingers...

The mix of English and Welsh in those glorious Welsh vowels assailing his ears sent a rush of warmth below Jack’s belt and he let out a gasp before striding across the room to help Ianto climb down from his precarious makeshift ladder. “You okay?”

“Nope, seriously pissed off with this blasted sparrow – either it wants rescuing or it doesn’t!” Ianto huffed indignantly as Jack began to laugh, his laughter infectious as Ianto threw back his head and laughed with him.

Jack put a hand on the young man’s arm “I think I’ve got an idea...have you got an old tea towel or something?“

“Yeah, got hundreds of them! Bought a job lot from a bankrupt stock warehouse – probably got more tea towels than the whole of Cardiff!”

“One will do – like now!” Jack quipped, grinning as the Welshman stuck his tongue out and disappeared back into the kitchen. When he returned, Jack had taken his place on the chair and was waiting for the cloth. “Watch and learn young padawan...”as he took the tea towel.

“Yes, Obi-Wan Kenobi...Master...” Ianto grinned and moved back so he could watch. He chuckled as the sparrow shuffled away from the latest assault on its personal space. ‘Maybe you should use the force...!” he giggled, the sound bypassing the Captain’s brain and settling directly in his groin.

Gritting his teeth now, Jack carefully inched towards the tiny bird, throwing the tea towel over it and grabbing it quickly, trapping their feathered friend inside it. “Gotcha!” Jack was triumphant for a millisecond until he realised he no longer had a hand to hang onto the rafters with and he was way past the point of safe balance, “I-a-n-t-o-o-o-o-!!!” he wailed as he fell...

“Oh fuck!” Ianto rushed forward to catch the other man, the momentum knocking them both to the floor. Out of the corner of his eye Ianto saw the chair topple, almost in slow motion and despite having the air squashed out of him, he rolled them over and over, out of the way as the chair crashed beside them. The tea towel fell from Jack’s hand, landing over their heads, the bird sensing freedom, hopped out and took off through the open doorway...

Neither man noticed it go, their eyes fixed on each other, each aware of the hot hard swelling straining against the confines of their trousers. Jack, who’d ended up underneath, tilted his chin up, daring the Welshman to make a move... Those perfect pink lips parted slightly and the young man’s breath became a series of tiny pants. He leant forward, minutely, but a definite movement...

Jack hitched his breath, arching his back slightly to grind their hips together...

Ianto leant closer, drowning in the intoxicating aroma that was simply Jack...he wanted to kiss him...really, really wanted to kiss him...never kissed a man before...shit...what if I do it wrong...what...”

A familiar insistent and shrill bleating split the air, drawing gasps from both men and a string of frustrated choice words from the older man as he rolled Ianto off him and leapt to his feet. “Bloody hell! not again! Sorry, Yanno, I have to go...look after my coat till I get back...”

His footsteps faded as he ran out of the back door leaving Ianto sat on the floor, one hand wrapped tightly around his knees, the other tracing the outline of his lips with his fingers...wondering what it would’ve been like and knowing without a doubt now, that he wanted to find out... “Jack...hurry back...” he whispered to the empty air...

The adventure continues in Chapter 2 http://zazajb.livejournal.com/43503.html