m_findlow

Title: A warm welcome
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters: Jack, Ianto
Author: m_findlow
Rating: PG
Length: 500 words
Content notes: none
Author notes: Written for Challenge 553 - Candle wax at slashthedrabble
Summary: Ianto proves he can still surprise Jack.

Jack tapped his foot impatiently as he waited for Ianto. It was nearly six and he hadn't been seen since just after lunch, insisting he had a million things to do around town. Jack texted him, demanding to know how much longer he'd be. With no rift activity predicted tonight he'd been hoping for an early night.

'Almost done,' came the reply. 'I'll meet you back home. Don't worry about tea, I'll pick something up.'

Jack rolled his eyes. Almost done was usually code for "I'll be at least another hour". Undeterred, Jack reached for his car keys and headed home, praying Ianto wouldn't take forever.

He pulled up, seeing that Ianto had beaten him home, already parked in the garage, leaving Jack the spot in the driveway. When he pushed open the door, he was even more surprised by the smell that hit his nose, making his mouth water instantly. What the hell kind of takeaway smelled that good? His ears caught the quiet strains of Pie Jesu playing somewhere, and then there was an accompanying humming that was distinctively Ianto. Jack paused silently in the hallway, just enjoying it for a moment. Ianto never hummed where people could hear him, much less sing. It was a rare treat to hear it and Jack savored it. When it paused he opened the door and shut it again, pretending he'd just gotten in.

When he saw the table his jaw nearly hit the floor at the sight of the candlelit setting. Large pillar candles cast a warm glow, making the silverware shine and emphasising the large flower arrangement in the center of the table, red and white roses by the dozen.

'There you are,' Ianto said, coming out dressed in casual jeans and dress shirt. 'Dinner's almost ready.'

Jack couldn't find words. 'Why?' was all he managed.

'You've been working so hard lately. Thought you - we - deserved a treat.'

Jack studied the room again. 'Hang on. Since when do you do romantic candlelit dinners?'

'I can do romantic,' Ianto replied, his cheeks growing flush even as he said it, which made Jack adore him even more. Ianto, who was so good at speaking his mind most of the time, was useless at articulating his feelings. Romance had always been Jack's department. He distracted Jack from his embarrassment by grabbing his coat lapels and drawing him in for a long slow kiss.

'It's beautiful,' Jack replied, breathless as Ianto's cologne made him go weak at the knees.

'I'm glad you approve.'

'I've got some other ideas how those candles might come in handy later,' Jack added, grinning salaciously.

Ianto pressed his palm against Jack's chest, preventing him from getting close enough to reach them. 'Giving your boyfriend first degree burns on his chest is definitely not romantic.'

'They say the pain only heightens the pleasure,' Jack persisted.

'Oh, don't you worry. There'll be plenty enough of that.'

'Pain or pleasure?'

Ianto grinned. 'I guess you'll just have to wait and see.'