m_findlow

Title: Risky business
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters: Jack, Ianto
Author: m_findlow
Rating: PG
Length: 758 words
Content notes: none
Author notes: Written for m_findlow's prompt "Torchwood, any, Achievement unlocked: made it into the hub with store bought coffee" at fic_promptly
Summary: Jack is putting his life in his hands in an act of desperation.

Jack paused at the door, taking in a deep breath. He was about to do this - really, really do this. It was a huge risk, but these were trying times. He swiped his card against the false panel, taking a quick look left and right as he passed through the door of what appeared to be a cloak room within the Millennium Centre.

Even though he was inside, he felt exposed, like there were a hundred eyes on him. It was the security cameras that concerned him most. There was no telling who might be watching them. Probably no one, but then again, it was when you thought you were safe that you became complacent. One last look around and he slipped through the door, sliding it shut behind him. In the confined space, the scent of the coffee in the cardboard cup was intense. He breathed it in deeply, feeling appalled and ashamed in equal parts. It didn't even smell that good, and was certainly never going to compare to the fine brew he was accustomed to, but it was desperation that drove him to it.

He'd been in the doghouse with Ianto for nearly a week now, and he steadfastly refused to make Jack any sort of coffee; not even that horrible decaf muck that he reserved for punishment. Frustratingly for Jack, Ianto wouldn't tell him what it was that he'd done wrong that had put him in this mess to begin with. Until he could figure it out for himself and apologise, there looked to be no coffee anywhere on the horizon for him.

Jack inhaled again. The scent of the coffee, bad as it was, was likely to cling to his coat. He should just drink it right here and right now, and then rush back inside to brush his teeth and wash his mouth of any residual aroma. Kisses might be thin on the ground, but they hadn't stopped completely. Whatever he'd done wasn't so bad that Ianto was avoiding him altogether. He knew that sensitive nose would detect even the tiniest hint of Arabica, further extending his punishment.

It didn't stop him though, pulling the plastic lid off it and taking a long slow draught. Gods but it tasted worse than it smelled, but he needed the caffeine. He could go days without sleep, fight off viruses that would waylay even the healthiest person, but Ianto had made him completely dependent on caffeine. He'd tried tea but it wasn't the same. It was hot and astringent, but it lack that peppy zing that coffee beans had, tantalising his tongue with flavour.

He'd be deadee than dead if Ianto found out about this. It had been hard enough just to find a believable excuse to leave the hub so early in the morning. He'd had to walk four blocks further than the closest of the local cafes dotted around the bay. He suspected the owners would feed intelligence back to Ianto if he was caught in any of them buying anything other than toasted sandwiches and pastries. Just how far Ianto's little coffee spy network reached Jack was uncertain, but the place he'd gone to looked so dingy that he didn't think Ianto's sensibilities would even allow him to walk in through the front door.

He checked the inner doorway back to the hub, getting the all clear and stepping out.

'Jack!' came the call from Ianto. He nearly dropped the coffee cup right there and then, quickly sweeping it behind his back and leaning against the wall, trying to look casual.

'Hi,' Jack said, smiling and bracing for impact.

'Listen, I'm really sorry, but Rhi has just called saying she needs someone to do the school run. Johnny's gone and slammed his hand in the car door so they're off to A and E. Bloody idiot.'

'Oh. Well, that's not good,' Jack said, feeling his heart start beating again. 'Whatever you need to do.'

'Thanks,' he said, rushing past, car keys already in his hand. The door to the underground car park, the same one Jack had just come through, clicked shut behind him, leaving Jack all alone in the hub.

He stood up straight, bringing the coffee cup back around in front of him. Ianto hadn't spotted it, hadn't smelled it. It was almost unbelievable considering how close they'd been standing when he'd brushed by Jack on his way out.

Yes! Jack grinned, bringing the cup to his lips and taking a long swallow. It was a small victory, but a victory nonetheless.