m_findlow

Title: Lost in a crowd
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters/Pairings: Jack, Ianto
Word Count: 500 words
Rating: PG
Notes: Written for Challenge 143 - Missing at anythingdrabble
Summary: At a crowded Cardiff event, Jack has lost his lover.

The first time Jack noticed that Ianto wasn't there right beside him was when he reached for a second small cup of candied popcorn, insisting that Ianto simply had to try it. This was the kind of date Jack could get used to, Ianto having spoiled him with surprise tickets to Cardiff's biggest food and wine exhibition. At first Jack had assumed it would be boring cooking classes and a bunch of advertising. When he'd discovered that every single stallholder there was giving away samples of their products, Jack's mood changed instantly. Free food everywhere was like some kind of warped heaven.

The only downside so far seemed to be that where Jack wanted to sample everything sweet and sugary, Ianto was more interested in all things savory. If Jack tried every jam on offer, Ianto had judiciously sampled just one or two chutneys or mustards. On the plus side, it meant that when they chose to buy some of the produce, Jack got some of each, the sweet things he'd liked and also a share of the savory items Ianto fancied.

This time however he knew Ianto wouldn't be able to resist. Popcorn was a weakness for both of them, and this caramel glazed version Jack had tried twice now was definitely coming home with them.

'Ianto?' Jack looked around, trying to figure out why he wasn't right there next to him but it was impossible to pick out anyone in the crowds massing around each stall. It felt like everyone in Cardiff was packed into the exhibition centre, and he'd simply gotten used to the feeling of being permanently jostled as people tried to squeeze past each other.

He stood up on tiptoe, trying to see over the crowd, but Ianto wasn't anywhere. Jack tried to retrace his steps but the confusing grid system of stalls left him turned around and facing stalls he knew they hadn't seen yet. He shouldn't worry, he knew, but Ianto being missing troubled him. He couldn't have gone far.

There was a squeeze of his elbow and he spun to find Ianto right behind him. 'Ianto! I thought I'd lost you!'

'Lost me? I thought I'd lost you! I thought I told you to stay put and not wander off on me.'

'I didn't. I thought you were following me. I didn't hear you say anything about staying put.'

'I was busy giving them our mailing address so that could post out the twelve jars of preserves we just bought. I thought it'd be better than lugging them around all afternoon, especially since we don't know what else we'll end up buying.' Ianto grabbed his hand, ignoring whether people would be offended or not. 'From now on I'm not letting you wander alone anywhere.'

Jack grinned, tugging him by the hand. 'That's good because you won't believe what I just found. Only the most amazing popcorn ever! Er, assuming I can find it again.'

Ianto beamed at him. 'We'll find it together.'