m_findlow

Title: Distracting
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters/Pairings: Jack, Ianto
Word Count: 500 words
Rating: PG. Contains M-preg.
Notes: Written for Challenge 144 - Elsewhere at anythingdrabble
Summary: There are some things Jack just can't get used to, though he doean't mind it one bit.

The voices floating around the boardroom began to meld together in a jumble as Jack's eyes drifted to person who stood up to begin the presentation in earnest. It wasn't uncommon for Ianto to take a lead on their morning briefings. There were so many plates being spun these days that just keeping track of them all was a job in itself. Jack was glad that job was someone else's now, and none were better equipped to deal with the complexity of a global organisation than his beloved husband.

What was strange and taking some getting used to was his physical appearance. Where Ianto had once stood graceful and lithe next to the large projector screen at the head of the room, now he had a bulk and roundness that was unmistakable.

Though Jack had seen it every day for months, Ianto's growing belly was never more noticeable than when he was stood on his own, unable to do anything without unconsciously resting a hand on it. It was still so hard to believe that they were just months away from being a family instead of just a couple. He wasn't sure if he was ready to be a father again. It had been so long and his last attempts had been fraught with disaster. He'd spent decades regretting that he hadn't been a better father. He couldn't bear to go through that kind of hurt again. This time had to be different -would be different- because he loved Ianto more than anyone in his whole life, and Ianto loved him. They had so much love that they could channel into children and still have plenty left over for one another.

Maybe he should have taken the briefing himself, Jack thought. Ianto shouldn't be pushing himself so hard these days, but it was just like Ianto to ignore how tired he was. It didn't change how he looked -to Jack he was positively glowing and more gorgeous than ever. Pregnancy suited him. Even having to forgo his usual shirt and tie combination for stretchy cotton tops, though still covered as often as possible with a tailored jacket, couldn't make him appear any less in charge. Jack feared for the safety of anyone who looked at his husband and saw a soft target. Inside, Ianto had three more reasons why it didn't pay to mess with him.

Fingers snapped in front of Jack's face and he blinked in surprise, finding Ianto standing right there in front of him, belly invading Jack's personal space. 'Earth to Jack?'

'Huh?'

There was a quiet rumble of sniggering around the room at being caught with his mind completely elsewhere. 'I was asking if you could wrap up the briefing on Torchwood US operations,' he said, easing himself down into the chair next to Jack.

'I thought that was right at the end of the agenda.'

'It is the end of the agenda,' Ianto replied, 'only you've been too busy ogling me and daydreaming to notice.'