Fffc Bingo Card - Back in black

[m_findlow]

Title: Back in black 
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters: Ianto, Jack
Author: m_findlow
Rating: PG
Length: 1,000 words
Content notes: none 
Author notes: Written for Bingo Card Prompt 28 - Black at fffc
Summary: Ianto has some timely fashion advice for Jack. 

Ianto was aghast when he saw Jack, pulling him away from the clutches of his interview with the new administrators for G. R. Owens, returning him to the menswear section of the store. It had been bad enough the first time, clocking Jack, just barely recognisable in that hideous blue and red pinstripe suit and fedora hat. Where on Earth had he dug that up from? Ugly didn't even begin to describe it. It was even worse now that it was tattered and torn, dusty in patches, and most noticeably, covered in blood that Ianto could only assume was Jack's. For quite possibly the first time in the entire week he'd been working undercover here, he was actually glad to be making a recommendation about clothes that were on the shop floor. Mostly they were outdated and unattractive, but he was certain he could cobble something together. Anything at this point surely had to be better than what Jack was gallivanting around in. 

Ianto sighed. ‘I'd say you're a sight for sore eyes, but I'd mean it in the literal sense. That suit is…’ 

‘Quite something, huh?’ Jack said, preening the fraying and blood spattered lapels. 

‘Quite. But past its useful life now, I'd say.’ Thank God, he mentally added. 

‘Lucky, I've got you and your family eye to help me out then,’ Jack replied. 

Ianto conducted a quick circuit of the menswear department, having memorised the inventory, re-hung and re-folded most of it just for something to fill in his day. They could really use some proper merchandising skills around here, he thought, having refitted most of the shop floor mannequins. He clutched a selection of items in his arms, as Jack floated aimlessly behind him, toying with racks of hideous striped shirts and paisley jackets. Given his lack of options, something simple was the order of the day. He couldn't replicate Jack's usual look, much as he wanted to. He tugged a black woolen pullover off a pile on a round table as an afterthought before returning to the counter. One thing it wasn't in here was warm. 

‘You're actually ringing them up as a sale?’ Jack asked incredulously as he watched Ianto extract his wallet and swiping his own credit card through the machine. 

‘Can't have you shoplifting.’ He smiled. ‘You know, you could go down in history as the last ever customer to buy something from the famous G. R. Owens. Besides, I get a staff discount. Now, take those.’ 

Jack smoothed a hand down the pair of jeans Ianto had given him. ‘They feel nice.’ 

‘They'll feel better once you try them on.’

‘Care to escort me to your change rooms?’

‘This way, sir.’ 

Jack didn’t bother to pull the curtain across once he was inside, disrobing his tattered clothes in full view of Ianto - not that he hadn't seen it all before a hundred times. At least he didn't need new underwear, as he began tugging on the dark black denim, giving a little hop up and down to pull them all the way into place and zipping them up. He glanced back over his shoulder at his reflection in the mirror. ‘Snug fit.’ 

Ianto looked pleased. ‘Always good to accentuate your assets if you've got them.’ He passed Jack a plain white t-shirt and the pullover, both which were donned quickly before a final assessment. 

‘I like the black. Makes me look all tough and sexy.’

Ianto admired Jack's reflection. ‘You were already tough and sexy.’ 

‘Such a sweet talker. Do you flatter all your customers like this?’

‘They tend to buy more if you tell them they look good. And in a store like this, they need every last bit of encouragement.’

Jack ran a hand down the black wool. ‘Maybe I need a few more black items for my wardrobe.’ 

‘They would certainly be easier to clean the blood out of, or at least hide the bits I can't get out.’ He was going to be blacklisted by nearly every dry cleaner in Cardiff soon. 

‘So... anything else you'd like me to try on? Or maybe you've got something in mind for yourself that you'd like a second opinion on?’ 

Jack's eyes sparkled in such a way that Ianto couldn't resist leaning forward to snaffle his lips in a kiss. It had been a very long week indeed, and this was one customer he didn't mind giving full service. His hands took charge of matters, tugging the t-shirt out of Jack's waistband and pulling both it and the woolen sweater over his head. After that he made quick work of Jack's zipper before hands paused his actions. 

Jack quirked an eyebrow at him. ‘You want me to take them off? But I only just put them on,’ he teased. 

‘Maybe I need to take down your exact particulars, sir,’ Ianto oozed. 

Jack grinned lasciviously. ‘Oh, I think you already know those.’ 

‘It never hurts to be thorough. We do need to make sure that everything fits perfectly.’ Ianto’s arms wrapped around him, pulling him back close. 

‘Keep going and you'll get my vote for employee of the month.’

Ianto began toying with the elastic waistband of Jack's underwear. ‘It's not you vote I want right now.’

Jack chuckled. ‘Oh, you are naughty. Forget the case afoot or the strange new administrators going around reading people's minds…’ 

‘Well, I've been stuck all alone in this very tedious job for a week now. The least you can do is reward me from all my overtime. And for my excellent and very attentive customer service.’ 

‘Are you sure it's okay for you to be wooing the customers in the changing rooms? Don't you have a register to man and new stock to put out? I don't want you losing your job over a little change room indiscretion.’

‘I'm entitled to a half hour break every four hours. Company policy.’ 

Jack grinned. ‘Well, I know how thorough you are when it comes to company policies.’