Fffc Bingo Card - Unplanned

[m_findlow]

Title: Unplanned 
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters: Ianto, Jack
Author: m_findlow
Rating: PG
Length: 1,000 words
Content notes: none 
Author notes: Written for Bingo Card Prompt 33 - Evening at fffc
Summary: Ianto has no idea what Jack has planned for their date night. 

When Jack had instructed Ianto to meet him up on the Plass at five pm sharp, he had no idea what Jack had in store. That was the trouble with date nights, or perhaps that was just the trouble with Jack. Both were so rare that they had a way of surprising you. Back in October there'd been that time he’d shown up with fifty red helium balloons, carting them across the Plass like he was part of the circus come to town. At Christmas, there'd been the horse-drawn carriage that arrived to whisk them around the snow covered streets. Tonight he didn't know what Jack had planned, and that was what worried him. 

When he skirted the oval basin, having taken the long way around from the tourist office, hoping to glean what Jack might have up his sleeve, or at least some prior warning, he didn't see anything. There was Jack, greatcoat flapping in the breeze as he stood by the water tower, but there was nothing else to give away his extravagant plans. 

‘Jack,’ Ianto called out, seeing his lover staring off in the opposite direction. Jack spun at his name and smiled, checking his watch. ‘Right on time, Mister Jones.’ 

He inclined his head. ‘Of course.’ He was nothing if not punctual. 

Jack took his hand and pulled him closer, stepping up onto the flagstones of the water tower and dragging Ianto with him, before going in for a kiss. Ianto let him, wrapping his arms around Jack's neck. On this particular flagstone they were invisible, so he didn't have to worry about anyone passing judgment on them. In a way it was a little bit thrilling, being that passionate out in public yet without anyone actually able to see them, even though they could see everyone else - or would be able to but for the fact that their eyes were closed and their faces so close that they couldn't see anything else. 

Ianto eventually broke away, slightly dizzy from Jack's amazing kissing. Jack just smiled and took his hand. ‘Just you and me tonight,’ he promised. 

‘That's certainly my favourite kind of date night,’ Ianto teased. 

Jack didn't let go of his hand as they strolled along the street. Ianto allowed him that small concession in public. He liked people to know that Jack was taken. 

‘Where are we going?’ 

‘Nowhere in particular,’ Jack replied. ‘Thought we might just take a wander along the high street and see where that leads us.’ 

‘Really?’ Ianto was sceptical and not entirely convinced this wasn't just some Jack Harkness style ruse. 

Jack shrugged as if Ianto were genuinely curious. ‘Why not? Date night doesn't have to be all fancy restaurants, movies and candlelit dinners. We can do whatever we like. This evening is ours.’

Ianto contented himself with their leisurely stroll along the streets that formed the outer edges of the city centre shopping precinct. It was Friday night so all the shops were trading late hours and the streets were full of people having switched over to weekend mode, leaving their drab and stressful jobs behind them until Monday. 

The large glass windows of the major department stores spread out before them along the strip. They paused to admire the displays which were part advertising, part artwork. It was amazing that they could make kitchen appliances look so pretty. 

‘They've got a sale on,’ Jack commented. 

‘I need a stick blender,’ Ianto blurted out. 

‘A what?’ 

‘You know, like for when you make soup, so you don't have to tip it all out of that pot into a real blender and then back again.’ 

Jack chuckled. ‘You're so practical.’ 

Ianto blushed at the comment. ‘Forget I said anything.’ 

‘No, it's fine. They've got a sale and you need a stick blender. Let's go inside.’ 

‘We're meant to be on a date.’ 

‘We are. I'm enjoying it, aren't you? There’s no rules about not shopping on a date.’ Jack gripped his hand firmer and tugged him through the automatic doors. 

Ianto couldn't remember the last time he'd been inside a department store. Shopping was a luxury. His was mostly done online or in a supermarket. Being assaulted by the scent of three dozen perfumes and polo shirts in every conceivable colour took some readjustment. 

‘Appliances are on the third floor,’ he said, checking the map by the escalators. 

‘So, go get your stick blender and I'll meet you back here.’ Jack shooed him away. He frowned as he boarded the escalator. Jack was already bored, ready to ditch him at the earliest possible moment. He felt like coming straight back down and saying they didn't have any in stock, just to get out of there, but they were right there on a display table, so he could hardly waste the opportunity. He quickly grabbed one and paid for it. He might yet be able to resurrect his date. 

Jack wasn't there when he came back downstairs. His heart sank until he saw Jack bustling past three teenagers. ‘Talk about speedy! I thought you'd be at least another twenty minutes.’ Jack handed over a small box. ‘These are for you.’ 

Ianto opened the box and saw the lovely silver cufflinks. ‘What's this for?’ 

‘I saw them as we were walking through menswear. I was going to wait until we stopped for dinner and surprise you with them, but you beat me back here.’ 

‘You really didn't have to.’ 

‘I wanted to. And they were on sale.’ He grinned. ‘I love a sale too, y'know.’ 

Ianto blushed again. ‘Well, thank you. I love them.’ 

‘More than your stick blender?’ 

‘Way more.’ His stomach growled. ‘Dinner you said?’ 

Jack nodded. ‘There's a Malaysian place around the corner that does the best laksa in town for eight quid.’ 

‘I hope this impromptu gift didn't bankrupt your date night budget.’ 

Jack smiled. ‘Trust me, not everything amazing in this world costs a fortune. Although,’ he said, retaking Ianto's hand, ‘some things are priceless.’