Theme Prompt: #307 - A good day
Title: Tempered expectations
Fandom: Torchwood
Rating/Warnings: PG.
Bonus: Yes
Word Count: 1,000 words
Summary: Ianto has his reservations about trying to have a day off work.


Ianto woke up expecting to be alone in his bed. No matter how many times he'd tried to get Jack to stay the night, inevitably he couldn't sit still for more than a few hours, let alone an entire night. He claimed he liked to get an early start on the day, as if life was short and shouldn't be wasted, which was odd for a man who had all of eternity laid out before him.

In any event, Ianto didn't complain, feeling Jack's strong arm wrapped around him on what was supposed to be their one day off. He closed his eyes, ignoring the clock that read 6.45am, and let himself doze.

He must have done more than doze because when he awoke those warm arms were gone. Too good to be true, he decided. Just wishful thinking on his part. Then he heard footsteps coming up the carpeted stairs. So, not alone just yet.

‘You're awake,’ Jack said, coming into the room. ‘Good. I didn't want to spoil your lie-in.’ He grabbed Ianto's dressing gown from the hook on the back of the door and held it out as Ianto stood, letting him slide his arms into the thick burgundy sleeves.

‘Isn't this my job?’ Ianto reflected, thinking how he usually held Jack's coat out for him.

Jack didn't reply, simply turning Ianto around in his arms and placing a kiss on his lips. ‘Breakfast is ready downstairs. It just needs coffee.’

Ianto's raised his eyebrows. Breakfast? Since when did Jack make him breakfast?

If he was expecting toast and cereal Ianto was disappointed. On the table was a huge platter of French toast - he could smell the cinnamon - and an equally large plate of bacon and a jug of maple syrup. Even the table was done up nicely, with a vase filled with roses in the centre.

Ianto fingered the delicate peach petals. ‘Where did these come from?’ He hadn't even remembered owning a vase.

‘Your garden,’ Jack replied with a gentle smile. ‘I know you haven't had the place very long but surely you've noticed the roses growing out back.’

‘I really haven't,’ he confessed, feeling slightly embarrassed. Just another thing he couldn't manage to find time for. ‘They're lovely.’

‘Not as lovely as breakfast, I hope.’

Ianto didn't argue, moving over to start brewing two perfect cups of coffee before their breakfast got cold.

They ate slowly, unrushed on their rare morning off. Once the plates were clean they retired to the sofa with refilled cups of coffee to enjoy reading the paper, swapping sections until they'd read everything of interest and skipping the bits that didn't.

‘What now?’ Ianto asked, feeling like the question was rhetoric. Jack would surely suggest heading back to bed, though sleeping would not be on the agenda.

‘I thought we could head into town,’ Jack said. ‘Potter around. Looks like the weather should be nice enough.’

The comments surprised Ianto but he didn't argue. If Jack wanted to spend the day pottering then that's what they'd do.



Given it was Sunday the city centre was busier than usual, but still left Ianto feeling unhurried. Jack's hand slipped into his and their fingers became intertwined. Ianto normally would have pulled away, uncomfortable with public displays of affection, but today felt different. Who cared what other people thought? They were allowed to stroll around in love just like everyone else.

They passed a large window display for the biggest department store on Queen Street and Jack paused. ‘Should we go look inside? There's a sale on and you've been talking about getting a new sofa for ages.’

Ianto turned and fixed Jack with a look. ‘Okay, who are you and what have you done with my boyfriend?’ Jack wasn't a shopper and he definitely didn't do sofa shopping.

Jack laughed. ‘I'm me, I promise. When else are we going to find time to look?’

True to his word, Jack was extremely well-behaved, allowing them to wander amongst the huge floor of furnishings, testing them out for size and comfort. Only once did Jack press Ianto back down against the cushions and steal a kiss from him as part of the road test.

‘Anything take your fancy?’ Jack asked as they completed a second lap of the floor.

Ianto didn't commit to a decision. Most were good, and he had to discount the one that they'd canoodled on as having been given an unfair advantage. Whilst they didn't find anything that was a hands down winner, Ianto appreciated that they'd taken the time to look. ‘At least we know what options are available.’

Jack nodded in agreement. ‘No rush.’

‘Anything else that was on your retail therapy wish list?’

‘I'm in your hands,’ Jack replied, letting his own slip comfortably back into Ianto's.



When they exited the store back out into the street they were met by a small commotion and a familiar black SUV parked nearby. Without words, they rushed over to where they spotted Owen.
‘What's going on?’

‘Nothing major,’ Owen replied with an air of nonchalance. ‘A few Doxies dropped through half an hour ago. Just rounding them up now.’

‘Do you need help?’ Ianto asked. He should have known there was no such thing as a day off.

‘Nah,we've got it covered. Piece of cake.’

‘You're sure?’

Jack squeezed his hand. ‘Honey, if he says they're fine, they're fine.’

Ianto's eyebrow arched at the surprising term of endearment and Owen made gagging gestures. ‘Go before you make me sick for real.’

Reluctantly Ianto let himself be led away. Perhaps they really could have a day off. ‘What's next then?’

‘Oh, I was thinking about dinner,’ Jack replied. ‘Somewhere expensive, secluded… Hot waiters that speak excellent French…’

‘Hopefully not too hot,’ Ianto teased.

‘Never. We'll go early, eat, drink, and give ourselves plenty of time after dinner for other things.’

Ianto beamed at him. ‘Now that does sound like the perfect way to end a good day.’