Just a Matter of Time

Ianto knew it was only a matter of time. Jack always kept his promises, well his promises to Ianto anyway. So he waited, doing little things like making the tea, keeping the Hub clean and saving the world to help pass the time until Jack came back. He'd even gotten so desperate a few years ago that he'd had a fling with Owen. It was hardly more than a friends with benefits deal and he knew Jack would whole-hearted-ly approve of his sleeping around, but he still felt dirty about it and soon broke it off.

For awhile he had tried to forget Jack and get on with his life, tried to convince himself that there was no way Jack could have survived that time-storm. And of course it was only after the danger was over and Jack was gone that his precious Doctor bothered to show up. Ianto had ranted and raved and demanded that the Doctor bring back Jack.

"I've brought him back as far as I can. Anymore would mess with the time-line." The Doctor had said looking at him sadly "You both have your destiny now but I promise you will see him again." Then the Doctor had kissed him and it felt as though his soul was being filled with light that spread outward to the furthest bits of him.

After the Doctor had left Ianto threw himself into work during the day and at night he curled up in Jacks little room under his office and cried himself to sleep. As the years passed Jack's scent began to fade from his things and Ianto began to forget things, things he desperately wished to remember. the way Jack's hands felt sliding around him in a tight hug. the way his kisses tasted, the expression in his eyes when he'd catch Ianto trying to be sneaky. So many little things but they made up Jack and they were all he had to comfort hin in the cold and lonely nights.

It had been nearly twenty years since Jack left when Owen pointed out the fact that Ianto didn't seem to be aging, that he still looked like his adorable 28 year old self. Tosh and the new girl Cheryl, Gwen had died three years previously, had demanded to know how he did it. He had merely stared at them helplessly. He honestly didn't know though he had a few suspicions. He had glared at his reflection for two hours before going to Jack's room to cry over the fact that he would see all his friends die, well except possibly Owen but he was a special case and no one was sure if the reanimation was permanent or just temporary.

Ianto was 75 and still looked 28. Tosh had been dead ten years, Cheryl retconned for 15, Owen missing for longer. He was surrounded by people young enough to be his grandchildren and they all moved on or died before they were around long enough to be curious about his non-aging. He had been infected and survived more alien viruses, plagues and parasites than an average 14th century naval crew put together. He had died several times and kept coming back for more. He no longer tried to make friends with these children playing hero. It hurt to much when they left. So he made the tea, cleaned the hub, saved the world and waited for Jack. He'd met up with the Doctor a few times, his newest incarnation had finally given him his greatest wish: he was a ginger.

Ianto was 394 and still looked 28. He lived by himself, the Hub had long ago been declared too outdated to keep using officially, so he had been made the guardian of it's secrets. He occasionally invited a prime minister or a lord or some such over for a cup of tea, just to keep his skills honed and to have a casual chat about how they were going to change this or that or else they'd find themselves very uncomfortable very quickly. They no longer knew his name, he was known simply as The Tea-boy. Many a successor had laughed at their older compatriot when warned not to piss off the Tea-boy, only to find themselves in hot water very quickly. Ianto had been on a few trips with the Doctor and had had a few drinks with him on a few occasions when he stopped by but didn't have the time to go off with him on another adventure.

"Happy birthday to me." Ianto said petulantly crossing off the date on the calender. He at down in his favorite chair and began writing in his diary. He was halfway through the day's entry when the sidewalk elevator whirred to life. He dropped his pen with a squeak and jerked around to look. It couldn't be, not after all this time... but it was!

"Jack!" he yelled, jumping up and tackling Jack. "I missed you so much."

Jack hugged him close, not minding that the roses were digging into his thigh.

"I missed you too Ianto, so very very much." Jack tilted Ianto's face up enough to kiss him.

Ianto felt something inside him finally heal, every single sensation he'd forgotten flooding back in an instant and he deepened the kiss, demanding more. Jack gave in without a fight.

Later as they lay cuddled in post-coital bliss, Jack reached off the side of the bed and pulled a ring from his pats pocket and slipped it on Ianto's finger.

"Happy 500th birthday, Ianto. I love you."

Ianto smiled and kissed him.

"I love you too, Jack."

With that both fell into the first contented sleep either had had in several hundred years.


And the doctor, watching an indicator on the TARDIS, smiled with maniacal glee as he cuddled up to his own lover. There is a fine line between love and hate. He was glad The Master had finally figured out his true feelings for the Doctor. Who knew the Master had a thing for redheads?


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Reviews are food for the muses. Also debating writing a sequal so review and tell me if you want to see more!