"Jack?"

"Hmm?" Jack responded automatically, curled up on the couch with History of the Time War.

"Can we talk?"

It was like turning a tap. Immediately, Jack set the book aside and sat up, giving Ianto his full attention. It almost made Ianto grin but he really wasn't in the mood as he held Jack's gaze for a moment, before sighing and sitting across from him.

"Jack… you know I don't ask questions." Jack started giving him a look and Ianto cut back in before he could say anything. "About some things."

"I get the feeling you want to ask one now, though."

Ianto ducked his head for a moment, as if working to gather a thought. Then he let out a breath before meeting Jack's eyes again. "Actually, I wouldn't even call it a question. I don't think there's anything to ask. I just…. Look, if you want a 'bit of skirt' or whatever, I get it, really. That's you, 51st century kind-a guy. Ok. It's just… I still consider this my home. A bit of discretion, that's all…."

Jack was about to ask Ianto what he was on about when he realized that ordinarily that would have been a reasonable assumption about Captain Jack Harkness. Except that his interest hadn't been piqued by anyone other than the presently endearingly awkward Welshman in front of him in rather some while.

"Ok," Jack said, "I'm going to exercise a bit of that discretion now and ask what that's all about. I appreciate the openness, but really, Yan, I'd talk with you first if I had even considered… uh, having a 'thing,' I guess. Which I haven't. Considered nor had. Not in a while." Ianto looked unconvinced and a bit disappointed, and Jack found that saddened him. "What brought it up?"

"Putting your clothes away," Ianto said quietly. "These." He handed Jack the offending, lacy garment.

"Oh, yeah!" Jack said, remembering. "I couldn't believe I found these so early in this century. What do you think?" Jack grinned, holding them in front of his waist and waggling a brow.

"Are you… are you saying you wear that?"

"Of course. You know, nice night out, dressed up, feeling good… lace just adds a little something to the occasion. Hard to find these made for men, or at least it will be for the next 50 years or so."

Ianto stared, unreadable, for a long while. "You wear black lace knickers?"

"Sometimes. When I'm feeling especially romantic."

"So… do you, um, cross-dress often?"

Jack laughed. "No. Not at all."

"Jack, those tell a different story."

"No they don't. Like I said, made for men."

"But… they're lace."

"Yeah, I know. That's the point. Feels nice," he smirked.

Ianto eyed him for a moment. "This is a 51st century thing, isn't it?"

Jack chuckled. "Ianto, to me, satin boxers are really old fashioned. Like a union suit. Seriously."

Ianto sighed again and stood up, motioning for Jack to give him back the lace shorts.

"You want to try 'em?" Jack grinned.

Ianto leveled a look at Jack, then glanced at the soft material. He couldn't deny that it did feel nice to the touch. "Maybe later," he mumbled, quickly going back to putting away the washing.