Ianto jumps a little at the sudden sharpness of the other man’s voice. John has never told him off before and Ianto hesitates, honestly wondering if he has pushed the other man too far. I just — can’t.

He sits still as John flops back on his bed, watching the other man for a long moment before he moves to push himself to stand. Pausing as he does, clenching his hands tightly into fists before he takes a step forward and drops to take a seat next to him. There is a part of him that wonders whether moving closer is a mistake, especially while John’s mood is so volatile. Whether all of this is a mistake. Well, he supposes there’s only really one way to find out.

“Can’t,” Ianto says softly, “or won’t?”