Ianto can't help but feel as though John's reassurances make him feel as though he's attempting to calm a child, but perhaps in this case he deserves it a bit. He glances down at the shirt in question, coloring slightly before leaning back into the other man's bumping against him and cautiously wrapping an arm around his waist.

"I thought it'd be nice to have as company, setting off on my own like this," he answers, quietly. "No substitute for the real company, of course." And he's not sure he quite fits into the thing, truth be told, though he fits enough to be able to wear it. A bit tight through the shoulders, and he's careful not to try and button it closed for fear he might tear a seam.

He's quiet for another long moment as he sits together with the other man before he takes in a long breath and lets it out slowly. "Someday you're going to need to let me take the hit for you, you know," he says. "I've stood back and watched you defend me enough times. It has to come around sooner or later."