[Ianto appreciates the apology from Owen. He knows how rare it is to get one out of the other man, after all. It shows how far they've come as friends, really. He appreciates the admittance that he was just doing it for self-preservation, to keep himself out of arm's reach, rather than because he actually had meant it. Maybe Ianto could have reasoned that out eventually, but it did his emotions good to hear it straight from the source.

He's glad that Owen appreciates him for who he is, for the listening. God knows he probably wouldn't be able to open up to the other man in quite the same way, not without things getting uncomfortable. Because he's involved with Jack and despite what Owen might say or pretend on the matter, Jack is the man's captain. But this, moments and conversations like the one that they were having now? He can do this, certainly.

And yes, Ianto was there the last time Owen lost someone. And he'd barely known Diane for a week. Clara he'd been getting to know, dating, for months now. But. Ianto's starting to get it, what's scaring Owen the most. Not the relationship itself, but letting himself have one and then losing it. It's much the same motivation that's kept Ianto from talking to Jack thus far. The fear of loss. Losing something that's truly special to him.

Ianto struggles to find words that will both be meaningful and also something that Owen won't toss aside for making him too uncomfortable.] This isn't like last time. And Clara isn't Diane. You're not the same person now you were then either, for that matter. [He glances at the other man.] Look, I'm not going to try and give you some sort of pep talk. You've made it pretty clear you wouldn't appreciate anything like that. But. It's okay. To be afraid. But don't let that stop you from enjoying the good parts, too, yeah?