1

Ianto was in his quarters when he became aware of someone behind him and he turned to face Jack who stood in the doorway looking uncomfortable.

"What's wrong?"

Ianto hoped it didn't sound too demanding but seriously, it was barely a month since Jasmine's death and he really hoped he wasn't here to argue about the crown thing again… it was getting old.

"You still sleep here" Jack said with a sullen frown, "I have to come out here every night to get a cuddle."

OK.

A new argument then.

"I am near the dragon out here, they like to be close to me, either I sleep out here or I can sleep on the roof of the castle, your pleasure your majesty" Ianto said calmly and Jack pouted more as he considered a comeback.

Ianto knew he was grieving, feeling guilty for feeling happy that Ianto was back and scared that Ianto would leave again. Ianto knew Jack didn't do the feels so well and was acting out like a child but he was tired too.

"Jack. I am a rider. I must be with my Dragon. They need me a much as you and they do not understand the nights I am away, they pine." Ianto finished folding the tunic, "I see no way around this. As much as I love you, I cannot sacrifice their happiness any more than I would ask you to sacrifice that of your children."

Jack nodded, seeing that this was not an argument but a lesson as he slumped on the edge of the bed and looked around. Then he had one of those ideas he knew Ianto would roll his eyes at so he furtively looked around and then slid towards the door, "Well, gonna check the kitchen for leftovers, are you coming in for lunch? Mama would love to see you."

"Is mine still there?"

"Ianto, you know the meetings that were tabled still have to happen, Jazzy sort of paused things but now we are off and…. Waffling for hours and hours about nothing" Jack sighed theatrically, "Please come on and save me from being polite."

"OK, as long as I do not have to speak to people ether. Can we pretend I am Mute? I know…let's pretend I don't speak English and talk to each other in gibberish."

Jack sniggered at the thought and then shook with laugher as he took off across the keep and Ianto smiled as he listened and slowed his tidying to wonder what Jack was really up to.

He had caught that gleam of intelligence. Or was it madness?

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"It can be done?" he asked softly and his craftsmen nodded with enthusiasm then headed out as Ianto entered the King's Room, bowing and scraping that pissed him off no end ensued until he could shut the door.

The King's Room was what Ianto secretly referred to as Jack's Rumpus Room full of weapons, toys, maps, an old dragon saddle on a saddle-horse the children played on…lots of old stuff his lover collected like a pack rat.

"Why were they here?" Ianto asked as he absently corrected a piece of tat on the shelf behind the large desk Jack as sitting at and Jack reached out a long stick from beside his desk to poke the tat out of line again with glee.

"I had a jobbie for them" Jack said as he swung in his chair and watched the Mara prince stalk about the room, "Some building needed off the west wing. They will complete it for me in no time. Used to my follies."

"Yes, many are" Ianto said as he leaned in to look at a picture behind glass that was barely visible under the filth, "Jack, when was this room last cleaned?"

"Cleaned?" Jack asked with surprise, "Why?"

Ianto smiled and straightened up to turn and face him, seeing something that made his smile bigger. "While we are alone I need to talk to you about Kellie."

"Kellie?"

"Yes. Horrible child, I do think she is plump enough to feel to the dragons now my love" Ianto said in a musical voice and a giggle emanated from under the desk that had Jack's face changing to one of horror.

Ah. Whatever the secret …. She had heard it had she? Ianto revisited the urge to raise an eyebrow and instead stalked some more.

"Yes. My crown will be safe, dragon will be fed and we will be free to adopt another daughter … maybe one with long hair that had no desire to chop it all off like a heathen scummer."

"Oi!" the voice exploded as the child struggled out to stand and face him, her hands on her hips and the wisps of hair on her head sticking out in all directions as Jack sighed and again looked at the mess she had made when she cut off all her gorgeous hair for the funeral pyre.

He was beyond angry that the servants had done so to show their grief, but when she had asked and then decided to do the same he was so upset he thought he might scream. Ianto's dismay was evident as well, now finally accepting her actions he had decided to make it onto something positive.

"There you are" he said with a soft smile, "My sister waits for you. Did you know she is a specialist with hair and will make your little bob pretty again, come. Let's see if she can make it look less like a dragon has already tried to taste you, eh?"

He led the child off and Jack followed nervously as he knew as well as Ianto the child had heard the plans.