1
Ianto turned for the third time in as many minutes and touched Dylan's shoulder gently, his hand sliding down to adjust the Harkness-Jones pin. Jack watched him preen as he smiled lovingly at their son, Lorenzo and Carley happily sitting together unaware of their Taddy's discomfort even as Dylan smiled back up at him.
"Just remember… You have to take a moment and bow, then wait for him to speak first OK?"Ianto whispered and Dylan nodded as he rubbed his hands on his pants and Jack turned to ask why they bow when the doors whooshed open and they stepped from the elevator to the grand entrance of the private quarters of Ianto's cousin Idris.
Jack felt his blood rush from his face as Royal Guards turned to face them with weapons on display then to his utter horror they bowed.
"Stop that" Ianto chortled, "You are all terrible!"
Laugher as some moved to greet him, all showing respect and one even bowed again "Greetings Duke."
"Call me that again and I'll nut ya!" Ianto growled, then smiled as he hugged the man, "Where is he?"
"Throne room, some delegation from the Planet Gervob are just about done, come Duke Toto."
"Look, I told you already, stop it. You know he only gave me the title to piss me off. Like I really want to change my business cards all the time" Ianto said happily, his hand on Dylan's shoulder as thy reached huge double doors that swung open to reveal a throne room complete with two thrones at the end of a long red carpeted walk. Large columns on either side were like sentries, little creatures painted on them frolicking amongst ivy and wild flowers, climbing roses that were real on some.
"Taddy? What are those?" Lorenzo asked with interest as he pointed.
"Mara" one of the guardsmen stopped walking and knelt, "These ancient peoples once ruled this land. They control the weather, some even say time itself. Some call them fairy folk, see that column? That's them when playing. This one over here is them when they reveal themselves."
"Wow" Lorenzo said with open awe, "Mandems, see Taddy? These is way awesome."
"I hear the call of a young Hoodlum" a voice boomed and the dark throne moved, revealing a black man in black clothing that had been almost invisible, his cape falling back to reveal dark blue lining.
"Hello Idris" Ianto smiled as the man stalked down the steps and Dylan remembered the repeated instructions as he stepped forward and bowed politely, followed by an enamoured Lorenzo. Carley looked too, then squealed.
"Pretty man! My pretty man!" she yelled with glee, reaching for him and Idris laughed as he reached out and took her from the now immobile Jack, clucking as he cuddled her and declared her a little queen.
"You are adorable" he gushed, "Come my queen, come sit at the table and dine with the king."
"For the love of the gods!"Ianto huffed. They followed him to the large room next door with a long table and a feast clearly in the making. Ianto sighed and then scolded, "Idris, what is this? Come on."
"Everyone, the Duke is here" Idris boomed, "Come, we shall eat. The king is well pleased with his subjects."
Ianto turned to Jack and hissed, "Ignore him, he's playing. He doesn't really talk like that."
Jack sat and watched, wondering if this was real or if he was maybe dreaming. The food coming out was amazing, those sitting to eat an eclectic bunch with open Hoodlum clothing from the block to suits like Ianto. Jack suddenly felt strange in his plain clothing and saw why Ianto had left out a tie he had ignored.
"So, Toto!" Idris said once the children were settled, someone still in his grip as she sat on her Pretty Man's lap with a plate on the edge of the table for her, "This is your family."
"Carley there on your knee, Dylan here next to me and Lorenzo over there with Kib" Ianto nodded, "Jack and I are very proud of our children. All are fine examples of our joined love."
Kib nodded and pointed at Dylan, "He be biggest?"
"Yes Kib" Ianto smiled at the large orange furred creature who was peering at Dylan like he was a sweetie to be consumed. These were known for their poor eyesight. He blinked slowly as he looked at Dylan and the little boy grinned back.
"Hello, I am five and a half. My brother Lorenzo I five too and Carley is…well…what is she now Taddy dear?" Dylan pondered.
"She will be three in a few months love" Ianto helped him, "Gods help us all."
"Well then…I must get a special gift for my little queen" Idris grinned, "tell me, what about you two boys. Both five, young men eh? Well now. Perhaps you both need a suit, a Hoodlum cut?"
Both boy gasped with glee as Idris yelled for his Master Tailor and Ianto could only groan as he knew this was about to get ….awkward.
His grandfather entered.
