3

Jack entered the large kitchen to find the evening meal being placed out, the little one with the scarred face swinging to wave and pat a seat next to her with hope. Jack smiled as he bowed, "Excuse me my dear lady, is this seat taken?"

She giggled as she shook her head and he slid into the chair, looking around the table at the many faces. So many children, more steaming through that seemed unwilling to sit, snatching food and racing off, then adult servants settling as the cook placed plates in front of them. Then the Suited One entered, his jacket gone and the sleeves of his shirt rolled up showing he had been working as well. The waistcoat pinched at his waist almost like a corset. Gods he looked fuckable.

As if hearing the thought he stopped and glanced at Jack, then continued to settle slightly further down on the other side of the table, a grizzling toddler waddling over to him for a cuddle and he distractedly lifted the child into his lap and reached for a little bun which he buttered and offered the child.

"So. The kids who don't sit. Because there is no room? I see empty seats" Jack asked as Rhys settled in the chair opposite and he felt the eyes of the Suited One bore into him.

"Shy, excited or anti-social today. We don't push. If they want to sit, they sit. There are some who find it almost physically painful to do so for any length of time, their fear of punishment for any small infraction making them seek places to hide while eating, also some were starved and fear another will steal their food. It takes time for them to realise there will always be a plate at mealtimes. You cannot push these things" the melodic voice of the Suited One answered softly as he buttered the other half of the bun and the toddler who had stopped grizzling was how humming something as he examined it and began to eat again.

"All these babies" Jack said with wonder to the Suited One, "How can the Master afford it?"

"We don't ask things like that" Rhys cut into the conversation, giving Jack a look of … warning? "Ianto has money from inheritance as well as people have donated money to the cause. Some children have bought a small parcel with them and the state gives some money yearly… things like that. We are not rich, but … we provide."

Jack nodded as he looked at the Suited One, now staring openly at him.

"You do not like children mister…."

"Harkness. Please, call me Jack. I do like children, had one of me own once upon a time, no. No problem with little ones." Jack assured him and he finally saw a morsel of food pass those pursed lips, finally reassured that he was not some changeling as he began to eat delicate spoonfuls of food. "And your name?"

"Jones" came the reply between bites.

Rhys made a noise to pull him back and he realised he had been staring, turning to smile at Rhys as Rhys asked, "Is the apartment OK? Our last hand loved it, he and his partner were cosy there. Her Mama died and they had to go back to care for her aged father. Took three children they couldn't bear to part with."

"Yeah, they do get under your skin" Jack smiled, "It is lovely and warm. I like the all way around platform on the second level outside too, Others coming in the night can be seen from every side."

The Suited One shivered and looked at his plate, then slid back his chair as Jack wondered if his talk of the creatures of the night had upset him, then to his amazement the Suited One looked over at him and smiled.

Brief.

Fleeting.

Gorgeous.

Shit.

Dangerous.

Jack looked away and focused on the wall as he had an internal war with himself. Such a lovely man, such an exotic scent as he passed behind Jack's chair to place his plate on the bench. This was not part of the plan. Stick to it. Keep your head down for a few months or so, then flick away.

Jack turned his head to see the Suited One kneel, a child demanding attention and he again saw the change of features that took the harsh stiltedness away and the handsome young man hidden within crooned as the child received his kiss.

Jack then saw something else.

As the man rose several others at the table rose as well, as he left the room they sat again as if they were showing some sort of respect.

So.

He was the head servant?

And when was he going to meet the Master.

This …. Ianto.

Movement at the doorway had Jack looking up, stormy eyes boring into him as the Suited One reappeared and then canted his head. Jack felt like he was an insect being studied, then a blink and he was gone.

Had he just imagined that? I mean … you don't just disappear right?

Jack old himself not to care … not to get involved.

Just a few months.

Then flicking off.

Right?