Not a very long chapter but I realised it had been a week since the last update. I'm sorry, it would have been up sooner but I got distracted by a burst of original fiction writing and that's always a good thing.

So in this chapter the brothers take the team underwater.

As usual, no offence is intended.

Enjoy!


The team stood on the beach staring at the waves in wonder—well, Jack, Tosh and Gwen were. Ianto and Owen were waiting for the tide to turn. When it came in a boat would arrive with it and that boat would ferry them to their father's palace under the sea.

"Are our feet going to get wet?" Jack asked, taking a quick step back from the water.

"Don't be such a girl, Harkness" Owen said "no offence ladies."

Ianto rolled his eyes and checked his watch "Our ride will be here in five, four, three, two, and one."

With the tide came an ancient row boat carved from an oak log, it was etched in Celtic knot work. It didn't have oars but they weren't needed.

"Get in everyone" Owen said as he helped Tosh in the boat.

Surprising everyone, Jack did not assist Gwen and hopped in himself. Ianto sighed and decided to be a gentleman and helped Gwen inside. Once Ianto was in the boat began to move into the waves.

"What's happening?" Gwen asked, looking around wildly.

A tunnel had appeared in the waves and the boat was moving through that.

Ianto smirked "Ever been to a water park?"

"No."

"Then don't worry about it. Just hold on."

Jack was sitting next to Ianto and he grasped Ianto's hand "Are we going to go fast?"

Ianto thought about it "It depends on your definition of fast."

Jack grinned "That's what I'm talking about."

The boat began to pick up speed and it was like they were in a water slide tunnel.


The water tunnel reminded Jack of a vortex and the boat moved so fast, they came to a stop almost as soon as they started. Ianto gave Jack a hand as they disembarked the boat and Jack kept hold of it. They had arrived at some sort of indoor dock. They were surrounded by walls and Jack spotted a porthole window and saw water outside of it.

"Are we under water?" he asked.

"Yes" Ianto said "the palace is like an air bubble or pocket. Do you how there are some caves that you have to swim underwater to get to?"

Jack nodded, he'd been to such a cave before.

"It works like that. You swim through a tunnel and then come up into a breathable space. That's the scientific explanation. It's easier if you just accept it's magic."

"I understand" Tosh said "my great-great grandmother's brother lives in a lake, his lair is like that." Tosh had told Gwen and Jack of her dragon heritage; Jack just nodded and said 'nifty' and Gwen, fortunately had refrained from commenting.

Suddenly Jack said "I always forget, which Eastern dragons have four fingers and which has five?" he couldn't believe he just asked that.

Tosh smiled, always happy to answer a question "Japanese have four, Chinese or Imperial as they like to call themselves have five."

Owen chuckled and put an arm around her "Why Sato, Toshiko you almost sound jealous of your Chinese cousins."

"I am not."

"Come along" Ianto opened a door "we'll take you to our rooms first, we all must dress traditionally in our father's presence."

They walked along a hallway that was embedded with seashells but Jack could not tell what the walls themselves were made of. He decided it would be better for his sanity if he didn't ask. So he said "So I can't wear my coat? You said 'we all' and what exactly does traditionally mean?"

Owen was the one who answered "Tosh is required to wear a kimono befitting of her dragon blood."

"I have it with me" Tosh patted her shoulder bag.

"The rest of us," Owen continued "will wear traditional Celtic. And no guns in our father's presence either. We gave explicit instructions to leave your weapons at the Hub, why was Tosh the only one who listened?"

Jack's hand went to his webley "Sorry, force of habit."

Gwen to her credit looked sheepish "Well I saw Jack was bringing his."

Ianto sighed "Gwen, Jack's the leader, you're supposed to do as he says not as he does. It's Simon Says, not Shadow."

"Okay, I'm sorry."

Jack grinned but didn't say anything, he did give Ianto's hand a squeeze though.

They showed the girls one room where they could change and took Jack to another. They left him on his own to figure out how to dress in the wrap around kilt like thing and the torc. How exactly did he put that around his neck?

He decided to start with just taking off his street clothes. He stood there naked staring at the clothes Ianto had laid out for him when there was a knock on the door.

"Jack, it's Ianto."

"Come in" Jack called.

Ianto entered the room, he was wearing sandals and a sea blue tunic and kilt with silver trim. He wore a silver torc around his neck and one on his right arm as well. At his side hung a broadsword. He was also staring at Jack with just as much admiration. "I should have known it wasn't you the other day. The real you is much more endowed."

Jack grinned "I think that's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me. You, uh, know how to use that thing?" he pointed to the sword.

"Of course. Would you like some help?" Ianto stepped over to the bed where the Celtic outfit was "I'm afraid you can't wear your birthday suit in front of my father."

"Too bad. Yeah, I could use some help. How does the kilt stay on?"

Ianto sighed and held up a long pointy object "A kilt pin, traditional kilts are not slip on." He helped Jack dress and put the wolf torc around his neck.

"What does the wolf symbolise?" Jack asked.

"Leadership and loyalty. Let's go."

"One moment" Jack put his hands on Ianto's neck and kissed him.

Ianto responded by wrapping his arms around him and pulling him closer. Ianto opened his mouth to moan and Jack took the opportunity to snake in his tongue. He moved his kisses to Ianto's neck and began to nip lightly. The young god's moans were music to Jack's ears and they tumbled onto the bed. Ianto rolled on top and brought their lips together again. He was directly over Jack and it was clear he was enjoying this just as much as Jack was.

Some cleared his throat.

They pulled apart to see Owen and the girls standing there, Owen tapping his foot impatiently "Shall we get on?" he said.

Ianto was as calm as ever as he stood up and straightened out his tunic, "Yes, let's." His face was a little red though.

Jack just grinned, Tosh was blushing sweetly and Gwen, well, was it just Jack or did she look a might jealous? Oh well, her loss.

Owen rolled his eyes "I suggest you two cool it before we see Father."

Ianto smoothed out his kilt "I'm perfectly fine."

Jack stared at him, his mini captain was still eager to play "You are?"

Ianto gave him a smile "Gods are better at controlling it but this is not the conversation to have in the presence of ladies" he looked at them "and I'm sorry if that sounds old fashioned and sexist but it's what I believe."

An bag of frozen peas appeared in Owen's hand and he tossed it directly at Jack's crotch. Fortunately he was still seated on the bed or else he would have hit the floor. As it happened, he made a squeaky sound. "What was that for?"

"Owen!" Ianto admonished.

Owen just smirked "More relaxed now, Jack?"

Jack bit his lip and nodded "I'm fine."

Ianto pulled him to his feet "Walk it off, takes ten minutes to get to the throne room anyway."


Owen noted that Ianto kept hold of Jack's hand on the walk to the throne room. He knew Ianto was attracted to him, he just hoped that Jack treated him right. It may not seem like it sometimes but Ianto was a very sensitive young god, it was why he avoided serious relationships like the plague. He claimed he was cursed, the very few he had didn't end well. They'd all been mortal, so they'd all ended in tragedy or the person he'd been with decided they didn't want to be with a god.

This was why most of Owen's relationships had been with other immortal-types—Katie had been one of the few exceptions.

Before he could sink into depression about that he also noted that Ianto was nervous. So was Owen, they'd never been called before the Council before and they didn't even know when that would be. They had to get the details from their father; Owen hoped he would go easy on them. Maybe allowing them to bring their friends was a good sign. Fingers crossed.

Owen also noted with some satisfaction that Tosh kept step with him the whole time.

Finally they came to the large double doors that would open into their father's throne room. Owen took a breath "Everyone ready?"

Ianto released Jack's hand and needlessly straightened out his tunic again "As I'll ever be."

Owen nodded "Ianto and I will go in first and then we'll call you in after us." He signalled to the Selkie doormen and they opened the doors.


I'm pretty sure traditional kilts are wrap around and the tools they use to keep them on are kilt pins. They probably have belts too, gotta hang those sporrans on something. I just don't know if sporrans are strictly a Scottish thing or not, that's why none of the boys are wearing one. Anyway, I'll see about doing some research and get back to you.

Next time the team finally meets Llyr and we find out when the brothers have to appear before the Council. Do you think they'll need an attorney?

Reviews feed the muses. Thank you kindly.

TTFN