Not sure anyone still reads this, I've been absent from this story/this whole fandom for a while. I just got really distraught and unsure of my wring for this fandom. I'm honestly not sure I'm past it, but I'm trying to bring things back as my muse lets me.
So here we go!
ENJOY!
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Ianto looked up from the railing between the hall, and garden he'd been perched over as he waited for Jack. Not expecting the clack of heals in the otherwise empty area. Duchess Hallet was striding angrily down said hall. She was headed right for him; and if he didn't know her better, he'd be struck by her determined beauty. The younger Prince couldn't help the gulp at the clear anger written across her striking features. He looked around wildly, hoping to see someone, anyone else. Where the hell was his new friend? Prince Jones didn't know if he could face her alone. A sneer was already curling her lip, and he prayed for strength from the mother Goddess. He bowed, "Duchess Hallet…" Ianto greeted, trying to still be polite despite the fear roiling through him.
"Oh, don't even start!", the Duchess sneered, cutting him off. She had been livid when they'd been told of the changes, promising Duchess Cooper she'd take care of this. "I just knew it would be you!" She muttered, dropping her skirts in a huff as she stood there looking at him expectantly.
"I'm sorry…I don't…" The startled Prince began, not understanding her anger.
Lisa cut him off again. Not seeming to notice, or care for his obvious confusion. She refused to believe Prince Jones didn't have a hand in her new seating arrangements. Duchess Hallet felt cheated, despite having sat with Saxon at other events too many times to count. "Like you don't know they moved Duchess Cooper, and I. Just so you along with some other goody, goody prat can sit with High King Saxon, and his precious daughter at dinner." The dark skinned Duchess snarked as she stood before him, her eyes shooting daggers.
"We're sitting on the dais, with the High Princess, and the High King tonight?" Ianto murmured in shock. Unsure now, if he was more nervous about that, or Lisa looking like she wanted to throttle him.
Definitely Lisa
She stopped abruptly, "You honestly had no clue?" Then the Duchess laughed, a high pitched haughty sound that made him inwardly cringe. "I really should have expected as much. You always were a clueless idiot when it came to 'playing the game'." Duchess Hallet sneered again, eyeing him like he was simple, and stupid. She knew right where to hit him. Lisa also knew he was too polite to fight back.
The younger Prince's fingers clenched with the effort it was taking not to fall apart under her scrutiny. He could feel his pulse start to pick up. His want to just run and hide becoming hard to ignore. Ianto refused to let her win, and held his ground, just a bit longer and she'd leave.
Right?
Suddenly The Prince of the Golden Dunes spoke before she could take it even further. "Unlike you, and almost every other royal, Prince Ianto isn't kind just to get something out of it." Prince Jack stated firmly, as he leant casually against the wall to the side. Like he'd always been there. Wearing a pristinely tailored all black tunic over tailored black dress slacks. The gold sash, bearing the jeweled crest of his kingdom, and a contrasting snow white cape dashingly over a single shoulder. Jack's mask was of course firmly in place to hide his true features, but the younger Prince would know those eyes, and lazy grin anywhere. "I suggest you go, unless you want to miss the High King's big entrance." The older prince urged, no malice or threat in his tone. None was needed, Prince Jack knew Duchess Hallet was all Bark no bite.
Ianto smiled at him in thanks, as said Duchess turned away in a huff. Unwilling to fight now that Prince Jones had reinforcements. "Thanks Jack. Really, Thank You." Ianto sighed. Pulling at his wine red tunic in nervous habit. He tried not to feel, less. He was certainly no slouch, but his dress uniform left a lot to be desired next to his friend's. Jack walked over, and cupped Prince Jones's cheeks, forcing the other Prince to stop fidgeting, and look at him, but Ianto kept his eyes shut. Tiny whimpers sounding as he finally let go of everything he'd been holding back.
"Hey, look at me." Prince Harkness soothed. Prince Jones's eyes opened, even full of fear they were gorgeous. "She's gone, ok?" Ianto nodded, his eyes still wild. "Look at me, Ianto. Breathe like me ok, slowly now." Jack murmured, taking long calming breaths. It didn't seem to be working quick enough. So, Jack being Jack, did the only thing he could think of, and leaned in.
Soft lips covered his own, and Prince Jones gave a muffled squeak, then grabbed for the other man like Prince Harkness would disappear if he didn't. A tongue begged entrance, and he opened his mouth without thought. All thoughts of inadequacy forgotten as he enjoyed the connection, pulling Jack in closer.
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Unbeknownst to them, Duchess Rose was passing by with Anika, and stopped abruptly. "Looks like we needn't worry about them not liking each other." Rose tittered, as the two Princes clung to each other. She tried not to stare at the men who may very well become her family.
"I should say not." The High Princess agreed with a small smile. When she'd first thought about the prospect of a Duo of kings. It wasn't about their Kingdom being vast. With two husbands, she would have a better chance that at least one of them might love her for more than the tittles. That had been the first, and often prevailing thought anyway. That there might be love between all three of them had just been a faraway daydream. Something, that was not exactly unattainable, but certainly not a goal at the same time. Truly, Anika was happy for them. Last thing she wanted, was to choose two Princes who couldn't stand each other. Ultimately, it was yet another reason not to eliminate them. She'd have to have Theta talk to them, though. Make sure both Princes still wanted to be a part of this craziness even after finding each other. If they didn't want another 'lover', last thing she wanted was to force them into having one.
With that last thought, the High Princess turned to her cousin in-law. "We should go. Don't want to keep Ta Ta, and Daddy waiting. You know how he is about grand entrances." She smirked, knowing one or both of them would be cross if they were late. Luckily Rose nodded with a knowing giggle, and they continued silently down the hall.
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Finally, Jack pulled away. Knowing they'd need a room if they went much further. He still held the younger Prince's head in place, gently rubbing his thumbs along soft skin. "Better?" The older Prince asked, as Ianto blinked at him a little dazed.
"I…I yeah…Thank you." The younger man replied, Prince Harkness's taste still lingering on his tongue. There was a different question in Jack's eyes, and Ianto sighed as the older Prince let go, and stepped back to give him air.
"Something happened with her, didn't it? Something bad." The older Prince guessed. He could recognize a panic attack when he saw one. Ianto's eyes had been filled with the terror you'd see in a cornered animal. He wanted answers sure, but it would be Prince Ianto's choice whether he'd get them, or not.
The younger prince debated, but if he wanted this budding relationship to be anything other than superficial, he needed to trust Jack. "You…you deserve to know." Ianto decided, adding. "And I'll tell you about it, I promise I will. Just not tonight, ok?" The younger Prince pleaded, fussing with his black sash, bearing the Crest of his beloved Heathway. Wanting to look his best, especially if he was to sit with the High King. Making sure his mask was back in place after wiping away the few tears that had managed to escape.
"Yeah, ok not tonight." Jack agreed, not wanting to cause the younger prince anymore stress. Prince Harkness had met the High King once, but it was years ago. Saxon had come to his father personally, wanting new crowns made to fit his daughter's free spirited style. Even bringing a couple designs from the High Princess herself. They'd turned out beautiful, and the High King had left most pleased. He'd returned shortly after, bringing many sketches with him. Special designs for everything from jeweled shoes to a bedecked teddy bear.
Both looked over to see the Duke of the Isles heading for them. A less angry, and more sedate pace, but still purposeful. "Ah good Yes, there you are, and both together." Theta rambled when he spotted the other two men. "No doubt that callus twit of a Duchess, High Queen Yvonne insists Neek hangs out with has ruined the surprise." He grumbled, thinking of how he'd failed from stopping Lisa from storming off earlier. "Well, nothing for it now. Allons-y you two, mustn't keep the High King waiting." The Duke ushered them down the hall before either could properly respond.
Showtime…
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LOVE Y'ALL
