39
Ianto was trying to let things settle with Jack, wanting to create some space to let things sit for a while. He had been summoned for a face-to-face with her majesty but when he got there he found Jack there as well, looking as surprised as him. Ianto sighed as he saw that the old woman was meddling, ever so gently. What could he do?
"Ianto!"
Ianto turned and smiled as Prince William walked towards him, his hand already extended as he showed delight in seeing him and Ianto answered calmly "your Royal Highness."
"Granny up to her old tricks?" William asked glancing at Jack, then back to Ianto "She knows you two have things to sort out. Was talking about it earlier this morning, then went quiet. Be careful … she will try to force an admission of something here. She does love to meddle."
"Well … it is her prerogative" Ianto smiled as he let go of the hand and William turned to Jack, shaking his head too. Then a small child giggled, racing past and William made a noise of annoyance, taking off after the child.
Ianto and Jack walked to the receiving room she preferred for real friends instead of those pesky ones she had to put on airs and graces for. Jack opened the door and let Ianto slip past before closing it, smiling as he watched Ianto walk over to the short woman standing by the fireplace.
"Mum" Ianto said as he got to her and then to Jack's surprise Ianto gathered her into a gentle embrace, careful of the elderly woman who was still so much in charge of things. She embraced him back and showed happiness in his touch, then he stepped back and Jack stepped into her line of sight.
"Majesty" Jack said gently.
"Well now Captain. I am pleased you found the time for me" she said and he smiled as she dropped the royal 'we' with them. He also knew this was a trap and he was not about to fall into it by saying he always had time for her. This would lead to her pointing out times he did not come on command.
"I am here this time little bit!" he winked and she snorted. Nice sidestep.
Ianto moved to the window, looking out over her gardens "The frost cloth is going in?"
"Yes, my roses will feel the early frosts tonight" she agreed "It will be a chilly morn."
She moved to stand close to him and Ianto moved slightly to allow her to stand in the window with him. Jack stood with silent surprise as she seemed to lean into Ianto and his hand slid to her lower back. Then Jack recognized what he was seeing. Ianto was 'feeding' her. She was gaining strength from him like he was a damned battery pack.
"So… how often do you two meet?" he asked Ianto's glare telling him that he was well aware of the fact that he was prolonging the lady's life-force with his own.
"Don't be jealous" she scolded as she finally moved to sit, motioning for them to sit as well "so prickly."
"He is rather possessive" Ianto winked, "of which of us, I am not sure."
She giggled then said to Jack "Now. You two are going got sort things right? You two? For the child?"
"For goodness sake, stop that you terrible girl" Jack scolded then grinned as he looked over the food "Yum."
"I shall be mother" she said cheekily rising to pour the tea as Ianto leaned back in his chair to watch the sweet lady enjoy her power over them.
"Actually I intend taking Ianto for a meal and a serious discussion hopefully ending with some way forward as a family" Jack said and Ianto blinked as he now knew that Jack had full disclosure on the meeting today. Oh? Really? She and Jack were in this together? Dirty pool.
"Well … you shall have it here. There is a lovely little dining room here. You shall spend the night, sort things out and leave here renewed!" she said with a nod of approval.
Jack snorted "Come on Lilibet. I can't shag him in one of your beds!"
"Who says you get to be on top?" Ianto asked then slapped his hand over his mouth as Jack laughed.
The queen looked pleased with herself as she rose "I shall leave you two to it shall I?"
Ianto went to rise but felt slightly light headed then he saw that she had not drink her tea "Oh you naughty minx. Truth serum?"
"What?" Jack asked then looked down at the cups as well "Awwww, Elizabeth! You are so naughty. Really? We didn't agree to this!"
She swept from the room and Ianto sat staring at Jack, afraid to speak at all now he knew there was no way he could shield or lie. Jack sat as well, both of them looking at their cups then Jack sniggered "In me cups."
"Right. I shall start" Ianto said, emboldened now the serum had settled in "I want to thump you. You are an insufferable prick. Sometimes I look at you and want to smash your face into the back of your skull… ya know?"
"Really? This face?"
Ianto glanced at him then sniggered softly "Yeah. That face ya facey prick!"
"I love you" Jack said softly "Like I have never loved before. I am afraid of hurting you, losing you and of you hurting me."
"Well … and yet, here we are."
