5
Ianto had not expected Prince Jackson to be close to his own age. To be honest, he had expected an older man such like his own siblings. Jackson was… late thirties maybe? No more than ten years between them for sure. Also, despite his obvious illness, he was handsome.
"So. I send Owen to get me an Elvish bond-mate and he brings back… what are you exactly?" he asked the pretty man who stood staring at him with those unnervingly grey eyes… almost lilac in the candlelight.
"I am Elvish. Of the Old Blood, a throwback if you will" came the melodic reply "don't worry. I am definitely of the kind you need for your quickening your Highness."
"I know I did not specify sex but I am surprised to find a male one" Jack said and Ianto felt the first bristling of his spine as he was spoken of like a fucking horse or something.
"I am not livestock. He did not check my teeth!"
Jackson blinked from the bedding and saw the lift of the men's head. Proud. Strong. Young. Yes. Owen chose well. This one would be comfortable to look at.
"Right then. Welcome to my Realm. What is your name? I am his Royal Highness the High Prince Jackson the third."
The man seemed to start, as if …. Amused? He was. His eyes seemed to change, dance in the candlelight and for a moment he was so damned pretty that Jack could not think. Wow.
"I am Ianto."
"Ianto. That mean anything?"
"It is like a child's version of Ifan. Like Billy for William. Ifan is, of course, a standard derivative of John. Just like Jack is another version of John." The man softly said, then fell silent as he stared at him.
"So… we are both Johns at heart?" Jack asked, now amused beyond what he could explain. This man Owen had found was… sweet. Cheeky too.
"I think maybe our parentals hoped we would be Johns but really… you are more of a Jack the Lad if your humour is anything to go by where as I am definably a more dry witted Ianto." Ianto replied.
Finally it happened. Jack laughed. He choked, doubled over gasping for air as he roared with mirth and Ianto rushed to his side, reaching out to grab him and pat his back.
"Well now… I am not sure about this" Ianto said as he settled Jack back in the pillows "Our very first meeting and already you are in my arms. I feel like you are defiantly a Jack the Lad"
Jack laughed again, weakly as he waved a hand at Ianto to stop. Dry. Yes. He'll do.
For a commoner, he seemed quite forward.
.
.
Ianto stood in the room he had been led to by Owen, the ornate wall hangings and thick curtains showing that it was to both keep the sunlight out and the heat. Boeshane. Hot. Dry. Not the cool, lush greenery of Ianto's lands.
He still did not know why he did not give his title when he said hello the Jackson but somehow… he wanted to see what kind of man he was. He was comforted to see that this man he would spend the rest of his life with seemed amiable at least.
"Thank you Owen… this is fine" Ianto sighed, sitting on the edge of the large bed. Looking around some more "Am I able to remove some of the furnishings though? Get more bookcases or shelving? I do love books and would like to build a library for myself for days when I must entertain myself."
"Why?"
"When Prince Jackson is doing standard Royal stuff I can hang around but some things will be … delicate and although I cannot be in the room, I must be in the castle so I am near him. I will need my bolthole here." Ianto explained and Owen nodded as he now understood why Ianto was being given the rooms that the old Queen once had, in the same wing as Jack, instead of the Harlem wing a at the other end of the palace.
Ianto walked to the window and pulled back the thick curtains, stepping back instinctively as the heat entered the room, then he stepped out on the balcony to look over the far courtyard. He could see the stables below and the turn-out yard where his mount would be sometimes. At least she would be happy here, the heat preferable to her.
"The room is acceptable Owen. I can find peace here" Ianto assured him as he retreated back inside and adjusted the thick drapes to stop the heat. He experimented and finally a gentle breeze was achieved around the side of the curtains that might help keep the room cooler.
"Ice. We have ice delivered to the rooms at times, much as your realm had the fireplaces… these are Ice pits" Owen explained as he showed a fireplace shaped thing in the corner of the room, furthest from the door. No Chimney though, instead the grating was connected to the plumbing so as the ice melted it washed away.
Clever.
Ianto nodded and sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing his face "I am tired. I shall bathe, rest and acclimatize. Then hopefully… I can meet the rest of the team."
Owen nodded as he heard the ever so polite dismissal and he headed for the door, turning at the last minute "anything else you will need?"
"No… thank you… ah… no. Just my bags and stuff. Thank you Owen."
Ianto sat and looked around his room. His new life and the only place he might stand a chance without his mother's disdainful gaze.
What the hell had he been thinking?
This had to work.