10

"Another wedding Doctor Harkness-Jones?" the young man asked as he watched his boss take over. "Oooo, black and white theme is it?"

The old man hummed as his shaking hand pulled out his tape measure, the tremor disappearing as Ianto held out his arms to the man that had once trained under his grandfather. "Tea, Terrance my lad."

"Yes Sir, of course"

"I am torn between excitement and horror Dabbles" Ianto sighed at he used the rarely used pet name for the man EVERYONE called Sir around here. The way the old hands patted gently showed there was much affection here for the boy that had grown up under his table.

"And James? How has he been since… Gennie went?" Dabbles paused before asking, the childhood friend that had got him the job with the man who trained him still a raw loss to all.

"Ergh, you know Dad. Threw himself into those Zoom meeting things, teaching another generation to abhor authority" Ianto sniffed then smiled affectionately as he caught the old arthritic hands "It is good to see you."

"I don't know why I even both with this" the old man finally threw the tape measure on the ground theatrically "You have not gained a skirick of fat young man!"

"It's my husband… his pert arse keeps me keen" Ianto winked as the old man chuckled.

Dabbles… Or Master Morecombe Dabbner was one of the most respected and highly feared men in the Tailoring world right now, tailor to the rich and famous. With his own gay life resulting in no offspring he had always been a soft touch for this boy, and now all those children that came with him…. Like the little black boy currently dancing with the upper torso of one of the window mannequins while telling it all about a 'fabulous affair darlink" with those little kitty ears slipping off his head. Awwww.

"A little birdie tells me no Malan for you this year?" Ianto cut into his thoughts.

"No, I don't want to travel anymore. The boy… Terrance is going in my stead.""

"I like him, keen eye." Ianto aged, letting those hands slide around his waist even if the tape measure was still on the floor, the hug not unexpected as the old man revelled in the young pup willing to give him some sugar.

"When I go, I will leave him a little percentage I think… for his troubles. A good boy, maybe the new owner will keep him on as management." The old man smiled and Ianto felt that familiar drop of his gut, trying not to scold as he knew damned well who the rest was going to now.

Shit.

"Dabbles my Darlink" Hawk swaggered over, the mannequin forgotten as he stood in a diva-like pose with his hand on his popped hip, the other out to show him "Is thisREALLY me?"

The little tennis bracelet twinkled in the light as the old man chortled and patted that tiny hand in his own "Perfect pussy cat. You must have it."

"Dabbles! This is why I stopped bringing Babbsy!" Ianto gasped with horror, the thing worth thousands already getting the price tag clipped off neatly as the little shit looked at his Taddy with glee.

Yeah.

Ianto could not really scold ya know… he was one who taught him how to handle Dabbles. His own wedding suit no doubt would be free.

His ONLY tailor.