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Ianto Jones had long since gotten used to the odd rhythm of the Torchwood 3 Tourist Office. To the outside world, it was just another bland tourist trap. To Torchwood, however, it was the perfect cover for their much more secretive operations lurking beneath Cardiff. So long as someone was in there often enough to keep up the façade, and, more often than not, that someone was Ianto.
To be fair, he didn't mind. Not really.
He had a hundred different roles at Torchwood, pterodactyl wrangler, coffee-fetcher, archivist, and even a field agent when the need arose. But there was something oddly peaceful about spending a few hours managing the tourist office. Sure, it wasn't the most thrilling job, but it gave him a sense of normality in a world that never stopped throwing strange, dangerous events his way. And, when things were slow, there was always the occasional tourist to deal with.
And then, of course, there were his ladies.
The door swung open with the soft jingle of the bell, and Ianto barely had to glance up to know who it was. They were right on time.
"Ah, there he is!" Mrs. Hamilton announced, stepping inside with the air of a woman arriving at a long-awaited event. She smoothed her lilac coat and gave Ianto a dramatic once-over. "Looking as handsome as ever, Mr. Jones."
"You do spoil me," Ianto said, offering her a warm smile. "What would you do if I let myself go?"
"I suppose we'd have to find another young man to lavish our attention on," Mrs. Lancaster mused, adjusting her pearl necklace. "But I doubt anyone else could handle us."
Mrs. Byers, the sharpest of the trio, leaned on the counter and tapped a manicured nail against it. "Ianto, dear, don't tell me you're working too hard. No one should be that serious all the time."
Ianto sighed dramatically. "Oh, you know me. Work, work, work. No time for fun."
Mrs. Hamilton gasped. "Scandalous! A nice young man like you should never be so overworked."
Ianto chuckled, leaning on the counter. "Flattery will get you everywhere, Mrs. Hamilton."
The trio giggled like schoolgirls, and Ianto let them have their fun, indulging in the back-and-forth. It was a well-practised routine, he flirted, they flirted back, but it was all good-natured fun. He enjoyed their company, and if he could brighten their day, all the better.
As he entertained them, his computer let out a soft beep, an alert flashing across the screen. Ianto's eyes flicked to it immediately to see what had happened.
Someone had left the Hub via the invisible lift.
And there was only one person who'd be dramatic enough to do so without telling anyone.
Oh, for God's sake.
Ianto returned his focus to the ladies, making sure not to let his amusement show, certain he knew who it was. Sure enough, just two minutes later, the door to the tourist office swung open again, and in walked Captain Jack Harkness, trying very hard to look casual.
It was, of course, completely unconvincing.
Jack strolled in, hands in his coat pockets, his usual self-assured smile firmly in place. But Ianto could see it, the slight narrowing of his eyes, the way his gaze flicked toward the ladies before settling on Ianto.
Oh, this was priceless.
"Wow!" Jack said, far too loudly, accent thicker than Ianto had ever heard it, hands on his hips as he surveyed the tiny tourist office. "What a charming little place! Hello there, kind sir, I was wondering if you could help a traveller find his way around Cardiff?"
Ianto almost choked.
The ladies turned to look at Jack, immediately intrigued. He was, after all, a handsome man in a great coat, and they never passed up an opportunity to chat up someone new.
Ianto schooled his expression into one of practised politeness and folded his hands neatly on the counter. "Of course, sir," he said smoothly, ignoring the way Jack's lips twitched at the corners. "How can I assist you today?"
Jack stepped closer, resting his elbows on the counter, "Well, I'm new to town," he said, voice dripping with faux innocence. "And I was hoping someone could tell me what there is to see. Maybe even recommend a nice café?"
Mrs. Lancaster hid a chuckle behind her hand.
Ianto nodded along, playing along with impeccable sincerity. "Well, you've come to the right place. We have maps, guides, and plenty of recommendations for sightseeing." He pulled a pamphlet from the rack and handed it over. "Perhaps you'd be interested in Cardiff Castle?"
Jack took the pamphlet, flipping through it like it contained the secrets of the universe. "Fascinating. Is there anything else that you would recommend, Mister…?"
"Jones," Ianto said smoothly, extending a hand. "Ianto Jones."
Jack shook it firmly, holding on just a fraction too long. "Ianto Jones," he repeated, as if savouring the name. "Nice to meet you. I'm… Jim."
Mrs. Byers giggled.
Ianto, refusing to break character, inclined his head. "Pleasure, Jim. Now, as for recommendations, I'd say the Bay is a must-see. Lovely view. And there's a great little café there, assuming you like coffee."
Jack grinned. "Oh, I love coffee. Maybe you could show me where this café is sometime?"
Ianto arched an eyebrow. "I don't typically offer personal tours, sir."
Mrs. Hamilton, who had been quietly observing, leaned in with a smirk. "Oh, I don't know, Ianto. This gentleman seems very interested in local attractions."
Jack placed a hand over his heart. "Guilty as charged! I have a thing for well-dressed men with excellent customer service skills."
Mrs. Lancaster outright laughed at that, and Ianto fought the urge to roll his eyes.
"Oh, Ianto," Mrs. Byers chimed in, her voice dripping with affection, "you are the best at customer service. I'm sure you have all the ladies in Cardiff lining up for a taste of your hospitality." She winked, nudging her friends conspiratorially.
Ianto raised an eyebrow, playing along. "If only I had the time to entertain all my admirers, Mrs. Byers. Some days, it's a full-time job keeping up with all the compliments."
Mrs. Lancaster added with a grin, "Do remember, dear, if you tire of all these tourists, you know where to find us. We may be old, but we've still got plenty of energy left."
Ianto grinned, leaning against the counter as he swept his gaze over the trio. "I'll keep that in mind, Mrs. Lancaster. I'm sure your company is always well received."
The ladies giggled in unison, clearly enjoying themselves. Jack, meanwhile, was obviously not. Ianto caught the way his jaw tightened and the forced smile plastered across his face, clearly trying, and failing, to hide his irritation.
"Alright, alright," Mrs. Hamilton said, waving her hand as she moved to leave. "You've made us blush enough, Ianto. We'll leave you to your duties. But don't think we'll be gone long!"
"Until next time, ladies," Ianto said with a smile, tipping an imaginary hat. "It was a pleasure as always."
With a final round of cheeky winks and playful giggles, the trio made their way to the door, leaving Ianto with a feeling of amusement... and if he was honest with himself, just a touch of smugness.
As the door clicked shut, Ianto turned to face Jack, his amusement growing as he caught the forced smile still stretched across his face. It was subtle, but Ianto knew what to look for and could see the tension in his jaw, the way his eyes flickered with something that wasn't quite amusement. The easy confidence that usually radiated from Jack had faltered, just slightly.
Ianto leaned back against the counter, arms crossed, his expression one of playful satisfaction.
"Jim?"
Jack's smile turned a bit more genuine at that, and he moved so he was standing a little closer than usual. "Short notice," he said, his voice light but with a hint of something else, maybe possessiveness, though it was carefully hidden. "What was I supposed to say? Bartholomew?"
Ianto chuckled, unable to hide the smirk tugging at his lips. "I can't believe you came all the way up here because you were jealous of pensioners."
Jack scoffed. "Jealous? Me? Please." He leaned against the counter, attempting nonchalance. "I was just making sure you weren't being overwhelmed. Those ladies can be very... demanding."
Ianto chuckled, leaning closer across the desktop. "Oh, absolutely. Very dangerous. I'm lucky to have survived the encounter."
Jack squinted at him. "You're mocking me."
"Just a little," Ianto admitted. Then, before Jack could protest further, he reached out, tugging him forward by the lapels of his coat. Jack barely had time to smirk before Ianto pressed a kiss to his lips, brief, but warm, reassuring.
When Ianto pulled back, he gave Jack an amused look. "You do know you're my favourite pensioner, don't you?"
Jack blinked, momentarily stunned, then his eyes narrowed playfully. "Did you just call me a pensioner?"
Ianto smirked. "You are over a hundred years old."
Jack opened his mouth, clearly about to argue, but then seemed to think better of it. Instead, he exhaled dramatically, resting his forehead against Ianto's. "Fine. But if I am your favourite, you should prove it."
Ianto hummed thoughtfully. "Mm. I suppose I could be persuaded."
Jack grinned. "Good answer."
And with that, he pulled Ianto into another kiss, because if there was one thing Jack Harkness didn't like, it was losing.