Masquerade (2/4)
Title: Masquerade (2/4)
Rating: FRAO
Characters/Pairings: Jack/Ianto; OCs
Spoilers: None (Completely AU to the Whoniverse)
Warnings: M/M relations; Swearing
Summary: "Ianto Jones is the youngest son of a wealthy family and he's bored with his mother's attempts to marry him off. At a ball thrown for that very reason, he meets a man he's never seen before and games ensue. Maybe this year won't be as dull as he thought."
Disclaimer: The boys don't belong to me, but I promise RTD that I'll give them back as soon as I'm finished!
Author's Note: I was completely gobsmacked by the reception the first chapter got! It entirely made my day! Abby will vouch for me being stunned that I got 10 comments in about 10 minutes, but when they kept coming? I felt like it was christmas again! So thankyou SO much everyone for reading and commenting =D
This chapter is for unrequited1984 because she was the comment that knocked them over to a second page (and I gave her points, which I've traded in for this shout out.. hopefully that's worth it =S)... ummm, yeah!
I hope you enjoy this as much as the first chapter!
---
Previous Chapter: Masquerade (1/4)
---
Chapter 2
Ianto walked out of the room with his fresh drink and found himself in the atrium once more. He looked upwards, on instinct, to see the chandelier glittering above him.
Golden lights were captured in crystal and thrown artistically across the room, cutting gentle patterns through the golden glow everywhere else. To Ianto, it was the ultimate in disco balls… not that he could complain though, he loved it and always had.
When he turned his eyes downwards again, he noticed Rhiannon cutting a path towards him and promptly melted back into the crowd, heading through what was supposedly the ‘dance hall’. On a normal day, it was used as a very large open area living space. There was normally a snooker table, sofas everywhere and dining table that sat a minimum of sixteen people for his parents’ private dinners.
Now though, the floor was completely open and in the corner near the door was a temporary stage, seating a ten piece string group, currently churning out classical music. The pillars that stood proudly around the room were draped with chiffon curtains to form small, private alcoves for people to sit down in and discuss any business that might arise.
Each was adorned with gold and cream furniture; ornately carved, gilt wood with silk cushions. Ianto quickly picked the one furthest from the door, but with a clear view of it, and wove his way through people until he reached it. Luckily, most of them there weren’t paying enough attention to him to realise who he was.
On his journey, Ianto had recognised several men and women who were in his parents’ circle of close friends. They would undoubtedly have snagged his arm and forced him to make polite yet hideously boring small talk about how his degree was going.
Finally though, he made it across the room and settled down on the chaise-longue in his chosen haven, sitting back slightly from the entrance and looking out at the guests once more, simply enjoying the soft, lilting music.
It was with a smirk that he noticed the dark haired figure moving gracefully through the guests dancing and conversing in the large hall, packed with more people than Ianto suspected his parents really knew. Though, with a large and successful London company, there would be employees, associates, dignitaries involved and other businesses - let alone his sister’s acquaintances and their younger sisters.
This man though, he was a new one. Ianto would’ve remembered if a man as attractive as him had been to one of these before.
He moved with a quiet and assured confidence, charm and intrigue rolling from his every word and movement and Ianto smiled as he wove his way directly through to the alcove he’d claimed. He sipped his drink coolly as the man approached slowly. Their eyes met in a challenge as he finally reached the booth and leaned against the pillar, directly in front of Ianto.
“So you’re the elusive Ianto Jones, huh?” He asked, amusement evident in his voice. The American accent only added to the attraction Ianto was beginning to feel.
“I might be.” He replied with a smirk, for the man couldn’t see the eyebrow cocked in amusement.
“Ahh, then the stories are true.” There was that electrifying grin again.
“Which ones are flying this year?” Ianto asked coolly, adjusting the material of his trousers and straightening his jacket slightly as he sat back to regard the man.
“That you’re quite the rouge agent in the family. I’ve heard all about the late nights and the clubs…” His lips curled in a grin that could only be described as predatory, though not immediately threatening. It was quite a skilful move. “But surely, a fine, upstanding young man such as yourself wouldn’t participate in such activities.”
There was a challenge in his voice, tempered by a great deal of seduction. Ianto smiled once more and lifted the crystal flute to his lips.
“Oh dear. The hostess has a task on her hands tonight then.” The man chuckled and it was very nearly hypnotising. “But then again, that only matters to the man in question, which you still can’t be sure is myself.”
Ianto was well aware that it was painfully obvious who he was, what with the tie and his mother constantly seeking him out. This however, was too fun to ruin. The stranger seemed happy to go with it as well, much to Ianto’s approval.
“What would it take to clarify my suspicions?” He edged forwards, looking down at the young man with an intensity.
Ianto stood up and tilted his chin a little, judging the man. He was slightly taller than Ianto, broader across the shoulders and chest and he smelt good. Really good. His hair was styled gently, product making the dark strands spike forwards and flop across his forehead. The mask revealed sharp and intelligent blue eyes, tinted with lust and a mischievous glint.
He spent a moment regarding the curved lips pulled into that delicious smirk once more and leaned forwards, his head angled slightly as he captured the other man in a firm and testing kiss. His free hand moved between them and grasped the other’s crotch, a grin pulling at him when he felt that not much preparation would be needed. The man just continued that predatory smirk and Ianto snorted gently in amusement.
He smoothly pulled back and stepped around the other, smirking to himself as he sipped once more at his drink. He felt an intangible burning on his back and knew without turning that the man’s eyes boring into him, fixed firmly on what was most likely his arse. With a smile, he took his time before melting into the crowd once more.
He turned and caught a glimpse of the stranger still leaning against the pillar, though now facing outwards, looking down to his feet and rubbing his lips gently, another smile on his face.
Maybe this year wasn’t going to be as completely dull after all.
*
Ianto had just finished being introduced to his father’s new business associates when he spotted a group of people moving towards him. With a grin and a slightly sadistic bark of laughter, his father slapped him on the back and moved away with his colleagues, just in time for Ianto to have no way to escape.
“Baby brother, there you are!” Emrys called, grinning as he walked arm in arm with Rhiannon, the others following a little behind. Ianto forced a smile and greeted him.
“How’re you enjoying it?” Rhi asked with a surprisingly amount of sincerity.
“Oh, you know, a ball’s a ball.” He managed to sound sarcastic and she rolled her eyes at him. “I see the usual suspects have been gathered though.”
The women standing around were all old school friends of his sister. Amongst them were the ones he’d practically grown up with, including one Miss Violet Harris - possibly the friendliest of the group. On many occasions, she’d taken the time to actually talk to him when they met during summer holidays or at events like this.
“Vi, it’s good to see you again.” He smiled and she nodded, an amused quirk to her lips.
“Could I possibly steal you for a dance?” She asked brightly, looking between the siblings. Emrys laughed and patted his brother hard on the shoulder before directing the group away, leaving the two alone to make their way through to the dance hall.
The music was a soft waltz that wove and bled through the room, making it a smooth transition to spin the woman into the dance. She stood a head shorter than him and wasn’t as slender as most of the other girls. She wore a simply grey halter neck dress with a deep back that revealed almost the entire expanse of skin. Simple pearls around her neck and wrists and nothing fussy with her hair.
That was Vi.
Of course, Ianto considered her as an older sister before anything else, and there was no way that the looks his mother threw him from the doorway as she passed would come to anything. She should’ve known better.
“How’ve you been, Ianto?” She asked as they glided slowly across the floor to the music.
“Pretty good, though interruptions to my studies generally don’t help.” She chuckled gently.
“Have you had any girlfriends recently?” She asked with a concern that neither his mother of sister showed considering the subject.
“Not ‘girlfriends’ per-se, but I’ve not been alone.”
“Men?”
“Sometimes. It completely depends on what mood I’m in.” He flashed her one of those charming smiles that he reserved for his friends and spun her around slightly.
“You are completely incorrigible, Ianto Jones.” She did her best to look chastising, but ended up laughing as he swooped her downwards, smiling placidly as they faces came closer together.
Their chatter continued for a while as they moved further into the music, but then a look that Ianto would’ve described as pure evil came across Vi’s face and made him spin, letting go of his hands, only for her to be replaced in one smooth transaction.
“Have fun.” She whispered in his ear before slipping away into the throng.
Ianto looked witheringly at the man standing oh-so close to him, an arm looped around his waist and his large hand clutching Ianto’s over his heart. Ianto could feel hard muscle and soft skin and gentle heat that had no trouble passing through the two thin layers of material. Still, Ianto kept the challenging stare with a cool politeness.
They’d been moving since the moment the stranger took Vi’s place, as if nothing had occurred. They moved and waltzed in perfect time, aware of the jealous eyes of onlookers, for both men. It wasn’t for a while that either deigned to talk, letting the dancing add to the subtle and silent power play between them. Ianto was amused to find that he’d ended up being the woman of the pair.
“If this ball wasn’t being held by a fashion mogul, we’d be causing quite the sensation.” Ianto remarked conversationally, after several pleasant minutes. The man’s lips tugged into a smile. “As it is, most of the men here are gay and half the ones dancing are with their partners.”
“Ah yes, but from the looks you’re receiving from several young woman around the place, it’s a shock and a scandal.” The man’s lips were by his ear and he practically felt the smirk against his skin.
“Though not as much as some would like to think.”
“And to you?” He heard the question as much as felt it, the husky vibrations in the ribcage pressed so firmly against his buzzing pleasantly.
“It entirely depends on my mood.” Ianto whispered seductively, lips grazing the man’s ear just before the music reached it’s climax and fell to a long, finishing chord. With a perfectly neutral expression, Ianto pulled away and bowed in time with everyone else on the floor.
For the second time that night, he turned and left the man standing with his hands in his pockets.
*
“Ianto, have you met Christine?”
He turned to find his mother approaching him with another woman in tow. She was barely a woman at all though, just a girl in her mother’s finery - dressed up to try and seduce the ‘elusive’ member of the Jones family.
“I’m afraid I’ve not had that pleasure, Mam.” He forced a smile and held his hand out, the young lady tentatively placing hers in it. At that moment, he caught a glimpse of the stranger moving across the room and he knew there was a pair of sharp blue eyes on him. With a smile, he bent and kissed the girl’s fingers gently, bowing slightly.
When he looked up, she blushed and looked down at her feet. His mother was smiling smugly as she headed off, leaving Ianto and Christine alone.
“How’re you enjoying the evening?” He asked politely, smiling gently as she looked up at him, slightly bewildered.
“To be honest, I wish I was at home with Star Wars on the TV.” She flushed slightly and looked down at her feet, clutching her hands together. Ianto grinned and laughed gently. “Sorry, that was so rude of me.”
“Not at all, I’d rather be back in my dorm room with my music on.” He grinned as she laughed nervously, looking up with a smile.
It was then that he realised he’d been unfair on her. She had a certain type of beauty, still in it’s early stages, but there nonetheless. She was dressed in a rather elegant emerald coloured silk, a low back and hanging gently on her shoulders. It was shown off by a gold pendant of knotted chain. Her hair was a light brown and twisted and curled up rather stylishly.
Still, no matter what, she was only about eighteen and looked more than a little lost in the crowds, bearing none of Vi’s aura of confidence.
“Who dragged you here then?”
“Oh, my mother. She’s decided that I need to make appearances at the big occasions. Apparently this is about as big as they get around here.” She pulled a face and sighed gently.
“I know exactly what you mean.” Ianto smiled and looked up to find the man standing in the doorway, watching him with an intense look once more. Ianto kept the gaze for a moment before turning back to the girl. “Look, I’m sorry, but would you mind if I went to find someone? If I stay here too long, my mam will bring me another load of pretty young women to try and entice me.”
“Oh, sure!” She grinned with an expression that made him think that maybe her mother was doing the same thing as his own. “I’ll cover your tracks for you, good luck!”
He threw her a grin and moved off in the opposite direction to the man, heading back out into the large atrium. It had been three hours since the confrontation in the booth, two since the waltz and the games in between had been intensely fun. He’d also managed to weave himself through enough of the crowd to pick up on the man’s name, though not his title.
Now though, he knew there was only so long that the playing could be dragged out. He also knew that as soon as the ball started to die down, the opportunity would be lost.
It was for that reason that he wound his way slowly through the crowds in the general direction of the kitchens once he was certain that the man was following him.
---
TBC - what did you think?!
Masquerade (3/4)
Rating: FRAO
Characters/Pairings: Jack/Ianto; OCs
Spoilers: None (Completely AU to the Whoniverse)
Warnings: M/M relations; Swearing
Summary: "Ianto Jones is the youngest son of a wealthy family and he's bored with his mother's attempts to marry him off. At a ball thrown for that very reason, he meets a man he's never seen before and games ensue. Maybe this year won't be as dull as he thought."
Disclaimer: The boys don't belong to me, but I promise RTD that I'll give them back as soon as I'm finished!
Author's Note: I was completely gobsmacked by the reception the first chapter got! It entirely made my day! Abby will vouch for me being stunned that I got 10 comments in about 10 minutes, but when they kept coming? I felt like it was christmas again! So thankyou SO much everyone for reading and commenting =D
This chapter is for unrequited1984 because she was the comment that knocked them over to a second page (and I gave her points, which I've traded in for this shout out.. hopefully that's worth it =S)... ummm, yeah!
I hope you enjoy this as much as the first chapter!
---
Previous Chapter: Masquerade (1/4)
---
Chapter 2
Ianto walked out of the room with his fresh drink and found himself in the atrium once more. He looked upwards, on instinct, to see the chandelier glittering above him.
Golden lights were captured in crystal and thrown artistically across the room, cutting gentle patterns through the golden glow everywhere else. To Ianto, it was the ultimate in disco balls… not that he could complain though, he loved it and always had.
When he turned his eyes downwards again, he noticed Rhiannon cutting a path towards him and promptly melted back into the crowd, heading through what was supposedly the ‘dance hall’. On a normal day, it was used as a very large open area living space. There was normally a snooker table, sofas everywhere and dining table that sat a minimum of sixteen people for his parents’ private dinners.
Now though, the floor was completely open and in the corner near the door was a temporary stage, seating a ten piece string group, currently churning out classical music. The pillars that stood proudly around the room were draped with chiffon curtains to form small, private alcoves for people to sit down in and discuss any business that might arise.
Each was adorned with gold and cream furniture; ornately carved, gilt wood with silk cushions. Ianto quickly picked the one furthest from the door, but with a clear view of it, and wove his way through people until he reached it. Luckily, most of them there weren’t paying enough attention to him to realise who he was.
On his journey, Ianto had recognised several men and women who were in his parents’ circle of close friends. They would undoubtedly have snagged his arm and forced him to make polite yet hideously boring small talk about how his degree was going.
Finally though, he made it across the room and settled down on the chaise-longue in his chosen haven, sitting back slightly from the entrance and looking out at the guests once more, simply enjoying the soft, lilting music.
It was with a smirk that he noticed the dark haired figure moving gracefully through the guests dancing and conversing in the large hall, packed with more people than Ianto suspected his parents really knew. Though, with a large and successful London company, there would be employees, associates, dignitaries involved and other businesses - let alone his sister’s acquaintances and their younger sisters.
This man though, he was a new one. Ianto would’ve remembered if a man as attractive as him had been to one of these before.
He moved with a quiet and assured confidence, charm and intrigue rolling from his every word and movement and Ianto smiled as he wove his way directly through to the alcove he’d claimed. He sipped his drink coolly as the man approached slowly. Their eyes met in a challenge as he finally reached the booth and leaned against the pillar, directly in front of Ianto.
“So you’re the elusive Ianto Jones, huh?” He asked, amusement evident in his voice. The American accent only added to the attraction Ianto was beginning to feel.
“I might be.” He replied with a smirk, for the man couldn’t see the eyebrow cocked in amusement.
“Ahh, then the stories are true.” There was that electrifying grin again.
“Which ones are flying this year?” Ianto asked coolly, adjusting the material of his trousers and straightening his jacket slightly as he sat back to regard the man.
“That you’re quite the rouge agent in the family. I’ve heard all about the late nights and the clubs…” His lips curled in a grin that could only be described as predatory, though not immediately threatening. It was quite a skilful move. “But surely, a fine, upstanding young man such as yourself wouldn’t participate in such activities.”
There was a challenge in his voice, tempered by a great deal of seduction. Ianto smiled once more and lifted the crystal flute to his lips.
“Oh dear. The hostess has a task on her hands tonight then.” The man chuckled and it was very nearly hypnotising. “But then again, that only matters to the man in question, which you still can’t be sure is myself.”
Ianto was well aware that it was painfully obvious who he was, what with the tie and his mother constantly seeking him out. This however, was too fun to ruin. The stranger seemed happy to go with it as well, much to Ianto’s approval.
“What would it take to clarify my suspicions?” He edged forwards, looking down at the young man with an intensity.
Ianto stood up and tilted his chin a little, judging the man. He was slightly taller than Ianto, broader across the shoulders and chest and he smelt good. Really good. His hair was styled gently, product making the dark strands spike forwards and flop across his forehead. The mask revealed sharp and intelligent blue eyes, tinted with lust and a mischievous glint.
He spent a moment regarding the curved lips pulled into that delicious smirk once more and leaned forwards, his head angled slightly as he captured the other man in a firm and testing kiss. His free hand moved between them and grasped the other’s crotch, a grin pulling at him when he felt that not much preparation would be needed. The man just continued that predatory smirk and Ianto snorted gently in amusement.
He smoothly pulled back and stepped around the other, smirking to himself as he sipped once more at his drink. He felt an intangible burning on his back and knew without turning that the man’s eyes boring into him, fixed firmly on what was most likely his arse. With a smile, he took his time before melting into the crowd once more.
He turned and caught a glimpse of the stranger still leaning against the pillar, though now facing outwards, looking down to his feet and rubbing his lips gently, another smile on his face.
Maybe this year wasn’t going to be as completely dull after all.
*
Ianto had just finished being introduced to his father’s new business associates when he spotted a group of people moving towards him. With a grin and a slightly sadistic bark of laughter, his father slapped him on the back and moved away with his colleagues, just in time for Ianto to have no way to escape.
“Baby brother, there you are!” Emrys called, grinning as he walked arm in arm with Rhiannon, the others following a little behind. Ianto forced a smile and greeted him.
“How’re you enjoying it?” Rhi asked with a surprisingly amount of sincerity.
“Oh, you know, a ball’s a ball.” He managed to sound sarcastic and she rolled her eyes at him. “I see the usual suspects have been gathered though.”
The women standing around were all old school friends of his sister. Amongst them were the ones he’d practically grown up with, including one Miss Violet Harris - possibly the friendliest of the group. On many occasions, she’d taken the time to actually talk to him when they met during summer holidays or at events like this.
“Vi, it’s good to see you again.” He smiled and she nodded, an amused quirk to her lips.
“Could I possibly steal you for a dance?” She asked brightly, looking between the siblings. Emrys laughed and patted his brother hard on the shoulder before directing the group away, leaving the two alone to make their way through to the dance hall.
The music was a soft waltz that wove and bled through the room, making it a smooth transition to spin the woman into the dance. She stood a head shorter than him and wasn’t as slender as most of the other girls. She wore a simply grey halter neck dress with a deep back that revealed almost the entire expanse of skin. Simple pearls around her neck and wrists and nothing fussy with her hair.
That was Vi.
Of course, Ianto considered her as an older sister before anything else, and there was no way that the looks his mother threw him from the doorway as she passed would come to anything. She should’ve known better.
“How’ve you been, Ianto?” She asked as they glided slowly across the floor to the music.
“Pretty good, though interruptions to my studies generally don’t help.” She chuckled gently.
“Have you had any girlfriends recently?” She asked with a concern that neither his mother of sister showed considering the subject.
“Not ‘girlfriends’ per-se, but I’ve not been alone.”
“Men?”
“Sometimes. It completely depends on what mood I’m in.” He flashed her one of those charming smiles that he reserved for his friends and spun her around slightly.
“You are completely incorrigible, Ianto Jones.” She did her best to look chastising, but ended up laughing as he swooped her downwards, smiling placidly as they faces came closer together.
Their chatter continued for a while as they moved further into the music, but then a look that Ianto would’ve described as pure evil came across Vi’s face and made him spin, letting go of his hands, only for her to be replaced in one smooth transaction.
“Have fun.” She whispered in his ear before slipping away into the throng.
Ianto looked witheringly at the man standing oh-so close to him, an arm looped around his waist and his large hand clutching Ianto’s over his heart. Ianto could feel hard muscle and soft skin and gentle heat that had no trouble passing through the two thin layers of material. Still, Ianto kept the challenging stare with a cool politeness.
They’d been moving since the moment the stranger took Vi’s place, as if nothing had occurred. They moved and waltzed in perfect time, aware of the jealous eyes of onlookers, for both men. It wasn’t for a while that either deigned to talk, letting the dancing add to the subtle and silent power play between them. Ianto was amused to find that he’d ended up being the woman of the pair.
“If this ball wasn’t being held by a fashion mogul, we’d be causing quite the sensation.” Ianto remarked conversationally, after several pleasant minutes. The man’s lips tugged into a smile. “As it is, most of the men here are gay and half the ones dancing are with their partners.”
“Ah yes, but from the looks you’re receiving from several young woman around the place, it’s a shock and a scandal.” The man’s lips were by his ear and he practically felt the smirk against his skin.
“Though not as much as some would like to think.”
“And to you?” He heard the question as much as felt it, the husky vibrations in the ribcage pressed so firmly against his buzzing pleasantly.
“It entirely depends on my mood.” Ianto whispered seductively, lips grazing the man’s ear just before the music reached it’s climax and fell to a long, finishing chord. With a perfectly neutral expression, Ianto pulled away and bowed in time with everyone else on the floor.
For the second time that night, he turned and left the man standing with his hands in his pockets.
*
“Ianto, have you met Christine?”
He turned to find his mother approaching him with another woman in tow. She was barely a woman at all though, just a girl in her mother’s finery - dressed up to try and seduce the ‘elusive’ member of the Jones family.
“I’m afraid I’ve not had that pleasure, Mam.” He forced a smile and held his hand out, the young lady tentatively placing hers in it. At that moment, he caught a glimpse of the stranger moving across the room and he knew there was a pair of sharp blue eyes on him. With a smile, he bent and kissed the girl’s fingers gently, bowing slightly.
When he looked up, she blushed and looked down at her feet. His mother was smiling smugly as she headed off, leaving Ianto and Christine alone.
“How’re you enjoying the evening?” He asked politely, smiling gently as she looked up at him, slightly bewildered.
“To be honest, I wish I was at home with Star Wars on the TV.” She flushed slightly and looked down at her feet, clutching her hands together. Ianto grinned and laughed gently. “Sorry, that was so rude of me.”
“Not at all, I’d rather be back in my dorm room with my music on.” He grinned as she laughed nervously, looking up with a smile.
It was then that he realised he’d been unfair on her. She had a certain type of beauty, still in it’s early stages, but there nonetheless. She was dressed in a rather elegant emerald coloured silk, a low back and hanging gently on her shoulders. It was shown off by a gold pendant of knotted chain. Her hair was a light brown and twisted and curled up rather stylishly.
Still, no matter what, she was only about eighteen and looked more than a little lost in the crowds, bearing none of Vi’s aura of confidence.
“Who dragged you here then?”
“Oh, my mother. She’s decided that I need to make appearances at the big occasions. Apparently this is about as big as they get around here.” She pulled a face and sighed gently.
“I know exactly what you mean.” Ianto smiled and looked up to find the man standing in the doorway, watching him with an intense look once more. Ianto kept the gaze for a moment before turning back to the girl. “Look, I’m sorry, but would you mind if I went to find someone? If I stay here too long, my mam will bring me another load of pretty young women to try and entice me.”
“Oh, sure!” She grinned with an expression that made him think that maybe her mother was doing the same thing as his own. “I’ll cover your tracks for you, good luck!”
He threw her a grin and moved off in the opposite direction to the man, heading back out into the large atrium. It had been three hours since the confrontation in the booth, two since the waltz and the games in between had been intensely fun. He’d also managed to weave himself through enough of the crowd to pick up on the man’s name, though not his title.
Now though, he knew there was only so long that the playing could be dragged out. He also knew that as soon as the ball started to die down, the opportunity would be lost.
It was for that reason that he wound his way slowly through the crowds in the general direction of the kitchens once he was certain that the man was following him.
---
TBC - what did you think?!
Masquerade (3/4)