Torchwood: Fanfic: Caught out

[m_findlow]

Title: Caught out
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters: Jack, Ianto
Author: m_findlow
Rating: PG
Length: 971 words
Content notes: none
Author notes: Written for falkner's prompt "Any, any, strangers sharing an umbrella" at fic_promptly
Summary: Jack gets caught out in the weather

Jack groaned as the rain began tumbling down out of the sky, waiting for a cab. His morning hadn't gone well, forced to front up here and pander to Torchwood One and their insufferable leader over yet another trivial matter that simply didn't concern them. Why couldn't they just leave him alone to do what he wanted? What did any of them know about the dangers posed by the rift in Cardiff? All they cared about was what weapons might have fallen through the rift that he was keeping hidden from them.

By the end of it, he'd been rather looking forward to escaping, losing himself in the bustle of London's busy streets, admiring the high street shops and on the lookout for anywhere that served cream teas. On the whole he didn't really like tea, preferring coffee, but when it was dished up with piping hot scones, jam and lashings of cream, he could almost forgive the Brits their obsession with the beverage. Anything that would take his mind off his real reason for having to come here, summoned like a misbehaving dog to be belted round the ears with a rolled up newspaper.

Now though, all those plans had crumbled as the grey skies swirled and the heavens opened, setting the streets awash. People everywhere flocked inside - the busy Canary Wharf precinct suddenly devoid of its residents - though true Londoners merely ducked their heads and popped up umbrellas. Like the pavement itself, his spirits were dampened by the sudden downpour. He'd get a taxi back to King's Cross and be on the first train back to Cardiff, abandoning his earlier plans.

He stood there on the edge of the road, watching as nondescript cars squeezed slowly by, on the lookout for that familiar black cab. A million of them in the city, but not a one when you actually needed it, he thought. Everyone had likely gotten the same idea as him, quickly jumping into the first available taxi rather than fight their way through a thousand umbrellas to reach the nearest tube station.

As he stood by the roadside, the rain continued to soak his coat and run down through his hair and face. Suddenly though, it came to a stop, everything growing a little darker, replaced by a distinct pitter patter sound as the rain overhead hit something else instead. He turned to find a man standing beside him, holding his umbrella aloft over the pair of them.

'They say you should never leave home without an umbrella,' he said.

Jack took in the sight of the young man. He was unashamedly handsome as far as Jack was concerned, impeccably dressed in a slim but well-fitted charcoal grey suit, crisp white shirt and dark coloured matching tie. He was early twenties at best, though he almost matched Jack for height, easily fitting them both under his sharp black umbrella.

'Thanks,' Jack said.

'Couldn't have you standing out here getting soaked.'

A sudden gust of icy wind sent shivers down his spine. 'Damn,' Jack said, pulling his collar up. 'It was sunny out here this morning when I arrived. It looked like it was going to be a beautiful day.'

The young man chuckled. 'That's London for you. Weather that turns on a dime. Locals know better than to trust a sunny morning. If it hasn't rained by the time you eat breakfast, it's guaranteed to arrive later.'

Jack looked across at the man sharing his umbrella. 'You don't sound too local to me,' noting the deep Welsh accent that made him feel all warm and tingly on the inside.

'Pot meet kettle,' came the reply, and Jack let out a hearty laugh.

'Busted, hey?'

'Your accent rather gives you away.'

Jack smiled at him and the young man returned it with a very small smile of his own.

'So, you going my way?' Jack joked, secretly hoping the young man would say yes, or at least change his mind about his intended destination.

'I very much doubt it.'

'Pity,' Jack said. He considered asking the man where he was headed instead. He didn't really have anywhere important he needed to be. Two strangers, sharing an umbrella, waiting for a cab in rainy London Town. It was quite romantic. He wouldn't mind sharing a cream tea and getting to know him a little better.

A black cab came sluicing down the road and the young man threw his arm out to signal it, ignoring the fact that the rain was soaking his nice crisp suit.

'You take this one,' Jack said. 'Gods only know when the next one might turn up in this weather.'

'Better you take it,' the man said. 'I've got my umbrella.'

'We could always share,' Jack offered.

'That would make it a very expensive round trip. And my boss probably wouldn't appreciate me taking an extra long lunch break, either.'

Jack turned and looked at him. 'You mean you're not waiting for a taxi?'

There was another coy smile. 'Nope. Just wanted a walk and some fresh air. Got more than I bargained for though. That's why I always come prepared.'

Huh. 'Well, thank you for spending your lunch break sheltering an idiot from the rain.'

'My pleasure. Next time you're in town, make sure you pack a brolley.'

Jack grinned at him, tugging open the taxi door before it decided to drive off without him. 'Or maybe I'll just hope to see you and your umbrella around again.'

'Anything is possible, I suppose.'

'You sure I can't convince you to come play hookey with me?'

'I'm sure. You've met my boss.'

Jack gave the man another winning smile before shutting the door. It was only as the driver pulled away that he realised what the young man had just said.

Comments

[bk_forever]

A very neat little first meeting, Ianto's so cheeky!