OTA

[im_torchwood]

After John Hart, after Gray, Jack couldn't be in Cardiff. He was Torchwood now, not just what he did but who he was, and he had a small crisis and had to get away. Although he'd broken with London's Torchwood after the incidents at Canary Wharf (which it seemed the population had either forgotten or written off) Jack found himself in England's jewel. He was ready to make a new start. And, he reckoned, the Doctor would probably visit London before Cardiff if truth be told.

He'd settled into the subterranean Hub that Alice and Emily had worked in. It had been long forgotten in favor of the building of steel and glass that had been built atop it. Bloody Torchwood...they were supposed to be secret. He'd made his contacts and had put himself to work. But even Jack needed to eat.

He had all of the city to choose from and rather than just go to a pub Jack stood on the sidewalk looking at his mobile reading Yelp reviews. There was a place just down the block and around the corner. Yelp was good and all but he kind of wanted a real opinion so he looked up from his screen and he smiled at the first person whose eye he caught.

"Excuse me...do you know if this place is any good?" he asked, showing the screen. His American accent immediately marked him as a tourist, even though he wasn't.

Comments

[prince_of_nymphs]

"It's lovely," Fin assured him with a smile. "I can walk you there, if you like. I can never recall what it's called, but I know the way."

[im_torchwood]

"I'd appreciate that," Jack said. "I'm Captain Jack Harkness. I just arrived from Cardiff so I'm trying to get my bearings."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Finlay Alexander Flynn," Fin replied, extending his hand in offering. "A much less recent transplant- And from a much closer place, I imagine. You say Cardiff, but that accent is definitely American," he noted.

[im_torchwood]

His accent was actually distinctly Boeshane but Jack wasn't about to correct him.

"You got me there. American volunteer in the royal air force. I've been in Cardiff for years and just got transferred here," he said, the lie so perfectly practiced that it was seamless.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Oh? And how do you like London so far, Captain?" Fin asked, offering the other man his arm as he extended his cane and began to walk.

To some it might have seemed overly friendly, but for Fin, it was simply habit. Offering his arm meant he knew where his companion was, and there was far less chance of missteps.

[im_torchwood]

Fin was hardly the first blind person Jack had encountered and so he took the man's hand and tucked it into the crook of his arm to walk with him.

"I've been here before. More than once. But it's as beautiful as it's ever been," he said warmly.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Mmm, it's a beautiful city, isn't it? I miss seeing it," Fin admitted.

[im_torchwood]

"She's the most beautiful city in the world," Jack said affectionately. "When did you lose your sight?"

[prince_of_nymphs]

"A few months ago," Fin replied, no longer so reluctant to talk about the incident. "I can see colours and shapes, but nothing more- And for a while I couldn't even see that much."

[im_torchwood]

"Oh, wow...that's remarkable," Jack said. "Can I ask what happened?"

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin hesitated, but only for a moment.

"I was attacked by an admirer. I'm an actor, and my sudden popularity attracted a bit of unwanted attention."

[im_torchwood]

"I think I remember reading that. Not huge news in the Cardiff paper, but I think I read something..."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"It made the press," Fin nodded, going a bit quieter then.

He was silent a moment, then cleared his throat. "That was a while ago now though. It's all in the past," he lied, not wanting to think about the packages and threats that continued to come.

"We should be here now," he said, slowing to a stop. "Are we facing a green building?"

[im_torchwood]

"Yeah, a green building," Jack said. "And inside the tables have yellow oilcloth. Shoudl we go in?" he asked.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Oh, well- Yeah, alright. Tht would be lovely. I haven't had anything to eat yet today. I was auditioning to play an addict, and my agent told me to show up looking as thin as I could," he admitted.

[im_torchwood]

"Thinner than you already are?" Jack asked skeptically, then shook his head. "Come on. I'm dying to try this fish with curry sauce."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"...I'm not that thin," Fin replied, frowning a bit, then following Jack inside.

They were instructed to seat themselves, and Fin let Jack lead the way, following along, then sitting across from him.

"So what is it you do for a living then, Captain?" he asked, folding his cane as he spoke.

[im_torchwood]

"Data mining," he lied effortlessly. "My company is based out of London, and I've been the head of the Cardiff branch. I'm moving up."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Oh, right... I don't really know what that is, but it sounds interesting," Fin said, smiling at the sound of two glasses of water being placed on their table, and quietly thanking the server.

What he couldn't see or hear, however, were the two girls a few tables over, who were attempting to take his photo without being seen, all while looking very excited and flustered.

[im_torchwood]

"Mmm, yeah. Excuse me," he said, because he had noticed. The girls weren't discreet at all. He rose from his seat and in polite and hushed tones he thanked them for their interest and asked that they ask before taking pictures. He was sure he was overstepping but he didn't care.

After a few low words he returned and behind him were shy footsteps.

"I can't, you ask," hissed a girl.

"Mr. Flynn? Um, could we, um...would you...you were so good in Viewfinder...can I take a picture?" the other girl stammered.

Jack sat back down.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin looked up, struggling to focus, but eventually making out two vague shapes.

"Oh, um, yeah, of course," he nodded. "Do you mind if the flash is off though, it, um- It's a bit painful," he admitted, looking unsure of what to do with himself.

The girls seemed to relax then, offering their phones to Jack. "Could you?" they both asked at the same time, flanking Fin on either side.

Fin looked painfully embarrassed by the whole situation, but he still smiled a genuine and warm smile, awkwardly putting his arm around each of them as he asked their names.

[im_torchwood]

"Beth," said one and the other followed with, "Nessa."

Jack made sure the flash was off and snapped with each phone in turn, then thanked them and told them they needed to be alone now. The girls moved on and a waitress came out to take their order.

"You do the honors. I'll eat whatever you think is best," Jack told him.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin was still bright red, but he ordered fish and chips in coconut curry for them both, along with a cola for himself.

When the server was gone, he pushed his hair back and looked down at the table.

"Um, so you were- Um... You were talking about mining data or something."

[im_torchwood]

"You're not comfortable with fame," Jack said instead of answering.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"No- I mean... Well, it's a bit, um... It's new still. My manger keeps telling me I'll get used to it, but I'm not sure that's true," Fin said quietly. "I love that people enjoy my work, and I love what I do... But it's- I dunno. It's a bit much sometimes is all."