#UNSETT1ING : it wasn't often that he went to london these days , would subtly hint at sending one of the other hub team in his place when the captain began suggesting it . aside from the itch of all that metal , there was too much old blood there , too many signs pointing to a sight that he had no interest in seeing . it was why he was in the lobby of the hotel , battling the bored concierge at the front desk for any room swap at all that meant he wasn't staring at the canary wharf ruins , now an unpleasantly modern memorial .
he relented and turned his attention to the doors as the girl began answering phone calls and holding a finger up to him to wait a moment . the conference shouldn't be too dull , at least . normally they were days of relentless drivel from old men , this time the talks seemed as though they were going to be almost useful . plus , there was never a bad time to remind unit , the cia , and whatever over organisations had been invited just how vital torchwood had proved themselves .
spinning on one of his shoes , ianto didn't look up from his phone as he started searching for other places with rooms still available in the area , condemned to the idea of spending his days with the curtains drawn tight closed . it was why he didn't see @unsett1ing as he began walking and almost bowled them both over . before he had even straightened up again or gathered his phone and conference pass from the floor , the man was muttering formal and frustrated apologies , ' sorry – i was distracted – oh ! '
blue eyes widened and for the first time since he had stepped off of the train , ianto felt a smile twist at his mouth , ' martha ? '
