1
Ianto was humming softly as he made his way up the roadside path to the chalets, intent on a swim after breakfast to start the day. As he neared the village which was only a five minute walk, he started to slow as he saw something strange.
One of the lampposts was painted … blue.
He stood staring at it with surprise and confusion. They has talked about this for a couple of years now, changing the village colours and he had been against it. Don't get me wrong, he likes blue. Loves it, especially on his handsome husband but … it is not the right colour for the village. Not so full of life and colour. The pale powder yellow mixed with the burnt orange had been a nice mix with the white picket fences for those who had them, those who did not want a front fence had the most colourful gardens and such.
The hanging baskets of bold colour were petunias and lobelia that hung in splashes of oranges and whites, the pots of colour along the sidewalks and on top of the lidded rubbish bins mostly hanging lobelia and sweet pansies. It made the entire village feel … fresh.
Mister Grimes had wanted blue.
This had been debated every year, shot down every year.
Now Ianto stood looking at the dark blue lamppost and felt a stirring in his gut, moving towards the mayoral chambers now as he noted several more painted along the way.
No.
No.
No.
He entered the chambers and Jarred looked up with surprise, straightening up to greet Ianto "Hey. Long time no see!"
"What do you mean?" Ianto frowned "I was here last meeting."
"No. Meeting before last. You didn't turn up for the last one." Jarred still smiled but it appeared strained, Ianto looking at Jen the office girl who had the good grace to look abashed as she said softly that perhaps he had not been invited. Jarred turned to look at her with confusion now "what?"
"Um … Mister Rhodes said not to disturb him, he was not mayor anymore" she blushed a she squirmed in her chair "He's been removed from the list since he is not committee anymore. Was voted off as mayor, never got voted in to committee."
"Am I not!" Ianto snorted, then looked at Jarred "So. Sweeping clean all of a sudden? Is that it?"
"No … no. Ianto, I didn't know this had happened. I assure you!" Jarred blustered and Ianto nodded then asked about the paint.
"Oh…yes. Last meeting Missus Lawrence suggested we change up the colour scheme this year since we always have the autumn colours and they are a bit dated. We've gone for a whole new direction with …"
"I see" Ianto cut him off with open annoyance "OK. Fine, but let us not forget that I am owner of a large portion of this village and if you all want to run roughshod over what I had spent years building go ahead. I am sure there will be more suggestions and changes now you have caved."
"It's not like that" Jarred snapped "It's my village now. I am mayor… you stepped down and let me finally have some independence. Don't blame me if w are taking the chance to change things!"
Ianto hid his hurt and nodded "Fine. That's fine. You want me out? I'm out. But don't come to me with your problems. If you will excuse me, I will remove my belongings and be gone."
Jarred stalled out "what?"
"I quit. Get another librarian while you are at it. Oh, didn't you know? It's a classic Jones-Hit-and-Run to know when to simply walk away. Go for it Jarred but don't come to me when you lose control … this is going to hurt both of us but there ya go. Apparently friendship is overrated." Ianto turned on his heel and stormed to his office, the roll-a-dex the first thing he removed from the desk knowing Jarred routinely used it for the contracts Ianto had made.
Right-o motherfucker.
Have at it.