A/n: I've been M.I.A. for a while, I know. Grad school is kicking my ass. But I had to make time to let my dear friend badlyknitted know that I hadn't forgotten her birthday, even if I'm a little (or a lot, really) late to say so! So, with no further ado, I present a birthday drabble dedicated to a wonderful friend and talented author!
Disclaimer: I own nothing. No harm is meant by use of characters.
Ianto groaned as he rolled over to turn off the alarm clock. The muscles in his back screamed out in protest and he sighed. Torchwood's latest averted disaster had done a number on the entire team, and two days later he was still feeling it. The pain in his back probably could have been avoided if he hadn't insisted on trying to take down one of the large, boar-like alien creatures on his own, but how could he have known it would toss him halfway across the carpark before succumbing to the tranquilizer?
Altogether, it probably hadn't been his best birthday; but considering his concussion and Tosh's sprained wrist were the worst casualties of the day, it could have been a lot worse. Still, he had hoped to at least have time to acknowledge growing a year older, let alone go out for a pint with the team. The rift had other things in mind that day, it had seemed, and so here he was another year older and the closest he'd come to celebrating was to be on bed rest for a day. He hoped that he'd at least have time to steal away from the Hub and get a cupcake at lunch time.
Arriving at the plass, he used the entrance to the tourist office and did a little tidying before heading down into the Hub. Ianto gave a weary sigh as he waited for the cog door to open. Stepping through it he nearly fell over in shock when the team shouted "Happy birthday!"
"What is this?" He asked, amused. Everyone, even Owen, had on brightly colored party hats. Tosh's arm brace was even festively wrapped in ribbon, while Jack stood beaming with a cake in hand.
"A birthday party," Owen snapped back. He was doing his best, but failing, to hide a smile.
"We felt bad," Gwen chimed in, "that you didn't get to celebrate the other day. I don't think anyone even had time to say something with all the chaos!"
Ianto was beaming from ear to ear, "Thank you. Really, this is great."
"It's nothing. You keep the hub running so it's the least we can do for you," Jack said firmly. "I hope you're hungry, because we're having cake for breakfast!"
Chuckling, Ianto replied, "That explains why my morning email brief said not to provide food this morning." He allowed himself to be herded into the conference room, which had been decorated haphazardly with streamers. A small pile of gifts sat on the table. He smiled as he watched his team mates—his friends—settle into chairs, placing him at the head as Jack cut the cake. It turned out that this wasn't so bad a birthday after all, even if it was a few days later than expected.