Slipping Through Holiday Special
Chapter: 2/3
Written by Totally4Ryo
Date Written: 12/28/08
Rating: PG
Word Count: 2843
Fandom: Torchwood/FAKE
Characters/Pairings: Jack/Ianto, Dee/Ryo, Gwen/Rhys, Owen, Toshiko
Spoilers: FAKE – all through to volume 7, and Like, Like Love, Torchwood – through Series 2, Doctor Who – through S03, especially "Voyage of the Damned", to be safe.
Warnings: M/M; lewd references and comments (After all, there is Jack and Dee around)
This did not go through beta yet.
NOTE: This is a giftfic for my gorgeous partner in crime for Slipping Through, Gracie_Musica. I asked her what she wanted for a fic and she asked for a Slipping Through Christmas. I hope you like this, Gracie! 'Cause you've been amazing. Besides, you showed me Torchwood! *HUGS* Happy Solstice and Merry Christmas!
Slipping Through Holiday Special Part 2
Ryo stood in the kitchen, looking over the counter to the lounge. He had to smile as he watched the others. Dee was standing by the window in a debate between the merits of rugby and football with Rhys and Ianto, while Jack stood aside, looking amused and not taking sides. If Jack had contributed to the friendly, yet serious debate, his opinions would have nothing to do with the playing of the sports, and more with how the players looked in their uniforms. Rugby would win against football hands down for Jack, not that he did not enjoy watching the bums of spandex of the football uniforms. Ryo already knew this from a previous discussion. Gwen and Toshiko were giggling over something, while admiring the tree that was magnificently decorated. Owen stood next to Tosh, appearing to tolerate the female silliness.
Ryo picked up the platter, feeling warm and fuzzy. He might have people he missed, especially Bikky, but he was not alone here. He had a family here. Everyone gathered in their lounge, relaxing and having fun after decorating their flat had become family. Ryo tried not to think of the bittersweet side of that blessing – of when they finally get home, they would still be missing people they had come to care deeply for. That would be for then, whenever that would be. For now, it was time to appreciate the gift he was given. Far more than anything that could have come in a brightly wrapped box, the people in the flat was the best gift he could have asked for under the circumstances. He intended not to take it for granted.
"Ohh… more food!" Jack exclaimed, going over to the dining table, where Ryo set the platter with California style sushi rolls, next to the platter with the various more traditional sushi rolls.
Toshiko arrived as promised when she called Ryo with the sushi. There was also Indian takeaway food that Gwen and Rhys showed up with, and deli-style sandwiches on small rolls that Jack and Ianto arrived with from the New York Deli that Dee had found shortly after they settled into their new life in Cardiff. Owen brought the Chinese takeaway, even if he couldn't eat any of it. The phone calls to Ryo while they entered the market came with RSVPs to coming over that evening, along with was going to be brought along. It became a pot luck, giving Ryo and Dee little to cook, and deciding to go to a gourmet shop where they picked up a couple of heat and serve meals instead of cooking for the rest of the afternoon.
Ianto went over to stand next to Jack, also picking up a sushi roll. He held it out to Owen. "Like some," he deadpanned.
"Ha ha ha, very funny, Ianto," Owen snorted.
Dee was walking over from where there were still some decorations that they could not figure out where to hang yet. The decorating went beyond just the tree in the corner of the lounge on the wall where with the expansive windows. The entire flat looked cozy and in the Holiday spirit.
Owen was still standing next to Tosh as Dee slinked up behind them. Ryo shook his head in amusement, while Gwen coughed, bringing Tosh and Owen's attention to her. Gwen pointed for them to look up. The two did as bid and found a sprig of mistletoe clenched between Dee's fingers over them.
"You have to be bloody joking me, Dee," Owen protested.
"Nope," Dee remarked, grinning. "Not bloody joking you."
The others snickered at Dee's use of the British term in his New York accent.
"Oh go ahead," Gwen urged, grinning as Toshiko started to blush. "Just a little snog."
"Yeah, just a little snog," Dee echoed. "We have enough big snogging going around here normally."
Ryo laughed, playfully slapping Dee's arm.
Toshiko and Owen looked at each other and with a shrug, touched lips lightly before pulling away.
"Aww… that's teeny tiny, not small," Jack complained, looking amused. "Now snog, you two."
"Is that an order, Jack?" Owen asked.
"If it has to be, yeah." Jack folded his arms across his chest and bounced on his feet, waiting for the couple to kiss again.
"Oh for fuck's sake," Owen grumbled, and pulled Toshiko into his arms, and capturing her lips with his.
Toshiko looked shocked at first, but returned the kiss briefly before pulling away. "Happy now?" she asked everyone in the room.
"That looked like one hot kiss coming from such cold lips," Jack murmured, his eyebrows raised.
"Sod off, Jack!" Owen snapped and stalked away from Toshiko.
"Oops?" came from Dee.
"They'll live," Jack said when Ryo started to glare at Dee in recrimination.
"Well, one of them sort of will," Ianto quipped.
Dee, Jack and Rhys started to laugh.
Owen stood by the windows, glaring back at Ianto. "So much for not speaking ill of the dead, huh?"
Ianto merely raised an eyebrow, and placed a sushi roll into his mouth.
Jack grabbed the mistletoe from Dee's hand and held it over Ianto. Ianto barely had a chance to swallow his food before he found himself being kissed thoroughly by Jack. When they parted to take deep breaths, Jack was smiling.
"You know, I really can start to appreciate Holiday traditions," he mused, grinning at Ianto's flushed face.
"Um, yeah," Ianto commented, and went over to grab a bottle of beer.
"Right," Ryo commented, chuckling. He had plans of getting that mistletoe before Dee did. Dee always did like a sneak attack, and wouldn't complain much.
For now, he went over to Rhys and Gwen.
"Ryo, did Dee bring up what he really wanted to do?" Gwen asked.
"Gwen, if Dee is talking about what we do in the bedroom again, he's so dead," Ryo remarked.
Gwen's eyes opened wide and then she started to laugh. "Oh bloody hell, Ryo, you've been spending too much time with Ianto. Should Dee be worried?"
"At least Ianto doesn't give away bedroom secrets." Ryo winked at her, grinning slyly. "No, he didn't. Is this something he should be telling me?" He gave her a serious look.
"I'd say if he didn't bring it up already, then someone needs to be telling. It means a great deal to him, I think, but I'm guessing he's afraid you'll think he's crazy. Well, crazier than he is, that is."
"So what is it?" Ryo was intrigued.
"Dee wants to find an orphanage and do something for them for Christmas."
Rhys started to smile. "I think that sounds like a wonderful idea."
Ryo looked stunned for a moment, then he started to smile. "I can understand why he was afraid to say something. Every year, we always have a drive so the kids at Mother's orphanage have gifts and a good meal for Christmas. Dee usually dresses as Santa and shows up after midnight to give out the gifts."
Rhys' eyebrow rose and then he chuckled. "I'll be willing to bet when it's all said and done, you get to have some fun with the jolly ol' fella."
"See? I told you that Dee's been talking about our bedroom secrets," Ryo stated, winking at Rhys.
"Say, where can I get one of those Santa suits?" Rhys asked, hooking an arm around Gwen's waist and pulling her close. Gwen giggled and gave Rhys a look that told Ryo one more bedroom secret was revealed. "Look Ryo, what say if I give you a hand if you get this going? You only have a week, and I know I can get donations from Harwood's to contribute."
"I'll get Andy to talk to the police too," Gwen added.
"Now to find an orphanage," Ryo commented, wheels already turning in his head.
"That would not be a problem," Ianto's voice came from behind them. "I can give you a list first thing tomorrow."
Ryo turned around, his smile wider. "Ianto, I love you." He looked back to Gwen and Rhys. "I love all of you. If that's what Dee wants, then that's what Dee is going to get.
~+~ ~+~ ~+~ ~+~ ~+~
Christmas Eve turned out to be a busy day for Dee, Ryo and Torchwood. Rhys kept true to his word and had the employees of Harwood's donating money and gifts and got some of their clients to donate food to the cause. Cardiff police proved they had hearts as big and generous as those at the 27th Precinct. Jack managed to get UNIT involved, doing a toy drive much like Ryo remembered the US Marines doing with their Toys For Tots drive. Ianto produced a list to Ryo and Dee. Dee looked excited and overjoyed, glad to be able to give a little joy to children who might have been overlooked before. After taking stock of what they had, Dee picked two orphanages that seemed to not be receiving any special aid for the holiday and made arrangements for him to come by as Santa, along with Santa's elves on Christmas Eve to deliver the children presents and drop off food for a Christmas dinner.
Ryo was proud of Dee, just as he was every year, and was glad to be a part of it. It helped them also get through the holiday without those they missed. If they kept busy and did good to others who had less than they, Ryo knew he could get through the season more than okay.
He entered the Hub on Christmas Eve, mobile in his hand. He just finished speaking to the Head Administration for one of the orphanages, assuring they were ready for Torchwood's own Christmas invasion. He stopped and smiled with glee at the sight before him.
Gwen and Toshiko were dressed in female elf costumes, Tosh in red and green and Gwen in red and white, with candy striped piping. Owen was grumbling as he was also selected as an elf, mostly glaring at Ianto, who was dressed as usual in a suit, this one being a pine green with a red shirt and a striped red and green tie. Ianto held a clipboard and was speaking into his comm device. Ryo knew Ianto was talking to Rhys, who had a Harwood's truck in the underground loading zone in a private corner of parking for the Wales Millennium Center. Santa did not have a sleigh with eight reindeer that night, but instead a jolly Welshman with a delivery truck ready to bring gifts, food and other donations to help make life easier for the orphans, while Santa himself would arrive with his elves via the secondary Torchwood SUV.
It was a good week, Ryo reflected. Whenever there were not Weevils about or other matters that kept Torchwood on their toes, the Torchwood seven coordinated with donation drives, made plans for Christmas Eve and somehow managed to make it all seem possible through Cardiff Police's special ops unit. Not once was the word Torchwood mentioned. Ryo noted with amusement that even Jack seemed caught up with the arrangements and preparations. A couple of days ago, he disappeared with the SUV and Ianto. They returned with it loaded with his own contribution. All those years – decades – of living in the Hub, and not having to spend most of his pay caused Jack to accumulate a decent sum of money, and he used some of it to buy new toys and items for the children to use.
And on that Christmas Eve, as Ryo stood barely past the now closed cog door, he felt as if the team had somehow become closer. Among collecting for the orphans, Jack had also managed to accumulate some things to bring Christmas to Flat Holm. Earlier that day, Jack and Ianto, along with Dee and Ryo delivered gifts and new items to use at the facility. No need to go through the Santa routine, but the 'residents' there appreciated the gifts – at least during the times they were able. Jack had set up that facility for those who were taken by the Rift and returned to have a place to be cared for. He realized that spreading a little holiday cheer, even for a short time, was a good idea. He had Dee to thank for it.
Now the final preparations for the visits to the orphanage were going on. Ryo desperately wished for the Rift to remain quiet. Toshiko assured him that from what she was able to read, they would have it. Jack and Ianto were prepared to handle any Weevils that decided they wanted to break into any holiday celebrating. Unless it was the end of the world – which even Ryo was fairly certain it would not be yet – the rest of Torchwood's attention for the evening would be on the orphanages.
He glanced to the middle of the Hub, where he found Dee in a Santa suit, and Jack appearing to be having loads of fun helping stuff the suit to make Dee look like the jolly old elf.
Ryo shook his head. Ianto turned and noticed him finally. "Ryo, your outfit is in the locker room. Hurry now. You, of all people, would not want to keep us waiting."
Ryo indicated toward Jack and Dee with a smirk. "Tell that to them. I think Jack's having way too much fun."
"Yes. It worries me," Ianto said, with a put upon pained expression on his face. "I think I should be careful next time Jack takes me out to dinner and we end up at a buffet."
Ryo chuckled. "I think Jack's more intent on stuffing Dee." He made a face of his own. "I think that should disturb me."
"I think it should. And I'd join you in the sentiment."
Ryo winked to Ianto. "I'll be on my way then." He sauntered across the Hub to stop first by Toshiko, Owen and Gwen. "Don't you ladies look lovely. Santa wishes he had as lovely elves as we do."
Toshiko giggled and blushed, glancing down and pushing her hair back. Gwen smiled, shaking her head. "Don't let Dee hear that, or we'll never get him to shut up."
Ryo laughed. "Agreed. You have a point. But Dee's one lucky Santa."
"Present company included?" Toshiko commented, indicating Ryo.
"Well, of course. Besides, I'm the elf who gets to keep Santa in line."
Owen laughed. "Good luck. You're lucky you captured that bloke."
"Yup. I know just how lucky I am. All bark, no bite. That's my flirting husband." He winked again. "Owen, you look dashing tonight. Or should that be Dasher?"
"Keep it up, Ryo," Owen snapped. "I don't want to hear anymore about this bloody elf costume after tonight. Don't you have any respect for the dead?"
Ryo laughed with Tosh and Gwen. "Of course, I do. I just told you that you look good tonight."
"I'm so telling Dee…" Owen hissed.
"Fair play and all that." Ryo chuckled. He was in a very good mood, considering it was Christmas Eve without his son, Mother or any of their family they left home. "Carry on, Elves." He walked away, heading toward Jack and Dee.
Jack was having trouble getting a button closed on the costume.
"Maybe if you took some of the stuffing out there, Jack," Dee was suggesting.
"Shush. I'll get it. You look good. Don't want the kids to see a lean Santa, do you," Jack remarked.
"Jack, seriously. All that stuffing. This suit isn't a damn TARDIS, you know."
Jack just laughed and managed to get the button closed – barely. He studied his handiwork a few moments, then called out, "Ianto! Make sure there's a sewing kit in the SUV."
"Already there," Ianto replied with a smirk. "Don't worry, Dee. As long as there's no alerts, I'll be close by for quick repairs."
"Thank goodness, it's you and not him," Dee jerked a thumb toward Jack.
Jack held out his hands. "Hey! Just give us all a great big 'Ho ho ho'." He leered slightly. "Then point out which ones they are."
"I'm definitely on my way to get changed now," Ryo quipped, winking at Dee. "Hey there, Santa. You can come down my chimney anytime."
"I'm sure we can arrange something later – when the kiddies are asleep," Dee remarked, leering at Ryo. "I can't wait to see you in your elf outfit. You know what that does to me."
"TMI!" Owen complained, while the others laughed.
"Oh the bedroom secrets exposed around here," Gwen laughed.
"And we thought Jack and Ianto were bad," Toshiko said.
Ryo glanced at his watch. "Seriously, I should be changing, or else I'll never hear the end of it from Ianto."
Dee laughed, and then grasping his stuffed belly, bellowed out a loud "Ho ho ho!" that echoed through the Hub.
Myfanwy looked down from her nest and squealed back at him, as if she was complaining about being disturbed. Everyone laughed as Ryo gave Dee another wink and headed down to get changed.