9

"Crispy over in Bute Park" Owen roared as he looked over Toshiko's shoulder, Ianto swinging in a chair like he was bored as Jack entered the Hub.

"Really…" Jack said slowly "OK. Ianto? Up for an evening walk?"

"Are you finished with your private matter?" Ianto asked as he rose and plucked his jacket form the back of his chair, shrugging it on.

As they walked to the SUV Jack glanced at him "So... what did you do today?"

"Oh.. you know. Fed the cat… fed the inmates… fed the kids, I mean team… filed work… took a little walk in the mist… I like the mist that blew in this afternoon and when you entered I was about to order pizza." Ianto shrugged.

"Oh? I thought I saw your cat today" Jack smiled "that little cheeky queen. What's her name… Lulu?"

"Oh? She's been with me all day" Ianto blinked slowly as he stopped walking to wait for Jack to open his door for him.

Little known fact … Djinn don't like metal. He would prefer not to touch it if he didn't have to and Jack had long since learnt this, looking long and hard at Ianto before opening the door for Ianto to elegantly slip into the seat.

"Thought so" Jack muttered.

"So. Your grandson's birthday next week" Ianto said making Jack pause, then turn the key.

"Shit. Thank, I had forgotten. I am so bad at dates. I know… I know. A bloody time traveller with a date problem but… my VM shorted and I relied on it so heavily" Jack shrugged.

"I know. Why I reminded you" Ianto smiled at him "He is into those Harry Potter book right? Apparently there is an omnibus just about to be released with monsters and dragons in it, some side stories. Rare. Expensive."

"Oooo, can you perchance… acquire that for me?" Jack asked as he drove sedately through traffic on the main roads.

"Mehaps I can" Ianto winked and Jack laughed softly knowing Ianto probably already had it somewhere. He was touched that Ianto remembered Stephen's birthday. Of course Jack had not forgotten, he never forgot the important dates. He also knew that Ianto knew this and the reminder was to start the conversation and allow jack to ask for the book instead of Ianto simply placing it on his desk unannounced. That would be rude and presumptuous. Also… it would show he cared.

Ianto liked order to things.

Everything was about case and effect. Requests, gifts and completion.

"So. What about you? What are you doing for your birthday" Jack asked as he swung around a corner and Ianto looked at him out the corner of his eye like he had suddenly gone slightly mad and might attack or grow an extra head.

Jack glanced at him "you know? It is August. They will try something."

Suddenly Ianto remembered the date written on his employment file and groaned. Every year the team tried to make that day special. His 'birthday' which is a random date he shifts every few decades or so. Damn it. He knew something had been scratching in the back of his mind and "STOP!"

Jack stomped on the brakes as three Demons ran past in the mist, illuminated in the fog lights. The two men in the vehicle silently watched, their heads turning as they comprehended what they were seeing.

"Fuck! What the hell!" Jack roared with anger swinging the wheel to follow and the wheels rolled over the curb easily, over the garden and Ianto had to yell for Jack to sop before they rolled into the bloody creek.

They exited the vehicle and Jack ran. Of course. He likes running ya know. Ianto simply wraithed to the little fuckers and tripped the lead one with the root of a tree, the other two tumbling over their fallen comrade to land in a mess of limbs and hooves.

Yeah.

"Ew. They have hooves" Jack said, then grimaced "Sorry. That sounded rude guys, I didn't mean that the way it came out. Anyone hurt?"

"No sir" three little voices chimed and the demons stood like school children caught stealing apples. Jack grinned as he placed his hands on his hips and addressed them as such.

"Now... does your mother know you are out here rampaging? Hmmm? Would she be pleased to learn you almost got run over? Hmmm?" Jack asked with a stern glare.

Shuffling hoove s and eyes cast down as they shook their heads.

"Well… maybe since you are clearly just kids I can overlook this.. this time. Go home and behave and I will not have to tell your mother, OK?" Jack looked down his nose, Ianto looming behind him in the fog like a huge mountain of wrath. Heads nodded enthusiastically as their eyes grew larger, the real threat hanging in the air… literally.

As they shot off into the flash of light Jack turned to find Ianto behind him examining the flowers on the bushes "see Ianto? Just need to speak plainly to them in a language they understand."

"Yes Cariad. Clearly you have a way with the creatures" Ianto nodded sagely, smiling as they walked back to the SUV.

"Ianto?"

"Yes?"

"Did you do that… looming thing behind me again?"

"Of course not. No need… you loom so well yourself. See their eyes?"

Jack was mollified.