36

Ianto was cutting cold meat, the thin precise slices falling back over the sharp blade as he prepared sandwiches. The glaziers were almost done, the lovely new glass in and Hawk sat in the corner with his back to everyone, staring at the corner with that silent, seething rage of a small child who is 'big' in his head.

Ianto flicked an off-cut to Jill, then gently offered piece to the dog cowering between his feet, still not certain if he should trust the world around him again and Ianto knew deep down this reaction was upsetting him the most. Jack. He sat watching the workmen, his son and the dog. Especially the dog who had literally wrapped his front legs aroid Ianto's leg for a while before settling to sit on his slippers and stare out at everyone around his legs like it was a safe zone.

Ianto had warned him, had pointed out on several occasion that Hawk was the most spilt of their children and Jack had given the same answer he had with each and every child… spoiling a child and ruining child are two different things. Ianto had warned him.

The men settled eagerly for their meal, the choice of cold lamb or corned beef sandwiches, cakes and little hot pastries were devoured with glee as everyone around the Lake District raved about the Harkness-Jones treats. The coffee on tap was amazing too and finally an old man who was clearly the father of the other two men shuffled over to sit near Jack in Ianto's chair, looking over at the hunched over child in the corner.

"You know… that was a hell of a shot" he finally said to Jack who sighed, nodding.

"When Mark over there was about that age he took to my car with a baseball at one day. Made a right mess of it, I swear to god I wanted to beat that child's arse all the way into town and back." The old man said with venom and the little lump in the corner shuddered, then turned to regard the man looking straight at him "It is a terrible thing to love your child so much and yet, in that moment… hate what he did. Never hated him though. Still my pride and joy… my boys … but I tell ya… some days I still remember that. I could' a beat his arse till my hand fell off."

Jack nodded as he glanced at Ianto who was making out he couldn't hear, even as he glanced now and then at the morose child.

"Thanks Den. I know the feeling right now" Jack finally said and Hawk swung back to the wall with wide eyes as he pondered what a smacked arse all the way to town might feel like.

After they had gone Ianto said calmly "Hawk… you have a lot of apologize to make for today, a lot of things to fix but before you start … maybe you need to cuddle your dog for a moment? After all… you almost scared him to death."

Hawk slid to the floor and cuddled Ringo to him as the dog shivered and whimpered softly to tell him it was OK but damn, that was scary.

Hawk hung his head.

He was not a good citizen today.