Monsters
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"There are no monsters here" Ianto said softly as he leaned over to kiss his forehead, his hand sweeping back hair so his lips could press against the warm skin "I will check for you to make sure, OK Cariad?"
Ianto rose and opened the wardrobe with a flourish, checking inside and then snorting "thought so. Ran like a pussy."
Ianto then got on his hands and knees, looking under the bed. "hang on…" he felt in his pocket and removed the little flashlight on his keying, checking with serious frown "Nope. Nothing there."
Ianto rose and sat on the edge of the bed again "OK Cariad?"
"Can I have the night light on?" a little voice asked and Ianto's smile softened as he leaned in and again brushed fingers across that forehead that needed one more kiss for luck.
"You want the rabbit one or the teddy one tonight darling?"
"Rabbity… Babbity Bop?"
"Good choice… I have it on good authority that this one is the superior one" Ianto assured him, then he flicked it on, patting the little plastic rabbit on the head as it started to light up.
Ianto then stood in the doorway and started to sing softly, the Hushaby Mountain Lullaby that still worked. After a while the breathing in the bed deepened and lengthened, the hand rubbing against the blanket now still.
Ianto pulled the door almost closed, the crack left to listen for a little cry in case he needed to come back and repeat the process. He walked along the hallway to the kitchen where his father was doing the dishes and he turned to watch him enter "Is he asleep?"
"Yeah, chose the rabbit one again" Ianto sighed as he slid into a chair.
"He has been choosing it a lot lately. Calling it the Rabbity Babbity" came the reply as his father placed the dried plate on the pile.
"You are set for the cruise?" Ianto asked as he looked over at the bags neatly stacked waiting for the last one to be added in the morning.
"Just have to pack a few things, got two extra Rabbit lights just in case that one shorts out or something. Gennie might not like that too much, loving his Babbity."
"Goodnight Dad, Taddy seems to be settled" Ianto rose and kissed James goodbye, turning to look down the hallway where his beloved slumbered and hoped he would have good dreams. He got in the vehicle and rang Jack on the blue tooth as he started to head home.
"Hey babe" Jack's voice was comforting "is he OK?"
"Excited about the cruise, you know him" Ianto smiled as he drove along the lane "They will be off first thing."
"You are a good man, you know? Not many would drive to another house to chase monsters"
"Well… he did it for me enough as a little boy. I remember him doing the same thing… fair pay that it is my turn now to do the same for him" Ianto laughed "Taddy always was as theatrical as me."
"Hurry home darling." Jack said gently "I love you."
Ianto did not answer, the tears starting as he hoped his Taddy would be aware in the morning, ready to go. The mornings ere better, he was much more aware of who he was, where he was and what was happening.
This cruise was going to be fun… all over again.
Bar Monsters, of course.
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"Monsters"
Oh, before they turn off all the lights
I won't read you your wrongs or your rights
The time has gone
I'll tell you goodnight, close the door
Tell you I love you once more
The time has gone
So here it is
I'm not your son, you're not my father
We're just two grown men saying goodbye
No need to forgive, no need to forget
I know your mistakes and you know mine
And while you're sleeping I'll try to make you proud
So, Daddy, won't you just close your eyes?
Don't be afraid, it's my turn
To chase the monsters away
Oh, well I'll read a story to you
Only difference is this one is true
The time has gone
I folded your clothes on the chair
I hope you sleep well, don't be scared
The time has gone
So here it is
I'm not your son, you're not my father
We're just two grown men saying goodbye
No need to forgive, no need to forget
I know your mistakes and you know mine
And while you're sleeping I'll try to make you proud
So, Daddy, won't you just close your eyes?
Don't be afraid, it's my turn
To chase the monsters away
Sleep a lifetime
Yes, and breathe a last word
You can feel my hand on your arm
I will be the last one
So I'll leave a light on
Let there be no darkness in your heart
But I'm not your son, you're not my father
We're just two grown men saying goodbye
No need to forgive, no need to forget
I know your mistakes and you know mine
And while you're sleeping I'll try to make you proud
So, Daddy, won't you just close your eyes?
Don't be afraid, it's my turn
To chase the monsters away