5
Jack and Rayne had left for the gardens without him, the note full of remorse and a promise of a nice evening meal … a romantic hint in there that Ianto knew meant Jack was hopeful of more coupling. But … Ianto did not want that right now… right now he wanted some peace. Besides, Rayne would play up until she got a seat at the table too, the meal turning into the Rayne Game.
He packed a light bag and pulled out his phone as he wandered toward his Grandy's cottage and knew it was a cowardly way out. He hopes for the answer machine to cut in but instead Jack answered on the third ring "Ianto! Hey."
"Hi, Grandy is getting his boat in the water and I am going to go with, just overnight while the engines are given a good seeing to and we sort out the final kinks so she can be taken out to sea for a cruise" Ianto said in a rush "I know Rayne will love a movie night with you, I always scold over the popcorn everywhere… I will see you tomorrow, yeah?"
Silence.
"What?"
"Grandy and I are launching the boat for a trial run in the bay. I will see you tomorrow and maybe we can… what's that noise?" Ianto stopped taking as he heard Rayne again as well as a weird noise in the background, followed by a distant bark. Then lots of barking.
"Ah… we are at the dog park. Rayne wanted to see the doggies" Jack said with an upward squeak on the last word. Liar. Ianto knew where they were and it was not a dog park. It was a feckin pet store and they had talked about her getting a pet for her fourth birthday… clearly not now. She had worked on him while she had them separated, showing her Ted craftiness and he was caving.
"Right" Ianto said slowly, letting Jack hear his anger "Well… I will let you go get that … whatever she has chosen… paid for."
"Ianto…"
Ianto closed the call out and stood there simmering. Great. A new pet. Just what a pregnant Ted likes... a new creature in the den. He knew he was being unfair to Jack, they HAD talked about a pet in the future and Jack was always impulsive. Also… a second cub would never even enter Jack's head as Rayne had been such a rarity for two males. How was he to know what was happening Ianto's head… or body. Ianto told himself to cut the man some fucking slack here.
After all… she was his cub too and Ianto knew how crafty his own bear can be sometimes.
"Boy? Gonna stand there making that face all day?" Ifan asked and Ianto focused on the man in front of him with a puzzled look on his face.
"I bitched out and called Jack, told him I am staying overnight on the boat with you while we check her in the water" Ianto admitted "Really grown up of me."
The old man sniggered as he lifted his own bag "Thinking the same thing. Francine is packing us a picnic so we can eat as we go and tonight we can have a lovely meal in the galley for the first time, test out the new ovens she wanted installed."
"It is a lovely boat" Ianto agreed, settling in the back of the limo, Francine leaning in to kiss them goodbye and reminding them to behave.
"Yes mama" Ianto huffed rolling his eyes. He knew this pleased her as she coloured slightly with delight, kissing him again before leaving the two Teds.
"Just us boys" Ifan clapped his hands tougher "Come on Clarence… get thee hence to yon boat."
Clary turned in the driver's seat to look back "Huh?"
"Burn rubber" Ianto said calmly.
The young bear grinned, "Right Boss."