29

"But why?"

Ianto stopped the paintbrush in mid stroke to slowly turn and give his son the stink eye he deserved for acting so selfishly right now but Hawk was in full tantrum mode complete with his Captain Kitty Hawk ears thrown on the floor and his bottom lip out so far he might trip on it.

"Because it was Imp's turn for a friend" Ianto said calmly, turning back to the canvas with a deep cleansing breath.

"But he doesn't have dogs!" Hawk was not ready to admit defeat yet "Tonny does… and I do!"

"And Babs, and Fen, and Walt… Daddy… me… your point is?" Ianto washed the brush out as he contemplated more pale green accent on the leaves of the trees. He looked at the palette and touched the yellow, then the green and dabbed until he liked the contrast, then reached for the canvas.

"But I want it!" Hawn stomped.

"And I want a new car" Ianto replied sagely "Can you pull one out of your butt for me perchance?"

The silence had him turning to watch Hawk's look of horror at such a crass comment, his eyes wide and his jaw slack before he slammed it shut and narrowed said 'crafty as a shithouse rat' eyes, swinging without anther word to storm from the room.

"EARS"

The child stopped, pivoted on his heel with such accuracy it is a wonder he did not leave a burn mark in the carpet, stormed back and scooped up his ears.. missed, tried again, then pivot… stomp… slam.

Ianto canted his head as he now thought the reflection of the trees in the lake looked too bright. Dab more dark green on the brush. Ah. Better.

"DADDY!"

Ianto paused the brush as he tuned to look out the window. Hawk was striding towards Jack who was bent over one of his bloody mowers and Jack rose with a wide grin that slowly faded as he heard the reason why Hawk needed the puppy more than Imp. Jack glanced at the house and grimaced. Yep. He knew damned well Ianto was watching and had already ruled.

He said something and shrugged. No doubt making it Ianto's fault but there ya go. When under live fire you have to throw someone on the grenade I guess. Hawks' shoulders slumped as he realized Jack was not gonna budge either. Taddy is ALWAYS right.

He held out his mangled cat ears and started that shoulder shaking thing that told Ianto a crying jag had started. Wide downturned mouth, eyes screwed shut and snot likely to follow as Jack rushed to comfort his child.

Cue the SUV engine turning on as a triumphant little shit sits cradling the ears HE stomped on in a rage and Jack drives off sedately to at least fix something. A little shiny pale face waving energetically in one of the back windows as LB goes for a ride too.

Why not.

It's a nice day for the dress up shops. Ianto sighed and looked at the Lake House painting and smiled.

Now he knows what was missing and he leans in to add a ropey looking Jilly dog to the veranda.