16
Jack was enamoured with the little girl, his signing erratic but luckily able to be understood as he told her something that brought out a teethy little grin. He grinned back. No doubt a compliment to her, Ianto had taught her many of those.
"I am gonna explore this tub" Ianto said and he hesitated in the doorway as neither of them seemed to hear, then a little hand flapped like he was released from service or something and he sniggered softly at her while closing the door, leaving her with Jack.
Why not.
If there was one person in the entire world he would trust with a small child it would be him, his heart on his sleeve every time a little one was around. Even with the things he has done.
Ianto noted several things rather quickly. Dirty. Messy. No organization. Hmmmm. There was clearly no structure or routine here, no good having a pirate ship with no captain, the pirates all lounge about eating grapes or whatever.
He found himself in the medical area and saw Owen up ahead with a little boy sitting in a bed. Owen was squinting "Well, it's bloody far up there. I have to give you that."
Ianto stopped walking to watch as Toshiko held to some tweezers and he shook his head "Nah, the mum tried those. Pushed the bloody jellybean up farther. I tell ya mate, that is NOT how I remember eating them as a kid."
The little boy sighed theatrically and focused on the tall man in the black clothing like a ninja or something, standing there with his eyes full of intelligence. Finally, someone might know what to do.
"Hello there" Ianto said softly to the child "Want to play a game?"
The kid nodded, making Owen curse then turn to see who was distracting the child. Then he moved to one side, now wanting to know Ianto's idea. Of course he had one, this man had ideas on everything ya know. Like a Google Engine.
"OK. Put your fingers in your ears" Ianto said and the kid did.
"Make this face" Ianto pulled a sully face and the kid started to giggle as he did so too.
"Right" Ianto reached into his pocket and withdrew a box of matches, lighting one "Now… be a dragon and blow your fire on this with just the power of your nose."
Ianto placed the match under the child's nose and the kid started to giggle as he half-heartedly tried to blow out the flame.
"That will not do it. No candy bar for you" Ianto said, then held up a chocolate bar that had the child's eyes widening with shock, the next blow a mighty on. The jellybean flew across the room, hitting Owen in the chest, the child's mother gasped with delight and the child snatched the candy bar with excitement.
"Thanks mister."
"Ianto" Owen said as he rose and brushed at his chest "This is my fiend Ianto."
"I'm Tommy" the kid said around a mouthful of chocolate.
"Thank you so much" the woman said happily "We were down to the last of the sweets and he hates jellybeans. I told him there were no more Twinkies"
"Actually there are. Some came on board with me, I think they will be available at lunchtime tomorrow when we are having fresh corn on the cob and lashings of butter" Ianto smiled at the boy, "Tonight is going to be shepherd's pie but I am not sure I can eat a shepherd. I hope he was not wearing gumboots."
The kid sat there and then started to laugh as he slithered from the gurney and hugged Ianto, then took off with his mother following him.
"Thanks mate, I forgot that Dragon Technique in all the medical magazines" Owen snarked happily as he slapped Ianto on the arm.
"Well, David was stupid. Lego, food… even a coin once. Like… you think it will get easier? I lamented him being his father's son. Johnny was a real dick" Ianto sighed as he looked around "So, you have everything? You don't. No scanner?"
"Nah, this one had simple crap, not a lot of help to us" Owen agreed "But I hear tell another boat might join our armada?"
"The Honeymoon Cruise Ship, yeah." Ianto smiled as he focused on Toshiko "Hello Blossom."
"Look at you" she said shyly, hanging back "Like a big lumberjack or something."
"You know... Jack said the same thing. Is it that much of a difference?" Ianto rubbed at his beard "I guess I never thought much about it. Easier not to shave. Is a bit scratchy. I find myself scratching in it while thinking, can't look that intelligent, more like an ape."
"Remember that man at the coffee shop that time who used his fork to scratch in his bead, then ate with it?" Toshiko asked, then shuddered.
"A shave might be an idea then. Maybe. I will think on it, I don't know if my little girl will feel the same. She might not like me clean shaven" Ianto shrugged.
"Ha ha. Like anyone would not like you" Owen scoffed.
"Awwwww… Owie. I didn't know you cared so much buddy" Ianto said in a sappy tone as he pulled Owen over and before the man could stop him, Ianto kissed him on the lips.
"Ewwwwwwww.. fuck!" Owen leapt back, rubbing at his mouth "that fucking tickled. God, like kissing a sea urchin."
"Ah. Well. Maybe I will shave then. If it means you might kiss me again" Ianto winked with a leer and Owen swung at him, laughing as he told him he was horrible.
"So. Ideas?" Toshiko asked as she stepped over and finally accepted a gentle hug and kiss to the cheek, followed by her own admission that his beard tickled.
"I see no one cleaning up, I wonder if there are jobs assigned? Are people helping out or is it just floating around in limbo." Ianto asked.
"What do you reckon?" Owen huffed "His Nibs has been sort of morosing about letting the She Devil do all the talking and delegating of tasks. Meaning, no one does anything."
"Gwen." Ianto said with a grimace.
Still got to see that one.