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Ianto was looking at things that were supposed to be The Christmas things. Ah. Right. You just say Christmas. Not THE Christmas. Ianto was curious about the burning of the Yule log and found it amusing that they were Torchwood … burnt wood of another kind. This encouraged him to allow the Ch… sorry… to allow Christmas to occur.
Apparently some of the others knew about this occurrence… or… party or whatever and it was gaining momentum. The weird tree built from old Hover parts was now being ceremoniously placed in the Mess Hall, at one end with room around it for something. Ianto was then curious to find little lights being added to the tips of the jutting out bits, then one day a ribbon appeared tied on a piece… by the next day several… then some pretty chains… some little balls on string… by the end of the week the tree liked… actually really sweet.
It looks like it was becoming a community project. Ianto let it be… if it helped with brotherhood… let's embrace it.
"GJ… you busy?"
Ianto turned to find several DDs behind him with hopeful looks. New apparatus request maybe? Ah…one of them had a second child coming "If it is about the new family accommodations I …"
"No.. no. Ah… we were wondering about the lighting ceremony" came the excited reply.
"Huh?"
"Well… the tree is finished and it is tradition to light it… to turn the lights on one night like … this marks the start of Christmas" one of them explained gently, seeing Ianto's flare of annoyance before resetting his features.
"Oh gods… really?"
They nodded.
"OK… ah… tomorrow?" Ianto asked hesitantly then saw their faces change so he added "No? Friday?"
They nodded with glee again and took off, Ianto left wondering why they needed two days notice.
.
.
He soon found out as the posters went up and people started to murmur amongst themselves while standing about in small groups by the posters in question. This was still confusing but he was born of Meatstick stock so he adapted quickly.
By the time Jack started to talk about the gifts Ianto was totally on board, making sure he had all the children's names (including their DD names that would follow them to adulthood) and he was ready to listen to Jack as he told of the fun of the gift giving.
Ah. That explained the ribbons. You wrap the gifts and garnish them… Jack had laughed at that. A cooking term but it was right… right?
Ianto was in the storage room looking over things with a soft hum when Jack slid in behind him "Hey handsome, Whatcha doing?"
"In here… somewhere… are little daggers."
"Little daggers?"
"Yes. The size of your middle finger. I thought them an oddity but amusing so purchased an entire box of them. There are some of the younglings who might like a prick sticker" Ianto said as he crouched to check the minute writing on a box.
"So you intend giving small children vicious weapons that they can stick someone with?" Jack asked.
"I intend giving Dust Devils…. Ah Dustlings? Dustlings… yes give some of them some stickers as they already have weapons hidden all over the base thanks to Amilie and her cheeky tutoring when she thinks we are not looking. We will never be caught by surprise again. That day… that day of her first blooding… she learned of the importance of knowing where a weapon is… have it close to hand… strike hard and fast. I am still proud of that day, her reactions to the intruders and the knowledge that our children already show signs of the same bloody thugery potential. Yes. Stickers." Ianto nodded.
"I do love you" Jack sighed happily "But it's bloody mad trying to remember that you are a killing machine in disguise. I see only the handsome man I fell in love with. Soft, loving and so damned fine."
"Stop that" Ianto snorted with delight.
"I want another"
Hmmm? Another Sticker? Or a larger dagger for your pocket?"
"No… no. Sweetie… another little Dustling" Jack chortled.
"Oh I see… I am starting to assimilate to the madness so you want to throw another into the room and run for it?" Ianto asked as he let his hands pat Jack's chest.
"You make it sound like a concussion grenade" Jack snorted with mirth.
"Yes."
"And?"
"Bring it on!"
.
.
"So he said yes?" Toshiko said softly, watching as Ianto fussed with soma papers on his desk.
"He actually was the one to bring it up, the desire for another Dustling… you know it does not sound right." He stopped messing with the papers to frown.
"Stop deflecting. Groups of devils are Legion… so just say Legion as a collective" Toshiko scolded "Come on… tell me."
"He said it was time for another and I agreed."
Toshiko huffed as she sat back and took a sip of her juice, watching on as Ianto signed another requisition like they were discussing the weather.
"Coward" she finally hissed as she rose "My god… look at you… the Devil Himself… hesitating."
Ianto looked up at her and then laughed softly.
Yeah.
She was right. He had to REALLY talk to Jack instead of this weird dance they were doing.
Another of the Legion was going to join the fold. Or do you say the Legion swells? Grows?
God help them all.
