42
"Taddy…. Are these yours?"
Ianto turned to find Ton standing there holding the cutest little pair of knickers, his face one of pure confusion as these were definitely not a Ton and Angel kinda thing to be having in their washing basket. For a moment Ianto was stalled out staring at them, then he said softly "Ah… they are too small for me love. Let me see?"
Ianto accepted them and turned them over to check the size, finding them small. Almost…. Oh. Really? Ianto smiled as he assured his boy that he knew who might want these back and headed slowly for the bedroom upstairs in the belfry.
"Imperoony?"
"Hey Tad" the fourteen year old rolled his eyes as the sweet child name and secretly loved that his lovely Taddy would always do that same as Walt was still Saggy Bum sometimes. Felt nice, to always have a constant.
"Ton found these in his washing, any ideas?" Ianto held the lacy item up by finger and Imp grinned.
"There they are, I told him they would turn up" Imp said calmly as he accepted them and shoved them in his back pocket "Idiot would forget his head if it was not superglued on! Even if it is a bit crooked"
Monkey. Of course it was. Ianto blinked slowly then added "well… he had nice taste. I like that catalogue too."
"Yeah… he wanted the peppermint but they only come on the adult sizes" Imp said conversationally as he settled back at his piano to compose some more "I promised him some one day."
"Well… I do know the designer. I could ask if there is any way to get some in the smaller size. Can't hurt to ask, if that is Harley' preferred colour" Ianto said as he turned to leave and soft laughter had him turning back "What?"
"These are not Monkey's Tad. Monkey is dating Mona Manninton" Imp laughed, Manny's daughter a surprise to Ianto.
"So…"
"Don't' tell." Imp tapped his nose and Ianto knew.
"Ben."
"Yeah. He's not sure, he thinks he likes girls too and I did point out that you can have both. Not everyone has to choose one or the other but… he is embarrassed and not sure what people will say if he dresses up. He likes the feel of them." Imp shrugged.
"So do I and that is why I wear them sometimes. I did when I was wed to Mama Lisa too. You are right, a man can have pretty things and still want to be with the opposite sex. Labelling everyone is a shitty thing people do." Ianto settled on the bed "you are a good friend to him, he needs a good friend and I am proud of you for helping him through this."
"That's OK Tad. I just think 'what would Taddy say' and just say that" Imp shrugged, leaning forward to scribble a note on the music sheet.
Ianto left the room with a light heart and a need to dig out a book or two to put quietly tin Ben's room next time he was next door. Teenage years are so bloody hard.
Imp was so much like him with his heart.
Ianto was proud.